The average wedding cost is $36,000according to Zola, the popular wedding planning website. That has increased 24% for just two years. With prices rising sharply and credit card balances and credit card rates both near record highs, funding your wedding with a credit card is a very risky proposition. However, using smart credit cards can help brides and grooms cover the costs of their wedding. This is the way.
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Strategies to reward beneficial credit cards
Earn wedding fee rewards and playing the card correctly can lead to a free honeymoon. That means signing up for the right card to earn money CashbackAirline miles or hotel points earn points at wedding costs, avoid interest and pay in full to maximize the value of those reward points and miles.
Cashback
The most basic example is to sign up for a credit card that offers 2% cashback per purchase. It’s simple and easy, but it’s still growing. Wells FargoActiveCash® Card That’s a good example. We offer an unlimited 2% cash reward for each purchase. If you spend an average of $36,000 on your wedding, that’s $720 with all the rewards for the money you would have spent anyway. Additionally, the card offers a $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. This will bring Gront Total to $920.
trip
You could potentially get even better returns on the right side Travel Reward Credit Card. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardFor example, after spending $4,000 in the first three months on a card, you will then provide 75,000 miles of miles to new cardholders. It’s worth at least $750 for a free trip. Card fee a $95 Annual fee. Each purchase earns 2 miles per dollar. This is similar to a 2% cashback when redeemed for a trip. If you spend a $36,000 wedding fee on your card, that’s another $720 for a free trip, plus an additional $750 for the value of the welcome offer. This will result in your first year pay of $1,470.
While general purpose travel cards such as venture cards offer a wide range of appeal and flexibility, they are also worth considering airlines. Hotel-specific credit cards. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card*Supervised by offering new customers three free nights (up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within three months of opening an account. You also have the opportunity to earn 50,000 points if you spend $6,000 in the first six months on your card. An introductory bonus could offset all, or at least most, of your honeymoon accommodation costs.
Of course, you need to reach your destination. Airline credit cards It might be useful. Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card It’s an interesting option. The 50,000-mile welcome bonus (after spending $2,000 in the first six months) is worth around $600. According to our points and Miles ratings. Unless you’re spending too much, you and your partner may be wise to add one or two cards to each wallet to maximize rewards and costs.
Without debt is the way we want to be
Of course, reward credit cards make the most sense when you can pay in full monthly to avoid profits. Almost half of credit card holders carry debts each month; Bankrate credit card debt report,and Average credit card rate As of June 2025, this is 20.12%. If you already have credit card debt or are looking for a way to spread the impact of your upcoming purchases, then a generous card Zero Percent Interest Promotion It’s a better option than chasing rewards.
for example, US Bank Shieldâ„¢ Visa®*There is a 24-month interest-free promotion for balance transfers and new purchases (after which the variable APR ranges from 17.74 to 28.74%. Please note that the transfer must be made within 60 days of opening an account). This card does not offer many rewards (only 4% cashback for prepaid flights, hotels and rental cars booked via the US Bank Rewards Center), but it is a valuable benefit to avoid interest and spreading cash flow. If you choose to have a wedding fee of $5,000, you can install it into 24 equal (and interest-free!) installments of about $208. This is much better than funding $5,000 over two years at 20.12%, which means you’ll be charged more than $1,100 in interest.
Customs are wildcards
Dress Shop owner Christina Greenberg said knot 80% of wedding dresses sold in the US are made in China, a country facing the Trump administration’s most rapid proposed tariffs.
Furthermore, about 80% of cut flowers sold in the US are imported. Alcohol is a staple of frequently imported weddings. Catering holes may raise prices for tariff-related reasons (e.g., increased costs of food and furniture). The US Trade Court blocked many of the tariffs proposed on May 28, but a swift appeal reversed the ruling and future court decisions. The White House can also pursue tariffs through other legal and political routes. In other words, there is still a huge amount of uncertainty.
Conclusion
A wedding is not just a life commitment, but also a huge financial commitment. We don’t know what’s ahead for tariffs, inflation, or the US economy, but keeping prices rising is a safe bet, and staying smarter is even more important. A good credit card strategy will help you get more rewards, pay less for profit, and help you start a marriage with a safer financial foothold.
Information about Marriott Bonvoy Bondless® Credit Cards and US Bank Shield™ Visa® Cards is collected independently by Bankrate.com. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.