Getting engaged should be one of life’s happiest moments, but for many couples today, the joy quickly turns to financial stress. With wedding costs spiraling and social media setting sky-high expectations, more couples are turning to loans to fund their big day.
The numbers tell a worrying story. A third of couples planning to marry in 2027 or beyond plan to use loans to finance their wedding, according to recent research. This represents a significant jump from 23% in 2019, indicating that there’s a growing financial pressure on engaged couples.
Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings, a family-run business specializing in exclusive wedding venues across the UK, sees this financial pressure firsthand every day. After years of helping couples plan their perfect day, he’s noticed a troubling pattern in how modern couples approach wedding finances.
“I speak to engaged couples daily who are torn between their dream wedding and their bank balance,” Nick says. “The conversations have changed over the past few years – couples are asking more questions about payment plans and discussing budgets they know are beyond their means.”
What Are Wedding Loans Paying For?
Wedding loans aren’t just covering the basics anymore. These borrowed funds are going towards increasingly expensive elements that couples now consider essential for their special day. “The biggest shock for couples is often the venue cost,” Nick explains.
“Premium locations, especially those offering exclusive use, can easily reach £15,000 to £30,000 before you’ve even thought about catering. Many couples fall in love with a venue during a viewing and then scramble to find ways to afford it.”
Catering represents another major expense driving borrowing. With per-head costs ranging from £80 to £200 depending on the menu and service style, a guest list of 100 people can quickly result in a £15,000 bill. Designer wedding wear has become a significant factor too.
“Brides are sometimes spending £3,000 to £8,000 on dresses for their big day,” Nick shares. “Social media has created this expectation that your wedding dress needs to be Instagram-worthy, which usually means expensive,” Nick notes.
The Pressure Behind The Spending
Social media has fundamentally changed wedding expectations. Couples are influenced by elaborate setups they see online, often assuming these represent the new standard for weddings. “There’s this fear of letting people down,” Nick observes. “Couples worry their guests will judge them if the wedding doesn’t measure up to the last celebration they attended. That comparison culture is pushing people into debt.”
Buy now, pay later schemes have made overspending easier to justify. “Payment plans make large expenses feel more manageable in the moment,” Nick warns. “But couples often don’t calculate the true cost once interest is added over time.”
Warning Signs When Borrowing For Weddings
If you’re looking at loans with interest rates above 10%, that should stop you in your tracks. Wedding debt can follow you for years after the celebration ends, and by then, the magic has worn off, but the payments remain.
Another warning sign is when monthly repayments would require significant lifestyle changes. “If covering the loan means couples can’t save for a house deposit or have to abandon other financial goals, the wedding has become too expensive,” Nick says.
Nick Bramer, wedding expert at Country House Weddings, commented:
The key to avoiding wedding debt is being realistic about what you can afford from the start. Set your budget based on what you can pay, not what you hope to afford later. If that means having 80 guests instead of 120, or choosing a simpler menu, those decisions will serve you much better in the long run than starting married life with significant debt.
There are smart ways to reduce costs without compromising on what matters. Consider getting married on a Friday or Sunday rather than a Saturday; venue costs can drop by 20-30%. Book your venue well in advance to secure better rates, and be flexible with your date if possible.
Focus spending on the elements that matter most to you as a couple. If photography is your priority, allocate more budget there and save money elsewhere. If the venue is everything, then perhaps simplify other aspects like decorations or favours.
Remember that your guests want to celebrate with you – they’re not keeping score of how much you’ve spent. A wedding that’s within your means and reflects your personality will always be more memorable than one that creates financial stress for years to come.
