Ways to Pay Off Wedding Debt
- Wedding debt can put a strain on your marriage.
- Consolidating your debt, budgeting, and boosting your income with gig work could help you get rid of it.
- The sooner you pay off wedding debt, the less it will cost, allowing you to work on other financial goals.
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Getting married is one of the most exciting things you might do. But it may also be one of the most expensive.
The average cost of a 2025 wedding is $33,000, according to The Knot. And while you can take steps to save money on a wedding, you might still rack up some debt in the course of that celebration.
The problem with wedding debt is twofold. For one thing, the longer it takes you to pay it off, the more interest you might pay.
And wedding debt can be stressful—which could strain any relationship, especially if you and your spouse feel your wedding debt is getting in the way of other financial goals.
Make your wedding debt a thing of the past with the right strategy. Here are some tips for paying off your wedding debt.
1. Figure Out a Payoff Approach That Works for You
Depending on how you borrowed money for your wedding, you may now be juggling a number of credit card balances to pay it off. Your first move is to assess your debt and figure out an effective payoff approach.
One option is the debt snowball method, which has you pay off debts from smallest balance to largest. Another possibility is the debt avalanche method, which has you tackle debts starting with the one with the highest interest rate.
The avalanche method could ultimately save you more money. But the snowball method might be best for you psychologically, since you can actually watch smaller balances disappear sooner. There’s really no right or wrong answer—the best approach is the one that keeps you motivated and on track. You can also start with the snowball for a quick satisfying win, and then switch to the avalanche method.
2. Consolidate Your Debt
If managing the various debts you racked up in the course of getting married is getting too difficult, it could make sense to look at debt consolidation. What this means is rolling your various balances into a single loan with one monthly payment.
In some cases, that might save you money if it lowers the interest rate on your debt. If you’re juggling credit card balances with APRs ranging from 22% to 25% and you qualify for a personal loan at 16%, that’s a much lower interest rate. That could make it easier to pay off your debt sooner.
Also, with just one monthly payment to keep track of, you’re probably less likely to miss a payment. That could help you protect your credit score. Once your wedding is paid off and you’re ready to move on to other goals, like buying a house, you could be in a better position to do so.
3. Budget Carefully
When you’re newly married, it’s natural to want to splurge on romantic dinners at local restaurants and fun weekend activities. If you’re trying to pay off wedding debt, it’s wise to spend strategically.
A big part of smart spending is sticking to a budget. List your monthly expenses and figure out the cost of your essential bills. You can allocate some money to fun stuff, but make sure you’re also setting aside money each month to pay off your wedding debt. And if you don’t like the idea of poring over a budgeting spreadsheet, you can look for a budgeting app you enjoy using.
4. Boost Your Income With Gig Work
The more money you’re able to make, the easier it will be to pay off your wedding debt. A good way to boost your income is to turn to the gig economy. This allows you to earn more in a flexible manner—and perhaps a fun one. For example, if you love playing guitar, you may be able to get paid to play at events.
Remember, too, that gig work is something you and your new spouse can do together. If you love animals, you could offer pet sitting services jointly. If you’re both crafty, you could sell homemade goods at local markets.
Boosting your income by even $100 or so per month could put a nice dent in your wedding debt. Also, the busier your side gig keeps you, the less likely you may be to spend extra money on entertainment, getting you closer to the goal of paying off your wedding once and for all.
Moving Past Wedding Debt
Wedding debt can be stressful, even if you racked up it for a good reason. So it pays to try to eliminate it quickly.
Of course, if your debt reaches the point where it becomes unmanageable and you don’t have a way to pay it off, it could make sense to reach out to a debt relief company for help. But if you’re able to pay off your wedding debt, it’ll be one less thing to have to think about. That way, you can focus on your marriage—and building a beautiful life together.
Author Information
Written by
Maurie Backman
Maurie Backman is a personal finance writer with over 10 years of experience. Her coverage areas include retirement, investing, real estate, and credit and debt management.
Reviewed by
Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly Rotter is a financial counselor and consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.
If I consolidate debt, will I have to close my credit card accounts?
Not usually, although it can be a condition of your loan. Keeping accounts open can help your credit score because it improves the average age of accounts and your credit utilization. However, if you overspend and carry balances, it's probably better for you to close the accounts and get some counseling. Debt consolidation failure usually happens when people run up their balances again and end up worse off than before.
How is the debt avalanche method more cost-effective than the snowball method?
The avalanche method is more cost-effective than the snowball method because it gets rid of your most expensive debt first. The snowball method prioritizes motivation, while the avalanche prioritizes savings.
Getting out of debt isn't easy or quick. It takes commitment and a stick-to-it attitude. That's why the snowball method is more popular. It's often the fastest way to get to your first debt payoff, which is a big cause for celebration. If you play around with an online debt snowball vs debt avalanche calculator, you'll see that following the avalanche method could cut about a month off your debt payoff timeline. That may be more significant than it sounds. This one-month payment could be a big one, because at this point, you're paying off your last debt with a payment that includes all the payments you were making against all of your debts.
But no debt payoff plan is effective if you can't stick with it. Only you can decide which DIY method is a better fit for you.
Are there apps for budgeting?
Yes. Several apps like PocketGuard, Mint, You Need A Budget (YNAB), and the Achieve GOOD app (Get Out Of Debt) can help you set a budget, track transactions, and stay on top of your financial goals. Some apps also let you link bank accounts and creditor accounts.