Best Wedding Loans of 2025

How to choose the best wedding loan lender

To pick from the best wedding loan lenders listed above, consider these four factors.

Borrower requirements: Start by seeing whether you meet the lender’s basic borrower requirements. Many lenders publish a minimum credit score requirement, and some lenders (like banks and credit unions) require an existing relationship to apply for a loan. This can help quickly narrow down your options.

Loan amounts: Wedding loan amounts range from $1,000 to $100,000, and each lender offers a different range. You’ll want to make sure any lenders you’re considering offer the amount you need to finance your wedding. Try to only borrow what you need, even if you qualify for more.

Repayment terms: Wedding loan terms range from six months to seven years, and available terms will vary by lender. The longer the term, the more interest you’ll pay, so it’s best to go with the shortest term that still has an affordable monthly payment.

APR: Finally, consider what annual percentage rate you can qualify for with each lender. Wedding loan APRs range from 6% to 36% and represent the total cost of the loan. At this stage, it’s best to pre-qualify with a few lenders to compare APRs (more on that lower down).

How do wedding loans work?

A wedding loan is an unsecured personal loan you use to pay for wedding expenses.

With a wedding loan, you borrow money from a bank, credit union or online lender and use the funds to pay for the wedding and other related costs — though technically you can use the loan to pay for anything.

Once you apply and are approved, you’ll receive the money in a lump sum in your bank account. You’ll then pay it back with fixed monthly installments that include interest.

How much do wedding loans cost?

The cost of a wedding loan depends on what annual percentage rate you qualify for. The most expensive wedding loans will have the highest APRs. Here’s an example of how it works:

An average wedding in 2024 cost $33,000, according to wedding website The Knot ^[0] . Say you get a three-year loan for $15,000 (about half the average wedding cost). On the low end, a loan with a 6% APR would mean you’d have monthly payments of $456, and pay $1,428 in total interest.

But if you take out that same loan with a 36% APR, you’d have monthly payments of $687 and pay $9,734 in interest. That’s why qualifying for the lowest rate possible is the best way to reduce wedding loan costs.

Plug in your potential wedding loan amount and estimate your monthly payments with NerdWallet’s free personal loan calculator.

How to get a wedding loan

1. Pre-qualify and compare wedding loan options

The best wedding loans offer pre-qualification, which involves a short application and soft credit inquiry, so you can check your potential loan terms without hurting your credit score. You’ll need to supply basic personal information and details about the loan you want, like desired amount and repayment term.

It’s best to pre-qualify with multiple wedding loan lenders to compare offers. Online lenders are more likely to offer pre-qualification, though many banks and credit unions do, too.

» Get started: Pre-qualify with multiple lenders for free with NerdWallet

2. Submit your application

Once you’ve pre-qualified and decided on a lender, you’ll need to formally apply for the loan. Most applications are completely digital.

As part of the application, you’ll provide personal and contact information, like proof of identification, Social Security number, address and phone number. You may also need to provide proof of employment and income.

Once you submit your application, the lender will conduct a hard credit pull and make an approval decision. While some decisions are instantaneous, other lenders may take a few days, especially if the lender needs more information.

» MORE: How to apply for a personal loan

3. Get funded

Once approved, you’ll receive the loan agreement, which you’ll need to review and sign. The loan funds are then deposited into your bank account and ready for use.

The best wedding loans offer same-day funding, while others may take up to a week to send the funds. You can also choose to receive a check, though this may delay funding time further.

After receiving the funds, make a plan for repayment. Missing a loan payment can hurt your credit score and trigger late fees.

» MORE: How to manage your personal loan

Can you get a wedding loan with bad credit?

Wedding loans are available to borrowers even if they have bad credit (a score in the high 500s or lower). Some online lenders specifically cater to borrowers with bad credit and have low minimum credit score requirements.

» COMPARE: Best loans for borrowers with bad credit

Since rates may be higher with these lenders, make sure you can afford the monthly payment for the duration of the loan.

If you need help qualifying, there are ways to boost your chances of getting approved. This includes checking your credit report for errors, like inaccurate credit limits, or paying off any small debts, which can help quickly build your score.

You may also consider a co-signed or joint wedding loan. Adding a partner or family member to your application, particularly if they have better credit or a higher income than you, can help you get approved.

Are wedding loans a good idea?

It’s best to pay for your wedding with money you’ve saved, but that isn’t always an option for couples.

As long as you qualify for a low rate, and you’re confident you can repay the loan without sacrificing other financial goals, wedding loans may be a good idea. Weigh the pros and cons of wedding loans carefully, though.

Pros of wedding loans

• Fast funding: Wedding loans can be funded within a week, though many lenders offer same- or next-day funding.

• Credit reporting: Most lenders report payments to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — so you can build credit as you make on-time payments. 

• Lump sum: You’ll receive the loan funds in one lump sum, which can help you stick to your wedding budget.

• Fixed monthly payments: Wedding loans have fixed interest rates, so you’ll make the same payment each month.

Cons of wedding loans

• Rates depend on your credit: Your credit score is a major factor in determining your rate. A low credit score may make it difficult to qualify for an affordable wedding loan.

• Long terms: You could be repaying your loan for up to seven years. Consider how long you want to be paying off your wedding.

How wedding loans affect your credit score

There are two ways a wedding loan can affect your credit score.

1. When a wedding loan lender conducts a hard credit pull during the application process, a few points are temporarily knocked off your credit score.

2. If you’re approved for the loan, your payment history will also be reported to the credit bureaus. While a history of on-time payments can help build credit, making late payments or defaulting on the loan can hurt your score.

Wedding loan alternatives

Compare other options for financing your wedding so you can celebrate your big day feeling confident you’ve made the right financial choice.

Savings: With a long enough engagement, you and your partner may be able to save up to cover the cost of the wedding, interest-free.

Financial experts don’t recommend incurring debt for discretionary expenses like weddings. Instead, estimate your wedding’s cost and then choose a strategy for saving.

0% APR credit cards: You may be able to pay for the wedding interest-free with a 0% APR credit card. The zero-interest promotional period on these cards can last up to 21 months.

You usually need good or excellent credit to qualify for this type of card. Be mindful of the card’s typical APR, which will take effect if you can’t pay the balance during the promotion.

» COMPARE: Best 0% APR credit cards

Rewards cards: You can put some of your expenses — like the dress and decorations — on a rewards credit card and potentially get cash back. A travel rewards card could help you put money toward your honeymoon, too.

Some of these cards also require good or excellent credit to qualify, and you may not get rewarded for all of your expenses. But they’re an option if you’re going to use your own cash to cover some of the costs.

» COMPARE: Best credit cards for wedding expenses