Wedding loans

Find a loan to help pay for your big day

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^Correct as of September 2026.

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What is a wedding loan?

A wedding loan is an unsecured personal loan that you can use to pay all or some of the costs of a wedding. You can borrow the money you need upfront, then repay it over a set period to help spread the cost.

The average cost of a UK wedding in 2026 is around £20,604, according to wedding planner app Bridebook, or £25,815 if you include the engagement ring and a honeymoon.

And when the big day comes with a big bill attached, it’s no wonder couples look for some form of financial support.

According to our data, couples aged between 30-39 tend to be the most likely to borrow for a wedding, making up39% of wedding loan applicants.2

Parked car with Just Married sign on the back

How do wedding loans work?

Because wedding loans are unsecured, you won’t need to put up a valuable asset such as your home as security. But you’ll usually need a good credit score for your application to be accepted.

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Check your eligibility

Think about how much you want to borrow and for how long (you can typically pay back a wedding loan over one to five years, although some lenders will allow 10 years if you’re borrowing a larger amount). Then use our soft-search eligibility checker to see which loans you might be offered without damaging your credit score

Apply for a wedding loan

If you find a loan offering an amount, repayment period and interest rate that works for you, apply with the lender

Wait for approval

If your wedding loan application is approved, you’ll receive the money in your bank account within one to two days. You can then use it to cover the costs of your big day

Repay the loan

You’ll need to pay back the loan, plus interest, in fixed monthly instalments. It’s a good idea to set up a direct debit to make sure you don’t miss a repayment

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What are the pros and cons of taking out a wedding loan?

Advantages of a wedding loan

  • Fast access to funds – once you’ve been approved for a wedding loan, you could have the money in your bank account within a couple of days or even less

  • You can spread the cost – you’ll have flexibility over how much money to borrow and for how long. A short-term loan means you’ll pay less interest overall. Pay back the loan over a longer timeframe and your monthly repayments will be lower, but you’ll pay more in interest

  • Fixed repayments – you’ll repay a set amount each month, which makes it easier to budget

Disadvantages of a wedding loan

  • You need a good credit score to get the best wedding loan rates – the interest rate you see advertised may not be the rate you’re offered (unless it’s a guaranteed rate)

  • Your credit score could be damaged – applying for any form of credit can temporarily dent your credit score, but if your circumstances change and you can’t make the repayments this could have a longer-lasting impact

  • Loans aren't always the cheapest way to borrow – a wedding loan isn’t the only way of financing your big day (see alternatives, below). Compare your options to see what works out best for you

How much should I borrow for a wedding?

In an ideal world, you’d be able to pay for your celebration out of savings and avoid starting married life with a large debt. But wedding day costs can quickly add up, so it’s not surprising that many couples consider a loan to fund part or all of it.

Start by working out an overall budget before breaking it down into categories to see where you might be able to cut back. Once you have a clear cost in mind, you can decide how much you want, or need, to borrow. It can be a good idea to include a little extra to account for any unexpected expenses.

Did you know?

According to our data, people who take out a wedding loan typically borrow £10,6732 for their big day.

How much do loans for weddings cost?

The cost of a wedding loan depends on the:

Loan amount

Loan term (length)

Interest rate

Fees

Use our loan calculator

If you’re considering a loan, our loan calculator can help you work out what your monthly repayments might be and how much the loan could cost overall.

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Can I get a wedding loan?

It depends on your personal circumstances. You’ll typically have a better chance of being accepted for an unsecured wedding loan if:

  • You have a good credit history – lenders want to know that you’ve managed debt well in the past and that you can be trusted to pay back what you borrow.

  • You have a steady income and can afford the loan – lenders will look at your current debt, regular outgoings and income to assess whether you can afford the loan.

By comparing wedding loans with us you can see which loans you’re likely to be accepted for without any impact to your credit score.

Compare the Market Limited acts as a credit broker, not a lender. To apply you must be a UK resident and aged 18 or over. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.

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Close-up of filling out a wedding planner.
Charlie Evans

What our expert says...

“A wedding loan can help you have the day you’ve always dreamed of, but only borrow what you can comfortably afford to repay.

“A longer term lowers the monthly payment but costs more overall. For example, borrowing £8,000 at 10% APR costs about £1,230 in interest over three years and about £2,100 over five, which is roughly £865 more.

“Try to pay the loan back as quickly as you comfortably can to reduce the interest, and check whether there’s a charge for repaying early.”

Charlie Evans, Personal finance expert

Can I get a wedding loan with bad credit?

It could be possible to get a wedding loan with bad credit. However, you may:

  • have fewer lenders to choose from

  • be offered a lower borrowing limit

  • be charged a higher interest rate.

To find out how likely you are to qualify for a bad credit loan, use our loan eligibility checker. It will show which loans you’re likely to be accepted for without any impact on your credit score.

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What are the alternatives to a wedding loan?

If you’re looking for different ways to help finance your big day, you could consider:
Credit card icon

0% purchase credit card

A 0% purchase credit card lets you make purchases upfront and pay off what you’ve spent, interest-free, over a set period.

Make all your minimum monthly repayments and clear what you owe by the end of the 0% period, and the credit won’t cost you anything.

Pound sign in circle icon

Interest-free overdraft

If you need money in the short term – to secure a venue, for example – you could use an interest-free overdraft if one’s available to you. But be aware that you’re likely to be charged if you go over the overdraft limit.

Multiple people icon

A family loan

A family member might be happy to lend to you without any charge (or perhaps at a low rate of interest). But bear in mind that it could put a strain on your relationship if you struggle to repay the loan. To avoid this, draw up an agreement beforehand to agree on monthly repayments.

Moneybag with coins icon

Saving up

If you’re itching to get hitched, saving up can feel impossibly slow. But the upside of waiting is being able to start your married life debt-free. Even if you’re not able to fund the whole wedding with your savings, the more you can cover without borrowing, the better.

What do I need to compare wedding loans?

To compare wedding loans, you’ll need to give us a few details, including:

  • How much you want to borrow

  • How long you want to take to pay it back

  • Your annual income

  • How many people depend on you financially.

Use our eligibility checker to find the loans you’re most likely to be accepted for without any impact on your credit score. Once you’ve chosen a loan that’s right for you, you’ll be transferred to the lender’s site to apply.

Try our eligibility checker

Wedding loan guides

Ways to budget for your big day and weigh up whether borrowing is right for you

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FAQs

Can I make an overpayment on a wedding loan?

Under the Consumer Credit Directive (CCD), you can overpay a personal loan at any time. But there may be penalties and conditions attached.

You can typically make partial overpayments of up to £8,000 a year without paying charges.

If you overpay by more than £8,000, lenders can charge up to two months’ interest (if they’ve incurred a cost because you’re paying back the loan early). If your loan has fewer than 12 months to run, lenders can only charge up to one month’s interest.

What happens if my wedding is cancelled?

You’ll still need to repay your wedding loan in full if your ceremony doesn’t go ahead.

If you’ve already paid for some parts of the wedding and you’re unable to get a refund, you might be able to claim back what you’ve paid if you have wedding insurance.

Unfortunately, you can’t compare wedding insurance with Compare the Market.

Looking for something else?

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Charlie Evans
Reviewed 08 Jul 2026 byCharlie EvansPersonal finance expert

Charlie is a senior commercial leader with almost a decade's experience across the UK’s leading personal-finance and comparison platforms. Before joining Compare the Market as Head of Commercial in 2024, he held senior commercial roles at TotallyMoney and MoneySuperMarket Group.

Methodology

1Based on the % of respondents familiar with Compare the Market reporting they love the brand in the last 12 months vs. other leading PCWs. Source: Savanta BrandVue Financial Services, National Representative Survey of 9,817 respondents (September 2026)​

2Correct as of September 2026.