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• Planning a wedding can be pricey, but using the right credit cards to pay for your big day can help.
• Some cards offer rewards or travel points you can use to take your honeymoon or offset expenses.
• Consider a card with a long intro 0% APR offer if you want to pay off your purchases over time.
• Read Insider’s guide to the best travel rewards credit cards.

When a couple is in the thick of planning a wedding, figuring out how to pay for unexpected costs or prices that seem to bust the budget can be stressful. While some save for years to be able to afford their celebration, others are paying the bill by fronting some of the cash now and relying on credit cards that they plan to pay off later.

If you’re going to pay for your big day using credit cards, why not pick ones that give you perks that will help you out in strategic ways that can complement your wedding planning?

Take a look at these different credit cards and why they are worthwhile to consider for anyone planning a wedding in 2023. 

We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

Compare the best credit cards for wedding expenses

American Express® Gold Card

When you’re planning a wedding, you’ll be faced with endless decisions, vendors, and purchases you find yourself making on a whim. One of the perks of paying for some of these items with your credit card, instead of with cash, is the protection you can get in case of fraud, theft, loss, or damage.

For example, the American Express® Gold Card offers a fraud protection guarantee, which ensures that cardholders won’t be held liable for any fraudulent charges. You also have access to purchase protection, which covers new eligible items paid for with the card that are damaged, stolen, or lost within 90 days of your purchase. There’s a limit of $10,000 per item and $50,000 per account per calendar year.

So if something happens to your wedding dress or engagement ring, you may receive purchase protection — it’s important to check American Express’ terms and conditions to make sure your purchase is covered.

Review: Amex Gold Card review

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

If you’re planning to go on a honeymoon after your wedding, it might seem overwhelming to figure out how to pay for that trip. Going with a credit card that offers travel perks could help you cover a lot of the costs associated with that trip, especially if you’re paying for a good chunk of your wedding on a credit card.

One card with great travel benefits is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Not only does this card offer 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening (which is worth around $1,080 in travel, based on Insider’s valuation of Chase points), but it also offers additional travel perks including: 

• Up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year toward hotel stays purchased through Chase 
• 5x points on Lyft rides through March 2025, 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), 2x points on other travel, and 1 point per dollar on everything else
• $10 per month in Gopuff credit through December 2023
• Travel and purchase protection including primary car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, and extended warranty

However, since this card does come with an annual fee of $95, it’s worth considering how much you’ll use these perks for future travel after you take your honeymoon to determine if this is the right card for you. 

Review: Chase Sapphire Preferred review

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Perhaps you’re not in the market for a credit card that might cost you an annual fee to keep the card open after your wedding ends. Picking a credit card with no annual fee that still earns rewards is an option.

For example, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers 25,000 points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days — worth $250 in travel. While the travel rewards that come with this card are less than the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, it still offers benefits that provide value, including:

• Unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases 
• 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 billing cycles on purchases, and on any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account, then a 17.74% – 27.74% Variable APR
• No foreign transaction fees

Review: Bank of America Travel Rewards card review

Citi® Double Cash Card

When you’re planning your wedding, any money you can save along the way makes a big difference. So if you’re looking to earn cash back on purchases, going with a credit card that gives you perks for the categories you spend the most on, could help offset wedding costs. 

For example, the Citi® Double Cash Card offers an unlimited flat rate of 2% back on all purchases (earned as Citi ThankYou points). You can earn 1% in cash back (1 point per dollar) when you make a purchase and an additional 1% in cash back (1 point per dollar) when you pay off those purchases.

The Citi® Double Cash Card also offers a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers made within 4 months of account opening, followed by a 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR. It does not currently offer a welcome bonus. 

Review: Citi Double Cash review

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

If you’re not able to pay for most of your wedding in cash and instead need to rely on credit, going with a card that offers a generous introductory 0% APR can be helpful so you don’t incur interest for as long as possible. 

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card doesn’t have an annual fee and offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles (then a 18.74% – 28.74% Variable APR), giving you extra time to pay off your purchases without racking up high-interest charges. Keep in mind you’re still responsible for making at least the minimum payment each month.

Before you take advantage of a 0% APR offer, be sure you have the means and a plan to pay off the balance before the promotional period ends — otherwise, you might be on the hook for high-interest charges.

Review: US Bank Visa Platinum Card

Best credit cards for wedding expenses frequently asked questions (FAQ)