Best Credit Cards for Weddings

Comparing the best credit cards for wedding expenses

Navigating the different credit card categories to find the best credit card for wedding costs can be difficult, but the following offers a high-level overview of some of the best cards:

*Updated as of July 2023

A closer look at the best credit cards for weddings

While the above table offers a broader view of the best credit cards for wedding planning, it’s worth diving deeper into the specifics of each of these cards to see why they are the best for wedding expenses:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Rewards rate: 5 points per $1 on all travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3 points per $1 on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs); 2 points per $1 on other travel purchases; 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

Annual fee: $95

Intro APR: Not specified

Regular APR: 21.24% – 28.24% Variable

Signup bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Our verdict: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is traditionally viewed as a travel card, but it is also a credit card for wedding expenses. The impressive 5x per dollar for all travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards means travel to a wedding venue can earn a person points back, but the additional 3x points per dollar can be used for catering or general dining purchases. There is also a hefty welcome bonus offered on this card which gives a cardholder access to around $600 in cash-back or even more when redeemed directly through Chase Travel make this card one of the best for wedding expenses.

Pros:

• High rewards on travel and dining purchases
• Valuable welcome bonus
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Flexible point redemption options
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance coverage

Cons:

• $95 annual fee
• No airport lounge access or hotel elite status benefits

Apply now: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Citi® Double Cash Card

Rewards rate: Earn 2% cash back: 1% cash back on every purchase and another 1% back when you pay the bill.

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.99%-28.99% Variable APR.

Regular APR: 18.99% – 28.99% Variable

Signup bonus: None

Our verdict: The Citi Double Cash Card is one of the best credit card for wedding purchases options to consider. With a blanket 2% cash back on all purchases, wedding expenses in the tens of thousands can result in thousands of dollars back over time. An additional benefit of the Citi Double Cash card is that it promotes healthy credit habits by paying the remaining 1% back once the bill is paid off.

Pros:

• Earn 2% cash back on all purchases.
• No annual fee
• No bonus categories to track.
• Flexible redemption options for cash back

Cons:

• No welcome bonus

Apply now: Citi® Double Cash Card

American Express® Platinum Card

Rewards rate: Earn 1X to 5X points, including 5X points on flights purchased directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, and 1X points on all other purchases.

Annual fee: $695

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR

Signup bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Our verdict: The American Express Platinum Card is another card that is traditionally viewed as a travel card, but it is also the best credit card to use for wedding costs when you are planning an extravagant honeymoon afterwards. The impressive 80,000 Membership Rewards points equates to around $800 when redeemed and utilizing wedding expenses to hit the $6,000 minimum in charges can help this sign-up bonus be reached quicker. The annual fee is hefty at $695, but extra benefits such as access to airport lounges, Uber credits, and more make up for the cost.

Pros:

• Generous welcome bonus
• Access to premium airport lounges
• Hotel benefits and elite status
• Multiple statement credits for various purchases
• No foreign transaction fees.

Cons:

• High annual fee

Apply now: American Express Platinum Card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate: Earn 1X to 4X Membership Rewards points, including 4X points at restaurants (including takeout and delivery), 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year), and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel. Earn 1X points on other eligible purchases.

Annual fee: $250

Intro APR: None

Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR

Signup bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Our verdict: As the younger cousin to the Amex Platinum card, the Amex Gold card also has a lot to offer soon-to-be newlyweds. The Membership Rewards bonus is slightly less than that of the Platinum card, but it also comes with a significantly lower annual fee, making this the best credit card to open for wedding expenses when on a budget.

Pros:

• Generous welcome offer
• Robust rewards at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
• Valuable travel and dining credits
• No foreign transaction fees.

Cons:

• Annual fee

Apply now: American Express Gold Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Rewards rate: Earn 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more); 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service; 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year); and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases after the first year or $20,000 spent.

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Regular APR: Variable APR of 20.24% – 28.99% after the introductory period.

Signup bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!

Our verdict: The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is notable for wedding expenses due to its large 6.5% cash back rewards rate on all travel purchases made through Chase Travel. Pairing this card with the Chase Sapphire Preferred will allow a cardholder to redeem their points for 1.25x their worth directly on Chase’s travel portal, meaning $1,000 can be redeemed for $1,250.

Pros:

• Generous cash back rates on various spending categories, including travel, dining, drugstore purchases, and all other purchases.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, providing flexibility for wedding-related expenses.
• No annual fee.
• Ability to convert cash back into Ultimate Rewards points for even greater redemption options.

Cons:

• Foreign transaction fee of 3%.

Apply now: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Rewards rate: Earn unlimited 2 miles per dollar on all purchases.

Annual fee: $95.

Intro APR: None.

Regular APR: Variable APR based on creditworthiness.

Signup bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $1,388.

Our verdict: When considering the best credit card to pay for wedding costs, the Capital One Venture Rewards card should certainly make the list. However, this card is only valuable to those who travel avidly, as rewards are earned in the form of miles as opposed to cash-back. These miles can be redeemed with partner airlines to be used towards ticket costs, which can be helpful for those planning a honeymoon or general travel. This is what makes the Capital One Venture Rewards the best credit card to get for wedding costs when travel is on the horizon.

Pros:

• Earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, making it a great option to earn miles on all wedding expenses.
• Easy redemption for statement credits to reimburse travel purchases.
• Lucrative welcome bonus with a high valuation from TPG.

Cons:

• Annual fee of $95.

Apply now: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

How to choose a credit card for your wedding expenses

When selecting a credit card for your wedding expenses, consider your spending habits and needs. Look for cards with rewards on wedding-related categories like dining, travel, and entertainment. Opt for sign-up bonuses to maximize initial rewards. No-annual-fee cards might be suitable if you plan to use the card only for the wedding. Check for 0% introductory APRs if you need to finance expenses over time. Additionally, look for benefits like cash-back, points, or miles redemption options that align with your post-wedding plans, such as honeymoon travel.

What credit score is needed to finance a wedding with a credit card?

The specific credit score required to finance a wedding with a credit card can vary between credit card issuers and their respective offers. Generally, a good credit score (around 670 or above) increases the likelihood of approval for cards with attractive rewards and low-interest rates. However, some credit cards cater to applicants with fair credit scores (typically 580 to 669), though they may offer fewer benefits. It’s essential to check each card’s eligibility requirements to determine the most suitable options based on your credit score.

More ways to earn points on wedding expenses

Apart from using credit cards with rewards, consider maximizing points on wedding expenses through other means. Utilize shopping portals affiliated with credit card companies for bonus points when purchasing wedding-related items. Explore loyalty programs from airlines and hotels, as some may offer points or discounts for booking guest accommodations or honeymoon trips. Pay attention to promotional offers from vendors, such as bonus rewards for using certain payment methods. Remember to budget carefully and avoid overspending, as interest charges could negatively affect the benefits of earning points.

Methodology

The methodology used to determine the best credit cards for weddings involves analyzing various factors. These factors may include sign-up bonuses, rewards rates, annual fees, 0% introductory APR periods, and additional benefits like travel insurance or purchase protection. Credit card reviews, user experiences, and expert opinions also contribute to evaluating each card’s overall value and wedding-friendly features. It’s essential to consider individual preferences and circumstances when selecting the most suitable credit card for wedding expenses.

The product information provided here is based on research conducted up to a specific date and may have changed. For the latest and most accurate information, we recommend you to visit the respective card’s website before proceeding.

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