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Using credit cards to pay for your wedding: pros and cons

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1 year ago

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Many engaged couples in the U.S. are relying on forms of credit to pay for their wedding. Experts say that approach can be smart, if done carefully.

While 46% of surveyed newlyweds — couples who tied the knot within the past two years — used mostly savings to pay for costs, 24% paid with credit cards, according to a report by LendingTree. The site polled 1,050 newlyweds in early March.

A separate report by Zola, based on a survey of 6,000 couples getting married in 2025, found that 31% of engaged couples polled plan to use credit cards to pay for their wedding, including using points or applying for new cards.

“If you’re strategic, a credit card can be an amazing tool,” said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree.

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Otherwise, a credit card can be a slippery slope, leading couples to walk down the aisle with long-lasting and expensive debt, experts say.

About 67% of surveyed newlyweds took on debt for their wedding, according to LendingTree.

For new cards, the average annual percentage rate, or the borrowing cost, is 24.35%, the highest since December, LendingTree found.

“Ultimately, a beautiful wedding should never come at the cost of financial stress to a new marriage,” said Gloria Garcia Cisneros, a certified financial planner at LourdMurray, an investment and wealth management firm.

‘Make those savings work even harder for you’

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Weddings are becoming more expensive every year. The average cost for a wedding in 2025 is expected to be $36,000, according to Zola. That’s up from $33,000 in 2024, and $29,000 in 2023.

If you have savings set aside to cover your wedding costs, charging the expense to a credit card and then immediately using those savings to pay off the bill can help you earn rewards such as points or miles, said Schulz.

Some credit cards offer big sign-up bonuses when you spend a set amount on the card within a short period of opening it. That might be more than you spend on normal expenses, but within reach if you have big expenses — such as wedding-related purchases and deposits — coming up.

By immediately paying that charge off with your savings, you can take advantage of the rewards for things such as your honeymoon, Schulz said.

“It’s a way to make those savings work even harder for you,” he said.

Using a credit card can have other advantages, too. Credit cards offer layers of federal protection that can help cardholders dispute charges and get a refund if things go awry with an item or service purchased with a card, experts say.

Some cards also offer purchase protections, a form of insurance against theft or damages, per NerdWallet. Make sure to read the fine print of what your credit card offers and how long the terms last.

Don’t take on debt for a ‘short-term event’

However, the key with credit cards “is to pay in full,” said Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate.

“I definitely would not recommend putting wedding expenses on a card if you’re going to be dragging that out over time,” he said.

Not paying the balance off will leave you with high-interest debt as you start your new marriage.

Nearly a quarter, or 24%, of newlyweds married within two years of the survey are still paying the debt off, according to LendingTree. Of those that still owe money, 47% said they will finish paying the debt in six months to a year.

“You don’t want to sacrifice your long-term well-being for a short-term event,” Rossman said.

A 0% APR credit card can be a tool for wedding payments, as you’ll be paying little to no interest on outstanding balances for a period of time. However, make sure to finish paying off the card before the promotion expires, experts say. Otherwise, whatever balance is left will then get interest tacked on.

Factor in credit card fees, cash discounts

As you begin to plan the wedding and reach out to vendors, ask if they accept credit cards as a form of payment, said Jason Rhee, a wedding planner in Los Angeles.

Some vendors might take only cash or check payments, while others might charge additional processing fees for credit cards, Rhee said. Such additional charges can range from 1.5% to 3.5%, according to Bankrate.

Assess whether paying the extra cost is both affordable and worth it to you, or if it’s best to use a different form of payment with the vendor, said Lauren Kay, executive editor of The Knot.

What’s more, some vendors may offer discounts for payments in cash.

Credit card debt?

Wedding insurance trumps credit protections

While credit cards can offer certain protections to incurred payments or purchases, they might not offer broader protections or policies to cover larger expenditures, such as the reception or the venue, Kay said.

“In most instances, your credit card wouldn’t offer any real benefit if something were to go wrong with a purchase of that magnitude,” said Kay.

For such expenses, wedding insurance policies can be a good option to consider. They help protect you from unexpected risks such as extreme weather, theft or a vendor who didn’t show up, said Kay.

Wedding insurance policy pricing can range from less than $100 to more than $1,000, according to NerdWallet, depending on the size of your policy and the kinds of coverage.

“It’s important to think about what you’re hoping to protect,” Kay said.

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$20,000 Caution Bond Requirement for US Visa Applications imposed on 50 Countries

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6 days ago

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August 8, 2026

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The United States Department of State has officially implemented a revised visa policy introducing a mandatory posting requirement for caution payments of up to $20,000 on select foreign travel applications. Under the updated regulatory framework, consular officials are authorized to require temporary nonimmigrant visa applicants from targeted foreign countries to post a refundable financial bond of $20,000 as a condition for visa issuance. The policy mechanism is designed to address diplomatic concerns regarding high overstay rates among temporary visitor, business, and educational visa categories.

The caution bond pilot program applies selectively to foreign nationals from designated countries whose diplomatic entities record historical visa overstay rates exceeding established federal thresholds. Under administrative guidelines published by the State Department, the full financial deposit is posted directly to a dedicated federal escrow account prior to final visa issuance. The entire caution payment is automatically refunded to the applicant upon verified proof of timely departure from the United States in strict compliance with the authorized duration of stay. Conversely, failure to depart within the legal timeframe results in full forfeiture of the posted financial bond to the United States government.

Diplomatic representatives and travel policy experts have expressed varying perspectives regarding the operational implementation of the caution bond system. Administration officials emphasize that the measure serves as an effective, market-based incentive to enforce international travel compliance and preserve domestic immigration security standards. However, international trade organizations and foreign diplomatic missions have raised concerns regarding the financial burden imposed on legitimate business travelers, foreign students, and commercial partners from developing nations.

The United States finalized the rule to make the temporary visa bond program permanent, taking effect on August 3, 2026. The updated permanent regulation replaces the prior 12-month pilot, eliminates the lowest $5,000 tier, and raises the maximum required bond amount to $20,000 for specific B-1/B-2 business and tourist visa applicants.

Here is the list of the 50 countries on the list as o August 3, 2026

African Nations (31 Countries)

  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Botswana
  • Burundi
  • Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
  • Central African Republic
  • Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Djibouti
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • The Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Asian & Eastern European Nations (11 Countries)

  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • Cambodia
  • Georgia
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Mongolia
  • Nepal
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan

Caribbean & Latin American Nations (5 Countries)

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Venezuela

Oceanian Nations (3 Countries)

  • Fiji
  • Tonga
  • Vanuatu

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Next-Generation Retirement Planning: Managing Longevity Risk and Variable Income Streams

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1 week ago

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August 7, 2026

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Retirement planning strategies are evolving in 2026 to address increased life expectancies, shifting dynamic market conditions, and the transition away from traditional defined-benefit pensions. Individual investors and financial advisors are abandoning rigid retirement models in favor of flexible, multi-asset strategies designed to mitigate longevity risk and preserve purchasing power over multi-decade retirement horizons.

Mitigating Longevity Risk with Dynamic Asset Allocation
As average life expectancies extend past eighty-five years, one of the primary financial risks facing retirees is outliving their accumulated wealth. Traditional fixed income allocations—such as the standard 60/40 equity-to-bond portfolio—are being reevaluated to ensure portfolios generate sufficient capital growth alongside reliable income.

Financial planners recommend maintaining a meaningful equity allocation throughout retirement to offset long-term inflation erosion. High-dividend equity funds, global real estate investment trusts (REITs), and inflation-indexed Treasuries are combined to create diversified portfolios that deliver both growth and income stability.

The Transition to Dynamic Withdrawal Strategies
The classic “4% safe withdrawal rule” is increasingly replaced by dynamic withdrawal strategies that adapt annually based on market performance. Under a dynamic withdrawal framework, retirees adjust their annual distribution rates within pre-set caps and floors:
– Market Upside: During strong market returns, retirees can increase discretionary spending or fund family legacy gifts.
– Market Downturns: During market pullbacks, spending distributions are temporarily reduced to prevent sequence-of-returns risk and preserve core investment principal.

Guaranteed Lifetime Income Options and Deferred Annuities
To establish a guaranteed baseline for essential living expenses, individuals are incorporating modern fixed-indexed and deferred longevity annuities into their broader retirement architectures. Modern annuity structures offer competitive return caps, transparent fee schedules, and inflation-adjustment options.

By funding essential expenses—such as housing, healthcare, and insurance—with guaranteed income streams from Social Security, pensions, and annuities, retirees can manage discretionary investment portfolios with greater flexibility and lower emotional stress during market volatility.

Actionable Steps for Future Retirees
1. Calculate Baseline Retirement Expenses: Determine fixed living costs and map guaranteed income sources to cover essential expenditures.
2. Adopt Flexible Withdrawal Rules: Implement dynamic spending rules to protect investment principal against market downturns.
3. Incorporate Inflation-Protected Assets: Maintain exposure to dividend-growing equities and inflation-indexed bonds to safeguard long-term purchasing power.

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Building Generational Wealth: Family Governance, Estate Tax Optimization, and Asset Protection

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2 weeks ago

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August 1, 2026

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As the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in history accelerates, high-net-worth families, entrepreneurs, and individual investors are placing heightened emphasis on comprehensive estate planning, family governance, and asset protection. Preserving capital across generations requires a balanced approach combining tax-efficient legal structures with open family communication and financial literacy education.

Optimizing Estate Tax Exemptions and Trust Structures
With potential modifications to federal estate tax exemption thresholds on the horizon, proactive estate planning is essential for high-net-worth households. Estate planning attorneys and wealth advisors are establishing multi-generational trust structures to transfer wealth efficiently while minimizing estate and gift tax exposure.

Popular structural strategies include:
– Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs): Utilizing life insurance proceeds to provide liquidity for estate tax obligations without expanding the taxable estate.
– Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs): Transferring rapidly appreciating assets to beneficiaries with minimal gift tax consequences.
– Dynasty Trusts: Preserving wealth across multiple generations while providing long-term asset protection from creditor claims and legal liabilities.

Establishing Family Governance and Financial Education
Legal and financial structures alone cannot guarantee long-term wealth preservation without effective family governance. Financial advisors report that a significant percentage of multi-generational wealth dissipation stems from lack of communication and inadequate financial preparation among heir generations.

Families are establishing formal family governance frameworks, including periodic family meetings, written mission statements, and structured philanthropic foundations. Involving younger family members in charitable grant-making and investment discussions fosters financial stewardship and prepares heirs to manage family assets responsibly.

Digital Asset Custody and Legacy Planning
In today’s modern economy, estate planning must extend beyond physical real estate and traditional brokerage accounts to encompass digital assets. Comprehensive estate plans now include detailed inventories and legal access protocols for corporate domain names, intellectual property, digital media rights, and cryptocurrency holdings.

Fiduciaries and estate executors should be provided with secure, encrypted access mechanisms and clear legal authority to manage and transfer digital holdings in accordance with the owner’s estate directions.

Practical Steps for Legacy Planning
1. Review and Update Estate Documents: Ensure wills, revocable trusts, and power-of-attorney designations accurately reflect current family structures.
2. Establish Structured Trusts: Utilize irrevocable trusts to protect assets from creditors and minimize future estate tax liabilities.
3. Create a Digital Estate Inventory: Document access protocols and legal permissions for all online accounts, intellectual property, and digital assets.

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