Love Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune: The Link Between Wedding Debt and Divorce
Money can’t buy love, but it sure can fuck it up.
It’s no secret that finances are one of the leading causes of stress in relationships, and for many couples, that stress starts before they even say ‘I do.’ The modern wedding industry encourages couples to spend big—because “it’s the most important day of your life,” right? But what happens when that one day comes with a $30,000 price tag and a credit card bill that lingers long after the honeymoon?
Weddings: The First Financial Test of Marriage
For many couples, planning a wedding is the first time they have to make big financial decisions together. Do we spend on a live band or a DJ? Do we splurge on a designer dress? How much is too much for flowers? But the real problem isn’t the individual costs—it’s the mindset the wedding industry pushes:
“You only get married once, so go all out.”
This kind of thinking leads people to justify massive expenses—money that could have been used for savings, a down payment, or, you know, actual life expenses. And unfortunately, the financial hangover from an expensive wedding doesn’t just go away when the guests do.
The Link Between Wedding Debt and Divorce
Studies have shown a direct link between expensive weddings and a higher likelihood of divorce.
A study by Emory University found that couples who spend $20,000 or more on their wedding are 1.6 times more likely to get divorced than couples who kept their budget under $10,000.
On the flip side, couples who spent less than $1,000 on their wedding actually had the lowest divorce rates.
Why? Because financial stress is real.
When couples start their marriage in debt from their wedding, it can quickly become a point of contention:
Resentment builds when one partner feels they were pressured into spending more than they were comfortable with.
Future plans get delayed (like buying a house or starting a family) because money is tight.
Stress over finances becomes a constant conversation—and not the fun kind.
Why You Don’t Have to Go Broke to Get Married
Here’s the thing: You don’t need a $50,000 wedding to have a meaningful marriage.
At Cakewalk, we believe that getting married should be about the marriage, not the spectacle.
You don’t have to invite 200 people to prove your love.
You don’t have to wear a dress that costs as much as a car.
You don’t have to start your marriage with a pile of debt just because the wedding industry says so.
Choose a Wedding That Works for You (and Your Wallet)
Instead of trying to meet some industry-invented standard of what a wedding “should” be, why not do something that actually makes sense? Get married without the stress, the debt, or the pressure to impress everyone you’ve ever met.
The best part? You’ll walk away with your love, your sanity, and your bank account intact.
Thinking about a wedding that won’t ruin your finances? Let’s talk. Cakewalk makes it easy.
