Wedding Loans

Name: Wedding Loans
Creator: Savvy
Published: 2020-12-16T16:58:07+10:30

It won't affect your credit score.

Written by , updated on October 4th, 2023

What is a wedding loan and how does it work?

A wedding loan is a form of personal loan designed to help you out with your special day. According to Moneysmart, the average Australian couple looking to get married will spend at least $36,000 on their wedding, with 82% of those having to dip into their savings to cover the cost. These personal loans are typically unsecured, meaning that you won’t have to put up any valuable assets like a car to secure your loan.

Personal loans are usually quite versatile when it comes to how you wish to use your funds, so your wedding loan can really function as a means of covering the whole wedding or simply with certain elements, like venue hire or the purchase of a dress or ring.

How can I avoid spending more than I can afford to pay back?

You and your lender will agree upon a pre-determined amount based upon how you wish to spend the funds and your ability to pay the loan back, so there is a low-risk of overshooting this figure. However, if you’re looking to cut down on spending, there are areas which you can look to for more affordable options.

The allure of an expensive wedding dress can be too strong for a bride-to-be, but if you need to lower the wedding spending this could be the place to start. There are plenty of beautiful dresses available for purchase at a much cheaper cost than a tailor-made or designer outfit that may never see the light of day again. You can do the same for the bridesmaids’ dresses too, especially given that you will have to buy multiple of those.

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse at what to expect from your big day, so there may be an impulse to fixate on a costly design that wows your guests. The cost for each invite can pile up quickly, so searching for someone who can do as good a job at a lower cost is certainly worth your while.

Types of personal loan

Unsecured personal loans

With an unsecured personal loan, you can potentially borrow as much as $75,000 without the need to attach any valuable assets, such as your car, as security. These loans are the most widely available and often the quickest, with same-day approval possible.

Secured personal loans

Secured personal loans, on the other hand, make use of collateral. This lowers your risk profile in the eyes of a lender, potentially lowering your interest rate and expanding your borrowing power beyond what you may be able to get through an unsecured loan.

Variable rate personal loans

Variable interest rates remain open to fluctuation during your term. This means you can benefit from decreasing rates and save on your loan if the market heads in that direction, although you’ll also pay more if rates start rising.

Fixed rate personal loans

Fixed interest rates are locked at the beginning of your loan and remain constant throughout your repayments. This acts as a valuable protection against interest rate increases, as your loan will be unaffected, but you’ll miss out on potential drops as well.

Debt consolidation loans

If you’re paying off multiple debts at the moment, particularly those with high interest (such as credit card debts), consolidating them into one payment can not only make them more convenient to manage but also potentially save you money overall.

Travel loans

Looking to take off on a holiday with your family but want to pay it off at your own speed? Travelling can be expensive, so you can distribute the cost of your next trip over a period you’re more comfortable with by taking out a personal loan to pay for it.

Wedding loans

There are so many costs that go into making your dream wedding a reality, from venue hire to catering to dresses and suits and so much more. By taking out a personal loan, you can start planning the big day you want, even if you can’t pay for it upfront.

Renovation loans

Home improvements are desirable for a range of homeowners to help keep their living space fresh and interesting, not to mention increase its value. You can get past the financial hit of renovations with a personal loan paid in instalments.

Self-employed loans

Personal loans aren’t limited to PAYG employees, though. If you’re running your own business, you can still be approved for financing by submitting tax returns and other alternative documents instead of payslips and utilise your funds however you wish.

Student & education loans

There’s a variety of expenses which come with being a student, ranging from the cost of your courses, textbooks and computer to your accommodation. Taking out a personal loan can make these costs more manageable by spacing them out.

Green loans

Some lenders offer green personal loans, which are designed to be used for energy-efficient appliances and products such as solar panel and air conditioning installation in your home. You can qualify for lower interest rates and fees with this loan.

Why compare personal loans through Savvy?

100% free

There's no need to worry about forking out to compare offers. Our service is free, so you can come back whenever you like.

Paperless applications

You won't need to worry about sifting through documents and visiting the post office, as they can all be submitted online.

Reputable lending partners

We've partnered with personal loan companies you can trust to ensure your comparison is a high-quality one.

Personal loan repayment calculator

Common questions about financing your big day answered

How much will my repayments be?

This will depend on how much you want to borrow and for how long. However, you can use our online calculator to find out how much you will be paying in monthly repayments.

What is a comparison rate?

A comparison rate shows the true cost of a loan and is usually expressed as a percentage that tends to be slightly higher than the interest rate.

Are wedding loans better than paying with credit cards?

Yes – wedding loans come with competitive rates that tend to be substantially lower than credit cards. If you're unable to pay off your debt within your card's interest-free cycle (which you're unlikely to be able to do with a wedding), you're likely to accrue considerable interest debt.

Can I get a loan if I have bad credit?

Yes – we're partnered with lenders who specialise in lending to borrowers who currently are struggling with their credit score. It's important to note, though, that these loans come with greater restrictions on how much you can borrow (up to $10,000 to $12,000) and higher interest rates.

Can I get a quote before I apply?

Yes – this is known as personal loan pre-approval and can be sought to give you a clearer understanding of how much you can be approved for. This is useful if you're wanting to bargain on the cost of a particular item or service, as pre-approval gives your seller a clear ceiling over which they can't really go.

Do you offer loans that can cover venues?

Yes – you can use your personal loan to cover any real wedding expense you like, as well as other non-wedding expenses if you so wish.

Can my partner and I sign off on a wedding loan together?

Yes. A joint personal loan could be the right move for you if you want to add the security of a shared repayment.

Personal loans by city

Adelaide

Brisbane

Canberra

Hobart

Melbourne

Perth

Sydney

Your helpful guides to wedding loans

Fixed vs variable rate

Wedding loans come with a fixed or a variable rate that can affect your loan. A fixed rate personal loan comes with the benefit of helping you pay a consistent interest rate throughout the loan term, which makes it easier to include in your budget. However, a variable rate loan means that the interest you pay on your loan will fluctuate. The benefits are that it can help you save when the rate decreases, but you could also pay more when the rate increases. Fixed rates are by far the most common, though.

Using a credit card for your wedding

A credit card that comes with a competitive interest rate can help you purchase wedding-related expenses that have been budgeted for in advance. A 0% p.a. purchase card can work if you pay off the amount that is owed before the introductory period ends. However, you could consider a loan as it comes with lower rates and more flexible terms. It will also prevent you from pushing your monthly card balance higher which can increase your chances of defaulting.

The fees to look out for

It's important to acquaint yourself with the potential fees you may face on your wedding loan. The two most common of these are establishment (up to $595) and ongoing fees (up to $10 per month). Both of these are able to be waived by certain lenders, however, so you should always compare them. Additionally, some lenders will charge penalties for early repayment, which can vary in cost based on how long is left to run on your loan and its overall size, but these are less common in personal loans.

Check your credit history

Getting a wedding loan commonly involves two people, which means that you will have to find a financing option that works for the both of you. Being open with each other in terms of your credit score will let you know how much you can afford together. This means checking your credit history to see if you are up to date with your debt repayments to see what will be in your financial reach. This will help you to be more prepared when you approach a lender.