The 7 best credit cards for wedding expenses
Editor's Note
You're recently engaged — congratulations!
As you start looking at what wedding items you need to book or purchase, you may realize that wedding planning is as expensive as it is exciting.
According to Zola, the average cost of a 2024 wedding is $33,000. Regardless of where your budget falls, there's a good chance that this will be one of the largest expenses of your life. But at The Points Guy, when we see big expenses, we also see big rewards-earning potential.
Let us help you choose the best credit card for wedding expenses, from the venue to invitation postage and everything in between.
The best credit cards for wedding travel
Whether you're booking your honeymoon or making arrangements for a destination wedding, use a card that earns travel rewards when you book hotels and flights. Plus, if you're using a hotel for your venue, using a travel rewards card for that purchase is an easy way to earn some serious rewards.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Welcome bonus: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible to earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. TPG's July 2024 valuations peg this bonus up to $3,500.
Annual fee: $895 (see rates and fees)
Why we recommend it: With The Platinum Card® from American Express, you'll earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airlines and travel booked through American Express Travel®, on up to $500,000 per calendar year (1 point thereafter). You'll also get up to $600 in hotel statement credits each calendar year ($300 semi-annually) and up to $200 in airline fee statement credits per calendar year, as well as access to the Global Lounge Collection of airport lounges for eligible cardmembers and a up to $209 Clear Plus statement credit to make your travel experience easier and more comfortable (subject to auto-renewal).
You'll also enjoy up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue (up to $50 in statement credits bi-annually), which can help offset the cost of a rehearsal dinner outfit or some new makeup, as well as a up to $155 annual Walmart+ statement credit (up to $12.95 each month plus taxes for one membership) to get snacks and last-minute items delivered to you wherever you are (Plus Ups excluded; subject to auto-renewal).
Enrollment required for select benefits.
For more details, read our full review of the Amex Platinum Card.
Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This bonus is worth $1,538 per TPG's July 2024 valuations.
Annual fee: $95
Why we recommend it: With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you'll earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 3 points per dollar on dining.
We love that this card earns bonus points on both travel and dining expenses. Chase has a generous definition of travel, so this card is especially handy if you're paying for parking or going camping for the bachelor party. And with the bonus points on dining, this is also a great card to use if you're taking your bridal party to brunch or getting your reception catered by a local restaurant.
However, traditional catering services don't code as dining with Chase, so you'll want to use a different card if you're going that route.
For more details, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (see rates and fees)
The best credit cards for wedding catering
From the official rehearsal dinner and reception meals to snacks to fuel your late nights of planning, you're sure to spend a good chunk of money on food for your wedding. For these expenses, use a card that earns bonus points for dining and grocery purchases.
American Express Gold Card
Welcome bonus: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. TPG's July 2024 valuations peg this bonus at up to $2,000.
Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
Why we recommend it: The American Express® Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases annually, 1 point per dollar thereafter), making it ideal for all your celebratory meals. It also earns 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on amextravel.com so it's great to use for booking honeymoon flights as well.
For more details, read our full review of the Amex Gold Card.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 one-time cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: $0
Why we recommend it: This card earns unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). This makes it a great card to use for meals and activities you're probably planning for the bachelor or bachelorette trip, like going to dance clubs and sporting events.
Learn more: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
The best credit cards for everything else wedding-related
Other than food and travel purchases, most of your wedding spending will fall into the "all other purchases" category, earning a measly 1 point per dollar spent on most rewards cards. For these purchases, use a card with a solid flat earning rate instead of bonus categories.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, upon approval, you'll receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during your first year. As of July 2024 valuations, TPG values Capital One miles at 1.85 cents per mile, making this offer worth $1,638 (including the travel credit).
Annual fee: $95
Why we recommend it: This card earns an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, meaning you'll earn extra miles on everything you buy, from the catering to your nail appointment for the big day.
We also love that Capital One miles are incredibly easy to redeem for a statement credit to reimburse travel purchases you make on the card. If you want to focus on using just one travel rewards card for all your wedding expenses, this is the one.
For more details, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Card.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0
Why we recommend it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 5 points per dollar spent on travel when booking in Chase Travel℠ and 3 points per dollar on dining and drugstore purchases, making it perfect for dining out and last-minute drugstore runs. It also earns a flat 1.5 points on all other purchases.
In addition to its impressive earning potential, we love that this card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points and gives you redemption options. Most simply, you can redeem this card's points for a cash-back statement credit to help offset some of those wedding expenses. But if you also have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you can transfer your points to that account and open up the full line of Chase's travel partners as additional redemption options.
For more details, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited (see rates and fees)
Citi Double Cash Card
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees)
Why we recommend it: The Citi Double Cash® Card earns unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay). If you want to simplify your strategy and focus on earning cash-back rewards to help you save on your wedding, this is a great card for all your wedding purchases. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal.
For more details, read our full review of the Citi Double Cash card.
Apply here: Citi Double Cash Card
More ways to earn points on wedding expenses
Earn a welcome bonus
Planning your wedding is a great time to get a new credit card with a great welcome bonus since you'll be able to easily meet the minimum spending requirements for a new card with your wedding purchases. If you've had your eye on a card with a good bonus, apply for that card and use it for all your wedding expenses until you've reached the spending requirement.
Buy gift cards
If you have a credit card that earns bonus points for shopping at grocery or office supply stores, you can purchase gift cards from these stores. Then you can use the gift cards at some of the places you know you'll be spending money for your wedding, such as makeup and craft stores, to earn bonus points on those purchases.
Check merchant offers
Check the merchant offers on all your cards regularly, and add any that you think you might use. We recommend using a note on your phone to keep track of which offers are on which cards, so you can easily reference it when you're ready to make a purchase.
Use shopping portals
Always use your favorite shopping portal for all your online shopping to earn even more points on your wedding purchases.
Choose zero-interest credit cards
We firmly believe in paying off your full credit card balance each month, but it's understandable if you need to make an exception for such a large event. If that's the case, choose a card that has an introductory period with a 0% annual percentage rate (APR). Just make sure to note when the 0% period is over and pay off your full balance by then.
Bottom line
Add to the excitement on your road to "I do" by using the best credit cards for wedding expenses. The right cards can help you save money, cover your honeymoon or launch the next chapter of your life with a good stash of points and miles. With these strategies, you'll be celebrating long after your wedding day.
Further reading:
- Maximize points and miles for your wedding and honeymoon
- TPG beginners guide to planning a honeymoon of a lifetime
- Perfect honeymoon hotels
- Points and miles during wedding season
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees