Three in 10 couples (31%) who are planning to marry in 2027 or beyond will use loans to fund their weddings, new research by Pepper Money has shown.

The specialist mortgage lender said is a significant increase from 23% in 2019.

Pepper said the shift highlights the “growing financial strain on engaged couples”. Its findings, based on a poll of 2,007 UK homeowners, showed that couples are also less likely to be able to rely solely on their monthly income to pay for their wedding, with only 28% planning to use it compared to 38% of those married between 2019 and 2024.

Furthermore, reliance on inheritance and family gifts has dropped by 12% in the same period, indicating a move away from traditional funding sources and a desire to manage their finances themselves.

Couples planning to marry are also facing difficult financial choices, with some even considering significant measures such as remortgaging (8%) and taking on a second job (13%).

Director of second charge mortgages at Pepper Money, Ryan McGrath, said: “The shift away from traditional funding sources like family gifts and monthly income suggests a new reality for wedding finances. With wages lagging behind inflation, couples are finding it harder to save for weddings through traditional means.

“As daily expenses eat into potential savings, loans are becoming a more attractive, and necessary option for covering large, one-time costs like weddings. The increase in couples planning to use loans for future weddings indicates a growing need for flexible financing options.”

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