Gotham's Guide to 'I Do's': Is Wedding Debt a Joke or a Joker's Trap?

The Bat Signal or a Bat Debt?

Two thirds of newlyweds are swimming in debt after their 'big day.' Six out of ten. That's a lot of couples starting their lives together with a financial Two Face staring them down. They say love is blind but apparently so is budgeting when cake and flowers are involved. I’ve seen less financial recklessness from the Penguin. LendingTree's survey of brides and grooms from March 2025 reveals that while the vows are for richer or poorer many start with 'poorer...much poorer.'

Good Debt vs. Gotham's Corruption

Matt Schulz from LendingTree calls it 'good debt,' an investment that doesn't have to be financial. Well that’s a new one. So blowing your savings on a party is now a legitimate investment strategy? Last time I checked Gotham's definition of 'good' was stopping a homicidal clown not maxing out a credit card for canapés. Maybe I should start investing in batarangs with a 20% APR.

Cash is King (Or Queen Depending on the Villain)

Lauren Nowacki from Bankrate speaks the truth: cash is king. Even I Batman understand the value of cold hard cash. It’s harder to trace than a wire transfer. She suggests paying for the wedding yourself even if it means scaling back the celebration. A smaller celebration is better than having debt looming over you. If I've learned anything it's that debt like the Joker is hard to get rid of.

The 0% Intro Offer: A Temporary Truce?

A 0% introductory credit card offer? Sounds like a deal with the devil. Or in this case a deal with a bank that's just waiting for you to slip up. Schulz says it's hard to beat if you have a repayment plan. Emphasis on 'plan.' Without it that 0% can quickly turn into a 20%+ nightmare. Remember hope is like the sun. If you only believe in it when you see it you'll never make it through the night.

Wedding Loans: Risky Business

Wedding loans or personal lines of credit are another option if you have good credit. Lower interest rates and smaller monthly payments they say. Sounds too good to be true. Like when the Riddler offers me a 'fair' game. Remember: credit rates are like Gotham villains. They come in all shapes and sizes but they're all designed to screw you over.

A Marriage Not Just a Wedding

Nowacki hits the nail on the head: a wedding is one day but a marriage is forever. Starting that forever with a mountain of debt is a recipe for disaster. It can affect your goals like buying a home or starting a family. “Do you want to enter that marriage with some joint debt?” she asks. I ask “Do you want to start your marriage with a visit to Crime Alley?” Choose wisely. Some debts can never be repaid no matter how hard you try. A wedding is a ceremony not an economic stimulus package. The future is worth fighting for but your wedding debt isn't.