STW: How We Saved $20,000 for Our Wedding Without Going Into Debt
The Story
"When we got engaged, we set a $20,000 wedding budget and gave ourselves 18 months to save. Weddings can be expensive, and we didn’t want to start married life in debt. We made trade-offs: skipped big vacations, picked up freelance gigs, and opened a joint high-yield savings account. By automating deposits from each paycheck, we hit our $20K goal just in time for the big day — no credit cards required."
Advisor Breakdown
Situation:
$20,000 wedding goal, 18-month timeline.
Both partners had steady but moderate incomes.
Didn’t want to rely on loans or credit cards.
👉 I like this starting point: instead of going in blind, they set a clear dollar amount and a firm timeline. That simple clarity is what most people miss.
Task:
Save $20K without sacrificing financial stability.
Balance everyday expenses with a major short-term goal.
👉 It’s smart they treated this like a project with a deadline. That mindset turns saving into something purposeful, not just “hoping money is left over.”
Action:
Joint HYSA (High-Yield Savings Account)
Automated transfers from both paychecks.
Earned interest while saving.
I recommend this to all couples: a joint account makes the goal feel shared, not one partner carrying the load.
Cut discretionary spending
Skipped vacations, reduced restaurant outings, cut back on subscriptions.
I like that they trimmed luxuries temporarily — it wasn’t forever, just until the wedding. Short-term sacrifices are easier to stick to when tied to a milestone.
Extra income streams
Freelancing + side gigs added a few hundred dollars each month.
I always encourage couples to diversify — earning more while spending less is a powerful combo.
Budgeting apps
Used an app to track shared expenses and stay on the same page.
In my opinion, this helps couples avoid one of the biggest wedding stressors: money fights. Transparency is key.
Result:
Saved $20,000 in 18 months.
Paid for their wedding in cash, avoiding credit card debt.
Built savings habits they can carry into married life.
👉 From my perspective, this story isn’t just about the wedding. It’s about teamwork and communication — two things that matter just as much in money as in marriage.
Key Takeaways
Set a clear savings goal + timeline. Vague targets don’t work.
Automate joint savings. Removes the chance to “forget” and keeps couples aligned.
Short-term sacrifices add up. Skipping vacations for a year can save thousands.
Earn more where you can. Side hustles accelerate savings.
Money teamwork = relationship strength. Budgeting together avoids resentment.
