Getting married is so expensive that many couples think going into debt is the only option.

According to The Knot’s annual Real Weddings Survey, the average couple spent a whopping $30,000 on the big day. One-third of survey respondents admitted they went into debt to handle this bill. On average, they borrowed more than $11,000 spread out over credit cards, lines of credit, and personal loans.

Worse yet, The Knot’s study shows that 37% of these wedding borrowers regret taking out these loans to afford their wedding.

You don’t want to be feeling regret so soon after saying your “I do’s,” but weddings are expensive. So, how can you finance the perfect day without digging yourself into a hole? This article is here to help! Keep reading to find out more about wedding debt and how to avoid it.

Consider the Value of a Debt-Free Start to Marriage

Your big day might feel worth the cost of a personal loan, but debt can affect your happily ever after. Consumer debt makes it harder to invest and build your wealth together. It can impact when you can both retire and, if you decide to have children, how easily you can build a college fund.

But forget about these far-off consequences. Wedding debt can have a negative impact on the here and now.

If you stack multiple personal loans to afford your wedding, their payments might consume so much of your income that you struggle to indulge in the fun stuff with your partner, limiting date nights and getaways. You can even find it challenging to make ends meet when your debt-to-income ratio is too high.

Does That Mean You Should Swear Off All Credit Products?

Being mindful of your spending to avoid debt is an important step in budgeting a wedding. But does that mean you should be wary of any borrowing in the lead-up to your big day? Not necessarily.

Wedding planning comes with its fair share of ups and downs, and you can face unexpected expenses before, on, and after the big day. It’s always the best policy to save up a cushion for these unpredictable possibilities. Push out your date until you feel like you have enough set aside.

Savvy couples also consider a line of credit as a backup to savings in case things go really wrong. In an emergency, you can hop online to apply pain-free for a line of credit. You can access virtual applications anytime, anywhere, so you don’t have to take time out of your wedding plans to deal with fussy paperwork.

If approved, you can draw against your credit limit to handle your emergency. And as long as you pay off your balance, you may have money on standby when you need it when the next emergency strikes.

How to Plan an Affordable Wedding

Plan is the operative word here. You need to organize your approach to organize a frugal wedding that you still enjoy. Here are some tips to help you do that:

• Know your spending limits — set a budget and don’t go over it.
• Prioritize what matters — you might not be able to include all the details of your dream wedding at your set budget, so choose what’s most important.
• Choose a date that’s off-peak to avoid expensive rental costs.
• Consider hosting your wedding at a loved one’s barn, garden, or large property.
• Tap into your network to find people willing to help you — you might have a connection to a photographer, makeup artist, or caterer who will cut you a friends-and-family deal.
• Invite fewer people to your wedding.

Weddings may be expensive, but you don’t have to take out personal loans to afford yours. Keep these tips in mind as you plan your big day.