Hero image

Loans for weddings

Planning your wedding should be about making memories, not managing stress. We offer flexible wedding loans to help couples in the South West spread the cost of their big day with safe, affordable repayments.

 

✓ Borrow up to £15,000 with rates from 9.9% APR.

✓ Representative APR is between 14.9% and 42.6%.

✓ No hidden, early or late repayment fees

✓ Pay back over 1 month to 5 years

Get help funding your special day

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, but costs can quickly add up. Whether you’re looking to spread the cost of your whole day or just need a helping hand with securing a venue deposit, our personal loans for wedding expenses offer a straightforward and affordable way to manage your budget.


At Great Western Credit Union, we offer flexible personal loans of up to £15,000 with repayment plans designed to work around you, supporting couples across the South West.

 

 

What is a loan for a wedding?

 

Many couples get a wedding loan in the UK to help cover big purchases and deposits, or for any surprise bills that crop up during planning. On average, couples borrow between £7,500 to £14,999 for their wedding to help pay for:

 

  • Venue and catering hire

  • Attire and jewellery, such as wedding dresses, suits, and rings

  • Hiring photographers, videographers, live music and entertainment

  • Decorations and floral arrangements

  • Travel and accommodation for you and your guests

  • Honeymoon costs

Get a quote before you apply

  • Find out how much you will need to repay.
  • We'll also tell you how likely you are to be approved.
  • Getting a quote won't affect your credit score.
Choose how much to borrow and set repayments

You can borrow up to £15,000. Representative APR 14.9% to 42.6% based on the amount you borrow and individual situation. Repay your loan over 1 to 5 years. 

Loans are subject to status. 

Find out how much you will repay

We will show you:

  • your personalised interest rate
  • how much your repayments will be
  • how much the total loan would cost

How do wedding loans work?

Taking out a wedding loan with GWCU is a simple process.

  • Borrow anywhere from £100 to £15,000 for your wedding expenses

  • Pay back your loan with a fixed interest rate

The specific rate you receive depends on the amount you borrow and individual situation.

Loan amount

£100 - £15,000

Interest rates

14.9% to 42.6% APR representative on loans between £100 and £15,000.

Your rate is personal to you. It’s based on things like your credit score, income, and loan amount, so it might not match the Representative APR.

The rate you see in your quote is an estimate and not a guarantee.

Representative example

Representative APR: 42.6%

Representative example: Borrow £1,000 over 12 months, and repay £100.46 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £205.52) is £1,205.52.

Your actual rate will depend on your credit profile. Rates range from 9.9% to 42.6% APR.

 

Other examples:

Borrow £2,000 over 24 months, and repay £116.07 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £785.68) is £2,785.68. 39.9% APR representative.

Borrow £4,000 over 36 months, and repay £152.06 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £1,474.16) is £5,474.16. 23.9% APR representative.

Borrow £6,000 over 48 months, and repay £177.25 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £2,508.00) is £8,508.00. 19.9% APR representative.

Borrow £10,000 over 60 months, and repay £232.73 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £3,963.80) is £13,963.80. 14.9% APR representative.

Repayment period

1 month - 5 years.

There are no fees for paying your loan off early.

Why choose Great Western Credit Union?

As a credit union, we do things differently. We’re a mutual, member‑owned financial organisation, which means our focus is always on our members’ financial wellbeing, not making profits for shareholders.

As a co-operative, we care deeply for our local communities in the South West. That’s why every penny stays right here in the region with any profits reinvested to benefit our members and the communities we’re proud to serve.

People-first finance

We always take your current circumstances into consideration, not just your credit history.

Transparent pricing

No hidden costs, no late fees, and no penalties for early repayments.

Ethical lending

We pride ourselves on being responsible lenders, meaning we only approve a loan if we’re sure you can safely repay it.

Flexible repayment plans

With plans stretching up to 5 years, repayment schedules are adapted to your lifestyle so you’re never caught out.

How much could a wedding loan cost?

Use our loan calculator to see how a GWCU wedding loan fits your budget.

£500
£500
How would you like to pay back?
Months
1
60
Your repayments would be
-

APR -

Interest -

Total to repay -

This example is an estimate. The actual rate you're offered could be higher or lower than the rate in this example depending on your personal situation, the loan amount and the term you choose when you apply. You'll see your personal rate before you decide to go ahead.

Am I eligible for a wedding loan?

To apply for a GWCU wedding loan, you must:

  • Be aged 18 or over

  • Live or work in Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Dorset

  • Have a regular income of £450 or more a month

  • Have enough disposable income to comfortably make your repayments

Optional: You are a tenant of one of our partner housing associations (if your postcode is outside of our usual area)

Can I get a wedding loan with bad credit?

Yes, it’s possible to get a wedding loan with bad credit. While we do perform an initial credit check, it’s not the only thing we look at. We also consider your personal circumstances and income when reviewing your application to make sure the loan is right for you.

Should I get a wedding loan?

Whether you’re covering a venue deposit, dealing with an unexpected cost, or spreading the cost of the whole day, a wedding loan can be helpful. 

But, it’s not suitable for everybody. Like all loans, there are advantages and disadvantages to taking out a wedding loan. Taking a moment to understand the pros and cons can help you choose what feels right for you and your budget.

Here are some things to consider:

Pros of taking out a wedding loan
  • Have access money immediately for upfront costs and deposits.
  • Fixed APR so you know exactly how much you need to repay each month.
  • Wedding loans are unsecured, which means you won’t need to put up any collateral like your house or car.
  • Offers a chance to rebuild your credit score if you keep on top with your repayments.
Cons to taking out a wedding loan
  • You have to pay interest, which means you end up paying more than what you borrowed.
  • Late repayments can potentially damage your credit score
  • Sometimes having access to more funds may encourage spending beyond your original budget.

Ready to start the wedding planning?

Getting the wedding of your dreams shouldn't mean putting pressure on your finances. Use our Personal Loan Calculator to see an estimated repayment schedule before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

 Are wedding loans a good idea?

For some people, wedding loans are a great way to finance their special day without having to worry about having all of the money upfront. It can also provide peace of mind if there are any surprise costs.


Use our simple calculator for an estimated repayment schedule depending on how much you need to borrow.

 Do people take out loans for weddings?

Many people take out loans for weddings and other big events. But, it’s always important to understand you need to pay back the money you borrowed and the interest it accrues over a set time period. This means you’ll pay more than you initially borrowed and may have your credit at risk if the installments are not paid on time.

Are wedding loans secured or unsecured?

Generally, wedding loans are unsecured loans. This means you do not need to offer collateral when taking out a personal loan for a wedding, such as a house or car. At Great Western Credit Union, our wedding loans are unsecured and responsibly designed so you won’t be caught out when planning your big day.

Can I get a wedding loan without a credit check?

At Great Western Credit Union, we consider more than just your credit history. While we do conduct an initial credit check to make sure you can safely repay your loan, we also take into account your personal circumstances when reviewing your application.


Take our quick eligibility check to find out whether a wedding loan is right for you.

How quickly can I receive the funds from a wedding loan?

Wedding loans are a great way to help you get the wedding of your dreams as you can get the money you need straightaway if your application is approved.

Finance your special day with your local credit union