How to Build Wealth Beyond the Wedding in a Recession

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INTRODUCTION

Imagine planning a wedding and the news won’t stop talking about a recession. What is a recession? No, not when the bride and groom exit the ceremony. A recession where there is a significant, prolonged economic downturn that can make you feel scared about your finances. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, you’re not alone, as many people are feeling “recession stress” and are too scared even to look at their finances.

But here’s the truth: you can still build wealth even during a recession. I learned this firsthand during the COVID-19 recession. Even with tremendous uncertainty, I kept investing consistently. And within just a few months, I watched my investments grow significantly through the ups and downs of the pandemic. I also avoided credit card debt so that high interest wouldn’t drain my finances, and I made sure to keep an emergency fund—something that gave me peace of mind knowing I could still cover essentials like housing, food, and transportation. These money principles helped me weather the storm and stay on track with my long-term financial goals.

While things feel unpredictable in a recession, the steps you take now can help you build a strong financial foundation that will carry you through your newlywed season and well beyond it. Here’s how to build wealth beyond the wedding in a recession, one smart step at a time.

1. TALK WITH YOUR PARTNER ABOUT LONG-TERM GOALS

The most powerful thing you can do for your finances right now isn’t about money—it’s about communication. Sit down with your partner and discuss what you want in 5, 10, or even 25 years. Do you have a wedding fund already? Do you or your partner have a lot of debt? Are you hoping to buy a home? Start a family? Retire early?

When you align with your long-term goals, navigating the short-term stress of a recession becomes easier. You’ll stop seeing financial bumps as emergencies and start seeing them as part of a bigger journey. These conversations will also help you feel like a team united in your money decisions while planning your wedding. Need more inspiration on how to talk with your partner about finances? Here are some helpful blog posts to get started:

2. BUILD AN EMERGENCY FUND

If there’s one financial move that gives you peace of mind during a recession, it’s having an emergency fund. Consider this fund your financial cushion against the uncertainty of a recession. Talk with your partner and create an emergency fund together. The goal is to save at least three months of essential living expenses in a high-yield savings account you can access quickly. It isn't for your wedding, vacations, or shopping—it’s for emergencies like job loss or unexpected medical bills.

Even if you can’t hit that goal immediately, aim to save 10% of your income. Automate those savings into high-yield savings accounts, which often offer higher interest rates than standard banks. Knowing you have a money cushion in your emergency fund can make a recession feel less daunting.

3. LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS AND TRACK YOUR SPENDING

When every dollar matters, tracking your spending becomes a superpower. Living within your means is about freedom and can help you survive a recession without relying on ruining your finances. Use a budgeting app like Simplifi or YNAB to monitor where your money is going. Or, you can use a budget planner or a simple spending plan to monitor your finances. You might be surprised how much you spend on things that don’t matter to you. Once you know your spending habits, you can make intentional changes and create a budget that works for you. For more on budgeting, check out these blog posts:

4. CREATE A WEDDING FUND AND STICK TO THE BUDGET

Weddings can be magical—and expensive. Getting caught up in the excitement and saying yes to every upgrade is easy, but going over budget can lead to unnecessary stress later. Instead, decide how much you can afford to build a wedding fund. Save consistently and only spend what you’ve saved. Resist the urge to put extras on a credit card. The memories you make on your big day are priceless—but celebrating your new chapter doesn't need to ruin your finances, especially in a recession. For more ways to build wealth beyond the wedding, check out these blog posts:

5. AVOID CREDIT CARD DEBT IN A RECESSION

Credit cards can be helpful tools, but debt is dangerous in a recession when used to fund a lifestyle you can’t afford. During a recession, interest rates can be sky-high, and the risk of job loss or unexpected expenses makes credit card debt even riskier. By March 2025, the average credit card interest was over 24%. If you lose your job and have to pay 24% interest on your credit card, you are getting into a debt cycle that will be harder to get out of in a recession.

If you use credit cards for everyday spending, pay off the balance in full each month. Does this seem impossible? Then, it’s time to look at your expenses and cut back. Getting into credit card debt during a recession can quickly make a difficult season even harder. Need ideas on how to pay off debt? Check out these blog posts:

6. KEEP INVESTING, EVEN IN SMALL AMOUNTS

Recessions can be scary times to invest—but they’re also opportunities. When the market dips, it’s like stocks are on sale. Regularly investing small amounts—$10, $25, or $50—can add up over time. Consistent investing is key for building wealth beyond the wedding. And, many people build wealth during a recession by being consistent with a solid investing plan.

Read about finances, do your research, and pick a diversified investment strategy. Set up automatic contributions, or the dollar cost average, in diversified investments. If you are a beginner, consider broad investments that take advantage of the full market or consider a robo-advisor to help you invest at a low-fee brokerage like Vanguard or Fidelity. Apps like Acorns can help you invest in your change, which will compound or build on itself over time.

Automating your finances keeps your emotions out of investing and helps you stay committed to your long-term goals. Compound interest is your best friend; the earlier you start, the better your results will be. One major tip for surviving a recession, according to Fidelity, is that staying invested during downturns leads to better long-term returns than those who pull out of the market. For more on investing, check out these helpful blog posts:

7. HAVE MONEY DATES AND ADJUST YOUR BUDGET

To stay on track, schedule monthly money dates with your partner. Once you track your money consistently, you can create a budget that works for you based on your needs. A money plan, budget, or spending plan are all similar concepts: a roadmap for where your money goes to serve your goals. During these money dates, review your spending, saving, and investing. Plan out upcoming expenses like insurance payments, car maintenance, or a wedding venue deposit. Adjust your spending accordingly if you notice areas like dining out are getting more expensive.

Budget apps like Simplifi can help you track all of this in one place so you can review and refine your strategy over time. Also, talk with your partner about your budget. These discussions will help you build your foundational budget when you get married and prepare both of you for financial changes during a recession.

8. GET CREATIVE TO SAVE MONEY

Finding ways to save money during a recession will help you build wealth despite economic challenges. If you're planning a wedding, ask friends and family to donate their talents—like decorating, baking, or photography—to help cut costs. Cash-back apps like Rakuten can save money on online purchases, and Ibotta can help you get cash back on groceries. Or, consider using your cash registry to help build your family emergency fund.

You can also try a saving challenge, like a no-spend month, to reset your habits and stop overspending. Or make it fun with your partner—see how much you can save together in a month by skipping eating out, clothes shopping, cut subscriptions, coffee runs, or impulse buys on Amazon. Saving doesn't have to be boring—it can be a game, and every dollar saved is a dollar that can go toward your goals.

9. FIND WAYS TO MAKE MORE MONEY

You may not be able to save much from your current budget, but you can always find a way to earn more. A recession can be the perfect opportunity to expand your income streams and boost your wedding fund. Can you take on a side hustle, freelance gig, or part-time job? You can gain a new skill through an online course or monetize a hobby, like photography, baking, or content creation.

The goal is to diversify your income so you're not relying on a single paycheck. Whether you're selling on Etsy, babysitting on weekends, or tutoring students online, every extra dollar adds flexibility and reduces financial stress. Over time, these small income streams can grow bigger and offer absolute economic security.

10. FOCUS ON YOUR FUTURE

A recession may seem scary, but you can take steps to prepare your finances and still plan a wedding. Your wedding is one day in your financial life, but neither a wedding nor a recession needs to ruin your finances. Talk with your partner and family about your finances while planning a wedding during a recession. That is ok if you need to scale back your wedding or defer it a year due to your finances. While it may be hard to disappoint people or not have your dream wedding, it can prevent you from significant financial stress in the future. Don't let people-pleasing ruin your wedding or your finances.

Take steps to prepare for your future in 5, 10, 25 years.

Discuss your goals with your partner
Track your spending and build a personal money plan
Automate your finances
Create an emergency fund
Have a wedding fund and budget
Schedule money dates with your partner to discuss wedding and personal finances
Avoid debt (especially wedding debt) and have a pay-off plan that works for you
Do your research and start (or keep) investing– find helpful audiobooks to learn more here.
Review your budget, savings, investments, and financial goals

These regular check-ins will help you feel confident and connected while planning your wedding. They’ll also ensure you adjust your strategy as life despite a recession.

CONCLUSION

A recession doesn’t have to stop you from building wealth beyond your wedding. It can be a defining moment where you learn to be intentional and united with your partner while planning your wedding and preparing your finances. Focus on what you can control, take small, consistent steps, and keep your eyes on the long-term vision.

Are you ready to plan a wedding and build wealth beyond a recession?

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