By Charles Pemu 
A staggering account of post-wedding debt has gone viral after a man shared the financial reality facing his newly-married friend. The couple reportedly took out a substantial $88,000 loan to fund their wedding ceremony, committing themselves to a nearly two-decade repayment plan.
According to the friend’s disclosure, the couple now makes monthly payments of $800. Based on this repayment schedule, it will take them 17 years to finally clear the initial debt. By the conclusion of the repayment period, the couple’s total outlay including interest will skyrocket to $158,924, significantly more than the initial borrowed sum.
This extraordinary loan amount is far above the national average cost of a wedding in the United States, which, according to recent data, typically ranges around $33,000. The friend’s expense places the couple’s wedding closer to the high-end cost of luxury weddings in expensive metropolitan areas, such as Washington D.C., New York, or Rhode Island.
Financial experts consistently caution against financing celebratory events through large, long-term personal loans, as the accumulated interest can undermine a couple’s financial footing at the start of their marriage. The 17-year repayment window means the newlyweds will be servicing this debt well into their financial futures, long after the wedding day itself has passed.
The scenario highlights the growing pressure on couples to host extravagant weddings, often leading to debt that competes with other major life goals, such as saving for a home or starting a family.
The difference between the borrowed amount ($88,000) and the total repayment ($158,924) means the couple will ultimately pay approximately $70,924 in interest alone—a cost that will likely overshadow the value of the one-day event.