05/27/25

Nuptial season is in full bloom, and while flowers and fond memories are expected, a growing trend may surprise you. Many couples now ask for help with a home down payment as their wedding gift instead of making a registry full of kitchen gadgets and expensive dishware.

A recent LendingTree survey reveals just how common this practice has become during the last few years. Consider this:

• Nearly 50% of couples who plan to get married and purchase a home around the same time gave guests the option to contribute to their down payment as a wedding present.
• Over half of such couples intentionally scale back their Big Day celebrations to contribute more to their down payment and other expenses on Closing Day.
• Two out of three of these couples said a dream home mattered more to them than a dream wedding. 

While it may have once been taboo to ask for money like this on your wedding day, that stigma is fading, according to one money expert.

“In recent years, there has been an unmistakable shift in focus from spending on things to spending on experiences, and this is a prime example, and weddings are incredibly expensive today,” said Matt Schulz from LendingTree. “For most Americans, that means choosing between a big wedding or a decent mortgage down payment.”

Here are three more takeaways from the survey.

Wedding expenses delayed homebuying for 35% of new couples. Over a third of respondents reported that their wedding plans had postponed their home purchase. This statistic highlights the significant financial impact that wedding expenses can have on couples’ ability to enter the housing market promptly. It underscores the importance of strategic financial planning when managing multiple major life events.

41% of these buyers wish they had contributed more to their down payment. Among newlywed homeowners who made a down payment for a home, more than 4 out of 10 of those surveyed said they wish they had contributed more to their home, while only 16% of people said they would’ve put down less than they did. Overall, the survey found that the average down payment was about $46,750.

Getting monetary gifts helped a quarter of couples increase the size of their down payment. This trend is paying off for many brides and grooms–literally. About a quarter of newlyweds said they were able to put more money down on a home purchase because of their wedding. This suggests that requesting monetary gifts instead of traditional presents can positively influence a couple’s ability to invest in their future home.

Our teams understand that buying a home is a big moment, no matter what other highs – or lows – are going on in your life. Trust our professionals to take care of your title and closing needs so you can confidently move into the next chapter of your life!