Payments, air miles, card fees and a few things couples often ask.

It’s a question I get asked more often than you might expect, usually framed one of three ways:

“Do you take credit cards?”
“Is it okay if we pay the deposit by card?”
“We’re thinking about using a rewards card for the wedding… does that work?”

So let’s start at the top.

Yes, you can pay by credit card.
All payments are handled securely online via Stripe, whether that’s your deposit, final balance, or a split payment option.

That’s the practical bit. The more interesting part is why couples ask this in the first place.

Why Couples Are Asking This Question More Often

Most couples aren’t asking because they want to borrow money. They’re asking because they’re trying to be intentional.

Common concerns and questions I hear (and see searched online) include:

Is it safer to pay wedding suppliers by credit card than bank transfer?
Can we earn air miles or points on wedding payments?
Do photographers charge extra for card payments?
Will we still have protection if something goes wrong?
Is it better to pay deposits and balances separately?

Weddings involve larger, planned expenses, often spread across a year or more. For couples who already use credit cards responsibly, it makes sense to ask whether those payments can do a bit more than just leave the account.

Using Credit Cards Strategically
(Without Going Full Finance Bro)

I’m not a financial advisor, and this isn’t financial advice. But here’s how some couples sensibly approach this.

1. Air Miles, Points and Rewards

Many UK couples already have, or open, a rewards-based credit card specifically for wedding spending. The idea is simple:

Put planned wedding payments on the card
Pay the balance off in full
Accumulate points, miles, or rewards
Use them towards honeymoon travel, upgrades, or accommodation

In the UK, rewards tend to fall into a few camps:

Airline points (Avios, Virgin Points, AMEX)
Flexible travel credit
Cashback or statement credit

If this is something you’re considering, the best starting point isn’t Instagram or TikTok hacks. I’d start by taking a look at the boring, reliable comparison sites and forums where people document what actually works.

Search terms couples often use include:

“Best UK credit card for wedding spending”
“Can I earn air miles on wedding payments?”
“Best credit card for honeymoon flights UK”
“Is it worth getting a credit card for wedding expenses?”

The key thing is matching the card to how you actually travel. Airmiles aren’t helpful if you hate flying long haul or live nowhere near a hub airport.

2. Welcome Bonuses and Spend Thresholds

Another reason couples ask about card payments is bonuses.

Some cards offer incentives if you spend a certain amount in the first few months. Weddings can naturally hit those thresholds without manufactured spending or lifestyle creep.

This only works if:

You were going to spend the money anyway
You clear the balance in full
The rewards outweigh any annual fee

If any of those don’t stack up, it’s not worth it.

A Quiet Word on Saving for a Wedding

It’s probably worth saying this too.

For most couples, the simplest and least stressful way to pay for a wedding is still saving for it. A separate savings account, added to slowly and is the most sensible option for most couples.

Credit cards can be useful tools when they’re used deliberately and paid off in full, but they work best as a layer on top of solid planning, not instead of it.. I don’t recommend getting yourselves into debt.

The couples who seem the most relaxed in the lead-up to their wedding aren’t usually the ones chasing bonuses or optimising every decision. They’re the ones who’ve given themselves a bit of financial breathing room, so the admin doesn’t bleed into the experience.

A Necessary Reality Check

Some of the most common questions couples ask also come with assumptions worth gently unpicking.

“Is paying by credit card safer?”
It can offer additional consumer protection, which some couples value for peace of mind.
“Should we put everything on a credit card?”
Not necessarily. Calm finances beat clever strategies every time.
“Is this basically free money?”
No. Interest wipes out rewards very quickly.

Using a credit card well is about control, not optimisation.

Card Fees, and a Quick UK Clarification

Another question that comes up a lot is:

“Will we be charged extra if we pay by card?”

From my side, no. I don’t add card fees.

More broadly, it’s worth knowing that in the UK it’s illegal for businesses to add additional fees for paying by credit or debit card. This has been the case since 2018.

That doesn’t mean suppliers who don’t accept cards are doing anything wrong. Many choose bank transfer simply because card processing fees come out of their margin.

But if a UK supplier suggests adding a surcharge on top for card payments, that’s not allowed.

How Payments Work With Me

All payments are processed through Stripe, which means:

Credit and debit cards accepted
Deposits, balances, or split payments available
Secure, traceable transactions
No additional fees passed on

If you ever want to talk through timing or structure, I’m happy to do that. The goal is to make the admin side feel calm and straightforward.

A Quick Note on the Photography (Because That’s WHY I’M really here)

Payment flexibility is useful, but it isn’t what the work hangs on. And I never want it to get in the way of the photography, hence making things as simple as possible.

The way I photograph weddings is quiet. I’m there to observe what’s already happening, to pay attention to the spaces between things, and to let the day move at its own pace rather than trying to shape it into something else. There’s no rigid posing and no sense of turning the wedding into a production. There’s a focus on what’s real and unfolding in front of me.

I work with both digital and analogue film, not as a statement but because they do different jobs. Film brings a certain restraint and texture, a sense of time passing, while digital steps in when the light drops or things start moving quickly.

Most of the couples I work with aren’t chasing perfection or a checklist of moments. They care about how the day felt while they were in it, and whether the photographs still carry that feeling when everything else has faded into memory. The photography is there to hold onto that, without getting in the way of it.

FAQs

Do you accept credit cards for wedding photography?
Yes. All payments can be made online via Stripe.

Can I pay the deposit by credit card?
Yes.

Are there extra fees for paying by card?
No.

Is it illegal to charge card fees in the UK?
Yes. UK businesses can’t add surcharges for card payments.

Is this financial advice?
No. These are general observations, not recommendations.

Should we use a credit card for our wedding?
That depends entirely on your circumstances and comfort level.

Final Thought

Weddings are one of the few times people plan big expenses carefully and in advance. If you’re already investing in something meaningful, it’s reasonable to think about how you pay for it.

Whether that’s a credit card, bank transfer, or something else entirely, the right choice is the one that lets you enjoy the process without second-guessing it.

If you have questions about payments, timing, or anything else, just ask.

QUESTIONS?

Can You Pay a Wedding Photographer by Credit Card?