India is a land known for its festivals, diverse cultures, linguistic identities, and, how can we forget our big fat Indian weddings? From billionaires to the common folk, we Indians have a habit of going above and beyond when it comes to weddings. In fact, we often spend generously even on others’ weddings! So why not start saving and managing our own big day the smart way? By making safe, smart payments and earning rewards in the process, there’s a lot to gain by using a credit card for your wedding expenses.
While cash, debit cards, and cheques have traditionally been the primary modes of payment for wedding expenses, the rise of digital payments has led to a surge in the popularity of credit cards. With the increase in luxury spending, expansion of branded clothing chains, premium hotels, and the overall booming wedding industry, more merchants are now accepting credit card payments, eliminating the previous hurdle of non-acceptance.
However, it’s important to confirm in advance whether your vendor or merchant accepts credit cards, as some, particularly banquet hall owners, may refuse card payments or charge an additional 1–2% fee. This is usually limited to smaller towns or non-urban areas and is less common in metropolitan cities, where credit card usage is steadily becoming the norm.
Use a High Milestone Reward Credit Card for Banquet Spends
Several premium and sub-premium credit cards offer excellent milestone rewards. These can be leveraged to make large payments and unlock significantly higher rewards on top of the regular reward rate. One exceptional card that stands out in this regard is the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card, which offers extremely high rewards and a Taj Stay Voucher upon reaching spends of ₹4 lakhs.
| Card | Fee | Milestone Rewards |
| American Express Platinum Travel | ₹5,000 | 40,000 Membership Rewards Points and Taj Stay Voucher Worth ₹10,000 on Spends of ₹4 Lakh in a Year |
| HDFC Diners Club Black Metal | ₹10,000 | 10,000 Reward Points on Spends of ₹4 Lakh Each Quarter |
| IndusInd Avios | ₹10,000 | Up to 36,000 Bonus Avios on Spends of ₹16 Lakh in a Year |
| Times Black ICICI | ₹20,000 | Vouchers Worth ₹40,000 and Luxury Airport Transfers on Making Spends of ₹20 Lakh in a Year |
We have only taken a few popular credit cards to showcase the various milestone offers.
Check Out the Top Credit Cards for Jewellery Purchases
Purchasing gold and diamond jewellery during weddings is not just a ritual; it’s a habit. Dressing up while making an investment for the future, what more could one ask for? Since the price of gold is ever-rising, it’s the perfect opportunity to earn regular and milestone rewards on your purchases. However, it’s important to note that most credit cards exclude jewellery purchases from earning regular reward points. That said, the same does not always apply to milestone rewards.
Although we have a dedicated page for gold and other jewellery purchases, we will talk about one of the most valuable and underrated co-branded credit cards for jewelry purchases. The Titan SBI Credit Card stands out as an excellent choice for jewellery shoppers, especially those loyal to Titan’s jewellery brands like Tanishq, Mia, CaratLane, and Zoya. Cardholders can earn up to 5% cashback per quarter on purchases made at Mia, CaratLane, and Zoya (capped at ₹10,000 per quarter) and receive a 3% value back in the form of gift vouchers on Tanishq purchases (capped at ₹25,000 per quarter). Additionally, the milestone benefits of ₹5,000 and ₹10,000 worth of Titan-exclusive vouchers on annual spends of ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh, respectively, make this card even more rewarding for high-value jewellery purchases. These benefits, combined with automatic cashback credit and redemption options at Titan stores, make the Titan SBI Card a rewarding tool for those planning a wedding.
Plan the Perfect Honeymoon With Reward Points
While earning reward points with most credit cards is easy, maximizing the value of them requires a lot more effort. Those who successfully make high spending with their cards need to redeem their reward points in the most effective way.
Those familiar with the American Express universe know that rewards earned with AmEx credit cards are best used for Marriott Bonvoy. Similarly, popular HDFC Bank credit cards offer great value when points are transferred to various partners. One must do research for the best ways to maximize the value of each reward point.
Cardholders with a surplus of points should also keep an eye out for bonus transfer offers to make the most of their credit card rewards.
Final Thoughts
Weddings are a significant milestone in our lives, a day we spend months, and in some cases, even years, planning. This makes it all the more important to get the most value out of such a memorable occasion. One effective way to do this is by using credit cards, which offer better financial planning, rewards, and convenient access to funds.
These rewards can later be redeemed for cash, air miles, products, and more. Redemption through popular loyalty programs can even add value to future important events, such as your honeymoon. Unfortunately, credit card acceptance is not yet universal in India, but it’s improving every single day. While you may not be able to earn rewards on every wedding expense, you can still earn them on the vast majority of your expenses.
Planning to get married soon? Share your top choices and credit card maximization strategies in the comments below.