An Expert's Guide on How to Make Extra Money for a Wedding

From decor and flowers to venue fees and caterers, there are so many wedding costs that quickly add up. While most couples have a starting budget they know they need to work within, many people want to know how to make extra money for a wedding to splurge on a few special items or simply make the day everything they've dreamed of. We're here to help you figure out how to make a little extra cash without too much added stress.

To help on this venture, we spoke with Melissa Jean-Baptiste, financial educator and author of So This Is Why I'm Broke: Money Lessons on Financial Literacy, Passive Income, and Generational Wealth to get some side hustle ideas. Known as the Beyoncé of personal finance on her Instagram page Millennial in Debt, she is truly an expert when it comes to increasing cash flow and minimizing debt.

Drive for a Delivery Service

Odds are you've probably used DoorDash, Uber Eats or Instacart at some point since they gained popularity. Driving for these delivery services easily puts extra cash in your pocket, especially if you're able to go out during popular times of the day. The added bonus? You can really work as much or as little as you need to pay for your dream day, making this one of the more popular choices when figuring out how to get money for a wedding.

Cut Your Subscriptions and Rework Your Everyday Budget

Ever heard that a penny saved is a penny earned? Well, that old phrase still holds true today. Double-check your credit card bill or use a website like Rocket Money to check what subscriptions you are paying for and consider cutting back on some during your engagement. After all, you'll be spending a lot of time researching different ways to save on a wedding so you may not be able to watch as many shows as before.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

On top of this, see where you can cut back just a little on your everyday budget, such as getting less takeout and meal planning a bit more, and move the money you would have spent on a meal out to your wedding savings account instead.

Donate Plasma

If you've ever donated blood, you already know a bit of what to expect if you choose to donate plasma. This process takes a little longer, typically one to two hours per appointment, which is why companies are able to compensate you for your time. While you need to be in good health and live near a donation center, this is a simple and straightforward option to consider when you're brainstorming how to make extra money for your wedding. The bonus? You'll help save lives.

Start a High-Yield Savings Account

If you already have some money set aside for the wedding, put it in a high-yield savings account. This is the easiest way to make your money work for you. Ask your current bank about their best savings account or shop around to find the option with the biggest return for your money. Even if it's just over 5% APY, that interest quickly adds up to a few hundred dollars, especially if you have a long engagement season. Plus, when you combine this dedicated wedding savings account with some of the best wedding credit cards, you'll be a budgeting GOAT by the time you tie the knot.

Sell Unwanted Items

Jean-Baptiste urges couples trying to figure out how to make extra money for a wedding to sell unwanted or redundant items, noting that it is "a quick way to bring in some extra cash, especially for unexpected expenses." Host a garage sale or head to tried-and-true online sales sites. Jean-Baptiste shares that "Facebook Marketplace, Mercer, Postmark and OfferUp are great avenues to use after you declutter and identify items to sell that you are no longer using."

Pick Up Hours Babysitting, Pet Sitting or House Sitting

Jean-Baptiste highlights picking up a few hours "pet sitting, babysitting or house sitting on platforms like Rover or Care.com can be an easy way to earn extra cash on weekends or evenings." Plus, many people who already have animals enjoy the added bonus of a playmate for their own dog or cat to keep them entertained for a few days.

Take on A Freelance Gig

The gig economy has truly taken off in recent years, giving couples trying to figure out how to make extra money to pay for weddings a few more options than people years ago. Jean-Baptiste shares that "any skills the couple may have could potentially be monetized to earn some extra cash before the big day. Skills like graphic design, even at a beginner or intermediate level on Canva, writing or photography work well." If you're interested, check out platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.

Earn Commission on Amazon Video Reviews

When you're figuring out how to pay for a wedding, it can be discouraging to see how quickly the costs add up. In addition to budgeting well and prioritizing things that are truly meaningful to you, upload video reviews to Amazon to earn commission and pay for various wedding items you would typically order online. Don't worry, you don't have to show your face in the videos. Just talk about a certain product's pros and cons and you're on your way to putting a few extra dollars in the bank.

Rent Out a Room

This next option is a little more involved but is certainly a solution if you're experimenting with how to make extra money fast for a wedding. Whether you have a friend who needs a place to stay or you can rent out a room on Airbnb or a similar site, you can easily pull in a few hundred dollars or more a month with this idea. Some people will even rent out spots to park an RV or tent for a few days if they have a nice yard or view.

Tutor Students Locally or Online

Whether you are an engineering whiz, love English or know your way around elementary school subjects, there are many tutoring opportunities both in person and online. Look for sites near you or do a quick Google search to find out what positions you qualify for. Before you know it, you will be making decent money on a flexible schedule that works for you, which, for many, is better than taking out loans for a wedding.

Sell Digital Products

It is very likely that you have a skill or product other people would enjoy using or learning about. Jean-Baptiste tells couples to "create a stan store or Etsy shop to sell digital products." While there are plenty of companies that give out free wedding items, you don't have to be that person.

Starting to sell your products could be as simple as advertising a cute printable PDF to-do list you created on Canva to a course on how to make your favorite baked goods. Jean-Baptiste noted that you can make the most of your profits by funneling "any sales directly into a high-yield savings account specifically dedicated to supplemental income for wedding expenses."

Take Surveys

This final option of how to make extra money for a wedding isn't going to pull in major cash, but it can be a decent boost to upgrade your decor, splurge on an extra cute guest book or something similar. Many reputable websites, such as YouGov, will pay you to take surveys for them so they can better understand their audience. It could take a month or two to get enough credits to redeem for a bank deposit or gift card, but it's still simple compensation you can get while sitting on your couch.