New Platform Helps Couples Pre-Fund Wedding Expenses

The Wedding Ticket launches to address the growing issue of wedding debt

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Wedding Ticket, a new online pre-funding platform, has officially launched to help couples plan and pay for their weddings without going into debt. The platform allows couples to create a personalized campaign to invite friends and family to contribute directly toward real wedding expenses, offering a more transparent alternative to traditional registries.

Why it matters

With the average wedding cost in the U.S. now exceeding $35,000, and even higher in major cities like Chicago, many couples are turning to informal solutions like shared expense spreadsheets or crowdfunding to cover the costs. The Wedding Ticket formalizes this shift, helping couples plan their wedding with less financial stress and avoid starting their marriage in debt.

The details

Couples use the platform to plan and budget their wedding, then send digital RSVPs to guests in advance. When guests RSVP, they can contribute toward real per-person costs in just a few clicks using a suggested amount set by the couple. Payments are processed securely through Stripe Express Checkout, and funds become available on a rolling basis, allowing couples to cover deposits and pay vendors before the big day rather than relying on post-wedding gifts or taking on debt.

  • The Wedding Ticket officially launched on February 9, 2026.

The players

The Wedding Ticket

A new online pre-funding platform that allows couples to create a personalized campaign to invite friends and family to contribute directly toward real wedding expenses.

Joshua Kackos

Founder and CEO of The Wedding Ticket.

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What they’re saying

“It's not really a ticket to enter. It's a modern way for people who want to celebrate with you to help cover the real costs of the celebration, without awkward conversations or financial pressure on either side. The way people pay for weddings has not really changed, even though the cost of getting married has. We built The Wedding Ticket to open up a more transparent conversation & give couples a way to plan and pay for their wedding without starting their marriage in debt.”

— Joshua Kackos, Founder and CEO of The Wedding Ticket (PRNewswire)

The takeaway

The Wedding Ticket reflects a more practical and transparent approach to funding major life events, helping couples plan and pay for their weddings without going into debt and starting their marriage on a strong financial footing.