To fund a wedding, borrowing from parents or friends works if it rests on a signed IOU, a realistic repayment plan and, above 5 000 euros, a tax declaration by the engaged couple who are borrowing.
A wedding budget that often exceeds the couple's savings
Reception venue, caterer, photographer, outfits, rings and honeymoon: the items add up fast. Many couples top up their savings with help from family rather than with consumer credit that banks market as a wedding loan.
Parents' gift or genuine loan: be clear from the start
Parents contributing to the ceremony often give a present, whereas a loan has to be repaid. The French Civil Code clearly separates the two; a gift between private individuals follows its own tax rules, different from those of a loan.
Customary wedding presents under French law
Wedding gifts in proportion to the giver's income and wealth are classed as présents d'usage, customary presents. A disproportionate sum can, however, be reclassified as a taxable gift by the tax authorities, so documenting the exact nature of the payment matters.
Who signs: one partner or both?
Before the ceremony, each partner borrows in their own name. If both sign the IOU, they become joint debtors. State clearly who repays, especially if the couple later chooses a separation of property marriage contract drawn up by a notary.
How the matrimonial regime affects the debt
Under the default regime of community of acquired property, a debt taken on during the marriage can bind the shared assets. A loan signed before the union generally remains personal. The notary drafting the marriage contract can explain these nuances.
Drafting an IOU suited to the wedding
The document states the amount, the purpose, for example the caterer and the venue, the date the funds are handed over and the timetable. For a large sum, the page on the loan drawn up by a notary presents the notarial deed and its advantages.
The tax office and money borrowed for the big day
When the loan exceeds 5 000 euros, the borrower declares it with the income tax return using formulaire 2062 (the French tax form for declaring loans). Any interest received by the lending parent is taxable. Our guide to private loan taxation details these obligations.
Repaying after the honeymoon without family tension
A schedule starting a few months after the ceremony leaves time to absorb unexpected expenses. A standing order, rather than cash handed over at family meals, keeps a clear trace of every instalment repaid.
Online money pots and wedding lists as an alternative
A wedding list or an online money pot lets guests fund part of the honeymoon or setting up home without creating any debt. Check the fees taken by the service and how the funds are paid out to the couple.
Fake lenders targeting couples in a hurry
Fraudsters spot engagement announcements and offer quick financing before the wedding date. They then demand notary, insurance or release fees. This fake private lender scheme never leads to a single payment reaching the couple.
Wedding suppliers and non-refundable deposits
Borrowing to pay deposits to a caterer or venue carries a risk if the wedding is postponed. Read the cancellation terms before paying, and adjust the loan so you are not repaying money spent for nothing.
Advice before signing anything
A notary can advise on both the marriage contract and the family loan. If you are approached suspiciously, the PHAROS platform and Signal Conso collect reports, and the police or gendarmerie record complaints for fraud.
Arranging the loan for the ceremony
- Cost the wedding budget item by item and subtract what the couple's savings already cover.
- Decide with the family whether the money is a gift, a customary present or a repayable loan.
- Sign an IOU stating the borrowers, the purpose, the amount and the date of the first instalment.
- Receive the funds by bank transfer and pay suppliers by traceable means with invoices.
- Declare the loan on formulaire 2062 with the income tax return if it exceeds 5 000 euros.
- Set up a standing order after the honeymoon and keep every statement.
Costs to expect around a wedding loan
| Item | Order of magnitude | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Family interest rate | Free, often zero | Capped by the usury rate |
| Registration of the contract | 125 € fixed duty (indicative) | Optional, gives a certain date |
| Notarial loan deed | Varies by notary | Useful for a large amount |
| Interest received by the lender | Taxable | Declared as investment income |
| Fees demanded by a fake lender | Total loss | A sure sign of a scam |
Documents for a wedding loan
- ID of the partner or partners and of the lender
- Quotes from the caterer, venue and main suppliers
- Signed IOU or loan contract
- Bank details of the parties for transfers
- Formulaire 2062 if the loan exceeds 5 000 euros
- Dated repayment schedule
- Marriage contract drawn up by the notary, if any
Common mistakes before the big day
- Leaving the status of the parents' money unclear, which can cause conflict if the couple later separates.
- Accepting a financing offer received by private message after announcing the engagement publicly on social media.
- Paying release fees to a so-called foreign notary before receiving the funds promised for the ceremony.
- Paying large non-refundable deposits with borrowed money without reading the suppliers' cancellation terms.
- Overlooking formulaire 2062 even though the family loan exceeds the 5 000 euro threshold.
Loans and weddings: practical answers
Do my parents have to declare the money lent for our wedding?
The borrower declares the loan on formulaire 2062 when the amount exceeds 5 000 euros. The lending parents only declare any interest they receive. An interest-free loan therefore creates no taxable income for them.
Does a debt taken on before the wedding become shared?
In principle, a debt taken on by one partner alone before the union remains personal, even under the community regime. The exact rules depend on the regime chosen and the circumstances; a notary can confirm your couple's situation.
Is a large wedding present taxed like a gift?
A customary present in proportion to the giver's income is not taxed. Beyond that, the tax authorities may reclassify the sum as a gift. Proportionality is judged case by case; ask a notary for advice on a large amount.
How much should we borrow from a relative for a wedding?
Borrow only the part of the budget your savings do not cover, and set an instalment compatible with your outgoings after the ceremony. Trimming the guest list is better than straining a family relationship with too heavy a debt.