Should Prenups Be Part of Wedding Planning? Why More Couples Are Saying Yes
Published on: 8 Feb 2025
When planning a wedding, most couples focus on choosing the perfect venue, finding the right dress, and finalizing the guest list. But one conversation that is becoming increasingly common during wedding planning is the discussion about prenuptial agreements.
Once considered a legal tool for the ultra-wealthy, prenuptial agreements are now a standard part of financial planning for modern couples. As wedding costs rise and people marry later in life—often bringing assets, businesses, or debts into the marriage—more engaged couples are recognizing the value of a prenup as part of their wedding preparations.
So, should a prenup be part of your wedding planning? Here is why more couples are saying yes and how you can integrate it into your pre-wedding checklist.
1. Why More Couples Are Talking About Prenups Before the Wedding
Prenups have evolved from being a niche legal document to a practical financial planning tool. More engaged couples are viewing prenups as a way to set clear financial expectations, protect assets, and ensure financial stability in the marriage.
1.1. Couples Are Marrying Later in Life
People are getting married later than in previous generations, often after they have already established their careers and accumulated assets. Many engaged individuals have:
- Investments or retirement savings
- Real estate or other property
- Business interests
- Student loan or credit card debt
A prenup allows couples to outline what happens to these financial matters in marriage and in the event of divorce.
1.2. Rising Wedding Costs Make Financial Conversations Essential
The cost of weddings continues to rise, with many couples spending tens of thousands of dollars on their big day. Given that engaged couples already discuss budgeting for their wedding, it makes sense to include financial planning for the marriage as well.
A prenup helps ensure that couples discuss financial expectations, spending habits, and future financial goals alongside their wedding plans.
1.3. Prenups Can Address Debt Responsibilities
A prenup is not just about protecting assets—it can also protect one spouse from being responsible for the other’s debts.
For example, if one partner has:
- Significant student loans
- Credit card debt
- Business-related financial obligations
A prenup can clarify that the other partner will not be liable for those debts. This is particularly relevant if one partner has worked hard to become debt-free before marriage and wants to ensure financial fairness.
1.4. Millennials and Gen Z Prioritize Financial Transparency
Younger generations value financial independence and transparency in relationships. Many couples now openly discuss salaries, savings, and financial habits before getting engaged, making a prenup a natural extension of those conversations.
Rather than viewing prenups as planning for divorce, many engaged couples see them as a way to:
- Set clear financial expectations
- Reduce future financial conflicts
- Strengthen financial trust in the relationship
2. Why a Prenup Should Be Part of Your Wedding Planning
Because marriage is both a romantic and financial partnership, discussing a prenup during wedding planning makes sense. Here is how a prenup fits into the wedding preparation process.
2.1. Financial Planning is Already a Key Part of Wedding Prep
Most engaged couples already discuss finances when planning their wedding, including:
- How much to spend on the wedding
- Whether to take on debt to pay for it
- Who will contribute financially
- Whether to merge bank accounts after marriage
Since financial discussions are already part of the wedding planning process, discussing a prenup is a logical next step.
2.2. A Prenup Sets Clear Financial Expectations for Marriage
Money is one of the leading causes of stress in marriages. A prenup encourages open and honest conversations about financial expectations before the marriage begins.
A prenup can address:
- How assets and income will be managed during the marriage
- How joint and individual debts will be handled
- Financial responsibilities for each partner
Discussing these matters early in the relationship helps prevent misunderstandings and reduces financial tension in the future.
2.3. A Prenup Can Protect Family Contributions to the Wedding
Many weddings are funded in part by family members. If parents or relatives contribute financially to the wedding, a prenup can help clarify how those contributions are treated in the event of a divorce.
For example:
- If one partner’s parents gift a large sum for the wedding, a prenup can ensure that money remains with their child.
- If family money is used to purchase a home, a prenup can define how that asset is handled in case of separation.
Including these provisions in a prenup can protect family assets while ensuring both partners enter the marriage on fair financial terms.
2.4. A Prenup Can Protect Business Interests
If one or both partners own a business, a prenup can ensure that the business remains separate property. Without a prenup, a spouse could be entitled to a portion of the business in a divorce, which can lead to ownership disputes or financial losses.
By discussing and including a business protection clause in a prenup, couples can safeguard professional and financial stability.
3. How to Bring Up the Prenup Conversation While Wedding Planning
Bringing up a prenup may feel awkward, but there are ways to approach the conversation in a thoughtful and productive way.
3.1. Choose the Right Time for the Discussion
Avoid bringing up a prenup during wedding dress shopping or in the middle of an emotional wedding planning discussion. Instead, find a calm, private moment when both partners are relaxed and open to a conversation about the future.
Good times to discuss a prenup include:
- While setting a wedding budget
- When discussing shared financial goals
- Before merging bank accounts
3.2. Frame It as a Smart Financial Decision
A prenup is not about planning for divorce—it is about protecting both partners and ensuring financial clarity.
A good way to introduce the idea is:
"Since we are already discussing finances and wedding costs, I think it would be smart for us to create a prenup—not because I expect anything to happen, but because it sets clear expectations and protects us both."
This approach keeps the conversation positive and focused on long-term financial planning.
3.3. Emphasize That a Prenup Benefits Both Partners
A prenup is designed to protect both individuals, not just one person. By outlining financial responsibilities and expectations, it provides peace of mind for both partners.
A prenup can:
- Ensure that each partner’s financial contributions are fairly recognized
- Prevent future financial disputes
- Clarify how assets and debts will be handled
Reframing a prenup as a mutual agreement that protects both parties makes the discussion feel more balanced and productive.
4. How prenups.ai Makes Prenup Planning Easy
Traditionally, prenups required hiring lawyers and spending thousands of dollars in legal fees. Now, prenups.ai makes the process easy, affordable, and accessible.
Why Use prenups.ai?
- Simple and affordable without the high costs of hiring a lawyer
- Customizable to fit your specific financial situation
- Legally sound and designed to comply with jurisdictional requirements
By using prenups.ai, couples can create a prenuptial agreement quickly and with minimal stress, allowing them to focus on planning their wedding and future together.
Final Thoughts
A prenup is no longer a taboo topic—it is a practical financial tool that many engaged couples are incorporating into their wedding planning.
By discussing a prenup before marriage, couples can:
- Set clear financial expectations
- Protect assets, debts, and family contributions
- Strengthen financial trust in their relationship
As you plan your wedding, do not forget to plan for your financial future as well. Start your prenup today with prenups.ai and enter your marriage with confidence.