What Does Your First Year of Marriage Actually Cost?
Wedding planning tends to soak up all the attention, but the biggest chunk of first-year spending often comes from somewhere else entirely: moving into your first shared home. Between a security deposit and first month's rent, furniture and appliances, the wedding and honeymoon, moving costs, and everyday living expenses as a couple, the real first-year total adds up fast. The security deposit deserves a special note — it's refundable when you move out, so it's closer to an asset than a true expense, but you still need to have that cash ready right away, which is why it belongs in the budget regardless.
This calculator takes your security deposit and first month's rent, furniture and appliances, wedding and honeymoon costs, moving expenses, and monthly living costs, then breaks out your initial setup cost, wedding prep spending, first-year living expenses, and your real year-one spending with the deposit excluded. Separating the refundable deposit from true consumption spending makes it much easier to size your savings goal and decide how big a loan, if any, you actually need.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's refundable, so it's closer to an asset — but you still need the cash ready, so this tool includes it in total spending while also showing your real spending with it excluded.
It varies hugely by apartment size and brand choice. Prioritize must-haves, then allocate what's left to extras.
It's easy to focus only on one-time setup costs. Multiplying monthly expenses by 12 gives a realistic full-year total.
※ Costs vary widely by location and choices. This is a simplified estimate, not a guaranteed budget.