| When you first decide that you're going to be married, | | | | doesn't mean you shouldn't look for bargains. Haunt the |
| and the giddiness wears off, and you want to begin | | | | resale sites! And take pleasure in checking things off. |
| planning the day that will move you from engaged to | | | | - You get tired at the end. So you just let go, you've |
| married, you're often a great stickler for finding out | | | | been really good, and you figure you'll get money for |
| what other brides and grooms do. So you read the | | | | wedding presents (and where were you going to |
| books, buy the magazines and haunt the online sites. | | | | spend that?) and you blow it. Worse case scenario, |
| For some of us, that early enthusiasm wanes. You | | | | you both blow it and neither one of you 'fesses up. |
| may get your finances in order, know what kind of | | | | Avoid this: If you've been talking about things all along |
| money you have to spend, where it's coming from and | | | | then keep talking. Don't hide things from one another |
| when and be in pretty good shape. | | | | about finances. This is not just a bad idea at the |
| You download or buy a wedding estimator (and don't | | | | wedding; this is a bad idea for your marriage. And you |
| buy, you can always download!) subscribe to three | | | | know what? You probably don't need those extra |
| wedding planning sites and you're off. If you stay that | | | | things. People don't really need a cookie in a goodie |
| course, you'll be fine. It's when you stop paying | | | | bag at their hotel room! |
| attention and overspend your budget that you get in | | | | This is a crucial time not only in wedding planning, but |
| trouble. | | | | also in your wedding planning. Here are a couple |
| - You haven't allocated your expenses. Although you | | | | important tips: |
| know roughly what you want to spend in each major | | | | - Talk to one another. Tell each other what's going on. |
| category, you don't have firm numbers for what you | | | | - Talk to one another respectfully. Establish guidelines |
| will spend on wedding favors and bridal gifts. Avoid | | | | for disagreements. |
| this. Research what things cost. Negotiate the numbers | | | | - Make plans. Put it down in black and white. |
| between the two of you. You have to agree on big | | | | - Stick to your Plans. This is hard, because it's exciting. |
| ticket items (wedding dress, venue, cater). But it's also | | | | That's ok, you can do hard. |
| important to agree on the little ones. The more you | | | | - Don't expect unrealistic things of yourself or your |
| spell it out, the better control you will have. The better | | | | partner. If you can't do it, say so. Use this as a time to |
| control you have, the fewer fights you will have. The | | | | increase trust and honesty. |
| fewer fights, the more fun in wedding planning (there's | | | | - Get help if you need it. There are professionals to |
| a goal) and the fewer lasting scars you'll accumulate! | | | | help you with this. This is not a place to be oh, I can |
| - You haven't updated your numbers. When you | | | | this. The fun of your wedding day and the future of |
| outspend in one area, you have to decrease dollars | | | | your marriage rests on doing a good job here. Go |
| available in another. When you realize that you forgot | | | | check out Dr. Taffy Wagner of The Debt Stops at |
| to add in a category, because you want to pay for a | | | | the Altar she's got a great program. Don't like to look |
| groomsman's stay because he just lost his job, you | | | | on line for this help? Check the yellow pages. But do |
| have to take it out of the overall budget. Avoid this: Be | | | | the work. |
| rigorous with the budget. Follow it. You worked hard | | | | Your wedding will be fabulous and your marriage will |
| enough to make it! Don't blow it! And if you can, | | | | thrive. |
| consistently underspend. Just because it's a wedding | | | | |