Getting engaged can be the most exciting moment in a couple’s early life. However, a wedding in addition to planning a life together, can be daunting, and let’s be honest, expensive. Here, we’ll give you a few tips on where to start, how to establish a budget, and what to expect financially when planning a wedding and a future.

Start Setting Money Aside ASAP

The truth is, weddings are often expensive. The average wedding will cost about $30,000, which can seem unfathomable. With this in mind, the earlier you start saving, the better. Most people feel the need to start planning immediately after becoming engaged, however, this is not necessary. It’s often wise to take your time planning during the engagement, and spreading out the costs. Anything extra that you can spare and set aside will help you out and get you closer to your dream wedding. Plus, if you have some money left over after your wedding, you can put it towards expenses that will pop up in your newlywed life.

Prioritize Important Details

Your wedding doesn’t have to be “perfect” in the general sense, it only has to be “perfect for you”. Sit down with your partner, and prioritize what details in the wedding truly matter to both of you, and make those your focus. You might have always dreamed of your perfect wedding dress, if so, splurge. Make the appointment to have a custom dress made, and keep it forever as an heirloom to pass down. You might not also care much about the cake, in which case many DIYs and affordable versions are available to you.

Consider What You Can, and Can’t, Afford

Thinking about both your wedding and married life as a whole, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with the cost of living. That is why it’s important to not spend beyond your means. While you may want a lavish 300-plus person wedding, your bank account might say otherwise. It’s also important to think about your life after the wedding. A first home, children, life expenses, they all add up. There is always a way to throw your dream wedding but stay within your budgetary restrictions as long as you’re willing to be flexible.

Remember this is a Transition

Marriage is a true transition period in life and just like any other transition period, it’ll take some adjustment. Your wedding is the celebration part, but after that comes the true change. To make sure you and your future spouse are ready for this new part of life, it’s imperative to know how to talk about money with them. Once you know where you both stand when it comes to finances, you can start your lives together on the same page and determine your joint budgeting system. From there, you’ll be able to make big life and monetary decisions as a unit.

Once you’ve gone through these steps, established a budget and discussed finances with your partner, you’ll be ready to begin the fun part: the wedding planning!

While weddings are often the happiest day of a person’s life, planning a wedding can be extremely stressful. The countless details and mounting costs can be overwhelming, which is why it’s incredibly important to be gentle with yorus during this time. From getting enough sleep to carving out more personal time, here are some tips to keep you healthy and focused during this exciting—albeit demanding—time of your life.

1) Before you get started, lay out a detailed budget with your spouse-to-be. Agree on a ballpark figure for what you'd like to spend on your wedding, and create a spreadsheet that helps you categorize costs. If your wedding is a year or two away, set aside money each month to help you save enough to cover everything.

2) Find ways to scrimp and save. Wedding expenses can add up and before you know it, you’ve tripled your budget on flowers alone, but with a little research and resourcefulness, you can find ways to save in every step of the process. For example, if you’re doing most of your shopping online, be sure to search for coupon codes before checking out. You can even check retailers like QVC for upcoming sales, and see if you can plan your big purchases around those sales using QVC promo codes. By giving yourself plenty of time, you’ll find creative ways to save throughout the planning process.

3) Take time to unplug. Most brides will handle the bulk of their wedding planning online, which requires hours of screen time spent researching the perfect dress, wedding venues, finding the ideal bridesmaid dresses, and reading reviews of potential caterers. While it’s unavoidable, there are ways to mitigate the added screen time and keep yourself sane.

Set aside time each day for online research, and try to stay within those hours. By establishing a routine for your screen time, you can avoid staring at your laptop or phone late into the night. On a good night’s sleep, you’ll feel more confident making important wedding planning decisions.

4) Practice Self Care. Even the best-laid plans can go awry, so make sure to take time away from the chaos of it all for yourself. This doesn’t necessarily mean blowing your paycheck on an expensive spa day—you can take care of yourself in simple yet powerful ways: eating well-balanced meals, sleeping more, and getting exercise are some of the best ways to stay mentally and physically healthy. Carve out time for yourself, don’t hesitate to turn down other invitations. When event planning gets to be too much, reach out to those closest to you for help. If occasional splurging—an impromptu trip to the salon, for example—is important to you, include it in your budgeting. By setting aside money for self-care indulgences, you won’t compromise your carefully budgeted wedding costs.

5) Delegate Tasks. For type A brides, delegating is nearly impossible. While it may seem safer to make every decision on your own, you’ll run out of time and energy if you insist on doing everything yourself. Ask for help from friends and family—they’ll likely help shorten your to-do list and may even have great ideas to make your wedding even more special.

If it’s in the budget, consider hiring a wedding planner. A great planner will be a helpful resource and reduce your stress, which can allow you to focus on the more exciting elements of getting ready for the big day with friends and family.

As you prepare in the months and weeks leading up to your wedding, be sure to keep an eye on your mental health. Maintain your self-care routines and reach out to your support network if you need help. With careful budgeting, you’ll have the wedding of your dreams without compromising your life savings.