Big Wedding vs. Finances

This is one subject that can cause arguments before the marriage even takes place.  How big is the wedding going to be and how much are we going to spend on it?  Most women (and some men) do want the over the top wedding that will have their friends and family in awe.  Is there anything wrong with this?  Yes and no, because it is something wrong with it if you are going to go into major debt to pay for the wedding but if you can afford to pay for it without it causing a strain on your finances, then go for it.
When it comes to planning a wedding the first thing that should be discussed is how much can you and your mate afford to spend on it.  Make a budget for your special day and stick too it.  The best way to do this is to pick out the most important things first like the location, food, and dress.  Know upfront how much these things are going to cost and then you will know how much is left for other items.  If the place that you have dreamed of having your wedding at is out of your budget, then find another alternative that is just as nice or save your money a little longer if that place is that important for you.
A bride's dress is a big expense and some women pay thousands of dollars for a dress that they will only wear once.  I personally don't think that you have to pay that much to have a beautiful dress. These days there are so many ways to get a nice dress for a decent price, so look at all avenues when shopping for a dress.  This advice is coming from a former bride that has not put on or even looked at my dress since my ceremony.  I found a beautiful gown at a great price and I have not regretted the money that I spent once.
Remember that your wedding day is suppose to be about the love that you and your mate have for each other and not about if you can outdo the last wedding that you went to and spend more money.  This day is suppose to be happy and joyful and not stressful because you are thinking about all of the money that you just spent and what bills you neglected in order for you to pay for the wedding.  So, always remember to make sure that the love you and your mate have is bigger than your wedding!