Tips on Planning Your Dream Wedding

It's every little girl's dream-that day when she will walk down the aisle in her long white dress with a beautiful train following behind. Her hair is perfect, not one strand misplaced. Her nails perfectly groomed and her ring finger awaits the adornment of an illustrious diamond as she strolls the aisle to meet him-the man of her dreams. His smile usually makes her heart melt, but on this day it makes her eyes tear.

But there are a number of things that ruin this dream wedding for many women-- money woes, stress, disorganization, etc.. A wedding is one of the most important days in most people's lives. And aside from a home, it is also one of the largest expenses. Proper planning will help make this very important day truly a day to remember.

In reality, it is seldom that a woman can afford the wedding she has always dreamed of. USA Today reports that the average cost of a wedding with 200 guests is approximately $90,000. Seriously, that's a new car or down payment for a new home. No one wants to enter a marriage with an overwhelming wedding debt. That's definitely one way to strain the honeymoon years. The most important decision in wedding planning is deciding on a budget. If your parents are footing the bill, you need to sit with them and discuss how much money they are willing to comfortably spend on your special day. Make a list of every expense you will entail from rentals to gifts for the wedding party. To avoid leaving important details out of your budget, hire a professional wedding coordinator (another expense, of course) or keep a detailed planning guide (you can purchase one at most wedding stores). If you find that your budget will not allow for some of the important provisions, consider asking the groom's family to pay for the rehearsal dinner or reception. Most brides find that this is a big relief.