The first step in setting the budget is to prioritize your needs - and consider your larger financial goals. Next, you will set the overall budget according to what you want to spend. Lastly, you'll learn how to budget money according to your priorities.

A financial check-up
As you plan your wedding, now is a great time to talk about the one subject that most folks like to avoid: money. Planning your finances while you plan your nuptials has one major benefit: it can keep you from getting divorced. Since arguments over many are the number one reason couples split, now is a great time to give yourselves a financial check-up.

Some basics: both partners should be involved with family finances (paying bills, etc.). Decide whether you will have joint accounts - and joint goals toward money management and other financial issues. Talk about debts, credit cards and retirement planning. While many of these isses are beyond the scope of this book (and this excerpt), it's important to consider all angles.

The best way to start is by sitting down with your fiancé (and your parents and/or his parents if they will be contributing) and write out the following list on a sheet of paper: