Although taking things one step at a time is essential, you should also plan for the long-term. If you are so focused on planning and budgeting for your wedding that you forget your post-wedding goals and plans, you might face financial hardship when you are supposed to be enjoying life as newlyweds. Once you get engaged, sit down with your partner and think of all the dreams you have for your wedding and married life. Then, consider using wedding loans to cover some of your most significant expenses for your wedding so you can have your cake and eat it too.

Think about your future

When creating your wedding budget, you need to talk in-depth about your finances and how you want to handle financial responsibilities after you get married. Discuss what debts you each have, your personal and financial goals, and what your ideal wedding looks like. Before you reserve some of your most expensive items, like caterers, bartenders, videographers, and the venue, discuss what you want married life to look like. Do you want to be able to afford health insurance and purchase a house together? Are you hoping for kids right away? Or do you want to travel and see the world before settling down?

Your answers to these questions will help you determine how much money you have to spend on the wedding while saving for marriage. Avoid using up all your savings on your wedding, even if it seems tempting. Although you want your wedding to be one of the most magical days of your life, you also want to spend a lifetime with your partner having unique experiences, so keep those things in mind when planning.

Behind infidelity, money is the second leading cause of divorce in the United States. Nearly two out of every three marriages begin with debt, so it is vital to be on the same page now. Figuring out how your partner handles money helps you grow as a couple and allows you to set realistic expectations moving forward.

When you are setting your wedding budget, try to keep it completely separate from your other finances. You can even set up an individual wedding account to help curb overspending. Budgeting is never easy, but when you create your wedding budget, be sure you stick to it.

If, after having these conversations with your partner, you realize that you would rather save more money for marriage and the future than spend it on your wedding, you can find plenty of ways to have a frugal wedding that is still magical. Making decorations or food yourself saves quite a bit of money, and hosting it at a family or friend’s property. Even if you thought you always wanted a big wedding, thinking about your post-wedding plans allows you to have both the wedding and the future that makes sense for you.