Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and of course you want to splurge a little to make it special. But sticking to your budget is important too, especially if you don't want to start your life together neck-deep in debt.

The first step is to identify what's most important to you, spend on what matters, and cut corners on the things that don't. This differs from bride to bride. Some ask a friend to take the pictures but spend an open bar and a big band-others want professional photographs, and schedule a lunch reception because it's less expensive than a dinner menu.

If you're not sure what your priorities are, ask yourself these questions: what do I want to remember about the wedding? Is it "my guests had the time of their life" or "I had the dress of my dreams"? Take your cue from there.

Also, buy a notebook and write down all your expenses related to the wedding, and have all your receipts in a file. Aside from the obvious costs like ordering the invitations, don't forget the incidental expenses like having all of them mailed. Every month, review your tally of costs with your fianc