Unless money is truly not an issue, and you’re prepared to spend any amount, setting a budget is extremely important. It can be surprising how quickly wedding costs add up, and it’s easy to let things get out of hand. Event stylist Denise Lillie O’Neal says, “I always suggest that couples prioritize spending the most on what is most important to them and then working down from there.”

Your love may last forever but that perfect venue’s open dates won’t. If you have your heart set on a specific place, date, or vendor, book as early as you can. The recommended time is 12-18 months in advance but if you know what you want even sooner, go for it! If you’re running a bit behind schedule in your planning, don’t worry, that just means you’ll have to work a bit harder to get everything done. O’Neal explains, “If you have a year to plan, that’s fantastic, but six months can also get it done if you’re goal-oriented and motivated to move forward.”

It’s better to have a backup plan that you never need than not have a backup plan when you need one. If you have an outdoor venue, figure out what to do if it rains. Have a plan in case one of your vendors doesn’t show up. Buy wedding liability and cancellation insurance. We know it’s not fun to think about things not going smoothly, but it will all work out if you have a plan in place.

There’s so much stress and pressure around weddings that it’s easy to forget to actually enjoy the day. Event planner Alicia Mae says, “With all of your planning leading up to the wedding day, make sure to take date nights with your significant other where you do not speak about the wedding at all. On the wedding day, give your phone to your planner so you are able to enjoy and be in the moment.”

Isn’t actually celebrating your love the whole point of a wedding anyway?!

While dreaming of the wedding is common, pondering over what married life would look like is another deal altogether. Most often, we hear that the first few years after marriage are the honeymoon years. Life after that, however, becomes less dreamy. This is because while many have ideas about how to successfully course through marriage, the practical side of things is quite different. So, expert Dr. Viviana Coles elaborates on the tips she believes can help couples better sail through the ups and downs of married life.

Talk to your partner. While this seems quite obvious, it is easier said than done. Dr. Coles explains that open communication is the key to any relationship, not just marriage. Most of us, unfortunately, aren’t mind-readers like Professor X. So, we need to tell the other person about the challenges we are facing. An important indicator of trust within couples is whether they are able to open up to you. If they aren’t, it’s probably because they don’t trust you enough or they fear hurting you by opening up.

While disagreements are part of a relationship, arguments are not. Dr. Coles recommends noticing if arguments or disagreements are frequent. Disagreements are normal and actually healthy, but arguments aren’t. If you guys argue very frequently, it might be time to reconsider things and sit down for some deep evaluations.

Share your views about the future. Talking of the future gives a sense of security to the relationship. If nothing else, it clears things up. If none of you mention the future in your conversations, whether it includes your partner or not, that is a bad sign, Dr. Coles explains.

Honesty is something that can have a huge impact on any given relationship. So much so that it can make or break it. So, it’s generally better to refrain from lying about anything. Whether it is a little white lie or about something very important. So, Dr. Coles advises couples to come clean about anything that might become an issue if not clarified. Even if you come out to be the bad guy, it builds trust and transparency.

Most people think prioritizing your partner in the relationship is good. While it may seem romantic, it is not healthy. Considering your own feelings about the relationship is equally important. This is because while on the surface you may be fine, things might bug you subconsciously.