Who would imagine that planning the penultimate event for the most joyous occasion with the love of your life…could make you want to tear your hair out by the handful. Except THAT would ruin your plans for the perfect wedding hairstyle. Which might make you push back the date. Which….Arrrrgh! Wedding planning does not have to be so stressful. Here a some sensible tips that should make your nuptial planning go much more smoothly.

1. Get on the same page with your fiancé

Planning a wedding can cause plenty of friction between two otherwise incredibly compatible people. Before you get into the nitty-gritty, discuss your hopes, concerns, and stylistic preferences in detail. Even though one partner usually takes the lead when it comes to dealing with wedding planning logistics, if both parties involved don't feel okay with the general plan, problems will inevitably arise -- particularly when it comes to the size and cost of the affair.

2. Create a budget

Don't believe the wedding books or wedding sites -- throwing even a modest-sized wedding in the United States is far more expensive than most general information sources will tell you -- particularly if you live in a cosmopolitan area like New York or Los Angeles. Budget everything, and budget conservatively. List your photographer, videographer, flowers, honeymoon costs, marriage license costs, hotel room costs for the night of the wedding, ring costs, special ceremonial prop costs, wedding dress and tuxedo costs, food and drink costs, and anything else that might be pertinent. You can use other peoples' wedding budgets as a guide, but remember that the more explicit you are about your line items, the easier it will be to keep your budget from going off the rails. Along those lines, beware that alcohol and food can really add up -- particularly if you are inviting more than a hundred and fifty guests.

3. Set a realistic date

Pick a date well in advance and let your guests know as soon as possible. If you choose a weekend in the middle of wedding season (roughly May through August), you may have to compete with other weddings for your guests' attention. You want to give yourself enough time to get all of the nuts and bolts in place for your big day. If you don't leave yourself that breathing room, you will inevitably get stressed out, particularly in the two weeks leading up to the ceremony.

4. Look for bargains

The so-called "wedding industrial complex" runs a smooth marketing operation. Everyone from your florist to your manicurist will have a hierarchy of wedding-related goods and services to sell you, and you will be tempted to choose the top-of-the-line in every category. After all, it's your big day. However, you can save tons of money in certain areas, provided that you work from your budget and think practically about how to save money. For instance, the groom might choose to rent his tuxedo rather than to buy it. This can save him $300 or $400. The bride might consider shopping for her wedding dress at a warehouse sale or even wearing her mother's old dress.

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