In the olden days, marriage began with a herd of goats, a small ceremony with a minister to make it official, a prim church organist banging out “Canon in D,” and maybe a potluck to celebrate the nuptials. But today, marriage begins with more pomp and circumstance. In fact, it’s a giant to-do—which comes with a giant to-do list.

Far from a chore, though, your wedding can be one of the most memorable and special days of your life! But before you jump all in to the Pinteresting, planning and prepping, you need to pause and take these four solid steps forward. 

If this is your first time making a budget, you may ask what percentage of your paycheck should go toward categories like groceries, entertainment or transportation. It’s a great question, because figuring out the right budget percentages will help you and your family achieve your big financial goals.