Starting off on the Right Foot

Did you know the average American Wedding costs around 21,000 dollars? That covers everything from the rings to the parking at the reception. Isn't that crazy? There could actually be some negative affects on the couple because of this expense. Let's break it down.
If the bride's family pays for the whole wedding at such a price tag, they will have made a huge investment into this couple? You'd think that's good. I mean, it shows they really support them, right? It's true, but when a couple gets married, it is to strengthen their relationship. Often times in these expensive wedding parents can become overly involved in the new couple's lives and try too much to influence it. A mom could drive her way into their relationship so the new bride turns to her mother to solve all their problems instead of working them out with her husband. Parents  are more likely to do this when they "invest" so much into the couple's wedding.
If a wedding and reception is to create and strengthen this new couple, what can they do to avoid having this event actually drive them apart in all the chaos?
Here are some tips I learned in class to help a couple and their wonderful families to come together the best way possible.

• For the Happy Couple:
• Always remember, this event is for you two. You need to decide on things together.
• You can't shut one another out on the planning. And you should both be aware of the amount of money you're spending. 
• To become married to to work constantly toward becoming one. You should be preparing for that commitment as much as possible. Don't hold anything back. (But don't do this too early either!) I just mean prepare for all your money to go together, your space, and your time. These are important resources you will soon share.
• Don't just plan the wedding together. You also need to be planning your marriage. 
• Remember: He didn't propose to you to plan an event, he proposed to you to share his life with you. 
• Don't go into debt for your wedding or reception or anything like it!
• For the Family
• Give them their space and time together in this process.
• Don't team up with one against the other. 
• Support their decisions. This is for them, not you. 
• Always love them!
• Be there for them, but don't let him or her turn to you when they should be talking to each other about problems. This could make things even harder for them. It could put an even more difficult strain on their relationship.