07:00 AM Mountain Standard Time on Monday, May 22, 2006

Kim McGrigg / Special to azfamily.com

With wedding season upon us, many couples can already hear the wedding bells.

Unfortunately for some couples, the bells may sound more like the clanging cha-ching of a cash register, as wedding costs continues to skyrocket. According to www.TheWeddingReport.com, the total expected cost for weddings nationally in 2006 is $59 billion, with the average wedding costing $26,800 - a 4-percent increase from 2005.

Traditionally, the bride's parents are responsible for financing the walk down the aisle and the reception. However, with couples waiting longer to tie the knot, the increasing trend is for the bride and groom to finance their own celebration.

With this in mind, before saying "I do," consider a few smart money tips offered by the experts at Consumer Credit Counseling Services, a division of Money Management International.

Know your budget.
Creating a realistic budget is probably the most important piece of planning a wedding and should definitely be the first step. Determine what kind of celebration is important to you, consider what you can afford and then decide who pays for what. According to CNN Money, 73 percent of all wedding ceremonies are a combined financial effort between families -- the more contributors, the bigger the wedding.

Start planning early.
The average wedding takes 16 months to plan. You will need hundreds of hours to visit vendors, set appointments and chase after details. Allowing a full 12 to 16 months will allow time for possible re-dos, offers the most opportunity to take advantage of bargains and allows all parties time to add to their wedding savings fund.

Join a wedding site.
Sites like www.TheKnot.com can help you stay organized and on track. Gain access to helpful articles and popular links as well as special offers. These sites also include tools like online calculators and interactive personal settings to help you maintain a structured budget and to-do list.

Go against the grain.
According to Hallmark, most weddings are held during the summer months, with August being the most popular. Consider having an off-season wedding during the less popular months. Review facility pricing for a morning or early afternoon wedding, as opposed to an evening wedding. You can usually get reduced pricing with facilities and vendors during those times.

Finally, regardless of whether you are hoping for an extravagant wedding or a simple ceremony, your special day should be filled with blissful memories. Being financially prepared will help make sure this day is one of the most memorable days of your life.

It is important not to forget that while the wedding is an important event, its purpose is to celebrate the start of a marriage. Practicing healthy financial decisions early will lead to a lifetime of financial freedom and happiness together.