As a bride, once your Prince Charming has popped the question and placed the perfect princess cut on your left hand, the last thing you're thinking about is a budget. You've fantasized about your perfect day since childhood and money was never an object. But how are you going to afford that?

When your best friend or sister announces she's engaged and wants you to be her maid of honor, of course you jump up and down with excitement - for her. But inside, you're starting to cringe. Dresses, presents and planning at least one bridal shower - you can feel the pressure building up. If the thought of the bridal shower creates more stress than satisfaction, there's help.

For couples about to exchange "I do's," a clear understanding of each other's credit history as singles, and how they will use credit as a couple, is vital to ensure their future wedded bliss.

The maid of honor position can be loaded with a lot of work and responsibility as well as a lot of fun. When someone is selected as the maid of honor, it's important they're aware of everything they need to do so they can be prepared for the big day and support the bride.

You're finalizing wedding plans and are eager to sip champagne with your guests. But are you and your fiance prepared to marry your financial lives together once the "I do's" are said, and you've returned home from your honeymoon in paradise?

For many women, the financial ramifications of a divorce can be devastating. Women are much more likely to interrupt their careers to raise families, to neglect insurance and retirement planning and in many cases, to have no plan at all when faced with a divorce.

Lt. Greg Martin wanted to give his fiancee the storybook wedding of her dreams. But he had a slight problem. She was in California planning their big day while he was on the other side of the world, stationed in Iraq. Being so far away made it even more difficult for him to hear the disappointment in her voice when she told him she couldn't find something she had her heart set on for their big day.