Want $1 Million? Elope

Don't get tunnel vision: The trap that many couples fall into is that they focus exclusively on the big day. When you're zeroed-in on a single event, costs can quickly rise in an attempt to make everything perfect. What you need to keep in mind are the dreams and plans you have together after the wedding. When you bring these goals -- and their associated costs -- into the equation, it is much easier to skip something on your wedding day.

Stick to a budget: The wedding industry will do everything in its power to separate you from your money on your wedding day. It'll argue that you should spare no expense, because a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event for which only the best will do. Don't buy it. Make a budget -- preferably one that leaves you with no debt -- and stick with it. Your life together entails a lot more than a single day of celebration, so you should not ruin your finances for years.

Compromise: The ability to compromise is one that you will need countless times as a married couple. Your wedding day is a perfect place to begin practicing this art. Realize that the compromises you make are meant not to deprive you of something you want on your wedding day but rather to free up that money for things you want to do together in future years.

It's important to remember that your wedding day is the celebration of the beginning of your life together, shared with friends and family. It's not about the amount you paid for all the decorations, entertainment and food. Your wedding is the first large financial decision that you will make together, and how you handle the financial side will go a long way to determining your financial situation in your first years of married life.