A Perfect Engagement's 25 days of Christmas | day one

Planning a wedding takes time and effort, but not nearly as much effort as building the foundation for a successful marriage. Assembling a wedding can also strain relationships with your family and friends. Here are some tips for avoiding meltdowns, break-ups and blowouts during your engagement.

Never stop dating. It is crucial to set aside time during the engagement period to continue to date. Every month you are engaged go out on at least one date with your fiance(e) and refrain from discussing ANYTHING wedding related.

Keep your eyes on the prize... the prize being your future spouse. Although pleasing the 300 guests at your reception is important, they will not be around in sickness and in health.

Learn to love your budget. Whether big or small, every betrothed couple has an overall wedding budget. It may take more work, but a meaningful wedding can be achieved on even the smallest of budgets. If you constantly push your fiance(e) or family to spend more than the allocated amount on the wedding, drama and conflict will undoubtedly ensue.

Be true to yourself. Aunt Franny thinks your should use lilies, Mom wants you to walk down the aisle to Canon in D and your future Mother-in-Law wishes your wedding dress had a "more traditional look." Oh well. If you don't like lilies, Canon in D or traditional wedding dresses do not, I repeat DO NOT feel the need to incorporate them into YOUR wedding.

Don't plan your wedding at work. But there are only so many hours in the day! I know. As important as planning your wedding can be, all of the planning will one day come to an end and you don't want your job (otherwise known as your source of income) hanging in the balance.

Stay friends. I know it feels like you don't have time to call your bridesmaids just to see how they are doing, but make an effort to maintain contact with the outside world. If you only call your friend to ask if she has ordered a dress or received the invitation... she may feel you are no longer interested in her life. Even though your husband will be the one you will spend the rest of your life with, he is not the one you will want to spend every second with. Treat your friends well during your engagement so they still your friends on the other side of "I do."