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Most couples will put at least a portion of their wedding expenses on a credit card, but if you do, know exactly what you're getting into.

"Calculate how long it will take you to pay off the loan," says William Norton III, author of Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice (ThomsonWest). "For example, if you put $15,000 worth of expenses on a card, it may take you six years to pay it off at a payment of $360 a month." Norton's advice to newlyweds: Careless use of credit cards can hurt you! "It's too easy to use your credit card instead of exercising restraint," he says. "If you do use one, pay off the balance in full each month, and never carry balances and accrue interest charges. If you want to buy something but can't pay for it that month, you probably shouldn't buy it."

The Wheel Deal

To drive down big-day transportation costs, follow these pointers:

• Book early. Try six months in advance, to get the best deal.
• Don't have the car that took you to the ceremony wait for you all day—hourly charges will pile up. Hire a different car to pick you up later at the reception.
• Know whether the rental company charges by the hour or by the mile, and if there are overtime charges. Ask if the driver's gratuity will be added to the bill.
• Also, know that the meter starts running as soon as the car leaves to meet you—not when it arrives to pick you up.
• Find out about any special wedding-day packages—a typical one might offer three hours of service and amenities that include a bottle of champagne and a chauffeur decked out in a tuxedo. Approximate cost: $300.

Your Brilliant Budget

We wanted an open bar at our summer wedding, but we couldn't afford it. Just having wine seemed blah. So we served a signature drink—mango margaritas—along with the wine. It was more personal than the open bar, and it saved us hundreds of dollars."
—Marisa Cooper, San Francisco, CA. Wedding: June 28, 2003.

Sticker Shock

According to a Bridal Guide poll, 30 percent of readers surveyed spent an average of $3,400 more on their weddings than what they budgeted for. And 29 percent of those spent $5,000 to $10,000 more than they expected to. Sharon Naylor, author of 1000 Best Wedding Bargains (Sourcebooks), advises keeping a close eye on:

• catering. It's often double or triple what the couple expects. You may assume that a cocktail reception will cost less than a sit-down dinner, but it will depend on the kinds of hors d'oeuvres you choose as well as the quantity and variety. Lower the per-person price by having the caterer offer fewer choices, for example.
• the clock. Everyone's having fun—why break up the party? Because you'll pay overtime fees to your caterer, your DJ and perhaps your wedding planner. So kick up your heels, but remember that time—and money—fly.