An old Spanish proverb has it that “where there is love, there is pain.” In these capitalistic, consumerist times, however, it might be better to say, "the labor of love is much easier when you have a big piggy bank." It's especially true when love leads to marriage.

Love is an emotion, but as for the wedding ceremony itself, and wedded life thereafter, what's needed is logic and preparation. Above all, you need a realistic financial plan that’s agreeable to everyone involved. There are three key marriage expenses in particular that need to be considered and planned for.

The first expense is the dowry, which in Thailand is usually paid by the family of the groom to the family of the bride. The wedding budget needs to cover this cost, otherwise the family of the bride-to-be might disapprove the wedding plan. The groom should make it clear how much dowry is on offer. There is no set formula for this figure, but it needs to be satisfactory to both families. Sometimes the parties negotiating the dowry will base their approach on the assumption that money cannot buy love. A groom-to-be can simplify the matter by proposing the maximum viable amount. This method might risk displeasing the bride’s family, but it makes sense to try.

After the dowry amount is agreed, the next step is to earn the funds needed to cover any shortfall. It’s crucially important not to spend or lose this money, because it will be presented by the groom in front of the senior guests at the ceremonies. Presentation of the dowry is an important symbol that shows esteem for the bride and her family.

As you save up for the dowry, where should you deposit these important funds? Fortunately today there are many savings options that offer higher interest rates than those of normal savings accounts. You should select the most suitable one that has high liquidity and allows you to withdraw money whenever required.

The third marriage expense is the most important. It is for the future of the new family. This expense will determine the quality of life of the couple.

Some couples are lucky to get back the dowry, which they can then use as funds to build their new family. They should not rush to spend this money. It’s better to allocate it with care, such as for an investment or savings program to cover emergency spending. (A couple who don’t get back any dowry should not feel bad, since gaining a life partner who can share ideas and dreams is a greater life asset than money.)

Marriage begins a new way of life for both partners, and setting up a new household often means higher spending. Now it’s time for the couple to help each other earn more and save more together. Planning for this third part of the marriage budget should start with a plan for building greater savings discipline. That might mean, for example, committing to make steady deposits of a set amount each month into a long-term deposit account with a high rate of interest. If the couple can accept higher risk, saving via mutual funds can provide higher returns. But both partners need to agree on the details of their savings and investment plan.

Mutual agreement is crucial for planning each of these three expenses so that the new family establishes stable finances and the couple can look forward to comfort and wealth in their old age. Following the tips here will help ensure that the marriage stands on a solid financial foundation.