In the wake of Valentine’s Day, many women have found themselves living a dream – their significant others finally popped the big question. But, after the joy and excitement has settled down and all the congratulations have been given, reality sets in; there’s a wedding to pay for.

Paying for a wedding can be a daunting task; especially if you haven’t planned for it or have wealthy parents to foot the bill. The average cost a U.S. wedding is about $28,000, according to a recent survey by the TheKnot.com. About 18,000 women were surveyed in 2011 about the cost of their weddings.

Here are three tips on how to prepare financially for the big day.

Set a budget: Figure out how much money you can realistically save. Discuss with family to see if and who is willing to contribute. By setting a budget you’ll be less likely to spend more than you can afford.

“If you want your families to help you out, or pay for it all, you should have a frank discussion with them about it,” said Nina Callaway, a event planner who has coordinated several weddings. “You should be prepared for questions, such as ‘How much do you think the whole thing will cost’ and some other questions that you might not know the answer to.”

Open a joint savings account: Create a separate savings account for wedding expenses. By doing this you won’t be tempted to use money for the wedding on daily living expenses.

Use a short-term CD: A certificate deposit (CD) is a savings certificate that earns interest. A CD bears interest until the maturity date, which can range from a month of purchase to five years. The added benefit of a purchasing a CD is it restricts holders from withdrawing the money before its maturity date.

Unlike savings accounts, which can be easily accessed, couples who purchase CDs are forced to wait to withdraw their money; therefore, eliminating the chance of dipping into their wedding fund.