It's that time of year again ... wedding season! According to the Association of Bridal Consultants, nearly 22 percent of couples tie the knot in July and August. But after the rice is thrown and the cake is gone, couples are left to deal with one of the biggest causes of martial discord: Managing their finances. Here are some tips to help you keep the peace:

-- Talk before you walk. Waiting to discuss your finances until after you've made the trip down the aisle can be a big mistake -- yet it's one many couples make. "If you look at the statistics, 47 percent of couples do not discuss money before marriage. That's nearly half," says Dr. Bonnie Eaker Weil, author of "Financial Infidelity: Seven Steps to Conquering the #1 Relationship Wrecker." Sit down together and agree that you're going to disclose everything about your financial lives, both good and bad. That means 'fessing up about student loans, credit card and other debt, as well as any major flubs in your past that could affect your partner. When you get married, your credit stays separate, but that doesn't mean your black marks won't come up when you want to, say, purchase a home or a new car together. It's better to get them out in the open now so you can figure out how to tackle them together.

-- Understand your differences. It's not reasonable to assume that just because you tie the knot you all of a sudden become the same person. What you have to do, therefore, is understand HOW you are different, how those differences are going to worry or stress your partner, and make sure to keep lines of communications open so that you both understand what is happening with the family pie. Take some time to explain the way you deal with money, which also means talking about how money was handled in your family when you were growing up, says Eaker Weil. Cover these basics as well: Are you a spender or a saver? What financial goals are important to you? And how do you plan to meet them? "Talk about how the two of you see handling your finances, and what you'd like to save for, but also what you'd like to spend money on," says Dr. Robi Ludwig, a Manhattan psychotherapist and my colleague on the "Today" show. If your priorities aren't in line, it's time to start making compromises.