The 5 things couples can expect to spend the most money on during wedding planning, according to an expert

• Planning a wedding can be expensive.
• Big-ticket items like the venue and catering will be the most expensive for couples.
• But experts say couples should invest in the things that are important to them for their big days.

It's no secret that weddings can be expensive.

The average cost of a wedding can be over $70,000 in some states, so many couples have to save for years to afford their dream nuptials.

But some parts of weddings are more costly than others, which is why Insider spoke to experts about what couples should expect to budget the most money for as they plan their big days.

A few big-ticket items will probably take up most of your budget

Insider spoke to Sarah Miller, a Nashville-based wedding planner and the co-host of Netflix's new show "Marriage or Mortgage," which follows couples who have to choose between buying a house or throwing a wedding, about wedding costs.

According to Miller, couples can expect to allocate most of their budget to their venue, catering services, alcohol, and flowers. All of these services are time and labor-intensive, which is why they end up costing so much.

In addition, the wedding dress will likely take up a large portion of your budget if one or both people getting married plan to wear gowns to the event, particularly if you custom-order a gown.

Although these parts of the wedding will likely be expensive, Miller told Insider that couples shouldn't get discouraged, as they can probably afford more than they think they can.

"I think most couples walk into wedding planning thinking they cannot afford a lot of items or the small personal touches that can be so important in making an event unique," Miller said, adding that it often isn't true.

"Being smart about how to divide your budget in the areas that are most important can get you more bang for your buck," she told Insider.

She also noted that you can allocate more of your budget to the things that are important to you, even if it goes against convention.

"Put your money where you really want it to shine, and then kind of scale back on other parts," she said.

Remember that hiring a planner can actually help you save money

Hiring a wedding planner can also help you save money on your wedding overall, as Emily Monus, a New York-based wedding planner, previously told Insider.

"They know all sorts of tips and tricks to help you save money that you may not even be aware of since you've likely never planned a wedding before," she said.

"They can help you negotiate better rates with vendors, and many have partnerships with services that can offer you discounts on your stationery," Monus added.

Miller agreed with Monus, noting that wedding planning can be so time-consuming that it often ends up costing couples more money not to hire a planner.

"We can save you so much money and heartache," Miller said of wedding planning. "Time is money, and research and all that kind of stuff take time."

You can watch "Marriage or Mortgage," which premiered on Wednesday, on Netflix.