They say love is blind, which may help to explain why so many couples marry without regard to their financial compatibility.

Money and financial stress are leading causes of marital problems and divorce. So, while many brides and grooms would rather spend time selecting the right reception hall or perfecting their guest list, financial fidelity should take precedence over wedding planning.

To improve your chances of a happy, healthy and stable marriage, your first order of business should be to reveal the whole truth about your finances to one another. Here are some steps you can take to nurture monetary policies that are as compatible as your hearts.

Reveal your debt — It’s only fair to let your future spouse know your entire financial history. This includes whether you are carrying debt from credit cards, student or car loans or have financial obligations to family or friends. Exchange information about income and expenses to get an idea of how well your combined household will manage from a financial perspective.

Share attitudes, aspirations and expectations — It’s not unusual for couples to have vastly different ideas about how best to earn, spend or save money, and it’s important to realize a wedding ring won’t magically resolve your differences. Talk openly about your thoughts and feelings about money. Scrutinize spending behavior, and look for potential conflicts in how you handle money. Ask tough questions, including what each of you expects from the other in the money department. Talk about your career goals, including potential for future income growth and whether one of you plans to take time off from a career to help raise a family. Decide whether you will you share everything or maintain separate bank accounts. Communication and compromise are key.

Develop a plan — Enlist a financial adviser to help you evaluate your financial future together. The adviser should be able to make recommendations based on your goals and dreams in the context of your current financial reality. In addition to offering strategies to help you save more and in the right places, an adviser can recommend strategies to help protect your future, such as obtaining appropriate levels of life and disability insurance and creating a will.

Do it together — Your future spouse will be your financial partner in life. Maintaining open communication about your finance will help strengthen your trust in one another and improve your ability to realize the dreams you both share.

This column is provided by Ameriprise Financial Services for Tim Dameron, its senior financial adviser in Rocky Mount.