Did you or someone you know just tie the knot? Congratulations! Gathering with your closest friends and family, spending time alone with the person you love most, and getting ready to move to the next phase of your life is a beautiful moment. However, that next phase can be difficult, especially if you haven't planned. Buying a house right out of the gate can be tempting, but a townhouse might be a better bet--and here's why.

• Weddings are Expensive

We all know that even the most minimalist of weddings can cost thousands of dollars, and many are more costly than a down payment on a new home. As a result, money is tight. A townhome comes with a monthly payment and financial certainty.

If you wake up in the middle of the night and your furnace stops working, or your water heater is on the fritz, or sewage is backing up into the house, you aren't out thousands of dollars that you don't have. A call to the landlord is the end of your responsibility if you choose to rent.

• Freedom to Travel and Relocate

The flexibility of a townhome and short-term lease allows you to make smart decisions while you try to navigate the ins and outs of your new life. You and your new partner might want to spend a few months (or even years) abroad. You may be looking to change career fields or find a more lucrative job in another city or state. If you plan on having kids in a couple of years, you'll need to find an area with a stellar school district.

• Buying a Home is Stressful

The stress of a wedding can be draining no matter how enjoyable it was. Adding in another significant life event immediately after is a recipe for disaster. Managing finances, dealing with the paperwork and logistics, and the actual moving process is incredibly difficult. While you're easing into the new roles in your loved one's life and figuring out how to interact on a day-by-day basis as a married couple, you should keep your other stressors to a minimum

• Save Up Money and Shore Up Credit

Unless you're lucky enough to have your wedding paid for, your savings have likely seen better days. Saving up for a 20% down payment on a home can significantly reduce your monthly payments. If you or your spouse have subpar credit, you can take time in your townhome to pay off debts and improve your interest rate when it comes time to buy.

This article is sponsored by Pinehurst on Providence, a townhome community in Charlotte, NC.