You've Said "Yes" to the Bling - Now what??

Sometimes the sheer thought of planning a wedding can be overwhelming. Luckily, there are lots of tips and tricks to help you stay focused and organized to enjoy your special day.

Wedding Planners are available at almost every price point, and can help you as much -- or as little - as you would like. But here a few guidelines:

16-9 months before your Big Day:

~ Start a wedding notebook. Find a pretty binder to house all of the notes, ideas and websites you'll want to remember.

~ Get Inspired! Start reading magazines, reading wedding sites, looking for details at other weddings, and take photos or tear pages to put in your notebook.

~ Make a budget - how much will your family help? How much can you afford?

~ Make a guest list. Based on your numbers above, you may not be able to invite Cousin Sally in Colorado. Also, this is a good time to determine: children or no children". You'll need a head count to get pricing on everything - from invitations, to venue, to food. As you make your list, create columns for Address/Contact info, Response, Gift, and Thank You. This will be a great tool for keeping track of everything and everyone.

~ Hire a Planner (optional). S/he will have relationships with vendors, valuable suggestions and insight.

~ Pick a Date and start shopping for Venues. Will you have the ceremony in a chapel and the reception in another location? Do you want the ceremony and reception to be in one place? Do you have family and friends from out of town, and if so, is the venue easilly reachable?

~ Book Your Officiant.

~ Research photographers, bands, florists and caterers.

NEXT POST: The Next Steps

-