20 Tips to Plan your wedding

It's 20 Tips to Plan your wedding Ultimately, the key is to stay organized and to give yourself plenty of time to achieve everything. Another key element is to not over-stretch yourself financially or energy-wise; this way, you'll find the planning process a lot smoother. A meaningful wedding requires planning and creative input from both partners and perhaps also from family members and friends whom they've decided to include in the planning preparations. It can be a wonderful part of life but it can also be a very challenging and even stressful one; indeed, you can be assured that some plans won't go as you'd like them to, so plan for that eventuality too!

1. Set a budget. It's important to stick to a budget and to keep your wishes realistic. While this is a very special day in your life, it's not an excuse to be wildly extravagant with money you don't have. Remind yourself when you feel like fretting that you can't have all the things you'd like that you still have many wonderful days ahead and you don't want these marred by an unplanned overspend.

2. Set the timeline for planning. Of all things about your planning, this is the most important aspect. You need to develop a sensible, reasonable timeline depending on how much time you've given yourselves. Begin with a calendar before you and suggested timelines you find in wedding guide books (borrow these from the library to save money and space). In general, you're likely to find that most books assume you have around 12 months to plan your wedding; if you've less time, adjust the timeline accordingly. Timeline suggestions will be provided throughout this article.

3. Choose the method for your record-keeping. You'll need to keep tabs of everything you've already decided and what's planned ahead. Also, invoices, quotes, receipts, seating plans, photos of desired decorations/clothing, patterns, instructions, etc. will need to be kept in one place, so have at least one large plastic pocket to keep these in one place. If you're more organized, use a few pockets.

4. Decide on the size of your wedding. Remember to talk this over with your fiance. A dream wedding for one may not be for the other. You'll need to know how many people are going to attend for the purposes of venues, catering and invitations.

5. Choose the venue. The sooner this is done, the better so that you know you have the place you really want. Check out the spaces offered, the catering deals, the marriage fees, the ability to decorate a church or wedding space, etc. Find out whether the prices quoted cover everything or whether you'll be expected to pay for extras.

6. Set the date. The factors in choosing a date include the availability of your venue, friends and family. Think about who you must have at your wedding, and try to set the date around them.

7. Choose a theme. It doesn't have to be anything really specific, but you want there to be a consistent feeling throughout. Make sure the theme is easy to plan and decorate. Everything should be consistent with the theme.

8. Send out the wedding invitations. Research into the design of your wedding invitations when you still have around 10 months to go, and work on purchasing or ordering their printing when there are about six months to go. Leave plenty of time if you're making your own and always have plenty of spares, as making a mistake now and then in writing or making them is inevitable.

9. Choose your officiant. For a faith-based wedding, you'll be looking for a pastor, priest, minister or rabbi. If they don't charge a fee outright to perform the ceremony, be courteous to pay a generous gratuity for their time. For a secular based wedding, choose a wedding officiant, judge or person with authority to marry people who is both available on the date and amenable to any particular special requests you have by way of vows and ceremony.

10. Research, design and order your wedding dress. Around the mark of nine months to go, start researching your wedding dress ideas. Are you having one custom made or purchasing off-the-rack? Either way, you'll possibly need several fittings and adjustments to perfect it. Alternatively, make your own or steer clear of traditional wedding dresses and buy a dress that you simply love and know you can wear again after the wedding. You don't have to stick with tradition or spend a fortune on something you'll never use again.

11. Select the wedding rings. This is a fun task to do together, and symbolizes your devotion to each other. Most couples get matching rings to show that they complete one another's soul. If you're having rings specially made up, leave plenty of time and be prepared to get to learn more than you ever cared to know about gold and the origins of it (as in, whether or not it has been sourced equitably). Make the right decisions by doing your research.

12. Find a photographer and/or a videographer. Consider using a professional for this special occasion, and make sure that this person is reliable so that you don't have to worry about him or her forgetting your wedding or stuffing it up. There are just too many stories of relying on friends or family to do this aspect and years of regret as to fuzzy, out-of-focus shots or no footage at all because the photographer got carried away doing something else... Ask for recommendations from friends who have married recently and ask to see portfolios at the business premises.

13. Hire your entertainment. Decide on whether you're going to have a quartet, orchestra, band or a DJ. It's not recommended to do this part yourself with an iPod; there is more to wedding entertainment than just music! Professional musicians will keep the flow of the event, make announcements, and plan all your special events with you. Each has its advantages and limitations depending on what you're seeking. Music students at college/university level are definitely worth considering as they will be at the peak of their abilities and a lot cheaper than professional musicians, and many of them crave chances for a public performance.

14. Decide what type of food and refreshments you will offer at the reception dinner. Try to find a happy medium between what would please your guests and what you can afford. Weigh the pros and cons of hiring a professional caterer, as it's not cheap, but it's one less thing you'll have to handle personally. Some couples choose to base the menu on the culture of the family, or go for something that most people like, such as Italian or Asian fusion.

15. Pick a cake. Before settling on a cake it's best to have a tasting first. Also look into a cake that will match your theme, and please both the bride and groom. Sample cakes around eight months before the wedding and select the design at this time. Check in on the baker again a few months prior to the wedding to be reassured that your order is still on the books and ready to go as planned. It's best to have the cake delivered directly to the reception venue.

16. Register for gifts when there are about 9 months to go until your wedding. This gives guests plenty of time to check your list and get the gifts.

17. Choose suitable transportation. If you have multiple venues, plan how you will travel from the ceremony location to the reception location. Some couples may choose to rent a limousine or ride in a classic car. Others like horse-drawn carriages. If it's popular with other people, book early. If it's your own cars, book them in for cleaning and detail a week before the wedding.

18. Research the honeymoon locations and the wedding night room. Many couples book a “honeymoon” suite the night of their wedding. Also, you may need to reserve a block of rooms for guests that will be attending your wedding from interstate or overseas.

Booking as a group will usually ensure they all get the best rate but this should be done well in advance of the wedding, at least four months in advance. As for the honeymoon, start researching where to go when there are about 8 months to go, so as to take advantage of special deals and good prices. Book as soon as possible but always build flexibility into the bookings in case of the need for cancellation; it is better to pay a little more and get most of your money back if something prevents the travel (such as illness, postponing the wedding, etc.) than to get back nothing.

19. Plan the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. This should be planned about five months before the wedding date, including booking the site for the rehearsal dinner. In addition, let those attending know early on. These events are held within the week leading up to the wedding.

20. Develop a final three months countdown so that nothing is left to chance. The plan for these last three months needs to be tailored to your own.(wikihow.com)