You've spent decades dreaming about having the perfect wedding. You now have thirty days to make it happen.
Ouch.
It won't be as hard as it looks, though - with the right set of organizational skills, you can get everything done and still have time for basic activities (you know, like breathing, eating and sleeping... well, sleep is overrated anyway)! You'll have to plan your days wisely - a bit difficult if you've still got to show up at work - and your evenings and weekends must be focused on the task, but you're going to be married for the rest of your life; you can make up for lost time after the big day.
YOUR DRESS
What are you wearing? Is it a simple department store dress, or will it require tailoring and customization? If you've got limited time (or a limited budget), your best bet is finding something that already fits - or comes as close as possible. Having a wedding dress altered takes time; finding one that clings perfectly to your curves may take a few extra hours, but it's worth not having to make repeated trips to the tailor.
DRESSING THE GIRLS
Delegate responsibility among the bridesmaids and maid of honor; they're fully capable of finding dresses that they know you'll like (after all, if they didn't know you inside-out, you wouldn't have chosen them to stand in your wedding). Camera phones work wonders - while they're out trying them on, they can send you a picture mail so that you have the final say. This way, you can focus on other things that desperately need your attention and choose the dresses at the same time!
I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU...
Who's marrying you? You'll need to have an extensive conversation (or two, or three) with the person who's helping you two lovebirds tie the knot. Some churches require counseling sessions - if yours is one of those, see if you can take a few hours off work a couple times during the weeks that precede the wedding. Your boss might have a romantic bent and understand; otherwise, you'll have to cut into your precious evening and weekend time to meet for counseling.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
If you're getting married in the church you've belonged to your entire life, you're all set. However, we aren't all that lucky; use the Internet to search through possible venues. It's fast, it's free, and you can have the bridesmaids and groom help you out, too. E-mailing links back and forth is a good start. When you find one you like, pick up the phone and schedule an appointment! You don't have to set an entire day aside for scoping out locations, either - if an interesting place is on your way home from work, tell them so; they'll be more than happy to schedule something that works for you.
EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY
"Oh, mother-in-law..." She wants to help, right? Great - she can help choose the menu for the reception. She'll most likely feel honored that you asked her for help (you know she'll offer it when you don't particularly want it, so why not take advantage of the one time you can actually use her input?!) and she'll be more than happy to throw in her two cents.
LET THEM EAT CAKE!
Use that Internet again. Instead of checking your MySpace, type in "wedding cake" and drool over the thousands of pictures that come up. Print off the ones you like, send the groom to the local bakery to price them (and have him write the prices on the printouts) and decide which one you're getting over dinner that night. The next day, the lucky guy gets to go back to the bakery on his lunch break and place the order.
LEAVING IN STYLE
Transportation is a snap. Call your fairy godmother and let her know if you prefer pumpkin, squash, or gourd... but if she doesn't pick up the phone, call some friends who have recently gotten married. They're sure to remember the kind of service they got with their limo company - and they'll certainly remember a ballpark cost - and go with their suggestions. If that doesn't seem to pan out, hit that Internet again! Renting a limo or an SUV doesn't take more than a phone call, so this shouldn't take much time away from the rest of your planning.
Your wedding is going to be beautiful. It's going to be the perfect start to your "happily ever after," so don't stress about the fact that you have such a short time to prepare. Don't sit here reading for another minute, either - you have a wedding to plan!