by Donchell Johnson

Created on: October 05, 2010

Now that you are engaged, where do you start?  Although many women fantasize about their wedding day, there is a tendency to underestimate just how much time and effort is required to bring their dream to fruition.

The key to great wedding planning is organization. It is important that one is very methodical to ensure a flawless wedding day.  No wedding is perfect; however, with careful planning, many mistakes are avoidable.

Firstly, the couple should select a wedding date that is considerate of all parties involved.  A realistic date is usually six months to one year in advance. When selecting a date, be cognizant of holidays and pricing (venues for May and June weddings tend to be more expensive than other months). 

Secondly, start a wedding binder. A binder is a useful tool to keep planning on schedule.  Divide the binder into monthly sections and label each month prior to your wedding date. Search the Internet for a wedding checklist to assist with a basic timeline.  To keep plans on track, set a goal to accomplish each month.  In addition, keep several folders in the binder for receipts, contracts, etc. 

Next, spend some time visualizing your wedding day. Think about color schemes, themes, venues, etc. Then, select a color scheme and/or a theme that embodies your vision and coordinate everything around it.  This process will assist in determining the components required to make your wedding day fabulous.

Subsequently, the couple should plan a wedding budget.  Establish budgetary parameters for the wedding ceremony and reception.  Set priorities and decide which elements of the overall wedding necessitate the most money.  When planning your budget, take into account the size of the wedding party and guest list.  Create a realistic budget and be sure to allocate enough money for each component:  reception, photographer, videographer, floral design, disc jockey, favors, rentals, honeymoon, etc.  If considering hiring a wedding planner, this would be the time to do so. Also, include their fee in your budget.

Immediately following, book the place where the wedding ceremony will take place. Then, book the reception venue.  Popular wedding venues are booked months in advance, so be sure to book early. The availability of these two venues will dictate the date of your wedding; be prepared to be flexible.  The wedding meal and cake should be the next consideration.  Ascertain

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