Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Wedding Checklist printed from the internet
- Pictures of what you would like/drawings/diagrams
- Expandable files with several dividers to keep track of paperwork
- Notebook to keep track of expenditures
- Friends and family willing to help
- Patience
Step1
Begin by printing off a wedding checklist from the internet. These checklist break the planning down into what should be done and when it should be done. The last thing you need is to order the invitations before you secure a venue and reception hall. These checklist will help you to make sure you haven't forgotten anything in all the chaos.
Step2
Set your budget and prioritize. Not every bride's family can provide her with a $20,000 wedding and reception. While these expensive weddings are beautiful you can have a wedding that is just as memorable for only 1/4 of the price. So sit down with your family and discuss the budget for the entire ceremony and reception. Sure it's harder to be frugal with the budget but it can be done. This is a great chance to determine the things you must have for your big day and the things you can live without if the budget doesn't allow for them.
Step3
Divide each part of the wedding into categories such as dress, cake, photos, entertainment. Write down specifically what you are looking for in these areas. If you have an see a flower arrangement that you like take a picture or print it off the internet. At the very least email it to a friend. This step will be very helpful in preparing for step 4.
Step4
Delegate some of the work to friends and family. Most women have friends who are just dying to help plan the wedding so put them to work. Delegate each of your helpful friends as a liaison. This is the person that the caterer or the photographer or any other wedding vendor can go to about questions. If the questions are basic and don't need your input than that liaison can help you avoid being bombarded. This is especially helpful as the wedding day gets closer. If the issue needs your approval or denial the friend can then come to you.
Step5
Keep track of everything. Arm yourself and your delegates with the tools they need to keep track of everything. If a friend is going to price wedding cakes or flower arrangements for you provide them with an expandable folder to file quotes, pictures, and contracts in. Also make sure they have all the information they need to make decisions on your behalf. Don't let them take over the wedding planning but make it so they know your exact wishes and can convey those to the vendors they are working with. Again this will help alleviate some of your stress.
Novice 
