It takes time, effort and money to plan the perfect wedding. Getting organized can take a little work, so we’ve tried to make it easier for you to remember all the things that need to happen to make your wedding the best it can be.

Here are a few guidelines to help you prepare for your special day:

• Dream big. Start by writing down all the things you’ve ever wanted for your wedding. From there you can adjust, downscale or add details as needed. There’s nothing wrong with reaching for the stars on the day you’ll shine brightest of them all.

• Stick with the theme. If you decide you want a Victorian-style wedding with footmen and a horse-drawn carriage, make sure your wedding dress fits the classic style. Or, if you prefer a sleek, modern dress, keep the wedding décor along the same simple yet elegant lines.

• Talk to new brides. Learn from their experiences. Even if you are working with a wedding consultant, you can always benefit from listening to what other recent brides say worked or didn’t work for them.

• Relax. Obstacles often arise, so take a deep breath and work through them. Consult with your fiancé, your parents and those you’ve chose to be in your wedding party. They know you, and they can help you resolve the issues that pop up.

To help you get started, we’ve included a budget planner and two timeline checklists to download to make planning that much easier.

Please note that these checklists are generic in nature and will need to be adjusted to fit your individual needs. For example, some heavily booked dates require earlier reservations to assure the venues for your ceremony and reception; some photographers, caterers, etc., require earlier booking dates; or some relatives may need more notice to make travel arrangements.

Originally published June 18, 2013

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