You're on your way to saving literally thousands of dollars and lowering your stress rate dramatically. Take this opportunity to breathe a sigh of relief, because you're in a MUCH better position than about 99% of the other brides out there. You know what it takes to plan a wedding, save tons of money, and do so without stress. Before you go any further with planning, however, you need to make sure you are staying focused on what you want as a couple.

There are so many people who want to offer their "advice" to couples who are getting married. These people expect you to take the suggestions they make and incorporate them into your wedding. While their intentions are good, sometimes you need to remind them (and yourself) that what you say goes. If you start listening to what your mom, his mom, your great aunt Sally, and your best friend are trying to tell you to do, you're going to get more stressed out than ever.

Many brides start to try and please everyone around them, and totally give up control of their own wedding! Don't let that happen to you. It's not a matter of offending the people in your life when you don't like their suggestions for your wedding. Their hearts are in the right place, and they should understand when you have different ideas about the way your wedding should be. Sometimes, putting your foot down about the choices you need to make as you plan your wedding is the best thing you can do.

Occasionally, you will run into friends and family members who are overbearing. This can be hard to deal with, but remember that the day is about you and not them. You can't be held responsible if they are upset because you didn't like their ideas, but do your best to avoid those battles anyway.

The chances are, once they see the brilliant planning you're doing and all the money you're saving, they'll start to back off anyway!