How to plan a wedding includes drawing up a guest list. Compare your lists with your parents' and start eliminating and come up with a size you can live with. Beware of the ever-expanding guest list! Remember whoever is footing the bill for the ceremony and reception has a major say in who is invited, so make sure you're comfortable with whatever financial arrangements you've agreed to.

The next step on how to plan a wedding is to decide on the style. The basic rule is the more formal the wedding, the more expensive and larger the guest list. Consider special themes and unusual locations such as a museum, loft, yacht, mansion private club, park or famous landmark.

Decide on whether you want a civil or religious ceremony and book with the appropriate officials or clergy. You must book a wedding date as soon as possible to ensure you have the officiant, date and location of your choosing. Submit your formal wedding announcement to the paper(s) as soon as you've booked a date.

Set up an initial meeting with your clergyperson as soon as possible. Discuss expectations for your wedding; particular requirements of the church; whether counseling is advised; what ceremonial dos and don'ts are permitted, including the writing of personal wedding vows. This is the first of several meetings allowing you to deepen your marital bonds within a spiritual context, all with the guidance of your clergyperson.

The next step on how to plan a wedding is to decide whom to include in your bridal party. The bride usually has a maid or matron of honor and one or more bridal attendants, the groom has a best man and possibly groomsmen and ushers. A flower girl and ring bearer are optional. You should personally invite your attendants or send out an invitation followed by a telephone confirmation.

Choose a reception site for your post-ceremony party. You must coordinate all your vendor and reception bookings simultaneously to ensure the best possible prices and choices. Full or partial catering packages are available at most reception halls. Read the fine print before signing and get all questions asked. Make vendor deposits on credit cards to ensure consumer protection. Ask married friends for recommendations if unsure about vendors and remember to follow our advice on how to plan a wedding.

If you're short on time or patience when it comes to hiring vendors, why not hire a professional wedding consultant? An accomplished consultant brings all their expertise, including the best contacts, to design a wedding blueprint for either your entire wedding or just the wedding day, your choice. Expect to pay from six to ten percent of your total wedding budget for a wedding consultant to plan the entire wedding and about half that amount for the wedding day only.

Start shopping for your wedding apparel, wedding dress and bridesmaids gowns for the women, and tuxes or suits for the groom and groomsmen/best man. Unless ready-to-wear, bridal gowns are custom-ordered and available in summer or winter seasons only. You must buy your gown six to nine months in advance and count on eight to twelve weeks to have it made.