Some couples hire a wedding planner, some rely on the experience of friends and family, but most want to experience the excitement of planning their wedding by themselves.

The wedding day is only part of the term wedding as a whole. Wedding as it will be referred to in this article includes the preparations for, and the activities following the big day including the honeymoon. So, you got engaged and are looking forward with anticipation, to your dream wedding but do not know where to start and what to do. You are not alone! This article is dedicated to the many engaged couples facing this dilemma and those who want to be focused.

It is very important that both of you, bride and groom, start planning your wedding as soon after the engagement as possible. This allows you to:

You need to choose your priorities first and write down everything that is:

very important - urgent,

less important - allows for flexibility

least important - most adaptable for changes and compromises. For example:

VERY IMPORTANT- URGENT

LESS URGENT BUT NEEDS TOME TO ORGANIZE. YET CAN BE FLEXIBLE.

LESS URGENT BUT NEEDS TOME TO ORGANIZE. YET CAN BE FLEXIBLE.

LESS URGENT BUT NEEDS TOME TO ORGANIZE. YET CAN BE FLEXIBLE.

Armed with a list of vendors and service providers, it is time for you to pick up the phone and set appointments.

Schedule your appointments by PRIORITY. So, if a specific person or company's participation at the wedding is required, you should contact them FIRST to find out when they have an opening.

If the date is a priority you need to focus on securing an officiant, and a location for the ceremony and the reception, and so on.

Do not limit your search to wedding specific service providers. It is not un-common for them to charge higher fees only because it is a wedding.

Interview consultants, caterers, florists, DJs and-or musicians, photographers, ceremony and reception sites and videographers, who also provide services to other types of parties, business events, conventions etc... They may be open to negotiations. You may be able to secure their services at a reduced rates or receive a free gift.

Actually, while on the phone to set an interview appointment, request a price quote for a party. Give the service providers the basic information including number of guests, date, and hours requested and ask for a quote. When you arrive at the interview, with the price quote in hand let them know that the party is a wedding.

Do not, however, commit until you have accumulated at least a few bids and found the person(s) you interviewed accommodating and easy to work with.

Oh, yes! one more thing you need to do before booking any of your vendors. Check them out at the Better Business Bureau to make sure no complaints have been filed against them.

Once you made your choice, do not look for other alternatives or you'll drive yourselves crazy. Instead go on to the next detail that requires your attention.

Be prepared! Go to each interview ready with your questions and information neatly written.

Bring a pen and paper and take notes at meetings with the different wedding professionals, service providers and wedding vendors.

These notes serve as a fun keepsake too. You may want to add them later to your wedding journal or scrap book.

You have special needs. So check the Internet for wedding web sites that offer unique and personalized wedding gifts a