I thought this was great!

1. It's never to early to book - most of our big/important vendors, ie venue, photographer, florist, cars and entertainment, we had booked at the 13-12 month mark.  This means that you can pay for things in advance and take time to get to know the people who are going to be a part of your wedding day.  It's a very important, and sometimes chaotic day, so you want to make sure you are working with people you feel comfortable with and can trust.

2. Decide on your guest list early - the sooner you can finalize the guest list the quicker you will set your mind at ease.  Guests lists don't just revolve around the Bride and Groom, often you are expected to invite certain people from certain family circles but before you even start discussing this with your parents decide on what the two of you want.  Do you want a large wedding where you invite every man and his dog or do you want a small intimate occasion?  Decide on the maximum number of guests that YOU want before you start writing your list, give your parents a limit as to how many people they can invite to avoid it getting out of hand and to avoid having to cut the list later on.

3. Stick to your guns - be stubborn when it comes to the things that are really important to you and your Groom and flexible on the things that you aren't to concerned with.  Don't bow to every person's request or your wedding day will soon turn into everyone else's wedding day!  Be blunt, but yet tactful, when dealing with other people's requests but at the end of the day do what you and your Groom feel is best for the making of your wedding day.

4. It's not worth ruining life long friendships - yes Your Wedding is a very special day, but it's not as special as the friends and family that you hold near and dear to your heart.  If things don't work out like you first thought they would, don't hold it against them, it's not a reflection of their feelings towards you or your friendship but just their life circumstances that could be preventing them for being there like you want them to.

5. Keep your eyes on the prize - as you get into planning mode you can get overwhelmed with the little details, things that while they are pretty don't really matter in the long run.  Keep focused on the fact that on this day you will be marrying the man that you will spend the rest of your life with, build a family with (whether it's a conventional family or a fur-family) and there is no other detail more important than that!

6. Plan with your Fiance - all of the planning has been done by myself and Stephen, we have had so much fun planning our day together and watching everything come together.  Now I will admit it did take a bit of coercing to get Stephen involved when we still had 12 months before the big day.  But I kept persisting (not nagging), asking him his opinion for everything from flowers to colors to cars to honeymoon destinations (funny how that one he didn't need much convincing to get involved).  If your Fiance isn't the planning type, come up with a few options that you like and give him vi to power, it's a great way to get them involved and make it Your day rather than the Bride's day.

7. Have low expectations - when it comes to your Bridal Party.  If the most that you expect them to do are the things they need to have themselves dressed and presentable on the day, then you will get a pleasant surprise when they go above your expectations to help you.

8. Ask for help - if your feeling overwhelmed then ask you family and friends for help, research some websites (God knows there are hundreds of them) and get some bridal magazines that have time lines, idea's, inspiration and will set you in the right direction.  But if you don't ask for help, how will people know what you need?

9. Have an Itinerary - and email it to EVERYONE who is involved in the wedding at least 2 weeks before the big day.  This will stop people stressing you out by asking a gazillion and one questions!

10. Life doesn't stop just because you're getting married - it's a funny thing really but life does go on when your planning one of the biggest days of your life!  Take some time out from wedding planning at least every second weekend.  For one thing it will give you something else to talk to your friends so your not guilty of death by wedding talk!  But there is another advantage of having a life outside of wedding planning ... it will help to keep you sane!

11. Relax - if all else fails have a glass of wine, a bubble bath and a massage ... bliss!