Planning your wedding can be stressful, don't feel alone. There are many couples who succumb to the stresses of wedding planning.

The best advice is to make a plan and make it as early as possible.

It's a good idea to follow wedding etiquette but not to a point where it will make you crazy or cause you to go broke. There are plenty of books and articles on wedding etiquette but their suggestions are not written in stone.

If it is the number of things that have to be done that wears on you, find friends and family who will be willing to help and assign them projects to complete. Don't feel that you have to pay them in any way for this service. If you can afford it though, a small gift may be appropriate but it is definitely not required.

Your plan should include all of the major things that have to be taken care of like where to hold the ceremony, where to hold the reception, how many guests and things of this sort.

Taking care of just these three items will put you into a position to think about what else has to be done.

Oh, in your wedding planning, don't forget about the wedding officiant early on. This is especially important if the wedding ceremony isn't being held at a church that has a minister to officiate the ceremony.

Many officiants fill their schedules way in advance and it is sometimes hard to find someone who meets your expectations is you wait until the last minute.

If it is the costs that you have you frazzled, set a budget and stick to it. Keep in mind that anything that is preceded by the word wedding (wedding planning, wedding flowers, wedding favors) is marked up 100% to 300%.

This is not to say that there are not vendors in the wedding industry that will give you a good product for a good price, there are plenty of them. It does take some work to make sure you are getting what you expect. You need to check them out and get references.

There are some items that can be bought for your wedding without having the wedding label.

Find ways to save by doing some out of the ordinary things.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Buy a cake from a local food store, add wedding decorations yourself
2. Shop online for flowers, dresses, accessories etc.
3. Do you know a seamstress? Buy a dress that needs some work at a reduced price
4. Limit the number of band members or get a DJ instead
5. Cut your own music cds and have a friend man the act as DJ
6. Have a friend who is a good photographer? videographer?
7. Use your own caterer not the facilities' (many hire outside caterers anyway)
8. Small wedding, have family and friends provide the food and beverages
9. Buy your own alcoholic beverages with an agreement to get a refund for unopened bottles

One word of caution, always check out those you are going to buy from or hire to perform a service. Do or have someone do a little research for you to make sure you are getting what you are paying for.

Don't let the wedding planning get you down. Remember it is your wedding and you are the one making the decisions. You are in charge. Get what you want. You can do it. You can have the dream wedding that you've always wanted without being overwhelmed.

Don't stress, have fun with the whole experience.

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Jim Ecklund is an ordained Deacon in the White Robe Monks of St. Benedict. If you are interested in finding out more about a Catholic Wedding Ceremony, please go to http://www.wedding-savings-for-bride-groom.com