If it is one thing that all women dream of is a beautiful, almost perfect, wedding day. Getting to that day requires alot of work, planning and of course, money. Here you will find the basics but you will have to do the footwork and provide the funds.

Set your date as soon as possible. This is the first thing that you must do. Everything that you plan revolves around the date of your wedding so be sure to set the date first and as quickly as possible to provide ample time for planning. By deciding on your date you can gauge how far in advance to take care of all of the other details. Remember that you have your heart set on a certain destination, church or location but so might 10,000 other brides! Look at the scheduling books at the popular locations, churches, synagogues and halls. Some of them are booked more than two years in advance. May, June, September and October are the busiest months for weddings. Most weddings are booked for Saturdays. If the Saturday date that you want is booked, take a look at the Friday before or the Sunday after. Many times these dates are much cheaper than the Saturday date because they are not as popular. It will probably be easier for you to book your date and save you money.

After you set up the location of the wedding set up the location of the reception. If it will take place in a different place from the ceremony be sure to get the heads up on the other brides and get ready to book your reception. Decide the type of menu you wish to have with your groom and whoever may be involved with the say of the wedding. It will help with the theme of the wedding as well as help with the planning of the wedding and set the tone for the rest of the wedding budget. Most of the cost of the wedding will probably be the reception.

Visit several reception facilities and get menus. Look them over and get prices. Then visit the halls getting details. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Do not be intimidated. Remember it is your wedding and you are the customer. Make a list of questions before you go so you can have them all answered. It is a good idea because you will be able to make comparison sheets.

Key things to do at least a year before the big day are to establish your videographer and photographer and remember to address how long you'll need their services. List any additional perks you will need. It is very important to ask how you will receive the final product. For example on dvd, disk with proofs, a gallery on the web, etc. How about special effects? Your own backgrounds? Locations for shooting?

Select your DJ or band now. Do you desire live music or a disk jockey. You will need time to audition or visit places or events where they will be playing to hear them so you can make your choice.

Start your search for a wedding dress. You may not be able to find something off the rack so you will need time to search and order. You may need the help of a designer to brainstorm the best style for you. This is not an easy and quick process. You do not want it to be either. You will be spending the better part of your day in that dress and you will want to remember that dress forever. You will want it to fit perfectly.

Invitations should be mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding day. Give yourself time to personalize them. (Of course, you already sent out save the dates when you chose the date of the wedding.) But this might be the first glimpse that someone gets of your wedding date. What will your invitation say about you and the man you are about to marry.

Flowers, gifts, rings and honeymoon all need your time after you've completed the above mentioned items.

So, get you ist going, and mark down the dates for yourself and others.

Above all stay organized.

If you do not have a wedding planner go out and get yourself a wedding planner organizer. Many of the finer bookstores sell them and they have lists and more of everything you will need to do.

The websites also have wedding tools, free planning charts, claendars and journals to help you stay organized but I believe your best bet is a good wedding organization book. It is the best place to keep EVERYTHING together. You can write everything down in it.