DIY Network

Tips for Perfect Wedding Planning From "How To I Do" episode DHTI-101

	A lot of preparation and planning goes into creating the perfect wedding. Being organized can help you stay worry-free.
	Talking about your respective visions for the big day can make planning -- and making wedding selections -- easier.
	Book venues and set dates as early as possible.
	A bridal expo can provide one-stop shopping for many brides.
	Ashley Newman put together a wedding binder to stay organized.
	Amy Lehtonen and fiancé, Brian, used the Internet to help guests make the most of the celebration -- by creating a wedding web site.
	Amy Lehtonen's wedding web site.

You've got the ring, and the romantic glow. You've just become engaged to be married ? and maybe you're wondering about your next step. This segment focuses on tackling planning -- while staying sane -- with a lot of help from the Internet.

Getting Started

Here are a few tips for getting started from Liz Neely, editor of Carolina Bride Magazine. Neely suggests starting with the "big three": when, where and how much.

Decide what you want. Communicating your desires and discovering what your fiancé envisions is essential.

Establish a budget. Find out who's paying for what. Many of today's couples are paying for most of the wedding themselves. Couples should take stock of their financial resources and plan a realistic budget based upon the number of desired guests. The budget can also impact the date, as some couples want to have extra time to save for their dream wedding.

Book your ceremony and reception venues and set the date. Discover dates that are available for both the ceremony and reception venues.

Once you've determined what you're looking for, how much you'll spend and when and where you're celebrating your commitment, it's time to start shopping!

Shop 'Til You Drop

According to bridal editor Tobi Colbert, a bridal expo is a great place to see everything under one roof and collect ideas and information. From fashion shows to cake sampling stations, luxury car rental companies to travel agencies -- a bridal expo is true one-stop shopping for a new bride.

And now that you've gathered some ideas, it's likely that you're immersing yourself in bridal magazines and idea books. Not only will you need a place to store your "tear sheets", you'll also need to start keeping estimates, contracts and other information in one central location.

Sanity Saver

Getting organized will help you maintain a sense of calm during a hectic time.

Bride-to-be Ashley Newman shared her perspective with host Cecile Chioco: "I didn't want to pay someone to do what I believed I could do myself."

To successfully plan her own wedding, Newman knew she had to be organized from the beginning. Her solution? A large, three-ring, basic binder with tabbed dividers that would hold all of her information and ideas in one place. Although pre-printed bridal planners are available, Newman didn't want to feel limited and potentially forget something important.

The Modern Cyber-Bride

The Internet has quickly changed the way many brides research and plan the perfect day.

"I'm able to quickly and efficiently look at anything I want, get prices and stay organized," Ashley Newman explains.

Bride-to-be Cassandra Tyson used the Internet to peruse bridal and attendant gowns from the comfort of her own home. From cake designs to florists and photographers, the World Wide Web can bring a world of ideas to your desktop.

But cyber-savvy couples are also using the 'net as a tool to inform and include guests in the planning process. Amy Lehtonen and fiancé Brian used their web skills to design a personal web site. The site included directions, introduced the bridal party to guests, and included a personal story of how the couple met (as well as special moments throughout their courtship and how the two became engaged). To make it even more personal, the two even decided to include a poll asking guests to vote on the song for the couple's first dance. Hotel information and suggestions for "thing to do" were included to help guests feel more welcome.

RESOURCES :

TheKnot.com
To create your own wedding checklist and budget, go to TheKnot.com.