Anxious Planning

Try to prioritize your needs. The wedding site and the reception site are the big ones, also the general number of guests and your budget. If you need to keep costs low, you may plan for a wedding and reception that avoid a meal time.

Many aspects can be simplified, like just having default place settings instead of a special decor.

Has your FI been of help? That's who really should be helping you plan this. If it's going to be a big event, then maybe think about hiring a wedding planner. At any rate, start with budget first, then book the venue. That will determine how many guests that you can invite.

Unfortunately I think a lot of brides have this misconception that the bridal party is responsible for helping plan the wedding but really it's up to the couple to plan so your fiance should absolutely be assisting you with planning. If you haven't done so already you'll want to create a budget and guest list. After those are done you'll want to find a venue. I would recommend venue searching sooner rather than later because a lot of venues tend to book a year or more in advance. Once you have a venue secured then book other important vendors like catering (if your venue doesn't provide it), dj, photographer, etc. Throughout my wedding planning process I used The Knot planner which my mom gave me when I got engaged. It helped me keep everything organized and was a helpful guide. Try not to overwhelm yourself and take one thing at a time. I found it helpful to use vendors that offered multiple services so I didn't have to book a separate vendor for each one. For example, our DJ also provided our photo booth with props and uplighting. Our venue was a hotel so we got married there and had our cocktail hour, reception and then we didn't even have to leave for the night we just stayed there and so did most of our guests. Our venue also provided all of the food, tables and chairs. A lot of venues will also have a list of vendors they recommend so you could also start there then it comes to booking vendors. Of course you'd want to make sure you like their recommended vendors and they are within your budget.

What the others have said about prioritizing is important. First, decide what kind of wedding you and your fiance really want, and base it on your desires, your budget, the time of year. Decide on the basics: religious ceremony? simple or elaborate? Whom you two want as attendants and guests. If you have a good-sized budget, go for a wedding planner but have a good idea of what you want and how large an event, etc. Don't let the wedding plan you. Start out by keeping it fairly simple; you can add details as you go along. Once you two have decided how elaborate an event you want and can afford, and have set the date, start researching the venues and make sure they give you as many details as possible: food, chairs and table, decorations, cake, liquor. Do the same research for music and photography, florists, invitations & thank you's, hotels for out of town guests. Discuss attendants, then invite them. Find out how much time you need to reserve everything, including a church - many require up to 1 year notice. Get samples of the music, photography, food. Establish a gift registry. Once those details are nailed, you and your attendants and family can begin shopping for your gown, bridesmaids' dresses, men's attire, attendants' gifts. Again, find out how much lead time all the vendors need and make sure they all confirm their availability. If possible, get recommendations for as many of the services from friends or family who have used them. I've done that - our photographer, caterer, bridal attire, cake, invitations and limo were all recommendations and worked out perfectly. I hope this is helpful and I wish you much luck!