how to plan a wedding step by step

Sounds like you need a planner! Actually, it's your wedding and you should do what you want. If you buy a local wedding magazine, there are usually articles and check lists that give you all that information. You should also check out www.weddingsitesandservices.com that offers a free download wedding planner of what to do a year before your wedding with helpful timetables. There really are no particular rules for everything, but if you start a year before hand, you could send your STD's out immediately (have someone take nice photos and add one to your STD's) and then send your invites about six months ahead of time (you should have your venue booked by then). The bridal party always gets a gift (you could spend as little as $20 each) and instead of a gift for the parents, why don't you, as part of the ceremony, recognize your parents by giving each of them a yellow rose. Your clergyman/woman will know what to say as you give them a flower (it could also be a gift)

My sister in law got this for me...i love it. It has tons of info, forms and checklists to keep you organize!!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Complete-Wedding-Planner-Organizer-With-Tote-Bag/17612159

I am not sure how detail of a check list you need but the one right here on WW keeps me in line. You may want to check it out. Mouse over "my wedding" tab and it will have a drop down tab click on checklist. Hope that helps.

Hi Kat, Welcome to WW and congrats on your engagement!

Planning books like @Abby mentioned are good - also your WW profile has a checklist that shows you when EVERYTHING should be handled. I say that because not everything is for every bride (i.e. we don't need a limo). Also, you can download different types of excel templates to help you manage budget, guest lists and vendor lists.

I'm happy to send you some examples.

If your wedding is in 2017 then you have LOTS of time to find check lists and anything else you need to know. Stick with the forums here on WW and you'll learn A LOT too!!

I agree with Angela. WW has some amazing resources. Also, just start exploring google, and wedding blogs. When I was first engaged, I had never even attended a wedding before (I've been to 3 since). So I really had no clue what to do. You have plenty of time, if your date is correct. Don't worry about planning too much yet, and just explore what you like and don't like.

I HIGHLY suggest a book called 'A Practical Wedding' by Meg Keene. It doesn't really have checklists and typical wedding planning stuff, but more talks about the emotional side of planning. I've read it a couple times now, and would suggest it to absolutely anyone who is engaged. I got it off amazon. They also have a blog by the same name, that is incredible as well.

No worries kat! A lot of people are not familiar with those things. Definitely head to your local bookstore. Most of the major chains have a wedding/bridal section in their store. It's not a big section, but definitely helpful to find books with the answers to those questions. Good luck!

Http://wedding.weddingchannel.com/planning/checklist/12-10months.asp

its never too early to start planning! my fiance and i are having a long engagement too