I have no idea where to start!

For me...date and venue first then color scheme...themes...dress...got to have a date first if getting married this year...if wedding is 2014 or later..you can plan a lot of items in a general sense..

You can look up wedding timelines. it gives you different tasks to complete each month all the way down to the morning of.

The first thing i took care of was my venue. That way i could plan my theme and guest list around it.

Thank you guys!

First you should talk with your fiance about your budget. Next would be the guest list. Not the most fun parts but those two will have a big impact on everything else. You wouldn't want to get your heart set on a venue that you can't afford or won't fit all of your guests.

First of all congratulations and welcome to the most painstaking yet most rewarding party planning event of your life! It seems you already have your date so here is the first thing I would say:

- Do a rough draft of your budget/guests you want at your wedding. You don't need to break it down but set a realistic goal of what you can afford (want to spend). There is no need to look at $20K venues if all you can afford is $5K. For my experience the breakdown of your expenses will run something like this:

- Reception: 50%

- Ceremony: 2%-3%

- Attire: 10%

- Flowers: 8%-10%

- Entertainment/Music: 8%-10%

- Photography/Videography: 15%-20%

- Stationery: 2%-3%

- Wedding Rings: 2%-3%

- Parking/Transportation: 2%-3%

- Gifts: 2%-3%

- Miscellaneous: 10%

Now, the above doesn't add up to 100% because it varies greatly from wedding to wedding. You will realize you may have to sacrifice certain things or break your budget depending on your needs (cont'd)

Once you have a price range for the services you want to hire you can let the fun begin! I would start with the items that get booked first (Reception (includes catering), photography, entertainment). Once you have these narrowed down you can really have fun planning the details and, from what I have been told, dress/shoe shopping!!!

Once you have your photographer picked set up an engagement session ASAP so you can send out save the date notices as soon as you have your guest list finalized.

Hi Summer, welcome to WW! Budget and guest list first. Those two will drive all other decisions. WW has a great checklist to help keep you on track, but keep in mind that you won't necessarily do all those things.

Also, could you please change your avatar so that we can recognize you more easily?

Congrats and happy planning!

Also, if you are really overwhelmed and your budget allows it, don't underestimate the value of hiring an experienced wedding planner.

Thank you so much Nima! You have helped out a lot!

My pleasure! The WW community is great so you can count that once you get down to narrow down the details you will be able to use everyone's experience. Don't be afraid to ask questions. There are many people in here who have the same issues or have experienced most of the problems that rise from wedding planning. Welcome and enjoy!