planning a wedding and am clueless !

Well, what you could and should do is set a budget. Talk to your fiance about this and make sure it's a budget you both can handle. After doing so I'd search for the place the wedding will be at (venues) because without those.. you really don't have a set date. Happy planning

Alondra is right... Budget, then venue. You can decided what kinda THEME or COLORS you like... what time of day you want it...etc.... then go from there, the rest will fall in place. You've got some time, but get the budget set first

Set a budget, and be REALISTIC*, because most other things will flow from there. Then decide approximately how many people (don't stab in the dark - actually sit down and make a sample guest list so you have a real feel for it). From there, browse wedding websites for ideas on what sort of theme or feel you want. I like www.stylemepretty.com.

*By realistic, I mean: Don't count on family help that may or may not come in, don't assume you'll be able to negotiate hefty discounts, and don't work on the assumption you can eliminate all of your expenses prior to the wedding...I've seen more than a few brides have to postpone because of job loss, car trouble, etc.

Surf around online to see what kind of style wedding you like. Definitely budget first though. Once you have a budget, you can figure out how many people to invite, how much food to have and how many DIY projects to do!

Your the first person on here that I have seen with the same date as me! I have thought about a wedding planner as well. Just because I have ideas and don't know what to do with any of them. But the ladies above are right and you still have some time to do some diy projects or even shop around for the best prices and ideas to save some money. Good Luck and Happy Planning!!

Get a couple books too, like weddings for dummies or something like that. It'll help you time things out. And definitely use all the tools here on WW. they are a godsend.

Well I have planned a lot of parties in the past in college, was the head of the campus activity board and what not. But as far as weddings go. Its budget and guest list first. Then venues assumeing you have decided a general place. See what options you have and put them all in a binder of some kind. This part you can really ask you hubby to be. See what he would invision. I was pretty sure my hubby to be would be pretty much on the same page and he is but he did bring some things to my attention. Like that he wanted certain things that are traditional to be part of the wedding that I wouldn't have carred about. I am paying for my wedding myself so budget is very important to me and its important to realize what is important. Will the flowers make a difference to you in twenty years, because still paying them off could. But don't worry about rushing all the details. Enjoy the tastings of food and cakes. Enjoy looking through portfolios of photos and what not. When in doubt ask the FH.

There is an excellent article on www.howstuffworks.com on how to plan a wedding

http://www.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/financial-planning/how-to-plan-a-wedding.htm

It gives you all the steps and tips you need

If you contact your local bridal shop, they might have free planners. I got this huge binder that has a checklist and budget list for EVERYTHING you could ever budget for a wedding! Good luck you can do it.

THANK YOU ALL ! so much for all your great advice we are working on a budget hopefully i will have one by october and then my planning can really begin . once again thanks for all the helpfull advice

You can do it yourself. I regret getting a planner because I ended up doing everything on my own. Use the checklist on WW as it helps you with every step and lets you know where you're at with budget too. Its great. Call around with vendors, more than likely you're going to find someone that is good and reasonbly priced. Good luck and enjoy!

Budget is a big first im still tweaking our budget and trying to find ways to cut it down some i started by doing reasearch on how much things acctually cost and went from there but you still can only do what you can afford. our budget is set at 10,000 right now and its hard to stay in that with everything we need but im doing my own invites and most of the decor so that helps but i would definatly reasearch with your hubby to be and be realistic

Elizabeth you came to the right place! I am finding these ladies very helpful in the wedding planning department! this is a great place for everyone to share/steal excellent ideas! keep watching the forums, and check out the vendors and I am sure you will piece everything together just fine!

Is anyone from ny we set a budget of 10,000 and am not sure this is realistic we both come from big families and our guest list is of about 100 to 120 . I need help!

I live in NY, but I didn't get married in NY bc we both had big families and I wanted to have a small wedding. It depends on your vision? A catered meal that isn't happening maybe ok for a backyard wedding or a wedding in a community center. I am not trying to be funny or insult you, I just don't know what your vision is. My Budget was 10k but definitely went over.

Welcome to WW! I didn't know the first thing about planning a wedding when I got here, but the ladies here are terrific at throwing around ideas and offering advice. I think I'm a lot less stressed than I would be if I hadn't found this site hehe Stick around! Ask questions! We'll help

All you need to do first is to calm and be organized.....I also started planning around 1 year before my marriage.....start by making notes of your ideas for your marriage as it’s really hard to remember all the things that comes in mind..........

Check the vendors first like photographers, caterer, florist...and if any of them available for your date and fits within your budget then book them...start getting ideas on wedding color, themes....your bridesmaids, flower girl,,,and make sure you tell them your wedding date on time....

And around 6 months before finalize your wedding gown, veil, accessories,....make guests list...plan your ceremony, reception,

Don't forget to note down your ideas and planning....

Are you getting married in upper state NY or near NYC? 10k might work if you are planning to get married near or around say the cattskills.

Do you have a vibe/theme decided yet? If you were to say princess or formal, 10k might be pushing it.

A great resource: 1800registry.com

If you sign up, you get the option of a free gift and a wedding planning binder is one of them. I signed up (don't worry, it's free!) and got my binder within 5 days. This binder has everything in it. I'd definitely suggest to start there before you buy any books or planners.

I found this.....it's a free printable planner that has just about everything. What I like the most are the "questions to ask a____"

http://www.pashweddings.com/library/free-wedding-planner.php

I think the first magazine I bought was Real Simple Weddings. They had tear-out pages for checklists. But, we use the Plunge Budget planner for the wedding budget. It's awesome!