First 5 Things To Do When Planning a Wedding

Your dream engagement went off without a hitch and the glistening diamond engagement ring is perfectly affixed to your left hand. Once the joy and blissful disbelief that you're really getting married has set in, it's time to get down to the business of planning your big day. Sure, the process can seem overwhelming for some, but it doesn't have to be if you have a plan. Here are the first five things you should do as you begin the wedding planning process:

Establish a budget -The budget is the very first thing you should think about when planning a wedding. It affects EVERYTHING. From how many guests you can invite, to the type of venue you should select, to the type of reception you can host...everything is tied to the budget. So, before you do anything else, sit down with your fiance, parents and anyone else who may be contributing and determine a realistic budget for your wedding activities.

Envision the type of wedding you want - At this point, you don't need to have all the details like decor and theme figured out; but you should have a general idea of the type of wedding you want. Do you want a formal gala or a casual soiree? A traditional affair or one with modern flair? This is time to think about the overall picture you envision for your big day.

Select a season and month - Think about the time of year you'd like your wedding to take place. Don't worry about setting an exact date just yet -- as the date can often change depending on the availability of your venue -- but decide on the season and the month, then select a few different dates you'd like the wedding to take place.

Bring in a professional planner/coordinator - Enlisting the help of a professional during the early stages of the planning process can really save you a lot of time, energy and money in the long run. While this may be your first time planning a wedding, a good coordinator has done this many times before and comes with a great deal of knowledge, valuable connections and priceless insight that can help bring your vision to reality, within your budget.

Select and book the venue - Try to reserve the ceremony and reception venue as soon as possible -- 9 to 12 months in advance is ideal. Locking in a contract with the venue early will ensure you have a variety of dates and times to choose from in your preferred wedding month.