If you make lists you can't go too far wrong. It's the best way to keep on track and organized. Set schedules for your wedding and plan as much of it as you can. At the end of the day it will take a lot of the stress out of preparation. And you are less likely to make mistakes or forget something.

Immediately

• Once you decide on a date you must sit down and work out the costs. After working out the different costs decide what your budget is and try to stick to it Buy yourself a couple of diaries and note what and who you gave deposits to Decide on the type of wedding you would like to have, traditional and formal, semi-formal, civic/registry office or something else.

• Then think about the type of wedding dress you would like to wear. Look through the various bridal magazines and publications, visit specialist wedding dress suppliers. Make arrangements to meet with the Priest/Clergyman or registrar. Book the wedding reception/venue, catering and entertainment. Work out how many guests you intend to invite and make guest list. Decide on whether or not you are going on a honeymoon and look at the brochures and book as soon as you can.

  Don't forget to include all the expenses of going away in your budget. Flights, accommodation spending money etc. Now would be a good time to check that you both have valid passports and visas. Also will you need vaccines if necessary - sometimes you must have these months in advance! Draw up a gift list and register them with the relevant outlet. Some outlets have gift lists online. Decide on whom you want for bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, ushers, pageboys and flower girls.

  Start the search for the perfect dress and consider gowns for the bridesmaids. You should at this stage visit the dressmaker. Decide on the attire for the lads and check availability for the wedding date. Now you need to start looking for a photographer! While you're on this site now is the time to provisionally book your photographer. At least it will give you time to look around for a video guy. Book the bridal car/s let them know if you intend to stop off at a garden/park. You need also to check out what's on offer with regard to the menu and let the hotel know the approximate number you have invited to the reception.

• Check out what child menus are available and if they can provide vegetarian alternatives. Talk to your hairdresser for recommendations on styles. Consider a style that isn't going to be high maintenance on the day, especially if there is a bit of a breeze!

 Four Months to go

• Book registry office services. Order wedding stationery, don't forget invitations, mass booklets, napkins and cake boxes or any other novelties. Confirm all wedding arrangements with the church - times, music, flowers, confetti, fees etc.

  Select the music you would like, be careful of you choice because some priests can and do object to the choice of music, especially if your other half is into Black Sabbath! Book your singer/s at this time you can start looking for your trousseau or going away outfit, consider something that's not going to be a once off.

  Finalize all the outfits that are going to be worn on the day, bridesmaids' dresses and best-men outfits, dressmakers require two three months advance order. Choose the wedding rings, and arrange when they should be picked up. (And don't loose them)!

• Check out what flowers are going to be in season and organize the flowers for the church and the reception. Also order all the other flowers that will be required for the day, headdresses, corsages and buttonholes for the bridal party.

 Two Months to go

• Confirm that everything is in order with the honeymoon. Don't leave it until the last minute to change your passport, you may have to change it to your new married name?

  Revisit your hairdresser and make a final decision on what sort of style you are going for. Don't forget to take into consideration what sort of head-dress you will be wearing. If you haven't booked the hotel rooms for the wedding party now might be a good time to do that.

• Post out the invitations, it's no harm if they are posted too early. The more notice you give your guest the better. The guest that have to travel to the wedding will appreciate any research you have done with regard to available accommodation near the wedding - also include a simple map and directions.

 One month to go

• Purchase any gifts that you intend to present on the day - Mother in-law, best man, maid of honor, flower girl etc. Go through the entire yes replies (RSVP's) and get a final count on how many guests you are going to have sitting down for the meal. You might want to include the priest, and the video guy. Finalize the numbers attending with the hotel. Discuss a seating arrangement and plan out who sits where and beside whom.

  Write out the place cards - that's providing you've received them from the printer. It's also a good idea to have an overall plan of the tables, numbered and the names listed. The hotel will help you with this.

• Have the final headdress and wedding gown fitted. If you haven't arranged your hens/stags party, now would be a good time to do it. Don't arrange for anything too mad and this especially goes for the groom - last thing you want is to be limping up the aisle in a plaster cast! You can also post out any thank you cards for gifts that you have received, or you could wait until after the wedding and do them altogether. This memento would be appreciated by all your guests. Decide on how you are going to wear your make up and try out some new colors - get advice.

 Down to the final two weeks

• Ring around all the services that you have booked - photographer, cars, video guy, organist & singer, bands, disco, cake, cars and flowers. Arrange for additional deposit/final payment checks for these services. Off you go again, around to try on your complete wedding gown, just make sure that the outfit looks and feels right. And make any final adjustments that are needed.

• Ring the hotel and clarify the numbers, double check the menus and any special arrangements that you have agreed. Round up the girls! Have a hens night & keep away from the stags party!

 The last week!

• If you haven't already had a rehearsal of the ceremony at the church this is a good time to go through your paces, and don't start biting your nails! The best man should have the mass booklets at this stage. Pack your case for your honeymoon & make sure the tickets are okay. Check in is usually 2 hours before departure. Don't be tempted to hang on for another drink!

• All suits, dresses, wedding dress, shoes, morning suits, are where they should be. Now hopefully you can relax, enjoy the last few days as a free woman/man and look forward to the future with your new husband/wife!