Bride to Bride: Wedding Planning Advice

When Byron and I were a newly engaged couple, a friend told me, 'If you can survive planning a wedding together, you can get through anything.'  I laughed and thought, She can't be serious.  The truth is, though, wedding planning is fun, but it's also hard work and stressful.  So for all of you brides-to-be, I thought I'd offer what little wedding planning wisdom I have with a list of what I think are helpful tips in keeping your wedding planning adventure as fun and stress-free as possible:

Have a Short Engagement: Our engagement was only 8 months, and I felt like it was too long!  You said yes when he asked you to marry him, right?  You know you want to be together, and the longer you're engaged the more times you can change your mind about wedding details.  During our 8 month engagement I planned 2 weddings.  In all honesty, it doesn't take that long to plan a wedding.
Top 5 Must-Haves: Before you do any planning, both you and your fiance should make individual lists for the top five things you want at your wedding and reception.  Byron and I did this from the beginning and it was a huge help [especially with all of my indecision].  We knew what was most important, so anything else was just icing on the cake.  When you're planning a wedding, it's easy to go overboard, so I felt like it kept things in perspective. [We also did this when planning the honeymoon!]
Time Without Wedding Talk: You want your hubby-to-be to still love you when you're walking down the aisle, so make sure that your engagement isn't one continuous wedding planning session.  Take time to just enjoy each other.  Byron and I established a code word [Apple Bottom], and if either of us was disinterested in wedding talk, we said the word and there was no more discussion on the topic.
Small Wedding Party: Everything gets more difficult with more people; the same goes for weddings.  We had 8 people [not including us] in our wedding party, and although we felt like we had friends we would have loved to include in that, 8 was plenty big!  Your closest friends and family will support, encourage, and join you in the wedding planning and festivities, regardless of their 'position' in the wedding.
Make a Budget & Stick to It: There's only so much money for the day, so you have to know how you're spending it.  I recommend lots of spreadsheets!
Involve Your Groom: It's his day, too!  Let him help make decisions and give him things to do!  Obviously most men don't care about flowers, but let him have a voice in the colors, venue, food, etc.  Byron actually picked out the invitations, decided on our venue, took care of the legal stuff, and planned our entire honeymoon!
Keep your Parents Informed (Especially your Dad): If they are paying for the wedding, this is a must!  I feel like most moms are pretty involved in the planning, so they know what's going on, but dads are lost in the land of wedding.  I know my dad didn't have a clue and I wish I'd kept him more up to date with the plans and details.
Let People Help You: As the wedding gets closer, people WILL ask what they can do to help -- tell them what they can do [and be specific about how you want things done]!  Setting tables, picking up flowers, cleaning up afterward, etc. -- you will need lots of assistance if you want everything to go smoothly, so gladly accept their offers.
Double Check Your Dress: Before you purchase your wedding gown, take it to alterations and make sure it can be altered to fit correctly!  I didn't do this, and had to frantically purchase a new dress a month before the wedding.  I've never heard of it happening to anyone else, but better to be safe!
Remember What the Wedding is REALLY About: It's very easy to get caught up in the reception, decorations, food, music, venue, etc., but remember that the day is about the commitment and covenant of marriage.  That's the reason you are celebrating.  At the end of the day you will be married, and that's all that matters.