If you want to plan your own wedding you will need to be both brave and organized but it is also a really fun experience for you to share with your husband-to-be (or not as the case may be!). Either way, you will need to do some really efficient planning and magic to invent the perfect wedding experience for you, your significant other and all your guests. You can plan your own wedding any way you choose but one thing you can’t be short of is time, so here are some time-saving tips to speed you on your bridal journey.

Time Saving Tips for Planning Your Own Wedding

* Make a Budget

Your budget is one of the most important aspects to consider when you plan your own wedding, especially if you and your husband-to-be are saving for a home or family. Try using your computer to track your expenses. Create a budget spreadsheet in Microsoft ® Excel and instantly calculate your total expenses as they occur.

This is a great way to measure up what you are spending against your total budget. Don’t go broke! Make sure you keep track of everything you have or will be spending money on.

* Use a Checklist.

If you are your own wedding planner AND the bride it could well end in tears if things get out of control on the big day. If you can’t afford or just don’t want to hire a professional planner use a handy printed checklist to keep yourself on a schedule as far as fittings, bookings, and sending out invitations goes.

You can also use the TASKS function in Microsoft® Outlook and that way you can keep everything in one place You can set due dates and monitor the progress made on each task, for example, ‘dress fitting on Friday’ or ‘cake to be collected.’

If you plan your own wedding be sensible and learn how to delegate. If you have assigned a task to your husband-to-be or maid of honor you can check the ASSIGN TASK option and it will e-mail the task to them (wow!). When it has been completed or (horror) it hasn’t you will receive an e-mail message or reminder. If you haven’t selected them as completed by their due date, you will be sent a friendly reminder. Truly a great place to begin to plan your own wedding.

* Send Wedding Announcements and Invitations Out.

Send your invitations or announcements out way ahead of time, especially if your wedding will be held away from home or in another state. If the prices you get from a professional printer seem exorbitant, consider doing your own. Such invitations really stand out and offer your wedding guests a personal touch.

Consider using your computer to draw up snazzy invitations and envelopes with photographs, personal artwork and formats that make them look elegant and glossy. If you like, you can add extra bits like dried flower petals or feathers for a special touch. Use the templates page on Microsoft® Office Online if you are a lazy bride-to-be and plan your own wedding the sneaky way!

* Book Your Wedding Reception Venue

Start looking for a venue as soon as you set your wedding date. In some large cities there are very few available at certain times of the year. You may consider having a garden reception. This will require far less time spent on decorating and less time = less money. Every cent counts!

As an alternative when you plan your own wedding, look for a hotel package that offers a wedding special such as a nice ballroom in a fancy hotel and discounted rates on guest rooms, a honeymoon suite and catered menus.

* Send Thank-You’s in Advance.

Make returning from your honeymoon stress-free by sending out thank-you notes as you receive gifts before the wedding.

* Be Decisive

Make decisions and stick to them. Don’t be tempted to keep changing your mind about the cake or napkins, flowers or bridesmaids dresses. This will drive you, the groom and your helpers crazy. Don’t waste time. It will all be fine on the big day and there are no ‘wrong’ decisions when you plan your own wedding.

* Delegate with Confidence

Enlist the help of your parents, siblings or your bridesmaids. They could be invaluable in helping to print and address invitations, assemble wedding favors, or other tasks that will lighten your load and keep you relaxed and happy.

* Take Photographs before the Wedding Ceremony

Many couples actually take the bulk of their photographs before the actual ceremony. As you plan your wedding, include a day for taking photographs. This saves time and attention for the guests waiting at the reception.

* Take Care of Details

Your wedding day should run like clockwork so you are free to really make the most of it. Before the big day, go over the plan with all your professionals and bridesmaids. Doing this means any last minute snags and hitches can be avoided.

When you plan your own wedding the world really is your oyster and if you get it just right you will have created the day of YOUR dreams and not somebody else’s. Sure, to plan your own wedding is a lot of hard work but if you keep the above tips in mind, the bulk of your planning is almost done. Keep your chin up, stay smiling and remember this is about never-ending happiness, not stress!