Your wedding day should go smoothly and without a hitch, and the key to this is good organization well in advance of your wedding day. Here are a few tips to help you deal with the pressure of planning your wedding.

First things first...

1. Buy a pretty notebook, or even a nice blank book. If you have everything wedding-related written down in the same place, it's hard to lose bits or forget details. Carry the notebook everywhere so you'll have it when you need it - and later it can be a keepsake. Write down:

a. Phone numbers

b. Tips for decoration
c. Vendor information
d. Guests
e. Notes

2. Keep loose data like wedding receipts together with an accordion folder. This is a paper or plastic enclosed file holder with pockets. Plastic's your best bet because it's easier to change labels. Label sections as you accumulate those loose papers: receipts, invoices, RSVPs, ideas and articles, etc.

3. Depend on a computer. There are good wedding software programs for guest tracking, gift tracking, menu selections, table assignments, budgeting, and even a calendar; the best ones will do it all for between $35-60. You can even do it yourself if you're good with Excel, and some starter templates are free to download from the Microsoft Excel website. Be sure to print everything out in case of crashes.

4. Use index cards in a box to keep your wedding guests organized. Buy a little box, 3" x 5" cards, and alphabetical dividers, and assign one card per guest, couple, or family. You can even buy computer paper that tears down into cards, if you really want to be organized. On the card, include information like:

a. Name, address, and phone number
b. RSVP response
c. Gifts given
d. Thank you note
e. Table assignment
f. Menu choice

5. Maintain a to-do list for the major wedding-related jobs. If you use Outlook, this is easy to put together and print out with their Taskpad, along with percentage completion. If you prefer, though, you can just do it by hand. From your large list, you can break out smaller tasks, timelines, and tasks you can give other people. This makes those huge jobs manageable, and you also have the satisfaction of marking each off upon completion.

6. Maintain a wedding calendar with appointments, deadlines, and critical tasks. Again, in Outlook, this is easy to do and to integrate with Taskpad's list. Every task you have listed should have at least one deadline in the calendar. For a great list of tasks and when to do them, consult our Ultimate Wedding Planning Toolkit's workbook.

Lesley-Ann Graham runs WeddingTrix.com - a valuable wedding planning resource with articles, tips and advice to help you plan your perfect wedding. The Bride, Groom, Best Man, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen can find it all at http://www.WeddingTrix.com

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