He just proposed. You said yes. He placed that sparkling ring on your finger and your heart is pounding with tremendous excitement. Once the initial shock of being engaged is over, you will need to make lots of decisions. Don't get overwhelmed. Here are some of the things you need to consider now that you are engaged:

• Set a timetable
• Envision the style
• Set your budget
• Determine the date
• Create a Check list of To Do's
• Announce your engagement
• Choose your attendants
• Make a guest list
• Consider a consultant
• Start gown shopping

Many of the items above will be done concurrently.  The list is meant to aid you in your wedding planning with tasks and budget.

Determine how long the engagement period will be. Some factors will determine this period such as your ideal wedding date and how much time you need for preparation. A typical engagement lasts from six months to a year and a half or more.

Envision the Style

In the end, it's the dollars, not dreams, which are the determining factor for the size and style of your wedding. What affects the price tag?

• Formality: In general, the more formal reception is more expensive, because it is necessary to consider matching the site, food, and décor to your overall tone.
• Date and Time: Saturdays, summer months, and evenings lend to more costly times to have a reception.
• Location: In many cases, a wedding reception in a major metropolitan area is simply more expensive than a smaller town.

Determine Your Date

Choosing a wedding date can be more difficult than it seems. Consider the following: How much time do you need to prepare for the wedding? Do any of your loved ones have a planned vacation, graduation, or a pregnancy due date? Avoid dates of big conventions or other events that draw large crowds to make it hard for out-of-town guests to get hotel rooms etc.

Create a Check List of To Do's

When the date is set, create check lists of things that need to be done and when they must be done. Assign who does what and when. When the task is completed, check it off.

Announce Your Engagement

Contact your local newspaper, your alumni magazine, and anywhere else you want your announcement to appear. Find out what the guidelines are and if any costs are associated for publishing the announcement. Determine if you want an engagement photo session.

Choose Your Attendants

As you build your guest list, you need to consider some factors:

• Do you have a particular ceremony or reception site in mind (this will determine the maximum number of guests that can be invited).
• Do both mom and dad have a long list of invitees.
• The more guests the more costs will be incurred.

Hire a Consultant

If you are extremely busy and you can afford it, you have three options to consider: hiring a consultant to assist you in the overall planning of the event, a part-time consultant to plan your wedding blueprint, or a day-of wedding coordinator to ensure that everything goes as planned.

Start Shopping For Your Gown

Each wedding will be unique and planning the budget will not be an easy task. The following list is a suggested guideline for determining the expenses for the weeding.  Adjustments will probably be made as the tasks unfold.

Ceremony Expenses 3% - Include: location fee, officiate fee, marriage license, musician%u2019s fees, ring and ring pillows.

Reception Expenses 48% - Reception site, food, drinks, rentals, cake and favors.

Attire 10% - Includes: dress, headpiece/veil, undergarments, hosiery, shoes, accessories, jewelry, hair and makeup, Groom's tux or suit, shoes, bow tie, cuff links, studs and suspenders.

Rings 3% - Includes: his and her ring engraving.

Flowers 8% - Includes: Ceremony, bride%u2019s bouquet, maid-of-honor and bridesmaid bouquets, corsages and boutonnières, centerpieces, flower girl and baskets.

Music 8% - Includes: Ceremony, musicians, band and or DJ, cocktail hour musicians and sound system rental.

Photography 12% - Includes: photographer and videographer's fees, albums, additional prints and disposal cameras for candid shots taken by wedding guests.

Transportation 2% - Includes: transportation for wedding party, guest shuttle and/or parking attendants.

Stationery 3% - Includes: Invitations, response cards, thank you notes, postage, calligraphy, and guest book.

Gifts 3% - Includes: Bridesmaid and groomsmen, parents, and welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.

Note: The groom is responsible for planning the honeymoon and purchasing the engagement ring and wedding band for the bride and the rehearsal dinner. The bride is responsible for purchasing the groom%u2019s wedding band. These costs are not included in the above budget plan.

Plan about $100 for each invited guest to the reception. Assign someone to take care of wedding gifts received from the guests. Have a central drop-off area. Consider setting up a registry where guests can buy gifts and not have to bring them if they should travel great distances.

Here is hoping you stay within your planned budget and complete all your tasks within your timetable so you will be relaxed on your special day.

Below are some additional resources that will help you plan for that special day.