If you have recently become engaged, then you're likely wondering where to start in planning your wedding. Head to the store and pick up some bridal magazines, search for local bridal shows, and if affordable, hire a wedding planner. Good planning and time management are the keys to a happy bride.

One of the most important things you need to decide on for you wedding is the location of the ceremony and the reception. Start scouting venues by looking online for places, asking friends for suggestions, or even thinking of places that are special to you and your fiance. Once you have settled on a few places, make appointments to look at them, price them, and ask how many people the venue can hold. When you find one, book it! Wedding locations fill up fast. The location and date of your wedding will shape the rest of your planning.

Next, you should decide on the wedding party and the guest list. These two things can be time consuming and a headache. Once the bridesmaids are chosen, you need to go dress shopping. Look at several places that sell wedding dresses and make an appointment to try on dresses for you and your wedding party. Plan on this being an all-day event, and as a bride you want to take close friends with you whose opinions you value.

Next you need to start thinking food and flowers. Decide if you want to have a sit-down meal at your reception or a buffet-style meal. Oftentimes caterers will have a taste testing to help you choose food. Look for bakeries that specialize in wedding cakes and set appointments to get samples of flavors and to discuss what kind of cake you want.

Talk to florist and decide on the colors you want in your wedding. Most brides have two colors in their wedding. All of your decorations and planning will center around those colors, so be sure to choose colors that you love. Next, book a photographer to capture your special day. Keep in touch with all of the people you have hired to make your day special. Make sure they are making things exactly the way you want them. Being a bride is one of the best days in a girl's life, and making it the way you want is essential.