Brides obviously differ in their preferred parts of wedding planning. Stylish ladies adore donning gowns, flipping through magazines for hairstyle selections, and pouring over possible bridesmaid gown colors. Fastidious ones obsess over seating charts, time out reception agendas, and send weekly updates to the bridal party. Hopeless romantics test every flower arrangement, select rings months ahead, and prepare handwritten vows.

Regardless of planning style, all can benefit from following a few pointers throughout the preparation. Whether the goal is to reduce burdens or simply check off an entire task list by the big day, every bride should have the gift to walk down the aisle utterly stress free.

Consider meeting with a counselor at some point in the process. Many religious officiates require at least one session before agreeing to preside over the ceremony. Even if you choose to stand before a magistrate or judge to become a husband and wife, a counselor can at least bring up questions you should discuss with your betrothed. In the glow of new love, many couples may not think topics such as bank accounts, discipline patterns, or career paths are truly romantic... admittedly, they are not! But for relationships to remain deserving of the vows to be taken, all serious undertakings must consider how they will handle such issues.

When the registry gifts start arriving, the annoyance of disposing of boxes and tissue paper dampens the joy of completing a fine china set. But keep in mind... is it easier to take care of as many gifts as possible before the wedding, or have an even larger pile to tackle after returning home from a blissful honeymoon? To make it more manageable, unwrap the gifts as they arrive and divide the tasks... husband-to-be tears down the boxes and finds a home for the new platter, and almost-wife writes the thank you note. If a mountain of beribboned packages already litters your living room, start small with only five a week.

The most organized professionals keep regulated schedules, retain paper records, and produce status reports to employees. Any sensible bride should do the same. Keep a binder with contracts from vendors, highlighting due dates for deposits and design selections. Keep email printouts of any correspondence, or else keep written notes of phone calls. If using a professional wedding planner, ask for monthly status reports (up to three months ahead), shortening to weekly as the deadline shortens. Tape in pictures or samples of your bridal ensemble, color hues, and other aspects to keep a record of your overall theme to show either potential vendors or very dedicated friends.

While packing for the honeymoon, be sure to have a separate duffel bag with all necessary items needed during and immediately after the reception. Include cosmetics for frequent touch ups, everyday toiletries, a change of clothes for the morning after the wedding, and plane tickets and travel documents as needed. Also keep in mind to take care of tasks for while you will be gone. Have any neighbors pick up gifts that may get delivered in the absence, have mail held at the post office, and halt newspaper drop off.

And finally, there are some fun tasks that often get ignored in the stressful months leading down to the big day. Plan date nights with your fiancé where you discuss anything BUT the nuptial plans -- believe us, he will appreciate the opportunity to chat about something other than boutonnieres for a change. Take pictures of your showers and parties so there will be a record of your entire engagement and not just the ceremony and reception. Keep up with your regular hobbies whether it is exercising, reading, or guilty pleasure television. They will serve as welcome distractions and breaks from other tedious jobs. By staying organized, your wedding day will present itself with only one stressor... whether you will have a good hair day or not.

-- Jennifer Mackethan