Include the groom in the planning of the ceremony and reception whenever possible. Tradition dictates that certain expenses and duties should be carried out by designated members of the wedding party.

Make sure that you understand contracts with service providers, including the caterer, reception hall staff and the bakery. Also, keep your budget in mind if you begin to stray from confirmed plans.

It's not too soon to put your plans into action the day that you become engaged. By following this simple 12-month plan, you'll cover all the details.

Choose a wedding date.

Decide with your fiancé the type of wedding ceremony you want.

Plan a budget.

Decide on a location for the wedding ceremony and reception based on your budget. Reserve the location.

Shop for your wedding gown. Keep in mind the time of day for your ceremony when choosing a style.

Decide on your wedding color scheme.

Choose your honor attendants and other wedding party members.

Select your bridesmaids' dresses. Take along your maid of honor to act as a model and to help make decisions on dresses.

Make your guest list. Decide whether to invite all guests to the wedding. You may choose to have a small wedding and invite more friends and family to the reception.

Plan your reception. Remember that your budget will be the determining factor in how many guests to invite to the reception.

Select and book your caterer.

Register your wedding gifts.

Choose a florist and photographer.

Have black-and-white photographs taken for engagement and wedding announcements.

Decide on the type of musical entertainment for the reception and book musicians, singer or disc jockey.

Reserve limousine service for the wedding.

Meet with your clergyman to discuss the ceremony and to make any other preparations required by your church.

Plan your honeymoon and make all necessary arrangements (travel, lodging, etc.).

Select your wedding rings and have them engraved.

Plan the music for your ceremony. Your church's music director or organist can assist you with this.

Assist the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom in selecting their dresses.

Make appointments for physical examination.

Rehearsal dinner plans should be made at this time by the groom's family.

Address the wedding invitations and announcements.

The groom and his family plan the bachelor dinner.

Plan the bridesmaids' luncheon.

Purchase gifts for wedding attendants. The groom should purchase gifts for his groomsmen.

Select friends and relatives not participating in the wedding ceremony to perform other tasks such as pouring punch, cutting cake and registering guests at the reception.

Submit wedding announcements and photos to local newspapers.

Schedule an appointment with your hairstylist for haircut or to test styles for your wedding day.

Purchase gift for the groom/bride.

Write thank-you notes as gifts arrive.

Display wedding gifts.

Make arrangements for lodging for out-of-town guests and attendants.

Secure marriage license.

Have final fitting of your wedding and bridesmaids' dresses.

Purchase going-away outfit.

Confirm details for honeymoon. Pick up tickets and purchase travelers checks.

Experiment with makeup to be used on wedding day.

Pack for the honeymoon.

Pick up wedding gown and check for proper fit.

Give the clergyman's fee to the best man, along with delivery instructions.

Arrange to move belongings to new home if necessary.

Begin dressing early enough so that you don't feel rushed&emdash;about 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the ceremony.

Bring the ring to ceremony.

Wedding party should also be dressed about 1 1/2 hours prior to ceremony if photographs will be taken before the wedding begins.