The most difficult part of planning a wedding is deciding where to start. All brides to be, and many grooms, will have imagined their big day as it might appear on the day, but very few have ever considered in detail what they would need to do to make it happen. It's very easy to get caught up with a vision of how you want your day to be, without realising just how much it's going to cost. And it's quite natural to begin planning and preparation for the parts of a wedding that are close to your heart, but ignore others. Finally, how do you ensure that things go according to plan on the big day?

The three crucial stages of any wedding plan are the budget, the preparation and coordination on the day. Knowing what the specific details of a wedding are, and where they fall in each of these three stages, is the first step towards creating your wedding.

Planning and organising a wedding event can be a big job, no matter what your budget. I asked professional wedding planner Dominique Douglas for her advice on these three stages:

1. The Wedding Budget

So where do you start? Dominique says "Most brides have a clear vision of their day, but setting a budget is often the last thing they want to think about. Actually your budget is the first thing you need to do, before the venue, the dress, and the flowers. Set your budget and then stick to it. Think about what kind of day you want and put the two together. My philosophy is to have the best wedding you can afford".

Budget and vision go hand in hand. A professional wedding planner will be able to create a budget for your vision - without leaving anything out, or overlooking hidden costs. Knowing in advance how much your wedding is going to cost and where money needs to be spent is essential for reducing stress and allowing you to enjoy yourself.

2. Preparing for your wedding

Preparation is all about suppliers, whether it's flowers, caterers, dresses or limousines: selecting your suppliers is an important but time consuming job with many considerations. Above all, you will be looking for quality and availability but also you want the best price to stay on budget.

For the uninitiated, this can be a difficult and stressful job. You may find numerous suppliers but have difficulty choosing one, and prices can vary from one supplier to another without any clear reason why. Wedding planner Dominique Douglas advises: "Finding suppliers is easy. Choosing the right one is more difficult. If you have the time I would recommend selecting three companies from each area and making appointments to meet them personally. Ask for a written quote, ensure that you get references and make sure you follow these up. Finally, it's all about chemistry - you should feel comfortable with everyone that you hire to help you with your wedding. Trust your instincts."

3. Coordinating your Wedding Day

Enjoying your big day should mean not worrying about how everything is going to fall into place. By this point most couples have delegated control to a friend or relative and hope that all their plans and preparations fall into place. But frequently this friend or relative is also a part of the day's proceedings. Having a wedding planner at hand who is entirely focused on the smooth running of your day cannot be underestimated. Dominique says: "A good wedding planner provides their clients with a calming, organised and caring influence in their lives during what can be a very tense time."

Whether you are planning your own wedding or considering hiring a wedding planner the first thing you should do is get advice from recently married couples and read as many magazine articles as you can on the subject. But remember, this is your day and you only get one chance to get it right! You may be working to a tight budget but take into consideration all products and services that are available to you and ask yourself if you can afford not to have them!