Wedding Planning

If I would be getting married next year in August, this is what TheKnot checklist tells me to do this month {AND MY COMMENTS AFTER}:

- Brides: It's never too early to begin thinking about your gown. Start by figuring out what style would look best on you. {YES}
- Start looking for an officiant who suits your style and spirit.
{MAYBE - YOU HAVE SOME TIME}
- Choose your bridesmaids/ groomsmen and ask them to be in the wedding party. {YES}
- Contact newspapers to announce your engagement (you may need to have an engagement photo taken as well). {IF ITS NECESSARY}
- Decide on caterer. Hash out a rough price per head and begin working on a menu.
{YES - CATERERS BOOK VERY EARLY!}
- Brides: Begin looking at pictures of wedding dresses online and in magazines.
{SURE - ALWAYS FLICK THROUGH PICTURES AND MAGAZINES. IT GIVES YOU GREAT IDEAS}
- Choose a color scheme, if you so desire, taking into account the decor of the rooms/areas you have reserved for your ceremony and reception.
{YES - A LOT OF DECISIONS DEPEND ON YOUR COLORS, SO GET THEM DECIDED, OR GET AN IDEA}
-Brides: When you found some gowns you like head out to the stores and try them on.
{YES - GOWNS NEED TO BE ORDERED 6 MONTH IN ADVANCE THE VERY LATEST}
- Start investigating any ethnic customs or cultural traditions you might want to incorporate into your ceremony or reception.
{SOUNDS LIKE FUN - IF YOU HAVE TIME}
- Sign your caterer contract and send in a deposit. {NOT NECESSARY YET}
- Finalize the guest list. {IF YOU GOT TIME}
- Start auditioning reception bands or DJ's. {DEPENDS ON YOUR PRIORITIES - IF MUSIC IS IMPORTANT, THEN DO IT NOW, OTHERWISE IT CAN WAIT}
- If you've chosen an outdoor ceremony or reception site, look into tent and lighting rentals. {NOT NECESSARY HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - DO THINK ABOUT IT SOME TIME, BUT THIS IS WAY EARLY}

So according to my list here, if I would be getting married next year in August, I'd have my hands full with the preparations already and would probably getting fairly nervous by now. But, I will take this one by own, starting with the fun stuff: The Dress!!