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Wedding planning is no small task, and a new bride is often over whelmed knowing she has important decisions to make, and the most important decisions need to be made sooner than later. But where does she begin?

At the top of the bride's "to do" list are the heavy hitters struggling to be number one; the reception venue, the budget, the bridal party. However, consider advice from experienced brides and their mothers. Begin your wedding planning after creating a solid guest list.

Your guest list has an amazing impact on your wedding decisions. Think about the following before you make commitments. Then plan to make your guest list priority number one.

Reception Venue: It is a major hurdle to find the perfect reception venue, on the right date, and then to co-ordinate it with your ceremony activities. However, committing to a reception venue before being clear on your guest list can lead to major issues later on. Too often, the appearance and feel of the setting over shadows the need for comfortable seating for guests and a great dance floor. Also, keep in mind that the number of guests a reception site says they can accommodate, may be different from the ideal number of guests the site can hold.

Wedding Style: The number of guests at a wedding plays a large role in the overall feeling of the wedding event. It would be difficult to party all night, with a small group of family members and cousins. An intimate wedding, however, would be difficult to create in a large ballroom due to a sizable number of guests.

Budget: An obvious cost due to the number of wedding guests would be food offerings and beverage consumption. Frequently not considered in the early planning stage, however, is the increase cost incurred for table rentals for additional guests, as well as chair rentals, chair covers, and floral centerpieces for each table. Printing costs for Save the Date cards, Invitations and the like also increase as well as favors for guests at the reception and out of town hotel gift packages.

Etiquette: Keep in mind that wedding guests enjoy being acknowledged for their attendance. Guests love that one-on-one time with the bride and groom. The larger the guest list, the more time spent giving out hugs, instead of time on the dance floor.

Guests of the Guest: Experience has taught that when you think you have your guest list just right, think again. Have you included the possibility that you will need to invite a guest for your guests? Does that little cousin … now in college … have a new person in their life? The chances are greater of adding to your guest list, rather than subtracting, before the invitations are sent.

Create your guest list, understand that it may fluctuate, and then prepare to create happy memories planning your wedding.

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Source by Maureen Chapdelaine