1. Analyze the parking situation in advance. Many places have agreements with parking lots and garages in the vicinity. Make sure your guests know which ones to wear so you don’t have to deal with parking tickets on your wedding day.

2. Involve friends and family in your special day. Reduce your stress by making sure your close family friends feel special and involved. Prepare a list of family and close friends who you think would be happy to help with assembly and disassembly, and then assign them specific tasks.

3. Set up an account at TheKnot.com. This comprehensive wedding website has tools and tips to keep you up to date and organized during your wedding planning process. With free tools like a budget calculator, guest list builder, and sample timeline, this website is my favorite for keeping you organized.

4. Make sure your dress and veil are available the day before your wedding. Some cleaners send veils and dresses for cleaning and laundry, a quick call to your preferred provider will ensure your beautiful outfit stays in town with no surprises on your big day.

5. Create an hour-by-hour timeline, starting with breakfast. A simple breakfast will help you start off on the right foot and keep you going through the morning prep and prep. A timeline, including hair and makeup time, setup time, drive time, and vendor arrival times will help you stay organized and on track.

6. Don’t forget to apply for a marriage license. Washington state law requires a 3-day waiting period between your wedding date and the application date and the license is only valid for 60 days. You may apply in person or by mail to: King County Marriage Licenses, 500 4th Avenue, Room 403, Seattle, WA 98104; Please include the $64 fee with your application. [http://www.metrokc.gov/lars/marriage/]

7. Schedule a final tour and meeting with the caterer and venue manager in advance. Many banquet and venue managers will require a meeting to finalize the details, but some will not. If your vendors haven’t contacted you about this very important meeting, be sure to take the initiative to set one up.

8. Schedule some time for yourself in the week leading up to the wedding. Don’t forget to take some time for yourself! You don’t want to arrive at your wedding day with accumulated tension and stress; just a few hours of downtime can make all the difference.

9. Save your budget and your health: hire a professional. Planning an event as important as your wedding is a daunting and time-consuming job. A professional wedding planner has the experience and connections to get you the best rates and make sure everything goes exactly as planned. Spend your wedding day enjoying your significant other, friends and family, without worrying if the flowers are delivered on time or not!

Authentic Affairs is a full-service wedding and event design and coordination company. We work with you on everything from budget management to guest list maintenance, designing the perfect details to make your wedding stand out. Owner of Authentic Affairs, Anna Cronin brings four years of experience in wedding and event planning, as well as a keen eye for detail and an eye for the creative and unique. Her calm, coordination-focused approach puts guests at ease and ensures a smooth and stress-free wedding.