DON'T start your wedding planning without a budget. Money is often one of the most stressful aspects of planning a wedding. Decide up front how much your total wedding budget is going to be and who will be contributing and how much.

DON'T spend more than your budget or what you can afford. Your wedding day is an important day - but it is only one day. Don't start your new life together by going into serious debt from your wedding expenses.

DON'T rely upon oral agreements with vendors. Get everything in writing.

DON'T forget to call all your vendors the week before the wedding to verify everything. Have them read back to you the date, time, location and exactly what they will be doing.

DON'T try to do everything yourself. Planning a wedding can be a full time job. Delegate as much as you can to family and friends. Consider hiring a wedding planner.

DON'T get crazy over every detail. It can really take the pleasure out of the wedding planning process. Does it really matter that the ribbons for the favors are baby blue instead of ice blue?

DON'T try to please everyone. Everyone has a vision of what a wedding should be. Be polite, but don't see it as your job to make everybody happy.

DON'T insist on having it your way all the time. Compromise on the things that are less important.

DON'T "blast" friends and family who make mistakes.

DON'T skimp on your photography. Your wedding day goes by so fast - and after it's over, all you'll have left are your memories and your pictures.

DON'T forget to thank everyone involved in your wedding and those that gave you gifts. And don't let those thank you notes pile up. Send them out soon after you receive a gift.

DON'T overload yourself the day before your wedding. This is not the time to tie tiny ribbons around 200 wedding favors. Try to do only one or two small tasks and leave the rest of the day to relax and pamper yourself.

DON'T expect perfection. The higher your expectations, the greater the stress. Know that whatever happens, you will be married at the end of the ceremony. Realize that sometimes the flub-ups are the most enjoyable things to reminisce about.

DON'T neglect your husband-to-be. It's easy to get so wrapped up in wedding preparations that time spent with your future husband gets neglected. Continue to date and talk about the future (beyond the ceremony).

DON'T neglect yourself! Stay healthy. Eat properly. Exercise, and get enough sleep. It helps to alleviate stress. When you're angry and frustrated, go out for a walk or run.

Now for some DO's. DO be flexible, patient, realistic and grateful. But most of all, DO ENJOY!

Read more about planning the ultimate Alaskan wedding. Pick up a copy of Alaska Bride & Groom magazine, on newsstands now. Alaska Bride & Groom is your complete Alaska wedding guide.