When you first get engaged, the excitement and anticipation of getting married can feel exhilarating. Eventually, you\'ll need to sit down and create a plan that all but ensures that your ceremony and reception are perfect. A lot of your success is going to be in the details, many of which you may not even realize matter. If you neglect them, you may regret it later. Below, we\'ll give you a quick list of 4 items that you should include in your plan leading up to your big day.

Tip 1 - Look At The Calendar

Avoid scheduling your wedding on a holiday. A lot of families and couples plan their vacations around them in order to take advantage of the extended weekend. That\'s not limited to Thanksgiving and Christmas, by the way. Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day can also cause a problem.

Tip 2 - Rank Your Guest List

Ideally, you\'d be able to invite everyone you know. But, the financial reality is that doing so is usually cost-prohibitive. After you and your partner have compiled your guest list, start ranking each person on it. Your respective parents, siblings, and closest friends should be near the top. Other friends and family that you speak with less frequently should be prioritized under them. Near the bottom, place your neighbors and that uncle you only see at reunions.

When the time comes to cut your guest list (and it will come), you\'ll be able to start cutting according to each guest\'s priority.

Tip 3 - Reserve Room Blocks

Chances are, you\'ll need to reserve several hotel rooms for your guests. After the reception, they may be too tired to make the long trek home. The good news is that plenty of hotels will be happy to reserve an entire block of rooms for you at a discounted per-room price. What\'s more, they\'ll often give you the flexibility to release the rooms you don\'t need weeks before your wedding. As you can imagine, the earlier you reserve your block, the better.

Tip 4 - Get A Rewards Credit Card

Here\'s a tip that a lot of newly married couples wish they would have acted upon. As soon as you get engaged, get a rewards credit card that offers airline miles or other deals. Then, use that card exclusively for every purchase (even if you have the cash on hand). You\'ll likely end up charging thousands of dollars which you may be able to redeem for free airline tickets and other gifts.

Millions of engaged couples think they\'re well-prepared for planning their weddings. Many of them realize later that they could have reduced their stress, saved money, and eliminated a lot of frustration had they done things differently. Use the 4 tips above to plan early and help ensure that your wedding day is perfect.