Have you ever thrown a party for someone? If you have, then you know how difficult it can be to choose the right date, find the best location, decide on the right decorations, pick the perfect refreshments, etc. In fact, without planning organization and a checklist, a party can fall apart quite quickly.

A wedding is the biggest party you will probably ever throw in your life.

So it's time to set your wedding planning checklist and you get your wedding arranged so your special day will be just as you have always imagined.

In order to ensure that your wedding plans come together seemingly, I would like to share with you my top 7 reasons why it is crucial to have a wedding planning checklist.

1. You Must Get Organized - Organization allows you to decide what you need so you don't end up spending money for things that won't be necessary to the wedding. Organization allows you to plan out everything to the last detail so there is less chance that something will go wrong. Organization allows you to plan your wedding with as little stress as possible because you know what needs to be done by when, so there should be minimal last minute running around to tie up loose ends.

2. Do Your Homework - From the moment you get engaged, you should start researching the type of wedding you want.

3. Set A Date and Time - While this may seem obvious, it sometimes gets left out in all the excitement. Many people don't realize how crucial this decision is to your wedding planning checklist. Not only does the date dictate how long you have to prepare, it will also effect the type of dress you purchase, the location of your ceremony and reception, and what type of flowers you will use and more.

4. Set Your Budget - Now that you know how long you have to plan, you can make decisions on how much money you are going to spend. Setting a budget is important. Your wedding should be a happy occasion, but it should not start your marriage in debt or cause your family to mortgage their home.

5. Pick Themes - Determine the look you want to achieve with your wedding. To do this you need to pick your theme. The theme should relate to your personality, which traits define who you are. Think about the type of wedding you have always imagined having.

6. Select Your Bridal Party - Once you know when you are getting married and how much you are going to spend, you can then decide who else will be sharing your special day with you as part of the bridal party.

7. The Guest List - Agree on a number of guests that you think is suitable. Start of by writing a list that includes everyone you both want to invite and then narrow it down by removing guests, especially the ones that you haven't had contact with for years. Remember not all guests will be able to attend so a good idea is to invite 10 percent more and you should end up with the correct amount of guests attending.

These are my Top 7 Reasons On Why You Need A Wedding Planning Checklist and always remember, to achieve your "Fairytale Wedding", all that is needed is commitment and the right planning.

Good Luck and best wishes on your Wedding Day and for all the days thereafter.

Melinda Barton is an Internationally recognized wedding planner and author of the book Wedding Planning Secrets She has given several TV and radio appearances and is passionate about helping everyone succeed in their desire to have the best wedding through simple and easy to use wedding planning secrets.