Making the calls to vendors all by yourself and otherwise fitting the pieces of your wedding puzzle together is a big, big job, especially when you're doing it from out of town. So — when will you start planning? Who do you need to talk to, and when? Again, start as early as possible. It's not a bad idea to start making calls a year and a half before your planned wedding date; in fact, in many regions, it's necessary. Here's a typical timeline for planning the out-of-town wedding by yourself:

• Twelve months prior (or as soon as possible). Choose the spot, and make sure your intended date is open. Look for a reception site, and ask for references from former clients. When you're satisfied with these two big bookings, ask your reception site coordinator for the names of other reputable vendors, such as a baker and caterer. Call these vendors as soon as possible to see how far in advance they're booking weddings. Start looking for your dress.

• Eight to ten months prior. Hunt down your florist, musicians, limo service, photographer, and officiant. Finalize the wedding party and start searching for the bridesmaids' dresses. Now is the time to order your dress, since many dresses take months to deliver and require alterations once they arrive.

• Six months prior. Send out save-the-date cards with travel info for your guests. Make your honeymoon plans now in order to get the best deals. If you're getting married out of the country, update your passports if necessary, and check on the legal requirements for marriage wherever you're headed. Start thinking about your registry (where you'd like to register and what you really need).

• Four months prior. Order your invitations. Your registry should be finalized by now. If they're renting tuxes, the groom and ushers should have their wedding attire reserved, especially if you're getting married during May or June (which are big prom months).

• Three months prior. Call vendors to confirm that everything is on track. Start planning the rehearsal dinner.

• Two months prior. Send out the invitations. Book hair and makeup appointments for the wedding day for yourself and the bridesmaids. Order presents for attendants.

• One month prior. Finalize plans with vendors. Send announcements to the newspaper.

• Two weeks prior. Pick up your dress; pack. If your dress is being shipped, send it now. Make sure travel arrangements are in order.

• One week prior. Leave this last week for emergency errands. Scheduling any planning for this week will only lead to an overwhelming feeling that you've forgotten something.

As you can see, there's some overlap in these two planning schedules. What's different in the second list is that you'll be doing a lot more legwork than you would if you were working with a resort. But for the organized bride, it's not difficult. Just remember to keep those phone numbers handy, save your paperwork, and file, file, file that information away!

Are you mad, trying to plan an out-of-town wedding by yourself? No. It's done all the time. The difference between a challenging experience and one that spirals down into nightmare territory is your level of organization. If you can't find the one phone number you need, or you can't even remember the name of the baker you've chosen, you're going to have a very hard time with the details. Resolve to make your wedding an experience you want to look back on, and don't get buried in disorganization.