1) Don't panic. It doesn't have to be as stressful as you think. Just take it one step at a time and you'll get exactly where you want to go.

2) Don't try to satisfy everyone all at once. Rely on your own best judgment -- it's better than you think. And think about what the guest of honor might want: you, if it's your wedding, or the birthday boy or girl. If they're happy, the guests will be happy. It's that simple.

3) Find a caterer whose food you love, on whom you can rely on and with whom you click. This is the person who will not only provide food for your guests to enjoy and extol but who will also make your day go smoothly. You need someone who gets your style and can help you let it shine in every aspect of your event. Someone professional and pleasant. Someone who cares about your party as much as you do.

4) Figure out what other elements you care about most and set your priorities accordingly. Now that you have the food thing down, what else is important to you and how much of your overall budget are you willing to allot to it? Do you dream of elaborate floral centerpieces on every table? Prioritize your florist. Do you think a party's not a party without live music? Budget a little more for a band that really swings. Do you want a photographer who will go beyond snapping pictures and give you something akin to art to pass down through the generations? Set aside a little more to preserve the memories of your day just as you wish.

5) Get advice. Talk to friends -- and friends of friends -- who've recently planned an event like yours, ask them questions about the process and the providers. Take the advice you like; leave the rest behind.

6) Make it your own. Once you have all your elements in place -- the caterer, the florist, the photographer, the band or DJ -- think about adding a few extra touches to really imbue the occasion with your own individual spirit. Sure, you already set up a menu to reflect your, say, Mediterranean background, but how about placing a bottle of your father's homemade wine on every table? Table tents that tell a story about the bride and groom or birthday boy or girl? A bar that prominently features your favorite drink? Dessert that spells out your name? These are the things that make the party feel special -- the things you and your guests will long remember.

7) Relax and enjoy. Now that you've done all your planning, turn the responsibility over to your trusted caterer, the string quartet whose music you love, the florist who knows her stuff, and forget about all your worries and stresses. Stop, look around the room, take it all in and have fun!