Do's and Don'ts

DO give yourself plenty of time to plan.
DO outline all the pieces of the wedding. A binder or folder with separate areas for wedding professionals, appointments, contracts, gown/dress swatches, etc, is a great investment.
DO coordinate every aspect of the wedding day. To ensure your wedding day is truly "your special day" every item must be coordinated. do not leave the important decisions to others.
DO hire professional that you are comfortable with. If you are not comfortable speaking with someone, then it would probably be a good idea to keep looking.
DO take a break while your are planning. If you begin to get stressed or irritated, step back and work on something else for a while. Don't let yourself make decisions under extreme stress that you may later regret.
And finally. DO enjoy yourself. This will be one of the most memorable times in your life

Don'ts

DON'T procrastinate in your planning. Hire all of your wedding professionals as soon as the date is booked. Many wedding services are booked 1-2 years in advance.
DON'T hire anyone until you have a working budget. Know what you can afford, and budget more for the items that are going to matter the most and less for the non-essential "frills".
DON'T hire someone just because they are the cheapest. Like everything in life, you get what you pay for. Your wedding is one of the most important days in your lives, make sure that the memories that you make are good ones!
DON'T hire the first company you meet. Check out a few for a proper comparison.
DON'T be afraid to ask questions. If you are unsure of something, speak up! A lot of times wedding professionals assume that because they know what to expect as a wedding, the bride and groom know as well. If you are unsure or uncomfortable with any part of the planning, don't wait until it's too late to ask questions.
DON'T assume anything! Get everything in writing and make sure you have a contract!