We Know Nothing...

Congratulations to you!! I have never been married either, but these three things have helped me: 1) Pinterest - you can dream and let your imagination become a reality. 2) a Day-Of Coordinator - a true lifesaver. 3) WeddingWire's checklist - helps you keep things in perspective. The app is great for this!

Remember - this is one time you get to have exactly what YOU want. Take advantage! Good luck to you.

Good advice from JuJu Bee. You should have a processional and recessional song as well. Ours was a church wedding, but generally followed the same structure.

There are so many online guides, depending on what type of ceremony you want (traditional, casual, personalized, whatever). You need an officiant who can walk you through that, which is why everyone is concerned. Day of Coordinator seems like it would be worthwhile for you. I know you said it wasn't in your budget, but if you can rework it, you may need the help to get prepared for your wedding.

A good DOC or month of planner is worth his or her weight in gold

Your officiant should have guidelines, but most ceremonies generally an introduction explaining the purpose of why you're there, if religious readings from passages come next the you either repeat prewritten vows or you write your own or both then you exchange rings then kiss

Even if you're dead set on having your friend as your officiant, it would help to talk with someone who has done weddings in the past. If your friend who is officiating has been to seminary, he/she likely has some contacts with people who have done LOTS of weddings. If I were you, I would want us all (me, future spouse, officiant) to sit down with someone who has done this lots of times and create a ceremony outline that is detailed and will get you through.

I'm actually not opposed to the idea of a friend or family member as the officiant. My grandfather was the minister who officiated my parents wedding, and they all still talk about how meaningful it was 35 years later. But making sure they are comfortable in their role as officiant is key, and I think relying on other people in the network of contacts they made in seminary would help.

OP, you do know what your titles say right? And to tell you most "friendors" never have the intention to "screw" it up. They screw up because brides trying to save money upfront are asking their inexperienced friends to do something they are not qualified for. Sure they save you money but you know what? We see posts every week bride complaining or regretting their decision on using friendor and having their wedding screwed up. And I'm pretty sure their special someone had only the best intentions.

You need a professional to help guide you through the ceremony. A friend of mine is having her aunt as the "symbolic officiant", meaning that she will be standing with the real officiant, making some personal remarks, and doing a reading. The real officiant will be able to guide the ceremony along and make sure everything is legal (do the proclamation of marriage).

We are giving you solid advice. When you ask a question to a group of internet strangers, you get responses. If you didn't want anyone's opinion, then you should have asked google.

If you have the budget for it, get a wedding coordinator, they will really help guide you. Even if you just have one that you meet with a few times, completely worth it.

We are having a friend of our officiate our wedding but we have seen him do weddings before and he was amazing. Definitely make sure to rehearse. I love the idea of having someone you care about do something so special.

Well with the venue already booked that takes care of the foods and maybe some decorations, ask them what they include and then look at the WW guidelines which not only help you with what you need but also tells you when you need it. I personally don't have a wedding planner but I am also getting married in 2018 so depending on how great of a planner you are you may not need one. But either way try to remember this is supposed to be one of the greatest days of your lives so take a deep breath, you got this!! GOOD LUCK!!

I personally would use the wedding wire planner, it has helped me a TON and I only started planning about a month ago for a May wedding and I am not right on track, the list makes things super easy.