Throughout the months of the wedding-planning process, you're probably going to realize that you could use a hand. Well, of course you deserve applause, but what I'm talking about is letting your bridal party, your family, your siblings, children, and friends actually help out with some of the responsibilities of putting the wedding together.

In any wedding, there are plenty of things that others can help out with. The most common offers to help center on making favors and décor to cooking, and that's entirely up to your loved ones who offer to help. If they say, 'If there's anything I can do to help...," just whip out this list and see where they can lend a hand. Next to the task, list the person who will tackle the job. I've left several blank spaces at the bottom for you to fill in your own delegation needs:

Picking up guests at the airport:_______________________________________________
Transportation of guests to and from the wedding:________________________________
Dropping off guests at the airport:_____________________________________________
Making favors:____________________________________________________________
Calligraphy:______________________________________________________________
Cooking help:_____________________________________________________________
Making desserts:__________________________________________________________
Babysitting guests' children:_________________________________________________
Decorating the site:________________________________________________________
Setting up chairs and tables:_________________________________________________
Post-wedding cleanup:_____________________________________________________
Use of convertibles or classic cars:___________________________________________
Making confirmation calls:_________________________________________________
Transporting gifts back to your home after the reception:__________________________
Collecting throwaway cameras:______________________________________________
Acting as designated driver after the reception:__________________________________
Letting the kids stay with them during your honeymoon:__________________________
Housesitting during your honeymoon:_________________________________________
Petsitting during your honeymoon:____________________________________________
(Other) _________________________________________________________________
(Other) _________________________________________________________________
(Other) _________________________________________________________________
(Other) _________________________________________________________________

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Be gracious when you do ask, and be prepared to accept that some people just don't have time to make your wedding the center of their world. Remember to establish parameters when you do ask for help, specifying exactly what you need done, so that the well-meaning friend does not cross boundaries with you to create her own vision of the job at hand. Be clear, be precise, and - most importantly - chose your assistants for their proven level of responsibility. This is no time to trust important jobs to the unreliable. Assign well, and share the credit on the big day.

Sharon Naylor is the author of over 30 wedding planning books and is the Q&A specialist at NJWedding.com. Sharon will answer any wedding-related questions at www.njwedding.com/expertadvice. She is a resident of Morristown, New Jersey. To view and purchase any of Sharon's helpful books, click here to visit the NJWedding.com WedStore!