One thanks for this method, and two this if pretty much the perfect example of how your website needs to happen. If you want to have a successful website then you will want to apply these methods above to suit your needs. If your developing a large community based website such as something like "MySpace" or "Facebook" it might be better to create the coding aspect, then the design. But lastly, always associate your members before creating the design, because eBay for instance released their website's layout months before it was actually released. This allowed for members to have the layout changed to suit the members needs, rather then having designers wing it and hope that people like the website.
Ok. Here is the update. Told the coder to start the project. He did all the coding and the website worked. Terrible design, or no I wouldn´t really call it a "design" but I could use the website. Showed it to designer who made a really nice design for it. Sent the design to coder who is now implementing it. Worked out good. Lessons learned. Hmm.. If I would create a simple html page without much features I would tell the designer to start and then just send it to one of these companies that turn it into css/html for 15 $. But for projects with a lot of features and features that might be added during the process I would do like I did now. I might saved some money on using two different freelancers but it´s really nice to hire a company instead. Just let their manager handle all the hassle. The problem is that the company might not have a designer that you like. That was the main reason for me to do it like this. Btw, if you are looking for a good designer I can really recommend Alneo. He has a thread here: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=408804. Very polite, honest and nice to work with. Answered a lot of my stupid questions and made a very nice design.
Do the backend coding first. Code all classes and functions you'll need. Prepare your database hierarchy etc. I recommend using just some blank white/black CSS layout just so you have the site divided into separated areas as sidebar, content etc... Develop a website for that. Then show the layout to a designer and let him make a design corresponding with the layout. Then just slice the PSD and edit your stylesheet ect and your website is finished. This is probably the ideal way. Design ought not to limit functionality, navigation or user-friendliness of your site so first code the website (of course you'll need some minimal CSS layout as I have mentioned above) and then work on design that will match the layout of your site and won't limit its functionality or ease of navigation. ^^ That is, in my humble opinion, the best and the most logical method but, unfortunately, it is not always possible to use it. Often you'll have to develop a website for a ready design - which is imho logically flawed method.
You got it right I'm glad to know that everything worked out well for you! I'm sure that you learned a lot from this experience. Next time things will be simpler than now and you'll have a clearer vision of what you want. Cheers!