To do before the big day

Every wedding is different, so each has slightly different needs when it comes to the whole planning process. Some take a whole lot of planning, and some take almost none—wedding chapel downtown anyone? The timeframes given here are just suggestions, but this checklist should get you started.

Before you take to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the news of your fiancée status, call or tell in person your close family members and friends first. Nobody likes finding out their friend is getting married by seeing a relationship status update.

Sit down with your fiancé, break out the calculator and figure out just how much you have and want to spend on the wedding. Come up with a list of things you’ll need to pay for—including wedding related things and upcoming rent or mortgage payments, cell phone, utility and other bills—so that there’s little room for surprise. Try to pay off some older bills before you start raking in the new wedding ones.

Take to the internet and start brainstorming like crazy. Pinterest is the favorite for this.

Consider whether you would like to get a wedding planner or day-of coordinator or what friends and family members might help out.

Plan out a preliminary guest list to get a head count for later preparations. Remember, more guests means more money spent.

Prepare some questions for vendors and venues so you can weed out the not-so-great choices quickly and make sure you get exactly what you want from each of them.

Decide who will be in your wedding party.

Talk to your wedding party and figure out a budget that will work for their dresses, tuxedoes, suits or other outfits.

Choose your venue and book it. Look into the venue’s options, if any, for things like catering and table and chair rentals.

Decide if you want a band or a DJ for your reception and book it now.

Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out of town guests and book your own wedding suite.

Register for gifts. Bring your fiancé along when you do this.

Continue talking to and booking vendors. Get everything in writing, so there are no surprises on your bill.

Figure out if you are going to purchase or make your invitations and save-the-dates and make the necessary arrangements and purchases.

Find the wedding dress and the rest of the wedding party’s attire. Chances are you’ve been working on this one from the beginning, but now you need to get serious and choose it. Alterations can take several months, so do this as early as possible.

Book your wedding photographer. This is one of the most important vendors, so choose wisely. Wedding photographers can get booked up quickly, so it’s a good idea to do this earlier rather than later.

Have your engagement photos taken. There are a lot of great suggestions for poses and outfits online. Have fun with it.

Send out your save the date cards to all of your guests.

Start rounding out your vendor team. Figure out designs with your florist and do a tasting with your cake baker, too.

Arrange any necessary transportation for the big day.

Start planning your honeymoon. Make sure to check your passports and other travel documents and if you’ll need any shots.

Choose and book the venue for your rehearsal dinner. Make all the necessary arrangements for that night.

Finalize the menu with your caterer.

Book all party rentals and linens you may need.

Choose and purchase your wedding rings.

Finalize your honeymoon plans and get time off work for it.

Finalize all details of the order of the ceremony and reception and readings.

Send out the invitations.

Choose the music for your first dance and other important moments.

Buy or make any and all wedding favors and gifts.

Think about what you want your hair and makeup to look like. If you’re planning any cutting or coloring, do it now. Do a trial run with whoever will be doing it for your wedding, whether it’s a professional, a family member or a friend or yourself. This way you can avoid any catastrophes on the big day.

It’s time for the parties, including the bridal shower and bachelorette and bachelor parties. Make sure that everyone invited is also invited to the wedding, especially if you’re not doing the planning.

Do a final fitting of the wedding attire with all the accessories.

Get your marriage license and figure out any name change documents you may need.

Finalize and confirm all details with your vendors.

Make sure the members of the wedding party have gotten their dresses and suits.

Figure out and buy your guest book, flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow.

Check all of your honeymoon plans, including that passport and the weather. Pack for your honeymoon, too.

If the shoes you’re wearing in the ceremony are new, break them in. You don’t want your feet to distract you from the fun.

Give the caterer and venue the final guest count.

Pick up your wedding dress and keep it safe.

Check the weather for the big day. If it’s outdoors, make sure you have a back-up plan for bad weather.

Confirm timeline and details with planner, vendors and wedding party. Print out a copy for yourself and/or your maid of honor.

Book an appointment for a manicure and pedicure.

Get that manicure and pedicure.

Have a great time at your rehearsal dinner.

Make sure to have tip money ready for vendors.

Give out the gifts you chose for your wedding party.

Confirm all transportation necessary.

Get your hair and makeup done, get dressed and gaze at yourself in the mirror.

Relax and slow down. The day will be over before you know it.

Make sure to take the time to actually eat the food and cake you spent all that time and money on.

Make the rounds and take all the photos you want with your guests, but make sure to have fun and appreciate your new spouse, too.

Have fun!