This checklist tries to cover everything you may possibly need. For many of you, a lot of it can be crossed out right away. But take a look and see which parts make sense to you.

Sixteen to Nine Months Before

• Start a wedding folder or binder. Everything you learn, consider, talk about needs to go into this one central place!

• Begin looking online for inspiration.

• Work out your budget.

• Determine how much you have to spend, based on your families’ contributions and your own.

• Pick your wedding party.

• Start the guest list.

• Make a head count database to use throughout your planning process, with columns for contact info, RSVPs, gifts, and any other relevant information.

• Hire a planner, if desired. (A planner will have relationships with—and insights about—vendors)

• Reserve your date and venues.

• Decide whether to have separate locations for the ceremony and the reception, factoring in travel time between the two places.

• Book your celebrant.

• Research photographers, bands, florists, and caterers.

Eight Months Before

• Hire the photographer and the videographer.

• Book the entertainment.

• Meet caterers.

• Purchase wedding attire.

• Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.

• Register.

• Launch a wedding website. Create your personal page where you’ll note the date of the wedding, travel information, and accommodations. Then send the link to invitees.

Seven to Six Months Before

• Select and purchase invitations.

• Start planning a honeymoon.

• Make sure that your passports are up-to-date, and schedule doctors’ appointments for any shots you may need.

• Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses, if relevant.

• Meet with the celebrant.

• Map out the ceremony and confirm that you have all the official documents for the wedding (these vary by county and religion).

• Send save-the-date cards.

• Book a florist.

• Arrange transportation.

• Start composing a day-of timeline.

• Book the rehearsal and rehearsal-dinner venues, if relevant.

• Negotiate the cost and the menu. If you’re planning to host a day-after brunch for guests, book that place as well.

• Check on the wedding invitations.

• Select and order the cake.

• Schedule hair and makeup artists.

• Choose your music.

Three Months Before

• Finalize the menu and flowers.

• Order favors, if desired.

• Make a list of the people giving toasts.

• Finalize the readings.

• Finalize the order of the ceremony and the reception.

• Purchase the rings. (This will give you time for resizing and engraving.)

• Touch base again with all the vendors.

• Meet with the photographer.

• Review the playlist with the band or deejay.

• Send out the invitations.

One Month Before

• Enter RSVPs into your guest-list database.

• Get your marriage license.

• Stock the bar.

• Send out as many final payments as you can.

• Confirm times for hair and makeup and all vendors.

• Write vows, if necessary.

• Get your hair cut and colored, if desired.

Week of the Wedding

• Reconfirm arrival times with vendors.

• Delegate small wedding-day tasks.

• Send a timeline to the bridal party.

• Include every member’s contact information, along with the point people you’ve asked to deal with the vendors, if problems arise.

• Pick up your dress or tuxedo, if relevant.

• Check in one last time with the photographer.

• Set aside checks for the vendors, put tips in envelopes to be handed out at the event.

• Book a spa treatment.

• Send the final guest list to the caterer and all venues hosting your wedding-related events.

• Pack for your honeymoon.