When you first put the ring on, it felt like a fairy tale. Now you’ve had some time to think about what you need to do. How are you going to get it all done in time?

Use this checklist to handle everything from wedding style to the final guest list. With everything under control, you can enjoy the fun stuff.

4+ Months Before the Wedding Day

Get a jump on these tasks right away. While you’re daydreaming of your perfect wedding, you’re losing the time you need to make it happen.

Set a Budget

Before you start planning anything else, figure out your bottom line. Then, estimate how much you’re planning to spend on each category. Do this with your partner. Use pre-made wedding budget spreadsheets to help.

Are any family members contributing? How much? That conversation could be awkward, so don’t put it off.

Gather Inspiration.

Let your imagination wander over Pinterest, wedding websites, and magazines.

After this, you’ll be able to pick a theme. Having a theme is super helpful with making choices down the line, so it should be one of the first things you nail down.

Get Organized

You’ll need somewhere to save your progress and record all of your choices.

If you’re the pen-and-paper kind of gal, get a notebook or binder that you can store everything in. Use dividers to separate sections.

If you’re tech-savvy, download a wedding planning app, like WeddingHappy or Tie the Knot. You can also, of course, use any Microsoft Office or Google Doc app to help you out.

Pick Your Ideal Range of Dates.

Notice both “ideal” and “range” in that sentence. Of course you want to pick the time of year and day of the week that fits you and your partner best, but you’ll want flexibility once you start looking at venues and vendors.

It can also be helpful to avoid the popular months like October, September, and June, and the most popular day of the week, Saturday.

Reserve Your Wedding Venue

Do this way in advance of your actual wedding date. A lot of popular venues, including the one you’re dreaming about, fill up fast. You’ll lose your chance if you wait.

If you’re looking to save yourself some hassle, plan a “on-site” wedding. Pick a location with a commercial kitchen on-site, so it can provide your catering. It’ll be easier to coordinate than bringing in a caterer.

Make a Wedding Website

You’re getting married in the era of hoverboards and virtual reality. You don’t need to send out information by snail mail.

Wedding websites help you field questions from your guests, set up a registry, and track RSVPs. You can even share a day-of itinerary.

Imagine, anytime your family calls asking a question you already answered, you can simply say, “It’s on the website,” and go back to planning the fun stuff.

Create the Guest List

Now that you’ve decided your venue and budget, who do you want to join you on your big day?

Sit down with your fiancé and write out a complete list of potential wedding guests. Think about your budget and the venue size. Now make cuts to the list.

Once you’ve got your final guest list, send out your “Save the Date” cards. You don’t want empty seats, so make sure your wedding guests get enough notice to actually make it!

Select Your Wedding Party. #bridesquad

The point of the wedding party is not to add stress. They should soothe your nerves, back you up, and plan an awesome bachelorette party.

Talk with them in advance to figure out if they’re up for the job! You don’t want to throw that time and expense on someone who can’t manage it right now.

Book Vendors

Take another look at your budget. Reserve your videographer, photographer, officiant, dj/band, and anyone else you need to make your day a success.

Keep in touch with your vendors and send them any updates to place, time, or order of ceremonies.

Get the Dress

Wedding dresses are forever, like your marriage. Take time to pick something you really love. You’ll need several fittings, so don’t put this off!

As for bridesmaid’s dresses, the matching dress look is great for pictures, but it can be challenging on a bridesmaid’s wallet. Consider their needs and budget. If it works for you, pick a color scheme and let them select their own dress.

1-3 Months Before the Wedding Day

The day is getting closer and closer. You’ve got the venue reserved, the guest list made, and your bridal party to back you up. Stay on top of it by getting these next steps done ASAP.

Send the wedding invitations.

You should’ve sent the save-the-date a while ago, but these make it official. Let people know they can start RSVPing and buying things for you off your registry.

Don’t forget to direct wedding guests to your wedding website! In fact, some wedding websites have the capability to send e-invites for you.

Book rehearsal and rehearsal dinner venues.

If you’re having a very simple ceremony, you can forego this step, but most of the time it’s helpful to run through the motions at least once.

Hold any pre-wedding events.

Bachelorette party? Wedding shower? Delegate these.

Be clear about what you want but give pre-wedding events to a loved one to plan.

Get your marriage license.

Every state has a different timeline for marriage licenses. Double-check the rules and set aside time for this important task. Don’t forget it, or you might end up with no wedding at all!

Week of the Wedding Day

We’re on the home stretch now! Only a few more tasks to check off before you walk down the aisle.

Finalize the wedding day schedule and distribute.

Review your wedding planning checklist one last time and send it out to your vendors, wedding party, and wedding guests. Make it clear who is responsible for what.

Leave yourself some wiggle room! Things always take longer than you expect them to. Take the time you think something needs and add another 25-50%.

Confirm, confirm, confirm.

Contact everyone who has a role in the wedding and walk through everything once more. Make sure the wedding party and all your vendors know what needs to happen when.

Make sure you have vendor payments ready. Pay in advance when you can. One less thing to worry about as you enjoy wedded bliss!

Book a spa treatment.

Take a day with your bride squad and beautify yourself. Relax and refresh and remind yourself: this is the time to celebrate your love. Enjoy the fun stuff!