Getting married in 2018? Congratulations! Walking down the aisle will make this year the best yet. But before you carry on with wedding planning, it’s important to make a few vows to yourself like you would any other year—but this time, for wedding planning. Check out our resolution recommendations below (with your partner) and above all else, just trust the process, try to relax and remember to eat. 

1. I will not do anything before the guest list.

We know, it’s not always the easiest part of wedding planning, but you shouldn’t make any big decisions before you have your wedding guest list somewhat firmly in place. This should be one of the first things you do, because it’s the element that most of your event depends on. If you put a nonrefundable deposit down on a cozy, private room for 75 guests, but your in-laws’ additions bump it up to 200, you’ll have a sticky situation on your hands. Once everyone’s in agreement, then you can move forward. That said, one of the parts of your wedding you and your partner can plan immediately is what kind of atmosphere you’d like. Do you want an intimate, close-friends-and-family-only affair, or do you want to throw the event of the season for 300-plus people? Later, when you’re in the guest-list trenches, this bit of planning will help back up your gut instinct about whether to say yes (or no) to guest-list additions.

2. I will treat my bridesmaids the way I’d want to be treated.

You may not be in kindergarten anymore, but the golden rule is still the best rule. Inform the way you treat your bridesmaids by thinking about how you’d like to be treated—and it probably doesn’t involve showering them with loads of gifts. Take their preferences to heart and be sensitive to their schedules and budgets. If you have differences of opinion about something important to you, no need to get upset. Take a breather and explain your perspective—If they put themselves in your shoes too, they’ll come around.  Read more