Popped the question? Great! Now here’s a crash course in everything you need to know to make it to the altar in one piece, from A to Z:

• First, ANNOUNCE it to everybody. Get on the phone (or hop in your car), and spread the good news to her family, your family, friends and everyone else. If you want to get more formal about your new status, make it public. Call your local newspaper and find out about submission guidelines so that the two of you can make it widely known.
• She probably already has big plans, but you might, too. Before you start getting too far-fetched (a 300-pound ice sculpture that pours four flavors of vodka?), sit down and work out a BUDGET. How to figure this out? Put together the financial contributions of the key players (you and your future wife, her parents, your parents, plus anyone else) and you’ve got your total budget. For an easy way to keep track of the dough, head to TheKnot.com/budgeter.
• Now that you know what you’re working with, the two of you can get CREATIVE. Make a dinner date to talk wedding with your honey. The two of you can lay out ideas for how you’d like your wedding to look and feel. Knowing what’s important to her will help keep you from feeling out of the loop. Clueing her in to your priorities ensures that you won’t feel like a stranger at your own wedding.
• Before you get any further, go ahead and set a DATE. Once the two of you have a general idea of what you want and a specific idea of how much you can spend, you’ll be able to start booking vendors. Many wedding pros’ calendars fill up fast, so the sooner you commit to a date, the better choice of vendors you’ll have. This is especially true if you want to wed during the often busier spring and summer months.
• Wedding planning will soon to take over, so take time out to revel in your totally non-single status — everyone else you know will be! Friends or one set of parents will probably throw an ENGAGEMENT PARTY, just the first of many fetes in your honor. Remember at all times that you’ll be either the host or the guest of honor, so go easy on the drinks.
• Soon you’re going to be on to the bigger decisions and, believe it or not, a major one is FOOD. Think the meal’s not such a big deal? Think again. The kind of fare you serve guests will actually be one of your biggest costs, and it’s as much about how you serve it as what you serve. A multi-course meal might not sound like such a big deal, but remember, it won’t serve itself.
• The only way to significantly reduce the cost of your wedding is to reduce the size of your GUEST LIST. Sure, you want to share your special day with everyone you’ve ever met, but have you factored in the cost of all those extra meals, centerpieces and the rest? Pick your must-have guests (families and closest buds) and put them on your A list. Everyone else is on the B list — there’s where you’ll make your cuts.
• Once you’ve done your part with the big decisions, it might seem like your job here is finished. But don’t forget — the wedding is HALF yours. Decide what your role will be. If you want to help out (or if you’re not feeling so hot about her all-purple color scheme), let your sweetheart know.
• On the other hand, if aisle runners and calligraphy aren’t your forte, let your bride do it all. Even if you’re inclined toward letting your better half pull the weight, take an opportunity (or two) to express your INDIVIDUALITY. Pick out a ceremony reading that reflects your cultural heritage, or choose a groom’s cake that represents your favorite hobby (or flavor).
• Thought the engagement ring was it? Well, of course not! Get ready to shop for some JEWELRY of your own. Your wedding bands can match each other’s, or you can each choose something different. The key is to find what you like. After all, you’ll be wearing this ring every day from now on.
• Sure, personalizing every last thing about your ceremony is today’s style, but some elements never change. Case in point: the KISS. Once the officiant announces that you’re hitched, you’ve got to lay one on her (in front of her parents, no less). So practice, practice, practice! (It’s one pre-wedding task you won’t mind adding to your list.)
• And speaking of your LIST, do you even have one? You should. Add any wedding-related task to it your bride gives you, and remember to include a date due for each. She’s going to be run ragged keeping everyone else on task, so the least you can do is keep track of your own to-dos.
• In the midst of all the hubbub surrounding the wedding day, don’t lose sight of what comes after it — your MARRIAGE. From time to time, remind yourself (and your fiancee) that that’s what it’s all about. It really puts any stressful moments in perspective.
• When it comes to hiring vendors, NEGOTIATE. Even if they say the prices are set in stone, there may be some wiggle room (or you might be able to get some extras). Be firm about your budget, ask questions and get everything in writing.
• Take care in choosing an OFFICIANT. If you’re not members of a congregation, shop around. Choose someone who makes you feel comfortable and who can helpfully guide you through your ceremony decisions (not to mention any church-sanctioned pre-wedding counseling).
• Another key decision: Your PHOTOGRAPHER. Whether you’re looking for an artistic eye to capture your day or you just don’t want your formal photos to look like a police lineup, track down a shutterbug who makes you feel comfortable. After all, he or she will be shadowing you (in a good way) non-stop on the wedding day.
• Quash any QUALMS you’re feeling. Pre-wedding jitters are totally normal. If your feet start getting chills, make some silly (and sentimental) mental lists: the five things you love most about your fiance, your five favorite dates with her, five things you’re looking forward to and so on. You’ll be feeling warm and fuzzy again in no time.
• Amid all the planning chaos, don’t forget to REGISTER for gifts. Sure, china and flatware are traditionally on the list, but nowadays all kinds of stores (yes, even Home Depot) offer wedding registries. Think about stuff you both can use (from a new grill to a new socket set), then go ahead and add it to your wish list.
• When will you get those gifts? Many will start showing up well before the wedding, particularly if friends or relatives throw a SHOWER. Though these are traditionally women-only, many modern couples opt to go coed. After all, she’s not the only cook in the house. And who’s going to turn down an afternoon of unwrapping gifts and guzzling champagne?
• Take the time to plan a TOAST for the reception. You’ll want to thank everyone for his or her support and, of course, take a minute to gush about how great your new wife looks. Stay relaxed by keeping it simple — you shouldn’t talk for more than a minute or two anyway.
• Couldn’t ask all your friends to be groomsmen? Include some as USHERS. You’ll still be able to honor them, and in return they’ll provide key day-of support, seating guests and keeping things running smoothly.
• Whether you choose the tried-and-true route or pen your own, make sure your fiance and you are on the same page when it comes to VOWS. If you find you can’t memorize them (or you think it’s going to be too emotional a time to keep all those words straight), have your officiant prompt you. It’ll look classier than reading from a card.
• Plan your WARDROBE. You might think a tux is a tux, but there are actually a lot of options out there, and you’ll want to find the one that perfectly suits you (and your groomsmen). Check out some of your options at TheKnot.com/tuxedos. Though there’s some room for personal preference, the formality of your wedding really dictates what you’ll wear. Show your personality with creative cuff links or ties.
• A week or two before the wedding, you’ll probably celebrate your “last night of freedom” with the guys. But the bachelor party doesn’t have to be X-RATED. These days, a fishing trip, an extreme sports outing or even a (stripper-free) casino night are much more common party plans. Since it’s technically a surprise, make sure your best man knows well beforehand what kind of party you want.
• Need to take a quick break in the crazy days right before the wedding? Practice your first dance. Put on YOUR SONG and rehearse with your future wife. Dance lessons or no, it’ll help you both de-stress and reconnect.
• The night before the wedding, get your ZZZs. After all, you don’t want to look exhausted at the altar. If you find you really can’t sleep, write a love note to your bride. It’ll help get out some of those thoughts zooming around in your head, and when your best man delivers it the next day she’ll be totally amazed by your gesture.

Looking for more advice on how to be a great groom? Log on to TheKnot.com/grooms for even more helpful info and advice.