Sanity has never been your strong suit. So total mania has ensued since that ring appeared on your finger. Breakdowns? Breakouts? Breaking the bank? You betcha.

Time to make some pre-wedding vows — starting with the pledge that you won’t alienate everyone you love (including your intended) in your prep for the Big Day.

Vow No. 1 — Reception Venue
I, (name), take you, Unique Meeting, Wedding, and Party Places, by Elise Ford, to be my trusted resource for finding historic homes, museums, and unknown spots for having the reception.

Vow No. 2 — Registry
I, (name), will register at A Mano for gorgeous Deruta dishes, unusual Italian serving ware, handblown Venetian glasses, and colorful Beauville tablecloths (1677 Wisconsin Avenue; 202-298-7200); and at Apartment Zero for all manner of modern touches like Gropius-designed glasses, Aino Aalto dinnerware, or Finish flatware (406 7th Street; 202-628-4067).

Vow No. 3 — Invitations
I, (name), will select beautiful invites at Brewood Engravers. And I will take their spot-on etiquette advice. After all, they’ve been making invitations for presidents and ambassadors since 1892 (1701 Pennsylvania Avenue; 202-223-2300).

Vow No. 4 — Florist
I, (name), give you, Michael Lanni of Volanni, the freedom to create bold and exquisite floral arrangements for my wedding, because you have way more style know-how than I do (202-547-1603).

Vow No. 5 — Bakers
At the reception, I, (name), will celebrate the end of this crazy diet with desserts from Patisserie Poupon. I will order a towering croquembouche for the wedding cake, plus piles of French pastries, cream puffs, Napoleons, and custom chocolates. And I will welcome my out-of-town guests with gift packages of mini butter cakes, handmade candies, or jams and croissants delivered to their hotels (1645 Wisconsin Avenue; 202-342-3248).

Vow No. 6 — Photographer
I, (name), give thee, Michael Temchine, permission my wedding with the expertise you bring to your documentary and journalism work. More importantly, I will not get lazy about ordering pictures, because I want a well-edited wedding album (202-744-8447; michael@michaeltemchine.com).

Vow No. 7 — Music
I, (name), trust Daryle Maciocha, a.k.a. DJ D-Mac, not to play annoying techno or any of Mother’s music suggestions and to keep people dancing with a shake-it selection (202-328-1967).

Vow No. 8 — The Shoes
I, (name), realize that no dress is complete without shoes. I promise to take myself and my bridesmaids to Sassanova, where we can choose our own styles to be covered in the fabrics we like most (1641 Wisconsin Avenue; 202-471-4400).

Vow No. 9 — The Bridesmaids
I, (name), respect my bridal party and will send them to Jacqueline at Celadon for a fabulous facial before the wedding, so they will feel as radiant as I do (1180 F Street NW; 202-347-3333).

Vow No. 10 — The Gown
I, (name), realize that buying a dress should be fun. So I will buy one that I love from the knowledgeable and cool women at the soon-to-open Hitched salon (202-333-6162).

Vow No. 11 — Groom
I, (name), pledge, to thee, (name of groom), that I will love this day — and you — forever.