AVOID A DISASTER: 8 WAYS TO STAY ORGANISED WHEN PLANNING YOUR WEDDING
After the engagement, couples find themselves navigating a plethora of wedding planning tasks. From choosing the perfect attire to coordinating with suppliers, the wedding planning process can be both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you're hosting an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, staying organised is the key to managing your stress and enjoying the process. We hope these tips will help you keep everything on track.
Start early, create a check list and set a timeline
The sooner you begin, the more time you have to make decisions without feeling rushed. Start by drafting a comprehensive checklist of everything you need to do, from booking your wedding suppliers to sending invitations. Create a detailed wedding timeline that includes the tasks in your check list, dividing them into monthly, weekly, and daily goals so you can focus on smaller tasks without losing sight of the bigger picture. Pad your timeline with extra time for unexpected delays. Many wedding planning apps and websites offer customisable templates, and we’ll list a few helpful apps further below.
Create a wedding folder
Create an email folder or a label and label your wedding-related emails to keep them all in the same place. Shared Google Drive of Dropbox folders are a great way to keep your supplier information, contracts, ideas, spread sheets, receipts, etc. neatly organised, easily accessible, and available for everyone involved in the wedding planning process. This way, you can quickly find what you need without wasting time searching through piles of papers.
Make sure to stick to your budget
Budgets are crucial in wedding planning, and keeping your finances in order will help keep your plans on track. Set a realistic wedding budget from the start and break it down into categories like venue, food, attire, and decor. This will help prevent overspending and give you a clear picture of where your money is going. Make sure to budget some extra for those unexpected expenses.
Wedding planning apps
There are tens of wedding-related apps that help you manage different aspects of your wedding. Here are a few that you can consider getting familiar with:
WeddingWire: “a trusted wedding vendor directory that helps engaged couples search, compare and find the perfect local wedding professionals for their big day. Its comprehensive suite of planning tools and services, inspiration, and community make it easy for couples to plan their wedding and help them enjoy every part of the journey.”
Zola: “From venues and save the dates to a free wedding website, a registry, and even your cake — Zola is here for all the days along the way.”
Mint: “Review your transactions, track your spending by category, and receive monthly insights that help you better understand your money habits.”
The Knot: “Everything you need to plan your wedding from anywhere—for free.”
Wedding planner
Planning a wedding is the first time, and usually the only time, most people organise such a luxury event. If you want to hand the reigns to someone else and enjoy a less stressful and hectic wedding planning experience, work with a wedding planner. Planners bring expertise, industry connections, and problem-solving skills, ensuring your vision is brought to life while staying within budget. They handle logistics, coordinate suppliers, and manage the timeline, allowing you to focus on enjoying the process and anticipation. With their guidance, you can avoid common pitfalls, save time, and create a seamless, memorable event tailored to your preferences. Wedding planners offer different levels of services, from on-the-day coordination to full wedding planning service, so even if you’re half way through the planning process and feel overwhelmed, get in touch with a wedding planner and they will find a way to help you.
Delegate tasks
If you decide to pass on hiring a wedding planner, don't be afraid to delegate! While the wedding planning process is exciting, it can quickly become overwhelming. Enlist the help of trusted family members and friends. Whether it's researching suppliers, gathering RSVPs, or managing day-of logistics, delegating will allow you to focus on the big picture. Make sure you communicate clearly your expectations and keep track of progress so nothing slips through the cracks.
Use a shared calendar
With so many moving parts and multiple people involved, it's easy for scheduling to get confusing. Share a digital calendar with your partner, family members, and anyone else helping with the planning. This way, everyone will know about important appointments, supplier meetings, and deadlines. Set reminders for important dates, such as when payments are due or when certain decisions need to be made. This will help avoid last-minute stress.
Create a wedding website
A wedding website is an easy way to centralise all the important information regarding your wedding for your guests. You can include the schedule, venue details, RSVP information, registry links, and more. This helps streamline communication and ensures that your guests have all the info they need without you having to repeat yourself.
The key to staying organised when planning your wedding is using the tools and techniques that feel right for you while also staying adaptable. Thankfully, we live in an era that makes staying organised easy. Some structure will keep things running smoothly, but the most important part of the process is keeping the joy and excitement at the forefront. Embrace the process, accept that not everything will go as planned, and trust that all your hard work will pay off on your big day!
- Miina -
Image credits:
Dress: Marlowe (now discontinued)
Concept, photography and videography: Agrestal Visuals
Stationery: Notes Studio
Models: @willandleigh_modelcouple
Hair and make up: Suzanne Rachel
Suit: Ragtags
Venue: Hinton St. Mary Estate
Florals: Bright Blooms
Cake: Bonita Bakes
Veil/ribbon: Rebecca Anne Designs