Planning your wedding as a couple is not a walk in the park. The task becomes even more difficult when you choose to go DIY and not use a wedding planner. However, you can succeed with the right tips and attention to detail. Wedding tools are a couple’s best friend, and I always suggest using them even if you’re working with a wedding planner. They’ll help you stay organized and on track throughout the planning period. Here are six wedding tools couples find invaluable when planning their celebration.
A Planning Checklist
If you wonder where to start when planning a wedding, then a planning checklist is the right tool. A planning checklist is a document that outlines all the tasks and activities that need to be completed before, during, and after an event. A planning checklist can help you organize and track all planning activities from start to finish. With many free downloadable versions of a planning checklist online, it is easy to use this tool by adding a wedding date, which will automatically set up the document. Additional features include personalizing the checklist to fit traditions and other customizable aspects of your wedding.
The Wedding Budget
Your wedding budget is the foundation of your wedding planning, and having a budget tool will make things easier. In it, you can include the total sum of money that you want to spend. This tool will help separate funds and customize costs according to the services needed for the wedding, and other details, such as the number of guests and the wedding theme, could be added. A wedding budget tool will monitor your expenses, tell you when payments are due, and help you stay on budget.
Guest List Tool
Your guest list tool will help you arrange, track, and send invites to your guests, enabling you to monitor guest lists and RSVPs effectively; tracking the guest list will help plan seating, budgeting, and catering.
Website Builder
Having a website is so essential for your wedding planning. It can be your central information hub and help you receive guest RSVPs. Your wedding website is also great for sharing your wedding location, changes, and other announcements with guests. While you can pay a professional designer to work on yours, you can also use a preexisting wedding website builder. You must choose a template, upload your details, and add pictures. You can set a countdown until your wedding date, send reminders, and your guests can RSVP on your website.
A Vendor Manager
A vendor managing tool will help you manage your vendors, from your florists to your caterers. It’ll also keep your vendor contacts and other essential details organized. You can also compare prices and reviews from different vendors. Another feature of the vendor manager tool is its ability to include personal notes about each vendor and contact them to receive or share updates, ensuring easy tracking of all wedding activities.
Seating Chart
Creating a seating chart is one of the final details you’ll need for your wedding. You’ll need to use details like your number of guests, venue space, type of tables, and more. Usually, a wedding planner will use their expertise to help you complete this step. A seating chart can help make this process easier and more organized. You can create a floor plan like your venue’s, including tables, layouts, stages, etc. Then, input your guest’s names and drag and drop them for easy visualization.
Finally, going DIY with your wedding planning isn’t easy, but it is not impossible. All you need is the correct information and tools. The above six tools will help keep your process organized and simplify things. Best of luck!