The Ultimate Diy Wedding Planner Guide

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but creating a DIY wedding planner can help you stay organized and ensure that your big day goes smoothly. A physical wedding planner allows you to gather all your ideas and inspiration in one place, giving you a clear overview of the planning process.

To make a DIY wedding planner, start by gathering your supplies, including a binder, divider tabs or folders, pens, highlighters, and sheet protectors. Set up your binder with sections for important categories such as budget, guests, ceremony, reception, attire, and vendors. Use sub-dividers or subsections to further organize each section. Add lined paper and folders or sheet protectors to each section for notes and important documents.

Fill your binder with essential information such as a calendar, a wedding planning checklist, and your budget. As you plan, use your binder to store ideas, inspiration, and to-do lists. Incorporate digital tools like Pinterest boards and Excel spreadsheets by printing them out and adding them to your binder.

Remember to keep your planner organized and up-to-date, removing any unnecessary information as you go. With a well-organized wedding planner, you'll be able to streamline the planning process and make the most of your special day.

Supplies

When creating a DIY wedding planner, it's important to get the right supplies. Here's a list of what you'll need:

Binders

First, decide whether you want a permanent or rotating wedding planner binder. A permanent binder is anchored by the personal resource network you've built as a professional wedding planner, while a rotating binder is dedicated to a specific wedding, with one binder per couple. For your permanent binder, a three-inch, three-ring binder is a popular choice. For rotating binders, a one- or two-inch three-ring binder will do, depending on the size and complexity of the wedding. Pick a cute binder in a pretty print or, better yet, get one with a clear front cover so you can customise it yourself.

Dividers

You'll need divider tabs or folders to separate the different sections of your binder. You can also use page protectors that are coloured on the edge to mark the beginning of a new section.

Paper and writing utensils

Make sure you have paper, as well as pens and highlighters (the more colours, the better) to make notes and add information to your binder.

Clear sheet covers

Clear sheet covers will be useful for storing contracts, pictures, and other important documents.

Envelopes and zipper pouches

Envelopes and zipper pouches are great for storing fabric swatches, colour samples, size charts, and other small items.

Calendar and checklist

A calendar and wedding planning checklist are essential for staying on track with your planning and meeting deadlines. You can find free printables online or create your own.

Budget

Create a full budget breakdown and place it at the front of your binder. This will help you stay on track with your spending and avoid any budget surprises.

Other supplies

Other useful supplies include sticky notes, a three-hole punch, and a portable charger.

Binder setup

Setting up your DIY wedding binder is a crucial step in the wedding planning process. It will help you stay organised and ensure you don't miss any important details. Here is a step-by-step guide to setting up your binder:

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Get yourself a cute binder, preferably one with a clear front cover so you can customise it. You'll also need divider tabs or folders, and pens and highlighters (the more colours, the better!)!

Step 2: Set Up Your Binder

Start by adding a cover insert with a fun design that includes the names of the bride and groom, and the wedding date if you've set one. Use your dividers to create sections for the most important categories. A typical wedding planner binder includes sections like:

• Wedding party contact information
• Wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Ceremony
• Reception
• Attire and beauty
• Photographer
• Florist
• Miscellaneous

You can also add sub-dividers within each section for more detailed organisation. For example, under "Reception", you can have subsections for decorations, food, and cake.

Add lined paper to each section for notes, and include folders or clear sheet protectors to hold important documents.

Step 3: Start Adding Important Info

Place the most important information at the front of the binder. This includes a calendar, a wedding planning checklist, and your budget.

Step 4: Fill It In As You Go

Use your binder to store ideas and inspiration in the early stages of planning. As you get further along, make sure to keep it neatly organised and remove any unnecessary information. For example, once you choose a venue, remove all the information from the venues you passed on.

Step 5: Incorporate Your Digital Inspirations

Print out your digital assets, such as spreadsheets and guest lists, and add them to your binder. You can also create QR codes that link to your Pinterest boards and spreadsheets and print those out. This way, you can quickly scan the code with your phone to access your online inspiration.

Adding info

Now that your binder is organised, it's time to start filling it up!

Place the most important info at the front of the book. We suggest starting with a calendar and a wedding planning checklist.

Your budget should also go towards the front of the binder. Planning a wedding can get really expensive, so keep a close eye on your budget throughout the entire process!

This wedding budget worksheet makes it easy to outline a budget. It even points out how much money you can spend on each aspect of your special day.

In the "reception" tab, for example, you can have subsections for decorations, food, and cake. Under "vendors", you can create subsections for your photographer, florist, and DJ. Organise your sections and subsections however you like – you're probably the only person who'll ever look at this book.

Some brides find it easier to give the photographer, florist, and music/entertainment their own tabs. Some even go as far as creating a section for every individual element. If you want to be extra organised, you can create separate tabs for everything from the bridal party gifts to the thank-you notes.

Add lined paper to each divided section. That way, you can make notes while you plan.

Include a few folders or clear sheet protectors into each section, too. This gives you a place to hold important documents for safekeeping.

• Budget – include your full budget breakdown here
• Guests & Invites – guests list and their addresses, wedding party contact information, hotel information, invites, etc.
• Ceremony – venue information, décor or rental information, contracts, wedding programs, officiant information, etc.
• Reception – venue information, décor or rental information, music playlists and DJ or band contact information, caterer information and menus, seating chart, contracts, etc.
• Attire & Beauty – bridal gown information (any information on shops you are visiting and where you purchased from), groom attire, bridal party attire, hair and makeup artist information, contracts, accessories, etc.
• Photographer – list of photos you would like – you can print off some pictures you’d like to show for ideas (or just use your Pinterest board!), vendor information, business cards, contracts, etc.
• Florist – pictures of inspiration or colours you like, vendor information, contracts, business cards, etc.
• Miscellaneous – honeymoon plans, registry information, rehearsal dinner information, etc.

Now, it’s time to start filling your binder with checklists and worksheets onto which you can put all of your vital planning information!

There are many, many, many online sources of worksheets, plus loads you can find and adapt from books. Here are some websites you may find useful:

• Real Simple (and some more from Real Simple!)
• Martha Stewart Wedding Workbook
• Planning Your Wedding For Less
• Frugal Bride: Schedule for the Day, Bride’s Emergency Kit, Complete Wedding Checklist, Master Itinerary Worksheet, Photo Checklist
• Maid of Honour and Best Man Duties Checklist
• Assignments List (Who Does What)
• Planning Guide, Customs & Traditions
• Engagement Ring Insurance Info
• Vendor and Details Info
• Day-Of Checklist and Emergency Kit List
• Wording/Etiquette Guide
• Guest List/Gift Trackers
• Processional and Recessional List
• Cake and Cake Topper
• Sketches of Venue and Placement of Décor
• Flower Planner and Flower Meanings
• Escort Cards, Table Numbers, Place Cards
• Other Décor: Aisle Runner, Card Box, etc.
• Inspiration (for example, I’ve tucked some tissue paper in there that perfectly matches my colour scheme and overall style)
• Planning Details/To Do List

Filling it in

Filling in your DIY wedding planner is an exciting but time-consuming process. It's important to stay organised and to keep on top of things, so you don't become overwhelmed. Here are some tips on how to fill in your wedding planner:

• Start by gathering all your supplies, including divider tabs, folders, pens, highlighters, and a binder. Choose a binder that reflects your personality and wedding theme.
• Set up your binder with sections for all the important categories, such as wedding party contact information, budget, guests and invites, ceremony, reception, attire and beauty, photographer, florist, and miscellaneous.
• Include a calendar and a wedding planning checklist at the front of your binder. This will help you stay organised and keep track of appointments and deadlines.
• Use your binder to store ideas and inspiration in the early stages of planning. As you progress, make it more specific by adding to-do lists, business cards, and other relevant information.
• Incorporate your digital inspirations by printing out spreadsheets, guest lists, budgets, and Pinterest boards. You can also create QR codes that link to your online resources and print them out.
• Use your binder to keep track of contracts, pictures, swatches, business cards, and other important documents.
• Add paper and sheet protectors to each section so you can take notes during meetings and phone calls.
• Include printables and helpful tips, such as wedding budget planners, vendor worksheets, and wedding party contact sheets.
• Use sticky notes to mark important pages or leave reminders for yourself.
• Stay organised and don't be afraid to ask for help from your bridal party or family members.
• Enjoy the process and make it fun! Decorate your binder however you like, but remember to keep it neat and functional.

Digital inspirations

Digital tools can be a huge help when it comes to planning your wedding. Here are some tips for digital inspirations to include in your DIY wedding planner:

Pinterest

Create a Pinterest board to gather all your wedding ideas and inspiration in one place. You can create multiple boards for different aspects of your wedding, such as attire, decor, flowers, and food. You can also create secret boards to keep certain elements of your wedding a surprise for guests or if you're planning a wedding but still waiting for your partner to pop the question. Invite your bridesmaids and other family members to pin to your board so they can contribute ideas and inspiration too.

Google Docs

Use Google Docs to create and share documents with your wedding party, family members, and vendors. You can use Google Docs for your wedding budget, checklist, day-of timeline, contact lists, decor inventory, song lists, venue research, and guest list (complete with addresses and RSVPs). Google Docs allows you to share files with others and have them updated in real time, which is especially useful when working with multiple people. You can also access your documents anywhere, either through a web browser or by downloading the app to your phone or tablet.

Printables

There are many free wedding printables available online that you can add to your DIY wedding planner, such as wedding budget planners, vendor worksheets, and wedding party contact sheets. You can also print out helpful blog posts and infographics to include in your planner.

Spreadsheets

Use spreadsheets to keep track of important information such as your guest list, budget, and vendor details. You can use Excel or Google Sheets to create your spreadsheets, and periodically print them out to add to your physical wedding planner.

QR Codes

If you don't want to use a lot of ink and paper printing out your digital assets, you can create QR codes that link to your Pinterest boards and spreadsheets. Print out the QR codes and add them to your wedding planner so you can quickly scan the code with your phone to access your online inspiration.

Frequently asked questions