Planning A Wedding? Create A Custom Binder For Success

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating a wedding planning binder is a great way to keep all your ideas, contacts, and checklists in one place. It's also a fun project, and you can make it your own by decorating the cover and choosing your own categories. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a wedding planning binder.

Choosing a binder and making it your own

First, consider the size of the binder. If you plan on storing a lot of documents, opt for a thicker binder, around 1.5 inches or more. This will ensure you have enough room for all your wedding planning materials. Also, pay attention to the ring placement. Binders with rings attached to the back cover, rather than the spine, are preferable as they keep the pages from getting squished and bent out of shape.

Next, choose a binder in a colour or pattern that you love. If you've already selected your wedding colours or theme, you may want to choose a binder that matches. Classic white is always an elegant option, or you could opt for something with a cute pattern or design. Some binders even have a clear front cover, allowing you to customise it by inserting your own decorative sheet.

Once you've selected your binder, it's time to make it your own. Start by creating a cover insert that includes the names of the bride and groom and the wedding date, if you've set one. You can design this yourself or use one of the many free printables available online. Then, add dividers to create sections for all the important categories, such as wedding party contact information, budget, venue, vendors, ceremony, reception, and so on. You can also add sub-dividers within each section for even more organisation. For example, under "reception," you could have subsections for decorations, food, and cake.

Finally, add some personal touches to your binder. Include inspirational pictures, colour schemes, or fabric samples. You can also use stickers, markers, puffy paint, or stencils to decorate your binder and dividers, making it something you'll love to look at throughout the wedding planning process.

Dividers and sections

For your wedding planning binder, you'll want to create sections for all the most important categories. Here are some ideas for dividers and sections to include in your binder:

• Budget – Include your full budget breakdown here.
• Guests & Invites – Guest 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, groom attire, bridal party attire, hair and makeup artist information, contracts, accessories, etc.
• Photographer – List of photos you would like. You can print off pictures for ideas or use your Pinterest board. Also include vendor information, business cards, and contracts.
• Florist – Pictures of inspiration or colours you like, vendor information, contracts, business cards, etc.
• Miscellaneous – Honeymoon plans, registry information, rehearsal dinner information, etc.
• Wedding Party Contact Information
• Wedding Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner
• Vendors – You can further break this section down into subsections for each type of vendor, such as baker, caterer, florist, music/DJ, officiant, photographer, stationer, videographer, and planner.
• Decorations
• Food
• Cake
• Photographer
• Florist
• Music/Entertainment
• Bridal Party Gifts
• Thank-You Notes
• Timeline/Schedule
• Seating
• Transportation
• Honeymoon
• Travel
• Lodging/Accommodations
• Attire – You can further break this section down into subsections for the bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc.
• Gifts
• Budget
• Checklist
• Calendar

Adding important information

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

Place the most important information at the front of the book. Start with a calendar and a wedding planning checklist.

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

In the early stages, use your binder to store ideas and inspiration. The further you get into the planning process, the more specific your binder should become.

It's easy to overload your book with to-do lists and business cards. That's okay, as long as you keep your binder neatly organised. As you add new pages, make sure to put things where they belong. For example, when you're shopping for venues, keep all of the information in the "venue" section. Once you choose a location, remove all the info from the venues you passed on.

Let's be real here: what bride-to-be doesn't have a wedding board on Pinterest? How about Excel spreadsheets full of venues, vendors and guest lists? It would be crazy to think that people are planning weddings without some digital assistance. The easiest way to keep your physical and digital assets cohesive is to periodically print out your spreadsheets and add them to your binder. If you make additions on paper, make sure to copy them over to your spreadsheets.

The same goes for your Pinterest boards. Choose some favourites and incorporate them just like you would a magazine cut-out. Don't like the idea of using all that ink and paper? You could also create QR codes that link to your various Pinterest boards and spreadsheets and print those out.

Staying organised

A wedding planning binder is a great way to keep all your ideas, plans, and contacts in one place. It is also a fun, creative project to get you started on your wedding planning journey.

Firstly, gather your supplies. You will need a binder, dividers, page protectors, highlighters, pens, paper, folders, and anything else you want to include. Choose a binder that reflects your personality and wedding theme. You may want to opt for a binder with a clear front cover so you can customise it, or choose one with a pretty print. You will likely want a thick binder, around 1.5 inches, to fit all your planning.

Next, set up your binder. Add a cover insert with your names and wedding date, if you have set one. Use your dividers to create sections for all the important categories. You can also add sub-dividers for extra organisation. Typical sections include:

• Budget
• Guests & Invites
• Ceremony
• Reception
• Attire & Beauty
• Photographer
• Florist
• Miscellaneous

Within the "Reception" section, for example, you could have subsections for decorations, food, and cake. It is entirely up to you how you organise your sections and subsections.

Add lined paper to each section so you can make notes, and include folders or clear sheet protectors to hold important documents, such as contracts and receipts.

Now it is time to start filling your binder with all your wedding ideas and information. Place the most important info at the front, such as a calendar, timeline, and budget. As you progress with your planning, make sure to add and remove items from your binder. For example, once you have chosen a venue, remove all the information on venues you passed on, to keep your binder streamlined and easy to manage.

You can also incorporate your digital inspirations. Print out your spreadsheets, guest lists, and budgets, and add them to your binder. If you are an avid Pinterest user, choose some of your favourite pins and print them out to add to your inspiration section.

Keep your binder organised at all times, and don't be afraid to ask for help from your bridal party if it starts to feel like a burden. Delegate tasks so you can take some things off your plate.

Your wedding planning binder should be fun and useful. Decorate it, carry it with you, and make it your go-to place for all your wedding plans and ideas.

Using digital tools

Online Wedding Planning Assistants

Online wedding planning assistants, such as Planning.Wedding, offer a range of tools to help you plan your wedding, including guest list management, budget tracking, and timeline templates. These platforms often allow you to collaborate with others, such as your wedding party or family, so everyone can stay up-to-date and involved in the planning process.

Wedding Planning Websites and Apps

There is a wide range of wedding planning websites and apps available, offering various features to make your planning easier. For example, WeddingWire is a great starting point, as it helps you search for local vendors and wedding professionals, with reviews and pricing information. Other apps, like WeddingHappy, act as your personal assistant, guiding you through tasks and deadlines.

Budget Tracking

Keeping track of your wedding budget is essential, and there are digital tools to help you with this. Mint, for example, is a popular finance app that allows you to create a custom wedding budget and track your spending. The Knot also has its own Budget Advisor tool, which provides information on average wedding costs and spending.

Guest List Management

Managing your guest list can be made easier with digital tools. The Knot Guest List & RSVP Manager, for example, provides an all-in-one place to build and manage your guest list and track RSVPs. Google Drive is another useful tool, as it allows you to upload and share documents, spreadsheets, and more, so everyone involved in the planning has access to important information.

Wedding Websites

Creating your own wedding website is a great way to share information and updates with your guests. Riley & Grey, for example, offers a range of stylish and user-friendly website templates. You can also use your wedding website to share engagement photos, wedding party details, and more.

Wedding Registries

Wedding registries have also gone digital, making it easier than ever to register for gifts or create a cash fund for your honeymoon or a charity. Zola, for example, offers a wide range of products and services, while Amazon provides a convenient option for guests as they can log in to their existing account to purchase gifts.

Communication and Sharing

Planning a wedding involves a lot of communication and sharing of information. Burner is a useful app that provides you with a temporary phone number to manage all wedding-related calls and texts, including RSVPs and guest photos. Google Drive is another great option for sharing and collaborating on documents and spreadsheets.

Seating Charts

Creating a seating chart for your wedding can be challenging, but digital tools can help. Allseated, for example, allows you to create a 3D rendering of your venue and digitally arrange tables, chairs, and other furniture. You can then share this information with your vendors to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Thank-You Notes

Postable is a convenient platform that handles the entire process of sending thank-you notes, from printing and stuffing envelopes to addressing and mailing them. You can choose from a range of card designs and even use "smart fonts" that mimic the look of real handwriting.

Transportation

UberEVENTS is a great option for managing wedding transportation. It allows you to provide guests with a promo code for Uber rides, making it easier for them to get to and from the ceremony and reception. You can also set a budget and only pay for the rides that are used.

Streaming

If you want to include guests who can't attend in person, WebWed offers a mobile app that provides a 360-degree view of your wedding. They also handle the entire online wedding process, including obtaining the marriage license and scheduling an officiant.

Recommendations

Facebook's Recommendations tool is a great way to get trusted suggestions from friends for local venues and services. Simply write a post asking for recommendations, and your friends can comment with their suggestions, which are then saved in one place for easy access.

Wedding Checklists

Last but not least, digital wedding checklists are a must-have to stay organized and on track. The Knot, for example, offers a comprehensive wedding checklist tool that covers every detail, with easy-to-follow month-by-month directions.

With so many digital tools available, creating your own wedding planning binder has never been easier!

Frequently asked questions