Create Your Dream Wedding Planner And Organizer Binder

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming process, but creating a wedding planner and organizer binder can help you stay on top of everything. A DIY wedding binder is a great way to keep all your ideas, checklists, receipts, and inspiration in one place. It can also be customized to your liking and serve as a creative outlet during the planning process.

To make your own wedding planner binder, start by gathering your supplies. This includes a binder, divider tabs or folders, paper, pens, and anything else you might need to stay organized. You can also add a personal touch by decorating the binder with your wedding colors or a photo of you and your partner.

Once you have your supplies, set up your binder by creating sections for different aspects of the wedding, such as the guest list, budget, venue, decor, and more. You can use dividers or page protectors to separate each section and add lined paper for notes.

As you plan your wedding, use your binder to gather ideas, create mood boards, and stay organized. Print out inspirational images, create vision boards, and use checklists to stay on track. Keep all your important documents, such as contracts, receipts, and business cards, in your binder for easy access.

By creating a DIY wedding planner and organizer binder, you'll have a physical resource to help you plan your dream wedding and ensure that no detail is overlooked.

Choosing a binder and gathering supplies

You can buy a binder from your favourite craft store or online. Some sources suggest a three-ring binder is standard, while others recommend a binder with rings attached to the back cover, so the papers at the back don't get squished. You'll also need binder paper and a hole punch, plastic dividers, and insertable folders. Things like stickers and fun-coloured pens may also help you stay organised.

Setting up the binder

The first step is to buy the necessary materials. You will need a binder—a three-ring one is standard—binder paper, and a hole punch to insert printed bills and other documents. It is also recommended that you get plastic dividers to help organise the binder and insertable folders to hold some materials. Depending on the amount of flair you want to add, you may also want stickers and fun-coloured pens to help you stay organised.

Once you have your materials, make a checklist of all the wedding planning that needs to be done. You can organise your checklist by time, spacing out different items by month, or by the type of thing that needs to be done, for example, having separate sections for decor, food, dress, etc.

Based on your checklist, you can then start to organise your binder. Add a cover insert with a fun design that includes the names of the couple and the wedding date. Use your dividers to create sections for the most important categories, such as wedding party contact information, the ceremony, reception, attire and beauty, the photographer, and so on. You can also add sub-dividers within each section for even more detailed organisation. For example, in the "reception" section, you could have subsections for decorations, food, and cake.

Add lined paper to each divided section so that you can make notes while you plan, and include a few folders or clear sheet protectors to hold important documents for safekeeping. You could also include envelopes or zipper pouches for carrying colour swatches, size charts, and fabric samples.

Adding important information

Now that your binder is ready, it's time to fill it with all the important information. Here are some ideas on what to include and how to organise it:

Step 1: Add a Calendar

A calendar is one of the most important parts of your binder. Wedding planning is a busy time, so make sure you write down all the appointments, fittings, showers, and other events. You can either print out a calendar or use Google Calendar or another app.

Step 2: Add a Checklist

After the calendar, add a comprehensive wedding planning checklist. This will help you stay on track and ensure you don't forget any important tasks. You can find free printable checklists online or create your own.

Step 3: Set Up Dividers

Divide your binder into sections using dividers or tabs. You can organise these sections by timeline, with each section representing a month or a stage of the planning process. Alternatively, you can organise them by category, such as:

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

Step 4: Create Subsections

Some sections may require further breakdown. For example, you can create subsections for different types of vendors within the "Vendors" section. You can either use ready-made dividers with pockets or make your own by using colourful card stock, white card stock, a circle punch, and a pen/marker.

Step 5: Add Paper and Sheet Protectors

Include plenty of lined paper for notes and printouts. Sheet protectors are also useful for holding papers without holes, business cards, brochures, magazine clippings, etc.

Step 6: Include Printables and Helpful Tips

There are many free wedding printables available online, such as budget planners, vendor worksheets, and contact sheets. You can also print out helpful blog posts and infographics to refer to.

Step 7: Use Sticky Notes

Sticky notes are great for adding quick reminders or notes to yourself throughout the binder. You can also use them to mark important pages or sections.

Filling in the binder as you go

Now that you have set up your wedding binder, it's time to start filling it with all your wedding plans and ideas. Here are some tips to help you keep your binder organised and up-to-date:

• Use your binder to store ideas and inspiration in the early stages of planning. The further you get into the planning process, the more specific your binder should become.
• Create a calendar and include it in your binder. This will help you keep track of appointments, fittings, and other important dates.
• Include a wedding planning checklist in your binder. This will help you stay organised and ensure you don't miss any important tasks.
• Gather all your ideas and inspiration in one place. Print out images or create a mood board to compile your vision.
• Use your binder to keep track of all your wedding-related expenses. Create a budget breakdown and update it regularly.
• Keep all your important documents in your binder. This includes contracts, receipts, business cards, and any other relevant paperwork.
• Use dividers and sub-dividers to organise your binder into sections. This will make it easier to find information and keep your binder neat and tidy.
• Update your binder regularly. Add new information, remove anything that is no longer relevant, and cross off tasks from your checklist as you complete them.
• Use sticky notes to add extra reminders or notes to yourself. This can be helpful for quick references or to mark important pages.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help. Delegate tasks to your bridal party or friends if you feel overwhelmed.
• Make it fun! Planning a wedding should be enjoyable, so add personal touches and decorations to your binder to make it reflect your style.

Incorporating digital inspirations

Now that you've gathered your supplies and set up your binder, it's time to incorporate your digital inspirations! Here are some ideas to seamlessly blend your digital tools with your physical wedding planner:

• Print out your digital spreadsheets: Take your Excel spreadsheets containing guest lists, budgets, and other important information, and print them out to add to your binder. This way, you have a hard copy that's easy to refer to and make notes on. Remember to update your digital spreadsheets with any changes you make on paper.
• Curate your Pinterest boards: If you've been pinning wedding inspiration, it's time to curate those boards. Choose your favourite ideas and print them out, just like you would with magazine cut-outs. Alternatively, create QR codes that link to your Pinterest boards and print those out. That way, you can quickly scan the code and access your online inspiration.
• Utilise online wedding planning tools: There are numerous online tools and websites dedicated to wedding planning, such as WeddingWire, Carats & Cake, and WeddingHappy. These platforms can help you with tasks such as finding vendors, creating checklists, and managing your budget.
• Go paperless with Google Drive: Instead of printing everything out, consider using Google Drive to store and share documents, spreadsheets, and photos with your planning crew. It's accessible from any device, and you can give your bridal party and partner access to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Streamline communication with Burner: This app gives you a temporary phone number, freeing up your regular number from wedding-related texts and calls. You can use it for RSVPs and even collect wedding photos from guests.
• Explore digital wedding planners: There are digital wedding planner platforms, like WedSites, that offer project management tools specifically for weddings. These can help you create custom to-do lists, set deadlines, and send automated reminders to keep you organised.

Frequently asked questions