Planning A Wedding? Store Your Stuff Efficiently

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but staying organized can help. From decor to favours, you'll accumulate a lot of stuff, so it's important to have a system in place to keep everything neat and together. Whether it's a Pinterest board, spreadsheet, or binder, find a place for creativity and start collecting ideas. When it comes to storing items, cardboard boxes, plastic containers, and paper bags are all great options. Label everything and make detailed lists so you know what's in each box. If you're storing a wedding dress, keep it in a cool, dry, temperature-controlled environment, away from sunlight to prevent discolouration.

Using storage containers

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and as the big day approaches, you'll likely accumulate a lot of stuff. Using storage containers is an excellent way to keep everything organised. Here are some tips on how to save and store your wedding planning items using storage containers:

Choose the Right Containers

Select containers that are durable, stackable, and easy to transport. Opt for containers with lids to protect your items from dust and damage. Wayfair offers a range of decorative storage boxes with lids that are perfect for storing wedding supplies while also enhancing your home decor. Consider purchasing containers in various sizes to accommodate both large and small items.

Label and Categorise

Labelling your containers will make it easier to find what you need. You can label them by category, such as "decorations," "stationery," "bridal party gifts," or "OOT bags." You can also create a detailed list of the contents of each box and place a copy on the box itself. This way, you'll know exactly where to look when you need a specific item.

Utilise Storage Spaces

Designate a specific area for your wedding storage, such as a spare bedroom, a closet, or even a corner of a room. If you have limited space, consider using under-the-bed storage containers or rolling storage units that can be easily moved around. You can also make use of vertical space by stacking your containers neatly in a corner or a storage room.

Ask for Help

Don't be afraid to enlist the help of your wedding party, family, or friends. You can ask them to store a few small items, especially those that will be used on the wedding day. For example, you can ask the ushers to keep the programs, or your mother to store the welcome bags if she's delivering them to the hotel. Just be sure to keep track of who has what to avoid any last-minute confusion!

Think About Accessibility

Store the items you'll need closer to the wedding day in easily accessible containers. For example, your wedding dress, shoes, and veil should be kept safe but within reach. You can also use smaller containers or baskets to store essential items like favours, decorations, or stationery, making it easier to transport them to the venue when the time comes.

Labelling and listing

Another way to stay organised is to create a spreadsheet or Pinterest board for your wedding planning. You can include columns for items such as ceremony décor, reception décor, price, and website links. This will help you keep track of your budget and make sure you don't forget any important details.

As you collect items for your wedding, such as favours, décor, and table plans, it is important to store them properly so they stay in good condition. You can use cardboard boxes, plastic storage containers, or paper bags to organise and store your items. Label the boxes or containers clearly and create a list of what is in each one. This will make it easier to find what you need on your wedding day.

If you are storing a wedding dress, there are a few extra things to keep in mind. Make sure the dress is stored in a cool, dry, temperature-controlled environment, and if it is in a cardboard box, use acid-free cardboard. Keep the box off the floor and away from windows and exterior walls. It is also important to keep the dress flat, as standing it up can cause the contents to shift and crease the dress.

Digitising documents

Wedding planning can be a stressful affair, but digitising your documents can help you stay organised and efficient. Here are some ways to digitise your wedding planning:

Use a Wedding Website

Creating a wedding website is a practical and easily accessible tool for your guests. You can include all the necessary information in one place, such as save-the-dates, invites, guest lists, RSVPs, gift registries, and travel plans. Websites like Appy Couple allow you to create a stylish wedding website and app to keep everyone informed and organised.

Utilise Note-Taking Apps

Note-taking apps like Evernote serve as digital notebooks that can be accessed and updated in real-time by you and your partner. You can sync your notes, lists, images, contracts, and other important documents across all your devices, ensuring that you always have access to the information you need.

Create a Spreadsheet

A spreadsheet can be a useful tool to organise various aspects of your wedding planning. You can use programs like Excel or Google Sheets to create sections for different categories, such as ceremony décor, reception décor, prices, and website links. This will help you keep track of your budget, timeline, guest list, and other important details.

Choose a Planning Platform

There are various wedding planning platforms available, such as Wix, that offer digital tools to help you organise your wedding. These platforms often provide printables and digital download wedding planning binders to make the process more manageable.

Set Up a Shared Calendar

Use a shared, colour-coded calendar, such as Google Calendar or Outlook, to track all your appointments and important dates. Note down payment due dates, amounts due, final headcounts, and other crucial deadlines to ensure you don't miss anything.

By digitising your wedding planning documents, you can easily access and manage all the information you need, reducing stress and allowing you to focus on enjoying this special time.

Storing the wedding dress

After the wedding, you must handle the wedding gown with care to extend its preservation. Before storing your wedding gown, it is essential to get it professionally cleaned by a trusted bridal dry cleaner to remove any stains, dirt, or bacteria that can cause yellowing or discolouration over time. If the dress is stained, it should be taken to the cleaners as quickly as possible. After cleaning, be careful when handling the dress. Be sure to have clean hands or wear white gloves to stop any oils from getting on the gown.

When storing the dress, avoid using plastic dress covers or regular cardboard boxes as they can trap moisture and bacteria. Instead, invest in a premium wedding dress box to keep and protect your wedding gown. If you're looking for a box in which to store your wedding gown, steer clear of fabric or cardboard options because they often contain acids. Whether done by a professional or at home, make sure your gown is wrapped in acid-free, colourless tissue paper or unbleached muslin. Place tissue paper between the folds of the gown to avoid creasing over time. If the gown has sleeves, fill them with tissue paper to hold their shape. If you choose to hang the dress, be sure to use an acid-free cloth garment bag and a padded hanger.

Store the dress somewhere safe, dark, cool, and dry. Sunlight, heat, and humidity should all be avoided when storing a wedding gown made of delicate fabric. Parts constantly exposed to light will fade, mildew will grow in damp environments, and heat will hasten the darkening of stains that have been there for some time. Keep your dress in a dark, temperature-controlled room to prevent environmental damage to the gown. It’s best to store the wedding gown in a place where it won’t be disturbed frequently, reducing the risk of accidental damage.

While long-term storage is intended to preserve your wedding dress, it’s essential to check on your dress regularly. Every six months, take the time to inspect the dress for any signs of damage or pests. If necessary, refold the dress along different lines to prevent permanent creases. Maintaining regular check-ups will allow you to detect any issues early on and take the necessary steps to address them promptly, ensuring the dress stays in excellent condition.

Asking for help

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Asking for help is a great way to lighten the load and ensure that everything runs smoothly. Here are some tips on how to delegate tasks and get the support you need:

First and foremost, don't be afraid to ask for assistance. Your friends and family are likely eager to lend a helping hand. Be open about the tasks that need to be done and assign responsibilities accordingly. For example, you could ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen to store and take care of small items like programs or welcome bags. Just be mindful of not overloading them with too many tasks or bulky items.

Secondly, consider utilising the expertise of professionals. If you're feeling stressed about organising all the wedding details, think about hiring a professional planner or coordinator. They can help you create a structured plan and ensure that everything is executed efficiently. This will save you time and energy, allowing you to focus on other aspects of the wedding preparations.

Additionally, don't hesitate to reach out to vendors and suppliers for guidance. They often have valuable insights and suggestions based on their experience in the industry. Whether it's the caterer, florist, or photographer, they may be able to offer advice or recommendations that streamline your planning process. Remember, they want your wedding to be as successful as you do!

Another idea is to delegate tasks to your wedding party. Your bridesmaids and groomsmen are not just there for moral support. They can be a great help with various tasks, from addressing invitations to running errands on the day of the wedding. Assigning specific duties to individuals will make them feel valued and contribute to a smoother overall process.

Lastly, remember that your wedding venue may also have resources to assist you. Many venues have coordinators or staff members who can provide support and guidance. They are familiar with the space and may have creative solutions or suggestions for layout, decorations, and more. Don't hesitate to reach out and ask for their input to ensure that your special day runs like clockwork.

Frequently asked questions