Wedding Planning Tips

Step 1: Plan the guest list

I've had a bunch of people tell me I already have so much planned already. I could not have done it without the help of Google Docs. First you need to set up a Google account, and so should your fiancee, perhaps your mother and mother-in-law-to-be as well. If you don't have Google mail already, I highly recommend it. My fiancee and I found a doc that we shared called "Wedding Guest List" that was pre-made and totally amazing. It adds up all guests, their kids, etc. etc. and lets you organize them by any which way you want. A knowledge of spreadsheets is a must for this one (but if you don't know spreadsheets, I'm thinking you can wing it.)

Step 2: Get on TheKnot.com

Theknot.com is a bridal resource that at this point, I don't know how women have lived without it. I love it. Except for one thing- it's A LOT OF STUFF. I get overwhelmed pretty easily, so navigating the site has been a little consuming. I am NOT a fan of their Idea Board or whatever they call it, where you can save colors, dresses, hair styles, etc. However, it doesn't seem to want to save everything, and if I open a new tab in my firefox browser, it acts a fool.
What I AM a fan of, however, is their budget tool. Also, their checklist is a handy gadget and gives you due dates for things you may not always think of (and you can add your own as well.)

Step 3: Goin' Mobile

Like most modern brides, I've got a phone that I can organize even more on. I happen to have the iPhone 3gs, so I immediately downloaded The Knot's 911 app, where if I have questions, other brides can help answer. Like who should I invite to the engagement party? And when is a good time to put our announcement in the paper? Things like that. So far it's been pretty helpful. Another one I like is The Knot's Look Book 

Step 4: Gathering The Tribe

I read a lot of blogs and words that said to wait to ask your bridesmaids to be, well, your bridesmaids. I have 7. I held off about 2 hours before I made my decision. My bridesmaids are in all corners of the country. My maid of honor is in San Francisco, God love her but I know it's far. I've got one on-island. I've got one in Florida. One in DC. One on Cape Cod. One on Boston's north shore. One in Connecticut. My recommendation for bridesmaids that live all over the map? Facebook Group! Learn how to create a group here. I made ours super secret because I don't want anyone who didn't get asked to be offended, and I think it should be a special, private thing between you and your bridesmaids. Plus they can all get in touch with each other over facebook as well. What I like the most is that it's a forum-like group so everyone can see the ideas we come up with  for colors, dresses, etc. 

Hope that all helps for now!

xoxo