The Newly Engaged Couple’S Guide To Wedding Planning Tools

Congratulations! You're engaged! Cue the confetti, pop the champers, and let the wedding planning adventures begin. But wait, before diving into the depths of Pinterest boards and glossy bridal magazines, let's talk about the tools that will turn your wedding planning journey from a chaotic mess into the seamless wedding planning process you really deserve. Here's your guide to the essential wedding planning tools for every newly engaged couple.

Wedding planning apps

Gone are the days of scribbling notes in a dusty old ring binder. Say hello to wedding planning apps, your digital fairy godmothers. Apps like Say I do offer a one-stop shop for all things wedding. From helping you create a handy wedding checklist to professional-looking digital stationery templates, our platform has everything to keep you on track with wedding planning. Other apps that are out there might also include additional features such as:

• Wedding budget tracking: You'll quickly learn that weddings can cost as much as a small car. These apps help you keep track of every penny, ensuring you don't blow your budget.

• Vendor recommendations: Finding the perfect florist or DJ within budget and available on your wedding date isn't easy. Some wedding planning apps offer reviews and ratings from other couples to help you make the best choices.

Pinterest

Pinterest is where wedding dreams come to life. It's like having a million mood boards at your fingertips. Create boards for every aspect of your wedding -- from your dress and bouquet to the cake and reception decor.

• Inspiration overload: With endless ideas for themes, colours, and decorations, Pinterest will make you want to plan five weddings. But stick to one -- your budget (and sanity) will thank you!

• Collaborative planning: Share your boards with your fiancé, wedding party, or anyone helping you plan. They can add their own pins and ideas, making collaboration easy and fun.

Google Docs and spreadsheets

For the couple who loves a good spreadsheet, Google Docs and spreadsheets are a match made in heaven. These tools are perfect for keeping everything organised and accessible.

• Guest lists: Keep track of your guest list, RSVPs, and seating arrangements with ease. You can even colour-code by family or friend groups -- because who doesn't love an excellent colour-coding session?

• Vendor contacts: Store all your vendor contacts, contracts, and payment schedules in one place. You'll be thankful when you need to reference your caterer's phone number quickly.

• Shared access: You can also share all relevant documents with your fiancé, wedding planner, or anyone involved in the planning process. Honestly, collaboration has never been easier!

Social Media

Social media isn't just for selfies and food pics. Use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to get wedding inspiration galore and keep your guests in the loop during the process.

• Instagram: Follow wedding-related hashtags to see what's trending and save posts that catch your eye to your personal collection.

• Facebook groups: Join wedding planning groups to connect with other couples, share ideas, and get advice. It's like having a team of virtual bridesmaids and groomsmen.

• Wedding hashtags: Create a unique hashtag for your wedding. Your guests can use it to share their photos and memories, giving you a treasure trove of candid moments to look back on.

Wedding Websites

Creating a wedding website is a fun and efficient way to keep your guests informed, as well as a super organised and stylish platform for sending your wedding invitations. Say I do offers a variety of customisable templates to fit your wedding style.

• RSVP management: Say goodbye to paper RSVPs. Guests can RSVP directly on your website, making it easier for you to keep track.

• Event details: Share all the important details -- your chosen wedding venue address, dress code, itinerary, and more. Your guests will appreciate having everything in one place.

• Registry links: Include links to your wedding registry so guests know exactly where to shop for gifts.

Seating chart tools

Arranging your seating chart can feel like an impossible and overwhelming task at first, but using our very own seating chart tool makes this task a breeze... we promise!

• Visual layouts: Create a digital layout of your venue and drag and drop guests to their seats---no more erasing and re-drawing tables.

• Easy adjustments: Do you need to move certain guests away from the speaker if they are hard of hearing? Or move guests with children closer to the exit for access? It's easy peasy. Just drag and drop them to a quieter spot.

• Collaborative planning: Share the seating chart with your wedding planner or venue coordinator to ensure everything is set up correctly on the big day.

Project management tools

For the ultra-organised couple, project management tools like Trello are perfect for keeping track of tasks and deadlines.

• Task lists: Create boards for each part of your wedding---from the ceremony to the honeymoon---and list all the tasks that need to be done.

• Deadlines: Set deadlines for each task to stay on track. This way, you'll never miss a payment or forget to book a vendor.

• Collaboration: Assign tasks to your partner, wedding planner, or bridesmaids. Everyone will know what they need to do and when.

Budgeting tools

Keeping track of wedding expenses is crucial. Tools like Mint or You Need A Budget can help you easily manage your wedding finances.

• Expense tracking: Track all your expenses in one place. You'll know exactly where your money is going and can adjust your budget accordingly.

• Budget goals: Set budget goals for each aspect of your wedding (dress, venue, catering) and track your progress in real-time.

• Alerts and reminders: Set alerts for upcoming payments or when you're nearing a budget limit---no more surprises when the credit card bill arrives!

Wrapping up

Planning a wedding can feel like spinning plates, but it can be a fun and enjoyable process with the right tools in place from the start. From apps and social media to budgeting tools and project management software, there's a tool to help with every aspect of your dream wedding. Remember, this is your celebration of love -- enjoy the planning process, lean on these tools (and each other!), and before you know it, you'll be walking down the aisle with everything perfectly in place. Cheers to your happily ever after!