A Bride's Guide to Staying Organized Ahead of the Wedding
A Bride's Guide to Staying Organized Ahead of the Wedding
Getting married is an exciting life event. However, it also requires a lot of preparation – and time. If you're the bride-to-be, you want to take advantage of every hack possible to stay on top of your to-do list. This helps ensure everything gets done, leaving you able to enjoy your big day without stress. Today, Sidney Donaldson Photography has some tips and tools to help you get ready for your nuptials!
Set a Budget and Stay on Top of It
Wedding planning can get expensive. From flowers to food, Brides Magazine notes that there are many details to include in your budget. Create a spreadsheet or use accounting software to create your budget and monitor it. If you're tracking expenses using PDF files, you can combine them all in a single document with an online PDF tool.
Create a Comprehensive To-Do List
Once you've got your budget under control, it's time to make a to-do list. Truly Engaging offers a free printable checklist you can use to structure the process. It includes a timeline too. For example, you should choose a date and determine your budget at least one year before the actual ceremony day. Then, six to seven months prior, you should explore hair and makeup styles, hire musicians, and book transportation to and from venues.
Create an Easy-Overview Timeline
When your to-do list is complete, you need to get things on your schedule. Sometimes looking at it all through a digital calendar or lists and brochures can be overwhelming, but creating a visual timeline can be helpful. You can use basic office tools like Microsoft Powerpoint or Google Sheets to visualize deliverables and due dates, making it easier to keep track of everything. Printing out these documents and distributing them to people you may be delegating tasks to is also helpful. This ensures everyone is on track and on the same page.
Delegate Duties as Needed
You don't have to do it all yourself when it comes to wedding planning. According to Preoccupied Bride, there are plenty of tasks you can delegate, such as decorating. If you're going to go this route, make sure you're clear about who is meant to be doing what. Create a master spreadsheet with a list of duties and how they're being delegated. It should also note each person's name and contact phone number, so you know how to reach them if needed.
Set Automated Reminders to Stay on Top of Things
Having a to-do list is only half the battle. You also need to ensure all the items on it get done. You can avoid forgetting points by setting automated calendar reminders using tools like Google Calendar or Zapier. Getting a reminder sent straight to your phone or tablet is ideal. If you're delegating tasks, you can also have automated reminders sent to other people, ensuring they are fulfilling their obligations. Nothing will slip through the cracks this way.
Store All Your Relevant Documents in One Central Location
Wedding planning will require you to organize, manage, and save a lot of documents. There's the paperwork described above, like to-do lists, timelines, and budgets. Then, there's all the practical documentation, like contracts, invoices, and expense notes. And what if you and your spouse-to-be are buying a house, too? Then there are dozens of lengthy documents to keep track of and store. Use a cloud-storage solution like Dropbox to keep all these items in one place. You and others helping you can access them whenever needed.
Reduce Your Stress with Great Organizational Strategies
Getting married is supposed to be fun! You don't want disorganization to get in the way. From budgeting to planning and staying organized, trust the tips and tools above to help you stay organized as you prepare.
Preserve the magic of your wedding day with high quality photography from Sidney Donaldson Photography. Contact us online to get started!