Monday, June 10, 2013

Getting organized

Before you start making your flowers or centerpieces, you have to get organized.  This looks different to every individual, but have a central location to store all of your files, your ideas, your budget, your guest list- everything.  Whether you buy a $50 pre-made organizer from a book store, make your own, or scan everything in with one of those fancy as-seen-on-tv desk scanners, just make sure you have a way that fits you to keep it together.

Here's what I did.  I went to Walmart and bought a 3 inch binder, a notebook calendar, a pack of paper, some dividers with pockets, sticky notes, different colored pens, paper clips, and 2 pencil pouches.  It cost me about $25 total.  Use one of the pencil pouches to hold all the small goodies you just bought, and the other one to store receipts in. (Be sure you keep all your receipts for tracking your budget as well as if something comes up, you have your proof of purchase, date etc.)  Label your dividers according to how you plan to organize. These were mine:


  • Calendar and checklist
  • Budget
  • Decor
  • Food and Beverages
  • Guest List
  • Bridesmaids and Groomsmen details
  • Entertainment
  • Honeymoon
Write out all your ideas in each of the categories, and be prepared to change them often as everything unfolds.  You have so much on your plate and you will forget so much.  It's always good to have notes jotted down for reference.

You're going to need a few different checklists.  One for the countdown to your wedding with the overall schedule and planning.  One for the day before and day of.  A honeymoon checklist.  A bridal shower checklist.  A checklist to make sure you have all your checklists-ok not really but it seems like there should be one.  Here are a few links to some good ones to get you started:

Overall:

Day of:
Real Simple (what to pack for day of)

Honeymoon:

Bridal Shower:
Money Crashers (budget savvy)


Be sure to leave your own tips on how you stay organized and what worked best for you!


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