Planning book/folder

[torsie24]

Ok, so maybe I'm very monica from Friends here, BUT:

as I'm gonna have 2.5-3 years worth of planning (Jack's agreed on 2011 as the year) and so 1.5-2 years worth of changing my mind on the details.

Have you girls done scrapbooks or folders or anything for your creative ideas?

Like for color schemes, invite designs, tables arrangements, monograms etc etc?

Being in the UK our craft stores are nowhere mear as good as in the US, but I'd love your hints and tips of keeping all your bits and pieces together. :)

[IndyBride]

I just did everything on my computer. I have a program called OneNote that is like a notebook. It has dividers and you can copy and paste things right from the internet and it will have a link underneath the picture. That's what I did. Many girls here: Christina for example, had a HUGE binder that they put everything into. Do what ever works for you: a cheap filing cabinet with hanging tabs would work too.

[chancecaught]

I do a bit of both. I use my Bio on theknot.com to store a lot of ideas I like in one place. I also use a big binder for things I've ripped out of magazines and for more serious stuff like vendor contracts, etc.

[Angela0917]

Ok, so maybe I'm very monica from Friends here, BUT:

as I'm gonna have 2.5-3 years worth of planning (Jack's agreed on 2011 as the year) and so 1.5-2 years worth of changing my mind on the details.

Have you girls done scrapbooks or folders or anything for your creative ideas?

Like for color schemes, invite designs, tables arrangements, monograms etc etc?

Being in the UK our craft stores are nowhere mear as good as in the US, but I'd love your hints and tips of keeping all your bits and pieces together. :)

I have a wedding binder, which is divided up into different sections. There's a section for the ceremony, guest list/budget info, music, pictures of stuff I'd like to have, contracts and receipts, reception info, umm... and most importantly... all my disneymoon info!! I was never a fan of Friends, but I've been compared to Monica!:rotfl:

There's so much stuff to keep track of, it's crazy NOT to have one!!!

[torsie24]

I just did everything on my computer. I have a program called OneNote that is like a notebook.

Cool, is it Mac or PC? And where did you find it?

I do a bit of both. I use my Bio on theknot.com to store a lot of ideas I like in one place. I also use a big binder for things I've ripped out of magazines and for more serious stuff like vendor contracts, etc.

I think I will need both too really or I'll be printing lots off pictures right off the DIS! (very un-environmetally friendly).

But i really love to have books and folders and stuff to file. :)

Thanks girls!! xxxxxxxxx

[torsie24]

I have a wedding binder, which is divided up into different sections. There's a section for the ceremony, guest list/budget info, music, pictures of stuff I'd like to have, contracts and receipts, reception info, umm... and most importantly... all my disneymoon info!! I was never a fan of Friends, but I've been compared to Monica!:rotfl:

There's so much stuff to keep track of, it's crazy NOT to have one!!!
Haha, it is crazy [not to!] :rotfl:

Is it an official 'wedding' binder or did you just buy the biggest, prettiest one you could??

[Angela0917]

Haha, it is crazy [not to!] :rotfl:

Is it an official 'wedding' binder or did you just buy the biggest, prettiest one you could??

Nope, it's just a big pink binder I found at Staples... nothing fancy!

I also have a file in my computer that is all wedding stuff. And a favorites folder with wedding related websites that I visit on a daily basis!

[torsie24]

And a favorites folder with wedding related websites that I visit on a daily basis!

Hee, i bet the DIS is top of the favourites?!? :goodvibes

I've been wedding crazy as long as i can remember!! Soooo glad to have found you ladies!!

[IndyBride]

Cool, is it Mac or PC? And where did you find it?




It is a part of Windows Vista Student Office program. You might be able to download that program from microsoft

[torsie24]

It is a part of Windows Vista Student Office program. You might be able to download that program from microsoft
Awesome, thanks babe.

Hope there's a Mac version :D

If not I'm sure I can jsut make a desktop folder, not quite as fancy but will hopefully work. :)

[keenercam]

I have so many organizational tools at hand that I am hoping there is no way I can forget anything.

Binder- with sections for everything from contracts, to ceremony to music, reception, food, attire, photography, videography, etc., etc. The smartest thing I did was buy top loading clear plastic sleeves. As I cut ideas out of magazines, I drop them in those clear plastic pages. Ultimately, I scanned my favorites into the computer and had photos printed at target so that I could give copies of all of that to Laura (floral) and Meri (my planner).

Computer file called "Vow Renewal Ideas" -- I've kept a running file with ideas and every time I add something to it, I save it with the new date, just in case I want to go back to an old idea

Finally, and most importantly -- Comprehensive To-Do List. This is on my work computer and I email it to myself every day before I leave work. Every single thing I think of (right down to shopping for 1/4" irridescent white ribbon) goes on that list. There are pages for the following:
Contract Items
Travel/Reservations
Welcome Bags
Paper
Music
Attire & Accessories
Dessert Party
Ceremony
Pre-reception/reception
Miscellaneous Reception
Miscellaneous -- General

Every project has it's own heading with all the steps to be completed (from sourcing and shopping for items to packing to ship or take). As the steps are completed, they get checked off and once the project is completed and packed that line gets a check mark, too, so that I know I don't have to worry about it.

This whole planning process has been so much fun but I know there will be times over the next couple months where I'll be completely distracted (for a 2-week trial) or otherwise occupied (Howard is running 2 marathons and we are travelling for one and hosting a house full of people for the other), so this lets me do things in bits and pieces whenever I have time. Oh, and when I print out the to-do list, I put a yellow post-it on the front page with the next several items I want to complete, so that the list isn't overwhelming.

Sorry. I do tend to go on and on, don't I? It's all such fun! :goodvibes

Okay, I am off to fed ex the swarovski crystals to the jewelry designer. One more thing checked off. YAY! :yay:

[torsie24]

Oh Cam! You are the sort of planner i dream of being!

Can I renew my vows with you?!?

Loooove your whole organisation system! Sounds super fun! Plus it must be SO exciting just to have it all to look through!!

[keenercam]

Oh Cam! You are the sort of planner i dream of being!

Can I renew my vows with you?!?

Loooove your whole organisation system! Sounds super fun! Plus it must be SO exciting just to have it all to look through!!

What a sweet thing to say! Actually, I am LOVING this whole process and I think I don't have all of the pressures that young or first time brides do, so I can really just do things my way and enjoy it all without worrying about accommodating a lot of people. So, if anything I've done is helpful to anyone else, I am thrilled!

[Malefi_Stitch]

OoOooOooOo I love organization! :cool1:

I bought a plain sketching notebook/journal and used scrapbook paper, stickers and sayings to decorate the outside (I've done this to several notebooks of mine). I'll have a picture of the cover in my PJ eventually. It's basically to paste any pictures from mags that I like or printouts to keep so I can recycle the magazine.

*UPDATE* Here's the link to my PJ with the cover of my idea book...as promised :)
http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28305270&postcount=14

Then I have a regular white binder with plastic pocket dividers (to prevent ripping or wear n' tear) divided up into different sections...photographer, videographer, make up/hair, emails/printouts from coordinator/planner, etc. I also have a 3-hole punched clear velcro pocket in the binder to keep all wedding-related receipts (i.e. crafts) so I can enter them into my spreadsheet later. They're also super easy to find if I need to return something. :woohoo:

Finally, I have a flash drive with a file devoted to wedding info. That file is subdivided so many times, I've lost count. :headache: :laughing: EVERYTHING has a folder...here are the main level ones:
~Bridal (subdivided into shoes, gown, make up, hair, jewelry...)
~Bridal party
~Budget & Legal Docs
~Cakes
~Centerpieces
~Ceremony
~Disney
~Favors & Gifts Ideas
~Flowers
~Honeymoon
~Invitations & Paper Fancies
~Music
~Photography
~Reception
~Rehearsal Dinner
~Videography

Anytime I find a webpage, picture, PDF, list, etc. I save it or a link to its correct folder. I also have several spreadsheets to keep track of ALL spending. :crazy2: (u know... this face is great and vastly underused.)

The binder, two calendars (2008 & 2009) and any catalog, etc. I keep in a totebag that I bring to work every day. I keep the flash drive in my purse at all times.

Whew that's A LOT of stuff! :faint: I hope something helped! :goodvibes

[Angela0917]

I have so many organizational tools at hand that I am hoping there is no way I can forget anything.

Binder- with sections for everything from contracts, to ceremony to music, reception, food, attire, photography, videography, etc., etc. The smartest thing I did was buy top loading clear plastic sleeves. As I cut ideas out of magazines, I drop them in those clear plastic pages. Ultimately, I scanned my favorites into the computer and had photos printed at target so that I could give copies of all of that to Laura (floral) and Meri (my planner).

Computer file called "Vow Renewal Ideas" -- I've kept a running file with ideas and every time I add something to it, I save it with the new date, just in case I want to go back to an old idea

Finally, and most importantly -- Comprehensive To-Do List. This is on my work computer and I email it to myself every day before I leave work. Every single thing I think of (right down to shopping for 1/4" irridescent white ribbon) goes on that list. There are pages for the following:
Contract Items
Travel/Reservations
Welcome Bags
Paper
Music
Attire & Accessories
Dessert Party
Ceremony
Pre-reception/reception
Miscellaneous Reception
Miscellaneous -- General

Every project has it's own heading with all the steps to be completed (from sourcing and shopping for items to packing to ship or take). As the steps are completed, they get checked off and once the project is completed and packed that line gets a check mark, too, so that I know I don't have to worry about it.

This whole planning process has been so much fun but I know there will be times over the next couple months where I'll be completely distracted (for a 2-week trial) or otherwise occupied (Howard is running 2 marathons and we are travelling for one and hosting a house full of people for the other), so this lets me do things in bits and pieces whenever I have time. Oh, and when I print out the to-do list, I put a yellow post-it on the front page with the next several items I want to complete, so that the list isn't overwhelming.

Sorry. I do tend to go on and on, don't I? It's all such fun! :goodvibes

Okay, I am off to fed ex the swarovski crystals to the jewelry designer. One more thing checked off. YAY! :yay:


KEENERCAM!! You are my wedding planning hero!!!!!!!! You need to have a wedding planning business!!

[DecemberBride]

I have a wedding planner which has all my handwritten notes in it... then I have an accordian folder which I've broken up into sections...

Flowers
Officiant
Ceremony
Hotel ressies
Honeymoon
Dress
Contracts
Dinner Reception
And more..

It works for me... I keep it all in the free bag Macy's gave me for joining their wedding registry... ;)

[turtle51]

I lucked out and went to mervyns, while searching through the clearance rack there was a wedding bad that is actually and accordian folder. It is super cute and cost me like $7.

[torsie24]

OoOooOooOo I love organization! :cool1:

I bought a plain sketching notebook/journal and used scrapbook paper, stickers and sayings to decorate the outside (I've done this to several notebooks of mine). I'll have a picture of the cover in my PJ eventually. It's basically to paste any pictures from mags that I like or printouts to keep so I can recycle the magazine.

Then I have a regular white binder with plastic pocket dividers (to prevent ripping or wear n' tear) divided up into different sections...photographer, videographer, make up/hair, emails/printouts from coordinator/planner, etc. I also have a 3-hole punched clear velcro pocket in the binder to keep all wedding-related receipts (i.e. crafts) so I can enter them into my spreadsheet later. They're also super easy to find if I need to return something. :woohoo:

Finally, I have a flash drive with a file devoted to wedding info. That file is subdivided so many times, I've lost count. :headache: :laughing: EVERYTHING has a folder...here are the main level ones:
~Bridal (subdivided into shoes, gown, make up, hair, jewelry...)
~Bridal party
~Budget & Legal Docs
~Cakes
~Centerpieces
~Ceremony
~Disney
~Favors & Gifts Ideas
~Flowers
~Honeymoon
~Invitations & Paper Fancies
~Music
~Photography
~Reception
~Rehearsal Dinner
~Videography

Anytime I find a webpage, picture, PDF, list, etc. I save it or a link to its correct folder. I also have several spreadsheets to keep track of ALL spending. :crazy2: (u know... this face is great and vastly underused.)

The binder, two calendars (2008 & 2009) and any catalog, etc. I keep in a totebag that I bring to work every day. I keep the flash drive in my purse at all times.

Whew that's A LOT of stuff! :faint: I hope something helped! :goodvibes
Wow! Malefi you are amazingly organised!!

I really hope I can keep like that once a wedding is closer to me that a couple of years away!

But I figure as I'm starting a system now I might stand a chance!!

[MegKate]

Cam, I was going to post what my planning system is, but umm.. yeah you put it to shame :rotfl: you've given me some great ideas though, so thank you! :goodvibes

Kristin - I never thought of using a flash drive - that's brilliant! I've been leaving stuff in folders at work, on my desktop, and on Rob's laptop. Flash drive is the solution! Thanks muchly!! :thumbsup2

[torsie24]

A second thanks to kristin! I have my flash drive all set up and ready for action!

Now I can save the poem I've been keeping for months onto somewhere I know I wont forget!!! :)

[keenercam]

Thanks, Angela and Meg! It's funny how much better I feel with that comprehensive to-do list with me at all times. I always know what I have to shop for in case I am near a Michaels or Target (right now, all I need is a travel size static guard for the women's room hospitality basket :cutie: ). And you gotta love writing down every single little step so that you get to make LOTS of checkmarks. :laughing:

[Racey]

Im going to show this to my df as he thinks i'm crazy about my paper file & electronic files already

I too have quite a number of years so i'm trying my best to keep everything electronic at this point, except the bits I find in wedding mags to cut out and keep and the general info which I show people when they ask to see what i've been upto wedding wise (mostly printed off disneyweddings.com, they go into my paper file, which i've already upgraded from a basic size to a super large size he he

The main file has dividers for all the different aspects in line with all the other brides and at the front of each section it has a checklist (which grows on a daily basis so when I come to actually starting my process off with disney, I know what to ask, what decisions are to be made).

I also have a seperate folder for my Dessert Party (with subsequent dividers) as this part of the day is going to be a surprise for everyone, so i dont want people looking at that one.

I also have another file for the brides attire (also has dividers) as I dont want anyone seeing that before the big day.

I also have a a5 hardback notebook which I carry everywhere with me and jot down any ideas which quickly enter my head. This also acts as an index for the 3 folders but it's pretty easy to work out where I have to go if I have something to add to a file

I also jot down the username of brides who have had something which I would like incorporate into my day in the notebook (ie, if they had the same ceremony or reception location).

My electronic file is just like everyone elses - about 20 different sections, plus a general photos one which is again seperated into ceremony, reception, dp's, photos I want taken, MK shoot etc etc

I can highly recommend the flash drive too - always having it on you means you can quickly jot something down or quickly save a pic and therefore aviod the usual "oh, i'll do that later" but then forget!!

[Malefi_Stitch]

Wow! Malefi you are amazingly organised!!

I really hope I can keep like that once a wedding is closer to me that a couple of years away!

But I figure as I'm starting a system now I might stand a chance!!

Kristin - I never thought of using a flash drive - that's brilliant! I've been leaving stuff in folders at work, on my desktop, and on Rob's laptop. Flash drive is the solution! Thanks muchly!! :thumbsup2

A second thanks to kristin! I have my flash drive all set up and ready for action!

Now I can save the poem I've been keeping for months onto somewhere I know I wont forget!!! :)

Thanks, girls! You can definitely amass quite a bit of stuff and papers throughout the planning process. The flash drive especially helps if you go to someone's house and start talking about the wedding...you can whip out your flash drive and show your fabulous hard work! :cutie:

I also jot down the username of brides who have had something which I would like incorporate into my day in the notebook (ie, if they had the same ceremony or reception location).

My electronic file is just like everyone elses - about 20 different sections, plus a general photos one which is again seperated into ceremony, reception, dp's, photos I want taken, MK shoot etc etc

That's a great idea, Racey! I have a notebook too and never thought to write down usernames to remember people with great ideas. I also like the idea of saving photos to remind you what you'd like taken at your wedding. I know I've seen a lot of cool shots but am not always good at describing them to a professional photog haha.

[acwinsett]

Torsie24:

So glad to see a fellow Mac user on the site :-) I just wanted to let you know that OneNote is not available on the Mac, but there are several things for Mac that are waaaay better than OneNote. There's a program called "StickyBrain" that is practically the exact same thing as OneNote.

Do you have iWork '08? I use the iWork program called Numbers. It's Apple's version of Excel, but it is so much better. You can have multiple spreadsheet tables on a single page. You can also just drag and drop photos and snippets anywhere on the page. I have a page set up for different aspects of the wedding: guest list, cake ideas, dress ideas, wedding favors, etc.

If you have the program, I'd be happy to send you my wedding plan as a template.

- Andreah

[MeeshKapeesh]

I just bought a macbook air :yay: I got so tired of those darn viruses.

I'd love to get a copy of your numbers template - I'm still trying to familarize myself with the program's capabilities... I love love love it! I'm an excel freak - but when I found out about this... I was so amazed!

As organization and sharing wise, I use Google Documents and tagged DF & other important people. No unneeded email tagging.

[torsie24]

Andreah: wow thanks for all you Mac info!

I've always had PCs and am still getting used to the mac functions.

On friday I bought the cutest tiny little laptop/netbook but it has a huge memory!! So i dont know whether to use it as my wedding bible or if i'll fill it.

But would LOVE to see your template!!

[OoDeLally]

I am so glad to see another bride that is going to do the type of long term planning I am. Originally my Df and I were thinking December 2010 but after running through numbers it looks like it will be 2011 at the earliest. :sad2: We are paying for the wedding ourselves and are unwilling to go into debt to have it.

I never gave much though to weddings before I realized he's the one. Within days of pondering the fact that I really will be a bride one day, I realized I wanted to have it at Disney. :wizard: But that is all I've been able to pin down. I am trying to become organized. I'm trying to figure out what exactly I want and what would be fluff that I won't care one way or another about.

I have been terribly unorganized in my hunting, but I tell myself it's early days yet. I have a gazillion book marks on my computer, various folders, things in one note, and pieces of paper floating around my desk with quick figures written down when ever I see something that I would like in another persons trip report. This board has been fantastic for giving me ideas. :disrocks: I think when it all comes down to it I'll have a small organizer for the contracts and financial things. I'll keep all my pics and notes in one note and of course I'll have my planning journal when I start one.

[torsie24]

Hi OoDeLally!! :wave: Yaaay another 2011 bride!!!! Have you decided on any locations or anything yet???


Andreah - you numbers file you sent me is one of the best wedding plans I've seen! LOVE it. Even Jack (DBF) was over my shoulder oooh-ing and ahhh-ing at it!!!! Thanks again!!! You are fast becoming a wedding hero of mine!! :hug:

[acwinsett]

Andreah - you numbers file you sent me is one of the best wedding plans I've seen! LOVE it. Even Jack (DBF) was over my shoulder oooh-ing and ahhh-ing at it!!!! Thanks again!!! You are fast becoming a wedding hero of mine!! :hug:

Awww . . . Thanks! Mac's rock!

[OoDeLally]

Right now I am running a few different scenarios through my mind.

In the first one I have a desert party as my welcome/ rehearsal get together the night before. Then I get married later in the day at the wedding pavilion (I am not a morning person at all :lmao: I would like to avoid 4 am hair and make up if I can.) I think SBP and the other outside locations are lovely but I share a lot of brides fear that I'll be rained out or it will be cold. I read a few threads where the brides sucked it up and did the ceremony and pics in the cold anyway. Then a reception at Victoria and Albert's. I think it would be so romantic there and there would be no need to decorate at all. Now my problem with this is at most we'd have 30 pl it could drop below 20 worst case scenario. and I don't want to look underwhelming in the WP.

I am kicking around the second scenario because it's Disney and what would be more magical then getting married in Epcot. :wizard: Even if it means getting up before the crack of dawn. :sad2: I am hoping there are inside options at some of the pavilions. In this scenario I have the reception at the LSS and do a desert party somewhere to end off the evening. I love how morocco looks at night lit up. But I've been told that the wall can be a problem. Not sure how tall it is or what exactly about it makes it a problem. I've also been told that the islands can block your view. :headache:

[OoDeLally]

So Torsie24 where are you thinking about having your magical day? :yay:

[RangerPooh]

Initially I purhcased a wedding binder but found that it was a waste of money as I went through DL FTW so I didn't have to worry about most of the stuff in it. Instead I just used it as a place to keep my dress (mine and Bridal party) ideas, tux ideas, favor ideas, business cards, seating charts, menu count (as we had 4 to choose from), guest list, and inspirational pics (hair, floral, bustle, etc), homeymoon info, flight info for wedding, etc. It would have been much cheaper to have just purhcased a binder and dividers at the store.

I also had a recipie card sized box that I stored our RSVPs in. It was in alphabetical order, and a 3x5 card was placed in each slot. On it was their name and address, if coming, mean choice-=who and how many, gift received, etc. It worked out really well for me.

[torsie24]

So Torsie24 where are you thinking about having your magical day? :yay:
Sorry! I totally missed this question!! :hug:

I'm hoping Wedding Pavillion, Whitehall Room, Sago Cay Pointe. :)

----

Jack's (DBF) sister got engaged a couple of weeks ago so the two of us spent the weekend going through bride magazines. Inspired me to get a binder together. :) It's really huge and pretty empty at the moment but I'm sure it'll get filled quickly!!

In other news...I chose my engagment ring last week. :)

http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/image/Signet/6163262?$detail475$

And jack and I have finally found the perfect place for us and are moving in 10 days!! :):)

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v344/219/66/821450083/n821450083_4622556_1305.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4024/hbedp7.png
We have half of the bottom floor...I looooooooove it!! :):) Has the cutest kitchen EVER :):):)

[OoDeLally]

That ring is very pretty. I'm actually going to get a cheapy to wear for the first year. I've lost my sweet 16 ring, class ring, and two others so I told df we would get a fake for me to take care of before we drop the money on a real one.