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!

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!

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

Haha, it is crazy [not to!]

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

 

[Angela0917]

Haha, it is crazy [not to!]

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?!?

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

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!

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

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.

Finally, I have a flash drive with a file devoted to wedding info. That file is subdivided so many times, I've lost count. 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. (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! I hope something helped!

 

[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!

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

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.

Finally, I have a flash drive with a file devoted to wedding info. That file is subdivided so many times, I've lost count. 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. (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! I hope something helped!

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 you've given me some great ideas though, so thank you!

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!!

 

[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!!!