Wedding Planning | DIY Planning Binder

Today for my second wedding planning posts I wanted to share my DIY wedding planning binder!
I got the inspiration from several outlets online and found blog posts on how they found it useful to put together your own binder. I liked this idea because some bridal books are roughly $30.00+ and I liked the idea of making this custom to our needs. I have major OCD when it comes to organization, so this was exciting and fun for me!

What you need:
- 1 inch or bigger; binder
- 10 dividers (depends on your needs)
- Paper protector sleeves
- Post it notes
- Wedding lists and templates

- Here are the planning templates I used and printed. - These are great, they have every check list you need and other worksheets that will come in handy when dealing with budgeting, vendors, registry, rentals, etc.

(Sorry for the awful iPhone photos)

I also added clear page protectors to keep all receipts or business cards in as well. I kept everything from brochures, information packets, contact information from venues, etc all in this binder. 

I used post it notes for to-do lists each week so I knew what needed to be done or who needed to be called that week. Let me know some of your tips for staying organized and within budget when planning a wedding! Take this with you to bridal shows, and you wont regret it. It helped me so much! 

I also kept another folder inside my binder for RSVPS, gifts, and thank you cards. I had to stay organized when it came to keeping track of gifts and who was coming to the wedding.

Did this help you? What did you use/what will you use to plan your wedding?

Wedding Planning #1

Hi friends!

I decided since becoming engaged that I wanted to share my wedding planning process, ideas, or whatever crazy things are going on until our wedding date. I am obviously new to planning a wedding, so feel free to share tips and advice! I have been obsessed with reading other wedding planning blogs and posts too!

Today for my first post on this subject I wanted to share my to-do list! I am a bit obsessed with lists and checking things off of them. I have one in my DIY wedding planning binder (this will be my next post in this series)

This is just my overall major to-do-list as of now, I'm sure I'll find more things I need to do in the months to come.

We just put down our deposit and secured our date for our wedding ceremony and reception! That was our major step, and now that it is finally done I cannot wait to start planning!

• Set the date
• Book our wedding and reception venue
• Make wedding page or website
• Book photographer
• Take engagement pictures (next month in June we will)
• Order and send out Save the Dates
• Register Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Kohls
• Try on and buy wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses
• Groom and groomsmen tuxes/shoes
• Cake tasting and booking
• Choose linens and decorations with venue
• Get my rings resized
• Finalize guest list   
• Rent arch for ceremony
• Book DJ or PA System
• Book our ceremony officiant
• Buy wedding shoes and jewelry
• Book makeup artist & hair stylist (In the process)
• Hair and makeup trial
• Purchase wedding band for Joe
• Mail invitations
• Meeting with caterer to pick out menu  
• Ceremony and reception music selections
• Buy bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts
• Candy bar and decoration shopping.
• Make décor (pinterest) for wedding and reception
• Book Hotel Room 
• Marriage license
• Order and send out thank you cards (After)

I will be crossing these off as I go and be updating everyone on our progress! If you are engaged and blog, or are on pinterest let me know in the comments!