Planning tools? Favorite books, websites, software, other resources?

[kevin_2007]

She said yes! Let the planning begin!
We have been engaged for about a month and are starting to plan. The whole thing is a bit overwhelming and I’m not sure where to start. Can anyone recommend some simple planning tools.. books, websites, software, and maybe other resources? We are planning to invite maybe 55-75 people and we will be paying for it ourselves. Our budget is around $7,000 so I’m trying to stay away from the big money planning books. I’ve spent sometime on Google and Amazon, and there is so much stuff out there, that I’m not sure which planning tools may actually help.

Thank you!
Kevin

 

[HollyS]

Date: 11/20/2007 10:01:24 AM
Author:kevin_2007


She said yes! Let the planning begin!
We have been engaged for about a month and are starting to plan. The whole thing is a bit overwhelming and I’m not sure where to start. Can anyone recommend some simple planning tools.. books, websites, software, and maybe other resources? We are planning to invite maybe 55-75 people and we will be paying for it ourselves. Our budget is around $7,000 so I’m trying to stay away from the big money planning books. I’ve spent sometime on Google and Amazon, and there is so much stuff out there, that I’m not sure which planning tools may actually help.



Thank you!
Kevin

Congratulations! I found many ideas that I incorporated in my October 07 wedding by perusing the pictures of real weddings on theknot.com. From my bouquet and the floral decor, to the small details that made the event special to us, theknot was an invaluable source. Also, (I''m just assuming you are in the US), there will be regional publications available wherever magazines are sold that will give you lists (with pertinent info) about venues, food, music, limos, etc. in your general area. Those publications will have companion websites. We found our classical guitarist via an ad in one such magazine.

The best thing you can do for yourselves is find a venue that will take care of most of the details as part of their package. This might seem pricey, but it can be a lifesaver. Our venue had a chapel for the ceremony, a reception site, a staff to do all the setup and take down, a florist, a baker, and a caterer, and a wedding planner to handle every detail before and during the wedding. If all I had wanted to do was show up, they would have taken care of everything! And, we got all of that for one set fee based on the number of guests. After we added everything up, we found we had only spent about $8000.00, including our attire. Every guest, to a person, has told us that ours was one of the nicest weddings they had been to; which made us extremely happy with our vendor!

A beautiful wedding can be yours on a budget of less than $10,000. Let me recommend two books: A Simply Beautiful Wedding, and Priceless Weddings For Under $5,000. Both will give you ideas on how to cut your expenses without sacrificing style. Good luck and enjoy the process!

 

[ladyciel]

I would suggest you first try your local library and websites like theknot.com, brides.com, etc. A book I got from my library that has definitely saved me money is called Bridal Bargains. It''s written by a husband and wife team and is on its 7th edition or something. They have a chapter for every aspect of shopping/planning for your wedding, and they include lots of tips on how to get the best deal, who the legit discounters are (and who to stay away from), ideas for locations, pros and cons between your typical options (ex: DJ vs live band), reviews of bridal gown designers and stores, how to negotiate, how to protect yourself from swindlers... you get the idea.

Congrats and best of luck!! Oh, and of course, PS is a GREAT resource!

 

[mimzy]

i second ladyceil on the Bridal Bargains book! i love that book - i got a copy off half.com for like five bucks
i mean...
not that i bought it...
and it''s not like i''ve read it or anything....
because it''s not like i''m engaged....
but i''ve heard it''s good...

 

[labbielove]

congratulations!!

I found my local board on theknot.com to be extremely valuable with help regarding local vendors-
anything from reputable florists, photogs, dress cleaners
to budget venues (i.e. many times there are out of the way spots or public parks with gorgeous facilities)

with that said, i am lucky to have a great local board- other boards on the knot, proceed at your own risk!

I highly recommend checking them out.
The bios of the folks that posted on my local board (and other boards) were also helpful in terms of getting ideas, vendor reviews,etc.

 

[Haven]

Date: 11/20/2007 2:37:32 PM
Author: mimzy
i second ladyceil on the Bridal Bargains book! i love that book - i got a copy off half.com for like five bucks

i mean...

not that i bought it...

and it''s not like i''ve read it or anything....

because it''s not like i''m engaged....

but i''ve heard it''s good...

Oh, Mimz, you''re too cute!

I have the Emily Post wedding planner (of course) and it''s quite good. My best resources, however, are my close friends who are recently married. I asked them for contacts for the vendors they liked, and that narrowed down the playing field nicely and neatly.

Congratulations, and enjoy the planning!