Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

SUPPLIES YOU NEED

I found the traditional 8.5 x 11 size notebook most convenient since the handouts from vendors were usually that size, as well as printouts from my computer.  I had a white one that I purchased from either Walmart or Staples.  Clear view binders are available on Amazon and you can insert a title page for your wedding planner. (To get a free pretty title page for your planner, be sure to sign-up for the email list by using the link at the bottom of this article, and click the download button.)

I found that I wanted to a lot of dividers in order to find things quickly. I ended up using alphabetical dividers and making a table of contents in the front. Write-on dividers are also very helpful, especially if put in alphabetical order. An even more flexible and economical way of making dividers is using repositionable tabs attached to cardstock. Having a fine tip permanent marker for writing on dividers or tabs is very useful.

CATEGORIES

Here are the categories that were helpful to me: 

(Please note that clicking on the categories that are underlined will take you to related articles to help you with that section. Many of these articles contain access to free worksheets you may find helpful as you build your notebook. Be sure to subscribe to the blog to receive new content!)

ATTENDANTS – a list of the bridal party and their contact info

APPAREL – a checklist of the apparel needs for the bride, bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, etc., a place to keep pictures of ideas and receipts for purchases

BRIDAL SHOWER – a place to write plans for the bridal shower

BUDGET – a place to outline the estimated budget, note who is paying for what, and fill in the actual costs as you move along

CAKE – a place to write notes about ordering the cake or alternative dessert plans

CATERING – a checklist of questions to ask each caterer you interview and a place to keep copies of the quotes and contracts

CEREMONY – a copy of the order of the ceremony, who is officiating, music/musicians for the ceremony, plus a checklist of items needed for the ceremony

COORDINATOR – we asked a friend to be the Day of the Wedding Coordinator point person and this is where I put the list of her responsibilities

DAY OF SCHEDULE – a detailed schedule of what needed to happen at what time for each person involved

DJ – list of music ideas for the DJ and a schedule of when to make announcements and play certain songs 

DECORATIONS –  a list of all the decorations we need to acquire or make for the wedding

DRESSING ROOM – a checklist of supplies needed for the bridal dressing room

EMERGENCY KIT – a list of supplies to acquire for the emergency kits for the wedding day

EXIT PLAN – notes for exit plan for couple, getaway car, cleaning up, taking gifts home, afterglow, next day, etc.

FAVORS – list of favor ideas, checklist of prep tasks

FLOWERS – a checklist of flowers needed for the wedding – bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, etc.

FOOD – menu ideas for reception food, also reminders of food needed for setup time or the morning

GRATUITY – list of who to tip, who to write thank you notes for, who to buy gifts for

GUEST LIST – a copy of the guest list with addresses

HAIR & MAKEUP – a place to keep clippings of up-do styles you like and notes about hair or makeup appointments for the wedding

HONEYMOON – notes about the couple’s honeymoon destination

INVITATIONS – copies of the invitation proofs, receipts from printer, checklist for sending out and rsvp’s

PACKING LIST – lists of what to pack to bring to the venue or the dressing area

PHOTOGRAPHER – a checklist of questions to ask when interviewing/comparing photographers, a place to keep contact info, handouts, lists of photos desired and final contract

REGISTRY –  notes about where the bride is registered, lists of suggestions of what to add to the registry, etiquette reminders

REHEARSAL – notes about rehearsal location, time, plan, and dinner

RECEPTION  – a timeline of what will happen when at the reception

RENTALS – a list of what items need to be rented, quotes from vendors, final contracts or receipts

SAVE THE DATE – a list of who to send save the dates to, a copy of the proof, receipt

SEATING PLAN – a list of who is sitting at each table and a diagram of the table positions

SETUP & CLEANUP PLANS – a detailed outline of the setup process and cleanup process, including a list of the crews

TIMELINE (put in front of the notebook) – a suggested timeline of when to get things done by

TO-DO LISTS – a place to write running to-do lists

VENUE – a place to collect information from venues and keep a checklist of questions to ask 

WEBSITE – a worksheet of information to put on the couple’s wedding website, the link to  it, and printouts if desired

RECOMMENDATIONS

I actually recommend keeping two notebooks.  The notebook described above for keeping all your research and planning notes; then another notebook for only the things you will need on the actual wedding weekend.  But that’s for another article. 🙂

I like to keep things in alphabetical order, but it also can be helpful to put the categories in order of your timeline.  

When going to visit venues or interviewing vendors, I put the worksheets on a clipboard I picked up at the dollar store, then inserted them into the notebook later.

In order to keep track of the notebook, I kept it in a special pretty tote bag at home.  That way I could find it easily.

Having a notebook like this really helped to keep me organized as my daughter and I met weekly to plan her wedding.  Even though she had a fancy planner notebook she bought, she liked to keep all of her notes on Google Drive. I liked to have a physical notebook in front of me that I could customize.  It was especially handy as a place to keep the handouts from vendors.

I hope this helps you on your journey as you and your daughter go on this new adventure together. 

Please feel free to leave a comment about how using a notebook is helping your wedding planning.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.