Oooooh the stress of it all – wedding planning can just burn you out. All the questions, all the emails, all the budgeting, all the management of everyone’s thoughts and contributions. Wedding planning is for more like project management than anything else. So how do you stay organized? How to keep your wedding stress to a minimum? There are a million things to know so we surveyed some amazing Calgary wedding professionals to find out their best tips for staying organized, eliminating wedding stress and getting the most of your wedding planning experience!
I suggest using a program like Evernote to collaborate everything from websites, photos and to jot notes down. Everything is in one place and is easily shareable with your family and friends if they are helping with the organization. ~ Lori Ceech Loree, Loree Photography
If you aren’t hiring a planner to help keep them organized I would recommend creating a wedding binder and put everything in it. Fabric swatches, inspiration photos, timelines, meeting notes, appointments, contracts, contacts, etc. Also to pick up copies of the local wedding magazines which provide a number of valuable tools for them to use as well as vendor information like the Bridal Guide by Calgary Bride. ~ Olivia Kennedy, Love Crush Weddings
Make sure to have organized a list of questions and have your rough timeline prior to meeting with a photographer so that you can feel confident and prepared. I would suggest hiring a wedding photographer who won’t just show up the day of your wedding, but is willing to communicate with you (and your other vendors) in the months before your wedding to ensure your photography experience is not only fun, but completely seamless and smooth. After all, the experience is the most important part, and your photos will be all that you have left to remember your big day. ~ Nicole Heisler, Nicole Sarah Photography
When it comes to finalizing details for the table outlines, keep it old school and draw up a floor diagram with all of the tables – then use colour coded sticky notes (the narrow flag style) and write down guests names on each note. The tables can then be rearranged as need be, and less erasing and redrawing!
When organizing the table items (i.e. Place cards, table number, menu cards, thank-you cards/guest favours, etc.) use ziploc bags and have all the items for each table separated. This will help the setup process go smoother, but will also help if you have any family/friends or wedding coordinator setup for you with less stress and questions directed your way on the big day! ~ Karina Brown, Infinity Weddings & Events
I would suggest the bride books her hairstylist and makeup artist 9 to 12 months in advance. Hair and makeup are not always at the top of brides minds when planning their wedding and if they wait too long it is hard to find stylists and mua’s that are not already booked. ~ Jessica Dickson, Jessica’s Mobile Beauty Service
Create a separate Gmail account specifically for your wedding. This way you can both see all the emails coming in and out; use the calendar to book & keep track of appointments and deadlines; upload contracts, other documents and pictures on drive etc. There are many other benefits too, these are just a few. And of course hire a wedding planner who will help keep you organized. ~ Erin Bjorkstedt, Eventful Planning
Delegate the small things to other people if it makes it easier!! Or have little work parties (for invites, centerpeice making etc). ~Kaycee Ann Lunde, Kaycee Ann Wedding Photography
Have a budget set for EVERYTHING ~ Bo Horns, Wolfbay Cakes
Start gathering quotes and find the florist who works best with you at least 6 to 8 months out (early the better). They should communicate openly, be informative, and be willing to work with you to find the best floral fit for your big day! Many brides expect to walk into a flower shop and have the wedding party and tables with their favorite flowers and specific colours for there wedding taking place in 2 weeks. Florists are expected to give their suppliers 3 weeks notice on special orders. ~ Michelle Downey, Lil’ Mam Flowers
Keeping a timeline and a list is crucial in staying organized. I also feel that not having too many people as your “wedding confident” will save confusion. Even just consulting with a planner to ensure that they stay on track of everything might be worth the small investment. Lastly, remember that it is their wedding not others. I find Brides and Grooms get pulled in so many directions that the whole planning process becomes unorganized, stressful and leaves the the couple feeling more overwhelmed then when they started. ~ Lesley Plumley, Magical Moments Event Planning
As soon as you have a date and time, book a commissioner. There two things you must do to be married in AB- get a marriage license and book an officiant. Half of Albertans choose a civil ceremony and Alberta marriage commissioners book early, especially on summer and holiday weekends. ~ Bruce Halliday, Alberta Marriage Commissioner
Give a set of spare keys to someone who will be with you for any vehicles the bridal party will be using. ~ Laura MacDonald, Laura MacDonald Photography
Set up a planning checklist and use a calendar to keep track of all your appointments, tasks, deadlines and payments. As soon as you make an appointment put it into your calendar and set up reminders. Keeping track of everything is easy if you have a system and stick to it. ~ Sharon Auld, Naturally Chic
Plan extra time into your wedding day timeline because things ALWAYS run late. Hair/makeup takes longer than expected, limo drivers get lost (yes it happens!), bouquets or rings get misplaced – a million things out of your control can happen to push the timeline back and if you don’t have an extra buffer in place you’ll have to make up the time somewhere and that often means less picture time. While good photographers can make magic in a short timeframe if absolutely needed, your wedding photographs are your first family heirloom – make sure there’s enough time to get the best possible results! ~ Lisa Parrish, Parrish House Photos
