My sister-on-law (the roller derby girl) is recently engaged and getting married next October! I am so excited! I have known her for over 20 years now and we have become very close over that time period. I am happy she found the right guy for her and that she is allowing me to help her plan their wedding. What this means for you, our lovely readers, is that you will be going on this wedding planning ride with us!
Here’s the happy couple on the day of their engagement. Just so you know, he is showing off his “ring” as well. He is an avid softball player, so we celebrated with some cupcakes that had these softball/baseball rings in them. Contrary to my sister-in-law’s belief, it IS sometimes about the groom!
First things first when it comes to wedding planning. She needed what I jokingly call a Wedding Binder of Doom! I threatened to make her one all covered in lace and rose petals similar to the monstrosity in My Big Fat Greek Wedding,
To fill out the pages of her wedding binder, I created a bunch of templates and worksheets. I’ve created downloadable templates for you so you can make use of them as well! I will probably be adding even more to the list as we go along. All of the downloads are in Microsoft Word format so that you can edit/change them to suit your needs before printing them. If I’ve left out something that you found useful while planning your wedding, please let me know.
Downloads for Wedding Planner Book
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I printed all of these downloads and combined them with more materials into a big binder for my sister-in-law. A good wedding planning binder needs more than just paper worksheets, though…
Wedding binder supplies:
I gathered all my supplies together and then I started constructing the binder for her. I couldn’t leave it a plain, boring, white binder, so the first thing I did was scrapbook the cover. I used their wedding colors since she had already chosen them: black and cream with a hint of deep red.
This next part just tickles me pink! I still had a set of pictures from a cruise they took together, and in the pack of pictures, there were two thumbnail proof sheets of the photos included in that pack. I decided to use these tiny pictures to decorate the spine of her binder. It turned out so cute, I will have to figure out other uses for those tiny little pictures!
Here are some pictures of the inside of the book put together. When you assemble your planner, make sure you include plenty of blank paper or card stock. The bride may want to attach images she cut out of a magazine or printed from the computer. Notice how I left room beside the pictures to write notes. The clear envelopes can be used to hold receipts, fabric swatches and other small items that can’t be slid into a sheet protector.
I gave the completed binder to my sister-in-law she loved it! I can’t wait to help the bride-to-be fill it with all things wedding. When she is finished, it will be a fantastic keepsake from her wedding.
12 comments so far:
Love this so much! I wish I would have had one for my wedding.
The only other thing that I found helpful was a calendar. I used it for reminders about due dates and appointments I had with the various vendors that I used. It helped to keep me organized and not forget any important dates.
Oh WOW! These are fantastic! You’re the best sister-in-law in ever! Thanks so much, I’ll be spreading the word.
Rachel, thanks! They are a work in progress so I will be making updates and adding as the year progresses.
I love this idea! My wedding is in 6 weeks so I don’t know that it would do me much good to make one now, but I think it’s great!
Mindy, it is so close now! I bet you are excited. Best of luck to you and your future husband!
I do LOVE my wedding planning book! I am also extremely thankful to have help organizing all this chaos. We both look a little goofy (or shocked) in the post engagement picture… and that’s just funny. Thank you!
My daughter used the planner idea, and many of your wonderful suggestions and worksheets. One of the most valuable sleeves had pockets for all the business cards that she collected. She had several of these plastic sheets and when she narrowed down the vendor she wanted she would place their calling card in the first page of “business card pockets”. She would usually take about two or three business cards, which came in handy when she had to give the numbers to the venue coordinator or the person assisting us on the special day. Great website, thank you!!
Great idea!! I really like:)
This is amazing! I’m getting married in 14 months, and was stressing out about getting a wedding planner book and didnt know how. This is perfect! Thank you so much for this info and the budget sheets, its absolutely perfect!
you are a lifesaver! This is one of the best websites I’ve found for organizing a wedding. Possibly even better than the Martha Stewart wedding site or the like! Thank you for this, I am recommending this site to anyone I know who is planner their own wedding. Thank you, again!
Thanks for the kind words, Kara! We’re happy we could help you with planning and organizing your wedding
Omg love this!!! Thankyou so much, this was everything I needed as wanted to make my own wedding planner book. Now I’m excited to get started and my sister Inlaw to be is engaged too, so going to surprise her and make her a folder too. Amazing Amazing Amazing. Ill be telling everyone about your amazing site… One happy bride to be Amanda