Wedding Folder

This is a defiant essential and a life safer for the day of. I used mine all the time and carried it around with me everywhere. You never know when you’ll get a phone call or need to make a phone call for that matter.

The following is how I organized my folder and what worked best for me

1.       Monthly Checklist

I found a few checklists on the internet that I used throughout the year of our engagement to make sure I was on track with everything and not waiting until the last minute to get started with certain important items

2.       Packing Checklist (for the night before the wedding)

This was a lifesaver, since our venue was about an hour away from our house it was very important that we did not forget anything. The month’s leading up to the wedding I made checklists and instructions for how I wanted things placed (I even drew maps of the venue, for the people that were helping us out that day with setting up). I used the instructions to make my master packing list for the day before. I even made sure I included trash bags, pens, scissors, and all the little stuff you don’t think about until you need them.

Since we were leaving right after our wedding for a hotel and then off to our honeymoon, I made instructions for the people who were dropping things off at our house. For example, the code to our alarm system and which door to enter in at, etc.

3.       Ceremony

Like mentioned above, I had a list of where I wanted everything to be placed. This way it cured my OCD and helped out the workers for the day of(win win). I also made individual check-lists for the ceremony and reception site.

For the Ceremony section of my folder, I included the music that was to be played and when it should be played, the procession information including which usher would walk which family member down the aisle, the ceremony timeline, and the quotes that were to be read during the ceremony.

4.       Reception

I made a map of the reception; we had it in a barn so I labeled each stall by a number and then organized my set-up and checklist’s by the number listed on the map. The weather didn’t corporate with us this day so my numbers where a little off due to us using plan B instead of plan A. If you are doing this way beforehand it’s a good idea to include both plan A and Plan B. 

5.       Wedding Party/Attire

This section was one of the most important, I mean we are dealing with family members and men(sorry guys). I had a sheet for the girls and a sheet for the guys. I wrote down everyone’s phone numbers and their outfit sizes. I wanted to make sure items were not being mixed up in the chaos of the day.

6.       Vendors

This is where I kept all the contracts of my different vendors along with a sheet that had their phone number, day of contact, when deposits were due, etc. So important to ask each vendor when their final payment is due since some of them do not include it on their contracts. Also include how much you have already paid for the down payment. I had amazing vendors but I have read horror stories about people trying to get more out of you.

7.       Checklist/List of Vendors

 Here I kept my master list of vendors with their phone numbers and day of contact. When having your final meeting with your vendors always make sure you ask who the day of contact will be and a phone number for the person. Just in case they get lost, etc.

8.       Misc.

In this section I kept all my receipts, including my dress, bridesmaid’s dresses, invitations, etc. You never know when you might need to order extra invitations or envelopes and you want to make sure you order the same ones as before!

Staying organized during wedding planning can seem a little over excessive sometimes but in the end you will be so glad you were!