How to Organize the Perfect Wedding

Make no mistake, planning a wedding is a lot of work. Whether you are having a small and intimate gathering of close friends and relatives or a grand reception for 350 people, there are many details that must be attended to. It is extremely important to stay organized or you'll risk missing something.

One of the first things you should do is list everything you'll need for your big day and include an estimate of the cost. If you're like most people you'll be saving for your wedding during your engagement, so it will be important to have an idea of how much money you'll need to cover all of your wedding expenses. You'll then be able to plan a monthly savings goal. And if anyone offers to help you financially you'll be ahead of the game.

It's a good idea to create a spreadsheet for your expenses. List each of the items you'll need to pay for and include three columns labeled "Total Cost", "Amount Paid", and "Remaining Balance". This will give you an easy summary of exactly how much you have paid out and how much you still owe.

Every wedding is different and needs can vary. But here is a list of common expenses you can add to your spreadsheet:

Invitations
favors
the ceremony
reception hall
food
cake
flowers
photographer
video
limousines
wedding gown
tuxedo rental
gifts for members of the wedding party
the honeymoon

Of course you can add or subtract from this list based on your own needs.

Another great tip for keeping your wedding plans organized is to use a three-ring binder or other kind of personal organizer or folder. Dedicate it specifically to storing wedding documents.

Keep your organizer in a safe place and take it with you whenever you meet a vendor about your wedding. Use it to store all of your contracts, price estimates, menus, and receipts. You will find it helpful to have all of these important documents in one handy place when you need to refer back to it.