Buy a Planner or Make Your Own?

bashigyal · 09-20-2008, 05:09 PM

Which is better....are there recommended 3-ring binder Planners out there to buy with the best checklists, timelines, spreadsheets? Or is it better to just make your own so you have all the dividers and sections you personally need?

If you would recommend a good 3-ring Planner, which is the best?

And if you think it's better to make your own, what categories make up your dividers (ie: Venue, Budget, Catering, Florist, Photography)...I'm looking for a comprehensive list of all categories I'll need to keep track of, and any suggestions on how you made your binder.

Please help a disorganized bride-to-be! :-)

TA Maureen · 09-20-2008, 05:12 PM

This was the one I used. I was really happy with it. It comes with it's own little 3 hole punch inside. It has some great pictures and advice. Not everything applied to a DW so I just took it out and added what I needed to make it my own.

Complete Wedding Planner & Organizer, Elizabeth Lluch, Book - Barnes & Noble

kate.com · 09-20-2008, 08:12 PM

Hey, I made my own...but my favorite check list was from the Simple wedding magazine. Very good magazine and worth the money!

GregsBride · 09-21-2008, 11:04 AM

TA Maureen,

I bought the same planner from B&N... I was considering taking it back because like you said there wasn't a lot of DW info. I just might follow your lead and keep it and modify it. Thanks for the tip!!

Christina

akbeach · 09-21-2008, 06:55 PM

I got a 15 pocket organizer (office paper size) at an office supply store and put tabs for budget, dress, decor, hotel, etc. That was, I can put pics I tear out of magazine in the slots. It works great!

DLyteful · 09-21-2008, 07:14 PM

I made my own with a cute binder. I printed a check list from the knot, but I'm sure that you can find one online thats more fror destination weddings. And I just made the categories that were important to me. Budget, attire, guestlist, decor, Extras, etc...

MomentsThatMatter · 09-22-2008, 10:27 AM

Go with a planner. None of them will be 100% perfect but will bring up things you didn't think of. You can always make modifications for your specific wedding and destination. Plus the obvious benifit of keeping thiings organized for you. You'll feel a lot better about your planning and that you are semi in control in this out of control world! haha
Good luck.

RaydensMama · 09-22-2008, 10:41 AM

I bought one and found it really unhelpful. I ended up just keeping everything in a 3ring binder and it was way more convenient for me.

adias.angel · 09-22-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaydensMama

I bought one and found it really unhelpful. I ended up just keeping everything in a 3ring binder and it was way more convenient for me.

I second that. The one I bought is sitting in the bookshelf unused.

starchild · 09-22-2008, 01:46 PM

My MOH got me the club wedd planning binder from Target and I found it to be very useful. It was separated into sections, each with folders to keep things in. Because it was a 3 ring I was able to add/remove things easily. Whatever you go with I wouldn't spend too much on it.