Organized World: Here comes the bridal planning

By Lanna Nakone

The wedding season is approaching — June and September are two of the busiest months for bookings. Emotions and expectations run high, and the planning and expenses can quickly get out of control. How would I know this? I’m engaged — our big day is Sept. 22.

I’ve found the wedding world offers so much information it’s easy to lose focus on the main vision. The bridal magazines, wedding attire selections and stationery samples can be too much to absorb. The best way to keep focused and make the right decisions for your needs and budget is to stay organized.

Every magazine has a timetable section (In three months you should …) I recommend putting together your own chart with all the pertinent information for your special day.

The best way to keep track of information is with a portable accordion file box. It will serve you well when you’re on the go and need to access your information immediately. You can create file headings such as budget, ceremony, guest list, reception and vendors.

I’ve found some of the most helpful tips in the bridal magazines. I tear out the articles or advertisements and consolidate them in the accordion file box. When I see a new idea, I look back at what I’ve previously filed in that category and purge the old idea or combine with the new. These magazines give you quick, creative ideas, and can make researching fun. Keep the latest and best idea filed at the top and continue researching and discovering your wedding tastes. Be open to your desires, and when they’re organized, you can see how your ideas change and evolve.

Another thing I recommend is to keep track of costs on an Excel spreadsheet. Having simple headings such as attire, ceremony, invitations, miscellaneous (flowers, photographer, music) and reception. Input all your receipt totals and you can see where your money is going. I’m trying to stay within a reasonable budget and was shocked when my dress cost an eighth of my budget; and with invitations, I’d already spent four times more than my initial estimate. I’ve rectified my balance sheet, but it was good to realize where I went off track and knew how to adjust accordingly. I also keep an Excel contact list with all of the vendors’ information. These simple organizational processes have made it so much easier to find the answers to my frequent questions.

I’ll be continuing along these lines for my next article in a couple of weeks as I have many more ideas and solutions to pass along to the bride-to-be. Meanwhile, have fun and stay organized.

Lanna Nakone is the author of “Organizing for Your Brain Type” and “Every Child Has a Thinking Style.” Her Web site is www.organizedworld.com. She can be reached by e-mail or at 524-9896.

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