I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla!

MuckeyMuck

So I would love to talk to a bride who is crazily organized but not bridezilla... anyone??

MuckeyMuck

well i have a wedding binder and i'm in the process of organizing it but i feel like it so scattered. What kind of lists are you guys making and day of schedules and day of lists and just anything else you would have advice for (not just what i've mentioned)

MuckeyMuck

i am getting married August 17 (200 days:)). I'm trying to get organized but i still feel overwhelmed. How have you been organized?

Peledreamsofrain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_i-would-love-to-talk-to-organized-bride-but-not-bridezilla?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:d3fb4b8d-5074-42bc-a760-621c5894fb78Post:35e12abb-beb2-4a23-abe8-dd9024c5f221">Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla!</a>:
[QUOTE]What honestly keeps me on track is TK's checklist.  While a lot of TK things are glitchy (and even the checklist has ridiculous things that I am not concerning myself with) it's been great for the stuff I know I am doing in/for our wedding
Posted by mrskaiser22[/QUOTE]


Ditto x1000%

Even the most organized person isn't necessarily an expert on weddings.  The checklist was a life-saver for me.

Sierra524

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_i-would-love-to-talk-to-organized-bride-but-not-bridezilla?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:d3fb4b8d-5074-42bc-a760-621c5894fb78Post:35e12abb-beb2-4a23-abe8-dd9024c5f221">Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla!</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>What honestly keeps me on track is TK's checklist.</strong>  While a lot of TK things are glitchy (and even the checklist has ridiculous things that I am not concerning myself with) it's been great for the stuff I know I am doing in/for our wedding
Posted by mrskaiser22[/QUOTE]

I love TK checklist, although some of the things did not apply to me. If you still have a while, dont worry about "day of" schedules yet. Other than that advice, Im prob too bridezilla (if Im being honest).

Jager1219

Not a huge fan of the knot checklist because it's missing A LOT IMO.  There's a book called "The Bride's Book of Lists" which is a bit more all-encompassing.  My planner "The Bride's Essential Planner" has a gazillion lists (by category and by due date).  My suggestion is to start something in excel by due date.  Use TK checklist as a start and start getting rid of stuff you don't need and adding things.  Use it as a living doc so you can keep adding to it as you think of extra stuff.

ETA - I started working out my day-of schedule 5 months before.  It's not finished yet, but it's helped me to remember things to do (like talk to the photog about how soon to start pics)

lyndausvi

I didn't have any binders or anything like that.   I just used a yellow legal pad and some spread sheets, a special wedding email folder and some internet bookmarks.

I  was traveling the week before so I made a list about 2 weeks out so I wouldn't forget anything.      I lost the list. 

I guess I'm someone who organized in her head.

Jager1219

I guess I'm just more detailed than TK checklist.  It's good for a high level but doesn't go into the itty bitty details which I personally like to include in my checklists.  For me, it's missing "get a rain plan for outdoor photos", "follow-up with photog/band about day-of-timeline", "put together everything that you need to give the venue (toasting flutes, cake server, escort cards)", "figure out who is bringing stuff back from the venue (card box, gifts, etc)".

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_i-would-love-to-talk-to-organized-bride-but-not-bridezilla?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:d3fb4b8d-5074-42bc-a760-621c5894fb78Post:747b6b92-1038-45f5-8359-5410aeaf0d63">Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla!</a>:
[QUOTE]Not a huge fan of the knot checklist because it's missing A LOT IMO.  There's a book called "The Bride's Book of Lists" which is a bit more all-encompassing.  My planner "The Bride's Essential Planner" has a gazillion lists (by category and by due date).  My suggestion is to start something in excel by due date.  Use TK checklist as a start and start getting rid of stuff you don't need and adding things.  Use it as a living doc so you can keep adding to it as you think of extra stuff. <strong>ETA - I started working out my day-of schedule 5 months before.  It's not finished yet, but it's helped me to remember things to do (like talk to the photog about how soon to start pics)
</strong>Posted by Jager1219[/QUOTE]

A "day of timeline" what is that?  Yeah, I didn't have one nor did I feel like I needed it.  All I did was told my hair and MUA what time I wanted to leave to get to the venue they then told me what time we should start everyone's hair and makeup.  I then told my photographer what type of pictures I wanted before hand and she told me that it would be best if I was dress and ready to go by X time.  By 4:15 I was read to get the show on the roll and by 4:25 I was walking down the aisle 5 minutes early.

OP, here are a few tips.  Do not stress over the small stuff.  As long as you higher reputable vendors then there really is no need to micromanage them.  They know what they are doing, they are the professionals.  Get all the big stuff done first (the main vendors, your dress, your FI attire, invites and food) and any little stuff like favors and small decorations that only you will really notice should be saved for the end so that way if you run out of time it isn't the end of the world.  Enjoy the planning process.  Be organized but don't be overly organized.  If you have too many lists going on you will get yourself confused.  Just remember that the most important thing about the whole wedding event is that you are marrying the love of your life so even if all hell breaks loose at leaset you two will be married.

Jager1219

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_i-would-love-to-talk-to-organized-bride-but-not-bridezilla?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:d3fb4b8d-5074-42bc-a760-621c5894fb78Post:124cd5db-5fa0-4020-94c1-02b77c46ee4d">Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla! : With all due respect, I don't think you'll forget the day of to talk to your photographer, unless you really just can't remember things that important.  That's just me.  It just seems so over the top to make your day of timeline that far in advance.  But again, JMO, I guess I'm not as organized as I thought. ETA - I guess I can see starting a list for certain details that you know you'll forget, but not a timeline that'll only stress me out now.
Posted by mrskaiser22[/QUOTE]
Sorry if I wasn't clear, that's not what I meant.  We're doing first look photos.  So I need to talk with them now to figure out what time the first look will be (3 hours before, 2 hours before...).  This also will impact when my hair/make-up needs to be finished by.

Jager1219

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_i-would-love-to-talk-to-organized-bride-but-not-bridezilla?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:d3fb4b8d-5074-42bc-a760-621c5894fb78Post:fa4f2c67-7719-47cd-9159-845c47eee797">Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla! : A "day of timeline" what is that? 
Posted by Maggie0829[/QUOTE]
My day-of-timeline is a rough sketch of how the day will run (and I do know things NEVER work out as planned).  What time hair/make-up starts, when first look photos start, for the reception it's when the first dance will take place, when toasts will happen, that type of thing.  And from that, I'm building in extra time everywhere in the getting ready stuff to make sure that when things run behind, I'm still not actually late.

Mine's still a work in progress, but I'm getting a head start on it now.  Like I said though, I'm really detail oriented and practically live on checklists/to-do lists.

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_i-would-love-to-talk-to-organized-bride-but-not-bridezilla?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:d3fb4b8d-5074-42bc-a760-621c5894fb78Post:5731faa9-c511-4fbd-9eaf-06030972bc6b">Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla! :<strong> I think maggie knows what a day of timeline is, but that she doesn't think they're necessary.</strong> To your other post, I see how you would want things to go smoothly for the first look and all that, but I don't really think it needs a strict timeline... just a time for hair and makeup and a time for your first look pics.  Anything further than that just seems to be asking for a headache.
Posted by mrskaiser22[/QUOTE]

This.  I was being sarcastic when I asked that question, especially since I didn't have any type of timeline other then what time hair and MU started, what time I wanted to be at the venue and what time I had to be dressed.  And of course what time the ceremony started LOL!  So needless to say my day was calm and relaxing and stress free.  The timelines that break down hour by hour are a bit insane and will just cause you to stress and worry that you are running behind on something.

Jager1219

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_i-would-love-to-talk-to-organized-bride-but-not-bridezilla?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:d3fb4b8d-5074-42bc-a760-621c5894fb78Post:5731faa9-c511-4fbd-9eaf-06030972bc6b">Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla! : I think maggie knows what a day of timeline is, but that she doesn't think they're necessary. To your other post, I see how you would want things to go smoothly for the first look and all that, but I don't really think it needs a strict timeline... just a time for hair and makeup and a time for your first look pics.  Anything further than that just seems to be asking for a headache.
Posted by mrskaiser22[/QUOTE]
I see your point, I guess I just have more moving parts to my day (or I think I do).  Like we're also doing all the family photos & bridal party photos before the ceremony.  So I need to know what time to tell the family to come for photos.  We're also doing shuttles from the hotel to the ceremony/reception location, so I need to figure out what time to tell guests that the shuttles will run.

Other than that, it's not a strict timeline, it's a generally idea of what times things will occur.  I know things never happen like they're supposed to, so that's why I'm building in extra time.  (If hair people think it's going to take 45 min for hair, I'll give myself 1 hour before scheduling the make-up appointment).  That type of thing.

For me, having all that written down helped me remember to follow-up with people/do things that I wouldn't have thought of until later (which wouldn't have been an issue, just less to do when things start to get rushed).

MrsJoshuaParker4

i can admit i'm sort of bridezilla-ish.. i try really hard not to be though lol.

what do you need?

Jager1219

She did - early in the beginning.  She asked what types of lists we were making and how to stay organized.

lyndausvi

Everyone has different ways to do everything.

My day was much like the OPs.  I did pictures before, had a shuttle, etc.   I still didn't have a timeline.   I just said "everyone met at the house at 3:30pm."  ALL I know is all the pics were taken and I was at the ceremony on time.

My BFF was a list girl.   With all her damn lists we were still late and she forgot stuff at her wedding.    

Between the 2 of us I was way less stressed than she was.

Maggie0829

OP, don't let yourself get like this.



But if you do please take a picture and "post it" (hahahaha...get it...I am horrible with jokes, I blame that on my Dad) on here for all the world to see.

mcda04

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_i-would-love-to-talk-to-organized-bride-but-not-bridezilla?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:d3fb4b8d-5074-42bc-a760-621c5894fb78Post:e22285b1-7870-45df-bd77-22762d392790">Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla! : What could the knot's checklist possibly be missing?  It's like they put together a list of every possible tradition or task that might ever need to be done and assumed every bride would complete every task.  If anything there's too much there.
Posted by LingerLonger1[/QUOTE]
This.

I deleted like 50 tasks from TK's checklist.

Peledreamsofrain

Now now, I found my day of time-line really fun to laugh at after the day was done.  it was supremely useful for that!

Seriously, I made one. The day didn't care in the slightest, and proceeded exactly on it's own schedule.  It kind of amounted to trying to control the sunrise.

rachelm13

I *just* made one.  literally yesterday.   My wedding is in 74 days... WAYYYYY before yours OP.  OP we all have many many many moving parts, it just depends on your point of view or your priorities.  If you are a list making kind of girl by all means go for it.  I personally would listen to PP there is such a thing as being over-organized.  Seeing as you are so far out, use the checklist on TK delete the 50 or so things from it that don't apply and carry on. 

TK checklist has helped.  I don't feel crazy or that there is a ton I haven't done or I am behind on stuff. 

Everyone I know that has ever given me a day of schedule (as a bridesmaid that always made me laugh), shown me their timeline prior to their weddings, have ended up verring WAY off course and said what a waste of time/laughed the next day.

BTW, I fully understand that my list won't mean Jack come day of.  I have a DOC who wanted me to make one so she could at least get what I had in my head on to paper.  Meh, as long as at the end of the day I am a Mrs. I am cool.

1mobags

I have a binder with dividers that have pockets on the front and back. I use the front pocket for contracts and the back for the payment schedule and I keep receipts there. I have dividers for venue, dj, photographers, bridesmaids, The men, dress (alterations and extras), invitations, guest list, florist, cake.... Etc Hope this helps

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_i-would-love-to-talk-to-organized-bride-but-not-bridezilla?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:d3fb4b8d-5074-42bc-a760-621c5894fb78Post:fa4f2c67-7719-47cd-9159-845c47eee797">Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I would love to talk to organized bride but not bridezilla! : A "day of timeline" what is that?  Yeah, I didn't have one nor did I feel like I needed it.  All I did was told my hair and MUA what time I wanted to leave to get to the venue they then told me what time we should start everyone's hair and makeup.  I then told my photographer what type of pictures I wanted before hand and she told me that it would be best if I was dress and ready to go by X time.  By 4:15 I was read to get the show on the roll and by 4:25 I was walking down the aisle 5 minutes early. OP, here are a few tips.  Do not stress over the small stuff.  As long as you higher reputable vendors then there really is no need to micromanage them.  They know what they are doing, they are the professionals.  Get all the big stuff done first (the main vendors, your dress, your FI attire, invites and food) and any little stuff like favors and small decorations that only you will really notice should be saved for the end so that way if you run out of time it isn't the end of the world.  Enjoy the planning process.  Be organized but don't be overly organized.  If you have too many lists going on you will get yourself confused.  Just remember that the most important thing about the whole wedding event is that you are marrying the love of your life so even if all hell breaks loose at leaset you two will be married.
Posted by Maggie0829[/QUOTE]

<div>All of this.  I had hair and makeup scheduled for a certain time, and that was it.  When we were done, we took pictures.  Then we hung around until the ceremony.  Our vendors were professional and highly recommended....I knew I didn't have to worry about anything with them.  I think not micromanaging and having a relaxed attitude works more in your favor with vendors and the venue......everyone wants to work with someone easygoing, not someone that calls them every week or has to have it THEIR way.</div><div>
</div><div>My day was stress free and relaxing as well!   Even after we had to reschedule the wedding 2 days before because of Hurricane Sandy.</div>

Jager1219

Thank you Stage for making me think I'm not completely loony-tunes.

I do have complete faith and trust in my vendors and I don't think I'm micromanaging them at all.  My photog for example requires a min. of 2 hours for photos (that's just how they work).  So my goal is not to lay out every single shot that needs to be taken at what time, but to make sure that the important shots are taken in the most efficient manner possible.  It's also to make sure that everyone is on the same page before the day of.
Now if someone was to literally put out a list with timing of every photo they wanted taken and when...I'd say that's insane.

MuckeyMuck

i was wondering the exact same thing? other then day of stuff how did you guys stay organized. I got my binder organized with the different sections and we actually got a lot more planned and set in stone tonight. I do have a list of things we still have to do/figure out