Wedding Blog
Edit: Wow - I’m so glad that so many of you find that this would be a helpful tool! It’s very encouraging to me, not to mention that it reassures me that I am not completely crazy 
. Due to the level of responses, Mrs. Bee informed me that she could actually upload this so that you all could download it directly. So w/o further ado, here it is. Happy planning!
miss_daffodil_-_wedding_workplan_sample.ppt
PS - It’s a Powerpoint file, so hopefully most of you have the application already installed on your computers.
~~~
When I think back to the beginning of the wedding planning process, I fondly remember how the engagement was a wonderfully surreal blur (the full engagement story to come!). However, the day immediately after the engagement, I recall how I began feeling overwhelmed! Everyone left and right started asking when the wedding was, where it was going to be…in fact, since everyone knew about the engagement way before I did, they’d all already begun talking about the wedding without me! I’m one of those ppl who are most comfortable when I am on top of everything, so being the least in the know was definitely out of my comfort zone 
.
Looking at magazines and wedding planning books didn’t help. They came with tons of endless to-do lists that seemed to be a jumble of little tasks…it seemed like a mess to me, and only added to my anxiety!
Enter the wedding workplan . What is a wedding workplan you say? So I am a consultant by trade, and one of the early steps for every case we take on is to identify what the problem/key questions are, what we think the solution would be, and what steps are involved in testing that. We lay out a timeline with specific modules of work, so that we can get a holistic picture of the process. What better way to handle the wedding planning process!
I thought of the big categories of activities that would need to take place, i.e. searching for venues, vendors, attire, stationery, media (aka photography/videography), etc. And worked from there to itemize what would fall into each of those buckets. Here is a picture of the overview…
Mr. D thinks that this makes things look more confusing, but for me, this was a sigh of relief!! I love how on one page, I can see all the distinct types of activities that need to take place simultaneously and at what stage.
From this, it was easy to create a month-by-month to-do list that made more sense to me (sample below).
I also have a more detailed daily timeline for the wedding month, that has more specific tasks like getting my manicure/pedicure, getting hair done, etc.
I’m guessing many of you may be past this stage in your planning or, as my sister says, that I am just crazy, but if any of you brides-to-be think this is helpful, just leave a comment and I would be happy to email it to you!
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Share this post: The Beginning of it All…
That’s awesome! I’d love to see a close-up.
omg - i love this! brilliant….
This is very similar to what I did. I was getting overwhelmed by people’s questions and comments - “When are you going to register?” “Don’t forget that you’ll need ceremony programs” - so I created a giant spreadsheet of tasks and assigned each task a completion month. It was very calming - rather than face a list of 200 tasks to get done before the wedding, I only had to deal with 20 for that month. And if it was May and people asked me a question about something that I had decided didn’t need to be addressed until August, I didn’t have to worry about it 
Now I’m one month and one day away, and I only have 21 items to go!
Oooh, that’s awesome, looks like MS Project but less messy…or maybe I never really figured out how to use Project, hehe. I’ve been engaged for a year, and we’re about eight months out from the wedding now, but I’m just starting to feel overwhelmed by my disorganized task list and I would love to have one like yours!
Oh I completely understand Miss Daffodil! I’m a Civil Engineer (same mindframe as you!) and I have constructed my entire wedding timeline using Primavera. It’s geeky, it’s a mess to anyone else who looks at it-but it’s sweet organizational bliss for me!
I love your timeline
I totally need this. I am in the beginning of planning and so overwhelmed with all the to do’s. YOU ROCK!
This makes me so happy… I agree with everyone else, you are not crazy, just looking at your timeline calmed me down too!
You are a woman of my own heart! I cannot function unless I am over-organized, but I agree that all the different “to do” lists that the wedding magazines/websites want you to live by only seem to create more anxiety. I plan to make my OWN list/schedule soon to help ease my nerves for my fall 2008 wedding. If you wouldn’t mind sending me your month-by-month schedule, I would really appreciate it! blushink [at] yahoo [dot] com. Thank you!!
miss daffodil, this is great! i am a schedule fanatic. will you email me as well? duchampbare AT mac DOT com. thanks!!!
I would love a copy too - still a little over a year out for us.
hi miss daffodil! can you send this to me too? big picture is definitely where it’s at! thx!
I’ve been engaged for a while and still haven’t gotten ANYTHING done (except for some day dreaming)! Can you please email it to me too? graciette2 AT juno DOT com. Thanks!
Gant chart!
Awesome! I would love a copy too purdy please. My e-mail springchic608 at yahoo dot com. Thanks bunches!
This is EXACTLY what I need! Can you please email it to redlax3@yahoo.com? Thanks!!!
I think this is a great idea… nothing beats great origanization! Could i please get a copy too? Thanks!
I would love a copy of this too! Please send a copy my way: hrtsd3zire [at] aol [dot] com. Thank you!
You are truly my organizational hero. I would love a copy of your chart. What program did you use to create it?
I want one!!
I’m in the very beginning stages and would love a copy of your timeline.
padiserene at yahoo dot com
Please send me a copy, too! tracey.steven at gmail dot com
This is exactly what I have been looking for. Planning a wedding is so overwhelming. I would love a copy sent to unbreakablekw at hotmail dot com
Would you send me a copy too?? trish.browning at gmail dot com. Thank you thank you thank you!
Ooh, me, me! You are WONDERFUL for coming up with something like this. I like it because it will be easier for me to consult with than an ordinary list.
You can send it to divinemissj AT gmail DOT com.
Thank you, thank you!
You’re not crazy. I have a “Production Book” with all the flight info, hotel, confirmation numbers, guests, foods, vendor info, etc, etc - that is all in one place and given to all the BMs, Mothers, etc. If it isn’t in there I don’t want to know. Don’t let anyone telling you saving YOUR sanity is wrong.
Awesome! I wish I could have been so organized… totally random question… why do some people fully type out their email,
XXX AT XXX DOT COM?? I see that on theknot sometimes too, and I don’t get it… =)
Miss Daffodil, High Five! I’m a senior biz ad maj who has started her own Wedding Design & Coordination firm and this is exactly how I do it. I always feel so much better once its all on paper (or laptop rather) and I can cross reference it two to three different ways. I also have a pocket sized version.
it’s like you’re a wedding consultant!
I would love a copy too. My wedding is also in May 2008 and I am trying to get organized and unfortunately it is not a strength of mine.
nash0922 at hotmail dot com
I love how you are so organized! Thank you for offering to share! Would it be possible for you to send me a copy, too? gem AT berkeley DOT edu
Miss Daffodil -
you’re one highly organized bride! Very impressive!
Miss Emerald -
I’ve heard that if you type your email address, as you would to send a message, that it is easier for spammers to detect your email while they’re trolling the internet looking for new victims. Not sure if this is really true, but that’s what I’ve heard.
OMG, I think I love you. Can you please add me to your mailing list? kel@ever-lasting.net
Thanks so much!
Hi! I’m getting married in April too- I know you’ve had many requests but could you also email you’re creations to me when you get a chance- They’d really help! Thanks!
i love your organization!!! i’m working on my sister’s shower in november and so even with that, i’m making spreadsheets of everything. anyways, kudos on this post.
I too would love a copy of your timeline! Please send it to danielle.mclaurin AT gmail DOT com
Ah, if you’re indeed sending it out, I’m ekeefe_ihad at yahoo dot com.
You are an answered prayer!!! I’m in the beginning stages and this will save my life!!! Please send me a copy of your files as well. Thank you so much!!!
Since I am getting married almost right before you I would love a copy to see what I am missing
erika 67 at gmail dot com
Uhhh, damn! That’s a lot of email addresses. How about instead emailing to everyone (because that’s alot people), explain what you did in a future post. That way everyone wins.
By the way, love the set-up. It’s nice to know that I am in good company when comes to organization of that nature. I used Excel for mine.
I would love a copy, too, please! My e-mail is angelinanucci at hotmail dot com.
Thank you for sharing!
I would love to have a copy. I’m at my 2 month mark and starting to stress.
christelnkeone at gmail dot com
Thanks for sharing!!!
Wow, I’d love to have a copy too. mooshoo72 AT yahoo DOT com. I wish I had the sort of detail-oriented brain to do something like this on my own.
Thanks so much!!
I am bouncing in all directions abd would greatly appreciate a copy.
Thanks a bunch…
This is super informative!
Please email me a copy as well or a post on the website might be easier for you.
jessie.keh AT gmail.com
Thank you!
If you don’t mind, can i get a copy too?
cy.and.sh AT gmail.com
Wow, Miss Daffodil! If it’s not too late, I’d love a copy, too.
lgruenhagen AT hotmail DOT com
Thanks so much.
Love it! Please send it to me too if it’s not too late! helena_7734 at hotmail dot com . Thank you, thank you , thank you!!
Holy smokes, Miss Daffodil!
We obviously all want to be just as organized as you are. That looks like MS Project and most ppl won’t have that application on their home or work computers, right? Whatever you used, it looks great. I’d like to see it blown-up if you could repost.
I used Excel for everything - wedding, personal and work related. My FI laughs because when we go camping, I plan out the menu and related food shopping/packing list in you guessed it, Excel.
This would be so helpful, I would love to see it! My email is nataliemoran at gmail dot com. Thank you!
Wow, I’m so glad that this can be helpful to you all! I actually used Powerpoint for this, so hopefully most people can open the file!
Hi Miss Daffodil,
I would love to have a copy of this as well. Thanks so much!
lunalai at gmail dot com
Hi!
This is AMAZING! My fiance and I are both more “visual learners” so this would really help us (ok me!) visualize the whole process!
Thanks so much!
erica.tobey at gmail dot com
I would love a copy too!
zillabride at comcast dot net
TIA
This is awesome!
Thanks, Miss Daffodil! This is exactly what I’ve been trying to figure out how to put together, and didn’t know how!
Miss Daffodil, this looks wonderful. I function best when I’m uberorganized as well. Please send me a copy at turquoise1118 AT yahoo DOT com. Thank you so much!!
I was about to say. That would have been A LOT of emails. 
Hi Miss Daffodil! Thank you for your comment! I don’t read Xanga much anymore and didn’t realize Junshien had posted it on his blog =) Are you friends with him? And welcome to the beehive!
this is extremely helpful THANKS =] especially for me since im getting married on the same day! but not the same year
jf
I would love a copy as well if you could send it.
…i’m very dissorganised so it would really help me
Many Thanks maria
mariagiertta@hotmail.com
[...] to Miss Daffodil’s mad planning skills, I’ve spent the last few weeks getting organized. Let me just tell you that a month or so out [...]
what a godsend!
please can you email me a copy to:
soutingATgmail.com
OMGoodness! How awesome! Could I please have an emailed copy sent to dacpanoc@yahoo.com? Thanks so much!
op, I saw the file up above. Thanks!
I would be ever so thankful if you could a send a copy me way! I have been trying to find /come up with one that would fit my needs and this is Perfect! What a huge relief this would be. THANKS!
wow. that’s awesome. i would love if you can email me a copy as well : joannong27@yahoo.com
I would love a copy of your time line! It would help my un-organized sister! Thanks!
[...] in one file- and it makes backing things up that much easier. This, combined with Miss Daffodil’s Wedding Workplan, have been the two tools most frequently used for keeping things [...]
I know I’m a little late but could you please email this to me? sabrinaandantranigwedding at gmail.com! thanks!!!
@leesuh1: @Lyla: @<a: @Thy: @CEM: @jo: @RhodeyGirl: The file is actually available for download now at the top of the post!
Oh this is GREAT! Iknow I am super late but can you please email me a copy? Thanks in advance! kjimenez21@gmail.com
This is fantastic. Could you please email it to me ?. Thanks
[...] started with Mrs. Daffodil’s wedding workplan file, then customized away. Now I can see who will be where and for how long all day long… [...]
[...] started with Mrs. Daffodil’s wedding work plan file, then customized away. Now I can see who will be where and for how long all day long… and [...]
I absolutely love how organized this is! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
this is ridiculously awesome. how does a human being become this good at powerpoint!!!
Can you send me a copy of your awesome org tools as well! What a life saver!
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Mrs. Daffodil, San Francisco/Los Angeles
Age and Occupation: 26, Nonprofit Strategy Consultant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Resident Physician
Engagement Date: December 29, 2006
Wedding Date: May, 2008
Blogging Since: August, 2007
Venue: Church w/ floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Valley; Westin in downtown LA
About Me: I moved around a lot growing up, but consider myself a Southerner at heart. I love scrapbooking, dancing, doggies, and diet coke. I am all about personalizing everything and hence, I'm a DIY bride who is just loving the entire wedding planning process! Mr. Daffodil and I met in our college fellowship group and were "just friends" for three years before we started dating. We've been together for four years now and can't wait to get married in sunny SoCal, Mr. Daffodil's hometown.
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