The Wedding Binder

The Wedding Binder

April 4th, 2011 @ 4:56 pm by Ms. Gazelle
Share

My girls were telling me that I needed a wedding-planning binder. Really? I am all about keeping things digital as opposed to hard copies. With so many wedding-planning websites to choose from, I was feeling a bit sceptical about needing a binder, but I figured I should probably check them out anyway. After all, one might be useful for compiling contracts and other bits and pieces along the way.

On a Sunday morning I popped into Chapters, a large Canadian bookstore, to scope out the selection. The binders were pricey and there were a whole lot of things that seemed superfluous to our wedding. I decided my best option would be to make my own, so off to Staples I went.

I picked a purple binder and printed off my inspiration board for the front cover. Open it up, and there is a pencil case in front.

The Wedding Binder : wedding resources vancouver Gazz1 gazz1

Inside? I have pens (black, red, and purple), Wite-Out, tape flags, and some paper samples for some of the paper products I’m going to use.

The Wedding Binder : wedding resources vancouver Gazz2 gazz2

Next up? The to-do list! I’ve checked a few different ones out, but so far I like the task list on The Knot the best.

The Wedding Binder : wedding resources vancouver Gazz3 gazz3

After that I have a bunch of different tabs:

The venue: I have our contract, a booklet of steps to take now that we’ve booked the venue, the receipt for our deposit, and other bits and pieces.
The photographer: I have our signed contract and a price list. I haven’t talked about our photographers yet, but trust me—they are AMAZING!
The travel: I have our reservations for our trips out to Vancouver for our wedding planning, plus anything related to travel arrangements that have been made around our wedding.
Receipts: Here I’m keeping all the receipts for any wedding-related purchases that have been made.

I definitely feel like this is more useful since I can customize it and add to it as needed. Did it wind up being more cost effective than the pre-built binders I saw at Chapters? Hard to say, since I then picked up this awesome purple Fast In Flight bag from Lululemon to tote it around in!

The Wedding Binder : wedding resources vancouver Gazz5 gazz5

Just kidding. I promise I didn’t buy the bag just to haul my binder around…

Do you have a wedding-planning binder? Am I missing anything from mine that I haven’t thought of yet?

Tags: Resources, vancouver |

Share |

Latest Gallery Pics

Hot Pink and White with Zebra 36" Lighted Spandex Ostrich Feather Centerpiece

15 Responses to “The Wedding Binder”

Member

princs.sweetie (message) 138 posts, Blushing bee

I have a 2 or 3 inch binder filled with wedding inspirations. Since I’m not in the full force of wedding planning yet, I don’t have a “wedding binder” but I’m slightly OCD and have to have everything organized so I know I will be having one (and as dorky as it sounds I’m really excited about it).

4/4/11 @ 5:12 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Ostrich (message) 1,948 posts, Buzzing bee

love the wedding binder…and that purple bag? super cute.

here are some other bits i have in mine:
a chart with all my vendor contacts - name, email, phone #, payment due dates, etc

guest list and tracking for std, invites, meal preference, etc.

4/4/11 @ 5:13 pm (reply)

Guest

Christina

I made my binder too! I want to buy a bag, but haven’t found the “right” one yet - love yours!
I have pages where I can write down info on each Bridesmaid / Groomsman. I have their address/info digitally, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to just jot some things down, their likes (for gifts?), when they ordered their dress, etc… I like that making it on my own will let it evolve into an awesome keepsake too

4/4/11 @ 5:32 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Pain au Chocolat (message) 1,698 posts, Bumble bee

Do I ever had a binder! It’s being slowly pared down but still sounds with a heavy THUD! when it is set down. I used page protector pockets and two sets of rainbow dividers to keep everything tidy. It’s a plain 2.5″ white binder but it does the job.

4/4/11 @ 5:40 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Elephant (message) 6,182 posts, Bee Keeper

I went the do it yourself way too, and purchased a binder from WalMart. It worked out great, and will bring back planning memories after the wedding.

4/4/11 @ 5:41 pm (reply)

Member

Ryna (message) 4,207 posts, Honey bee

Yup! I made mine, too. I have receipts, bits and pieces of the paper products I’ve done, a folder where I have envelopes of receipts and ideas, plus the character stats I have yet to use, and a few other odds and ends, including a checklist.

I also have notebook paper in it where I’ve listed prices and to-buy lists and things like that.

so far, I haven’t really used it that much. Probably cause the majority of it is digital and I’m too lazy to print it and shove it in the binder, lol.

4/4/11 @ 5:59 pm (reply)

Member

FutureMrsCallaghan (message) 16 posts, Newbee

I don’t have a binder but I do have a file organizer and its labeled with receipts and contracts and wedding inspirations its very helpful

4/4/11 @ 6:01 pm (reply)

Guest

CapitolQT

I have a feeling PURPLE is going to have a prominent role on the secret inspiration board… can’t wait!

4/4/11 @ 6:59 pm (reply)

Member

shoemaven0917 (message) 73 posts, Worker bee

Miss Gazelle, you are far more organized that me- I’m jealous! We’re trying to get a Calgary bee meet up arranged in the near future; pop over to the local Alberta board if you are so inclined to join us!

4/4/11 @ 7:43 pm (reply)

10.

Bee

Miss Tartlet (message) 3,207 posts, Sugar bee

Love your organization! I definitely have a binder dedicated to wedding-related goodies. And a tote bag filled with paper samples. And another folder that’s dedicated to contracts that I lug around to all our meetings nowadays. *blush* That’s a fantastic idea to keep your receipts in a plastic sleeve!

4/4/11 @ 8:19 pm (reply)

11.

Bee

Miss Seal (message) 1,179 posts, Bumble bee

I have such a crush on that binder and its purple bag! My binder basically has what you’ve mentioned. I also printed a month-by-month color-coded calendar for the front to keep track of all of my payment due-dates and vendor meetings.

4/4/11 @ 8:23 pm (reply)

12.

Member

Kcoleybear (message) 683 posts, Busy bee

Love the bag.

4/4/11 @ 10:24 pm (reply)

13.

Bee

Miss Hyena (message) 1,882 posts, Buzzing bee

I have a binder, but I still keep the majority of my inspiration in my bookmarks. The binder pretty much just holds my contracts and receipts, and serves as a scratching post for my cat.

4/5/11 @ 12:24 am (reply)

14.

Bee

Mrs. Meerkat (message) 3,216 posts, Sugar bee

Great job on the binder. I had everything on my Droid because I never did find a binder I liked. I think if I had seen yours I might have been a binder bride after all.

4/5/11 @ 9:17 am (reply)

15.

Bee

Miss Carousel (message) 590 posts, Busy bee

LOL that binder is fantastic!! I’d never thought I’d need one but will all the wedding contracts and documents adding up I think I’ll need to get one myself…

4/6/11 @ 4:11 am (reply)