Hive, we are closing in on the 100-day mark, and I’ve just been thinking about some of the most important resources that helped me get started planning our wedding. So, for anyone out there who is newly engaged, here are a few resources that I would (and have) recommended:
Image via Amazon.com
1. A Practical Wedding by Meg Keene. I’m going on my fourth reading of this book, and it’s really helped to talk me down off the ledge more than once. I am constantly reading it to remind myself that there are certain things that will make our day perfect, and customized napkins are not one of those things. Even though they’re adorable. And on a super sale. And theknot.com really wants me to have them.
Image via Amazon.com
2. The Wedding Book: The Big Book for Your Big Day by Mindy Weiss. Now, this book includes certain phrases like, “You’ll want to host a luncheon for your bridesmaids…” that make my skin crawl because, honestly Mindy, how the hell do you know I’ll want to do? I hate the word luncheon, so it’s unlikely that I’ll want to host one. On the other hand, this book was the only one of about two dozen that I read at Barnes and Nobel that was actually useful in providing wedding-planning advice when I first got engaged. It goes through the entire planning process and wedding day, and I had such a better grasp on all the planning I would need to do after reading this book.
3. Weddingbee.com Come on, hive—you know this is one of the most useful places to work on wedding planning. What an amazing resource of women who are all giving feedback, advice, and support to other brides-to-be! I’ve actually been reading this website for about three years, and I’m not ashamed. I knew that I would be getting married sometime, so why wait to start doing research?
4. Weddingwire.com This was an absolute godsend for finding vendors. I seriously read every single review for ever single photographer in the greater Columbus area, as well as many DJ, reception venue, and cake baker reviews. Amazingly helpful.
5. Wedding Expos. I went to two or three expos with bridesmaids, with my parents, and with Mr. G and, even though I hate crowds and fought claustrophobia every time, they provided a ton of information. In fact, I almost preferred the ones with huge crowds, because I wouldn’t get sucked in by the vendors—I could grab their materials and peruse at my leisure, rather than having to listen to their spiel. They were overwhelming, yes, but a great source of information on local vendors.
So, there you have it. The five resources that I’ve felt are most helpful in planning our wedding. Pinterest isn’t mentioned because I’m undecided on Pinterest—it sucks up hours of time and gives me these amazing ideas…but then I’m bogged down with amazing ideas and I feel like I need to do each and every one of them, or I’m a wedding failure. So.
Anyone else have any awesome resources that they want to recommend, or give a shout-out to?
Great, I’m so glad to hear the Mindy Weiss book is good. I bought it but haven’t read it yet, although I did read and buy APW, the Offbeat Bride book, the F Word, the Everything Bridesmaid book, and How I Planned Your Wedding, which have all been pretty helpful to me in some way or another dealing with plans of attack and expectations. Can you tell I’m a wedding book junkie? I thought with a 2+ year engagement I would use the extra time to be very well-informed before I started planning, and I’m glad I took the time to read them all!
Bahaha the first time I read your post, i read it as ” Weddingwire.com This was an absolute godsend for firing vendors.” Definitely laughed out loud. It is super helpful, though!
I wish I had known about “A Practical Wedding” when I was doing the majority of my planning. It would have helped me a ton when I was swimming in inspiration. My main resources were Weddingbee and WeddingWire, and I’m glad to say they were wonderful and helpful, and the better parts of planning. 
@MsVoyageur: ha! When I read your comment, I also laughed out lous
@Blonde17Jess: wow, you are ready! By the time your wedding rolls around, I bet you are more than prepared!
I can’t recommend APW (the book and the site) enough. Meg is the best!
I would definitely second the ‘Bee (o’course), A Practical Wedding, and Weddingwire. I’ll have to check out The Wedding Book. It maybe silly that I’m still reading these things three weeks out, but they make me feel a little saner.
Can I throw Real Simple Weddings’ hat into the ring? That was the first “book” (published annually, not quite a magazine) that I purchased, and I’ve referenced it dozens of times and written little notes all over the margins. It’s like a planning guide and FAQ resource with lots of real weddings and some inspiration sprinkled in.
Also, the Wedding Ceremony Planner, first recommended by Mrs. Cherry Pie.
Thanks for the resources! Etsy.com is great also! Tons of ideas on there. But the best one by far is Weddingbee.com!
I would say my number one resource was wedding mags! Once you wade through the ads they have great advice!
My mom picked up Mindy Weiss’s book for me secondhand, and it WAS very useful, even if some of the assumptions made were a little questionable/consumerist.
I’ve loved reading wedding blogs – I’ve been to (and part of) so many weddings that I had a grasp of the planning process, but the blogs were most helpful in getting unique ideas.
Useful Information….This post contains very significant ideas and facts that every reader should be followed. Great idea indeed.
Mrs. Gloves, Columbus, Ohio Age and Occupation: 25, Executive Assistant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Firefighter Engagement Date: December 29, 2011 Wedding Date: January 2013 Venue: Cathedral ceremony, reception in a converted hardware warehouse About Me: I’m a blond-haired, blue-eyed Midwestern girl, who had grand plans of an international career, before the economy came crashing down right as I graduated college. I love travel, exploring other cultures, cooking for friends and family, and relaxing in a pedicure chair. My fiancé is the perfect, level-headed and logical counterpart for my impulsive tendencies, and the nicest person I’ve ever met. Lately, we like to spend our time renovating our new home, planning our wedding, and fitting in date night with friends. We are so looking forward to a wedding weekend jam-packed with all of our favorite people, plenty of food, and flowing champagne!
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