Scrapbooking on a Budget

Planning a wedding is a very stressful and exciting task. Keeping your stress level as low as possible is helpful while gathering information and weighing options. There are a few wedding planning essentials that will definitely keep you organized and ready to handle any obstacle.

First and foremost, get a wedding planner scrapbook. This could be either a guide that has already been printed and arranged or a simple notebook with blank pages and built in folders. These vary in size and content and can be found at large bookstores like Barnes and Noble. This may be the most important and truly essential wedding planning item. You will store all of your ideas, dates, parties and appointments in this book. And, as a bonus, when your wedding is finished, you can save your book to remember the special pre-wedding time in your life.

You will want to have a section for everything for your wedding. Have a place in your folder for each of the following: wedding invitation ideas, caterers' and florists' contact information, menu lists, extra items for the reception (ie: chocolate fountains, cake knife, screen and video projector, microphone, dance floor, etc.), pictures of potential dresses, photos of wedding makeup ideas and lists of cosmetics to purchase, and pictures or ideas of your ideal wedding cake. You can even take snapshots of yourself and those who come along with you to remember all the fun times choosing, testing and musing over your wedding components.

Pens or pencils are definitely essential. Using colored pens or pencils offers the option to color coordinate different categories in your planner. An ample supply of paper is also essential. You will be jotting down notes and phone numbers on more occasions than you think. Keeping paper readily available in your planner will allow you to keep all of your wedding information together in one spot. Also, be sure you have a folder somewhere, preferably attached to your planner, to keep any magazine clippings or inspirational photos.

If you choose to use a binder instead of a planner book, you should make sure your binder is equipped with items you need to stay organized. Things like page protectors for special photos or documents and tabbed dividers for easy navigation through the book. Find a cute bag out of your closet to keep all the essentials for planning your wedding. This makes it easy to keep up with everything and have it all in one space.

Planning one of the most important days of your life is not easy. Don't go overboard, but incorporate both of your styles into the wedding. Staying organized and being prepared throughout the process will result in less stress and a great wedding day.