How to Create Your Own Wedding Planning Binder
Create the ultimate wedding planning binder with our step-by-step DIY tutorial! Personalize your binder to organize everything from vendor contracts to your Pinterest inspiration. Stay stress-free and keep all your wedding details at your fingertips with our must-have supplies and expert tips.
If you’re looking for the best way to organize everything you need for your wedding, look no further than this DIY Wedding Binder Tutorial!
We like our wedding planner binders the same way we like our weddings– personalized!
We couldn’t find a wedding planning binder on the market that fully fit the bill for our savvy couples, so we decided to share a tutorial to help you create one yourself! And let’s be honest, a DIY wedding binder is the best way to go for DIY brides, right?
Make Your Own Wedding Planning Binder
Your own wedding planner binder will likely be an ever-evolving work-in-progress during your wedding planning process. Here’s the rundown of what you will likely need to put it together for the ultimate wedding planner binder.
Supplies
- 1 Large 3 Ring Binder of your Choice
- 12 Binder Folders or Binder Pockets
- Zipper Pouch Insert
- Sheet Protectors (as needed)
- Sticker Tabs – For use as dividers or Tab Dividers
- Adhesive Pockets
- 3 Hole Punch to punch holes
- Business Card File for Vendor Information, Contact lists, Misc Phone Numbers, and Venue Biz Cards
Some brides may prefer to use sheet protectors for everything, but you may find you need more than that. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up with too many things spilling out of your binder! The zipper pouch and pocket inserts will help to keep things in their proper place no matter their size.
Printable planning sheets are a great way to get started in your planning, and the internet is chock full of FREE checklists. We’re partial to the ones we share here on B$B.
The best part is that you can decide for yourself how to organize your details. Crafting the perfect wedding planning binder is such a matter of preference, and much like your wedding day… one size doesn’t fit all.
Start by Selecting Your Binder
We recommend a 3-ring binder, at least 1 inch thick. With all the documents and folders, you’ll need the room!
1” Binder Sophisticated Speckle
This binder has a beautiful white and pink speckled look with an interior pink lining. This binder holds up to 150 pages and also features 2 inside pockets.
Custom Faux Leather Binder
This faux leather binder costs a little more than your regular binder but it can be a great gift for a bride or make for a nice keepsake with personalized engraving.
Choose Your Divider Style
Pockets or Folders… solid or clear sheet covers… choose the style that works for you!
5 pack Tabbed Dividers
These 5 tabbed dividers include clear view pockets with soft solid border that are
3 hole punched to fit any standard 3-ring binder. These are perfect for your wedding planning binder needs!
Clear Sheet Protector with Binder Tabs
This 8 pack set also includes 20 stickers as well for organization and labeling. Each divider is a sheet protector so you can insert documents or label sections as needed.
Tab Dividers with Pockets
These durable plastic pocket dividers with tabs are a great way to keep your wedding planning binder organized and bright and colorful! Pockets and tabs for every section!
3 Hole Punch Pocket Folders
Grab these sturdy two pocket folders in multiple colors for your binder. There is also an area for business cards on the interior right pockets!
Add Divider Tabs as Needed
If you choose regular folders for your dividers, you may want to add tabs for easier flipping! You could also use sticky notes too!
Writable Tabs
Use these 24 tabs to separate your sections in your wedding planning binder or even within each section. You can write on either side of the tab!
Digital Download Binder Tabs
This digital download includes beautifully designed wedding planning tabs. This file includes 45 tabs and a sheet of blank tabs to use for whatever else you may need to plan your perfect wedding day! Print from your own printer.
2000 Sticky Notes for Binders
Color code and create your own tabs for whatever section you need for your wedding planning. These sticky notes can be used everywhere in your binder as divider tabs or marking on contracts and other information.
Other Products You May Need
Sheet Protectors
These sheet protectors are a great idea for protecting vendor contracts or other important items that you may want to secure in your binder.
Adhesive Corner Pockets
No pockets, no problem! Create your own pockets as needed with these adhesive clear corner pockets!
Metal 3 Hole Punch
Easily 3-hole punch any items for your wedding planner 3 ring binder with this Pen + Gear 3-hole punch! Compact and small enough to fit into most bags when you are an on-the-go wedding planner!
Business Card Binder Pages
Even though we know we live in a very digital age, vendors and venues still hand out business cards. These binder sheets are a great way to keep them organized in your binder!
You can also view a list of recommended products on our Amazon storefront here.
Print Out a Calendar and Checklists
For this, you may want to use a heavier weight paper, such as an 80lb cardstock. These are items that you will punch holes in and will be touched and turned many times throughout your planning process so you want them to be sturdy.
Print Wedding Planning Checklist + Timeline from Budget Savvy Bride (free template download)
Fill Pockets and Folders with Necessary Info and Inspiration
We’d love to hear about your organization methods. Congratulations and Happy planning!
Organization Suggestions: Tab Ideas
You can feel free to organize your binder in the way that feels most logical to you, but to give you a jumping off point, here is our recommended order of organization:
Ceremony
- Wedding Vows
- Special Rituals
- Readings etc
- Music or Entertainment
- Wedding Program
- Guest Book
- Officiant
Reception
- Rentals
- Linens
- Catering
- Entertainment
- Cake
- Wedding Favors
- Bar & Drinks
- Send Off Items
- Lighting
Vendors
- Photographer
- PhotoBooth
- Videographer
- DJ or Band
- Ceremony Venue
- Reception Venue
- Hair/Makeup
- Officiant
- Vendor Contracts
- Caterers
- Baker
- Bartenders
Florist
- Flower ideas
- Reception Décor
- Bouquets
- Bridal Bouquet
- Groom and Groomsmen Boutonnieres
- Ceremony Arch/Decor
- Centerpieces
Attire
- Receipts for Dress, Alterations, etc
- Important dates to remember for dress delivery, alterations appointments, etc
- Makeup/Hair
- Accessories-Jewelry, Shoes, Veil, etc..
- Suit Rental Information
- Bridal Party Orders/Dress Selection
Guest List
If you’re the type who likes to write things out on paper, feel free to record your guest list onto paper and include it in your binder. Or you can print out your spreadsheets and add them to your binder if you don’t feel like writing them out by hand.
Organizational Add-Ons for Your Wedding Binder
You may also want to consider including a section for both the honeymoon or rehearsal dinner depending on if these items will fall on the bride-to-be’s shoulders or if you and your partner are planning these together. Don’t forget the day of emergency kit, registry information, and wedding website if needed.
Rehearsal Dinner
- Menu
- Drinks
- Any Entertainment or A/V needed
- BSB checklist
Honeymoon
- Airfare
- Hotel/Cruise
- Tours
- Packing List
- Travel Agent Information
Wedding Day Emergency Kit
Registry Information
- Brick & Mortar Stores
- Websites
- Registry Needs
Wedding Website
Make Your Own DIY Wedding Binder with These Tips!
Creating your own wedding planning binder is a fantastic way to keep all your wedding details organized and accessible throughout the planning process. By customizing it to your needs, you can ensure that everything from vendor contracts and contact information, to dress alterations is at your fingertips.
Whether you’re using it to track your budget, manage your guest list, or simply store your Pinterest board inspiration, this DIY binder will become an invaluable tool in making your wedding day as stress-free as possible. With a little time and effort, you’ll have a personalized wedding planner that perfectly suits your style and helps you stay on top of every detail. Happy planning!
Join us in our community to talk about wedding planner binders or other wedding planning organization options!
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