Yes, there are a billion different things out on the internet, but here's how I made something that was completely custom to my needs
I have to start off by first disclosing that my Google spreadsheet is over 30 tabs, and each needs intense explanation, but this will be more of a general overview.
When I started my spreadsheet it was simply a to-do list- "General". I then realized there were a billion other things to keep track of, so I started making more tabs.
General- To-do List
Expenses- Budget (including all things that need to be purchased)
Master Timeline- Day of timeline for me/wedding planner
Basement Inventory- Everything that is already bought (and in our house)
Week Prior To Do- Schedule everything to do to get ready the week before
Returns- Everything I've borrowed from people for the wedding
Staff- A schedule for the staff that we have hired for the reception
Tips for these: PUT EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF/DO ON A SPREADSHEET. On the to-do list, add everything you can think of, and break things down into super small tasks so that it's not all time-consuming and more doable.
Ex. DIY Signs- can be broken down into
1. Buy wood for DIY Signs
2. Paint wood
3. Paint on Letters
4. Add floral decor to signs
Although this adds a lot to the to-do list, it makes everything seem easier and also breaks things down into smaller tasks so that your brain doesn't have to process information at all!! For me, the smaller I break things down into, the easier it is. If I have a few spare minutes, I can check some of the small things off!
When you keep on scrolling, there are more tabs..
Photo List- A list of all the MUST-HAVE photos that you want to send to your photographer
Music List- List of all the songs you want to send the DJ/Band (Make sure you include the important ones- precessional, first dances, do not play list!)
Help List- My list of all the help I need from other people (including the week before/day of/ and after the wedding)
Store - A List of everything that I need to buy from the store; now and closer to the wedding.
Food Dinner- List of prices and menu for our dinner food
Drinks- List of alcohol/quantities/prices of alcohol
Outfits- List of outfits (including everything) for big events (Bridal shower, Bachelorette Parties, Rehearsal Dinner, Wedding, and Day After)
Packing List- Packing list for the rehearsal dinner, the morning of, and the day after!
Like I said: put everything on some type of list. If you think of another list that can be made (like you find yourself making a list of people to reach out to reconnect before the wedding), Make a list for that... you can never have too many lists!!!
Check out all my tabs...
As you can see, the rest of my tabs are pretty self-explanatory. Packing, Parties, Bridal Party Information, Stationary checklist, and everything in between.
Heres how to get started:
First things first, make a Google Account. Just put your information in and choose an email if you don't have one already. I'm incredibly organized, so I just added a new folder to both my Google Drive and email, so I didn't create an entirely new account BUT I highly suggest doing so for those who want to stay organized. (This also helps cut down on spam because TONS of wedding vendors/sites will want your email).
Once you have your Google email setup, make a folder for your emails, something like "wedding", or "vendors". & You can make subfolders if that's your type of thing.
Mine had Wedding; Vendors, Receipts, Honeymoon, and RSVPS. All my wedding emails had a nice, safe, easy to find home! :)
You then need to make a Google Drive folder and clearly label it. Here's mine:
Inside the "Wedding" folder is where I put all of the documents from vendors, any research, and most importantly, my spreadsheet.
To add new things, you simply click the +New button and can create a new file or upload something new.
*TIP* Make sure you clearly label everything- I promise it will save you time in the long run.
Now make your very own wedding spreadsheet!
+New: Spreadsheet
(Start with your to-do list, expenses, and guest list)
Click the + button on the bottom of the page to add new tabs, and right-click to rename the tab
There really is no right or wrong way to make a spreadsheet for yourself. The goal is to make things easier for you in the long run, so if it's too stressful to put everything on the sheet..don't. But the more you add, the more it will help you keep track of it all, and when things get REAL closer to the wedding, you will be happy that everything is set, organized, and checked off your list!
Always, Jess
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