45+ Tools to Plan Your Next Wedding

We are amazed by the advancement of the wedding planning industry in using online tools. @carmenhere put together this post which collects what we think is the best you can find out there. We are sure you will find more in the comments so make sure you keep track of it.

As always remember to save it on delicious for future reference or to share it via StumbleUpon

Software:

- OurWeddingDay: Complete wedding planning, from task management to budget tools
- iDo Wedding Couple Edition: planning software complete of wordings and songs widget feature. Free 20-day trial
- EZ Wedding Planner: Free online wedding planner software
- Perfect TablePlan: As seen on this blog

Google Docs Wedding Templates

- Free Gantt with Google: As featured on this blog
- Guest List
- Photo Album
- Planner
- Budget Manager
- Checklist

Free online tools

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15 Free Ebooks About Event Planning

Photo by libraryman via Flickr

A little bit more indulgence. Hard days of researching to bring you effective tools for your event planning business or career.

Download them on your PC, ipod, pda and read them. I am sure you will get inspired and remember that every little bit counts.

Management

1. Practical Project Management
2. Event Management Tips and Guidance for Success
3. A Project Management Primer or “a guide to making projects work (v2.0)”

Planning

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Free Gantt with Google

Google just introduced a gadget to easily create Gantt charts.

The Google Docs Blog inform us that Gantt charts are now easy to create and shareable. If you mess up with offline spreadsheet you possibly want to look at this option.

Gantt charts are useful for a number of events, from wedding planning to conferences, from parties to fundraising events.

To be up and running in few moments:

- Get yourself a Google account. It can be whatever, Gmail, Youtube, Picasa, Google Reader, etc.

- Log into Google Docs

- Hit “New” -> “Spreadsheet”

- A new window will open with your brand new spreadsheet

- Click on “Insert”-> “Gadget”

- Scroll down and you’ll find a handy Gantt Chart option

- Follow the video above to create yours

Cons:

- It’s not the most advanced and precise software/online solution of Gannt

Pros:

- It does the job

- You can share it easily online and collaborate with your colleagues

Link to Google Docs Blog

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- Hands-on: Google Docs get gadgets
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- Add a Gantt Chart to Your Google Spreadsheet [Project Management]

PerfectTablePlan for your weddings and special events

PerfectTablePlan helps you in making wise seating choices, which you obviously don’t want to get wrong.

Andy sent me over a complimentary copy of PerfectTablePlan (now what a great way to be nice with me) for me to play and I loved it.

You know I am a fan of free software and possibly open source as well, but what the hell PerfectTablePlan is not just a small gadget, it actually helps and it is extremely cheap.

I don’t like guys charging hundreds of dollars and selling air, on the same perspective I am fine with those trying hard to make a living and passionate about something.

What I liked:

- Auto wizard once you have set the type of relationship between guests.

- Attention to details. Because it’s all about that. Being able to manage RSVP as well is key.

- Intuitive platform. You do not have to be Linus Torvalds to make it work.

- Importing feature. Import your spreadsheet and erase Excel from your system.

- Tutorials. They got very easy tutorials to guide you. It takes less than an hour to understand all the features

I found the program not buggy at all and funny. If you are planning a wedding you will love marking two people who are not meant to seat next to each other with a death-sign. Hilarious.

Regardless the pitching and promotion, which I am not fond of anyway, they have been very nice and seem very passionate and gentle. That definitely deserved our attention.

PerfectTablePlan Website

5 Free event mangement templates

Photo by: perhapstoopink

I know sometime this blog gets too techie. Open source, online platforms etc. For those who don’t want to struggle with complex platforms and so forth here are 5 free templates to use with Microsoft Excel and Open Proj.

WBS, Gantt and Budget. All in one

Download OpenProj and get this template I prepared for you.

Event Toolkit

Are you unsure on what to bring with you at your next event. Be it a wedding or a wine tasting tour you will find a great collection here.

Wedding Work Breakdown Structure

An all time favorite. WBS is a must for weddings.

Event Budget

A simple budget template from Microsoft

Marketing Campaign

A good template to track your marketing campaign for Excel

For more have a look here