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I began my research online for wedding venues, caterers, bridesmaid dresses… Colors, prices, names, stores, dates swirled around in my head. When it became too much I took breaks to gaze upon my sparkling ring… It was hard to remember who I had talked to and where they were located and did they have the nice coral color or was that the brown? I quickly found that my pieces of paper scattered across the kitchen table would be the end of me.

Of course you know there are scores of books, checklists and charts for the bride. Where to start, I wondered? I knew what I needed – one place to keep everything with the possibility of adding my own notes. Solution: “The Ultimate Wedding Planner and Organizer.” Not only were there dividers with pockets for each “wedding category,” in this three-ring binder, but also a built-in calculator (a life-saver for yours truly,), a zipper pouch to keep receipts, invitation samples etc, budget worksheets, florist and reception venue comparison charts, and best yet – a notepad in back with and a built-in hole puncher – so I could add my own notes! Perfect.

I give you permission to think I am strange, but the prospect of having everything in one easy-to carry binder thrilled me. I began transferring all my scrap notes to the orderly binder. My satisfaction with my purchase had doubled by the time I finished. I entered in contact information for various businesses, stored quotes in their respective pockets and felt I was well on my way.

"I give you permission to think I am strange, but the prospect of having everything in one easy-to carry binder thrilled me."

A few weeks went by and it was time to get dress sizes for my five bridesmaids and flower girl. No small feat when working with people from two different states and on the other side of an ocean… I would be doing the ordering and there could be no mistakes. I used the bridal party attire worksheet to meticulously record their measurements and placed the order with the store. I kept my receipts in the zippered pouch for my records lest a size not work. Of course that would not happen.

Famous last words for a bride. What “would never happen,” probably will. So it is that I found myself needing size changes for not one, but two girls in my party… I grabbed my binder and rushed to the store. Thankfully they would work with me: “Only if you have your receipts, though…” I couldn’t help but smile – of course I had them! I opened my planner and went right to them. I could not help but beam with pride when she said “You are so organized!”

Perhaps my repeating this story is a tribute to my need of some sort of affirmation… I prefer to think of it coming from a great sense of satisfaction: I set a goal – to be organized… and I met it! I pulled off a party for 200 people and everyone had a good time, enjoyed the food and music, the ceremony went beautifully and best of all I’m married to the man I love. I say “Mission Accomplished”!