So many apps! So little time! How to use technology to plan your big day.
By: Debra Witt3. Stay on Budget
The biggest thing to keep in mind with online budget trackers and personal finance apps, says Aisle Planner’s Rob Farrow, is that, “If you’re not really good at sticking to a budget in your day-to-day life, an app won’t change that fact!” Plus, many apps won’t give you a projected spend for wedding details. “That’s where magazines and websites are the most helpful, because they’ll guide you through the big and small costs.” Our feature, “Where Does All the Money Go?” can help you divvy up your funds based on a regional guide to wedding expenses. “30 Unexpected Wedding Costs Brides Forget to Budget For” reveals costs you probably never considered. Once you know how you want to spend your money, financial tech tools can serve as a “good check” for couples, Farrow says.
One other thing to consider before relying solely on an app to help you keep track of your expenses: Does the app allow you to view data on your computer or even print it out?
Related tech tools we like:
• WeddingHappy 2.0 is an easy-to- use complete wedding-planning app that has lots to offer detail-oriented couples, including a feature that can help you determine a budget.
• Mint is the popular personal finance site and app that has an unsung feature useful to engaged couples: If you and your fiancé have opened a joint wedding account, everything you spend will start to be categorized.
• iWeddingDeluxe is a broad-use wedding-planning app that has an automatic budget tool that directs couples to allot different percentages to the venue, photographer and more.
4. Keep Your Guests Informed and Excited
Chances are you’ve already started talking up your big day on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. These days. it’s important to create your wedding hashtag, website, even personal app early on (don’t forget to include them on your invitations). Newlyweds Jodie and Anthony Barone, who got married in upstate New York in July 2014 created a detailed site so their nearly 250 guests could get answers to common questions (where to stay, directions from the church to the reception venue, etc.) without having to track down someone from the wedding party. A personal site also lets couples maintain control over wedding-related “talk” among guests. “We learned first-hand that when uninvited friends or family start to see posts about your wedding on Facebook there can be conflicts and hurt feelings,” says Anthony Cece. (Facebook tip: In your “Friends” section, create a wedding list and take care to use this customized setting when posting about your big day.)
Just remember, not every guest will be equally wired or tech savvy. You can’t assume that they’ll be willing to download an app or log on to a site, so be sure to put the most important and relevant information on your printed invitations and programs.
Related tech tools we like:
• Minted, the noted design and invitation site, recently debuted a wedding website service along with an address assistant. Choose a theme that coordinates with your invitations for a seamless visual message or change up the design theme if the mood strikes.
• WeddingWire has a new wedding hashtag generator. Simply fill in some basic details (names, nicknames, wedding setting, etc.) and you’ll get a list of options to choose from. Melissa and Alec Graham, for example, used the site to land on #Grahampartyof2.
• AppyCouple lets you create your own wedding website and app from your smartphone. It has a good RSVP tool and several designs to choose from.
• Yapp isn’t wedding specific, but it lets you create a simple app so guests can get directions, hotel information, even push notifications for reminders or last-minute updates.
5. Document Your Big Day
The days when a professional photographer or videographer were the only ones with a camera in hand at the wedding are long gone. Melissa and Alec Graham encouraged their guests to take and upload pictures and videos using WedPics. Melissa chose this sharing app because couples are able to control what’s being shared.
Related tech tools we like:
• WeddingParty is a broad-use planning tool that lets guests share all the photos from the day in one place.
• Mix automatically collects photos and videos from the time you get engaged, then organizes and displays them for whomever you invite.
