No Planner, No Problem: These Wedding Books Will Save the Day

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4 days ago

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I can barely meal plan one week at a time, so the idea of coordinating an entire wedding is bonkers. I'm nowhere near engaged (sorry, Mom), but I can already promise you that when the time comes, I will be turning to the best wedding planner books. An actual human planner might not be in your budget, but these books are a solid replacement.
Best Portable Pick: The Little Book of Wedding Checklists, $6
Best Overall: The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner & Organizer, $28
Best Personalized Option: Our Wedding Planner Book, $51
Best to Give as a Gift: Smythson Say I Do Planner, $295
'Having a physical wedding planner or journal can be incredibly helpful for staying organized and focused,' says expert Jessica Bishop. 'It keeps everything in one place and gives you a visual way to track your progress. A good planner can reduce stress, guide your decisions, and help you stay on track financially and logistically. It allows you to break the process into manageable steps.' But where to begin? As with every decision you'll make throughout planning, the amount of options can feel daunting, so I've narrowed down the market to a tight list of 13 tried-and-true journals. 'Not all planners are created equal,' Bishop advised me. 'I recommend choosing one that not only includes checklists but also helps you think critically about your values, vision, and budget.' Ahead, browse and shop the best wedding planner books.'Look for a planner that goes beyond surface-level to-do lists,' Bishop says. Hers is 'part workbook, part guidebook, designed to empower couples to make intentional, informed choices every step of the way.'
Customer review: 'This was worth every dollar spent! There are so many tips and places to jot down every thought you could think of! And even ones you didn't think of! Highly, highly recommend if you are planning a wedding by yourself.'
$23.79 at amazon.comIf you need structure to stay on track, this bestseller is for you. It's filled with formatted pages to help you with everything from invitation design to dress style options. It also offers helpful pointers including questions to ask while touring venues or information your guests will need ahead of the big day.
Customer review: 'A lot of the things that I would have to think through have been thought through for me in an organized and easy-to-follow format. This will allow us to plan the wedding in a quicker, more effective way.'
$5.91 at AmazonFor those who are more visually minded, this spiral-bound option has ample space for moodboarding. Plus, it has pages for taking notes at dress fittings or menu tastings.
Customer review: 'Perfect amount of space for planning and organizing all details of your wedding! Great value for the money. Thick paper, so it doesn't easily tear—no need to worry about losing any pages!'
$28.49 at AmazonOn this one, you can even add a photo of the couple to the back. Isn't that sweet? It's even an Etsy's pick, by the way, and it features spreadsheets to keep track of budget estimates versus actual costs and what's been paid. It also has a photography checklist to ensure you get every shot you want.
Customer review: 'Absolutely wonderful guide! I do not know what I am doing, and this has been incredibly helpful!'
$67.99 at EtsyFill this minimalist style with all your preparation and planning, including for your honeymoon. This one from Scribble & Dot has checklists for every milestone—four months out, one month out, two weeks out, etc—so no detail will fall through the cracks.
Customer review: 'This planner is a lifesaver! It covers every detail you could think of. The size is perfect: compact enough to carry but with plenty of space to write. The layout is super functional and easy to follow, even if you're not a natural planner. It's well-organized, high-quality, and makes the entire planning process feel way less overwhelming. Highly recommend for anyone feeling stressed!'
$23.95 at AmazonMy daily planner is from Smythson, and I'd hardly be functional without it. This heritage brand has been sustainably hand-binding stationery for over 135 years, so they pretty much have it down pat.
$85.00 at bergdorfgoodman.comSome people know exactly what they want and how they want it. And for that kind of bride, I might recommend a plain, lined notebook like this one. You won't have to fuss with formats or features you don't need. You can just freestyle it your own way.
Customer review: 'This product arrived quickly and was absolutely beautiful! I had bought this for a friend who just got engaged and she loved it. The perfect notebook to write down all ideas and little notes throughout the wedding planning process!'
$25.99 at Etsy A splurge, to be sure, but hey, you might only get married once. This would make the loveliest gift for the bride who deserves a bit of luxury.
$700.00 at Anya HindmarchAn actual wedding expert designed this one; need I say more? You can also watch a full walk-through of the pages on YouTube, so you know exactly what you're getting.
$49.00 at MintedKeep track of RSVPs, sketch your dream cake, and paste inspo photos or clippings in this playful binder from Kate Spade.
$50.00 at PerigoldTwo things really set this one apart from the rest. First, it comes with a fountain pen. Bonus! Second, it goes so far as to include a step-by-step checklist for changing your last name. Genius.
Customer review: 'Great gift!'
$64.00 at Wolf & Badger I love a concealed spiral binding because you get all the functionality without the risk of snagging or uncoiling wires. This book features prompts to help you decide on details like your signature cocktail, catering options, and what to include on your dessert table. You know, all the fun stuff!
$50.00 at AnthropologieThis bestseller is very thorough, particularly when it comes to building a budget. It outlines every expense to help keep you organized. And it has pages for seating charts, too.
Customer review: 'Godsend! I started panicking about when to start planning and how the entire process works. This planner is like my own personal coordinator! If you don't know where you begin, GET THIS PLANNER!'
$21.35 at AmazonThis beauty is less so for planning and more so for documenting and memorializing the process, so that you can remember it for many years to come.
$145.00 at Williams Sonoma Every product featured on ELLE.com is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.
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