Most brides and grooms want to make it seem like their weddings came together without hard work or preparation — and the problem is few of them succeed. Newly engaged couples usually have no idea what they are getting into when they start wedding planning because so many weddings they have attended appear polished and perfect.
Behind the scenes, it takes more than a year of strenuous decision-making for even the most basic wedding elements — dress, tux, cake, venue — to fall into place.
Fortunately, overwhelmed brides-to-be have it easier than ever before. With the click of a mouse, any wedding planner with Internet access can find information and programs that make every step of the planning process — from the bachelorette party to the thank you notes — as easy as can be.
1. The Bach
As a cultural tradition, the bachelorette party has only existed since the 1960s, when women became more sexually liberated and desired a “last hurrah” with booze and others akin to their hubbies’-to-be. Yet, in recent years, the bachelorette party has surpassed the bachelor party in terms of raucousness, as ladies find the need to let loose their pre-wedding jitters. Unfortunately, for many brides, the bachelorette party is just another event they have to plan in detail.
Enter wedding website number one: TheBach.com. A bachelorette party planning tool like no other, The Bach can help you select a nearby destination and find hotels, restaurants, and transportation as well as a bevy of entertainment options, including spas, bars, and adult locations. You can even coordinate your guest list and balance your budget right from the site.
2. Vendor Directories
Most married couples contend that you aren’t truly engaged until you have a date, and you simply can’t pin down a date until you find your perfect venue. However, you should think again if you expect to be able to visit in-person each and every venue option available. You can save time, energy, and money narrowing down your potential venue list by researching local venues online. Most venues have websites with pictures of past events and a list of services they typically offer. If you are organizing a destination wedding, you can save even more using this method; for example, our vendor guide is the perfect place to start if you are looking for destination wedding vendors.
3. Groom Groove
Grooms-to-be generally aren’t particularly involved in the wedding planning process, but it isn’t from disinterest — it is due to the seemingly infinite amount of wedding information available online. Groom Groove sifts through popular lady-targeted wedding sites, like the Knot and Martha Stewart, to present men with wedding resources related wholly to their roles and duties. Additionally, like The Bach, Groom Groove can aid in bachelor party planning.
4. Recycle Your Wedding
On average, American weddings cost $25,200, and that’s before the cost of the honeymoon, marital house, and other expenses are factored in. Weddings are much more than food, drink, and dress — most couples (and their families) have to pay out of pocket for every single decorative touch, from the bows on the ceremony chairs to the glitter on the reception tables. Then, when the wedding is over, you’re stuck with piles of decorations you’ll likely never use again.
Wedding website number four has you covered with this one. Recycle Your Wedding allows past brides to sell their gently used wedding items to soon-to-be brides looking for a deal. Then, when you are done with your celebration, you can pass the items along to someone else.
5. AllSeated
The seating chart is a major migraine at the best of times, but AllSeated quiets the pain into a minor ache. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can have your exact reception layout available on screen. AllSeated also can coordinate your guest list and keep track of RSVPs, so you won’t forget to assign a table to guests who remember to send back their invites. Of course, how to deal with the surprise uncle who didn’t RSVP is up to you.
6. Brideside
Like brides, bridesmaids come in all shapes and sizes, which makes finding a suitable bridesmaid gown an absolute nightmare. A cut and color that looks good on one of your ladies is sure to bunch and wash out another. Fortunately, a savvy algorithm and informative videos allow wedding website number six, Brideside, to help you find the perfect fit for your entire bridal party. If it seems too good to be true, you can see pictures of real weddings aided by Brideside to see the magic in action.
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