We all need a little help sometimes, especially when it comes to planning your wedding and everything that goes along with it. Thanks to digital apps and tools, it is now easier than ever to get the help you need and stay organised. Have a look at 10 of our favourite wedding planning apps and tools:

1. Joy – Wedding App & Website

Are you looking for an app that will save you time, money, and efficiently get things done? Joy wedding app and website is your one-stop-shop for a personalised wedding planning experience. You can manage guest lists and create a checklist of all the things that need to be done before your big day. In addition to the impressive features this app offers, you also have the option to create a wedding website directly from the app.

2. Google Calendar

Time management is often overlooked when planning an event but is an important factor in ensuring that things go as planned. With your big day fast approaching, you want to alleviate all the pressure that comes with leaving things to the last minute. With Google Calendar you can plan all your meetings and customise your reminders. This way, you never forget anything and you’re always on time.

3. From9AM Beauty

From9am is your one-stop online shop for all things health and beauty in South Africa.  Quality products made locally and imported are available for online purchase, this includes makeup, eye, Lip, face, hair, body and feet products catering for all types of consumers! Shop the From9am.com beauty destination for makeup brush sets, blush and powder brushes, beauty blenders, makeup bags, tweezers, foundation, eyeshadows, palettes, eye makeup, lashes, concealers, contours, highlighters, bronzers, primers, setting sprays, face, body and feet products + so much more!

4. My Wedding Table Planner

Seating arrangements can prove to be one of the more challenging tasks when planning a wedding. You need to consider all the family drama that comes with it and keep everyone happy at the same time. With Table Planner, you can easily add as many guests as you like and shift them around to accommodate your venue size. This way, you have a broad view of what the seating arrangement will look like in your venue. You also have the option of allowing the app to create a generic seating plan and track RSVPs.

5. Happy Couple

Months leading up to the wedding, you and your partner may experience an overload of stress that can lead to a build-up of tension between you two. Happy Couple is an app that promotes relationship strengthening through quizzes and friendly gaming. You and your partner will get to know each other better and reassure your compatibility for years to come.

6. GoodBudget – Budget Planner

Without a proper budgeting plan, your big day might leave you in a financial pickle. Goodbudget is a user-friendly app that allows you to allocate expenses for everything that you need. Once you have a budget set in place you can shift expenses around to ensure that you are not overspending in certain areas and neglecting others, maintaining a balance is key to success.

7. A wedding registry

This fairly new concept amongst young couples has made gift buying so much easier. Not only do you save your friends and family from spending hours in the mall looking for a suitable gift, but drawing up a registry also guarantees that you will get the gifts you want and need. Several stores offer the option of creating an online registry. Yuppiechef, Mrp Home and Woolworths also have online stores to make things easier. Your guests can visit their website, enter your registry details and shop without having to leave the comfort of their homes.

8. Google Drive

Planning a wedding takes an army. Instead of the constant back and forth with different vendors and planners, centralise all the information with Google drive. As things progress, you have the option of adding notes and comments to keep everyone updated.  Easily share your wedding planner folder and everyone will have access to it. Simple yet effective.

9. Airbnb

With so much to do before your wedding, you’ve barely given your honeymoon a second thought. But once the excitement dies down after your big day, we are almost certain that you and your partner will need some time away to rest and enjoy each other’s company. Airbnb offers unique experiences and accommodations for every type of budget and occasion. The app also allows direct contact with the host of the venue you will be staying at to ensure that your stay goes as smooth as possible.

10. Facebook

It might sound crazy, but Facebook has become the modern-day yellow pages. There is almost nothing you can’t find on there. From dressmakers to wedding venues, Facebook is a central place for vendors and ideas. Your friends can share recommendations with you and you can get their opinions of things as well.  Embrace the age of digital planning.

By Aadilah Hallam

Image: Unsplash

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule good weather. Despite rain on your wedding day signifying good luck in many cultures, it can still be worrisome. Whether it’s a drizzle or a downpour, unexpected showers can put a damper on your wedding day, especially if you’re having an outdoor affair.

Sometimes the forecast gets it wrong, and the heavens open up unprovoked. So here is what to do if it unexpectedly rains on your wedding day:

Go with Plan B:

If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, then you should already have a contingency plan in place. If you don’t have a backup plan already set up, try speaking to your venue to find out if the wedding can be relocated to an indoor space on their grounds. Don’t forget to let your guests know about the venue change!

If you still really want to have your wedding outdoors, rent a marquee tent. This way, everything set up can stay and it adds another design element.

Stop and take stock:

Now is the time to accessorise. Have someone purchase or collect umbrellas and throw blankets to offer guests as they arrive. Have heat lamps and towels on hand to dry them off if they got caught in the rain. Offer your guests hot beverages to keep your guests feeling warm and cosy. At the end of the day, it’s about making your guests as comfortable as possible despite the weather.

If you already know it will most likely rain on your wedding day, you can pre-prep and have items monogrammed to represent your wedding day in style. Bonus: they double-up as wedding favours!

Embrace it:

We can’t change the weather, so there is no point fretting about it. As we said, rain on your wedding day is seen as good luck in many cultures. So flip the script and take the rain as a positive sign for your future.

Sometimes the rain can act as a great backdrop. Use the weather to your advantage and shoot creative images.

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzFOx3FJh_c/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByUA9gIBtd9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByROKdKnLdd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Image: Pexels

Planning does not always make perfect. Sometimes things go awry despite your best efforts. In this case, make sure to expect the unexpected. Here are the things that can go wrong on your wedding day and how to prepare for them.

Someone could get sick:

You can’t schedule sickness, unfortunately. Whether it’s you, your partner or a member of your bridal party, no one is safe from the perils of health problems. While not completely preventable, there are things you can do to minimise problems. Stick to a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables in the lead up to your wedding to maintain your vitamin intake, drink more water, and consider taking probiotics. Make sure you take medication at the first hint of sickness.

The weather could be terrible:

Weather is unpredictable, especially when you plan events in advance. Make sure to check weather forecasts the week of, and prepare for all weather types by coming up with a contingency plan. Have umbrellas on hand for rain, and hand-held mechanical fans for hot weather.

Transport could get messed up:

If you are using an external transport service, chances are that they will run late. Make sure to stay in constant contact with drivers to be conscious of their whereabouts at every step of the day, and triple-check that they have been given correct directions so that guests don’t get lost on the way to your big day.

You could forget something:

Your wedding day can be stressful, making it easy for things to slip your mind. To stay on plan, have your maid of honour carry a checklist of things you’ll need and constantly refer to it.

Someone could be late:

People run on their own timezones. Expect that not all your guests will arrive on time to witness your nuptials. If the late party is in your wedding party or an important family member, then hold off on the ceremony a bit. Otherwise, go ahead without them.

Someone could get drunk:

Things can quickly go wrong when you pair people with alcohol, especially if there is an open bar. Don’t be surprised if people have a bit too much liquid courage at your wedding. If you are worried, consider having a cash bar over an open bar. Guests will be less likely to go overboard drinking if they have to pay for it themselves.

Image: Unsplash