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There are hundreds of details to track when planning modern weddings. Guestlists, invitations, RSVP's, seating arrangements, gifts, budgets, and timelines are just some of the items that cannot be forgotten.
A variety of software programs are available that can make tracking these details easy, and even fun. Which programs deliver the most value to you in your planning activities? TopConsumerReviews.com reviews the best wedding planning software available today.
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There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of details to keep track of when planning a modern wedding. Guestlists, seating charts, invitations, rsvp's, meal selections, gifts, expense tracking, vendor contracts, event planning, timelines - the list goes on and on.
Thankfully there are a number of wedding planning software programs that allow you to track all these items. The best programs make wedding planning a breeze, even - dare we say - fun!
When looking at wedding planning software, there are a few things you want to consider. Some of these include:
• Interface. Is the program easy to use? Forget what it can do for you; if you can't use it, or don't want to, you won't.
• Content. What will it track? You want software that tracks information relevant to your wedding, not someone else's.
• Cost. How expensive is the software? Is it a one-time charge, or a recurring fee?
TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best wedding planning software available. We hope you find these reviews helpful in planning your big wedding day!
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Cost:
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$29.95
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Returns:
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30-day free trial
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This highly stylized software truly earns its five star rating. The iDo Wedding Couples Edition is the complete package. It effectively manages every detail of wedding planning while keeping important information organized and easily accessible. Even the most technologically challenged couple can successfully navigate the user-friendly layout of this planning
program.
Some of the many helpful attributes of iDo include:
• A "Contacts" page that allows you to conveniently manage even the most extensive guest list by assigning contacts into various groups. This page also saves the email addresses of your contacts, which assists you in sending mass emails if you wish.
• An "Invitations" section that allows you to keep up with all the details relating to which invitations have already been sent, and to track which RSVP's have been returned by assigning each invitation an RSVP ID number.
• An "attendees" page - which is one of iDo's most helpful resources. This page lists all contacts that will be attending the wedding and makes it easy to perfect your seating arrangements by using its table layout program. You can simply place tables in the configuration you are planning for your reception, and then just drag
and drop the names
of the guests you wish to seat at each table.
• A "Reports and Labels" section that makes printing detailed reports and address labels a breeze.
Other pages manage gifts, oversee your budget, organize vendor information, plan events, record checklists, and keep track of timelines. This is truly an exceptional software package and its low price only sweetens the deal. There are two options when purchasing this particular planning software, you can download it directly to your computer for only
$29.95
or buy the CD's for $39.99. If you are uncertain that you want to purchase this program, you even have the option of downloading the product for a free thirty day trial to see if it is beneficial to the planning process
IDo Wedding Couples Edition is a powerhouse product that delivers on all counts. With its easy to use format, completeness of information, and low price, it earns our highest ranking.
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Cost:
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$29.95
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Returns:
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30 days for a full refund
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My Wedding Companion tied for second in our planning software review. Its flexibility and organization make it truly convenient and easy to use. My Wedding Companion has produced popular planning software since its development in 1995, but the recent release of version 5.0 has improved an already great program.
Another positive aspect of this software is that it comes with 4 helpful bonuses to help with the planning process. An ebook entitled Essential Wedding Planning Tips and Checklists, a calligraphy font package, an ebook called Ultimate Bridal Shower Guide, and a keepsake ebook called Treasured Moments - these are all provided to you immediately upon purchase
of
My Wedding Companion.
Some of the available planning tools that are a part of My Wedding Companion include:
• A guest manager which can help track details in even the longest guest lists
• A gift manager to store all pertinent information regarding who gave what and whether or not thank you cards have been sent. Also, this manager can track items on your gift registry from a number of stores.
• A budget manager that can help you stay ahead of the countless wedding expenses that can otherwise become totally overwhelming.
• A label and envelope manager that allows you to print address labels and customized inner and outer invitation envelopes.
• Pages to help organize music, menus, vendors, seating, and more.
Another wonderful attribute of My Wedding Companion is its thirty day money back guarantee. If you are unsatisfied with the product for any reason, you can easily receive a full refund.
Quality software, a dependable company, and useful bonuses combine to give My Wedding Companion high marks in our review.
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Cost:
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$39.95
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Returns:
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60 days for a full refund
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This is a combination wedding planning ebook and wedding planning software package. For the price, this represents an excellent value.
The Amazing Wedding Planning ebook gives brides a lot of useful advice on how to effectively plan and save money for their wedding. It includes a range of helpful information, including:
• A simple 10-step guide for planning your wedding
• Tricks to renting 1st class reception halls
• How to avoid getting gifts that you don't want
• Questions you need to ask every wedding vendor
• 10 common wedding mistakes you can avoid
• 8 tips to find the best wedding photographer for you
• and much more
The Amazing Wedding Planner software is a tool for organizing and overseeing all the messy details of planning a wedding. The software's design is easy to understand. It is set up just like a file folder system with tabs across the top labeled with the information they contain.
The Amazing Wedding Planner software includes:
• A guest manager to keep track of your important contact information
• A budget page to follow where all of your money goes
• A seating manager that allows you to place each of your guests at the appropriate table during your reception
• A Reports page allowing you to print applicable information for whomever it may concern
• A timeline, a honeymoon planner, and a vendor contact manager
The Amazing Wedding Planner ebook and software combination provides a lot of useful advice on managing your wedding, and a good software package to track it. This represents a very good value at an extremely affordable price. If you're looking
for the best bang for your buck, you should consider the Amazing Wedding Planner ebook and software package.
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Cost:
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$34.99
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Returns:
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30 days for a full refund
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Smart Wedding is a much awarded software program that really understands what's important to maintain organization in the midst of such a complicated event as planning a wedding. This software covers all sorts of wedding details and allows even the most scatter brained brides and grooms-to-be to stay on top of their wedding plans!
Some of the tools in this software package include:
• A guest list manager that allows you to divide your guests into meaningful groups such as local or out of town guests, and then include other pertinent information such as their accommodation and transportation needs.
• An events section which helps you plan everything from the engagement party to the actual wedding and all the other parties in between.
• A task list manager which is used to specify who does what and when, allowing the bride and groom-to-be to feel confident that people understand what is expected of them.
• A budget template that can be automatically generated or customized and then used to calculate costs and store details about every wedding expense.
• A RSVP manager, a seating manager, a gift tracker, a stationary wizard, and the ability to print reports about almost anything pertaining to the wedding.
This software covers almost every aspect of wedding planning. By having somewhere to sort and store all of the intricate details of planning, brides and grooms-to-be can actually stay in control of each step of the process.
Another big advantage of the Smart Wedding software is that it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are unhappy with the product for any reason within 30 days you can receive a money back refund.
At a cost of $34.99 it is more expensive than some of the other software packages we have reviewed, but its professional design and effectiveness make it worth the price.
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Cost:
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$29.99
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Returns:
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30-day free trial
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Wedding Magic is well designed and covers all the major areas that can be so confusing when trying to plan a wedding. One unique aspect of this software is that online help and answers to commonly asked wedding questions are available to further support the planning process.
Some of the tools found in this package include:
• A guest database to track contacts and their detailed information
• Mail Merge capabilities when printing stationary
• A gifts manager which tracks monetary gifts along with items from your wedding registry and other gifts
• Spreadsheets with which you can stay on top of vendor information, payments, and due dates
• Sections that can help you plan your reception including the table assignments and music selections
One of our favorite features of Wedding Magic is the option to create customized table place cards, invitations, response cards, maps, reception cards, programs and announcements.
Wedding Magic may not be as high-tech or detailed as some of the other software programs we have reviewed, but nonetheless it is a very good package. You can either purchase the cd's, which costs $32.99 plus $7.00 shipping and handling, or download Wedding Magic directly to your computer for a thirty day demo. Anytime during the thirty
days,
if you are satisfied with the product, you can pay $29.99 to unlock the demo and have full access to all of its features.
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Cost:
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$25.00 per year
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Refunds:
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No return policy
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Wedding Tracker is one of the most basic wedding planning software programs we have reviewed, because its main draw is the fact that it can be purchased with a subscription to your own wedding website. The software itself leaves something to be desired when compared with programs such as iDo and Smart Wedding. All of the basics are covered, but it really does not provide for much flexibility or
personalization.
Wedding Tracker includes tools such as:
• A guest manager which allows you to search your list for guests based on names and addresses
• A task list and calendar to keep track of important dates and deadlines
• An invitation tracker
• A gift tracker which lets you record which gifts you have been given, and even designate which you are planning to return
Most of the features of this planning software are based on your guests and their RSVP's, since that is what you track using the corresponding website (which you must purchase separately). As far as the stand alone software, Wedding Tracker does not offer much, in fact there is not even a budget manager included, which is usually a main aspect of planning packages. The cost of this software is rather
low, only $25.00, but unlike other's we have reviewed, you are required to pay per year.
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Wedding Planning in the News
Planning Your Insanity-Free, 'Practical Wedding'
Couples planning their weddings are forced to make scores of difficult decisions — managing the guest list, the cost and family expectations. In her new book, Meg Keene helps couples focus a little more on the meaning of marriage, and a little less on the flowers and cake.
Publ.Date : Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:37:10 -0800
Live chat: Wedding planning with the pros
Join us for a discussion about the latest wedding trends — from bridal wear to reception decor and everything inbetween — with wedding planner Stacey Price of Marry Me Productions and Jasmine Craig, owner of the upscale bridal salon The Wedding Dress.
Publ.Date : Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:39:00 -0800
Marriott Hotel in Charleston, WV Gives Newly Engaged Couples Wedding Planning Advice
For couples who got engaged over the holidays, the Charleston Marriott Town Center offers tips and trends for wedding planning.Charleston, WV (PRWEB) January 23, 2012 According to the Fairchild Bridal Group, 26% of marriage proposals occur during the months of November and December. With this in mind, Sherée Gayman, senior catering sales executive at the Charleston Marriott Town Center, offers ...
Publ.Date : Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:13:04 -0800
7 Tips for Planning a Wedding on Pinterest
If you haven't already, sign up for a Pinterest account. There's a waiting list to join now — talk about exclusivity — but you can beat the system by having an existing Pinterest member send you a request. If you don't know anyone on Pinterest, some have had success by finding members via Twitter and asking for invitations that way.
Publ.Date : Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:59:36 -0800
'Single Bridezillas': First Comes Wedding Planning, Then Comes the Groom
'Single Bridezillas': First Comes Wedding Planning, Then Comes the Groom
Publ.Date : Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:14:41 -0800
NH launches new wedding planning website
New Hampshire tourism officials want state businesses to feel the love with a wedding planning website to lure couples planning their big day.
Publ.Date : Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:09:40 -0800
Tourism officials upgrade NH wedding planning website with more venues, services
CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire tourism officials want state businesses to feel the love with a wedding planning website to lure couples planning their big day.
Publ.Date : Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:28:45 -0800
Planning a wedding with Google Docs
For do-most-of-it-yourself brides, wedding planning means lists, lists and more lists, with some spreadsheets thrown in for good measure. There are also the long, endlessly pored-over documents of vows, readings, even toasts. Did I mention lists?
Publ.Date : Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:20:28 -0800
Kate M. Brown: New Year, New Bride: How to Slim Down for Your Upcoming Wedding
If you get on a program that includes five days a week of strength training and cardio, combined with a smart eating plan, you'll look great and feel even better on your wedding day.
Publ.Date : Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:21:51 -0800
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