How do I plan a wedding using Excel?

Excel is a brilliant tool for wedding planning because you can see everything in one place. Start with a budget tab. List every category you can think of: venue, catering, outfits, flowers, photography, music, stationery, rings, hair and makeup, transport, and a contingency line for unexpected costs. Use formulas to add up what you have spent and what you have left. Next, build a guest list tab with columns for name, address, email, invite sent, RSVP received, meal choice and dietary needs. This makes seating plans much easier later. Create a supplier tab with contact details, quotes, deposits paid and final balances due. Add a timeline tab working backwards from your wedding date. Include when to send save the dates, when to give notice at the register office, when to order outfits and when to confirm final numbers. Finally, make a tasks tab with columns for task, owner, due date and status. Share the spreadsheet with your partner and anyone helping you, using a cloud version so you can both edit it. Update it every week, even if only for ten minutes. Excel is flexible, so adapt it to how you think. The key is to keep it simple and consistent, and to check it often so nothing slips.