Get Organized!

19 Wedding Planners
DIY couples may want to reconsider having a wedding planner in the mix. Full-service planners can offer years of experience and connect you with a wide network of reliable local vendors and services, regardless of your budget, says wedding planner Joan Nilsen, of Ambiente. Planners also help finalize all of the details leading up to the day and allow you to use your time wisely. On your wedding day, a planner works with vendors at the ceremony and reception site to orchestrate your special day—so you and your family can relax and enjoy. Ambiente, Mpls., 612-285-2955
See our list of wedding planners here.

20 Big Day Organization
Minneapolis-based purveyors of chic office goods, russell+hazel, and Brides.com senior editor Anne Chertoff have joined forces to create a stylish wedding planning system. A binder acts as command central to organize everything from business cards and fabric swatches to magazine clippings and free downloadable worksheets. russell+hazel, 4388 France Ave. S., Mpls., 952-929-9000

21 Wedding-Day Peace of Mind
Create a detailed agenda of your event and give everyone involved a copy, to avoid missteps. Map out how you would like the day to go, from start to finish, and include specific times for everything from hair and makeup, to family arrival times, lineup times, toasting assignments, cake cutting, first dance, and final goodbyes.

22 Emergency Kit
Joan Nilsen, of Ambiente, suggests taking some of the worry out of your special day by creating an emergency kit for last-minute quick fixes. Put together a first-aid kit that resembles your medicine cabinet and then add safety pins, a sewing kit, tape, paper towels for dabbing bouquets, tissues, items to touch up hair and makeup, pens, paper, and anything else you think you might need. Put it in a box or tote bag that’s easy to find and keep it on hand until the last dance is done.