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Got engaged over the holidays? These 11 wedding planning books will seriously save your life
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First up, huge congrats on your engagement! Now here comes the fun part — besides, of course, celebrating your love with your favorite person in front of all your loved ones — actually planning your big day. If you didn’t already start a Pinterest board in middle school with all your (questionable) dream wedding ideas, it’s time to flesh one out with dreamy wedding gowns and gorgeous venues.
Now is also the time to get into the, uh, less fun details of your wedding journey. This means contracts, deposits, guest lists and money. Just jotting things down on a piece of paper or your notes app will stress you out in the long run, especially if you don’t have a wedding planner. Luckily, the easiest way to stay on top of your stuff is with your very own dream makers in the form of wedding planning books.
If you’re looking for a simple planner, a vision board or a how-to from the top wedding experts in the field, we’ve curated a list of the best wedding planning books out there right now.
Our Top Picks for Wedding Planning Books
Best Overall: The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner and Organizer by The Editors of The Knot, $27.49 (Orig. $32.50)
Best Expert-Approved: The Wedding Book: An Expert’s Guide to Planning Your Perfect Day — Your Way by Mindy Weiss, $15.69
Best Simple: Comprehensive Wedding Planning Book, $22.96
Best for Small Budgets: The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner & Organizer: Checklists, Worksheets, and Essential Tools to Plan the Perfect Wedding on a Small Budget by Jessica Bishop, $9.69 (Orig. $12.99)
Best for Your Mood Board: Vera Wang on Weddings by Vera Wang, $24.98
Best Customizable: Global Printed Products Wedding Planner, $36.94
Best Minimalist: Clever Fox Wedding Planner, $31.99
Best for the Maid of Honor: My Maid of Honor Shit: Funny Maid of Honor Journal & Wedding Planner Notebook, $9.99
Best for LGBTQ+ Couples: Equally Wed: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your LGBTQ+ Wedding by Kirsten Palladino, $16.37 (Orig. $19.99)
Best Encyclopedia: The Little Book of Wedding Planner Checklists by Elizabeth McKellar, $7.65 (Orig. $8.99)
Best Audiobook: Wedding Planning for the Busy Feminist by Amanda Pendolino, $0 with free Audible trial
So, are you ready to dive into planning your big day? Shop the best wedding planning books below so you can actually enjoy your engagement and not drown in a mess of ivory tulle.
Best Wedding Planning Books of 2023
1. Best Overall: The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner and Organizer by The Editors of The Knot, $27.49 (Orig. $32.50)
The title truly says it all. This do-it-all wedding planner and organizer from the wedding experts at The Knot includes worksheets, checklists, inspiration, calendars and just so many pockets. The best part is that it’s all wrapped up in a glorious binder.
2. Best Expert-Approved: The Wedding Book: An Expert’s Guide to Planning Your Perfect Day — Your Way by Mindy Weiss, $15.69
If you didn’t know, Mindy Weiss is the best of the best when it comes to wedding planners. If you want the skills of the celebrity-favorite wedding planner but can’t afford her (rightful) price, she condensed all her tips and tricks into one comprehensive wedding planning book for every bride to take advantage of.
3. Best Simple: Comprehensive Wedding Planning Book, $22.96
An under-$30 wedding planning book with everything you need to keep you calm, including a eucalyptus design? Sign us up.
4. Best for Small Budgets: The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner & Organizer: Checklists, Worksheets, and Essential Tools to Plan the Perfect Wedding on a Small Budget by Jessica Bishop, $9.69 (Orig. $12.99)
If you’re looking to keep your wedding under a tight budget, yet everything seems out of your price range, your fairy godmother is here in the form of a wedding planner and organizer. Jessica Bishop breaks down every potential cost and gives loads of advice in an easy-to-understand way. It’s also stocked with helpful worksheets and example budgets.
5. Best for Your Mood Board: Vera Wang on Weddings by Vera Wang, $24.98
Not only does the iconic dress designer share a ton of wedding and design secrets for you to steal while planning your own event, but you can also reuse this as a super chic coffee table book.
6. Best Customizable: Global Printed Products Wedding Planner, $36.94
There are so many tabs in this wedding planning book that you can use however you want — including budgets, guest lists and your vision board.
7. Best Minimalist: Clever Fox Wedding Planner, $31.99
Simple and to the point! We especially love the countdown section — which, TBH, is the most important part.
8. Best for the Maid of Honor: My Maid of Honor Shit: Funny Maid of Honor Journal & Wedding Planner Notebook, $9.99
If you’re looking for something cheeky to give to your MOH or are taking on the role for your bestie bride, this fun book is the best.
9. Best for LGBTQ Couples: Equally Wed: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your LGBTQ+ Wedding by Kirsten Palladino, $16.37 (Orig. $19.99)
Obviously, wedding planning is not a heteronormative experience — but not all wedding planning books are made with LGBTQ couples in mind. Kirsten Palladino goes in on the unique challenges LGBTQ couples may run into while planning their wedding, like possibly dealing with homophobic vendors and unsupportive family members.
10. Best Encyclopedia: The Little Book of Wedding Planner Checklists by Elizabeth McKellar, $7.65 (Orig. $8.99)
Do you have absolutely zero idea on how to start wedding planning? Filled with lists galore, this checklist-based book is the perfect guide and planner-hybrid that answers all your questions while keeping you organized.
11. Best Audiobook: Wedding Planning for the Busy Feminist by Amanda Pendolino, $0 with Free Audible Trial
$0 with Free Audible Trial at Amazon
If you feel generally icky about participating in the outdated and patriarchal tradition that weddings represent, you’re definitely not alone. This audiobook walks you through all of those complicated feelings as well as the very real anxiety of the need for a Pinterest-perfect wedding.
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