The folks from down under have out shined the competition with Marziplanner. This wedding planning software is well organized, aesthetically pleasing and easy to use.
The opening screen of our TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award winner shows a quick glance of tasks for the week, overdue budgets and appointments. Marziplanner includes the best seating feature we reviewed, a great calendar feature and tasks can be assigned to various people.
Marziplanner’s shortcomings include the inability to import a guest list from another program. It does not have a section to track the accommodations of out of towners and you have to contact the company to change your wedding date. However, the ability to download the software directly to your computer and their quick email turnaround time make up for these little faults.
When adding a guest you can include all important information including formal title, full name, address, email address and phone. Information such as spouse and children are all located on the same screen. Marziplanner allows you to invite different members of the same household to various events. However, we were disappointed you could not import guest lists, but you could export them.
There is not a specific section to track the accommodations of out of town guests, like flight or hotel information, nor can you designate their roles. However, this information can be included in the notes section when a guest’s name and information are entered.
The wording for invitations can be altered from a formal style to a more contemporary one using the templates in the stationery section. Also, guest lists and be exported from that section and can be edited in a CSV file.
Marziplanner’s invitation templates illustrate proper wording for various situations including parents together, divorced parents, or invitations directly from the bride and groom. The software also offers the option to purchase stationery online for those who choose not to DIY.
The budget section is simple and effective. You can record an item’s budget quote, actual price and amount paid. The section is slightly confusing at first because the information on the main budget screen doesn’t exactly match the information on the payment tracking screen. For example, the main screen indicates the word “paid” assuming this is the amount already paid to the vendor; however, in the payment screen this field is labeled “deposit.” However, the budget chart clearly shows a “balance” section that shows how much is still owed for the particular service or item purchased. One feature particularly unique to this program is that you can assign anyone the responsibility of a making particular payment, not just the bride’s family, groom’s family, etc.
Marziplanner includes a great vendor section that works closely with the budget section. You can track all pertinent information including name, address and contact person, as well as email and website addresses. Additionally, you can add vendors without leaving the budget section.
Marziplanner includes an extensive list of pre–loaded tasks common to weddings. Each task is assigned a due date and a status report. You can assign any task to anyone, not just the bride, groom or wedding party. The task list works closely with Marziplanner’s calendar feature. Everything in the calendar section is drag and drop. Tasks or appointments added to either section are automatically updated in the others. For example, if you switch the date of a particular task on the calendar, the date will automatically update on the task list.
This software includes the best seating assignment feature we reviewed. Not only can you assign guest to their tables, but you can design the entire reception hall including a stage, dance floor, cake table and even an area for children precisely laid out exactly how you envision it. This is especially handy for those using smaller venues to understand how their reception would be designed. Seating choices include tables for eight, nine or 10 guests per table.
We were disappointed you could not include a menu, or menu tracker. However, you can create a specific music list for your DJ including all of your favorite songs. Additionally, the program has a link to the iTunes store.
Reports include guest list, RSVPs, seating, gifts, task lists, budget, vendors, events and calendars. They can be printed from the program, or exported to Excel or PDF.
This software also provides useful “tips & hints” with informative slide shows addressing such things as how to cut costs or the best ways to arrange a reception venue.
We found Marziplanner to be the most easy–to–use wedding planning software we reviewed. Everything is well organized and clearly labeled. The interface is simple and up to date.
The installation only took a few moments and we didn’t have any problems.
Marziplanner includes email and telephone support. However, the phone number is located in Australia. We emailed Marziplanner with a few questions about the software and our mail was returned in less than a day. The email was informative and answered everything we needed to know.
They also provide a comprehensive help section online, but we found this feature would be a tad more beneficial if it included a search function.
Marziplanner’s welcoming and organized interface made this the easiest piece of wedding planning software we reviewed. Additionally, their seating feature and calendar feature blow the competition out of the water.
