Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Wedding Planning Software.

Ratings

Features Set

The features and applications in wedding planning software should include planning tools and common tasks frequently utilized by brides. Ideally, the software should cover almost every aspect and angle of wedding planning like guest lists, budgeting, reception seating and printable reports.

Ease of Use

The software should be powerful; yet, easy to understand and self-explanatory. Planning a wedding is often a stressful process. Wedding planning software should help alleviate that stress and be easy enough for a computer novice to begin using immediately.

Ease of Installation/Setup

Along with ease of use, the software’s installation and setup should go quick and smoothly. The program should be plug and play, novices should not have to worry about file placement or directory issues.

Help/Support

Software manufactures should provide comprehensive support through a help manual or online help and a responsive email address.

Features

Date Countdown

Given your wedding date the software will count down how many days are left before the ceremony.

Change Wedding Date

Sometimes things don’t work out as planned. The wedding program allows you to change your original wedding date.

Create Backup

Just in case the program or computer fails, you can create a backup of your file and save all your entered data.

Hotkeys

In some sections of the software, you can use keyboard short cuts like holding shift or control to make group selections.

Invitations

Add Guest

The Wedding Planning Software allows you to add guests to your guest list. Top software will also sort guests into a primary or secondary invite list. Items frequently include:

• Formal Title
• Full Name
• Nickname
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Relation to the Bride and Groom
• Preferred List/ Primary or Secondary

Enter Spouse

You can add the name and information of your guest’s spouse.

Enter Children

You can add the names of guest’s children to add to the invitation.

Bring Guest Option

You can allow your single friends and family to bring a guest and include these unknown people in your guest list count.

Change Address to Formal/ Personal

By including a nickname or casual title, the program will suggest both formal and casual ways to address your invitations.

Track Accommodations for Out of Towners

The software provides a section to track accommodations, like hotel and travel arrangements, of friends and family visiting specifically for your wedding.

Track RSVPs

You can track the responses of those accepting or denying your invite.

Insert Contacts

Much like an address book, the wedding planning software allows you to include contacts that may not necessarily be invited to the wedding.

Import Contacts

You can import your contact list from various files and applications like Outlook, Text files (TXT) or Comma Separated Value files (CSV). Most use CSV.

Export Contacts

You can Export your contact or guest list into several mediums like TXT or CSV files.

Invitation Wording

The software includes samples or suggestions for wording your invitations. This does not necessarily mean the program can print your invitations. Frequently this is used as an example for a printer or calligrapher.

Edit Invitation Wording

You can edit or change the sample invitation to suit your particular needs.

Outer and Inner Envelope

The software suggests the proper etiquette for outer and inner envelope addresses.

Edit Envelope Wording

You can edit the suggested etiquette to suit some situations.

Budget

Calculate Estimated Prices

By typing in your wedding budget, the wedding software will suggest a budget for various prelisted items. These prices are not to be taken as law, but they are helpful and provide you with an idea of how much to consider spending when creating your real budget.

Add New Expense

You can add a new expense to your budget list.

Enter Budgeted Amount

You can allot budgets for specific items.

Enter Actual Prices

You can enter the actual prices of items into the budget section.

Show Variance

The budget program will calculate the difference between the budgeted amount and the actual amount of items.

Record Deposit

You can track if you’ve placed a deposit. Frequently, a deposit is required for certain venues like the church or reception hall.

Track Date Due

You can track the date your final payment is due.

Track Date Paid

You can record the date your items were finally paid in full.

Track Quote

You can record the vendor’s original quote.

Specify Vendor

Within the budget section, you can specify which vendor you are using.

Select Who Paid

Frequently a bride and groom have additional help paying for their wedding. Each item in the budget is accompanied by the party or parties responsible for paying for these items.

Pre-Loaded Expenses

The wedding planning software includes a list of common wedding expenses to help you begin your wedding budget preparations. These items are often included:

• Marriage License
• Ceremony
• Attire
• Flowers
• Rehearsal Dinner
• Entertainment
• Photography/Videography
• Reception
• Stationery
• Honeymoon
• Accommodations (Hotels/Limo)
• Cake
• Rings

Vendors

Add Vendor

Most wedding planning software allows you to add a vendor for events and various suppliers. When adding a vendor, typical information includes:

• Contact Person
• Address
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Website Address

Go To Website

When you place a URL into the website field, you can go directly to the vendor’s website if you are connected to the Internet.

Tasklists and Timelines

Add Event

You can add an event. Events typically include the ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, bridal showers and more.

Pre-installed List of Tasks

The software includes a list of pre-installed tasks common to wedding preparation like make announcement, get invitations printed, book reception hall, etc.

Grouped By Time Frame

Tasks are grouped by time frame such as 9-12 months, 3-6 months or day before wedding.

Grouped By Role

Tasks are grouped according to who is responsible for the task like bride, groom, best man, or mother of the bride.

Estimated Dates to Complete Tasks

The wedding software includes task due dates.

Add/ Edit Tasks

You can add tasks to your list or edit tasks and dates already in the program.

Monthly Planner

The software includes a monthly planner or calendar.

Daily Planner

The software includes a daily planner or calendar.

Honeymoon Preperations

The wedding program assists you in your honeymoon preparation beyond just the budget.

Name Change Kit

The program includes a checklist or information to help the bride change her name.

Gifts

Record Received Gifts

You can track gifts received

Specify Events

You can track at which event the gift was giving, like at the bridal shower or at the reception.

Track Thank You Cards

The software provides a section to track if you’ve sent thank you cards.

Add Notes

There is a section for additional notes.

Set Registry

The software is designed for you to set your gift registry.

Track Store Information

The software provides a section to track stores that you are registered at.

Track Monetary Gifts

The software has a specific section to track monetary gifts.

Track Return or Exchange

A check box is provided to track if the gift needs to be returned or exchanged.

Ceremony

Write Vows

There is a section to write and save vows.

Processional

The software can help you organize entrances for the ceremony and reception.

Readings Suggestions

The program makes suggestion for reading, usually biblical.

Reception

Design Table Layout

The seating program allows you to arrange tables and layout according to the size and shape of your reception hall.

Assign Seats

You can assign seats to your guests.

Label Tables

Tables can be labeled in the program for grater clarification like, bride’s co-workers or groom’s aunts and uncles.

Edit Number of Seats at Tables

You can change the number of seats at each table.

Plan Menu

The wedding software provides a section to list and plan a reception menu.

Music List

You can create a music or song list for the reception or ceremony.

Reports

Guest Lists

The program allows you to print your guest list.

RSVPs

You can print list of those accepting or declining your invitation.

Menu

You can print your reception menu

Roles

You can print a list of the people in the wedding party and their role.

Tables/ Seating

You can print your seating arrangements like table assignments.

Gifts

You can print a list of gifts given to you and by whom.

Tasklists/ Checklists

You can print the various tasklists and checklists included in the software.

Budget

You can print your budget.

Vendors

The software can print a list of your vendors and suppliers.

Events

Print events list.

Music Schedule

Your music schedule can be printed

Timelines

Print timelines, calendars or daily planners.

Accommodations

Print the recorded accommodations of your guests.

Export/Print

The following are common file types which wedding planning software can be exported to or printed from:

• In Program
• Word (.DOC or.RTF)
• Comma Separated Values (.CSV)
• Text (.TXT)
• PDF

Stationery

Invitations

The wedding software can print invitations.

Outer Envelope (Address Labels)

The software can print outer envelopes or envelope labels.

Inner Envelope

The program can print inner envelopes or envelope labels.

RSVP Cards

The program prints RSVP cards.

Additional Invitations

The software can print additional invitations like a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or engagement party.

Table Cards

The program prints table cards for the reception tables.

Technical Help/Support

Telephone Support

The manufacturer provides a telephone contact.

Email Support

There is a responsive email address for technical/customer support.

Online Help

There is a help section located online.

Tutorials

The manufacturer includes integrated or online tutorials.

User Manual / User Guide/ Integrated Help

The software has a help section located directly in the program.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions can often answer common questions.

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