Image by John Benavente via Southern Highlands Engagement Shoot

In just six short weeks, I’ll be a Mrs and I cannot wait. My darling fiancée and I have had ten months to plan our dream wedding and it’s been a fairly busy process every step of the way. Both of us have demanding full-time jobs and other commitments so we have had to maximise every spare moment we have.

How have we done this? Well, online planning! Sure there are most definitely times where you will need to step away from the computer, iPad or mobile device but these tips helped me along the way. It’s safe to say that with just six weeks to go I have been fairly stress free these last ten months.

Here are my top three tips for planning online:

1. Learn the art of the e-mail

That’s right! While you may prefer face-to-face communication, e-mail is instant and allows you to be as detailed as you need to be. It saves time on transport and you can write everything down along the way. You will need to meet with your vendors in person from time-to-time especially before you’ve booked them but in the lead-up e-mail is the way to go and it can even be done in your lunch hour.

2. Online shop ‘til you drop

A bride is lucky to be living in this day and age where browsing for bridesmaid dresses and searching for accessories is simply a click away. Sure, I bought my bridesmaid dresses, wedding dress, accessories and shoes all in store but every inch of groundwork was done online. This means less time in-store and more time spent with your friends and family in the lead-up to the day.

3. Bookmark these websites

This site is an absolute haven for bride-to-be’s and if you don’t have an account I would suggest signing up today. It’s full of handmade goods, quirky ideas and practical solutions. My suggestion would be to start early, many of the stores are based overseas and delivery can take between 7 – 20 working days.

Ok, so perhaps I’m a little biased but this site has been brilliant. I found my photographer and florist on the Wedding Directory, learned how to choose a DJ and photo booth on Wisdom and let’s not even get started on the fabulous cocktail recipes and Etsy Roundups on Made. Plus, some days when planning woes are getting the better of you, this is the perfect dose of inspiration.

Ms Gingham says: In my day (ugh, I never thought I’d be saying those words!) all our planning was done via big heavy wedding magazines, old fashioned foot work and the dreaded wedding expo. We were so limited in the amount of inspiration and ideas available to us! The brides of today are definitely at an advantage that’s for sure so enjoy!

Bianca says: “I’m a food lover and fiance, a PR by day and wedding planner extraordinaire by night. I’ve been a lover of weddings since I can remember. I think it began after I watched Father of the Bride for the first time – the dress, the romance and the planning madness. From then on I was swept off my feet with every wedding I went to and the love affair continues to this day. The biggest news of all? In November this year I get to marry my best friend.”

Read about Bianca’s engagement shoot here.