Joy Wedding
Joy Baby New
Registry with Free Shipping
Registry with 20% Completion Discount
Registry with Zero-Fee Cash Funds
Registry with Easy Returns
Registry with Free Shipping
Find an Event
Inspiration » Joy Content » 15 Best Wedding Planning Apps That Make Wedding Prep Easy (2025)

15 Best Wedding Planning Apps That Make Wedding Prep Easy (2025)

by Joy Editors
Joy all-in-one wedding platform

Last Updated on May 31, 2025 by Joy Editors

Person using a smartphone and laptop to plan a wedding with notebooks, coffee, and floral arrangements on the desk.Wedding planning apps can make the difference between a stressful engagement and a smooth path to “I do.” The Knot’s 2025 Planner Survey shows that 78% of professionals who use dedicated software have happier clients and fewer logistical problems. These benefits help couples who plan their own celebrations too.

A good wedding planning app eliminates endless spreadsheets and scattered notes. The right digital tools can turn the chaos of managing vendors, guests, and budgets into simple tasks you can handle.

We tested and picked the best options for 2025. That’s The One (TTO) costs just $55/month, which beats spending $330+ on multiple specialized tools. Specialty apps like Prismm create to-scale 3D models of your venue. Each app meets different planning needs at reasonable prices.

Joy gives couples a free all-in-one wedding website and guest management system that tracks RSVPs and meal choices. WeddingHappy helps create custom to-do lists based on your wedding date, so you stay on track without stress.

That’s The One (TTO)

Image

Image Source: That’s The One

That’s The One (TTO) stands out from other wedding planning apps with its complete approach to wedding management. It combines everything in planning tools with powerful vendor management capabilities. This makes it a great fit for couples who need to handle complex events.

That’s The One Key Features

TTO shines with a centralized dashboard that connects multiple planning functions. Here are the standout features:

  • Immediate budget tracking with customizable categories
  • Integrated guest management system with RSVP tracking
  • Vendor contract storage and payment scheduling
  • Makes shared planning tools available for family members
  • Accessible interface that works offline on mobile devices

The app also comes with customizable templates for timelines and checklists. These adjust automatically based on your wedding date to help you stay on top of deadlines.

That’s The One Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • One platform does the job of many apps
  • Accessible interface makes it easy to learn
  • Great tools to communicate with vendors
  • New features come with regular updates
  • Quick and helpful customer support team

Cons:

  • Costs more than similar apps
  • Not many design options to customize
  • Devices don’t always sync right away
  • Premium tier locks some advanced features

That’s The One Pricing

TTO’s pricing comes in tiers to match different needs:

  • Simple Plan: $55/month with core planning features
  • Premium Plan: $85/month with advanced vendor management
  • Deluxe Package: $120/month with day-of coordination tools

You get a 14-day free trial with each plan. There’s also a 25% discount if you pay annually. The Simple Plan gives you more value than using multiple specialized tools that could cost $330+ together.

That’s The One Best For

We designed TTO for couples planning medium to large weddings with multiple vendors. It works best for:

  • Couples who love to keep everything organized
  • Weddings that have more than 100 guests
  • Events with complex logistics or several locations
  • Couples ready to invest in simplified planning

Joy (withjoy.com) offers simple planning tools without the premium cost. It works well as a free option but doesn’t match TTO’s complete platform in terms of advanced features.

Aisle Planner

Image

Image Source: Aisle Planner

93% of wedding professionals use Aisle Planner to streamline their planning process. This 10-year old platform provides detailed tools specifically designed for the events industry.

Aisle Planner Key Features

Aisle Planner stands out with its rich suite of integrated tools:

  • Checklist and timeline management with task assignment capabilities
  • Detailed budgeting tools that track expenses and manage payments
  • Design Studio to create mood boards and color palettes
  • Guest management with online RSVP functionality
  • Layout and seating tools integrated with guest lists
  • Vendor management system with contact storage
  • Invoicing and online payment processing
  • Proposals and contracts with e-signature capability

Aisle Planner Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • All-in-one solution that combines planning, design, and management tools
  • User-friendly interface with smooth navigation
  • Strong collaboration features to work with clients and vendors
  • Customizable templates for timelines, checklists, and budgets
  • Built specifically to meet wedding and event planning needs

Cons:

  • New or small businesses might find it expensive
  • Users need time to learn all features
  • Desktop version works better than mobile
  • Business growth leads to higher costs with project-based pricing

Aisle Planner Pricing

Here’s how Aisle Planner’s project-based pricing works:

  • Up to 15 projects: $65.99/month
  • 16-25 projects: $99.99/month
  • 26-50 projects: $149.99/month
  • 51-100 projects: $209.99/month

Each plan gives you full access to sales tools, business management features, and project management capabilities. You can save 10% with annual billing. A Sales Essentials plan costs $44.99/month for basic sales tools.

Aisle Planner Best For

Aisle Planner works best for 10-year old wedding professionals who manage multiple events at once. The platform is a great way to get insights for wedding planners, venues, photographers, and caterers who need detailed project management. But couples planning their own wedding might prefer simpler alternatives like Joy (withjoy.com) that are available without Aisle Planner’s professional-grade complexity.

Planning Pod

Image

Image Source: Planning Pod

Planning Pod delivers a resilient wedding management system that we designed for professional planners and venues. The platform merges over 20 specialized tools to make the whole wedding planning process efficient from the first client contact to final execution.

Planning Pod Key Features

Planning Pod brings all wedding management tools together and eliminates scattered spreadsheets and multiple apps:

  • Complete project management with customizable task lists and templates
  • Interactive floor plan builder that lets you drag-and-drop venue layouts
  • Client portals to share timelines, documents, and collect information
  • Built-in CRM to track leads and integrate booking calendars
  • Proposal creation with electronic contract signatures
  • Detailed budget tracking and payment scheduling
  • Mobile-responsive design that works on any device
  • Shared timeline and itinerary building

Planning Pod Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Every wedding planning tool united on one platform
  • Great collaboration features for teams and clients
  • Templates save time for recurring tasks and workflows
  • Access through web browsers on any device
  • Strong vendor management tools

Cons:

  • Client management processes need manual setup
  • Takes time to learn because of many features
  • No built-in scheduling feature
  • Less workflow automation than competitors

Planning Pod Pricing

Planning Pod’s pricing tiers depend on how many events you manage at once:

  • Event Management Planner: $74/month
  • Event Management Business: $109/month
  • Event Management Enterprise 50: $159/month

Each plan includes unlimited users and customer support. Smaller planners might find Joy (withjoy.com) more affordable for simple planning needs.

Planning Pod Best For

Planning Pod works best for:

  • Professional wedding planners with multiple clients
  • Venue managers who coordinate many events
  • Wedding businesses with teams of different tech skill levels
  • Companies that need complete client management tools

Unlike simpler apps, Planning Pod shines as a business management solution rather than just a planning tool. The platform helps handle every aspect of wedding service delivery efficiently.

Trello

Image

Image Source: Trello

Trello stands out from specialized wedding software with its versatile project management approach. My experience shows it adapts well to wedding planning needs. This Kanban-style platform turns wedding tasks into visual boards that make complex celebrations simple.

Trello Key Features

Trello’s wedding planning capabilities shine through its flexible board system:

  • Official Wedding Planning Playbook with five main boards (master planning, day timeline, wedding party coordination, seating charts, and thank-you tracking)
  • Butler automation schedules reminders and moves tasks automatically
  • Power-Ups combine smoothly with calendars, package tracking, and custom fields
  • Shared workspaces help coordinate with fiancés, family members, and vendors
  • Mobile app lets you plan on-the-go

Trello Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Free option comes packed with features
  • Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface you can learn quickly
  • Clear visual tracking of wedding planning progress
  • Robust mobile features let you plan anywhere
  • Customization options fit any wedding style or size

Cons:

  • Lacks wedding-specific features found in dedicated planning apps
  • Free plan restricts advanced views (timeline, calendar)
  • Simple reporting options
  • Wedding-specific features need Power-Ups

Trello Pricing

Trello’s pricing options include:

  • Free: Unlimited cards, 10 boards per workspace, automation limited to 250 commands monthly
  • Standard: $5/user/month yearly with unlimited boards and storage
  • Premium: $10/user/month yearly adds timeline, dashboard and calendar views
  • Enterprise: $17.50/user/month suits organizations with 50+ users

Trello Best For

Trello suits tech-savvy couples who value flexibility over wedding-specific features. In fact, it works great for:

  • Couples watching their budget who need free planning tools
  • People who love organizing things visually
  • Users familiar with Kanban systems

Joy (withjoy.com) might be a better fit if you want wedding-focused features without learning a general system. It offers specialized tools that need less customization but provide more wedding-specific functions right away.

Google Workspace

Image

Image Source: Google Workspace

Tech-savvy couples who already use Google products will find Google Workspace a flexible alternative to dedicated wedding planning apps. This complete suite turns familiar tools into powerful wedding management resources without the need to learn new software.

Google Workspace Key Features

Google Workspace combines productivity tools that work surprisingly well for wedding organization:

  • Gmail with custom domain for wedding-specific communications
  • Sheets for budget tracking, guest lists, and vendor comparisons
  • Forms to collect RSVPs and guest priorities
  • Drive to store contracts, inspiration photos, and vendor information
  • Calendar to schedule appointments and share timelines
  • Docs to write vows, speeches, and planning notes together

The new Gemini AI feature helps draft vendor emails and create wedding planning checklists.

Google Workspace Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Up-to-the-minute collaboration lets couples and families plan together
  • Cloud storage means access from any device with internet
  • Easy-to-use interface needs minimal learning
  • Strong security keeps wedding information safe
  • Great version tracking stops document mix-ups

Cons:

  • Not built specifically for weddings; lacks specialized features
  • Needs internet connection to work fully
  • Setup required across different apps
  • Wedding-specific tools like seating charts or RSVP tracking aren’t included

Google Workspace Pricing

Business Starter costs $7.00/user/month (annual plan) with 30GB storage and simple features. Business Standard runs $14.00/user/month with 2TB storage and expanded capabilities. Business Plus at $22.00/user/month offers 5TB storage with advanced features. Enterprise plans with unlimited storage need custom quotes.

Google Workspace Best For

Google Workspace suits couples who:

  • Keep using Google products
  • Want flexible, customizable planning systems
  • Like creating their own processes
  • Look for budget-friendly alternatives to dedicated apps

Joy (withjoy.com) stands out as a better match for couples who want wedding-specific features without setup work.

Paperless Post

Image

Image Source: Paperless Post

James and Alexa Hirschfield founded Paperless Post in 2008. The platform specializes in digital wedding invitations rather than detailed planning. The app revolutionizes traditional paper invitations by creating elegant digital alternatives through collaboration with premium designers.

Paperless Post Key Features

Paperless Post’s specialized invitation tools complement other wedding planning apps:

  • Designer templates from Kate Spade, Rifle Paper Co., and Oscar de la Renta
  • Customizable envelopes, liners, and backdrops
  • RSVP tracking with guest response management
  • Event Blocks add accommodation details, schedules, and wedding party information
  • Custom event URLs serve as mini wedding websites
  • Multiple delivery options via email, text, or shareable link

Paperless Post Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Elegant, high-quality digital invitations
  • Free Flyer option serves up to 50 guests
  • Detailed guest communication tools
  • Eco-friendly alternative to paper

Cons:

  • Coin-based payment system creates confusion
  • Premium designs get pricey for large guest lists
  • Website loads slowly at times
  • Support requires searching online resources

Paperless Post Pricing

The platform uses a proprietary “coin” system:

  • Free: Limited designs through Flyer (up to 50 guests)
  • Premium designs: ~2 coins per invitation (USD 0.80/invite for 10 guests)
  • Coin packages: Start at USD 10.00 for 25 coins
  • Plus upgrade: 200 coins unlock advanced features

Wedding designs typically cost between USD 50.00-100.00 based on guest count.

Paperless Post Best For

Paperless Post serves couples who want stylish digital invitations instead of full planning tools. The platform stands as a match for Joy (withjoy.com) in these areas:

  • Design-conscious couples who value esthetics
  • Formal weddings needing elegant presentation
  • Events with tech-savvy guests who prefer digital formats
  • Couples aiming to eliminate paper waste

The platform works best as a specialized complement to broader wedding planning apps rather than handling all wedding management needs.

Honeybook

Image

Image Source: ShootDotEdit

HoneyBook serves as a complete business management solution that we designed for wedding professionals rather than couples. This CRM platform brings together everything from booking clients to getting paid. It creates simplified processes for wedding vendors.

Honeybook Key Features

Wedding professionals can use these specialized tools from HoneyBook to manage their clients better:

  • Interactive files with customizable templates for proposals, contracts, and questionnaires
  • Online payment processing with credit card (3% fee) and bank transfers (1.5% fee)
  • Automated responses and payment reminders that cut down on office work
  • Branded client portal that shows your professional side
  • Embeddable contact forms to catch leads right from your website
  • Portfolio sharing features with calls-to-action to book services
  • Scheduling tool to manage client consultations and meetings
  • Template-based workflows that create consistent client experiences

Honeybook Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Books clients by a lot faster with all documents in one place
  • Automated payment reminders stop you from chasing late payments
  • Complete template system for emails, proposals, and questionnaires
  • Professional presentation that wows your clients
  • Feature updates that reflect what users ask for

Cons:

  • Your clients need accounts to see proposals
  • Email threads start new instead of continuing conversations
  • Desktop version works better than mobile
  • Payment processing fees run higher than competitors

Honeybook Pricing

HoneyBook offers three pricing tiers as of 2025:

  • Starter Plan: $19/month with unlimited clients, simple invoicing, and contracts
  • Essentials Plan: $39/month adds automations, scheduling, and QuickBooks integration
  • Premium Plan: $79/month includes unlimited team members and priority support

You get discounts with annual billing and a 7-day free trial period on all plans.

Honeybook Best For

HoneyBook shines when wedding vendors use it rather than couples planning their weddings. It works great for:

  • Wedding photographers who juggle multiple clients
  • Wedding planners running complex client processes
  • Florists, caterers, and other wedding service businesses
  • Small teams that need shared client management

Couples planning their own weddings might like Joy (withjoy.com) better. It gives free wedding-specific planning tools built from the couple’s viewpoint instead of vendor management.

Timeline Genius

Image

Image Source: www.timelinegenius.com

Timeline Genius stands out among wedding planning apps as a smart software solution that creates detailed wedding day schedules. Wedding planners save 65% of their time when they use this tool to build complete timelines.

Timeline Genius Key Features

Timeline Genius makes the wedding planning process smooth with these innovative features:

  • The software creates customized schedules by asking a few simple questions
  • You can choose from preset timeline templates or customize your own
  • A bulk time-shifting feature lets you adjust multiple timeline items at once
  • Your brand’s personal touch shows through customizable visual elements
  • Clients and vendors see only the information they need in their timelines
  • The system sends text reminders to all key participants automatically
  • Users can access everything from their smartphones and tablets
  • The platform manages all floor plans and vendor documents
  • You can track hours spent on each timeline

Timeline Genius Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Creating timelines takes much less time
  • Clients and vendors can work together in real time
  • You can customize templates and add your brand
  • Each person sees only what they need to see
  • Professional PDFs make sharing and downloading easy

Cons:

  • The cost runs higher than basic planning tools
  • The software targets professionals more than couples
  • Learning all features takes time
  • You need a subscription to keep using it

Timeline Genius Pricing

Timeline Genius gives you three pricing choices:

  • Unlimited Monthly: $54.95/month with full feature access
  • Unlimited Annual: $549.95/year (17% savings)
  • 5 Events Package: $194.95 one-time charge

Every plan includes unlimited team members and concierge support.

Timeline Genius Best For

Timeline Genius works best for wedding professionals because it was built with them in mind. The software serves:

Couples planning their own weddings without professional help should check out Joy (withjoy.com). It offers more budget-friendly wedding planning tools compared to Timeline Genius’s professional-grade pricing.

Prismm (Allseated)

Image

Image Source: Prismm

Prismm, which used to be Allseated, revolutionizes wedding planning with its immersive 3D visualization technology. The spatial design platform creates digital copies of venues. Couples and planners can see exactly how spaces will look before making their final decisions.

Prismm Key Features

Prismm creates realistic digital experiences and comes packed with powerful planning tools:

  • Floor plans with to-scale layouts that ensure accurate space usage
  • 3D event diagrams with photorealistic visualizations
  • Guest list management that blends with seating arrangements
  • Live collaboration that lets you plan remotely with vendors
  • Virtual venue tours so you can see spaces without visiting
  • Customizable furniture and design elements (10,000+ objects are available)
  • Branded spaces for tailored virtual walkthroughs

The platform stands out because it recreates venues digitally. Wedding couples can feel confident about their layout decisions without multiple visits to the venue.

Prismm Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Creates lifelike digital copies of wedding venues
  • Makes complex seating charts simple
  • Shows clients exactly how spaces will look
  • Customer support team scores 4.7/5 from users
  • Saves time by reducing venue visits

Cons:

  • You need to log in again after being inactive
  • Some furniture items have limited customization
  • Prices went up after switching to paid-only model
  • Advanced features take time to learn

Prismm Pricing

A Prismm subscription starts at $35 per month. You can try it free before buying. Users give it 4.6/5 for value based on 43 reviews. They seem happy with what they get for their money.

Prismm Best For

Prismm works best for wedding professionals and couples planning detailed events, especially when you have:

  • Complex venue layouts that need precise planning
  • Multiple events to manage at once
  • Venues you want to showcase to potential clients
  • Need for immersive 3D floor plans and seating layouts

Joy (withjoy.com) might work better if you want simpler planning tools without 3D features. It offers basic wedding planning tools that are available to more people.

Joy

Image

Image Source: App Store – Apple

Joy stands out as a free wedding planning solution among numerous paid alternatives. The platform combines a wedding website builder and mobile app that provides planning tools without any subscription fees through withjoy.com.

Joy Key Features

The platform delivers a complete set of planning capabilities through its easy-to-use interface:

  • Wedding website creation with customizable designs and templates
  • All-in-one registry system that links to existing registries or creates new ones
  • Digital invitations and RSVP tracking with custom questions
  • Guest management system to organize responses and dietary restrictions
  • Mobile app for iOS and Android that enables planning on the go
  • Photo sharing via “Moments” timeline where guests upload pictures
  • Push notifications to send important wedding updates
  • Schedule management that adjusts time zones for guests

Joy Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Free platform without hidden charges
  • Easy-to-use interface that needs minimal tech knowledge
  • Unlimited storage for wedding photos
  • Multiple editor accounts that enable shared planning
  • Free personal customer support
  • Mobile app to keep guests updated about schedules and locations

Cons:

  • Only one main layout structure available
  • Some users report UI confusion
  • Session timeouts that need re-login
  • Missing advanced planning tools like budgeting features

Joy Pricing

The platform stays 100% free for all core wedding planning features. Revenue comes from guests’ registry purchases and optional premium upgrades like:

  • Custom domain names
  • Text messaging capabilities
  • Premium designs for digital/printed stationery

Joy Best For

Budget-conscious couples will find Joy perfect for their planning needs without any financial commitment. The platform works great for tech-savvy couples who prefer digital invitations over paper waste. Joy shines especially when you have to manage guest communication and photo sharing throughout the wedding journey.

Greenvelope

Image

Image Source: www.greenvelope.com

Digital invitations have become increasingly popular for wedding planning. Greenvelope stands at the forefront of this eco-friendly movement. The platform delivers elegant online wedding invitations that come with sophisticated tracking features.

Greenvelope Key Features

Greenvelope lifts digital invitations through several outstanding capabilities:

  • More than 400 wedding invitation designs you can customize with different fonts, colors, and layouts
  • Digital envelopes that feature customized liners and stamps to create an authentic opening experience
  • Detailed RSVP tracking that shows responses and open rates with up-to-the-minute data analysis
  • Built-in messaging system to update and check in with guests
  • Survey questions to collect meal priorities and song requests
  • Address validation that minimizes delivery failures
  • Automatic reminders when guests approach RSVP deadlines
  • Text message delivery options among other email choices

Greenvelope Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Beautiful designs that mirror traditional paper invitations
  • Exceptional tracking features to monitor responses
  • Earth-friendly approach that cuts down paper waste
  • Customer service team responds quickly with support
  • Music can be included with invitations

Cons:

  • Price calculation based on individual guests instead of households
  • Cost is nowhere near free alternatives
  • Save-the-dates and invitations need separate payments
  • Older guests might find the digital format challenging

Greenvelope Pricing

The platform charges per person:

  • Up to 60 people: $59
  • Up to 120 people: $119
  • Up to 160 people: $159
  • Unlimited sends (up to 150 guests): $225 annually

Guest totals count individuals separately, whatever their household.

Greenvelope Best For

Greenvelope serves couples who value:

  • Elegant digital invitation designs with premium looks
  • Environmental sustainability in wedding planning
  • Detailed guest communication tools
  • Digital tracking of RSVPs and responses

Couples who need broader planning tools beyond invitations might prefer Joy (withjoy.com). This platform offers free detailed wedding planning tools along with simpler digital invitations.

WeddingHappy

Image

Image Source: Upwork

WeddingHappy brings a mobile-first approach to wedding planning. We focused on task management and checklist completion. This smartphone-centric tool gives busy couples a well-laid-out system without demanding constant attention to wedding planning.

WeddingHappy Key Features

WeddingHappy’s core functionality revolves around detailed task management:

  • Customized wedding timeline with suggested tasks based on your wedding date
  • Payment tracking system that monitors when vendor payments are due
  • Spending summary showing budget status and cost per guest
  • Vendor management with contact integration
  • Calendar integration to schedule appointments
  • Offline functionality that works without internet connection
  • Wedding date adjustment feature that automatically changes all task deadlines
  • Dashboard overview showing planning progress percentage

The app’s countdown widget stays visible in-app and as a phone widget. This gives visual motivation throughout your planning process.

WeddingHappy Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Accessible interface with minimal setup requirements
  • Works offline, unlike many competitor apps
  • Customizable task lists with due date notifications
  • Clear visual tracking of planning progress
  • Payment scheduling with automated reminders
  • Supports same-sex weddings with customized planning

Cons:

  • Somewhat dated visual design compared to newer apps
  • Limited collaboration features in free version
  • Lacks guest list management tools
  • Simple budget tracking without advanced financial insights
  • Missing seating chart capabilities

WeddingHappy Pricing

WeddingHappy uses a freemium model:

  • Free version: Has simple planning tools for individual use
  • Premium upgrade: One-time fee unlocks syncing across devices, sharing with partners/vendors, and data backup

The premium version costs a lot less than professional planning services. This makes it available for budget-conscious couples.

WeddingHappy Best For

Detail-oriented couples who like a well-laid-out, checklist-driven approach will find WeddingHappy perfect. The app works great if you:

  • Need constant access through your smartphone
  • Want straightforward task management
  • Want to track vendor payments
  • Feel comfortable with a linear planning approach

Couples who need more shared tools or visual design elements might want to look at Joy (withjoy.com). Joy offers free detailed planning with better guest management features.

Mint

Image

Image Source: Paystub Generator

Mint has powerful financial tracking features that many couples now use to manage their wedding budgets. Credit Karma recently redesigned this personal finance app while keeping its essential functions intact.

Mint Key Features

The app provides several tools that are a great way to get help during wedding planning:

  • Live expense tracking across connected accounts
  • Customizable budget categories for wedding expenses
  • Alerts for upcoming vendor payments and spending limits
  • Monthly spending reports to find potential savings
  • Transaction monitoring across 17,000+ financial institutions
  • Net worth tracking to balance wedding costs with overall financial health

Couples can create a dedicated “wedding” category to monitor these expenses separately without affecting their regular household budget.

Mint Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Free platform without subscription costs
  • Complete financial view combining wedding and personal finances
  • Budget checks on your mobile device
  • Transactions categorize automatically when downloaded
  • Both partners can access across multiple devices
  • Financial summaries through email or text

Cons:

  • Budget start dates cannot be selected
  • Fewer wedding-specific features than dedicated apps
  • Some account syncing problems occur
  • Limited number of custom budget categories
  • Ads appear as part of free model
  • No specialized wedding planning tools beyond budgeting

Mint Pricing

Mint runs completely free. The platform makes money through ads, premium credit monitoring options, financial service referrals, and anonymous data collection instead of charging users.

Mint Best For

The app works best for budget-conscious couples who:

  • Use Mint already for personal finances
  • Need wedding expenses combined with overall financial planning
  • Like detailed expense tracking and categorization
  • Want financial oversight beyond their wedding day

Couples who need wedding-specific planning tools might prefer Joy (withjoy.com), which offers free detailed wedding management beyond just budgeting features.

Zola

Image

Image Source: Zola

Zola started as a wedding platform in 2013 by Shan-Lyn Ma and Nobu Nakaguchi. The platform has grown into a detailed wedding planning app that smoothly combines multiple tools in one free application. Many couples needed better digital wedding preparation tools, and Zola stepped in to fill this gap.

Zola Key Features

Zola’s suite of wedding planning tools works together seamlessly:

  • Customizable wedding websites with over 250 templates
  • Universal registry allowing gifts from any store plus cash funds
  • Guest management system with RSVP tracking
  • Budget tracker with payment scheduling
  • Vendor directory with no paid listings
  • Digital invitations with free addressing
  • Wedding checklist customized to your timeline
  • Mobile app with wedding countdown widget

Team-Z provides personal wedding advisors at no extra cost. You can reach them through email, Instagram, TikTok, and scheduled Coffee Chats.

Zola Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Completely free platform with no hidden charges
  • Post-wedding 20% discount on unpurchased registry items
  • Excellent customer service through personal advisors
  • Modern website templates with easy customization
  • Integrated registry with universal capabilities

Cons:

  • Fewer vendor listings than The Knot
  • Registry items sometimes cost more than retail
  • Vendors must pay per lead to connect with couples
  • Android app discontinued as of January 2023
  • Some design customizations need premium upgrades

Zola Pricing

Zola’s core platform costs nothing to use. Custom domain names start at $14.95, and some premium design elements come at a cost. Credit card transactions for cash gifts have a 2.5% fee. Bank transfers, debit cards, and Venmo payments remain free.

Zola Best For

Couples looking for a free all-in-one wedding planning solution will find Zola perfect for their needs. The platform works best when you want your registry, website, and guest management in one place. Joy (withjoy.com) serves as an alternative with better photo sharing features but fewer registry options.

Carats & Cake

Image

Image Source: caratsandcake.com

Carats & Cake brings wedding inspiration and practical planning tools together. The platform serves couples and wedding professionals through its marketplace. Almost 1 million wedding professionals and couples follow the platform. This platform is a chance to prepare for weddings through real-wedding examples.

Carats & Cake Key Features

The platform gives you several unique planning elements:

  • Customizable wedding websites with dozens of modern designs
  • Custom monograms and wedding logos for individual-specific branding
  • Real wedding galleries showing actual events with vendor information
  • Searchable venue directory connecting couples with over 3,000 venues
  • Vendor portfolios letting couples see professionals’ work

The platform stands out because it links inspiration directly to action. You can identify who created it and reach out whenever you see a wedding element you love.

Carats & Cake Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Shows high-end, real weddings for authentic inspiration
  • Lists complete vendor teams for each featured wedding
  • Platform gets more and thus encourages more social impressions – 40 million monthly
  • Venue directory costs nothing to join and use
  • Editorial team curates content professionally

Cons:

  • We focused on luxury/high-end weddings
  • Website subscription needs monthly payment
  • Tools limited to website and branding instead of detailed planning
  • Premium designs cost extra
  • Desktop version works better than mobile

Carats & Cake Pricing

The platform uses a subscription model:

  • Standard website designs: $12.00 monthly
  • Premium website designs: $18.00 monthly
  • Wedding logos: $35.00 each
  • Digital monograms: $35.00 each
  • Print-ready designs: Extra $15.00

Every website plan comes with a seven-day free trial.

Carats & Cake Best For

Design-conscious couples looking for inspiration from real weddings will love Carats & Cake. The platform excels at connecting couples with premium vendors and creating branded wedding elements, unlike Joy (withjoy.com) which provides detailed free planning tools. Couples who value esthetic presentation will find it perfect. The platform helps you find exactly which professionals created wedding elements you admire.

Comparison Table

App NamePrimary FunctionKey FeaturesStarting PriceBest Suited ForNotable ProsNotable Cons
That’s The One (TTO)Detailed Wedding ManagementBudget tracking, guest management, vendor contracts, shared planning$55/monthMedium to large weddings with multiple vendorsAll-in-one platform, accessible interfaceGets pricey, limited design customization
Aisle PlannerProfessional Wedding ManagementDesign studio, guest management, layout tools, invoicing$65.99/monthWedding professionals managing multiple eventsDetailed tools, strong collaboration featuresGets pricey for small businesses, steep learning curve
Planning PodEvent Management SystemFloor plan builder, client portals, CRM, proposal creation$74/monthProfessional wedding planners, venue managersUnited platform, excellent collaborationManual setup required, limited automation
TrelloProject ManagementKanban boards, Butler automation, Power-Ups, mobile accessFree (simple)Tech-savvy couples, budget-conscious plannersFree option, accessible interfaceNot wedding-specific, limited advanced views
Google WorkspaceGeneral Productivity SuiteGmail, Sheets, Forms, Drive, Calendar integration$7/user/monthTech-savvy couples familiar with Google productsShared work in real time, accessible interfaceNot wedding-specific, requires manual setup
Paperless PostDigital InvitationsDesigner templates, RSVP tracking, custom event URLs~$0.80/inviteDesign-conscious couples, eco-friendly eventsElegant designs, detailed guest communicationCoin system confusing, gets pricey for large lists
HoneybookBusiness ManagementClient portal, payment processing, automated responses$19/monthWedding vendors, service providersFast client booking, automated paymentsRequires client accounts, higher processing fees
Timeline GeniusTimeline CreationSmart scheduling, bulk time adjustments, vendor coordination$54.95/monthProfessional wedding planners, day-of coordinatorsReduces timeline creation time, shared workGets pricey, steep learning curve
Prismm3D Venue VisualizationFloor plans, 3D modeling, virtual tours$35/monthCouples with complex venue layoutsTrue-to-life digital representations, excellent visualizationSession timeout issues, limited customization
JoyFree Wedding PlanningWebsite builder, registry system, guest management, photo sharingFreeBudget-conscious couples seeking detailed toolsCompletely free, accessible interfaceLimited layout options, occasional UI confusion
GreenvelopeDigital Invitations400+ designs, RSVP tracking, messaging system$59 (60 guests)Eco-conscious couples, digital communication preferenceBeautiful designs, excellent trackingPer-person pricing, higher cost than alternatives
WeddingHappyMobile Task ManagementCustomized timeline, payment tracking, offline functionalityFree (simple)Mobile-focused planners, task-oriented couplesAccessible interface, works offlineDated design, limited collaboration
MintFinancial PlanningExpense tracking, budget categories, payment alertsFreeBudget-conscious couples, financial planning focusFree platform, integrated financial viewLimited wedding-specific features, shows ads
ZolaAll-in-One Wedding PlatformWebsite builder, registry, guest management, vendor directoryFreeCouples wanting combined registry and planningFree platform, post-wedding discountsFewer vendor listings, some premium features
Carats & CakeWedding Inspiration & PlanningGround wedding galleries, venue directory, custom branding$12/monthDesign-conscious couples seeking premium vendorsHigh-end inspiration, professional curationLuxury focus, limited planning tools

Conclusion

The sort of thing I love about the perfect wedding planning app is how it reshapes a potentially stressful engagement into a smooth experience toward your special day. This piece explores digital tools of all sizes that help with different parts of wedding preparation. From detailed platforms like That’s The One to specialized solutions like Timeline Genius, you’ll find what you need.

These apps play distinct roles in wedding planning. Budget-conscious couples might prefer completely free options like Joy (withjoy.com). It provides great planning tools with zero financial investment and excellent guest management and photo sharing features. Design-focused couples could find Greenvelope or Paperless Post better suited to their vision of elegant digital invitations.

Wedding professionals can access equally powerful options. Aisle Planner and HoneyBook make client management smoother. Timeline Genius cuts down the time needed to create detailed wedding schedules.

These digital tools eliminate the chaos of scattered notes, endless spreadsheets, and missed deadlines that used to plague wedding planning. Modern couples now enjoy automated reminders, shared planning with family members, and centralized information storage—all available from their smartphones.

Your specific needs, budget limits, and planning style will help you pick the right planning app. You might prefer Trello boards’ visual organization or Zola’s detailed features. Today’s technology offers solutions that past generations of couples could only imagine.

Whatever tool you choose, wedding planning apps make the path to “I do” nowhere near as stressful and much more fun. Your engagement should bring excitement rather than overwhelming stress—and the right digital assistant makes sure of exactly that.

You may also like