Excel vs Google Sheets for Wedding Planning (2026)

Written by Oscar Sanfelix, founder of Plannful. · Published 25 June 2026

Both Excel and Google Sheets are excellent for planning a wedding — and you do not have to choose blindly. Here is an honest comparison so you can pick what fits how you and your partner actually work.

Quick verdict

• Choose Google Sheets if you and your partner (or your mum, or your maid of honour) want to edit the same budget and guest list from any phone or laptop, for free, with changes syncing live.
• Choose Excel if you prefer working offline, want the most powerful formatting and printing, and already have Microsoft Office on your computer.

Side by side

• Cost: Google Sheets is free with any Google account. Excel needs Microsoft 365 (about $70/year) or a one-off Office licence.
• Collaboration: Google Sheets wins. Multiple people edit at once, with comments and version history. In Excel, real-time co-editing needs files saved to OneDrive.
• Offline use: Excel wins. It works with no internet at all; Google Sheets needs setup to edit offline.
• Formulas: a tie for wedding planning — both handle SUM, IF and the budget math a wedding needs identically. You will not hit a wall in either.
• On your phone: the Google Sheets app is smoother for quick edits on the go (adding a guest, ticking off an RSVP); the Excel mobile app is capable but heavier.
• Printing: Excel has the edge for a polished printed budget or seating chart.

For most couples in 2026, Google Sheets is the easier default because wedding planning is a team sport — you will want shared access. But if you live in Excel for work, stick with what you know.

What Plannful templates use

Every Plannful wedding template is built for Microsoft Excel, with real working formulas. You get the .xlsx file and open it in Excel on Windows or Mac.

Browse wedding templates →

Want to see the formulas in action first? Our free wedding budget calculator runs the same live math right in your browser.

Frequently asked questions