Goblin Tools is a Neurodivergent Wedding Planning Secret Weapon

An ADHD and autistic friendly wedding planning tool? Sign me up! (Photo by Yan Krukau / Pexels)

Is Goblin Tools AI a secret weapon for planning a neurodivergent friendly wedding? Yes!

There are a lot of free wedding planning apps and checklists competing for the top spot these days – Zola, The Knot, Honeyfund, AislePlanner, and the list goes on. But I think Goblin Tools might be the best neurodivergent wedding planning tool of all...

Hear me out! 

(Or don’t: If you’re in a hurry, just head to Goblin.Tools and type in “how to plan a neurodivergent wedding” into the Magic ToDo prompt to see for yourself.)

I discovered Goblin Tools 'Magic ToDo' the way nature intended – in a Reddit post. The Redditor describes it as a helpful AI tool that breaks complex tasks down into smaller ones, and then into even smaller ones, as many times as you need until each task is finally small enough to start, even in the face of sprawling neurodivergent inertia. When I tell you that I literally sprinted to the search bar to try it out myself!

I was not disappointed. The page heading reads “Magic ToDo / Breaking things down so you don’t.” Cute, right? But more importantly, accurate. The UI and chat style are specially designed for neurodivergent users too, and it's pretty easy to find your way around.

I asked Magic ToDo how to do a seemingly-impossible task that I’d been putting off for ages (hours): grocery shopping. Within seconds, the helpful goblins that live inside the internet (I guess?) broke my errand down into a straightforward list of 12 smaller tasks.

Before I knew it, I’d pulled on my shoes and headed out for the fluorescent-lit grocery store, crossing off four magic goblin tasks before I’d even hit the sidewalk. Not too bad! 

Just chatting about wedding plans with the magic goblins that live inside the internet. (Photo: Cultura Allies / Adobe Stock)

How to Use Goblin Tools AI to Plan a Neurodivergent Friendly Wedding

Now, because I’m a nerd and a wedding blogger, I was eager to see what the goblins would say about planning a wedding. But not just any wedding – how to plan a neurodivergent wedding. 

So, a few days later I typed in “how to plan neurodivergent wedding / autistic friendly wedding?”

Within seconds, I was presented with a simple list of 14 tasks, this time tuned-in to planning an autistic friendly wedding: 

Prompt: How to plan neurodivergent wedding / autistic friendly wedding?

• Research and understand the specific needs and preferences of the couple and guests

• Choose a comfortable and accessible venue with quiet spaces and good lighting

• Plan the event schedule to allow for breaks and downtime

• Communicate clearly with guests about the event details, expectations, and accommodations

• Incorporate sensory-friendly elements such as soft lighting, calming colors, and noise-canceling options

• Create a flexible timeline that allows for changes and adjustments as needed

• Provide visual supports or social stories to help guests understand the flow of the event

• Limit overwhelming stimuli and avoid crowded or chaotic areas

• Offer options for sensory regulation, like noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, or quiet zones

• Consider dietary preferences and sensory sensitivities when planning food and drinks

• Arrange for trained staff or volunteers who understand neurodivergent needs to assist during the event

• Plan for easy access to restrooms and quiet spaces throughout the venue

• Ensure communication and invitations are clear, concise, and accessible in various formats

• Create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that values each guest's comfort and needs

(the above task list is quoted from Goblin Tools)

Excellent advice, similar to the detailed suggestions in our article: Sensory-Friendly Wedding Ideas for a Comfortable, Joyful Day

Make a custom checklist by breaking large tasks into intermediate steps. (Photo: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels)

Break large tasks into smaller intermediate steps

But what if that first task feels a little daunting?

“Research and understand the specific needs and preferences of the couple and guests.” Whew, sure – but where, and how? 

The beauty of the Magic ToDo wedding checklist is that it adapts to your needs. It can break each bullet-pointed item into smaller and smaller steps until you get to one that seems manageable. All you need to do is click on a complicated task, and it will give you a new list of intermediate steps, like this:

First Task:

• Research and understand the specific needs and preferences of the couple and guests

Expands into these intermediate steps:

• Gather information about the couple's personal preferences, communication styles, and sensory sensitivities

• Communicate directly with the couple to understand their specific needs and desires for the wedding

• Identify any accommodations or adjustments that may make the event more comfortable for neurodivergent or autistic guests

• Consult with the couple about their vision for the wedding atmosphere, including preferred activities and levels of stimulation

• Seek feedback from potential guests regarding their expectations or concerns related to the event

• Research common needs and considerations for neurodivergent and autistic guests attending social events

• Document the preferences, needs, and comfort levels of both the couple and guests to inform planning decisions

(the above task list is quoted from Goblin Tools)

Ok, now we’re getting somewhere! 

Although I'm not a big fan of AI in general, and I'm skeptical (nay, wary) about how quickly it's becoming part of daily life, anyone who struggles with executive dysfunction is sure to recognize the inherent power of a fully-customizable checklist. While the ethics of AI are deeply murky, there may be some positive uses out there, like this one.

For example, if I was someone who'd never met a neurodivergent person, this custom list could make it easier for me to accommodate them, making this a super useful tool for a neurotypical ally or wedding planner.

And if you're a neurodivergent person using this list? You’d have some very solid action items to help you plan a sensory friendly event that meets your needs, as well as the diverse needs of any ADHD, autistic, or otherwise-neurospicy guests. Fantastic! 

A customizable wedding planning checklist? Hell yes! Super helpful for the neurospiciest. (Photo: Erik Torres / Pexels)

Get specific with your questions & prompts

Now, I won’t bore you with the million other things I asked the goblins. But I will say that you can also ask how to make a wedding budget: 

I asked Magic ToDo to help me make a wedding budget checklist. Here’s what it gave me (from the screenshot above): "Determine your overall wedding budget based on your financial situation; List all potential sources of funding or contributions from family or friends; Identify and list all wedding expenses you expect to incur; Research average costs for each type of expense in your desired location; Prioritize expenses to decide which are essential and which can be adjusted; Allocate funds to each expense category based on your total budget; Track estimated costs and adjust your allocations as needed; Create a spreadsheet or document to organize and monitor your budget; Set aside a contingency fund for unexpected expenses; Review and update your budget regularly as planning progresses." Remember that each of these items can be expanded into intermediate steps.

And how to find a wheelchair friendly wedding venue: 

Next, I asked Magic ToDo to help me make a wheelchair-accessible venue checklist. Here’s what it gave me (from the screenshot above): "Research local wedding venues to identify those that advertise wheelchair accessibility; Check each venue's website for accessibility information and amenities; Contact the venues directly to ask about specific accessibility features; Visit the venues in person to assess the accessibility and overall suitability; Inquire about parking options, ramps, door widths, and restroom facilities; Read reviews or testimonials from other clients regarding accessibility experiences; Ensure the venue can accommodate any specific needs or accommodations required; Compare the options and select the venue that best meets accessibility and aesthetic preferences." (And check our Vendor Spotlight page regularly to find accessible venues and vendors, too!)

And even how to plan a DnD themed wedding:

Last, I asked Magic ToDo to help me make a DnD wedding theme checklist. Here’s what it gave me (from the screenshot above): "Research DnD themes and ideas to determine the overall style and mood; Decide on a specific DnD setting or campaign that will inspire the wedding theme; Create a guest list and determine the number of attendees; Choose a suitable venue that can be decorated to fit the DnD theme; Design or select invitations that incorporate DnD elements and motifs; Plan the wedding attire to match the theme, such as costumes or themed accessories; Arrange for themed decorations, including banners, table settings, and centerpieces; Coordinate entertainment, like DnD-inspired performances or gaming stations; Organize themed food and beverages that reflect the DnD universe; Incorporate DnD symbolism into ceremony scripts, vows, or rituals; Arrange for photographers to capture the themed details and moments; Ensure all vendors understand and can implement the DnD theme; Prepare a timeline for the wedding day to coordinate all activities smoothly." This would definitely need fine-tuning, but it's a pretty good start.

...Not that you’d ever need outside help on that. (And certainly not from goblins.)

But wait, there's more! There are eight goblin tools available, each with their own purpose: Magic ToDo, The Chef, Compiler, Consultant, Judge, Formalizer, Estimator, and The Professor. Each of these can be very helpful for different aspects of wedding planning, from choosing a menu to writing emails to wedding vendors.

Wait, there are actually eight different goblin 'tools' to choose from!

Soon, I discovered that Magic ToDo isn’t the only tool in Goblin Tools arsenal. There are actually eight different tools to choose from, each with its own special talent. In addition to the checklist function: 

‘The Chef’ can help you plan a wedding menu that works with everyone’s dietary restrictions and preferences.

A ‘Compiler’ that will take your swirling cauldron of ideas, aspirations, concerns, and anxieties and distill them into a streamlined list of tasks.

A ‘Consultant’ that can predict the possible pros and cons of various wedding ideas.

A ‘Judge’ to help you navigate the intended tone behind all those back-and-forth emails with wedding vendors.

A ‘Formalizer’ to help you write polished responses and friendly questions to said wedding vendors.

An ‘Estimator’ to help you estimate how long it takes to complete the various side quests of wedding planning.

And even ‘The Professor’, ready to give you a crash course on every wedding topic, term, or theme under the sun… like this simple description of a handfasting ceremony:

I asked the Goblin Tools Professor to tell me about the handfasting ceremony tradition. Here's what it told me (from the screen shot above): "A handfasting ceremony is an old-fashioned or pagan wedding ritual where a couple's hands are tied together to symbolize their commitment to each other. It's like a symbolic way of saying they're getting married, often part of a spiritual or ceremonial tradition. / Two friends decide to celebrate their commitment by having a handfasting ceremony, where they hold hands and tie their wrists together with a ribbon to symbolize their promise to stay together." This is fairly accurate for a brief description!

What do you think? Is Goblin Tools AI a neurodivergent friendly wedding planning tool?

So, what do you think? Is Goblin Tools the best wedding planning tool for neurodivergent and neurospicy lovebirds? Maybe! It's definitely a bonus that it never takes clarifying questions as a personal attack...

After playing around with the tool kit, I do think that these magical goblins probably work best alongside a conventional wedding planning app or professional wedding planner. Although it’s awesome as a stand-alone sidekick, it's probably most useful when paired with an app or planner who can sort and store all of your potential vendors, decor inspiration, and clothing choices with you as you go. 

Pro Tip: Most Autistic & ADHD folks know the risk of analysis paralysis. When using the Magic ToDo tool, you might want to stick with one or two tasks at a time, and only drill down as much or as little as you need to get started. It’s easy to get lost in the weeds! So start with the initial task list, pick just one item, and get some momentum going.

PS: This post is not an ad, and I'm not affiliated with the brand at all. I just like helpful technology.

Tried Magic ToDo for your wedding yet?

Let me know what brilliant goblin tasks it gave you, or tag us in your planning journey on Instagram @accessibleaisle!

Happy wedding planning!