The Dos & Don'ts of Using Pinterest While Planning Your Wedding
Pinning your visions to a board for anything from recipes to home decor seems to be the norm these days. And, when it comes to planning a wedding, well, Pinterest without a doubt takes the cake among brides and grooms. But, you can end up spending hours upon hours browsing various styles and options—from place settings to seasonal decor.
Before you know it, you’re left doubting all the ideas you’d collected over the years of dreaming about your once-in-a-lifetime day—all so you can bring the “it” trends to life. Therefore, the social media platform can sometimes end up being both a blessing and a curse.
So, today, we’re sharing the top dos and don’ts of using Pinterest during the wedding planning process. That way, you can use it wisely to bring your visions to life versus creating more overwhelm for yourself!
DO create secret wedding planning boards.
One night, you’re relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine and decide to open your laptop to browse Pinterest for a bit. And, all of a sudden, you find yourself pinning away wedding-related ideas for hours. But, remember all of those family members and friends who follow you on the platform?
Yeah, there’s a good chance they see some of your dreamy inspiration coming through their feed. Therefore, they arrive on your special day to be pleasantly unsurprised by the style and decor you chose.
To keep that from happening, create secret boards on Pinterest—one for each major component: from florals to place settings, ceremony decor, and more. That way, you can keep things organized, and only you (and anyone else you invite) will see them and any of the pins associated with them.
DO share that board with your vendors.
Once you’ve curated your wedding planning boards and found your vendor tribe (think a wedding planner, florist, caterer, and so on), consider inviting them to join select ones so you can begin collaborating and bringing your dreams to life.
Most vendors have a Pinterest account of their own, so it should be fairly easy for you to send the invitations to join your secret boards. That way, they can get a better sense of your style and preferences, and even offer up some advice and ideas of their own.
DO look elsewhere for inspiration.
Yes, Pinterest seems like a host of never-ending ideas, but other places offer up just as much fresh inspiration! So, don’t limit your options and instead consider looking to Instagram. Yes, it’s another digital platform. You can use it, however, to follow wedding vendors in your area and discover real weddings versus a plethora of styled shoots (which are what you might often come across when browsing Pinterest).
Also, add attending a bridal show to your must-do list! If you haven’t already, it’s a great place to find your vendor tribe. And, typically, each vendor in attendance will have their own booth, which is generally filled with inspiration and ideas, too.
Therefore, don’t forget to ask them if you can take pictures of their booth—especially if they’re a florist or event rentals company! That way, you can have a visual on file of a specific setup or design you loved to share with them the look you want to replicate for your big day.
DON’T let Pinterest stifle your creativity.
Using Pinterest can lead you to look at what everyone else is doing instead of looking inward at your own creative thoughts and ideas, as well as what brings you joy and best reflects you and your soon-to-be spouse’s relationship and love for one another.
That said, start making a list of your favorite things and find ways you can incorporate them into your big day. Maybe it’s a popular TV show, the place you met or often visited as a couple, a food or meal (think a brunch-inspired buffet); you name it. Doing so will help you make your wedding day one-of-a-kind!
DON’T let Pinterest overwhelm you.
Chances are, there will be millions upon millions of pins you can find yourself falling in love with while scrolling through Pinterest during your wedding planning days. Thus, you end up with 124 floral arrangements and combinations you love, 210 hairstyles to choose from, and even 52 different manicures you can end up wearing!
One thing is for sure; it can overwhelm even the most chill of brides and cause your brain to go into information overload. Just know when you need to take a step back, shut the computer, step outside and get some fresh air, and soak up the time you have with the status: “engaged.” It goes by far too quickly!
DON’T let Pinterest affect your wedding budget.
Often, wedding-related photos on Pinterest with the most repins are those with budgets out of reach. You’ll come across a $12,000 gown or a ridiculously gorgeous floral backdrop that just might cost you an arm and a leg, and it’s something you begin to dream of having. While it’s all stunning, it’s not very realistic to your wedding budget. If you find an idea or concept you just have to have, share it with the associated wedding vendor—whether it be your florist or planner—to see how you can bring it to life in a budget-friendly way.
So, there you have it—the dos and don’ts of using Pinterest while planning your wedding. It’s the perfect tool, if used wisely, to collect inspiration, and see what kind of styles you love and don’t love. And, when coupled with ideas that best reflect you and your soon-to-be spouse, you can guarantee you’ll have a unique wedding day you and your loved ones will remember and cherish for years to come!
If you find yourself needing assistance dreaming up your event design and theme, send us a note today. We’d love to meet with you to ensure you enjoy your special celebration to the fullest!