If you’re planning a wedding, you already know the Internet is a great resource. There’s a new player in the online wedding game, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular – Pinterest.
On Pinterest.com, you can grab photos from around the web and ‘pin’ them onto ‘boards,’ meaning you can post the photos online, under your user name, into categories of your choosing. You can also browse other Pinterest user boards.
Many Pinners that are dreaming of their big day post boards dedicated to weddings. The photos are often accompanied with comments, and can include tips or instructions on how to create the look that was captured in the picture. Like wedding forums, you can interact with friends or strangers to get suggestions and ideas for your special day, but this time, it’s all centered around pictures of your choosing.
Pinterest certainly displays boards for all the biggies like the gown, décor and food. But Pinterest’s real strength is in highlighting the details. It’s on this site that you’ll find inspiration behind your personalized napkins, the perfect photography poses or an idea for ‘something blue.’ Those seemingly insignificant details will make your day truly unique.
Like many online wedding hotspots, Pinterest runs the risk of overwhelming. So, to get the most out of the site, make sure to be specific when you’re scoping out ideas.
In the search box in the top left hand corner of the page, use as many details as possible, such as ‘fall DIY wedding décor,’ or ‘cream wedding pumps.’ If you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for, it helps to at least separate your searches into different categories, such as ‘wedding décor’ or ‘bridesmaids,’ rather than just a generic ‘wedding’ search.
It’s also a great place to see real photos from themed weddings, which can be more difficult to find on other websites. If you’re planning something outside the box, search for that specifically, such as ‘Halloween wedding’ or ‘Great Gatsby themed wedding.’
That being said, Pinterest is also a great way to explore outside your comfort zone. Whimsical, woodsy, DIY, rustic, vintage, elegant, chic, romantic and couture are all popular words on Pinterest’s wedding pins. Even if you think those adjectives wouldn’t apply to your big day, type them in and browse. You might be pleasantly surprised!
Finally, if you’re serious about using suggestions from Pinterest, do your homework. Each picture can be traced back to its original blog or website, so when you find something you like and think you could apply to your wedding, click through and take notes or bookmark the page. Otherwise, you’ll get lost on the site and look up from your computer three hours later without any clear idea on how to make your wedding nicer.
Pinterest is still in a new growth phase, so you’ll need an invitation to join if you haven’t already. You can request an invite right at pinterest.com, with the red button along the top of the home page, but you might be put on a wait list. A quicker way to get on board is to reach out to friends that are already members, and ask them to send you a personalized invitation.
Word of Caution: Recently a friend told me about a wedding she attended. She said it was a beautiful wedding with a lot going on, too much. Problem was, there was too much going on; she couldn’t focus on one thing. A friend of hers commented that the wedding looked like Pinterest had thrown up on it. Although you can get great, wonderful ideas on Pinterest from beginning to end, be selective. Prioritize which of these ideas are the most important for your wedding and go with those ideas only.
Now, get pinning!
Thank you to Premier Bride of Mississippi for sharing this article! Check out the Pinterest page for The Premier Bridal Show!