We think we all know that Pinterest can get a little out of hand and overwhelming at times. Some of us get a tad “pin happy”! Pinterest is typically a brides BFF for months after the engagement…wait, who are we joking…months before, too!  It’s fun to dream and go crazy with such a fun and exciting time ahead. Pinterest is extremely helpful in wedding planning if used correctly. We are going to give you some tips and tricks on how to use it to your advantage and get the most out of it.  

Tip 1: Start with a Vision Board

This is something to get you going in the right direction and to come back to when planning here and there.  If you start with a simple (yes, simple…going overboard on this could get out of control) inspiration board, it can be extremely helpful. Most brides, even before they are engaged, have a wedding board of some sort started.  If not, come on! What are you waiting for?! Most likely, this wedding board is all over the place in regards to what you are thinking. Trying to zone in on a theme of some sort (rustic, vintage, shabby chic, modern, etc.) can help you gain some inspiration. This way, you can keep coming back to this and do check-ins to see your planning all makes sense. If you are pinning sleek and modern ideas, getting married in a barn might not be the right direction you want to head. This board will also help guide you into picking out some vendors for your wedding.

Tip 1: Think of it like a Filing Cabinet

If you were to organize your wedding ideas/plans into a filing cabinet, how would you do that? You would probably have a folder for the venue, a folder for the ceremony information, a folder for your music, etc. So, you should do something very similar when it comes to pinning. Try and steer clear from one giant “Wedding” board and focus more on separate boards. For example, “Wedding Dress Ideas” board, “Reception Decor Ideas” board, or “Bouquet Ideas” board.  This will be less confusing when sorting through everything or having to search for a pin. Although, Pinterest does have a handy search engine that can be helpful at times. More on that in a bit.

Tip 2: Make it a Secret

This is totally up to you.  We just know that if we were planning our wedding, we wouldn’t want all of our friends who follow us on Pinterest to have all of the surprises planned before the big day.  This doesn’t mean you can’t share your ideas with certain people in your life…

Tip 3: Stop, Collaborate, and Listen

If you have certain people, like your mom or sister or Maid of Honor that you want more involvement in the planning, add them as collaborators to certain boards!  This way they can add comments about certain pins or even add pins themselves.

Tip 4: Annotate!

Taking the 15 seconds it takes to annotate and type a little description under the pin you pinned is a great way to recall what you were thinking in the moment of pinning it.  Sometimes we pin something and look back and wonder why the heck we thought it was a good idea. It also helps if you are collaborating with others. So when your mom pins some funky hairstyle and you think it is meant to be an idea for you, rather than her, you have an understanding.

Tip 5: Use the phrase “DIY” in your searches

Are you looking to save a little money or add a special touch of your own?  DIY or “Do it Yourself” is a great way to get ideas that are budget friendly.  Searching “DIY rustic wedding gift favors” or “DIY dessert bars for weddings” isn’t a bad idea.  Also, we think you should consider a dessert bar if we are attending your wedding at all, because well…um…it might be what we live for. 🙂

Tip 6: Show Vendors your Boards!

When your florist is wondering what you like, it is almost easier to pull out your phone, open your “Bouquet” board and show them the photos you have pinned. This way, they really get an idea of the style you like.  This goes for wedding dresses, hair, photography ideas, and much more. Don’t be afraid to share it and get what you really want on your special day.

We hope this helps you in planning your wedding.  However, remember in the end, the wedding day isn’t about all of the details and planning, it is about you and your spouse.  Never lose sight of what is really important with a wedding — the marriage.

Side note: This doesn’t mean you can’t get “pin-happy” on recipes as Erin does! Pin them and never make them. :-/