Words Of Wisdom: Crafting The Perfect Wedding Board

A wedding mood board is a carefully curated collection of images that convey the look and feel of your wedding day. It can be designed on platforms like Pinterest, Photoshop, or Canva.

The benefits of a wedding mood board are that it helps you to narrow down and articulate your wedding style, and it can be used to visually communicate your wedding vision to your vendors.

1. Discuss your wedding dreams with your partner. Brainstorm a list of words to describe your wedding vibe, such as intimate, adventurous, cheerful, or romantic.

2. Start exploring your unique style on Pinterest. Look for inspiration from home decor, fashion, and typography.

3. Choose 10 images to place on your wedding mood board. Select the top photos that catch your eye and narrow them down.

4. Pull colours from your favourite photos. Choose colours that are used repeatedly and use them to fill the remaining boxes on your mood board template.

5. Take your wedding mood board off the screen. Print out the design and add it to your wedding planning binder. Keep the link handy so you can make changes and easily send it to your wedding vendors.

Where to Make Your Vision Board

Vision boards are a powerful tool to help you create your dream life. They can be placed almost anywhere, as long as they are in a place that you will see them often. Here are some suggestions for where to place your vision board:

In Your Home

If you want to keep your vision board private, or simply want it to blend into your daily life, consider placing it in your home. Some specific spots could be:

• Your bedroom, perhaps on the ceiling like Jack Canfield, so it's the first thing you see when you wake up and the last thing you see before you go to sleep.
• Your home office or workspace, so you can glance at it throughout your workday.
• The kitchen, where you're likely to spend a lot of time and can easily see it every day.

Digital Spaces

If you've opted for a digital vision board, you can set it as the wallpaper for your phone or computer screen. That way, you'll see it every time you unlock your device. You could also use an app that allows you to create and carry your vision board with you on your phone, like MindMovies, udreamr, or Subliminal Vision Boards.

At Work

If you spend a lot of time at work, placing your vision board there can be a great way to keep your goals in mind throughout the workday. You could put it:

• In your office or at your desk, where you'll see it while you work.
• In a shared space, like a break room or lounge, where you can take a moment to reflect on your vision throughout the day.

In Your Car

If you spend a lot of time commuting or running errands, placing your vision board in your car can be a great reminder of your goals. You could put it:

• On the dashboard, where you'll see it while you drive.
• On the sun visor, so it's easily accessible when you need a reminder.

Remember, the key is to place your vision board somewhere you will see it often and where it will inspire you to take action towards achieving your goals. Choose a location that is meaningful and motivating for you, and don't be afraid to change it up if you feel your vision board isn't having the desired impact.

What is a Wedding Mood Board?

A wedding mood board is a carefully curated collection of images and colours that convey the look and feel you want to create at your wedding. It can be designed on platforms like Pinterest, Photoshop, or Canva, or physically assembled. The purpose of a wedding mood board is to help you determine and share the aesthetic you want for your wedding, and it can include anything that will be helpful in designing your big day, such as cutlery, table settings, the wedding dress, and the wedding cake.

A wedding mood board is a great way to gather inspiration and create a single, cohesive vision for your wedding. It can be challenging to verbally express your wedding vision, and a mood board provides a visual reference for you, your partner, and your vendors to work towards. It ensures that everyone is on the same page and reduces the need for constant communication about design choices.

When creating a wedding mood board, it's important to first discuss your wedding dreams and non-negotiables with your partner. Consider your relationship, your shared interests, and your favourite places. From there, you can start exploring unique styles and gathering inspiration from both online and offline sources. Pinterest is a popular platform for creating wedding mood boards, but don't limit yourself—look through design and style books, magazines, and seek out stylish local spots for inspiration.

Once you've gathered a ton of images, start curating and looking for trends. Select a variety of photos that speak to you and work towards narrowing them down to around 6-10 images that complement each other and mesh well together. These images should reflect your chosen theme, colour scheme, and overall vibe.

Finally, assemble your mood board! This can be done physically or digitally, using platforms like Canva. Arrange your visuals into categories such as shapes, textures, and colours, and fit them together like a jigsaw to create a complete picture of your desired wedding aesthetic. Don't be afraid to move elements around until you're comfortable with the overall composition. Your wedding mood board should be a reflection of your dream day, so take your time and let your creativity flow.

The Benefits of Having a Mood Board

A wedding mood board is a carefully curated collection of images that convey the look and feel you want to create on your wedding day. It can be designed on platforms like Pinterest, Photoshop, or Canva, or a combination of these.

It helps you articulate your wedding style and vision

A mood board can help you define your wedding style and colours, especially if you're finding it challenging to put your vision into words. For example, instead of saying, "I want a light blue with green tints, but not too green or too blue," to your florist, you can simply point to your vision board and say, "I want that."

It saves you time and helps you avoid miscommunication with vendors

Having a visual representation of your desired wedding look can save you time and prevent misunderstandings with your vendors. It ensures everyone is on the same page and can help them bring your vision to life more accurately.

It helps you discover your wedding style and vibe

Creating a mood board can be an excellent way to explore and discover your unique wedding style. By collecting and curating images that resonate with you, you may uncover a wedding theme or aesthetic that you might not have initially expected but truly speaks to you.

It provides a foundation for design decisions

Your mood board can serve as a foundation for various design choices, from your wedding colour palette to floral arrangements, fabric textures, invitation design, and even a mismatched bridesmaid dress palette. It ensures that all the elements of your wedding come together harmoniously.

It offers a fun and inspirational planning process

Creating a mood board is a fun and creative way to kickstart your wedding planning journey. It allows you to explore your relationship and celebrate who you are as a couple, setting the tone for a wedding that truly reflects your personalities and love story.

Steps for Making a Wedding Mood Board

A wedding mood board is a carefully curated collection of photos that convey the look and feel you hope to create through your wedding design. It can be designed on platforms like Pinterest, Photoshop, and Canva, or a combination of these.

Step 1: Discuss Wedding Dreams With Your Partner

Before you start searching for inspiration, do some offline work with your partner. Explore your relationship and who you are as a couple. Set a date night to discuss your vision and non-negotiables—have a pen and paper handy to jot them down as you dream of your day.

• What do we enjoy doing together as a couple? Are we laid-back, or do we enjoy being the life of the party—or both?
• Where has been our favorite vacation, date, or place to spend time together? How did that location make us feel?
• What season makes sense for our wedding? Does the season impact the mood of the day?
• What type of wedding do we not want? What are things that don’t feel like us?
• Come up with a list of words to describe your wedding vibe, such as intimate, adventurous, carefree, nostalgic, silly, cheerful, cozy, laid-back, romantic, wild, vivacious, and warm.

Step 2: Start Exploring Your Unique Style on Pinterest

Creating your mood board is not a time to worry about your budget—this is your chance to put all your ideas on a page. The best place to start is Pinterest, as it gives you access to hundreds of wedding inspiration photos and is an excellent tool for organizing your inspiration.

• What type of home decor do we gravitate toward? Search for design inspiration from homes and bedrooms–spaces that feel like somewhere you’d enjoy spending time in.
• Pin clothes, accessories, fashion blogger outfits, etc. These will help explain your style and can be translated into the wedding design.
• Search for different typography. What elements of design are you drawn to? Do you like big, bold fonts or more classic elements?

Step 3: Choose 10 Images to Place on Your Wedding Mood Board

Now that you’ve formed a vision with your partner and started to collect inspiration, it’s time to start refining your collection. Select the top photos that catch your eye and continuously narrow it down until you have just ten photos. These can be images from Pinterest, Instagram, or even your phone’s photo library.

Step 4: Pull Colors From Your Favorite Photos

Once you have your favorite images, take note of the colors that are used repeatedly. Then, fill the remaining boxes on the Canva template with those colors to bring the design full circle. These colors will become your wedding color palette, influencing your floral arrangements, fabric textures, invitation design, and more.

Step 5: Take Your Wedding Mood Board Off the Screen

After you’ve finished your mood board, print out the design and add it to your wedding planning binder. Keep the link handy, so you can make any changes throughout the planning process and easily send it to your wedding vendors.

With a mood board in hand, it’s time to hunt down those wedding pros that can bring your vision to life!

Where to Get Wedding Inspiration

There are many sources of wedding inspiration, from the traditional to the more unexpected. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Wedding Magazines and Blogs

Glossy wedding magazines like "Brides", "Martha Stewart Weddings", and "The Knot" are packed with real weddings, styled shoots, and expert advice. Wedding blogs such as "Style Me Pretty", "Green Wedding Shoes", and "Wedding Chicks" offer a similar treasure trove of creativity, with DIY tutorials and planning tips.

Social Media

Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok are brimming with wedding ideas. Create dreamy mood boards on Pinterest, follow wedding hashtags on Instagram, and scroll through captivating wedding videos on TikTok.

Wedding Expos and Bridal Shows

Attending a wedding expo or bridal show is a great way to discover the latest trends, breathtaking floral arrangements, and awe-inspiring decor ideas. Most shows are free, and some vendors even offer wedding day giveaways!

Real Weddings and Wedding Photography

Browse online wedding albums, photography portfolios, and blogs dedicated to real love stories. Each photograph captures heartfelt moments and intricate details that will spark your imagination.

Wedding Planning Books

If you prefer books, titles like "The Wedding Book" by Mindy Weiss and "A Practical Wedding" by Meg Keene offer invaluable guidance and creative ideas.

Personal Experiences and Interests

Your shared experiences, passions, and interests with your partner are a unique source of inspiration. Think about your hobbies, cherished memories, and cultural backgrounds, and consider how you can infuse these personal elements into your wedding.

Architecture and Interior Design

Pick up the latest design magazines or browse online for fresh ideas on palettes, textures, patterns, furnishings, and lighting. Visiting home design stores or your favourite restaurants and hotels can also spark ideas.

Fashion

Fashion is a great source for colour combinations, fabrics, and vintage influences. If you love a particular designer, pinpoint what inspires you about their style. Fashion shows, shop windows for high-end boutiques, and department stores can also offer inspiration.

Flea Markets

Flea markets are a treasure trove of eclectic details from different eras, offering a unique combination of inspirations.

Art

Galleries and museums are a fun way to get inspired while enjoying a date. Keep an open mind and allow yourself to be drawn to different pieces, whether through subject matter, colour palette, or medium.

Nature

The natural world offers a rich source of ideas. Take a trip to the countryside or the coast and observe the plants, flowers, sand, and sky. Look for shapes, textures, and colours that appeal to you, and capture pictures for later reference.

Travel

Whether it's your wedding location, honeymoon destination, or a place you long to visit, exotic places can spark new and exciting ideas.

Now that you have a wealth of inspiration, remember to adapt these ideas to make them uniquely yours. Your wedding day is a reflection of your love and personal style, so let your imagination soar!

Frequently asked questions