Photo: Thuss + Farrell
Whether you've endlessly daydreamed about your perfect wedding dress or can't pick a dahlia from a daffodil, you are capable of putting together a wedding that reflects your style as a couple—just add color and a carefully cultivated design concept. Need help getting started? Wedding style expert Matthew Robbins knows a thing or two about personalizing your big day and making it pop. In his new book, Matthew Robbins: Inspired Weddings, the wedding guru presents a stunning guide for creating the wedding of your dreams—and we've convinced him to share his top tips.
1. Find inspiration in your own world. "What do you collect, wear, eat? Where do you travel? How do you decorate when hosting a party or freshen up a room?" Robbins suggests you ask yourself personal questions in order to really dig into what makes you happy. "If you aren't feeling so in touch with your inner style guru, try pulling out your favorite pieces from the wardrobe, your travel pics or postcards," Robbins says. "Going to that place where you felt your best or did your best will lead to some great inspiration!"
2. Learn how to edit. "The best photo shoots, songs and stories are great because they were carefully and thoughtfully edited," Robbins notes. Streamlining your wedding ideas and inspiration will allow you to recreate that same success on your big day. "Doing this," says Robbins, "will no doubt lead to a more beautiful, cohesive vision."
3. Don't fall victim to obvious design trends. "Being current is important, but looking timeless is even better. Don't ruin your photos by getting too caught up in overly trendy ideas."
4. Stay true to you! Listen to the advice of your family and friends but try not to stray from your original vision. "If you can maintain one thread of genuine and personal inspiration throughout your wedding it will feel authentic and unique," Robbins says.
5. Simplify. "Try boiling everything down to a really perfect, concentrated story or inspiration," Robbins says. "Dissect the major design details from a favorite object, allowing it to inform your color palette, mood or overall vision for your wedding."
6. Don't overdo it. "Focus on a mood or broad strokes in the design story rather than an obvious theme or anything too specific. You can tell a story without making things obvious."
7. Throw "perfect" out the window. "Remember you will never find an image of exactly what you want your wedding to look like," Robbins says. "I see so many brides and grooms perplexed when they can't find specific images detailing what they want for their event." He goes on to suggest you stop looking so hard and simply create your own: "Consider the images and ideas you might pull together as suggestions rather than literal interpretations of your own design plans."
8. Involve the season. "This will infuse your wedding with a sense of time and place without feeling too theme specific."
9. Keep your camera handy. "You can find inspiration in museums, gardens, boutiques, antique stores, hardware stores, eclectic neighborhoods—the list goes on," Robbins says. "You never know when a great pattern on a dress or a random accessory in a showroom might inspire an entire color palette or décor plan!"
10. Take the pressure off and just breathe. "Instead of treating your wedding day as the defining style statement of your life, consider it to be the most wonderful dinner party you have ever hosted! It's better to say one or two things elegantly than trying to say it all."
Have a question Matthew didn't cover? You're in luck! The wedding expert himself will be hosting a Facebook chat this Thursday, January 31st at 4:00PM EST. Here's the scoop!
The Fine Print:
Who: Matthew Robbins, Wedding Style Expert and Author, Matthew Robbins: Inspired Weddings
Where: Brides Facebook Wall
Date: Thursday, January 31st
Time: 4:00-4:30PM EST
Hashtag: #BridesChat
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