Photo: Getty Images
With a whopping 54 percent of brides using Pinterest to relay their wedding-day vision to planners and vendors and 64 percent creating boards for their big day according to BRIDES 2014 American Wedding Study, it's safe to say that pinning has become an integral part of the planning process. But are you taking full advantage of the social media site or allowing it to take advantage of you? Let this act as your guide:
Do create a secret wedding board
So you can pin as much wedding stuff as your little heart desires without a.) annoying off your followers or b.) having to worry about another bride-to-be stealing your best ideas. We recommend inviting your wedding planner and anyone else you'd like actively involved in the planning process, such as your mom and bridesmaids, permission to not only access, but potentially add pins to your secret board too. That way, all your favorite peeps are on the same page...literally.
Don't let Pinterest stifle your style or creativity
Just because you can't find it on Pinterest doesn't mean it's a bad idea, seriously. Sometimes brides can get so caught up in what's hot and trendy in the wedding world that they forget to trust their own guts and sense of style. Look around your home and in your closet to see what patterns and prints pop up often, the colors you're naturally drawn to and your overall design style, be it boho eclectic or modern industrial. Your wedding should be a reflection of you, and if that means you want a bold, bright color scheme instead of all blush everything, so be it.
See More: The 6 Stages of Wedding Planning
Do change the captions
Whether you're repinning a dreamy dress or adding a romantic updo to your wedding board, it's important to personalize each caption, making sure you're very specific about what it is that drew you to the photo in the first place. For example, was it the breathtaking lace back on that dress that really caught your eye or the understated floral crown the bride wearing it in the picture was rocking? Taking the time to be descriptive now will save you a ton of tears and frustration (especially when it comes to communicating your vision to vendors) down the line.
Do pin to multiple boards
While having one giant wedding board for inspiration is great, type-A brides in particular might want to look into creating multiple ones. For example, a strictly bridal beauty board makes it easy for your hairstylist and makeup artist to navigate and get a better sense of your vision without having to scroll through a bunch of pics on table settings. With that said though, it's worth giving them a quick glance at all the details to ensure your beauty look lines up with the overall vibe you're going for. Other separate board ideas include: photography that speaks to you, flowers, bridesmaid dresses, cakes and décor elements.
Don't be naive
Styled shoots are wonderful sources of inspiration, however, duplicating all the intricate details for a big wedding is often impossible and unrealistic. This is for a couple reasons. First off, a lot of the specialty rental items (like lounge furniture) you see on Pinterest aren't that easy to come by. And if you can find them, they likely come with a high price tag!
Do know when enough is enough
Similar to your love life, if you're constantly searching for the next best thing, you'll never be satisfied. So once you've settled on an overall look and style, step away from the computer and start bringing your vision to life. Work with your wedding vendors to put your own personal touch on some of the photos and trends you've pinned. Who knows, maybe your wedding will wind up inspiring other brides because it's not the exact same as everyone else's on Pinterest!