Are you looking for inspiration for your wedding? Look no further, because I’ve combined all the tips and resources you’ll need right here in today’s post. From the most glamorous resources for wedding gowns to incredible accessories, you’ll find ideas in today’s post that will surely have your mind racing with inspiration for your big day.
Here’s why I think you shouldn’t scroll through Pinterest when you first get engaged and are looking for wedding inspiration: I’ve found from working with over 350 brides that going to Pinterest first can result in overwhelm and frustration — two emotions that we want to keep at bay.
The information on Pinterest is amazing, but it’s sometimes hard to translate it into your style without first deciding what your style is and then gauging how much of those featured weddings fit into your wedding day.
The first decision in finding inspiration for your wedding day is figuring out how much of the wedding experience you & your fiance want. From an extended wedding weekend to a destination wedding to a classic but edgy courthouse wedding with a horse-drawn carriage ride to your favorite park for an intimate picnic. All of these wedding venues are the right venues for different couples.
The best place to start looking for inspiration is from photos of you & your fiance. You are probably thinking WHAT??? Yes, skip Pinterest at this moment. Instead, gather favorite photos of you & your finance. From these photos take notes on what you like. For example, what you’re wearing, the colors of your outfit, accessories, hairstyle, photo location, and if it was an occasion, the event. Look for similarities and also, things you don’t like. And jot these notes in a note-taking app on your phone for reference later on.
Next, you want to clarify what you want inspiration on for your wedding day, is it just your wedding day look, our specialty at Marti & Company, or the venue, poses for your wedding photos, reception flowers, shoes, etc. Once you have a list of the areas of your wedding you’d like to find inspiration for it’s time to start your inspiration search. And yes, Pinterest is on this list, just not the first source.
Here are my 10 favorite sources for Bridal Inspiration.
- Bridal Websites- If you’re looking for inspiration for your wedding gown and accessories, start with the following websites: •BHLDN •aandbebridalshop • thenaturalweddingcompany •burnettsboard – brides can search for inspiration based on color palettes • rocknrollbride • Marti & Co.
- Magazines – Magazines like -flutter -WEDDING + LIFESTYLE INSPIRATION TO MAKE YOUR ❤️ SKIP A BEAT- are great for inspiration, especially for wedding gowns and accessories.
- Regional Magazines – Regional magazines are great for finding inspiration in your area. DAINTY OBSESSIONS MIDWEST WEDDING INSPIRATION “-Dainty Obsessions‘ is a bi-annual coffee table wedding magazine filled with the latest wedding inspiration and resources for the Midwest bride.” I love everything about this magazine from the cover to every article about all aspects of wedding fashion and venues. A recent issue had a feature article on “Glamping Into Marriage.” A great read and full of inspiration for a non-traditional venue.
- Book – Will You Marry Me? – Creative Wedding Planning & Design. A book offering Brides trends and traditions from around the world with a multicultural focus covering wedding styles from formal to fun eclectic themed weddings to themed weddings like Artistic, Colorful; Geometric. You’re sure to find ideas to personalize and define your wedding day style.
- Book – Rock N Roll Bride – The Ultimate Guide for Alternative Brides authored by Kat Williams. Kat starts out her book with “What if you can’t find your face in the endless parade of lookalike brides? Perhaps you are arguing with family over your “wacky” wedding ideas? Wondering how to reconcile tradition with modern-day feminist values? Or simply wondering where to start?” This book is jam-packed with information on every aspect of a wedding. I love, love the pictures and the Real Weddings Sections and think you will too.
- Book – DIY Inspiration can be found in Jenny Doh’s book on Stylish Weddings – 50 Simple Ideas to Make from Top Designers. Six of the top designers in the wedding industry share their DIY projects with clear and easy to follow instructions. Some of the theme weddings featured are Natural and Organic, Vintage Glam Wedding, and a French Inspired Wedding.
- Book – Vintage Wedding Style by Elizabeth Demos. Twelve themed weddings are shared completely with tips and DIY projects for each theme. Reviving Gatsby, Schoolhouse Rock, and Airstream Elopement are 3 of the themes featured in this book. Here’s a tip from this book on choosing colors for your wedding: “Some couples have refined a color palette before they visit their wedding or reception venue. Consider, instead take color cues for your wedding from your chosen location.”
- Wedding blogs – Following wedding blogs is another source of inspiration that is helpful and not going to overwhelm as you start to plan your wedding. Start with 100 Layer Cake, French Wedding Style, Glamor and Grace Blog, Utterly Engaged, and Rocknrollbride.
- Pinterest – Now you’re ready to scroll through Pinterest with your inspiration list and refine your ideas for gowns, veils, and accessories for your wedding day look and also, further refine your ideas for your venue, flowers, and decor.
- Book – And a source to share with your Groom – The Groom’s Guide – FOR MEN ON THE VERGE OF MARRIAGE by the editors of The Black Tux. I fell in love with this book immediately when I opened the first page and saw this quote “Ignore anyone who tells you there are rules you must follow.” And it just gets better as you turn the pages. It’s organized so you can read any section at any time and not feel that you have to read it from cover to cover, although you may want too.
Now, you’re ready to start planning a shopping trip to your top 3 favorite shops to start trying on gowns and accessories. And if you’re looking for a couture veil, headpiece, wedding belt, or garter set I’d be honored if you schedule an appointment with Marti & Company. Check out Marti & Company on Pinterest @Marti & Company. Have the most fun planning your wedding!
Source credits:
2-Published by Flutter Magazine, LLC | 3-Printed by The Mighty Bowtones, LLC in Sioux Falls, S.D. | 4 – SendPoints Publishing Co., Ltd. | 5 -Ryland, Peters, & Small | 6. Sterling Publishing, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |7. Chronicle Books, LLC. | 10. The BLK TUX, Dovetail