Pinterest, Instagram, so many ideas and only one wedding to plan!
Clink those champagne glasses and share that ring selfie! We know that being newly engaged is a whirlwind of emotions and inspiration, and it is so easy to get lost in the shuffle of all of the sites and google searches. Once you start to look for local ideas or perhaps even start looking into booking vendors you are going to get some initial questions ( what is your wedding date, approximate guest count, budget and if you have a wedding theme/color palette.)
With all of these questions coming at you, just how do you choose a wedding theme? Should you choose a wedding venue before or after deciding on a theme? These are important, let's dive in!
Photo by Katelyn Owens Photography
Keep in mind that design themes can vary. For example "rustic", or "vintage" can look very different depending on who you ask. Rustic can be lots of exposed textures like wood and metals which can be perceived as industrial inspired as well. Visually, its important to find pieces or ideas that you like and to jot down notes about what you specifically like. A month from now you might ask yourself why you pinned something, so try to be specific in the notes section when creating new pins to a board.
We will always recommend setting a budget and come up with a realistic guest count BEFORE you book your wedding venue. You don't want to go down the road of being venue rich and wedding poor (just made that up.) Seriously if you hypothetically fall in love with an $8500 venue and your budget was supposed to be 10K; now what?
Once you have set a budget, venue research and design ideas should be next. Pick one to two venues that represent that theme or atmosphere to you. Compare the two venues side by side and decide on your must-haves!
Less is more so try to focus first on the basics like seating, food, beverage and music. Attend a local wedding expo to see firsthand what some of the options are, then book some initial consultations with vendors that you are interested in. These consultations or even phone calls with vendors will help you get a sense of what is available in your area, and who you vibe with! Budget is important, but so is having a connection with your potential team of vendors.
Once you have your primary vendors booked, don't be afraid to ask them for recommendations or look through some of their albums from previous weddings and events to see if any ideas stand out to you. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, just add your personal touch through the details.
Seating charts, escort card tables, or personalized wedding favors can really tell a story. While creating a seating chart seems like a hassle, it can really make the transition from cocktail hour to reception smooth because guests don't have to scramble to find a table that seats their whole party and it can often ensure that your immediate family have a seat within a good view from your table.
Share your Pinterest board with your wedding planner or vendor team to give them an idea of what inspires you, they may have some recommendations or ideas on how to incorporate those details into your overall design.
Follow us on Pinterest to check out some of our inspiration boards!
~ Happy Planning ~