Tips on Pinterest

If you’re planning a wedding, you already know the Internet is a great resource. There’s a new player in the online wedding game, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular – Pinterest.  Even Premier Bride of Northeast Florida has a Pinterest account….follow us here!

On Pinterest.com, you can grab photos from around the web and ‘pin’ them onto ‘boards,’ meaning you can post the photos online, under your user name, into categories of your choosing. You can also browse other Pinterest user boards.

Many Pinners that are dreaming of their big day post boards dedicated to weddings. The photos are often accompanied with comments, and can include tips or instructions on how to create the look that was captured in the picture. Like wedding forums, you can interact with friends or strangers to get suggestions and ideas for your special day, but this time, it’s all centered around pictures of your choosing.  Many of the local Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Orange Park and Amelia Island vendors have Pinterest accounts and boards that you can search and see their work.

Pinterest certainly displays boards for all the biggies like the gown, décor and food. But Pinterest’s real strength is in highlighting the details. It’s on this site that you’ll find inspiration behind your personalized napkins, the perfect photography poses or an idea for ‘something blue.’ Those seemingly insignificant details will make your day truly unique.  One thing to keep in mind when using  Pinterst is expectations.  Many of the top wedding professionals that plan celebrity weddings and events with unlimited budgets post to Pinterest.  When planning your own wedding, use it for inspirations….but make sure that your budget and the ideas you pin can be achieved.

Like many online wedding hotspots, Pinterest runs the risk of overwhelming. So, to get the most out of the site, make sure to be specific when you’re scoping out ideas.

In the search box in the top left hand corner of the page, use as many details as possible, such as ‘fall DIY wedding décor,’ or  ‘cream wedding pumps.’ If you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for, it helps to at least separate your searches into different categories, such as ‘wedding décor’ or ‘bridesmaids,’ rather than just a generic ‘wedding’ search.  Another great tip is to limit the number of pins you share with your wedding vendors.  Choosing to share hundreds of pins with your wedding vendors becomes overwhelming for everyone.   Try to choose 3-4 pins per “category.”  Only pick 3 bouquets, 3 cakes you like, 3 to 4 different table scapes and so on.  Remember, you hired your wedding pros because they are professionals.  They are creative and they have probably done 100’s of weddings and they can make yours unique and special too!

It’s also a great place to see real photos from themed weddings, which can be more difficult to find on other websites. If you’re planning something outside the box, search for that specifically, such as ‘Halloween wedding’ or ‘Great Gatsby themed wedding.’

That being said, Pinterest is also a great way to explore outside your comfort zone. Whimsical, woodsy, DIY, rustic, vintage, elegant, chic, romantic and couture are all popular words on Pinterest’s wedding pins. Even if you think those adjectives wouldn’t apply to your big day, type them in and browse. You might be pleasantly surprised!

Finally, if you’re serious about using suggestions from Pinterest, do your homework. Each picture can be traced back to its original blog or website, so when you find something you like and think you could apply to your wedding, click through and take notes or bookmark the page. Otherwise, you’ll get lost on the site and look up from your computer three hours later without any clear idea on how to make your wedding nicer.  Make sure you search for local Pinterest boards…and follow the local wedding pros!

One Pinterest trick, you are able to have up to 3 secret boards.  Make your wedding board secret so your guest are surprised!

Now, get pinning!

Here are some local wedding boards;First Coast Weddings and Events, Calligraphy by Cami,   Winterbourn Inn,  Keeler Property by Tonya Beaver Photography,