Wedding Planning with Pinterest: How to Stay Organized, Inspired, and Sane

Planning a wedding can feel like navigating a maze. It can all be overwhelming, from choosing the perfect flowers to finding the right venue. But fear not—Pinterest is here to help! With its wealth of ideas and inspiration, this platform can guide you through the planning process. That said, it’s also easy to get lost in a sea of pins, leaving you more confused than when you started. In this post, we’ll help you use Pinterest effectively for your wedding planning without feeling overwhelmed.

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Embrace the Frenzy…At First

It’s inevitable—you’ll likely dive into Pinterest headfirst, pinning everything that catches your eye. And that’s okay! Let yourself get caught up in the excitement. Pin those dream bouquets, swoon-worthy venues, and intricate cake designs. This is the time to explore all your options and see what resonates with you. Let the pins flow!

But once you’ve gathered a nice collection, it’s time to get organized. This is where many couples stumble, and Pinterest boards start to look a little…wild. That’s where the next step comes in.

floral decor at le belvedere

Photos – Ashley MacPhee

Create a Master Board—and Break It Down

The key to taming the Pinterest chaos is creating a master wedding board. This is where all your ideas and inspiration will live. When setting up your board, consider how to use it later. If you plan on sharing it with wedding suppliers, give it a clear and unique name like “Sophie & Ethan’s Wedding Inspiration.” That way, it’s easy to find and reference later on.

Next, you’ll want to divide that master board into sub-boards. Think of these as categories that help you organize your thoughts and ideas. Common sub-boards might include:

  • Ceremony Decor
  • Reception Details
  • Floral Arrangements
  • Wedding Attire
  • Table Settings
  • Stationery and Signage
  • Cake Ideas

Photo – Steve Gerrard

Breaking your master board into smaller, specific boards allows you to stay organized and ensures that when it’s time to share ideas with your florist, planner, or decorator, you can quickly show them exactly what you’re thinking. The more organized your boards are, the easier it will be for everyone to stay on the same page.

Quality Over Quantity: The Power of Curation

Here’s the tough part: you’ll need to edit your boards. It can be tempting to keep every single pin just in case you want to reference it later, but trust us, less is more. A board with hundreds of pins is not useful—it’s overwhelming.

Each sub-board should have no more than 10-20 pins, tops. This may sound drastic, but it forces you to be selective. When you pin something, ask yourself:

  • Why did I like this?
  • Does this reflect the overall vibe I want for my wedding?
  • Do I have a similar pin already?

This kind of curation is key to forming a clear vision for your wedding. And when it’s time to present your ideas to suppliers, they’ll thank you for your clarity. Trying to communicate a theme with 200 pins will confuse everyone—keep it sharp and focused.

Photo – Annabelle Agnew

Don’t Forget to Add Notes

One of Pinterest’s lesser-used features is the ability to write notes on your pins. This can be a game-changer for your planning process. Use notes to remind yourself why you pinned something in the first place or how you envision incorporating it into your wedding.

For example, you might pin a photo of a floral archway and add a note like: “Love the wildflower look—would be perfect for the ceremony backdrop.” These small reminders will help jog your memory later when you’re deep in discussions with your florist or planner.

Photo – Madi Photography

Keep It Real with Your Budget

Ah, the dreaded “B” word—budget. Pinterest is filled with jaw-dropping ideas, but they’re not always realistic for every wedding budget. A lot of what you see on Pinterest comes from styled shoots, where suppliers go all out to create the most extravagant settings. These shoots are meant to inspire, but they’re often created for a table of six rather than a full reception of 100+ guests. Be mindful of what’s achievable within your budget.

Instead of feeling discouraged, use these images as a starting point. Let’s say you’ve fallen in love with a boho-chic setup that looks straight out of Southern California, but you’re getting married in Canada during the winter. You might not be able to recreate the exact look, but you can take elements—like terracotta accents or pampas grass—and adapt them to your environment.

Navigating the Pinterest Rabbit Hole

The search function on Pinterest is both a blessing and a curse. Type in “wedding cake,” and suddenly you’re scrolling through endless photos. Hours later, you realize you’re looking at pictures of pets in tuxedos (it happens). To avoid this Pinterest black hole, try using more specific search terms.

Instead of “wedding cake,” try narrowing it down with adjectives like “modern,” “rustic,” or “minimalist.” These targeted searches will bring you closer to what you’re really looking for, and you won’t get lost down the wedding pin rabbit hole.

wedding dress and bouquet at rustic wedding venue

Photo – Steve Gerrard Photography

Instagram: Pinterest’s Stylish Cousin

Many couples are also turning to Instagram for wedding inspiration. The platform’s hashtag search is incredibly useful for finding niche ideas. Hashtags like #BohoWeddingInspo or #ModernWeddingIdeas can help you discover smaller accounts and wedding vendors that might not be as widely shared on Pinterest.

Once you find something you like, you can easily save it or even add it to your Pinterest boards using the “Pin It” button (if you have it installed). The combination of Pinterest and Instagram allows you to curate a wedding vision that feels fresh and unique.

Photo – Madi Photography

Be Realistic About DIY Projects

Pinterest makes DIY look deceptively simple. It’s easy to scroll through beautifully staged photos of hand-painted signs, hand-tied bouquets, and intricately designed favours and think, “I can totally do that!” And while we’re all for a good DIY, it’s important to know your limits.

Before you commit to 150 DIY wedding favours, test out a few and see how much time and effort they take. And remember, sometimes DIY ends up being just as expensive (if not more) than purchasing something pre-made. It’s always a good idea to balance DIY with professional help, especially when it comes to your wedding day.

Photo – Yermolayeva Photo

When to Walk Away from Inspiration

Once you’ve made a decision about a key part of your wedding—whether it’s your dress, flowers, or venue—it’s time to stop looking for inspiration. Why? Because continuing to scroll will only lead to second-guessing and stress. If you’ve already fallen in love with your gown, there’s no need to keep browsing dress pins. You’ll only end up questioning your choice.

This doesn’t mean you have to delete your boards, but do yourself a favour and stop actively searching for ideas in areas where you’ve already made a decision. It will save you a lot of last-minute stress.

Photo – Ashley MacPhee

Use Secret Boards for Privacy

Worried that your friends or guests will sneak a peek at your wedding plans? Pinterest offers a feature where you can make boards secret. These hidden boards won’t show up in searches, and only people you invite can view them.

This is especially useful for personal boards, like your wedding attire. You can keep all those dress pins to yourself until the big reveal. Plus, if you’re sharing a board with vendors or suppliers, you can control who has access by inviting them as collaborators.

Photo – Ella Photography

Final Thoughts: Stay Inspired, Stay Grounded

Pinterest is an incredible tool, but like anything, it’s important to use it wisely. Stay organized, edit ruthlessly, and don’t lose sight of your budget or what’s achievable. Remember, Pinterest is there to inspire you, but your wedding is your own. The best weddings are the ones that reflect the couple’s personality, values, and style—not a perfectly curated Pinterest board.

So, dive into Pinterest, have fun, but know when to step back, breathe, and focus on what truly matters—celebrating your marriage with the people you love most. Happy pinning!

Ella photography

Further Reading

Hotel Nelligan Rooftop Wedding in Old Montreal

Why Nova Scotia is THE Destination Wedding Spot

Intimate Lakeside Wedding in Lac-des-Plages

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