If you’re looking for the perfect inspiration for your wedding design, you’ve probably already turned to online sources like Instagram and Pinterest. While these sites are a great way to get the creative juices flowing, they can be both a blessing and a curse. For one thing, you don’t want to have what every other bride or groom are having! More importantly, you want a wedding that is a true reflection of you. A wedding design that truly sets your hearts on fire when you see it come together on the big day. So, while Pinterest can be useful (and I’m a huge fan of Instagram), there are many other places to find inspiration and ideas. Here are some of my favorites:
Architecture and interior design. I love picking up the latest design magazines for fresh inspiration. They’re a great source for the latest palettes, textures and patterns, as well as important details like furnishings and lighting. Online shopping can also be a good source – I always find some cute ideas on Shutterfly! Get out and about too. For example, take a walk through an interesting neighborhood, visit home design stores or go to your favorite restaurants and hotels. Think about how a space makes you feel and pay attention to the small details. You never know what will spark an idea. It’s also a good idea to look at your own interiors, to try to get a sense of what you are drawn to. What makes you feel at home?
Fashion. Similar to interior design, fashion is a great source for color combinations, fabrics and vintage influences. If you love a particular designer, try to pinpoint what it is about their style that inspires you. Fashion shows can be a rich source of creative new ideas, as can shop windows for high end boutiques and big department stores.
Flea markets. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I’m a flea-market-aholic! I can’t tell you how many of my best ideas I’ve gathered from my Sunday trips to local flea markets. I love getting lost in all the amazing treasures. The eclectic combination of details from different eras is truly inspiring. It’s definitely worth getting up early for!
Art. Galleries and museums are another great place to get inspired – and they make for a fun date too! Go with an open mind and allow yourself to be drawn to different pieces, whether through subject matter, color palette or medium. Or if you already share a love for a particular artist, consider how you could incorporate some of their aesthetic into your design.
Nature. The natural world is another rich source for ideas (and much more satisfying than staring at a computer screen). Get out into the countryside or down to the coast and take in the different plants, flowers, sand, sky – everything! Look for shapes, textures and colors you like. Then capture pictures of them for later reference. Anything from a unique rock formation to a favorite bloom can cause inspiration to strike…especially if it’s a spot that’s meaningful to the two of you.
Travel. They say that travel broadens the mind and it’s true in more ways than one! Whether it’s your destination wedding location or a place you both long to visit, exotic places can throw up all kinds of new and exciting inspiration. You could also draw on your honeymoon locale, engagement or first date location or trips you’ve taken in the past.
Once you’ve narrowed down your wedding style and theme, a great place to go for inspiration that you won’t find all over the web is PartySlate. Here you can curate idea slates filled with beautiful images, while making notes about what you love and keeping track of possible venues and vendors. Idea slates are also easy to share with your vendors, so you know you’re on the same page.
Wherever you find your inspiration, make it your own. After all, you’re a one-of-a-kind couple and your wedding should reflect the two of you!
xoxo,
Mindy
Image by Jose Villa
