So you’re engaged! Yay!! Congratulations!!
Whether you already have a theme in mind, or have no idea which aesthetic direction to head with your big day, it’s time to start searching for some wedding inspiration!
As a recently-engaged bride-to-be, I know firsthand just how overwhelming the initial aspects of planning and inspiration-finding can be. Even if you have a general idea for the theme or color scheme of your wedding, it can be difficult sometimes to know where to look for precise inspiration. I can’t even begin to tell you how many hours upon hours I spent researching inspiration for my wedding over the past ten months. (Ever have so many inspiration browser windows open that your Safari crashes? I definitely have… *insert face-palm emoji here*). After what seemed like an excessive amount of searching for unique wedding blogs to inspire the look for my big day, I found a few favorite go-to sites. Depending on exactly what I was searching for, and how I wanted to go about it, I would consult one of these wedding blogs below. It turns out, knowing how and where to search can be just as important as knowing what to search for!
So, whether the inspiration searching is your new favorite pastime, or the thing you dread the most about the planning process, here’s a breakdown of some of my favorite inspiration-finding websites and tools, and how to best utilize them. I hope this insight helps you streamline your searching, and pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for!
Style Me Pretty is loaded with gorgeous wedding inspo. What I like most about SMP is the range of search options available. Search and sort their collection of real-wedding features by color, style, location, flowers, settings and location, all directly from the home page.
Looking for a inspiration for a particular aspect of your wedding? Search SMP’s “The Vault” for food ideas, decor, stationery, dress inspo and more! Check out The Vault here.
Wedding Chicks is a great place to look for inspiration for the entire wedding planning season, from the engagement to the “I Do’s” and beyond. Search for inspiration by categories ranging from bachelorette parties, to vendors, all the way up to the honeymoon. Want to check out some real life wedding photos? Check out their curated selection of weddings from real couples. Looking for something more stylized? Browse through their section of styled photoshoots!
Check out one of YJ’s Fairy Tale-themed styled shoot here that was featured on Wedding Chicks!
Out of all of the sites I have found, Green Wedding Shoes has been my ultimate go-to.
While they feature some traditional weddings, they also post a wide variety and styles of events, including out-of-the-box themes and ideas, which I love! From international elopements, to unexpected DIY’s, the posts are always full of unique inspiration, unlike anything I have been able to find elsewhere. Check out one of my favorite posts, here, featuring a giant paper cut ceremony backdrop!
Another feature that makes GWS posts special, are the personal testimonies from the bride and groom in each post. After seeing all of the beautiful photos from their event, I like to read about what made the event most memorable for the couple themselves!
If you have a general idea for the color scheme you’d like, but aren’t sure exactly what shades to choose? If that sounds like you, The Perfect Palette is for you!
The best feature about The Perfect Palette, (if the name doesn’t already give it away!) is their color finder tool! Search their selection of inspo by choosing from a list of swatches.
Looking for inspiration in a particular color of pink or orange? Prefer a deep blue to a pastel? No problem! Prefer to search for inspiration by color? The Perfect Palette has got you covered!
Having a summer wedding? Search by Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring color palettes and mood boards to find the perfect, seasonal look.
Check out YJ’s styled photoshoot featuring Pantone’s Color of the Year here.
Similarly to the others, Ruffled features real weddings, and allows you to sort by color, style, and location.
My favorite aspect of Ruffled, though, is their DIY section. So many fun and interesting ideas!
One of the coolest DIY’s I have found from the site is this DIY Geometric Paper Backdrop (*cue ALL the heart eyes*)!
The best feature of Junebug, in my opinion, are the color sorted moodboards (swoon!).
Already have the color scheme for your wedding picked out? Sort through their gorgeous, color-sorted gallery for inspiration in just the right hue directly from the homepage!
So, this one’s not a website exactly, but I have found that Instagram is super helpful in finding not only wedding inspiration, but vendors in my area! It’s fun to keep up with vendors who are close by. That way, if you see something on their page that you like, you know where to find them to be able to hire them!
Vendors will often tag other vendors in photos that they partner with; so if you find one vendor whose style you enjoy, it’s easy to find others like them. I have found so many wonderful vendors this way! I am also loving IG’s new bookmark feature. If you see a post or idea you love, just flag it for safe keeping in it’s own private page in your profile tab!
Pinterest
Aaaaand last, but certainly not least, the motherlode of all wedding inspiration, Pinterest.
It’s common knowledge that Pinterest is the place to be if you are in need of some fun wedding ideas. Weddings even have their own category in their explore tab! One tip for using Pinterest to inspire your wedding: don’t be afraid to make more than one wedding board! I have one public board just for fun, and three various secret boards categorized by bridesmaid dresses, theme, and other general ideas.
One last thought: remember that while searching these sites is great for getting ideas, it’s important to be creative and make the day your own! Have an inside joke or special memory with your significant other? Find some way to incorporate it into your day! Ultimately, the details you and your guests will love and remember the most, are the personal touches you add to make the event unique and special to you.
Good luck and happy searching!
XOXO,
Meagan
Thank you to our featured video and photography partners: Ryann Lindsey Photography, Melissa Ivy Photography, The Shepards, Rachael Koscica Photography, Aaron Kes, Kayla Fisher Photography, Olivia Markle, Rachel Soloman Photography, Marie Claire Photography, Emily Vandehey, Morgan Mccanne, Andrew Glatt, Chiara Shine Photography, Mike Oblinski, and Good Vibe Media.