Pinterest, Instagram, and other visual-heavy social media remain popular tools when styling a wedding. They’re common inspiration sources for styling a scaled-down wedding during this new normal of post-Covid-19. But you’ve probably seen enough Pinterest fails to wonder what tricks of the trade lurk behind each magical image. So how do you choose your ideas wisely? Keep reading for some useful advice on how not to go overboard.           

When the Price Is Wrong

Professional photoshoots aim to capture the best of their subjects. But as you know, you don’t need a super-expensive pro-quality camera to get results. Smartphones are ubiquitous, along with sophisticated image editing tools that can transform mundane pics into viral posts. Just as people use Facetune and similar apps to erase blemishes or whiten their teeth, wedding vendors have their own means to boost an image’s appeal.

Most wedding pros aren’t deliberately trying to deceive would-be clients. Writing for Wedding Wire, expert Jenn Sinrich points out that they want to showcase their best work. Some vendors’ feeds include candid images from real weddings, but they can also mix in styled shoots. They pull out all the stops: fine linens, better flatware, fresh orchids instead of silk, and other upgrades. For those reasons, Sinrich adds, a visually stunning cake, table setting, or centerpiece can easily exceed the average couple’s budget.

DIY Dos and Don’ts

While using Pinterest or Instagram as inspiration, it’s also easy to fall into a DIY trap – in other words, striving to replicate a popular trend or an over-the-top idea. A Practical Wedding’s Natalie Schack comments that budget-conscious couples can be more prone to making this mistake when styling their wedding. Either they stress out as the costs add up or feel emboldened by all the potential savings.

Many of us don’t have a good sense of how much our time is worth. That’s why it’s important to consider both the time and monetary costs of any DIY project. There’s also your physical and mental energy to consider. You already have a lot on your plate while planning the wedding. So why make more work for yourself? Unless you’re already experienced and passionate about crafting, it’s best to leave details like décor and food to the pros. DIY Network also lists some common elements that you should probably not attempt to do yourself: music, flowers, food, and photography.

Letting Go of Perfectionism

COVID-19 has changed a lot of our priorities. For many couples in 2020, getting a picture-perfect wedding wasn’t a concern; they just wanted to get married, period. But as we adjust to current realities, it’s easy to fall back into old habits. Nothing can sap the joy out of a wedding quite like perfectionism – and using what we see on social media as the “ideal” standard can make matters worse.

Advice from The Knot contributor Katie Kortebein can help put things into perspective. “Your wedding doesn’t need to be the best day of your life,” she says. Placing all sorts of hopes and expectations on it can set you up for disappointment, whether you use Pinterest to plan or not.

Time for a Sanity Check

Planning your wedding can be exciting. But along with that excitement comes a little bit (or a lot) of stress. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of details and dollar signs. Pinterest, Instagram, and similar sites offer plenty of eye candy for nearlywed couples. But before you set a date or even email your first vendor, you and your partner must develop two important things: your priorities and your budget. Both can help you keep sight of your goal – creating a fun, joyful, and memorable celebration.