How to Create Your Wedding Vision & Aesthetic (Without Getting Lost on Pinterest)

Yes, you can have a vision for your wedding without the overwhelm. Pinterest, Instagram and even TikTok can become such a rabbit hole of doom for ideas. Let’s make sure we have a good grasp on the difference between inspiration and imitation. Inspiration should give you butterflies, not pressure. If you’re trying to copy every detail from someone else’s wedding, it stops being yours. When you know your vision, everything else gets easier. It’s the filter you run every choice through — from flowers to favors — so you don’t waste time second-guessing.

Let’s jump into finding your perfect wedding vision and aesthetic.

Step 1: I want you to close your eyes and imagine yourself walking into your wedding day. Try not to focus on colors or details, but focus on how you feel. What is the first feeling that comes to mind when you envision yourself walking into your venue? What feeling do you want your guests to feel when they come to your wedding? What do you want to remember feeling about your day? What do you want guests to experience? If your wedding was a song, what genre would it be? For real though, now that you read through that step, close your eyes and do the exercise. It’ll help, I promise. 

Step 2: Gather inspiration intentionally. Pinterest and social media can be a magical place — until it becomes a bottomless pit of screenshots, conflicting styles, and wedding envy. The goal here isn’t to collect hundreds of ideas. It’s to find a few meaningful sparks that reflect you two as a couple. Start by saving just 5–10 images that give you that “yes, this feels right” gut reaction. Don’t overthink it. These could be wedding-related, but they don’t have to be — think cozy interiors, travel photos, your favorite outfit, a scene from a movie you love. Sometimes your aesthetic lives outside the wedding world. Once you’ve got a few strong pieces of inspiration, pause and ask: What do I love about this? Is it the color, the texture, the mood, the setting? Does it reflect how I want our day to feel? This is intentional inspiration. It’s not about copying someone else’s day — it’s about uncovering what makes your day feel like yours. 

Step 3: Look for common threads. Now that you've gathered your inspiration, it's time to look for the themes hiding in plain sight. Lay out your favorite images — whether that’s on Pinterest, Canva, or printed out old-school style — and take a step back. What patterns do you notice? Ask yourself: Are there certain colors that keep popping up? Do you gravitate toward natural textures like wood and linen, or something more glam like velvet and gold? Are the spaces open-air and relaxed, or moody and intimate? Do your images feel minimal and clean, or layered and romantic? These common threads are your aesthetic anchors. They don’t have to match perfectly — they just need to speak a similar language. This is the moment when your vision starts to take shape.

Step 4: Choose a core color story. Color is one of the most powerful ways to communicate the mood of your wedding — but don’t stress over picking “the perfect palette.” You don’t need to commit to two rigid theme colors (this isn’t prom). Instead, think in tones and layers. Start with 2–4 colors you’re naturally drawn to — then build out from there with supportive neutrals. For example: Soft blush, sage green, warm beige, and ivory. Terracotta, rust, ochre, and creamy linen. Dusty blue, navy, pale gray, and soft rose. Think about how these colors will show up in your flowers, linens, paper goods, and even attire. Are they bold and expressive? Soft and romantic? Earthy and grounded? Choosing a core color story helps everything feel cohesive — not matchy-matchy, but thoughtfully connected.

Step 5: Create your wedding mood board. Now that you’ve gathered inspiration and uncovered your visual themes and colors, it’s time to pull it all together in one place: your wedding mood board. Think of it as your wedding’s visual mission statement. This one-page snapshot will help you stay focused, make decisions faster, and communicate clearly with your vendors. Here’s what to include: Your core color palette.  3–5 inspiration images that capture the vibe (not just decor — include fashion, architecture, or nature that speaks to the mood). Textures or materials you love (linen, rattan, velvet, gold foil, etc.) Optional: meaningful quotes, fonts, or a photo of your venue to ground the aesthetic. You can create your mood board digitally using tools like Canva, Moodzer, or Milanote, or go analog with a printed collage if that feels more fun. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s clarity. This board becomes your north star for the rest of the planning process. Share it with your florist, planner, stylist, or any vendor you’re collaborating with to make sure everyone is on the same page and working toward the same vibe.

Step 6: Use your vision as a filter. Now that you’ve created a mood board, here’s where the magic happens: using it as a filter for every decision you make moving forward. Whenever a new idea pops up — whether it’s a trending TikTok detail, a well-meaning suggestion from your future MIL, or a late-night Pinterest scroll — pause and ask: “Does this align with the vision we’ve created?” If it fits your vibe, amazing. If not? Let it go (even if it’s cute). This one simple habit can save you hours of second-guessing and help you avoid a wedding that feels all over the place. Your mood board is more than pretty pictures — it’s a tool. Share it with your planner, florist, stationer, rental team, and even your photographer. It helps them understand your style at a glance and make recommendations that align with your dream day. You don’t need to have every detail figured out. You just need a clear direction — and now you have it.

You don’t need to be a designer. You just need to know what feels like you. The most beautiful weddings aren’t the most elaborate or expensive — they’re the most intentional. Creating your wedding vision doesn’t mean locking yourself into a trend or pleasing everyone’s expectations. It means tuning in to what feels right for you two and letting that lead the way. So take a breath. You've got this. You’ve taken the first step in planning a day that looks, feels, and celebrates your love story — not someone else’s highlight reel.

Need help refining your vision or creating a custom mood board? I’d love to help you bring your aesthetic to life — whether you're dreaming in colors, textures, or total blank slates. Reach out to me here.

Talk soon,

Nicole