Photo: Photo: Emily Wren Photography
Brides, stop what you’re pinning right now! If you want to have a wedding that’s truly unique and doesn’t look like a carbon copy of every other bohemian or rustic affair, it’s time to step away from Pinterest and start getting your inspiration from the most unlikely places. You know, like music videos and old family photos…Here, 8 fresh sources for wedding day inspiration!
1. Music videos
Because what could be more inspiring than the work of Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé? They’re huge trend influencers and speak to what young women relate to, points out Erika Stone-Miller, Senior Wedding Designer for Premier Catering & Events in Chicago. “A blend of both fantasy and beauty, in three minutes music videos create glamorous visual worlds in color and textures, with hairstyles, clothing, jewelry, background elements, and makeup as the focus.” Basically, they’re a treasure trove of design inspiration!
2. Interior design companies, non-wedding photographers, artists, department store displays and more
Planner Samantha Wiley of Chancey Charm Charleston encourages brides to think outside the box. “Flip through interior design and fashion mags or check out Fashion Week coverage. Get inspired by department store window displays and décor (think Anthropologie), photography blogs, art galleries, museums and even restaurant décor.” Another great place to look is in your own home, as this tells you a lot about your own décor tastes and styling preferences, she notes.
3. Dreams and fantasies
Why not make them a reality? “Our dreams often communicate stories and those inner thoughts and emotions that can take place in one’s life,” says Greg Jenkins, founder of Bravo Productions. While you may not be able to recreate them exactly (and you probably wouldn’t want to anyway), you can pick and pull out certain elements to channel on your big day.
4. Nature
To get the wedding décor (or venue!) wheels turning, try taking a walk through the woods, an epic hike or a solo stroll on a beach in the morning. The quietness and unique aspects of nature can bring much freshness and inspiration, according to Jenkins. “It’s subtle, unassuming, natural and authentic.”
See More: The Most Inspirational Wedding Instagram Accounts to Follow
5. Cookbooks
And no, not just for the yummy dishes, but also for the themes and decoration, tells Amanda Holding, in-house wedding planner for La Bonne Cuisine Catering and Events in Oakland, CA. “Cookbooks are full of beautiful pictures of food and environments that will definitely get you inspired,” she says. Two of her favorites are The Big Dish by Barton G Weiss, which has tons of super fun and unique ideas, and The Forest Feast by Erin Gleason, which would definitely interest anyone going for a rustic or outdoor wedding.
6. Kids at play
Take your nephews and/or nieces out for a day of fun and simply watch and learn. “The kid within all of us is magical and something worth exploring in order to bring out that sense of innocence and a simpler way of approaching the entire wedding experience,” says Jenkins. Who knows, next thing you know you may find yourself planning your nuptials at a theme park or opting for a carnival theme; the pictures alone would make it so worth it!
7. Award shows
Inspiration is everywhere but in Creative Director of Anoush Banquet Halls & Catering and L.A. Banquets’ Ani Keshishian’s opinion, one of the most unlikely sources is from award shows. “From the Oscars to the Golden Globes to the Tony’s, you get to see the finest collaborators in the event planning industry come together. Think beautiful floral arrangements, elegant table designs and expertly crafted menus and dishes. Also, pay attention to who does what because each and every one of these vendors is going to show off their style and also write pieces about exactly what they did to create the best look.”
8. Family photo albums
Go old school and look at your family photo albums for inspiration, recommends Jessica Upton, owner of Uptown Events and Travel. “For example, perhaps grandma wore a small floral headpiece with her veil at her own wedding or the groom’s birthday cake every year was white sprinkle cake with lemon icing. Couples can easily recreate fond memories by incorporating them in their big day.”