Creating a wedding mood board is like painting a picture of your dream day before it happens. It’s a collage of colors, textures, and visuals that together encapsulate the essence of your wedding. As Illinois professional planners we know what a powerful and important tool this is for bringing your wedding vision to life. Today, we’re breaking down the steps to creating a mood board that lays the foundation and inspires your wedding planning.
Gather Inspiration
The first step is to immerse yourself in inspiration. Dive into wedding blogs, Pinterest, Instagram, and any other sources you love. Pinterest is our go-to inspo hunt site. Create a private wedding board that you can pin everything wedding-related to. Focus on what catches your eye and pin away! It might not make sense at first but go with your instincts. Your mood board will have all the colors that you gravitate towards, your favorite time of year, and the stunning décor that you dream about at your ceremony & reception.
Choose a Digital or Physical Board
Decide whether you prefer a digital mood board or a physical one. Digital boards (which we recommend) are easy to share and update, making tools like Pinterest or design software like Canva and Adobe Spark popular choices. (Canva has some wonderful templates that you can use like the one at the top of this post.) Physical boards, on the other hand, offer a tactile experience that many find satisfying. They can be created with corkboards, poster boards, or even a large sheet of paper.
Select a Color Scheme
Your color scheme is fundamental to your wedding mood board. Choose colors that resonate with you and your partner, considering the season, venue, and atmosphere you want to create. Don’t be afraid to mix unexpected colors; sometimes, the most unique palettes come from daring combinations. Not sure where to start with this? Just choose one color you love and start there.
Incorporate Textures and Patterns
Textures and patterns add depth to your mood board. Include samples or images of fabrics like lace, silk, or velvet. Add pictures of patterns that inspire you, whether it’s floral, invitations, geometric, or something abstract. These elements will help convey the overall feel of your wedding, from the dress fabrics to the table linens.
Add Imagery
Now, add images that capture the essence of your dream wedding. These can include floral arrangements, table settings, venues, cakes, and attire. Remember, the images don’t have to be literal representations but should evoke the right mood and style. If you’re having a beach wedding, pictures of the ocean, sand, and coastal vegetation can help communicate the vibe.
Incorporate Words and Quotes
Sometimes a few carefully chosen words or quotes can encapsulate the feel of your wedding in a way images alone cannot. Whether it’s a love quote that speaks to your relationship or single words that capture the essence of your desired atmosphere (e.g., “elegant,” “bohemian,” “intimate”), incorporating text can add a meaningful layer to your mood board.
Refine & Assemble
Once you’ve gathered all your elements, take a step back. Remove anything that doesn’t fit or distracts from the overall vision. Your color palette should stand out the most. Then edit, edit, and edit some more until you look at it and it feels like your wedding day dream. As you are planning, you might change your mind about certain selections and that is A-OK. Just update the board as you go so it is parallel to your vision.
Share and Use It as Your Guide
Share your mood board with your wedding planner, vendors, and anyone else helping to bring your day to life. Use it as a reference point for all your wedding decisions, ensuring consistency in your wedding’s look and feel.
Creating a wedding mood board is not just about aesthetics; it’s about starting the journey to your special day with clarity and vision. It’s a tool that will guide you through the myriad of decisions ahead, ensuring that every element of your wedding contributes to the atmosphere you dream of creating. Happy planning!