How to Stay on Trend & True To You On Your Wedding Day

Planning your dream wedding is about crafting a day that’s uniquely you, stylish, and timeless. For those who love to be on trend yet cherish their authenticity, this guide is your blueprint to a wedding that’s both trendy and true to you!

Embracing Your True Self

The first step? Ensure your wedding reflects who you are. It’s easy to fall into the trap of planning a wedding that feels like someone else’s dream. Are you more vintage vogue or a fan of contemporary chic? Your wedding should be a reflection of your style, your love story. Now that we’ve laid the foundation, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to stay on trend and true to you!

The Design Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Define Your Style

Self-Reflection: Start by reflecting on your personal style. Are you drawn to vintage aesthetics, or do you prefer a modern look? Your wedding should mirror your everyday style preferences. 

Mood Boards: Create mood boards with elements that resonate with you. This could include color schemes, fabrics, textures, and even abstract concepts like “romance” or “anti-bride.” An “anti-bride” feel doesn’t mean shunning tradition; it’s about breaking free from the expected, embracing designs that speak to you, be it Sofia Richie Grainge’s Roman empire-inspired wedding or Naomi Biden’s vogue moment. The world is your oyster, girlie!

2. Settle on a Theme

Narrow Down Choices: From your mood boards, identify recurring themes or elements that stand out. What colors are you seeing pop up? What about decor styles or even attire looks? Once you start noticing what you’re drawn to, it will be that much easier to settle on your final theme!

Consider the Feel: Think about how you want the day to feel – lively and fun, elegant and sophisticated, relaxed and casual, etc. It’s not just about the aesthetics; your wedding day should embody the vibes you’re trying to create! This also affects how many and what people you choose to invite to your wedding. Are you feeling the big, lively party vibes, and therefore don’t have to limit your guest list? Or are you feeling the intimate, moody, cozy elopement vibes? Or even somewhere in-between?

3. Choosing the Right Planner

Research Planners: Look for planners who specialize in your chosen style. Check their portfolios to see if their previous work aligns with your vision! When building your vendor team in general, it’s important that you love their style and are able to trust them to execute your vision with their creative freedom. That’s when the magic happens!

Consultation: During consultations, discuss your vision and see if they understand and are excited about it, and to make sure the vibes are there. That’s why it’s helpful to already have an idea of what your stylistic theme is before hiring vendors – so that you can communicate it to them during the vetting process!

4. Selecting the Venue

Venue Hunt: The next step is choosing a venue that complements your theme. A beachfront might suit a boho wedding, while a historic mansion may be perfect for a vintage theme. If possible, visit the venues to get a feel for the space and envision your day there, and bring your planner along, too! I have an entire blog on how locations matter for your wedding photos, so be sure to check it out when you’re done with this one. 

5. Finalize Decor and Details

Consistency is Key: Ensure your decor, from table settings to floral arrangements, aligns with your theme. Even if you’re incorporating DIY elements, ensuring everything is consistent will greatly contribute to your day’s aesthetic and feel more than you might think. 

Unique Touches: Add personal touches that speak to your story as a couple – this could be a signature cocktail, a custom dance floor design, or anything that makes the day uniquely yours.

6. Outfit Coordination

Bridal Attire: Choose a dress or outfit that reflects the wedding theme but also makes you feel confident and beautiful. For example, Danielle’s Zimmerman dress was the perfect choice for her and Ben’s modern + luxe sailboat elopement on the water! 

Guest Attire Guide: Encourage your guests to dress in a way that complements your theme. Don’t be afraid to set a dress code, babe! At the end of the day, the way your guests are dressed not only affects the stylistic vision for your day, BUT it will also heavily impact how your photos turn out, too. If staying on trend and aesthetics are a top priority, then this step shouldn’t be overlooked!

7. Trusting Your Photographer

Select Carefully: Choose a photographer who you can envision photographing your wedding in the way you dream of and aligns with your theme. I loooove capturing weddings that have a ton of attention to detail and really get creative. Share your mood board and theme with me, so I understand the aesthetic you’re aiming for. And if you want to see more of my work, that’s what my blog is for!

8. Invitations and Stationery

Design Consistency: You’d be surprised at how greatly your stationery will contribute to the cohesiveness of your day! Ensure your invitations, menus, and other stationery reflect the wedding’s overall style and color scheme. Remember, all of these items will be in your detail shots for your final gallery. 

Personalized Elements: Don’t forget to add personalized elements to your stationery, like a monogram or a motif that appears throughout the wedding decor. This is a perfect (and understated) way to incorporate trendy yet custom details into your event. 

In Conclusion…

Your wedding is a canvas for your love story, so be sure to make it count! By following these steps, you ensure that your special day is not only on trend but also a true reflection of who you are as a couple. Remember, the key to a successful wedding is in the details that resonate with your personal style and story!

When you’re ready to book me as a photographer for your wedding, you can fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you so soon!