How to Create a Wedding Mood Board That'll Make Planning a Breeze

As much as we love Pinterest and Instagram, when it comes to collecting inspiration for your wedding, we're all for creating a physical wedding mood board. Storing everything in the digital realm can lead to an "out of sight out of mind" mentality, so instead, we love the idea of not only printing out your favorite inspirational wedding photos, but showcasing them in a tangible way. Here's how to create a wedding mood board that you can keep at home (and thus see every day!) to help you zero in on your wedding aesthetic.

"When it comes to planning a wedding, it's all about the details. And as we know, there are lots of them!" says Robin Verrier, founder and art director of Verry Robin & Co. in Charlottesville, Virginia. "Keeping everything (and everyone) on the same page is crucial to ensure the whole process moves like a well-oiled machine." Verrier designs some of the most beautiful mood boards we've ever seen, so we definitely trust her advice! Here are some of her top tips for creating your very own IRL wedding mood board.

1. Discover Your Palette Organically

Obsessed with blush and gold? Lovely! But that doesn’t mean those colors will work best with your venue, season or overall aesthetic. Avoid being tied to specific hues and see what emerges naturally. “Mood boarding is a great visual way to brainstorm,” says Verrier. You may be surprised by what you’re drawn to outside of your go-to faves.

2. Step Away from Pinterest

We’re big proponents of going offline in search of real world inspo. Beyond Internet search terms, browse through some of the more artful home, design and style books in your local bookstore, and pick up some magazines that catch your eye (they don't even necessarily have to be wedding-related ones). Scope out stylish local hangouts, including boutiques, museums and cocktail bars. Collect textured elements that can’t be appreciated onscreen—a restaurant’s matchbook or silk ribbon from gift wrapping. As Verrier puts it, the point of creating a physical wedding mood board is to “take your ideas and turn them into a tangible reality.”

3. Stay in The Mood

There's an old adage about how sometimes it's difficult to see the woods through the trees—which basically means it's hard to see the bigger picture when you're focused on so many individual details, aka wedding planning. “It's hard to imagine all the details that go into a huge day without seeing the individual components side by side,” explains Verrier. Being able to look at physical representations of “your dress, linens, invitations and florals in one space will make sure the event flows and looks cohesive.”

4. Ensure Everyone's on the Same Page

You'll also find that your mood board isn't just helpful to you and your partner as you wedding plan—your vendors will love it, too. "A ready-to-share digital mood board (or a photo of your physical one) is helpful for vendors to keep everyone working towards the same vision,” notes Verrier. "It’s the perfect visual reference for your colors, venue and overall aesthetic so they’re not constantly reaching out to you with questions.”