When you hear the words “Pinterest fail,” what comes to mind? If you’re anything like me, you love to giggle at a good (bad) Pinterest fail. But when it comes to your wedding, “Pinterest” and “fail” are two concepts you want as FAR away from each other as possible. Am I right?!

Here’s the thing – Pinterest, as much as we all love it, has the power to ruin your wedding day. Yep, you read that right. And nobody wants that! So let’s dive into the 3 Pinterest pitfalls and how to avoid them (while still getting everything you want from your day).

WHY WE LOVE PINTEREST

Using Pinterest to gather inspiration for your wedding day can be invaluable. It helps you take all those abstract ideas floating around in your mind, turn them into concrete visuals, and bring them all to life. Yet, using inspiration can also backfire on you. There is a dark side to the popular platform – it can be detrimental to the overall planning process. Here are 3 Pinterest Pitfalls (and how to avoid them).

PITFALL 1: PERFECTION POISON

One of the biggest dangers of Pinterest is the pressure it can create to have “the perfect wedding.” But the truth is, there’s no such thing as a perfect wedding. Whenever I hear “perfect” and “wedding” in the same sentence, I cringe. Having photographed over 200 weddings, I can tell you firsthand that not one has ever gone 100% to plan. And that’s okay! It’s just the nature of a wedding day.

A wedding day is meant to ebb and flow and to be approached with a great plan and a generous dose of flexibility. So avoid the pitfall of perfection. Your wedding day won’t be perfect or flawless. But you can feel the same level of joy all the same.

Trade in “perfect” for “joyful.” Instead of buying into the idea of a perfect wedding day, commit to enjoying your day as it plays out. The more joy you have on your wedding day, the more “perfect” it will feel.

PITFALL 2: BUDGET BREAKER

When you’re browsing Pinterest, it can be easy to see all the things and want them. When you’re looking at million-and-one different ways to decorate, it’s way too easy to spend more than you intend. Don’t let Pinterest derail your budget! A budget gone sour leads to financial stress. Any extra stress (financial or otherwise) is an unwelcome guest!

Even if you’re not busting your budget, Pinterest can still make it tempting to sacrifice quality for quantity. You may buy more of something (like decorations or favors) just because it’s trendy, without considering the quality of what you’re buying.

Keep it simple. Stay true to your budget. Make intentional purchases. And remember that the most important thing on your wedding day is the love you and your partner share together.

PITFALL 3: DREAM OR DELUSION

As you browse Pinterest, it’s easy to see all of the inspiration and set unrealistic expectations for yourself, your vendors, and your wedding day. But when you’re gathering inspiration, you’re pinning images from hundreds, if not thousands, of separate wedding days. Not one of those events included *ALL* of the things you’re pinning.

???? Let me repeat that: you’re pinning images from hundreds of different days. Not one of them included all the things you’re pinning.

It’s easy to get carried away by the beauty, but be realistic with your expectations. Setting realistic expectations will provide you with freedom… freedom to enjoy every moment, freedom to look into the eyes of the people you love, and freedom to savor the memories as they’re happening.

So here’s the summary: Pinterest can be a pitfall for creating disappointment all around. And nobody wants that, especially for your wedding day. Now that you’re equipped with that information, you know how to avoid the pitfalls. Stay tuned for Part 2 – How to Use Pinterest for Helpful Inspiration!

In the meantime, complete the Bridal Personality Quiz! This quiz will help you discover if you’re a Planner Extraordinaire Bride, a Relaxed & Joyful Bride, or an Excited & Ready-to-Party Bride! Go check it out here.