Five years ago when I got married, Pinterest was still just a glimmer in the Internet’s eye. Brides like me — those of us who planned weddings before Pinterest — like to say that we’re glad we didn’t have that extra…um…Pin-spiration. But, I dunno, it was still pretty overwhelming. Way back then I used theknot.com and I remember searching for yellow bouquets and over 5,000 results came up. FIVE THOUSAND. I called my sweet fiance and told him about how I would never have time to properly vet 5,000 yellow bouquets, and I wasn’t even sure I wanted yellow bouquets. And he responded, “This conversation is why wedding planning is stressful. You need to go to bed.”

The details — this is the stuff that keeps brides up at night — table runners, jewelry, chair backers, artful little signs everywhere labeling the gift table and guest book. And thanks to Pinterest there’s this terrible pressure to do it all yourself for like twenty bucks.

Bubbles or sparklers? Satin or burlap? What about an arbor? Should there be an arbor? How should we decorate the arbor? THERE ARE TOO MANY ARBOR DECISIONS!!!

When you’re engaged people tell you to not worry about this stuff — all that matters is that, at the end of it, you’ll be married to the love of your life. But someone has to worry about this stuff because SOMEONE needs to figure out what to do with the arbor and arbors don’t make decisions for themselves.

My brother’s wedding was so beautiful, and so I wanted to share just a few Pin-able pictures from the day of their special touches — things like favors and flowers and argyle socks. If you want an up-do that’s sophisticated yet natural, start here. If you’re looking to stage the most perfect first-kiss photo, perhaps lean in and, just before kissing her, smile at your bride like my brother did. If you want bridal photos that make people gasp, consider radiating joy like Abby. And frankly, Pinterest just wouldn’t be complete if you searched “most handsome groom ever” and my brother’s picture wasn’t the first one that came up.

Photos by Sam Dean

Venue – Braeloch, Vinton, VA

Simple and elegant – pompom garland

Rustic-sophisticated table settings

Pretty display for sparklers and wedding favors

Wedding favors – packaged with matches for the sparkler sendoff. 

Kids’ table with crayons and coloring books

Bridal shoes – pretty, sparkly bright blue

Alternative to the typical guest book. Guests sign the spine of each book. Particularly perfect for a couple of teachers. 

Mailbox on the gift table for cards

Floral garland arbor decorations

Programs as fans — great for an outdoor summer wedding. 

Matching wedding day robes for the bride and bridesmaids

Bridal bouquet – pretty for an outdoor summer wedding. Elegant and special, but not over-arranged. They sort of look like she just wandered out in the field and picked a beautiful arrangement. 

Bridal makeup. Natural and classy. My mom always says pretty girls should never wear too much makeup because it distracts from their natural beauty. This is what she was talking about. 

Have the ring bearer carry a box for rings rather than a pillow – particularly good for young ring bearers

A venue with a view – Braeloch, Vinton, VA

First kiss picture – lean in and savor the moment

Joyful recessional 

What a great photo op — at the end of the night take a moment for one more kiss before jumping in the car and leaving the party

Argyle socks

Happy

Ahem. Most handsome groom ever

Share this:

Facebook

0

Twitter

Pinterest

0

email