How to Choose the Right Wedding Inspo

Do you have a Pinterest wedding board? Moment of honesty for me, I created my dream wedding board on Pinterest in 2010. Back in the 2000’s I was a huge fan of teal, chevrons, babies breath, and everything that screamed rustic. Now, my taste has changed as I’ve worked in the industry and as I’ve grown older, but I had to sit down and create a new Pinterest inspiration board – I would need to sit down and seriously think for a minute. When choosing your wedding inspirations I think it really comes down to representing yourself and your partner and incorporating elements that allow your personality, love, and identities shine. So, put down your internet browsing and let’s talk about where to begin choosing the right wedding inspo for you and your partner. 

#01: Timeless 
My 2010 self-created wedding board was the opposite of timeless. We all can clearly say that chevrons and teal did not age well. As you chose your wedding theme or inspiration, you want to think about how you’ll look back at your wedding day down the road. Classic and timeless is the best way to go. Yes, it is absolutely okay to become inspired by bridal magazines and today’s hot trends. But, as you look at all of the trends, take it with a grain of salt. You can always feature the trend you love, or just take bits and pieces into consideration. So, when you’re browsing your bridal mags, be sure to ask yourself – how will you look at your photos 20 years from now? 

#02: Make it PERSONAL! 
One of the most important aspects of choosing an inspiration or theme, is to ensure that your ideas speak to you and your fiance. You want to select a color palette, themes, and inspirations that speak to you. Your wedding is a celebration of your love and an opportunity for your friends and family to come together. We know that our loved ones chime in about their hopes and opinions on your big day, but you truly want to make this day speak to you and your partner. Choose inspirations that inspire you or reflect what you’ve dreamt of. 

#03: Refer to Mental Notes 
Sometimes, the best way to plan something is to experience it yourself. Ask yourself, if you’ve been to any weddings that took your breath away? What do you notice at this event? What were the details that you loved and how can you incorporate it into your wedding budget and day? It is more than okay to attend a wedding and incorporate similar details. Now, we’re not saying copy and paste every detail you see, but use it as an inspiration to help choose your theme and color palette. And perhaps you have mental notes from your favorite floral shop, or restaurant – find things you enjoy or details that make you say “WOAH”. 

#04: Tell a Story! 
This is the story of you and your soon to be spouse. As you create and select your inspirations, you want to create the story of you. We find it may be easiest to select your must haves with your partner, rather than just jumping into a theme and running with it. You absolutely don’t need to select a theme and stick with it. Your story can be the theme. But as you find inspiration, talk to your partner about your must haves. If you must have sunflowers, because of a sentimental reason, build your inspiration from there. 

#05: Focus on Color Families 
Focusing on color families allows you to incorporate shades rather than exact swatches. Repeat after me – you do not have to match every single detail with your color swatches. Selecting a color, then looking at the shades and hues within that family will give you more options with decor and create a layered look filled with dimension. This will also help you narrow down on an overall feel. If you lean more towards nature color families, you may be going for an earthy or bohemian theme. If you’re leaning towards rich jewel tones, perhaps a winter or fall wedding would suit you best. So, stick with selecting color families when you begin your wedding design adventure.

#06: Tying it all Together
As you think about what wedding colors you prefer, draw inspiration from your location. Outdoor venues and indoor venues may provide different color inspiration. Additionally be observant of the details and decor that is located as a part of your venue. These details may encourage you to select a particular color family. You will want to select decor and colors that compliment your venue by enhancing the beauty and space. 

#07: Tis the Season
You will want to think seasonally. The seasons are a huge reflection on your everyday choices. From the coffee we order at Starbucks, to the clothes that are in our closets. The seasons drive a lot of our day to day experiences. As you select the basics of your wedding inspiration, think about the season you are booking in. Now, that doesn’t mean some colors are off limits. It just means you need to explore the color families! If you want coral, but you’re opting for a winter wedding, look into different hues of coral, or choose to layer in darker colors to set the mood. Accent colors are a perfect way to tie in any color to reflect the season you are holding your wedding in. 

There is no right or wrong in choosing the right wedding inspiration for you and your partner. But, there are definitely some guiding thoughts and questions you need to ask yourself before you commit. Think seasonally and focus more on color families than one particular color. You want to tell a story of your love and make your wedding inspiration personal! Don’t be afraid to use mental notes of details or weddings you’ve loved in the past and keep your wedding something you’ll love in your 60s. And if you’re still stuck, we would LOVE to help you find your wedding inspiration

---

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

Is it Okay to have an Adult-only Wedding?

YES – it is more than okay to have an adult-only wedding. Just because you are hosting a wedding, doesn’t mean that you need to invite all of the kids you know. Bottom line, you don’t have to invite kids to your wedding. It also doesn’t mean that you dislike children, don’t want children, or want to create added stress for your guests. If you make the decision to ask the kids to stay home, there are a few things that you’ll need to remember in order to help your guests understand and keep wedding etiquette alive and well. 

When you say, no kids – mean it. 

Rules only work and are understood if it is black and white. When rules approach the gray area, that is where feelings get hurt and chaos may occur. If you’re going to create a kid-free guest list, ensure that it is kid free. You and your partner will need to determine what is the age range for your anticipated guests. Are kids 16 years and younger? Or do you want all guests to be 18 and over? Whatever rule you decide, ensure you stick with your rule. That means you may forgo having a flower girl, or inviting specific young relatives. Now, we understand there may be special circumstances, such as having your kids attend the wedding. But, our recommendation is to tread lightly and stick to your set age limit. Once you bend the rules, it can be difficult to stick to it for future decisions. 

Not just one or the other. 

Like we said above, rules only work if they are black and white. Some couples may think the happy medium is having kids at the ceremony and then a kid-free reception. Now, we have seen a few weddings where this works. For one specific wedding that we coordinated, the couple hired professional babysitters on site for all kids to check in post ceremony. While this can be an effective way to host a kid free wedding, it is also costly and not everyone feels comfortable with having strangers watch your kid. So, if you’re going to call your wedding day kid-free, we recommend keeping it simple by having both the ceremony and reception a kid-free event. This allows your wedding guests to make plans accordingly and not have to leave and come back to your reception. 

Keep it Professional

Yes, keeping it simple “no kids allowed” or “adults only” may seem like the best way to communicate your thoughts. But, what we’ve found is it is better to address the kid-free formally through the invite itself. When you address your invites, the names of the exact individuals who are invited should be on the envelope. For your RSVP cards, prefill the guests’ names and the count of how many are expected. Not only is this a friendly way to get your point across, it eliminates any additional, unwanted guests. Prefilling your RSVP cards is a great way to eliminate guesswork, keep your budget on target, and ensure that no additional guests are invited. If you have guests that reach out to you about their RSVP card, clarify any questions they may have personally. Stick to proper wedding etiquette and pre fill out your invites and address your envelopes accordingly. 

Create a Clear Message

Your invitation suite has no place for wedding faux paus. Once you get those sent out, be sure that your wedding website matches the information on your invitations. Guests may check your wedding website for additional clarification, so create a space with a friendly message to communicate your rule. Your messages can be clear and simple. Some of our favorites are: 

We love your kids, but due to our venue and accommodations, we can only have guests over the age of 18. Thank you for your understanding.

We respectfully request no children 18 and under at our wedding ceremony and reception. 

We’d love to have the opportunity to celebrate with our guests and fully enjoy themselves. We’ve chosen to make our day for adults (18 and over) only. 

Please join us for an adult ceremony and celebration following. 

If you choose to have an adult-only wedding celebration, create a rule and stick to it. You want to clearly communicate, be concise, and clarify any questions your guests may have. Be sure to eliminate any guesswork and ensure that it is clearly communicated on your wedding website and elegantly addressed on your wedding invitations. Adult-only weddings may not be for everyone, but it is still okay to hold a kid-free wedding. 

---

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

Let's Elope!

Elopement – is more than just the quick, courthouse wedding that we’ve seen in the past. Over the years it has emerged into its own category of the wedding industry. Believe it or not, elopement can require the need of a coordinator. We’ve coordinated a few elopements in our past and each hold unique memories and have been unforgettable. More and more couples are opting for elopement. Some couples want an intimate celebration, others don’t want to be the center of attention for the day, and some want to just create a romantic escape. Even though eloping is conducted typically quickly, or without the knowledge of loved ones, there are still motions that need to be set into place to create an unforgettable elopement. 

#01: Create Your Budget

Yes, we’re going to start with our favorite step – the budget creation. Whether your hosting a 500 person affair, or just an intimate ceremony of 5, you must set a budget. Costs will arise no matter how big or small your wedding celebration is. You will need to sit down and talk numbers with your partner and determine what you feel comfortable spending. The largest part of your budget will be determined by what style or type of elopement you will plan on having. 

#02: Pick a Destination 

In the past, elopements traditionally have been at the courthouse. We’ve all heard stories of relatives, grandparents, or seen in movies the couple rushing to the courthouse for their civil ceremony. While many couples still choose to say their vows at the courthouse, more couples are choosing to get married at a specific destination. Now, when we say destination, this can be hiking to a secluded spot on your favorite, or jet setting to your favorite location. Destination elopements have become a large part of our industry. As you think about your destination, select a destination that is within your budget and stays true to who you both are as a couple. Perhaps you’ll want to pick a spot that has sentimental value to you, or plan a trip to a place that you’ve always dreamed of. Research the best location for you and plan accordingly. 

#03: Marriage License and Laws

Running off and celebrating is one thing, but you need to ensure that your marriage is legal wherever you choose to get married. If you are choosing to plan a destination wedding, you will need to research the laws, legal requirements, and any necessary items you may need or follow to tie the knot properly. If you’re getting married stateside, check out the county clerk office or research city hall. Determine how to obtain a marriage license, how early you will need to obtain a license and what your steps are. If you’re looking at doing a destination wedding, check the rules and laws on how to obtain your marriage license. If you are planning on having a friend or loved one marry you, make sure that they have the credentials too. There are many websites where you can legally become an ordained minister. 

#04: Book Vendors and Hire a Planner

Even if you elope, you will still need to think about the details. This includes hiring a photographer, thinking about a celebration or dinner/reception. Consulting with a wedding planner that has experience in coordinating elopements is a great starting place. These coordinators will have experience and advice that a typical planner may not have. They may know of specific photographers that travel or videographers with drones to capture your unique location. Elopements can still be a stressful process, so don’t be afraid or feel like you should be able to handle it solo. 

#05: Consider a Post-Elopement After Party 

Eloping can be such a special moment between two people. There’s something about the intimacy that really makes it unforgettable. Although this moment is private between you and your partner, you can still opt for a reception with your loved ones. Many couples chose to create a combination between an elopement and a reception. Gathering your guests together can still be a surprise or you can create a more intimate reception gathering. Some couples plan an anniversary celebration a year later or choose to host a dinner. Whatever you decide, this is a great option to include those you love in the celebration, but keep your ceremony a true elopement. 

#06: Don’t Forget to Announce

After all is said and done, take a moment to formally announce that you’ve tied the knot. If you’ve booked a photographer, snag one of the photos and create an announcement. Although you didn’t have guests to partake in the affair, they can still enjoy and celebrate this moment in your life. Think about thoughtful ways to announce, whether hosting a dinner party, sending out announcements, or planning an affair. And, before you post your elopement on social media, ensure that the folks in your life that must know find out before it hits socials. 

Eloping offers a unique and truly magical experience. You can create an experience that is truly unique to you and your partner. Whether you take a hike to a remote mountain or plan to get married on the beach, it creates a private moment to celebrate. And just because you eloped, doesn’t mean that you can’t make that big announcement or celebrate with loved ones, because you can. If you’re thinking about taking the jump and planning an elopement, reach out to us today! We would be thrilled to help you plan your getaway! 

---

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.