Is Pinterest ruining weddings?

I wouldn't say ruining weddings but I know that I have had my 'dreams' shattered a few times by Pinterest...I tried a DIY centerpiece - It came out like $hit - then I cried because I couldn't get it right. I finally decided that I would try a few more DIY projects and if they came out anyway other than what I wanted I would try and find a bit more in my budget to buy those things.

I have also been on pinterest before and been like "crap - my wedding isn't going to be that nice" but i have had a lot of time to think about that and realized my wedding doesn't have a large budget or fancy-pants things but it reflects who me and my FH are as people...funloving, easygoing, family/friend oriented...

So, yes I do think the concept of Pinterest is in a way ruining people dreams about their weddings - everything on there is so perfect - and 9 out of 10 times it is a professional who is doing the projects.

BUT on the other hand I love a lot of the other ideas on there for home stuff...

I look at it for inspiration. I did take some ideas from it. I am doing pearls, burlap, lace, and mason jars. I know the theme is phasing out... but it's stuff that I love. I'm not over doing it and am throwing my own personal ideas into it. I'm not over doing it on any one item like I've seen in some cases on Pinterest. I'm also letting the venue that we chose shine and this theme really brings out its best.

It's about what actually matters to you and what makes sense to your budget. I think Pinterest as well as the media and movies have really morphed the images that people get when they think of "love" and "marriage."

As far as photography, I'm more of a natural photographer myself. I'd rather catch a couple in their own environment with their own mannerisms, giggles, smiles, attitude, etc.

I think every wedding is unique because people, in general, are ALL unique. You may have aspects that are done time and time again but it's your day and you should do what you want.

I agree with Kate as well.

If you're planning a wedding, you know the current trends because you've researched them yourself.

I, personally, go to MAYBE 1-2 weddings a year. I think the average number of weddings people attend a year is not THAT much higher than that depending on each person's friend circles, etc.

This year the wedding we went to had a red/black/white theme with not a lot of bells and whistles but also had a plated meal. Not a color scheme I see a lot since I don't attend weddings that often.

A wedding I went to last year was a mansion style/pink/green affair with a photo booth and buffet meal.

Year before that I was in a small wedding with a black and white theme at someone's home.

So for me things don't get old that quickly...

I went a little pin crazy in the beginning but now I've created a secret board of things I actually am using. Or want to use or be inspired by.

I can see it creating cookie cutter weddings, and oh the irony of that.

I am a pinaholic, I have to admit. I am taking ideas from pinterest and making them my own. I know I will be extremely dissapointed if my pins are not replicated exactly, so I am not even trying to go there. They are for inspiration only. So no I don't think its ruining weddings.

I use it alot for things i actually want to buy. I think it is making people have really high expectations for their weddings. Its kind of annoying because I heard some of my friends diss other peoples weddings and say theres is going to be SO MUCH better because of all these pinterest ideas.. and im just sitting their like.. you will not be able to afford a quarter of the things you think your going to have. Before you start planning you really dont have much of an idea how much weddings really cost.

I totally agree that it is important to pick and choose things from Pintrest but don't use it as your only inspiration! I've been to two showers and two weddings this summer that Pintrest barfed all over. I was disappointed. When I go to weddings I like to see what centrepieces someone came up with, what cake topper they came up with etc etc. Now I know exactly where it all came from and nothing is 'cute' or 'surprising' anymore. The older generation who is less likely to be on Pintrest is always impressed but most young people aren't anymore.

Stretch that creative bone and come up with things unique to you as a couple- not copy everything from things you like as a couple.

My wedding planner and I had this exact conversation. I completely agree that pinterest's great ideas are just making all weddings SO similar. Don't get me wrong, I love pinterest and have spend FAR too many hours on it, but I will be taking very few ideas for my actual wedding, and then making them my own. A lot of the pictures on pinterest are not even from real weddings, but from styled shoots that actually cost a ridiculously large amount of money to recreate, so unless you are on an unlimited budget, I think it can set expectations too high.

I have a secret board I only pin stuff to that I like from the internet. I also browse my single friend's boards (while secretly thinking how pathetic they are for planning a wedding with a non existent man/woman...I'm a terrible person,) I didn't start my wedding board til after I was engaged.

I also have my wedding board on pinterest set as a secret board. I have added my mom, FMIL, and my BM's, and we all pin things. So it's mostly an inspiration board, but I like that everybody else can't see it. I'd like my guests to be surprised when they attend the wedding, as opposed to having seen all the ideas on my pinterest board before hand! When I start to narrow things down, I will probably make another board of ideas I am actually using.

My thought is that it's a wonderful "inspiration" tool, but anyone that gets caught up into trying to duplicate every dern idea, pic, or favor - will find themselves in cray-crayville as well as going broke for a "4 hour party" as my FH calls it.

I think when it comes to "unique" as much as well strive to have the most "unique"; "never-done-before" wedding, concepts or decorations, it must be remembered that there will be some many things are exactly the same, but what makes it unique is the two people that are now joining as one - no one can duplicate you and your FH, that's about as original as its going to get!

I'm okay with not getting married in a barn with bales of hay covered in burlap and having my guests drink out of mason jars through striped paper straws while sitting on a couch made out of pallets outside wearing mustaches.

I really love how this thread has developed. Pinterest is obviously very serious to most. We have had a good conversation without being ugly about it. (not that this is rare here, just saying)

I would have no idea what I was doing for my wedding if not for Pinterest! LOL

I have thoughts but am more going to let this stew. This is very eye-opening, if you will. I feel brainwashed and I don't know what I want. Then again, this is something I recently became aware of before reading this.

I think Pinterest is a great way to get ideas, share ideas, and learn some things you've never seen and/or heard about. But, it can't be taken too seriously. It's just a website.

I don't think it's ruining weddings but I would say to any bride to be out there do not follow the wedding boards. The next thing you know every time you open Pinterest you will have to scroll down forever to get past all the wedding pins. Stay realistic this is a place for inspiration find what you love and make it your own. Do search the wedding boards and like the things that catch your attention. I had to finally unfollow all the boards and then made three boards;

1. Wedding Inspiration -I went through my likes and pinned all the things I absolutely loved and would like to have for our day

2. Bride's board (secret board) - I pulled the things I loved from the inspiration board that pertained to me the bride and pinned them there and slowly narrowed it down to the exact dress, veil, accessories, etc and deleted the rest.

3. Our wedding - I pulled the definite things we wanted for our ceremony and reception from the inspiration board. Again hold no expectations make it your own.

I use Pinterest way more for recipes or crafts than I do for wedding stuff.

Mostly because it is all the same stuff. I went to a wedding this year and it was the most pinteresty wedding. Striped straws, mustaches, chalkboard signs, barn type setting. My sister and I had a fun time pointing out everything they did that we've seen on Pinterest.

I'm sure that brides from the 80s cringe when they look back at the puffy sleeves and big hair. I wonder if that's how brides will react years from now when looking back on all the burlap, barns and mason jars......

Yeah i agree it not ruining but perhaps making plenty of them very similar.

I am really over the lace and burlap thing. I know it works for others but... Ehhhh... Pinterest beat the life out of it for me.