Your Pinterest wedding photos: how to use them without being disappointed
A Pinterest board full of dreamy photos is a great starting point, as long as you know what to keep and how to share it with your photographer. My simple, pressure-free method.
Wedding- Your Pinterest photos mostly show which mood you love: that's what to keep.
- Many come from styled shoots, with time and hand-picked light.
- Ten well-chosen images are worth more than two hundred pins.
Almost all my couples have a Pinterest board. And that's great news: those images tell me a lot about you, what you love, what moves you. But I also sometimes see the worry that comes with them: "What if our photos don't look like this?" Here's how to use them to enjoy yourselves, not to put pressure on yourselves.
What your pins really say
When I look at a Pinterest board, I'm not looking for a list of photos to recreate. I'm looking for what keeps coming back: soft or bold colors, black and white images, lots of laughter or quieter moments, wide landscapes or details. That's your mood, and that's what guides me on the day.
Where these images come from
Many of the most beautiful wedding photos on Pinterest come from styled shoots: weddings staged by talented vendors, often with more time and hand-picked light. I explain it in detail in my article on styled shoots and the trap of perfect photos. Others come from countries where the light, venues and schedules have nothing to do with a wedding in Provence.
That's not a problem. Simply see them as ideas, not as a promise.
Sorting: my 4-step method
- Open your board together, and keep only the images that move you both.
- For each image, say in one sentence what you love: the light, the laughter, the twirling dress, the table, the colors.
- Sort them into three groups: mood, decor, moments not to miss.
- Keep about ten images in total. No more: beyond that, you can't see what matters.
The sentence matters more than the image. "We love this photo because we can see ourselves laughing" helps me far more than a photo alone: I'll know how to make you laugh, even if the setting is completely different.
What we keep, what we adapt
- Easy to keep: a color palette, a decor style, a photobooth, details (jewelry, stationery, shoes), black and white, joyful group photos.
- To plan in the timeline: sunset couple portraits, a petal exit after the ceremony, a photo of all your guests. Possible if we save time for them.
- To adapt: perfect scenes with nobody around, couple sessions lasting hours, late-afternoon light at noon. We then look for the same emotion, differently.
How to share them with me
Send me your small selection, with your sentences, when we prepare your timeline. We talk about it together, I tell you honestly what's possible with your schedule and venue, and we keep the ideas that matter most to you. Everything else, you can leave to me: it's my job to tell the story of your day as it really is.
You're afraid your wedding will be "less beautiful" than the photos you've saved.
Your photos will have something no Pinterest image ever will: your loved ones, your real emotions, your story. That's what you'll still be looking at in twenty years.
Frequently asked questions
Should I show my Pinterest board to my photographer?
Yes, but a small selection of about ten images is enough, with one sentence saying what you love about each.
Will we get the same photos as on Pinterest?
Often the same mood, yes. Some scenes need time or light we don't have on the day: we then look for the same emotion differently.
When should I share my inspiration?
When we prepare the timeline of the day together, so we can save time for them if needed.
Want to talk about your session?
Tell me about your plans: I reply personally, with advice tailored to your date and location.
Contact meRead next
All articles →
WeddingHow many hours of wedding photography do you need? What really changes between 8, 10, 12 and 14 hours
How many hours you need doesn't depend on the size of your budget, but on the shape of your day. Here's how to think it through, with examples.
WeddingBuilding your wedding day timeline for beautiful photos (without the stress)
A good timeline is one that lets you breathe. Here's the order I build it in with my couples, and the mistakes I see most often.
WeddingGetting married in Provence in high summer: heat, light and timing for a perfect day
A summer wedding in Provence promises magical evenings. It also means 95°F (35°C) at 3 pm. Here's how to plan your day so everyone enjoys it.