Celeb planner Mindy Weiss shares insider hacks every couple needs to know.
by Sarah Hanlon
Updated Mar 31, 2022
Picture this: You just got engaged, and you shared the happy news with friends and family. Next? There's a good chance you'll head to Instagram or Facebook to post your engagement announcement alongside a ring selfie and a cute caption. There's no denying that social media plays a huge role in just about everything these days—especially when it comes to your wedding. Getting married is such a joyous experience, so we don't blame you for wanting to divulge your excitement online. Beyond that, though, you should also be using social media to actively plan your wedding day.
There are plenty of helpful tools out there (like The Knot!) designed to guide you through the entire wedding process, step-by-step. But in addition to using things like budgeting guides, wedding checklists, and registry aggregators, social media can serve as a fresh, innovative tool for finding inspiration and making your dream day a reality.
It's so important, in fact, that celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss suggests every couple can benefit from using social media to plan their big day. "Right now, social media is instrumental for wedding planners," she tells us, saying that, at the very least, it can help you navigate the ever-changing industry and identify what your ideal wedding looks like. "My job as a wedding planner is to hone in on what a couple really loves, and social media is a great way to start the conversation and narrow down the direction that I feel they're going."
Of course, there's more to it than just starting a Pinterest account or browsing a hashtag on Instagram. Weiss, whose illustrious planning career has included the nuptials of A-listers like Justin and Hailey Bieber, Paris Hilton, and Patrick Mahomes, shares her top tips for using social media to plan your wedding below.
Follow Wedding Accounts for Inspiration
One of the most productive ways to use social media for your big day is to follow wedding accounts. From planners and florists to dress designers and jewelers (and yes, even @TheKnot) following wedding experts will fill your feeds with fresh ideas, trends and resources. "One of the reasons I'm on social media is to share inspiration with so many people," Weiss confirms. On her Instagram, for example, she frequently shares photos from her clients, which can help to inspire your own vision. She also recently collaborated with Kay Jewelers to create a Pinterest board of ideas that go beyond just aesthetics, also highlighting jewelry trends and planning tips.
Following wedding accounts essentially helps you "passively plan" on a day-to-day basis. So, while you might not go on social media with the intention of crossing off a checklist item, you never know when you'll discover a stunning floral arch to show to your florist, or learn about a new jewelry line you can use for bridesmaid gifts.
Ultimately, keeping yourself open to receiving ideas—especially early in the planning process—is one of the best ways to avoid planning stress later on down the line. Start by following a few accounts, and save your favorite ideas as you find them. Your team of pros will help you orchestrate your ideas later.
Fine Tune Your Wedding Vision on Pinterest
Jenny Futography Wedding Photographer,Bardin PalomoIt'll come as no surprise that one of the first sites every couple should start using is Pinterest. Of course, this probably isn't new information—perhaps you've been Pinning ideas to your wedding board since middle school, in which case you're already ahead of the game. But of all the social media sites out there, Pinterest is one of the best places to find personalized ideas and curate your vision. In fact, it's a must for Weiss and her clients. "I insist that my clients start with Pinterest," she explains. "It's the place to go where you can search for anything you need to hone in on exactly what you're looking for." Whether you're looking for fresh color palette combos, trendy bridesmaid dresses, or hairstyles to match your venue, Pinterest is a gold mine of inspiration. And, as an added bonus, the site can also present you with wedding tips you didn't even realize you needed. Jewelry, for example, says, is one element Weiss says is easily forgotten, which is it lives on her wedding Pinterest board. While so much emphasis is placed on the engagement ring and wedding band, you might forget that you also need to find a necklace or set of earrings to wear on the big day—a faux pas that could be avoided if you saw a Pin reminding you to finalize your style. That's why going on Pinning sprees can actually save you in the long run. Once you start adding various ideas to your wedding boards, the algorithm will get to know your tastes and curate your feed with personalized ideas, thus making the planning process insanely easier on you. FOR YOU Search Location Tags on Instagram to Discover Vendors In addition to following wedding accounts on Instagram, we also recommend using location tags to find vendors in your area. While there are tools like The Knot Marketplace that connect couples with pros, consider searching location tags for venues in your area too. Wedding vendors often share their work online and tag where it took place—so by browsing posts tagged at a specific location, you might be able to discover vendors in your area to book. You can also use hashtags for generalized inspiration. If you're planning to swap vows in Nashville, for example, try looking up tags like #NasvhilleWedding or #NashvillePhotographer to make your search even more tailored to your needs.
Connect With Other Couples on Forums & Groups
Jess + Nate Studios,Delux FloralsIn today's digital age, it's easier than ever to connect with other couples going through the wedding planning process, especially because so many are willing to talk openly about their experiences. "Some brides are very vocal and public with planning their wedding," Weiss shares. "People share their vendors, their ideas, and things they've found, so social media is a great tool to start conversations with others." To participate in these conversations, try joining private wedding Facebook groups or jumping into conversations on wedding forums. Because, while you can certainly lean on your team of pros for guidance, it can be just as helpful to talk to other couples who are going through the same process as you.
Share Your Photo Boards With Pros The ability to bring your wedding vision to life depends on how you communicate it to your vendors. Do you want a coastal venue, or an urban one? A rustic color pattern, or something more vibrant? Do you want the overall vibe of your wedding to be intimate and romantic, or lavish and luxe? Finding pictures that encompass your niche wedding vibe is a great way to communicate your vision. After all, you may find it easier to show your vendors what you want rather than try to explain it. That's why it's so important to work on your mood boards early, because they'll be instrumental in your discussions later on. Weiss, for her part, explains that her job as a planner is made easier when couples have taken the time to compile photos of their preferred event design. "I'm creating a story from the homework they did on Pinterest," she shares. Of course, that's not to say you need to plan out the entire day before meeting your pros, because their job is to help you execute that vision. Instead, having a few photos that encapsulate your vision will make it easier for everyone to be on the same page from the start.
Find Planning Hacks on TikTok
Grace + Ardor Co.Some may assume TikTok is a place to procrastinate—but at The Knot, we say it's one of the most underrated wedding tools out there. Even spending five minutes on "WeddingTok" will present you with genius planning hacks, ideas from other to-be-weds, and insider tips you may never have thought of. Use TikTok to plan your wedding wardrobe, shop for prewedding event makeup products, or find trendy bachelorette party themes. Trust us when we say this social site is a serious game-changer for couples. Set Limits to Protect Your Mental Health As helpful as social media is, it's incredibly important to protect your mental health as well. While these sites can share innovative ideas and hacks, be mindful that too much time online may lead to feelings of stress, overwhelm, or frustration. "Mental health is such a huge portion of planning a wedding," Weiss says. "A lot of couples experience a new kind of stress because they don't have experience with planning such a big event. And when it comes to social media, you might compare your wedding to others." You certainly aren't alone if you feel like social media makes you question your wedding decisions, or if it makes you feel inferior to other couples. If these feelings start to arise, Weiss recommends talking it out with your partner, or even seeking help from a couple's therapy session. Voicing your concerns will alleviate some of the pressure and help you feel less isolated during the planning process. The bottom line? Social media can be a great wedding planning tool, but only if you create boundaries for yourself. Set limits on Instagram scrolling, and try to avoid late nights falling down a Pinterest rabbit hole. Understand that while these platforms can certainly help you get inspired and make your dream a reality, the most important part of a wedding isn't having an Instagram-worthy altar or a viral first dance—it's the opportunity to prepare for a lifetime of happiness with your partner.
