Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and thought, “That wedding looks so fun! How do I get my wedding published?” I was in your shoes 2 years ago. Whether you're a couple or a wedding pro, having your wedding published is an amazing feeling. But for anyone that hasn't had anything published, the process can seem daunting or scary. You don't have any contacts in publishing, and out of all the weddings in the world, why would they pick yours?

Well, friend, you're in luck! In today's post, I'm going to break it down for you step-by-step. I'll show you how to curate the details of your wedding day (or in today's example, a wedding shower). Then I'll discuss how to package it for submission. Two years ago, I was like you. I was sitting in my yoga pants wondering how I could get my work featured. Fast forward to today. My work published on two major outlets (most recently on Inspired by This!) with a third one forthcoming. Did it happen overnight? No. Is it possible? YES!! So let's break it down, shall we?

Step 1: Pick a Unique Angle or Inspiration

In today's example, I'm picking my most recent publication. I'm super crazy excited about this one because I LOVE Inspired by This. [HYPERLINK]

I planned and designed this wedding shower with the mother of the bride. The only guidance she gave me was “travel-themed” and “spring colors.” The couple loved to travel and it was taking place in late April. I don't know about you, but here in Upstate New York, everyone is so done with winter by March. What I loved about this theme is that it was popular enough that there was A LOT of inspiration on Pinterest. So there was lots of interest in the topic. But, she wasn't too specific with anything else. The color palette was wide open and there were opportunities to personalize it to the couple. This brings me to point

Step 2: Make it Personal

Blogs and couples want ideas that will inspire them for their own wedding. And the details that excite me the most are ones that hold meaning for the couple. When I'm designing the day, I weave in details about the couple's personalities or story. This makes the design truly them. In today's example, the couple was going to Spain and Portugal for their honeymoon. To incorporate this, we named the tables after cities that they had traveled to. The table numbers also looked like the plane-side checked luggage tags. (The ones you to your luggage because they ran out of overhead space.)

Step 3: Research Pinterest

Pinterest is a great source of inspiration, but I also like to use it to see what not to do. I don't want to copy the same ideas or details from other people's weddings. I want something unique, not a copycat Pinterest wedding. When I went on Pinterest for today's wedding shower, I saw a LOT of vintage-inspired travel. You know the look: vintage suitcases, antique maps, air mail stamps, etc. Good, now I know what NOT to do.

Step 4: Pick Your Design Inspiration

After I finish this type of recon, I search to see if what I have in mind comes up. If nothing does, or only a few Pins come up, then I know I'm on the right track. Next, I pick an overarching inspiration – something to give the day some cohesion. For this example, I picked 1960's vintage travel posters. So, they were still a little vintage, but more retro/ mid-century modern than antique. I found some great ones of Spain and Portugal, and picked a colorful one that inspired my color palette.

Step 5: Pick a Complex Color Palette

The color palette is KEY to a good design. I design with a lot of colors, not 2 or 3 main ones (e.g. blush and burgundy, or mint and peach). I pick a few primary colors, some neutrals, some colors that I want to pop for effect, and one or two accent colors. This gives the design depth and texture. In today's example, I chose a bright sky blue, coral, cerise, a light pea green, and pale yellow.

Step 6: Create the Design 

After the color palette, the real design work begins. I go through a checklist of the whole day related to design. From guest arrival to lounge seating, to food and beverage, it's mapped out. I sit down and brainstorm details based on stories they've shared with me. I look at Pinterest for some ideas, but a lot of it comes from one idea leading to another which leads to another. There's no right or wrong way. Once I have a pretty good idea of everything in the design, I put it all together in one document, called my Design Guide. It's like a Style Guide but for a wedding. I put everything in there so all my design vendors see the aesthetic. This helps them visualize where they fit in the mosaic of the day. This helps give cohesion to the day.

And guess what? HERE is my checklist so you can ensure you cover all the opportunities to tie in details to the day. Click HERE to grab that checklist now! Pro tip: make sure you're open to your design changing and morphing. It's important to have an idea of what you want so you can give wedding professionals direction. But we're artists, too. We have expertise, knowledge, and lots of experience within our respective fields. Be open to suggestions, tweaks, or revisions to your design. It should be a collaborative process. When you give the wedding pro the space to create and do what they do best, they will thrive and their design will surpass. (Hint: don't ask them to copy someone else's work. What's the point in hiring them if you want them to do someone else's art?).

Step 7: Execute Your Design with Amazing Vendors

Now that you've finished your design, work with each vendor to bring your vision to life. Make sure you pick vendors whose style matches the design or look you're going for. Some vendors have certain aesthetics that they work well with. You wouldn't ask. That's when they'll be able to shine and put something together for you that you'll love.

Step 8: Photography Prep

Now that you've designed all the pretty, it's time to shoot everything. Make sure you give your photographer clear direction on the photos you would like. Again, don't tell them how to do their job, but definitely have a shot list of all the photos you want. It's also helpful if there are types of photos you want. For example, a tight shot of the bride holding the cake or the placesetting from above.

Step 9: Prep for Publication

After you've received the PROFESSIONAL photos, it's time to submit everything for publication. Make sure you do your homework. Submit your work to outlets whose style matches the aesthetic you've put together. (You can even identify these blogs during the design process so you keep their aesthetic in mind.) Some blogs lean towards outdoor weddings with lots of plants and greenery. Other blogs feature weddings with over the top florals in grand ballrooms. Others still feature weddings that are alternative or cater to a funky vibe. Also, get permission from your photographer before submitting their photos for publication. (Some blogs only accept submissions from the photographer.)

Put together a brief but detailed description of the details you curated for the day. Around 500 words is good depending on the number of details. Talk about your story and why it was important for you to choose the details that you did. What significance did they hold for you when you saw them on your wedding day? Also, make sure you follow the guidelines for each blog when submitting your photos. Some need the photos to be a certain size. Others specify how many photos they want to see at first and how. Follow the directions, people!

10) Wait

It takes time to hear back from the outlets. Be patient. Make sure you note when you submitted to the outlet and by when you can expect to hear an answer. Some reply within 2 weeks. Others take 6 weeks. It all depends. And if one outlet passes, submit it to another one. You won't know unless you try.

Final Thoughts

Don't get down if your wedding or editorial isn't picked up for publication. If you're a wedding professional, there will be others. Use this as a learning opportunity to improve your craft. If you're a couple and you're not getting married again (vow renewal, anyone??), don't take it to heart. Blogs receive so many submissions each day. Yours might have been like one that they had already published or they didn't think it would resonate with their audience. Enjoy your gorgeous photos and soak up all the compliments everyone is giving you about your wedding!

If you scrolled to the bottom . . .

Getting your work or wedding published is an amazing feeling, but it takes work! Luckily, I break it down for you in 10 steps:

1. Pick a Unique Angle / Aesthetic;
2. Make it Personal;
3. Do Your Research – Avoid Popular Pins on Pinterest;
4. Pick Your Design Inspiration;
5. Design a Complex Color Palette;
6. Create the Design — Click HERE for my Design Checklist!
7. Execute With Your Amazing Wedding Professionals;
8. Put Together Your Shot List;
9. Submit for Publication; and
10. Wait

 

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