The Magic’s in the Mood Board: How to Actually Communicate Your Wedding Vision

Let’s talk about one of the most powerful tools in the wedding planning universe: the mood board. Yep, those pretty little collages you see on Pinterest and Instagram are more than just eye candy to droll over all day. When it’s done right, a mood board can make or break how clearly your wedding planner ( hi! ), vendors, and even your fiancé understand what you want your day to feel like.

So how do you actually create one that works? And what does it even mean when planners like me say “show me your vision”? Let’s break it down.

Why Mood Boards Matter (Even If You’re Not ‘Artsy’)

You might think you’re being clear by saying things like:

• “I want a romantic vibe.”

• “I’m going for modern boho.”

• “Think Pinterest-worthy.”

But here’s the thing: what feels romantic to you might read rustic to someone else. “Modern boho” can mean soft and earthy with dried florals, woven textures, and a relaxed, romantic vibe — or it can mean bold and eclectic with rich colors, vintage rugs, and big statement décor. And “Pinterest-worthy”? That’s not a style. It’s a category that could contain a million different styles!

Mood boards cut through the fluff and help us all get on the same (beautifully curated) page.

How to Build a Wedding Mood Board That Works

Here’s what I recommend to my Ventura County and Santa Barbara couples:

1. Start With Vibe Over Venue

Before you start pinning photos of specific venues or floral arrangements, take a moment to ask:

“How do I want the day to feel?”
Is it effortless and elegant? Lush and moody? Coastal and casual? Words like these help guide the tone.

Then, I want you to write all that down. Use your notes app, or get a good ‘ol pen and paper.

2. Use Pinterest (But Use It Smartly)

Create a new board (don’t just use your old “Wedding Inspo” one from 2017 - you know the one. You made it in high school or college with absolutely no plans on actually getting married anytime soon? Yeah, it’s okay to change that now.) Pin 10–20 images max that really feel like you. Think:

• Color palettes

• Table setups

• Lighting or ambiance

• Florals and ceremony backdrops

• Bridal fashion and textures

Pro tip: if you’re booking venues in Ventura County or Santa Barbara, search for local inspiration using those keywords to get a better sense of what works with the scenery and climate here. (note - it can be deceptively cold, especially near the coast!)

3. Pay Attention to Repeats

Once you’ve gathered your favorites, take a step back and look for patterns:

• Are there consistent colors or materials?

• Do you keep pinning candles? Twinkle lights? Clean lines?

• Are you leaning more garden glam or editorial chic?

Those repeated elements? That’s your aesthetic talking. Listen to it.

What I Do With Your Mood Board as a Planner

Once you’ve created your mood board, it becomes our starting point—a visual guide to your dream day. But it’s not just something I glance at and file away. It’s a working tool we’ll build on together.

In our design meetings, we’ll revisit and refine it. We’ll talk through what you love, what fits your budget, and how hands-on (or hands-off) you want to be. Want to tackle a few DIYs and bring in vendors for the big stuff? Cool. Prefer to hand off every detail to the pros? Also cool. This is about figuring out what works best for you.

Your mood board helps us define a clear color palette, design a cohesive look that fits your venue, and style around key details you’ve already chosen—like your dress, season, or ceremony spot. I use it to recommend vendors who match your style, avoid mismatched decor, and make sure everything feels intentional from start to finish.

In short? Your mood board helps me help you—so we can bring your vision to life together.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Don’t stress—this is where we come in.

If you’re booking partial or full planning with us, we’ll design your mood board together during your built-in design meetings. It’s all part of the process. You’ll walk away with a cohesive visual plan that helps every vendor get aligned with your dream day.

Going with month-of coordination but still need help translating your vision into a mood board? We’ve got you. We offer an optional add-on planning meeting just for that purpose—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Either way, we’ll make sure your mood board feels like you, not just something pretty pulled from Pinterest.