I wanted to sit down and write a blog post about the process of submitting weddings for publication because it seems that most brides these days almost expect to see their wedding featured somewhere, either online or in print.  And while I always do my best to get my clients’ weddings featured somewhere, the reality is that it is HARD WORK to get a wedding submission approved for publication these days!

Since I began shooting full-time in 2012, the submission process has gotten more and more competitive.  Blogs that I’ve followed + loved for years are becoming increasingly more picky about the types of weddings they are accepting and the wait time to even hear back about a feature submission can be 6+ months.  It’s not uncommon for weddings to be featured 8-12 months AFTER the wedding date… especially in print.  It is a long, frustrating process that – unfortunately – doesn’t always culminate with a “yes” answer.

Editors are looking for more than just “pretty” when it comes to the weddings they choose to feature.  They want to see lavish, over-the-top soirees with never-before-seen details that will give their readers fresh new ideas.  So if you really want to see your wedding featured somewhere, I highly recommend forgetting about Pinterest.  Let your wedding planner, designer, florist, and the rest of your creative team listen to your ideas and create something totally unique for you.  THAT is how you will get published these days!  Whatever you see on Pinterest has already been done… and these publications want to see something new + completely personalized.

With that being said, if your wedding is not picked up for publication, that does NOT mean that your wedding was not an incredible event!  It also doesn’t mean that your wedding wasn’t “good enough” and you definitely should NOT feel bad!  Editors are inundated with a TON of “pretty” weddings every single day.  I’m talking hundreds per day at some of the top wedding blogs!!  So editors want to see something that stands out against all of the other submissions and unfortunately in today’s editorial world, “pretty” just doesn’t cut it sometimes.  It’s so sad, but it’s true.  And it has NOTHING to do with you, your taste, or your design.  It’s just that these editors see the same color palette, same style wedding dress, same florals, same venues decorated in the same way, over and over again.  There are only so many blush weddings that they can feature without their blogs + magazines feeling stale!  And there’s NOTHING wrong with having a blush wedding!!  If that’s your style and what you envisioned… GREAT!!!  I’m sure it will be beautiful and everything you ever dreamed… but just try not to get your feelings hurt if your wedding doesn’t get picked from amongst the other THOUSANDS of blush weddings being submitted each year.

I write this post, not to discourage my brides, but to set realistic expectations.  Being published is fun and it’s always great to see my clients’ dream weddings featured online or in print… but for those weddings that don’t get picked up for feature, IT’S OKAY!!!  You are not alone!!  Your wedding was surely fabulous, exactly what you envisioned, and the happiest day of your life… and THAT is what is important.

Now, if you want a few tips on how to get published, I have a few things you should consider:

• Use Pinterest for inspiration ONLY; do not simply copy ideas that have already been done.  Taking an idea and making it completely unique + personal will help your wedding stand out from the crowd!
• Trust your wedding planner + designer.  Give them as much creative control as possible.  You hired them for a reason – let them bring your vision to life!
• Think outside the box and incorporate meaningful traditions into your big day.  The more personal, the better!
• Try mixing + matching your decor pieces, utilizing fun linens, creating unique experiences for your guests, and stay away from trendy color palettes. Remember – the goal is to stand out!
• Consult with your photographer in terms of location choices, lighting, and what will (and won’t) photograph well.  You may be surprised at how much of a role the lighting plays in your photos… and consequently in your ability to have your wedding published.
• Details, details, details!  Your chairs, linens, table settings, napkins, florals, place cards, invitation suite, signage, cocktails, lounge areas, lighting, seating charts, guest book, favors, cake, jewelry, dress, shoes, bouquets, boutonnieres, color palette… these are all places where you can showcase your personality + uniqueness!  Give extra thought to your details and make them special.

Here is also a post with a few more tips + tricks that may help!  I hope this was helpful and reassuring to you all.  But let’s remember this VERY important thing: at the end of the day, you’ll leave married to your best friend and THAT is what really matters.