Let’s have a real talk moment, shall we? It’s about Pinterest vs. Reality. Brace yourself.

 

After 15 years of planning weddings in Los Angeles and owning Anything But Gray Events, I’ve learned that the biggest disconnect couples face isn’t between florals or flatware—it’s between expectation and budget. And a lot of that confusion is fueled by the beautiful but often unrealistic world of Pinterest vs. Reality when it comes to weddings. Couples dive down into the rabbit hole of social media inspiration, not fully understanding it’s not all real.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to make your dream wedding match your real-life budget, this blog about Pinterest vs. Reality is for you.

Pinterest vs. Reality: Social Media Isn’t a Price Tag

 

Let’s be clear—social media is inspiration, not reality.

So much of what couples are saving, pinning, and swooning over isn’t even real. Literally. AI creates a growing number of wedding images online—digitally rendered scenes that look stunning but never existed. Others come from styled shoots, which are predominant in the wedding industry, as wedding-themed photoshoots designed to showcase trends, are inspirational but do not serve actual clients. This is where the concept of Pinterest vs. Reality comes into play.

These shoots often skip logistics entirely:

• No guests to seat.
• No catering to anticipate.
• No family drama or dynamics to consider.
• No timelines to stay with.
• No budget restrictions. (Probably the biggest factor of them all!)

They’re curated for photographers, publications, and yes, your Pinterest board. They’re meant to spark ideas, not serve as ready-to-execute plans. The florals might be real, but no one’s paying to refrigerate them for 12 hours or move them between the ceremony and the reception. Styled shoots are where the rules (and often the costs) don’t apply.

So when you fall in love with an image, go ahead and save it! But then, let’s have a real conversation about what it would take to translate that inspiration into your wedding day in a way that works for your vision, values, and budget.

The Expectation-Budget Gap Is Real

Couples don’t struggle with dreaming big. They struggle with connecting those dreams to actual dollars and cents (make sense?). And honestly, that’s not your fault as an engaged couple looking for wedding inspiration. We, as wedding professionals and publications, create this inspiration to entice you. The wedding industry rarely educates openly about pricing because it’s easier to sell a fantasy than to manage expectations. That is where hiring wedding professionals to educate and guide you through the process really comes into play.

But I’m not here to sell you a fantasy—I’m here to help you build a celebration that is rooted in reality, rich with intention, and beautiful in all the ways that actually matter.

 

So What Do Weddings in Los Angeles Actually Cost?

Here’s a reality check:

• That lush floral ceremony installation? $15,000–$25,000+.

• That “simple” tented reception with café market lights? $22,000+ once you factor in rentals, labor, permits, and backup weather plans.

• That luxury wedding photographer all over social media who is documenting your special day? $10,000–$20,000+.

And none of that includes your venue, catering, entertainment, photography, or planning. Not to mention, your location, guest count, vendor team, and level of service all matter—and in LA, where everything is elevated (including costs), it’s even more important to have a seasoned planner who can guide you through it with transparency. Adding the word “just” or “simple”, as many couples do, to your description of wedding desires doesn’t make them cheaper. It’s your expectations that need to shift to make that dream a realistic reality in many cases.

Here’s What I Recommend Instead

1. Start with your actual budget, not what you hope it might be if you find a “deal.”

2. Prioritize your non-negotiables: what truly matters most to you? Is it the food? The music? The design?

3. Bring in a planner early—yes, like me. A seasoned planner translates your ideas into an actionable, realistic roadmap. We help you understand what things cost before you’re in too deep.

4. Stay open to interpretation—that Pinterest photo is a mood, not a mandate. Let’s take the feeling and make it yours.

5. Be FLEXIBLE – this might be the hardest lesson of them all to learn and put into practice. Compromise can be the solution to many wedding-related challenges if you are flexible enough to consider it.

The Bottom Line of Pinterest vs. Reality

Your wedding isn’t a contest or a content opportunity. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of your love, your values, and your people.
When you plan with clarity and collaboration, and a little (or a lot) of honesty, you end up with something even better than Pinterest: a wedding that feels like you.

So the next time you fall in love with an image online, ask yourself: “Do I love the look or the feeling it gives me?” Need help translating your vision into something that feels grounded, gorgeous, and achievable?

Let’s ditch the confusion and create something incredible—together. Inquire here or drop me a message. Your dream wedding doesn’t need to be a mystery—it just needs the right guide.