Creating a Mood Board: The First Step to a Stunning Event

Before the dress is picked, the guest list is finalized, or the cake is chosen, every stunning event starts with a feeling.

A vision.
A moment of inspiration that’s more heart than checklist.

At Cora’s Custom Creations, we know that behind every event—whether it’s a wedding, milestone birthday, or special celebration—there’s a story waiting to be told. That story starts with you. Your tastes, your culture, your memories, your dreams.

That’s why we encourage all our clients to begin with one powerful tool: a mood board.
And while we don’t create it for you, we’re the ones who bring it to life—detail by soulful detail.

What Is a Mood Board?

A mood board is your vision made visual. It’s a collage of images, colors, textures, and ideas that reflect the energy, vibe, and emotion you want your event to evoke.

Your board might include:

• Color swatches

• Floral inspiration

• Tablescape designs

• Fashion mood shots

• Venue ideas

• Lighting, fabric, or décor aesthetics

• Foods, fonts, or signage ideas

• Personal or cultural references

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be final. It just needs to feel right.

Mood boards can come in all forms. You might be tech-savvy and create a sleek digital board on Canva or Pinterest. Or you might have a folder of clippings, fabric swatches, or even a set of photos saved on your phone. We love it all. Because whether it's polished or pieced together, it's personal. And that’s where the magic begins.

Why It’s the Best Place to Start

We’ve been in the business long enough to know—when a client has a mood board, even just a rough one, it makes the whole journey smoother. Here’s why:

1. It Helps You Focus Your Energy

Planning an event comes with a million choices. A mood board helps you zoom in on what matters. It anchors your ideas so you’re not overwhelmed by too many directions. It shows you what you’re naturally drawn to and gives you confidence in your style.

Maybe you’re torn between two themes—modern romance and rustic chic. Your mood board might reveal that you love the warmth of rustic wood, but you’re also drawn to sleek metallics and minimalist accents. That combination? It might just become your signature aesthetic. And we’re here to help bring it together seamlessly.

2. It Bridges the Gap Between Dream and Detail

When you come to us with your board—whether it's a carefully curated digital collection or a loose bundle of visuals—we start connecting the dots. It gives us the creative direction we need to craft a day that feels just like you.

We’re experts in reading between the lines. A photo of a candlelit dinner in Italy might inspire a warm-toned reception under string lights. A snapshot of a Parisian café might lead us to create a cozy, bistro-style cocktail hour. We translate feeling into form, aesthetic into action.

3. It Speaks Louder Than Words

You might say “elegant” but mean “minimalist with soft romantic touches.” Or “boho” but lean more toward “bold and modern with a free-spirited edge.” With a mood board, we get to see what you mean, not just what you say.

This helps avoid confusion down the line, and it ensures we stay aligned with your expectations throughout the process.

4. It Sets the Tone for the Whole Team

Once we’ve seen your mood board, we can assemble the right vendor team that aligns with your vision. Whether you need a florist who thrives in neutrals or a cake artist who nails intricate designs—we’ll guide you toward the collaborators who can truly match your mood.

Everyone from the DJ to the lighting tech should understand the ambiance you’re going for. And with a mood board in hand, we can advocate on your behalf and make sure every detail sings the same tune.

What We Do With Your Mood Board

We don’t create your board—but once you’ve shared it with us, we roll up our sleeves and get to work.

✅ We Interpret Your Vision Thoughtfully

We’ll study your board and ask questions. What stands out to you most? What feeling are you hoping your guests walk away with? What’s the story behind the images that made the cut?

We want to understand not just the look, but the heart behind it.

✅ We Curate Details that Match

From linens to lighting, centerpieces to cake stands—we take the inspiration you’ve gathered and translate it into real, tangible elements. Everything we suggest will be rooted in the feeling and style you’ve shown us.

We’ll also help you balance beauty with budget. Just because your inspiration photos include grand installations or custom pieces doesn’t mean the vibe can’t be captured in more accessible ways. We get creative so your event feels full of soul, not stress.

✅ We Coordinate With Purpose

Once your mood board is guiding the vision, we become your creative coordinators. We’ll communicate with your vendors, match designs to budget, and help you avoid distractions that don’t align with your aesthetic.

This saves time, energy, and decision fatigue. No more second-guessing. If it doesn’t match the mood—we move on.

✅ We Honor Your Story

If your board includes cultural references, heirlooms, or personal inspiration—we celebrate that. We take great pride in honoring family traditions, meaningful motifs, and personal histories in ways that feel modern, respectful, and true to you.

Your event should reflect where you’ve been, who you are, and what matters most.

Don’t Know Where to Start? That’s Okay.

Not every client walks in with a fully-formed idea—and that’s totally normal. If you don’t have a mood board yet, we can point you in the right direction to begin:

• Pinterest is a great place to gather ideas (but don’t go down the rabbit hole too long!)

• Instagram Saves can be useful—just look at the photos you keep coming back to

• Color palettes from your favorite fashion, interior design, or nature scenes can be a beautiful place to start

• Family traditions, music, food, and travel memories often spark the most meaningful ideas

You don’t need a designer’s eye. You just need to listen to your gut—and trust your style.

We’re not here to judge or dictate. We’re here to listen, to interpret, and to make sure that whatever you dream, we deliver it with soul.

Your Vision, Our Expertise

Once you have your inspiration pulled together—even loosely—we’re here to help it blossom.

It’s your story. We just help write the chapters that sparkle.

Because at Cora’s Custom Creations, we believe event planning isn’t just about logistics. It’s about emotion. It's about joy. It’s about setting the mood so that your guests don’t just attend your event—they feel it.

"We may not built your mood board—but we bring it to life, one thoughtful, soulful detail at a time."
— Cora’s Custom Creations

Let’s Bring Your Vision to Life

When you’re ready to see your ideas take shape, we’ll be here to guide the process, bring the right people to the table, and execute your day with the heart and intention it deserves.

You bring the mood—we’ll make it magic.

📧 [email protected]
📱 @corascustomcreations
📍 New Orleans & surrounding areas