Copying other creative ideas has never been cool. This principle also applies to the field of weddings - you should not copy the style and approach to work of others working in the industry, nor imitate other couples' weddings 1:1. Get inspired, yes! Borrow some details, yes! But to do all this so that your wedding is unique and different from the original source of inspiration.

The vicious circle in copying

Photographer Nadja Kraukle /  Baltic Wedding states that, in her opinion, excessive copying or imitation in wedding photography is a very current trend.

"In my opinion, everyone in Latvia copies each other. Perhaps this is because people are still looking for their own style and as a result are inspired by each other. I believe that we lack professionals who would stand out with their special handwriting.

It is often the case that all photographers go to one or two master classes and then apply what they learned there step by step. Those who are more interested in it and can afford it, go to master classes abroad, but those who are not, copy those who have been there - it becomes a vicious circle.

Of course, someone copies better, someone worse, but in my opinion, individuality and uniqueness are missing. However, I think in general, there is no "right or wrong" in wedding photography for a long time, it's just that Latvia is so small that similar trends in both image processing and color filters can be seen, for example, Instagram . Consequently, those photographers who use a different approach to image processing are different," observed Nadja.

Do not copy industry leaders

Wedding decorator and organizer  Iluta Piternika /  MintDeco indicates that wedding decoration is one of the areas where copying is most visible.

1. First, because this mistake is made by the decorators themselves, wanting to imitate the leaders of the industry;
2. secondly, because brides demand it, pointing to the work of other decorators and saying that they want exactly such decorations.

"In such situations, there is only one question - will the decorator decide to one hundred percent imitate the work of another professional, or will he create his own interpretation, aware of the wishes of the bride.

Of course, every decorator is honored if the bride refers to his work and wants to see something similar in her wedding, however, young decorators should think about how to develop their own professional handwriting and vision, which is a great need.

Undoubtedly, wedding fashion changes faster than clothing, but even though trends in wedding fashion dominate, they must be combined with each person's own special handwriting," says Iluta, who once also experienced a situation when, seeing the decorations in some wedding photos, she was convinced that it was her work, although it turned out that someone had exactly imitated it.

Copying the bride is not considered a compliment

Not only wedding professionals do not like that their work is imitated, but also the brides themselves, who have already said their vows, find such behavior tactless. For the most part, couples devote a relatively large amount of time to planning a wedding and take this process in general very personally, therefore, imitating their own wedding is most often not perceived as a compliment, but as a painful experience.

"My husband and I planned our wedding in Paris for almost a year, paying attention to the smallest details. Of course, many couples get married in Paris, but when I found out that our acquaintance was going to do it on our inspiration just a couple of months after our wedding, and also hired the same wedding photographer, I felt unpleasant and betrayed," says the bride Linda.

To avoid such situations, one must understand the fine line between inspiration and imitation.

Some valuable tips so that no other bride steals your special occasion:

1. When planning your wedding, be inspired by other weddings, but don't copy them. Make your wedding unique by creating and adding elements that are unique to both of you.
2. In the wedding planning process, keep the details to yourself. Any situation can be left or every question can be answered with "we haven't decided yet".
   

3. Don't put all your ideas on Instagram or other social networks, on the other hand, Pinterest mood boards or inspiration boards are created so that they are not visible to others.
   

PHOTO: ANDRIS SPROGIS, JĀNIS RATNIEKS , NAIRA KOSYAN , LINDA LAUVA , OLIVIER DE RYCKE