Last spring, Cory Sargeant Boehr, founder of Sargeant PRand her future husband Christian Boehr welcomed guests to their backyard wedding in California. Cocktail attire was the dress code, but she soon began receiving confused texts from her guests.

“Knowing each other – we’re both very interested in design and I’ve organized events before – it was clear that it would be a little more sophisticated than a typical garden party,” Sargeant Boehr admits. The couple met on Craigslist, where Boehr, a furniture dealer, was selling a mid-century dresser that caught her eye. “Our outfits and decor had a ’60s feel, so a lot of the inspiration came from that era.”

To ease her nerves, Sergeant Boehr, like many other brides, turned to Pinterest and created a “Wedding dress inspiration” board to help point attendees in the right direction. It’s themed around the day’s theme and features a mix of runway photos, street style shots and celebrity red carpet images. The page was so successful that it was even mentioned in a wedding speech on the big day. “It was so sweet that they could be part of the whole experience, they all pulled it off really well,” says Sargent Boehr. “And I think it put them at ease knowing they knew what to expect.”

A photo of Brigitte Bardot was posted on Cory Sergeant Boehr’s Pinterest board “Wedding Dress Inspiration.”

As more couples move toward a more unique, personal wedding, it’s becoming more common to see invitations with an unusual dress code—or, in Sargeant Boehr’s case, a classic dress suggestion for an unconventional event. With these changes, a visual guide makes it clear to guests what the couple means by “garden formal” or “bohemian casual.”

“Pinterest data shows that there is a growing number of boards dedicated to wedding guest attire. Since last year, board creations on the topic of ‘wedding guest attire’ have increased by 95 percent,” says Sydney Stanback, Global Insights and Trends Lead at Pinterest. Similarly, searches for “wedding guest dress code” have increased by 75 percent and searches for “wedding guest style” have jumped by as much as 150 percent. It seems that couples who create boards to provide guidance to their guests are also looking for clarity.

For MBA student Dana Giordano, an upcoming wedding in the mountains of Utah means the chance to create a unique experience: spending a Friday on the slopes, followed by a welcome party. For both events, she recommends vintage ski sweaters. On Pinterest, she created a “Vintage Ski” Table for guests, inspired by Sweater by Dale of NorwayFur coats and retro suits, and the aesthetic was an instant fit.

While some couples agree on a dress code that is largely inspired by Instagram (Wedding Content Creator are a new role that is on the rise), Giordano clarifies that choosing a theme was a way for her to bring guests together in the moment. “I wanted to be very intentional about making people who don’t know each other feel like they’re all part of the same wedding,” she says. “(The dress code) isn’t meant to make people who couldn’t come feel guilty.” She and her partner also plan to make custom bandanas so everyone can recognize each other on the mountain.

While a visual reference offers an easy way to approach a kitschy theme, it can also help guests understand how to dress for a wedding that encompasses cultures other than their own. For example, content creator Meeka Hossain’s wedding was a fusion one—her husband is Jewish, she is from Bangladesh, and the theme was “desi attire and black tie with a twist.” At the top of her mood board reads, “No white, black, or red. Don’t spoil the mood. *Black suits are the exception.”

Hossain explains that Bengali weddings are a celebration of life, where the bride wears red and guests traditionally wear neither black nor white. For her Mood boardshe decided to showcase a mix of western and desi options for women and men, from stills from Bollywood films to western-style runway photos. “A few guests have asked me if it’s cultural appropriation to wear desi clothes,” she adds. “But I think if you’re invited, wearing desi clothes is more of an appreciation of the culture than cultural appropriation.” Using diverse imagery, she wanted to convey exactly that message.

Hossain sees the mood board as a way to make sure guests feel comfortable and, just as importantly, included in the festivities. “In my circle of friends, people love a good theme,” she explains. “This was definitely one, but it’s broad enough that it doesn’t exclude anyone. It felt personalized, in keeping with our story, and the guests felt included in our story as well.”

For all the positives a mood board can offer, there is one downside to watch out for. If you’ve already decided on an outfit, be careful – it might spark a desire to do a little shopping on impulse. “People were inspired,” says Sargeant Boehr. “They weren’t planning on buying a new dress, and it inspired them to get something new.” Think of it as another good luck charm for the bride’s wedding.