Your Map: Picking the Perfect Icons

If you are like many of my clients and you are in the market for a map, you might feel some anxiety or confusion about what points of interest to put on your map. One of my couples in particular even went so far as to send me a breakdown of their conversation about their map. It was so hysterical, it brightened my day and I have to share it, if only so that I can provide guidance about the maps and maybe elicit a chuckle or two from my readers:


Blair: “We need to think of fun things we like to do together to put on the map for save the dates. What are our interests?”
Ryan: “We have lots of interests!”
B: “Like??”
{Insert solid minute of awkward contemplative silence}
R: “We like to ride bikes.”
B: “Ryan, we’ve never ridden bicycles together before. I haven’t been on a bike in at least 5 years.”
R: “Um… Well… We like to go to London together… and we like hiking…”
B: “We’ve only done both of those once. And I don’t really know how to put Phoenix next to London on a map.”
R: “Skiing and snowboarding?”
B: “Again, not so fitting on a map of the desert.”


"There was also a long diatribe about how the hobby “going out” basically translated to “we like to drink”, and how it probably wasn’t very classy to highlight “Hi! We’re Blair and Ryan! We’re getting married and we like to booze it up!” on a wedding-related event. Probably not fitting for a blog, but thought you’d appreciate nonetheless. "

This conversation went on for a good 5 minutes back and forth .... But commissioning a map for your wedding {or other occasion} is a great way to create a cherished piece of art, and it can be expensive, so it is good to talk about what to put down on your map and think about what is meaningful to you.


In Blair and Ryan's case, they are very into a map however they aren't really having a destination "wedding weekend," so they were very unsure about what icons to put down other than the church where both the ceremony and reception were taking place. Just because your event is not taking place over a period of several days doesn't mean their aren't other icons you should denote.


For example, where are your favorite places to eat? Many of your guests will probably come from out of town and in that case even if you aren't having specific events they will be in town for several days and need to know where to eat, other than their hotel room service.


Main hotels, especially those you've booked block rates at should all definitely be put on the map.

Where is the rehearsal dinner? If you aren't inviting everyone to the rehearsal, perhaps don't label it rehearsal dinner but put the location name and icon on the map anyway.

Where is your honeymoon, or your hometown, and where did you go to college? It's fun to mark these with a small icon and arrow pointing in that direction.

What are the main tourist attractions? Especially for those not taking part in your big day, they need to know where to go to have fun. Do you have a favorite beach, shopping area, or park?

Other than the wedding, what things are important to you, individually and as a couple? Two of my couples have been very much into tandem biking so we put a little bicycle a deux on the map for them. One of my couples met in law school and for the compass we put a little scale of justice.

Where do your most treasured memories take place? Put down where your first date was, your first kiss, and where your FH proposed.


All of these make a map special. If you have ideas about icons be sure to put them down when you order, but that in itself can be confusing. If so, we can help figure it out for you. Hopefully, this will help you make your keepsake map more special, and even more cherished!