Blogger's Weddings: Engaged & Inspired

We thought this wedding would be a great way to kick off our second week of blogger’s weddings. It comes from Allison of Engaged & Inspired, who just got married this April! Everything about her wedding was drop-dead gorgeous — we especially adore the ceremony backdrop and the bridesmaids in their brightly colored cardigans.

Tell us a little bit about your blog and how you got started.

“I got started on Engaged & Inspired officially when I became engaged. I had wanted to do it for a long time, but after he gave me the ring, I told my web designer husband that this would be a great time to give me an extra little present 🙂 My blog.”

How involved was your husband in wedding planning?

“My husband does design so he was very involved in areas that he was needed in. All the invites, paper products, and other little items were done by him.”

As a blogger, you see tons of amazing inspiration daily. How did you narrow all that inspiration down for your wedding?
“That was very very challenging for me. I don’t think I actually know the answer to that question even now. I think it had something to do with what projects I actually completed and which I either forgot about or didn’t have time for. That was probably the true reason I was able to narrow down inspiration. I also trusted my vendors like crazy. On the day of I wasn’t even sure how to picture the wedding. When I first saw it, I was utterly blown away at the amazingness of the team, they exceeded every dream, inspiration photo, and every plan I had ever had in my mind.”

If you could go back and get married again (to the same guy, of course), are there any changes you’d make?
“hahahahaha probably too many, honestly. I totally forgot about stir sticks, I would have loved super awesome ones. Little things like that, nothing major, but there are definitely a few more touches I would have loved to add.”

Lots of brides are on tight budgets nowaways. in your experience, what are three things that are important not to scrimp on, and what are three things that could go? any other budget tips?
“I was one of those brides. I wouldn’t skimp on the photography, those little touches that make the day magical, and for me, it was the venue and the dress. I skimped on a lot of the traditional aspects for sure. I did TONS myself to save money here and there. And I skimped on transportation, cake (though they turned out amazing!) and videography. The major budget tip I can give is to think your budget is at least $5k less than it really is. And tell everyone that. If you are working with $20k, think it is $15k, plan for $15k and tell your vendors that it is $15k. Since brides are known to go over budget it is nice to have a buffer near the end.”

Wedding planning can turn a lot of perfectly normal girls into emotional wrecks! Any advice you can give for how to stay balanced during wedding planning?

“Embrace the crazy and realize that you are kind of a big deal as a bride. I was that girl 100% and I didn’t do well with it, so if I did have any advice I wouldn’t take it if I were you. I turned into a nut case!”

If you did a lot of diy or thrifting for your wedding, do you have any tips or favorite sources?
“I did TONS. I didn’t really have any “resources” but every time I looked at a photo I decided to DIY it and then googled how to do it. I didn’t go searching through those DIY sites for new projects.”

Tell us a little about what you’re doing now, and what your hobbies are (other than blogging)
“I’m noticing myself getting more and more into planning for babies, nurseries, baby showers, etc. 🙂

“I don’t know why but I seem to get sucked in. I have also continued to be a major crafter and now make custom DIY projects (not very many….but I am increasing the number each day) for other brides. I find it to be a super fun way to continue to stay creative, but this time helping other brides. 🙂 It is definitely a hobby, but I am having fun with it.”

Thank you so much Allison!!

Photographer: Jason + Anna Photography
Cinematographer: Matt Cross
Florist: Floral Theory
Event Design: Engaged & Inspired
Event Planning: Shannon Leahy Events
Venue: Holman Ranch
Wedding Invitations & Paper Goods: DIY
Vintage Rentals: Milk Glass Vintage Rentals
Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet (“Uma”)
Bride’s Shoes: Chinese Laundry

Meredith

Despite her dreamy wedding blogger lifestyle, Meredith's day job is running ClassicVeils.com and a full-time mom to an active toddler. If she could, Meredith would spend her days taking cruises, helping animals in need, and watching Big Brother!

sheelbeel says:

August 14, 2011 at 8:15 am

I love the way you hung up all the name tags like that – so cute!

Meg says:

July 25, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Does anyone know how to make the sign hanging behind them at the ceremony site?

Natalie says:

July 13, 2011 at 8:48 am

Love those bridesmaid clutches- any clue where those came from?

Emily Heizer Photography with Flair says:

July 12, 2011 at 10:38 am

Beautiful! My absolute favorite thing is the colors in her bouquet- all of the color accents. They are just stunning. I really love the book pages on the tables. That’s something I would love to do, but I really think it would break my heart to destroy a book so I don’t think I could do it!

What does the signage say behind them at the ceremony site? I think I know what is says but could someone clarify? Is it give me our forever? Give me your forever? Or something else?

blue elephant photography says:

July 12, 2011 at 7:38 am

oh my gosh her wedding is lovely! love all the details! i even love how the altar was set up! gorgeous dress and even more gorgeous brides. and i love the cake!!!