Crafty Little Wedding Inspiration

Hugely massively (I'm sure I made up at least one of those words) exciting things are happening right now. Engaged & Inspired was already heading to all new heights of awesomeness with the launch of our newly-designed site, but things just got a whole. lot. better! The good news is that everything will be announced within the next month, and if you happen to live in or are planning a wedding in the Bay Area, you're freaking lucky right about now! Ok I have made quite the mystery sandwich which I don't really care to do too much, so I'll end it there and roll out all the awesome news soon. I have already talked about our Hand-Crafted section of The Inspired List that is coming soon, and vendors are welcome to apply for that by simply e-mailing for an application. If you have been seeing me around Pinterest recently, I have been up to a few things that I am gathering inspiration for right this very moment. I am on the look out for the best most-crafty weddings as well as some super chic home decor inspiration to mash into one beautiful finished project!

Here is a board I have created, perfect for a summer wedding, and perfect for those with an obsession to DIYing, recliamed wood, and total awesomeness.

Some Exciting News + A Look Back On The Past Year

I have been waiting a very long time to write this post, and today I actually get to do it. I am posting this as an inspiration and accomplishment of mine, something I am very proud of. In March 2010 I received an e-mail from an online lifestyle magazine asking if I would be interested in writing for their wedding section. I had never ever been paid to write before, so this was kind of a big deal to me. I didn't think I was good enough to get paid for writing of all things.

They paid me a tiny sum of $8 an article and I did 3 a week. (Which by the way, I slaved over for hours making sure they were perfect!) The day I received my first pay check was an exciting day because this was my own thing, not some 9-5 job paycheck. I started a bank account at that time and put my $8 per article in there and since I didn't think this would ever be a full-time job for me, I decided that one day I would buy something that I really wanted with it that I could be proud of because every dollar paid for it was from this little hobby of mine. Every single paycheck made from writing went into this account very diligently every week since the beginning.

I was lucky enough to continue to get job after job to the point where I was actually busy full-time with this little thing called writing. Obviously plans changed a little bit in October 2010 when I started freelancing full-time. But  aside from the fact that freelance writing was now my full-time job (which was an accomplishment on its own seeing as I got to say good bye to the good old 9-5) I still wanted my "writing savings account" so continued to add to it every week.

About a year and a half after that first $8 job, the idea behind it is still pushing me day after day. It was never about the money, but the fact that someone believed in me enough to pay me to add content to their site. This was such a new concept to me. And look at me now!

The thing I decided to spend my money on a while back was a new car. But not just any car, I wanted a sorta fancy awesome car that I totally loved. I wanted to drive around my car thinking, "my little hobby of blogging, got me this car". Well, on Friday, that dream finally came true! After months of researching tons of cars, going through a million senerios in my mind, and so on, I finally found a car that I wanted to call my own. It was sort of fancy and sort of awesome, and something that I could eventually give to Ian (he doesn't like flashy stuff, so white was out of the question) when I had babies and wanted to upgrade to an SUV. Everything about it was perfect and exactly what I wanted in all shapes and forms. And late Friday night, with Ian out of town and no one home at all, I bought this new car.

So, say hello to my brand new car!

I can't tell you how amazing it is to think that something I used to do for fun has actually been the only thing I can count on in my life (work-wise) and has always come through for me. I absolutely love the idea of working for myself because it puts my life 100% in my hands, and I know what I can do. I have come so far in a pretty short amount of time and it only excites me more and more for the next year and the massive plans I have!

Peach-Colored Inspiration

Peach is a new favorite of mine. Behind on the bang-wagon much? Yes, maybe, but this new found love of my has my all-consuming love as favorite color in any summer wedding palette. I can't even seem to pick a favorite photo from this bunch because they are all just way too amazing! Enjoy this lovely Friday inspiration to brighten your wedding planning life!

 

Peach 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Blogging Around The World :: Vintage Safari Shoot #19

I am so excited to be participating in another round of Blogging Around The World! Not only do I get to work with some of my favorite bloggers, but I get to feature this shoot that is far too incredible for words.

Make sure you click around the blogging world to catch the whole shoot in all its glory. I'm telling you, there are some to-die-for photos in this shoot.

Bubble Rock Studios :: Cap Classique :: The Unreal Bride :: Brancoprata :: Bijoux Bride :: Bridal Musings :: The Oceanside Bride :: Hey Gorgeous :: Sparkle and Hay :: Wedding Pickle :: The Perfect Palette :: Oh Lovely Day :: La Petite Coquin :: Brenda’s Wedding Blog :: Fab You Bliss :: Landlocked Bride ::  Bow Ties and Bliss :: A Paper Proposal :: Engaged & Inspired :: The Charity Wedding

I chose this photo because of the luscious details involved in this one shot alone. The florals are to die for, and the accessories create the perfect set of details for such a gorgeous color palette.

I couldn't help but ask to choose more than one photo, and since there were some extras, I was able to pick from some of the photos that were not being used! Every detail from the vintage keys, to the paper products to the table is just incredible. I love the scene that was created and I am especially loving this color palette of fall tones perfect for those getting hitched in the next few months!

I figured that since I was basically last on the Blogging Around the World line-up that I would post my faves....which obviously was really hard to narrow down!

Location: Out of Africa Wildlife Park and Along the Verde River, Camp Verde, Az | Coordination & Concept: Alicia French of The Charity Wedding | Event Design: KD Event Designs | Photography:  Fancy Fin Photography | Bouquet: Glamorous Occasions | Cake & pastries: Kick Ass Kakes | Invitations, Menu, Dessert Toppers and Hang Tags: Wedding Girl | Model: Dahlee | Makeup Artist: Sabrina Sweet Makeup | Hair Artist: Erin McDonald of Aveda Red 115 Salon | Gown: La Belle Reve | Jewelry: Genevieve | Cupcakes: Handmade by Alicia

 

 

Garden Chic Bridal Shower + Going To The Chapel

Today I am in Sonoma, CA getting ready for a wedding :) July 15th has finally arrived and we are celebrating the marriage of Melissa and Clayton. I thought this would be a good time to feature her bridal shower we had a few months back. On a pretty warm night we all gathered outside and cocktail-partied it up in honor of our bride! Enjoy all the details, as there are so many that you are going to love!

Photos by our fabulous friend (and my cousin) Cooper Falk :)

(I didn't make it into any of the photos due to the fact that I was overcome with sickness during the whole thing and had to sleep for a while before coming back! :( Sucks, I know.)

{Inspiration} Garden Chic Tea Party

My most favorite thing is getting e-mails from brides about design and details. This one came from Allison (@burlapbride) about a theme for her bridal shower. She was thinking Alice In Wonderand inspired and asked for some suggestions about how to pull off the theme without making it look too corny and little-kid-ish. So here goes nothing! As for the wardrobe, I am still loving every piece of this look from a Michelle March Shoot I featured a while back.

As for the inspiration board, I put together a sort of garden party chic look.

Credit: Invite, cupcakes, table number, centerpieces, place setting, teacups, chair, drink me, garden setting, tea

I love the idea of adding in a variety of pinks from fuchsia to blush as well as some robins egg blue and some other bold color highlights. One detail that shouldn't be overlooked at a tea party is the tea. These heart tea bags are the way to go!

Adding in enough tulle, ribbon, polka dot, and sparkle elements will be the deciding factor on making it whimsical. I tend to lean a little more toward "garden party" because I feel like that this is the one time when a table in the middle of the woods would fit the scene perfectly.

What do you guys think? Any other elements you would think to add to her inspiration board?

Psst: want me to draw up a little something-something for you too? Just e-mail me your thoughts and I will put something together for you!

Creative Escort Card Ideas

The thing I love more than anything is getting e-mails from brides. And luckily for me I get over 15 every day. I love hearing about the plans, the design ideas, the questions and of course the woes. I just hope I can help solve some of these problems that are just part of the planning process! I received an e-mail from a girl looking for escort card ideas. Oh escort cards, my utter favorite things along with table numbers. Why? Because if you get those right, you haven't gotten it all right. To put time and attention into something so small is only a representation of what the whole thing is going to turn out to be. Thus the importance of finding the most awesome thing you can.

Here is what I did:

My dad turned this armoire into the perfect escort card holder by adding those letters and the chicken wire. Not to mention, he carted the thing all the way down to Carmel and back up after the wedding. It now sits in our home holding books and records and awaiting the day when it turns into the armoire of the baby bean.

(PS: The keys, kraft paper tags and clothes pins are all for sale.)

So I guess it is no surprise that I love anything with clothes pins. Srsly, I'm obsessed. So these are all super awesome ways to display those awesome escort cards you have. Something as simple as stamping your initials, adding paper or fabric to them, or anything else simple can add a lot to the look.

Here are a few other ideas. The type writer keys are awesome, and even more awesome if you are doing a type writer guest book! And for those mason jars, I would do something extra which would be putting the name on the front then adding a stir stick to the glass with a little stamped number saying what table. Awesome.

Credit: My escort cards, lace, hearts, clothes pins, door, typewriter, mason jars

Obsessed With Reclaimed Wood

I have a full new obsession. These little box containers made of reclaimed wood are so so amazing that I can't stop looking at them. I actually have purchased a few from a consignment store that I am dying to use in a shoot or somewhere else amazing. I think these are the most amazing ways to display little decor or add little letters to spell out something really cool like "Welcome" or some cute saying.

And my love for reclaimed wood doesn't end there. This little "fork" dispenser is making me jealous. I want it right now! And of course I have always been a fan of the old frame situation. Wow, I didn't realize that this is reclaimed wood love was as strong as it is. And to think, I didn't even add it to my wedding all that much :)

And in the "serious" department I'm still in Chicago. Working away from Michigan Ave. No srsly, I am working, I promise...even if it is scattered with popping into a few stores just to see what's up. I gotta say, this must be what people feel like when they go into castles or museums or something. There is so much to see, these stores have EVERYTHING. We went to a Cubs/Giants game last night. These people know how to party :) I love the intimate feel of this place, like everyone is friends. It's awesome.

Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4

Bridal Shop Photo Shoot With Some Incredible Florals

Let's start this amazing post out with this lovely shot of hair and make-up!

My first obsession about this shoot is the amazing floral work. I'm dying for these wild flower, bright and bold-colored florals like you wouldn't believe. The concept behind the shoot for a newly-opened make up artist & dress shop in Oregon. This shoot offers some lovely details and some wonderful inspiration, especially those to-die-for florals.

:: see the entire gallery of photos ::

Photographer: emily g photography
Floral Designer: Floral Designs by Alicia
Reception Venue: Private Residence

Bright, Bold and Girly Inspiration :: Not To Mention Some Rambling

Thanks to my open call to brides to ask me anything and engage me in their wedding process as they wish, I have been spending lots and lots more time chatting and meeting with brides. I absolutely love it. That is why I am here afterall, and it is great seeing how I can help them with random pieces of their planning or design. The Lab Event is COMING ALONG! We are releasing one vendor at a time over the next couple of weeks, but the line-up gives me tingles. So much amazingness all in one place, now THAT is going to be worth seeing! Check out our pretty new website and follow along as we reveal more and more!

I have successfully put off a big project all week, which now needs to be done. So the day ahead of me doesn't feel all that inspiring at the moment. But you know what does? Spending the weekend with my husband before he leaves for two weeks, his fam, then my daddy...and doing some more floral work :)

I would be lying if I said I wasn't baby-happy right now. Like beyond. You have no idea the extent of it. I found this image of totally amazing invitations which I completely and utterly plan to facilitate for the baby shower. But talk about bridal shower love too.

My next obsession is those little mini cubbies. OMG I love everything about them. I have purchased SEVERAL already this week, but I want more. I freaking love those, and with those welcome letters. Dying.

Ok enough of my rambling, I'm off to one of my favorite consignment stores, oh ya, then work time.