First Taste

Tomorrow we are going to our first (and hopefully last) catering tasting! My fiance Derek and I are big foodies so naturally we want to serve the best wedding food on the planet. Derek took the lead on researching caters and has convinced me that Heirloom LA is the way to go. I am so looking forward to trying their signature Lasagna cupcakes.

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Their tray passed appetizers look unreal.

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Stay tuned next week to hear how the tasting goes! Have you done your catering tastings yet? Any tips on what to look out for?

 

Taking It All In {Wedding Week}

It's here! Our wedding week is here! At this point, it doesn't seem real! The event that we have been talking and planning for months is now here and I am just supposed to be relaxed and "take in every moment"?!  My family and friends will know how hard this will be for me but I am going to try!

Obviously, the most exciting part is marrying my best friend and the person who makes me laugh on a daily basis, Eric! I can't wait for our first look to see how handsome and happy he looks!

I thought I'd post some of my favorite inspiration photos through the wedding planning process!

 

Chevron Touches:

chevron cakes

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Outdoor Ceremony:

Outdoor Ceremony

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Grey Bridesmaid Dresses:

Grey Bridesmaids

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Romantic and Soft Flowers:

Romantic Flowers

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It's been a blast posting on Engaged and Inspired and I can't wait to share all my wedding day photos with all of you!

xoxo

Jess

Let's hear it for the girls! {over-the-top flower girl dresses}

Warning: this blog post involves not one, but two humble-brags. 1) I have two ridiculously adorable flower girls: the daughters of our close friends. And they are at just that perfect age of ALL PRINCESS EVERYTHING, so no flower girl dress is too over-the-top. Sequins? Duh. Feathers? You betcha! Tulle? Obviously.

2) My previously mentioned crafty mother has graciously accepted the task of hand-making these flower girl dresses! So, we get to design them together!! My mom is an incredible seamstress, and while regular school play costumes were de rigueur around my house, my mom also tackled more substantial projects like my kick-ass prom dress. So, yeah...she's pretty legit.

Humble brags aside (fine...they were mostly just brags!), my mom and I are on the hunt for adorable and inspirational flower girl dresses that are unique, fantastical, and totally over-the-top. Here are a few of my favorites:

 

Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

DIY Wedding by Anita Martin Photography

This wedding is a DIY bride's dream. It is filled with countless details each an infusion of the couple's style. Get those pin buttons ready to go as you are going to need them for this fabulous DIY California wedding!

"Charming, rustic, and very DIY backyard wedding in Orangevale California, at the groom's childhood home! Beautiful fall details and color in this perfectly intimate wedding. Ashlynn and Charlie met in San Diego. They planned a backyard wedding at the home of Charlie's parents. The couple had a first look under Willow trees that Charlie remembers planting when he was young. Ashlynn incorporated many family heirlooms/personal details into her wedding day: The maid of honor, bride's mom, aunt and future mother in law and bride spent a few days working together to make batches and batches of homemade jam for our wedding favors. Charlie and Ashlynn handmade all of the nail and yarn table numbers, wooden signs, bunting, vases...most of the decor. Ashlynn's grandmother made them a wedding quilt that has events in our lives and relationship on it and also sewed the bunting banners, the bridesmaid's purses, and personalized hankerchiefs for each girl! The couple had a type writer as their guest book, which belonged to Charlie's grandpa's who passed away a few years ago."

Photographer:  Anita Martin Photography
Floral Designer:  Ambience Floral Design

Steps to Sample Sale Success

Ohh check that alliteration in the title. Snazzy, right?Gosh I think I'm clever. Ok, ok time to get down to business. You've probably heard it all before but one of the easiest places to save some money when wedding planning is on the dress. But how? If you're anything like me, you've watched just about every episode of Say Yes to the Dress and have drooled over all the beautiful, high priced gowns they showcase. I had heard a few success stories from girls who had chosen to go the Sample Sale route but honestly, I was very weary of that. My initial thoughts were the limited options, lots of people, and the thought of settling based on a good deal. But even with those negative thoughts running through my head I decided to give it a shot and I'm so glad did!

These 6 steps are why I think I was successful at finding my dream dress at a sample sale and I hope they'll help you too:

1. Attend sample sales that takes appointments

2. Go to stores that carry dresses you like and may normally be out of your budget

3. Make your appointment on the first day of the sale (if possible)

4. Go in with a clear budget in mind

5. Have a good idea of what you're looking for

6. Be ready to buy

Shopping for a wedding dress is such a fun and exciting time. Enjoy yourself and if you're looking to save a little money know that there are options out there for you to do just that!

Did you attend a sample sale? What was your experience?

Showering the Bride {themes}

When I was home over the holidays my cousin offered to host a bridal shower for me! I am beyond excited that I will get to have a shower in my home state and get to see so many of the ladies who will be at my wedding a few months later. The next thing she asked me was what kind of shower I wanted to have, themes, etc. And to tell the truth, I had never thought of this before...I mean I know showers have themes and their own unique flair, but I had never thought about how mine would be. I will be happy with some great ladies around me, a fun game or two, and something to eat and sip on. But, of course, I started some searching to get inspiration. Whether you are planning a shower for someone or looking forward to your own, it is fun to look at all the creative ideas.

Being a lover of perfume, I think this Coco Chanel, French-themed shower is pretty darn cute. And before you start thinking that this is way too over the top - Yes, it is a 'shoot' (not a real shower), but adorable nonetheless.

Guests could mix their own scents.

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I don't think I was a Girl Scout long enough to be qualified for this shower, but wow, so awesome!

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How about this tiki-themed shower. So fun!

These ladies did flower arranging.

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Love the how they took the traditional pink flamingos and turned them gold!

And here we have a 60's-inspired fete.

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Are you having a 'themed' bridal shower? Did you do something related to your wedding?

{DIY} Getting Crafty With Wooden Flatware

It is so easy and totally fun to get creative with this wooden flatware. The options are endless depending on your color palette or feel for a given event. I originally made these for dessert takeaway boxes but have since used them in a few different places. Thanks to Kara Miller Photography for photographing this lovely DIY.

Step 1: Tape in any pattern you like. Then spray!

These were even easier, if that is possible! I used stamps to stamp the pattern on. Seconds later, you are done!

Enjoy :)

Going Postal the Pretty Way

As we get close to sending out our Save the Dates, I have been looking for ways to jazz up our mailing (and cut some corners). An address stamp seems to be a must these days and luckily Etsy has so many wonderful customized options to choose from.

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

Sources: 1 & 2

 Of course cool postage is also on my mind. I found tons of amazing vintage postage on Ebay, Champion Stamp, Kenmore Stamp Co. and Invites by Jen. I am usually great at finding deals, so the though of paying double the price just for a pretty stamps if hard to justify.

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

 Luckily and surprisingly to me the United States Post Office actually has quite a few unique stamps to choose from, so I think I will probably end up going with one of the following options.

Source: USPS.COM

How did you get creative with your mailings? Do you know a great resource for reasonably priced vintage stamps?

The Lab iPhone App is Here!

I know we have unofficially announced this, but today, for real, our iPhone app is officially LIVE and up for grabs! Download it here.

For the past I don't know how many months I have been working on this little project of mine. And finally, it is time to share it with the world. As I said in my last post, I am oh so very serious about helping brides connect with the perfect vendors for them. Finding vendors doesn't have to take as much time and stress as it currently does. This app was created to eliminate this insanely time consuming process and make it easier than ever to find your perfect fit.

See something you like while at the event? Easily favorite the vendor who created it, or better yet, send them an email right then and there to ensure you don't forget to get in contact with them. We have it all, and we want to share it with you brides! Not going to be able to go to The Lab? No problem, you can still look through all the portfolios of our fabulous vendors! Download it here.

The Lab Event is just a handful of days away! Engaged or know someone who is?? This event is something you won't want to miss. Get inspired, find your vendors and have way too much fun. Get your tickets now.