The Engineer Pops the Question (and why a wedding stylist can be a lifesaver)

I’ve been a bit incognito the past two weeks and it’s because……(drumroll)….I just got engaged! It still feels surreal, especially considering I spent most of my life (save the past two years) very, very single.

Here’s a peek at the ring. I gave Thor (dynamic name, right?) very few specifics. The most important elements to me were the style (vintage) and stone (sapphire). I’ve always loved the color blue, sapphires and (if I’m honest) British royalty. Thor popped the question with the quintessential San Francisco view in the background. I loved every minute of it, cried in front of strangers, and immediately called my mom.

So now we’re in full wedding planning mode. Luckily, I have a secret weapon in my wedding planning armor. Her name is Alee. She’s a dear friend and incredible wedding stylist. What’s a wedding stylist, you say? Unlike a wedding planner, a wedding stylist is responsible for the overall aesthetic and creative vibe of the wedding. For example, maybe you want your wedding to have a Great Gatsby look and feel but you have no idea how to bring that vision to life. This is where a wedding stylist comes in. A wedding planner will help you budget, work with vendors, set a schedule, and make sure everything is delivered on time. A stylist helps you determine a creative vision for your wedding and guides you through the process of making that vision come to life.

Since I’m in planning mode, I recently chatted with Alee and asked her about the latest wedding trends she’s seeing this season. Specifically I wanted to know what pitfalls to avoid when planning a DIY wedding. Read our conversation below and be sure check out her website and Pinterest boards for more inspiration.

Can you tell us how you got started as a wedding stylist?

Alee: I’ve been working in creative fields for years, and styling weddings just fell naturally into my skill set. I love helping brides visualize a creative, cohesive vision for their weddings that they maybe wouldn’t be able to put together on their own.

What new trends are you seeing for this season?

Alee: I think what’s exciting about weddings right now is that brides are generally moving away from overly thematic events and returning to design and decor that is classic, simple, and beautiful. Brides are also leaning toward looser, organic floral design, which is gorgeous for outdoor or garden weddings. Honestly, the most important thing is that your wedding represents you, not just a trend. Being true to yourself never goes out of style.

This is a question for those of us who love DIY projects but may not be the craftiest person around. What trends are great for novice DIYers?

Alee: I would suggest only doing DIY wedding projects that you can complete well in advance. Leave the food and flowers to the professionals. It will save you so much stress on your big day. Creating fun, personal Save-the-Dates is a great, simple DIY project that you can design specifically to reflect your personality as a couple. Love music and/or the 90’s? You could create a wedding-themed mix tape with your wedding date on the label. Have a friend who can draw or paint? You could have them sketch or paint a picture of you and your true love that you can easily have printed as a postcard at a local print shop.

What tips do you have for brides who want a completely DIY wedding?

Alee: Doing an entire DIY wedding is tempting, but always keep in mind your personal skill set. Some DIY projects are very complicated and tailored to people with very specific craft skills. Don’t attempt a project that you don’t feel confident you can execute well. And don’t begin a huge DIY project the week before your wedding. If it turns out to be a disappointment, you won’t have time to fix it or move in a different direction. In addition, remember the value of your time. A complicated DIY project may save you money, but if you spend a hundred hours working on it, it may be more valuable to hire someone to take the project off your hands, especially in the final stressful days of wedding planning. Finally, make sure everything you craft fits in with the rest of your decor, and don’t clutter your wedding with a million DIY projects. Choose a couple big statement projects and stick to those.

What’s your favorite wedding DIY project? I’m in need of ideas, so inspire me!