The internet is a vast and endless resource, with everything you’ve ever wanted to know just a simple online search away. When it comes to weddings, there are many fantastic websites offering tons of tips, tricks, ideas and pictures in an interactive and informative blog.
Millions of people browse these great blogs every day, searching for advice and ideas for their own weddings. What may be forgotten with the anonymity of the internet is that there are real people behind these blogs, and we want to give these people the opportunity to get to know the masterminds behind it all.
The Budget Savvy Bride
Jessica Lehry Bishop founded the Budget Savvy Bride in the spring of 2008 as a way to start planning her own wedding. Using her naturally budget-savvy mind, she decided to start a journal to keep track of expenses and notes to facilitate the planning process. This quickly turned her blog into a fantastic resource for other budget-conscious brides, drawing thousands of readers per month. The Budget Savvy Bride offers tips and tricks that prove that it is possible to have the beautiful wedding you’ve always dreamed of no matter your budget.
1. What is your favorite part about working in the wedding blogging industry?
I love that I get to do work that I am interested in and that helps others. It’s rewarding to know that in a sea of over-the-top wedding inspiration and unattainably perfect styled photoshoots that the content that we share is practical, actionable, and helpful to brides who are looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing style.
2. What trends do you see coming up in 2014?
Is saving money a trend? 🙂 We’re seeing more readers on our site than ever, so I’d like to think that this new group of brides are more budget conscious! In general with lower budget weddings, traditions and ‘rules’ seem to be left behind as well. I think more than ever brides are really focusing on what feels right to them and not what is necessarily ‘expected’ at a wedding. I think it’s refreshing and allows couples to add more personality to their day.
3. Describe your favorite memory or story related to a wedding.
My favorite wedding memory was our ceremony. My husband and I wrote love letters to each other prior to the wedding day and our pastor read excerpts from them during the ceremony. It was wonderful, personal, and emotional!
4. Why did you start your website?
I really began the site as a planning journal for myself! These were the pre-Pinterest days, and I needed a place to gather and collect my inspiration, ideas and thoughts. A blog seemed like the perfect outlet to document it all, but I never imagined how many brides would find it to be helpful to them as well!
5. When you’re not blogging about weddings, how do you spend your time?
My background is in graphic design, and I do a bit of freelance work when I can. In my free time, I love exploring NYC, seeing movies or shows, and spending time with my husband and our two rescue dogs!
6. How has creating such a successful blog affected your life?
I’m really thankful to have been given some really fun opportunities as a result of running The Budget Savvy Bride. I’ve done some TV and radio appearances, and I’ve worked with some awesome brands! The biggest thing that has changed in my daily life is that I can now work completely for myself and devote a full time effort to running, managing, and growing the site.
Learn more about Jessica and The Budget Savvy Bride.
The Offbeat Bride
Ariel Meadow Stallings created The Offbeat Bride in January 2007 as a way to promote her new book. Slowly, the website evolved into a diverse community, featuring alternative and quirky wedding ideas for couples looking for something a little more non-traditional. Today, The Offbeat Bride draws about a million readers per month, each looking for inspiration and ways to really let their own personalities shine through their weddings.
1. What is your favorite part about working in the wedding blogging industry?
The fact that my every-day involves non-stop stories about amazing, creative people celebrating their love and commitment with their communities.
2. What trends do you see coming up in 2014?
Bridezilla is out, bridethulhu is in.
3. Describe your favorite memory or story related to a wedding
I had the honor of crashing a reader’s wedding last summer. I had such a blast getting to know them, that I went on to hire them to help us remodel our house (they’re both architects).
4. Why did you start your website?
To promote the release of my book, Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides.
5. When you’re not blogging about weddings, how do you spend your time?
Dancing, walking, gossiping, or playing with my son.
6. How has creating such a successful blog affected your life?
It’s enabled me to not only support my family, but also help support the families of my staff. It’s a responsibility I take pretty seriously.
Learn more about Ariel and The Offbeat Bride.
Green Wedding Shoes
Green Wedding Shoes was started in October of 2008 after Jen Campbell realized there was a need for a wedding blog geared towards creative, fashion forward couples like herself. Today, the site is managed by Jen and her husband, Jason. Jen and Jason initially met at work, but quickly realized that they were meant to be so much more than just coworkers. Hailing from Los Angeles, the couple uses their Southern Californian roots for inspiration throughout their blog. Today, Green Wedding Shoes is an immense database for all couples seeking pictures and ideas for all aspects of love, from engagement and wedding photos to honeymoon and baby ideas.
1. What is your favorite part about working in the wedding blogging industry?
I love all the relationships we’ve made. We work each day with some of the most creative and passionate people out there.
2. What trends do you see coming up in 2014?
Weddings are becoming much more intimate and couples are spending more time on fun details for their guests including great food, unique venues and creative florals.
3. Describe your favorite memory or story related to a wedding
My favorite memory is from my own wedding! I loved the hour before the wedding where Jason and I spent time exploring our venue and taking fun photos with our photographers.
4. Why did you start your website?
After our wedding, I realized there was a need for a blog to focus on the fun creative weddings that I knew were out there and weren’t getting showcased (there were only a few wedding blogs back in 2008!). I also wanted to help couples know that it’s ok to throw the type of wedding they wanted – not what they thought they had to do. It’s your day! 🙂 I love sharing all types of weddings on GWS – from elopements on a mountaintop, to a carnival weekend wedding to glamping weddings to backyard DIY weddings. We showcase so many different types – and always with amazing photography! – to help inspire those planning their weddings – or just dreaming of weddings.
5. When you’re not blogging about weddings, how do you spend your time?
We have a 11 month old daughter and love spending every free minute with her! We also love traveling, cooking, going to concerts and exploring Cali as a family.
6. How has creating such a successful blog affected your life?
The best part is that Jason and I are able to work together again and from our own home. Running your own business is a lot of work – you are always working – but you can work on your own schedule and from wherever you’d like to whether that be home in LA or traveling to the islands.
Learn more about Jen and Green Wedding Shoes.
