zengaged

Founder Institute + zengaged = <3 was the tagline I used in my video application to the Founder Institute, a LA based startup accelerator.  Corny, I know, but it’s fitting for a wedding technology company.  In the end, it worked!  I was accepted, and as of today I am officially a Founder Institute graduate.

I honestly couldn’t be happier, or more exhausted.  The program was grueling, cut-throat almost.  45 companies went in and 14 came out.  But, it’s those odds that make me honored to have made it through. 

Our semester consisted of 4 months of intense dedication to lectures, company building exercises and group meetings.  But, the real benefit came from the shared success model, where both mentors and colleagues take a stake in the future of your company.  Ultimately, it created a community of collaboration…exactly what an early-stage startup needs to succeed.

I know I am only at the beginning of creating a lasting and meaningful company.  But, the Founder Institute gave me the tools and the road map to do it.  Which is great news for all my supporters, because it means we are that much closer to seeing zengaged in the market.

Keep checking the blog for updates on our progress.  We’re working hard on our launch so you don’t have to work hard at planning your wedding.

xoxo,

The zengaged Team

More and more brides forgoing the use of a full-time wedding coordinator, making wedding blogs the source of guidance for a new generation.  There are literally thousands of them out there, touting their advice.  Here are five of our personal favorites.

Style Me Pretty is the product of Abby Larson’s (@abbylarson) shabby chic style and grace.  If this blog was a character on Sex In The City, it would be Charlotte York.  Timeless, traditional, flawless and always on point.

Wedding Chicks, founded by Jocey Canrinus and Amy Squires (@weddingchicks) is a blog that inspires brides to plan unique, thoughtfully designed weddings.  Their modern take on the classic wedding is inspirational.

100 Layer Cake (@100layercake) is a creative collaboration between friends and fellow designers Jillian, Kristina and Amanda.  Basically they are the cool girls you always wanted to sit with in 7th grade.  Their site offers comprehensive wedding planning guide including hand-selected vendors, projects, resources, and products.

Daily Candy Weddings East Coast Editor, Jordan Blumberg (@jordan1217/@candynewyork) is the classic city girl.  Her posts are so very hipster and focus on music, tech and everything important to an “It Girl” bride.

Huffington Post Weddings is an amazing resource.  Lead, in part, by Associate Editor, Stephanie Hallett (@stephhallett), it is a mix of inspiration, guidance, and editorial banter.  I love Stephanie’s thoughtful posts on issues associated with engagement, rather than just wedding planning.

These are just a few of our favs.  Who do you love, listen to and live for?

With 79% of brides using the internet to plan their nuptials, it’s not shocking that there is a new slew internet startups marrying weddings and technology.  But, deciding which one to use is almost as difficult as deciding on a dress.  So, to save you some valuable time, we’ve highlighted the top trending sites, blogger’s darlings, and our personal favs.

Lover.ly, a visual search engine for weddings, is the clear favorite among bloggers.  Kellee Khalil, Founder & CEO, has received praise from thought leaders in tech scene, including The Next Web’s Courtney Boyd Myers, and TechCrunch’s Leena Rao & Jordan Crook.  Some attribute Kellee’s “it girl” status to her press maven sibling, Leila Khalil, who runs Be Inspired PR, a boutique agency based in Los Angeles specializing in public relations for the wedding industry.  But, we believe it’s Loverly’s flawless execution that has put them at the top of the pack. 

Coined as the “professionally curated Pinterest,” Loverly pulls together top bridal content producers to help users discover, search and share wedding related content online.  But, Loverly is not just about the pretty pictures.  Brides can like, bundle, share and shop based on images that inspire them.

Wedding Lovely is your online wedding consultant.  Founded by designer extraordinaire, Tracy Osborn, this beautifully crafted site gives you advice, inspiration and access to a slew of adorable and indie vendors, all on your unique timeline.  Guidance is delivered through your inbox, so you decide where and when you want to plan. 

Touted by Swiss Miss founder, Tina Roth Eisenberg, this is definitely the artsy kid on the block.  In addition to their online services, they also offer the WeddingLovely lookbook, highlighting the beautiful work of their hand selected vendors.  It’s impeccable graphic design make it a page turner.  Be sure to check out their sister sites, which include WeddingInviteLove, WeddingPlannerLove, WeddingPhotoLove, WeddingVenueLove, and WeddingVideoLove.

We couldn’t end this post without mentioning our good friend and partner-in-crime on the Wed Tech scene, Brittany Haas.  As Founder & CEO of Happily Ever BorroWED, Brittany offers brides rentable designer bridal accessories in her curated e-boutique.  She understand that “brides no longer value the one-time wear item,”  and is planning on branching out into bridal gowns, flower girl dresses, and other special occasion attire.

We’re not the only wedding enthusiasts who love this idea, Brittany made it to The Next Web’s “Artully Disrupting I Do” list by Lian Amaris.  If you’re a budget (or socially) conscious bride, this is one of the first places you should visit.

In the end, the bride is the winner, with a slew of amazing companies ready and waiting to help her plan her wedding.  We couldn’t include everyone here, so if you’ve stumbled upon an amazing little gem, leave us a note in the comments.