Today we’re featuring a Q & A with the darling Desiree Hartsock! Best know for her season on ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” where she met her husband Chris Siegfried, Desiree is an incredibly talented wedding {& love} extraordinaire. She just published My Fairytale Wedding: Planning Your Dream Wedding Without Breaking The Bank, and even though I have been married 7+ years, I read it cover-to-cover. It’s a gorgeously unique wedding planning book that, in all honesty, has inspired me to plan a vow renewal! ♥
Courtesy of Facebook.com/OfficialDesHartsock
A little background on Desiree – she grew up in Colorado and attended The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising – where she developed a passion for design and the bridal industry. Desiree now resides in Seattle, WA with her husband and soon to be baby boy.
Courtesy of DesireeHartsock.com
Q: You mentioned your love for weddings and gown design began in fashion design school. Who is your fashion icon?
A: I love effortless boho looks, even if I can’t pull them off myself, so I would say I’ve always loved Nicole Richie’s style.
Q: Since you and Chris met on the Bachelor, I think people assume your wedding was covered by the show – is this true?
A: Chris and I didn’t have our wedding televised so the show had nothing to do with the planning or budget of our wedding. Since we were paying for the wedding ourselves we had to budget accordingly and decide together where to allot certain things. That is why I talk about brides on a budget in my book (a B.O.B) and how to stay focused on the priorities over the fluff that cuts into costs.
Q: What was it like planning a wedding in the public eye?
A: Aside from the public witnessing our wedding day style and moments in pictures, there was even more pressure due to my wedding industry experience. With years of experience I started to put pressure on myself to make the right decisions and go the right direction with style, for what other people would like, and I quickly realized that we wanted a wedding that spoke to the heart of who we are as a couple. Once I could focus solely on what we love and how we would like the wedding to look could I make decisions much easier and without any stress or confusion. In part, going through my own wedding planning inspired me to share what I learned in the book as well.
Q: What was your wedding style (classic, contemporary, vintage, etc.?)
A: Our wedding style was definitely more natural with a touch of romance. Chris and I really wanted to keep the vibe pretty laid back for all of our guests to feel comfortable and feel like us. The leafy floral arrangements and venue chosen were all done in part to bring the wedding style together.
Q: I’d love to know your BEST wedding day moment?
A: The best moment on my wedding day was when I stepped foot into the chapel, where our ceremony took place, and seeing Chris for the first time. It’s unlike any other time you see your husband to be and will be a moment I will never forget.
Q: Did any hiccups happen on your wedding day? How did you handle it?
A: The wedding day itself seemed to go pretty smoothly- or I just had a really great team behind me to where I didn’t notice, but there were a few snags on the days leading up to the wedding. My parents flew in from Houston and a few days before the wedding my dad was showing me the suit he bought to wear and that’s when we realized his pants weren’t on the hanger! Since our wedding was in California we needed to find a suitable pair of pants asap so we had to take three hours of the day just finding a pair of pants that would kind of match. Since it was last minute they couldn’t be altered/ hemmed so the night before the wedding I cut and hand stitched the hem of my dad’s pants. Also a sign I wanted the flower girls to carry as they walked down never got pressed out and there wasn’t time so I had to ditch that idea last minute. Really, nothing happened that made me worry or get upset which I’m thankful for.
Q: What has changed since becoming a wife?
A: I don’t think anything has really changed to be honest. The only thing that might feel different is a deeper bond and commitment that allows for a better perspective through all of life’s ups and downs.
Q: I loved that you shared what happens after getting married and tips to retain some of the wedding day costs. Many people have been surprised to know I actually sold my dress to a local wedding consignment shop when we returned from our honeymoon. I’m dying to know – did you keep yours?
A: I think it’s a great idea to get some money back for a dress, especially if you can use that money to benefit a marriage or new life together. I actually still have mine hanging in the closet. I’m not sure yet what I want to do with them but it took me about a year to ever get them cleaned from the wedding. We will see.. maybe turn it into another dress?
Q: I can’t end the interview without mentioning your new arrival coming soon – a baby! Congratulations! Any thoughts on writing a book to document this next chapter?
A: Thanks! We will have to see how it goes but you never know. :)
Embroidered ivory lace cascades down the bodice and into a full skirt of blush tulle, creating a subtle shade of barely-there pink…- MaggieSottero.com
Courtesy of MaggieSottero.com
Throughout her life, Desiree has loved and appreciated fashion, design, travel, weddings, athletics, and the never ending ways to obtain a healthier life. Her hope is to inspire and help others with their wedding planning needs while creating a community that builds each other up by offering topics and contributors that all women can relate to. – DesireeHartsock.com
In addition to her blog, DesireeHartsock.com, her book, My Fairytale Wedding, and her Maggie Sottero collection in 2015, Desiree also developed an online wedding guide, The Aisle Files, with celebrity wedding planner, Sheena Kalso.
Courtesy of Facebook.com/OfficialDesHartsock
Let’s be real, Desiree is not one to mess around. She found her passion and created a career out of it and that is the ultimate #Girlboss goal. Whether you’re in the market for wedding advice or not, we can all learn a great deal from her – on how if you really love something – you write about it, talk about it, and go for it. Bravo, my friend. I applaud your infectious ambition!
Now here’s the deal, as I mentioned, I have been married for 7+ years. So why would My Fairytale Wedding be of any interest to me? Well, let me tell you…the book is absolutely amazing – the layout, topics and illustrations immediately captivate your attention. I read it in a day (no joke) and have shared it with so many people. It left me craving my very own nuptials…again. I always wanted a wedding on the beach…and with her ‘Bride on Budget,’ tips, a Smith Wedding (part 2) is definitely happening.
Is there really anything like a love re-inspired? ♥
My Fairytale Wedding is perfect for both the bride-to-be and the couple looking to renew those cherished vows. I urge you to pick up a copy for yourself, your sister, best friend, etc. (btw it’s prime engagement season so definitely pin the image below!)
Courtesy of Facebook.com/OfficialDesHartsock
XoXo Portia