Engaged & Inspired - Carmel Valley, California

Denise Leung

We found Michaela through Holman Ranch's preferred vendor list and we can see why! Michaela is super thoughtful, meticulous, and will only steer you in the right (and best) direction. Look no further than Michaela's IG for jaw-dropping, creative, and beautiful events. My only regret is not choosing Michaela for full-scale planning instead of the month-of package--which would have really saved me from morphing into a part-time bridezilla. Despite my extremely extensive wishlist, Michaela helped me execute everything with perfection. The wedding was so dreamy and she even stepped in to help me with vendor comms as the big day approached. Needless to say, if you're able to work with Michaela, do not hesitate to do so!! Her studio is also really stunning and has great options for those needing some inspiration, be sure to check it out!

Caitlin Steinebel

At this point, it's laughable. The wedding was lovely but not because of Engaged and Inspired. All of the past good reviews were either because the previous owner was wonderful or ,and I wouldn't put it past her, they are fake reviews from Michaela's friends. I would not hire her again and would not recommend her. There were many issues through out the full service package that I had purchased. Primarily, she sounds soooo confident and organized during our meetings, until she asks you a question to "confirm her notes" afterwards. Can you tell me how deciding on a Red Velvet tier cake with a Cookies & Cream sheet cake, sounds like "please order me a Coconut Mango Wedding Cake?"
First off, who would order that for a Wedding!
Michaela was also late to all of our in-person meetings, including the rehearsal dinner. She always had some aspect wrong.
I didn't care much about the color of the napkins, the set up of the tables, or the DJ. All I wanted was good food, beautiful florals, and for my friends and family to enjoy themselves. The food was good because we had a referred vendor that worked the venue's events extremely often. The florals were possibly the worst thing I've ever seen. Did not incorporate any of the requested flowers or resemble the reference photos she asked for. She apparently took "florals are a high priority" to mean "DIY" because she literally did them herself, that morning. When I saw them come in, I looked at them and looked away trying to tell myself to "trust the process". A word of advice.. don't trust the process, check them out first. Also now that I think of it, I don't believe she even actually talked to me the entire day of the actual wedding. Not even to say "Hi, I am here" or to check in. Anyways, although I could give you a 10 page list of all that Michael messed up, I'll leave you with this final item of business. I had put together 4 beautiful photos of my husband and I's passed grandparents to be placed on seats "reserved" for them. As my husband lost both of his grandfathers within a month just 90 days before the wedding. Michaela had to be reminded, literally by me, while the procession had begun to put them out. Because of this and because Michaela put them off to the side, my grandmother never even saw the photo of her late husband. She was then supposed to move them to a table during the cocktail hour. I never saw them the rest of the night but luckily somehow got them back the next morning.
I do not recommend this company as the quality has decreased immensely. She will mess up and lie TO YOUR FACE and then you still have to clean up the issue on your own.

Maura Cyrus

I don't think we could have pulled it off without Michaela! She helped with everything from picking out colors (Pinterest board and all!), staying on track with budget, recommending and organizing vendors, thinking about the flow of our events, etc. We had to move the original date due to covid so it was a lot of orchestration to get the venue, church, and all of the other vendors (band, flowers, rentals, photographer, videographer, photo booth, IT, etc.) moved over to a new date. We also had a ~165 person wedding that was a large event post covid so it was a lot to handle when everyone was dealing with a lot of new but our wedding turned out perfect! So thankful for Michaela! Highly recommend Engaged and Inspired!

Renai Yokoi

If you’re looking for someone to be attentive, punctual, detail oriented, and enthusiastic about your wedding day then……. Look somewhere else!

My experience with Michaela was quite honestly, the worst from beginning to end. I found her to be somewhat unprofessional in my correspondences with her before,during planning, and post wedding. I felt as though she was quite inattentive to us as a couple and as her clients. There were so many details with which I would say, she dropped the ball. On top of that I found her attitude to be poor, as if there was this sense of arrogance with her. I’ve never been married before, I truly wanted the magical experience of joyously planning my wedding with someone who at least acted like they cared and she just did not deliver that.

Would not recommend.

Edit:
I spoke with the other vendors when you mentioned that in our text conversations. Either everyone is saving face or you’re not telling the truth.

I can appreciate you replying to MY review. Now let’s see your responses to Loma Vista, was it? And the other bride who was dissatisfied. I’m not saying you’re a bad wedding planner Michaela, but I did not have the same experience with you that all the other clients have mentioned and that’s also something I said to you in our text. I have nothing to gain by fabricating my experience with you, everything I said in my review was from my point of view. I mean, I still have ALLL of our texts and emails. You were not as accommodating as you are painting yourself to be. Maybe your next clients will have a better experience, maybe they won’t. That’s all up to you.

But again, thank you for your services.

So we indulge in cannabis. BIG FREAKING DEAL!!! I peep what you’re trying to do there and See! It’s things like that, that remind me of how right I was about you.

Nicole Greos

I had the most wonderful experience working with Michaela throughout the wedding planning process. I can't recommend her and her team at Engaged and Inspired enough! She brought to life my vision for our wedding at Holman Ranch and it exceeded all expectations. We used her Full Service package and it was SO worth it. She managed my stress throughout the entire planning process and I didn't have to think about a single detail the weekend of our wedding. Another huge perk: She has great relationships with all the vendors in the Carmel Valley area (photographers, caterers, florists, etc).

Madeleine Gruber

I got married at Holman Ranch a few months ago and Michaela was outstanding.

Her attention to detail, ability to handle any situation, kindness, and joy made our day perfect. We were truly able to enjoy it because of how comfortable she made us feel knowing she had it all taken care of. She really is a dream planner/designer and everything went incredible. I would work with her for any event I have!

Stephen Liu

My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Michaela at Engaged and Inspired throughout the entire pandemic. Our wedding was at the Holman Ranch this past May. We chose the Partial Planner Package.

Our initial wedding date was in 2020, but due to unforeseen obstacles, we had to delay the wedding not once, but twice! An all too common occurrence for couples everywhere during the pandemic, we were fortunate to have had Michaela at our side the entire time. Even though we waxed and waned with our enthusiasm preparing for the same wedding year after year only to be let down by restrictions, Michaela was always there to reach out, help us make the best decisions, and touch base as the new wedding date approached.

We had meetings on the phone every few months, more frequently when needed, especially when the day approached or whenever something didn't go as planned. She always made time despite us coordinating from 3-hours ahead (EST vs PST), and helped coordinate a few things the day before as well as the day of the wedding. She went above and beyond our contractual agreement time and time again without ever asking for anything in return.

She loves her job and we hope she continues to help other couples to have their special day stress free. Her relationship with the vendors we worked with was fantastic from FiveStar catering to Chic Events to Holman Ranch, and multiple others as well including the transportation company.

We would highly recommend the Engaged and Inspired team.

Best,

Steve and Liane

Jeff and Lauren Neil

This review is long long overdue. My wife and I worked with Michaela at Engaged and Inspired in 2020, originally for a June 7th wedding day at Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley. Like so many other couples, we rescheduled our wedding due to Covid for September 10th 2020 and Michaela was so helpful in making sure all our vendors and contracts were in order for the reschedule. As September 10th approached and the pandemic continued, we decided we wanted to do a significantly smaller, socially-distanced outdoor wedding. Again Michaela helped us coordinate with all the regulations and vendors. Then 2 weeks before our new wedding day, regulations changed again and we had to re-plan nearly the entire wedding, moving the reception dinner to Bernardus with very limited time to spare. Not to mention Carmel Valley fires had everyone, Michaela included, evacuated from their homes the week before the wedding. Michaela was kind, understanding, and very on top of everything throughout the more-hectic-than-usual process. She also helped us design and coordinate our special day. We recommend Michaela without hesitation, she truly went above and beyond for us and we are so so grateful.