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2 Reasons to Visit StudioWed in September: $200 off Your Wedding Video + More

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Every month is a great way to visit StudioWed Nashville, especially if you need help planning your wedding!  From helpful workshops to intimate vendor showcases, there's always someone there to help you every step of the way.

This month is no different. StudioWed has another themed Open House in store for you, plus a super giveaway!  Here's the scoop:

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StudioWed's September Open House: An Opportunity to Meet Nashville Videographers One-on-One

Join Mary Alice and Leigh and their team of videographers at the StudioWed Videographer Open House on September 14th.  The Open House is from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. and will feature some of Nashville's top videographers.  This is your chance to get to know the creative forces behind FocalPoint Cinematic and McNeal Wedding Films.

Specially for brides who attend the Open House, if you book one of StudioWed's videographers either that night or by September 28th, you will receive a $200 credit for additional upgrades to the package of your choosing.  RSVP here to attend the Open House.  Here's a taste of their videography skills.

FocalPoint Cinematic Weddings on Vimeo.

McNeal Video on Vimeo.

 

Bride Emergency Kit Giveaway

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All Nashville brides who visit StudioWed this month will be entered to win this awesome Bride's Emergency Kit by My Mojuba (Mymojuba.com), which contains everything you could possibly need on your big day to avoid any of those snafu's or wardrobe malfunctions. 

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For details on how you can win this emergency kit, check out StudioWed's Blog.

Posted by Tabitha | Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events0 comments »

Nashville Brides Should Know…Amy Lynn Larwig: Fresh, Fabulous Bridal Makeup

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Some brides tend to not make hair and makeup a huge priority in the wedding planning process - I know I didn't. But boy am I glad I squeezed out the extra money to get my makeup done by someone other than myself because it was well worth it.  Your face is going to be photographed from all angles, all day long both from a distance and close up.  While it's not a huge expense, professional makeup can be a neglected detail and I encourage you to really do your research and find a great makeup artist.

My interview today with Amy Lynn Larwig will help you jumpstart your search for a bridal makeup artist.  I've seen girls who have had their makeup done by Amy, brides of all skin tones and hair color and they all have, without fail, looked spectacular.  Let's get to know her a little better, and be sure to check out her portfolio video at the end of the post!

Nashville Wedding Resource Spotlight: Amy Lynn Larwig

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Pictured: The famous Amy Lynn; Photo by Kristyn Hogan, lifestyle photographer

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Picture courtesy of Daniel Meigs Photography (DanielMeigs.com)

Number of years as makeup artist: 8.5 years

How did you get started in weddings? By accident. I didn’t want to do weddings originally. But I got asked by some photographer friends of mine, so I tried it out and kinda fell in love.

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Picture courtesy of Gregory Byerline (GregoryByerline.com)

What do you like most about weddings? Everyone is happy! It’s a fun occasion and I’m around during the girly time, so the mood tends to be light.

What’s your favorite wedding picture and why? 

The first part of my promo video showcases a bridal shoot I did with Chris & Adrienne Scott. I loved this shoot. The bride has such a presence. She let me have free range to do what I wanted, so I pulled her hair back to keep it simple and easy to maintain. And added some silver shimmer to her lids to really light up those blue eyes. A soft pink lip and cheek kept the look romantic and fresh.

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Picture courtesy of Chris & Adrienne Scott (ChrisandAdrienneScott.com)

What is your service philosophy? I create clean, modern looks that fit you. Each face I work on is personalized and made to fit your unique style.

What are your strengths compared to others in your category? What sets me apart from other vendors, is the attention to detail. Before a brush even touches your face, a ton of questions about your skin, makeup routine, and wedding have to be answered. All these elements are pulled together to customize a look. Each high end product used has been tested personally by me and is applied with the utmost precision. Once the look is complete and you feel great in it, it’s all written down on a face chart and pictures are taken to ensure continuity on wedding day. There are other details included to make sure the beauty portion of your day is an experience, not just a task.

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Picture courtesy of Evan Baines Photography (EvanBaines.com)

Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors?

Chris & Adrienne Scott (ChrisandAdrienneScott.com) -  This couple not only creates images that will melt you, but they are an absolute joy to be around. They make the experience such fun and really pull YOU out.

StudioWed - Technically, not a vendor, but a tremendous resource for brides and a great place to meet and talk about your wedding.

Chef’s Market - By far, the most amazing catering in Nashville. Beautiful food, and everything is delicious. They really take the time to build the perfect meal for your event and tastes.

The Bride Room (thebrideroom.com) - These women make each bride feel as if her day is the most important one ever. They get to know their brides individually and are so super sweet.

CJs Off The Square - A beautiful venue that makes planning your wedding a complete breeze. Amy and CJ are great listeners that take into account every detail of your dream day. They are super organized and definitely know how to get things done.

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Picture courtesy of Zach Goodyear Photography (ZachGoodyearPhotography.com)

What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends?  I read the local wedding blogs. I also keep up with fashion magazines to see the upcoming trends. Zink is probably my favorite mag for fashion/ makeup.

Is there a wedding trend that you love?  Casual, fresh looks. Loose tousled hair and clean, young makeup. Lots of pinks on the cheeks, bright eyes, and soft lips.

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Photo Courtesy of Evoke Photography

Which wedding trend are you tired of seeing?  The vintage thing. Red lips are pretty, but they tend to be hard to maintain. Especially during, “You may kiss the bride”.

Is there a trend that you are glad is gone?  In the words of a hairstylist friend of mine, “Deep fried updo’s” Crunchy curls pinned up prom style.

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Pictures courtesy of Google.com

Which trend are you sad to see leave the scene?  A lot of brides are letting go of false lashes, which breaks my heart. I think even the most natural pair just give such an “umph!” and everyone looks good in them.

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Photo courtesy of Jonathon Campbell Photoraphy

What are your favorite wedding websites?  I'm really jamming on custom made hair pieces. They are a fun way to add some pizzaz to your wedding ensemble. Anything by Jessica Frame (HeadlineofFluffandFringe.com)

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Custom headpieces by Jessica Frame. Pictures courtesy of Chris & Adrienne Scott

Etsy has some great stuff too, such as Bridal Couture - etsy.com/shop/bridalcouture or Tallulah Opal (etsy.com/shop/TallulahOpal)

What advice would you give to brides on the wedding planning process in general?  “It’s just not that serious."  This tends to be my advice for life in general. Some brides spend all their time fretting over the perfect shade of green, or the precise amount of flowers in their bouquet, or the height of their bridesmaid’s shoes. They lose sight of the reason for this celebration in the first place…. You are getting married! When you find wedding planning becoming overwhelming, keep in mind that the number one priority is starting your marriage together.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?  “I can do my own makeup.”  This is HORRIBLE! You might do a great job on your makeup for work and hanging out with friends. But makeup for camera is a whole other beast. It takes special products and techniques to look good in professional pictures. It makes a world of difference in the end result of those images.

Amy Lynn Larwig, Makeup Artist. from Mark Brown on Vimeo.

Posted by Tabitha | Filed under: Health & Beauty , Wedding Resources0 comments »

Fantastic Flipbooks - Unique Retro Entertainment for Your Nashville Wedding

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Remember when you were little and you tried to make your own flip book of a stick figure walking or a plane flying? Ok maybe that's just me but I've always loved the concept of flipbooks. That's how cartoons were back in the day and I thought it was just the coolest thing! 

When Ashley and I saw the Fantastic Flipbooks (FantasticFlipbooks.com) booth at the bridal show I (confession) squealed a little because it just took me back! What a retro adaptation of an old school innovation! It was high-tech back then and now that it's 2010 Fantastic Flipbooks has managed to take it to a whole new level.

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Fantastic Flipbooks will transform a 10' X 10' space and electricity into a great activity that will keep your wedding or party guests happy.  This is sure to put a smile on anyone's face and it's so easy to do.  Plus, the cute books are a great momento that will serve as a party favor that will not get trashed!  Ashley and her niece enjoy flipping through the books of complete strangers (because they are so much fun to just see) so imagine how much fun one featuring you and your bff would be!

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They describe the process like this: "We start by taking sixty super-fast pictures of people being fabulous in our booth. They can dress up, perform a skit using our props, be silly or sweet or just flat out crazy. Then in less than two minutes, we print and assemble a cool take-home video (no batteries required) in a paper flipbook. You can even add a message or graphics on a custom cover."

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The books can also be customized - They will "work with one of our designers to create a custom cover that matches the theme of your event. Include logos, names, dates or pictures - just about anything you want! We can also have a personalized message scroll across the bottom of the pages like a news ticker."

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If you're interested in having them at your wedding, definitely give them a call or email them at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  Definitely visit FantasticFlipbooks.com to watch a demo video, and to find out more details on how it works and what your options are!  This really would make an awesome favor that you and your guests can take home and enjoy for a long time.

Posted by Tabitha | Filed under: Details, Design & Florals, Guests, Gifts & Favors0 comments »

Having a Fall Nashville Wedding?

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Let's breathe a huge sigh of relief as we welcome in the days of fall.  It's not here yet, by any stretch but if you close your eyes you can almost ALMOST feel it.  With the kids off to school and the cooler evenings come the gorgeous colors of nature - rich yellows, reds and oranges.  We're excited about the upcoming season change and if you are having a fall 2010 or 2011 wedding, we know you are too!

What are you planning for your fall wedding?  We'd love to know why you chose autumn and what you're planning.  Just leave a comment below and share all the details.  

Need a bit of inspiration? Designs in Paper's blog on Fall Color Trends got us thinking about the vibrant, beautiful color themes of a fall wedding.  We took their trend chart and pulled a few fall favorites from our Nashville Wedding Inspiration Gallery. Some may fit the vision for your wedding day!

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Oranges, peaches, corals

There's something quintessentially fall about reds and oranges. Maybe it's the squash and pumpkins we're getting ready to carve or the color of the mountains as the tree leaves change their colors setting the hills ablaze.  The deep hues give weddings a beautiful tone, a more relaxed feel that warm and inviting. 

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Ravishing reds

Fiery, passionate - red will always be a color or romance.  Roses, sexy red lipsticks, red shoes peeking out from under the white dress ... a classic wedding color.

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Perfect purple

Purple is a delicious pop of color without being too in-your-face.  It's grown up, it's chic and it it's hot for fall.   Goes great with browns and greys, it's also a great complement color to the other basic fall colors of oranges, reds and yellows.

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Are you planning a fall Nashville wedding?  We'd love to see what fun things you are doing with your color palette! 

Still need ideas?  Visit our Inspiration Gallery.

Posted by Tabitha | Filed under: 1 comment »

Friday Favorite Blog - A Wedding Day Captured by The Collection

Friday, August 27, 2010

I had the pleasure of meeting Erin Lee of The Collection a while back and thought "she must be SUCH fun as a photographer."  Brief background on Erin, she used to play drums in a band (I heart drummers), and she also photographed musicians when she lived in Chicago!  In my humble opinion, I think it takes a really talented eye and skill to take pictures of musicians in action and her talent shines through in her wedding photography - her ability to capture the little details and really get a feel for the joyfulness of the day. I could go on but rather than read my thousand words, wouldn't you rather look at Erin's pictures?

Since The Collection is one of newest preferred photographers, we thought we'd share one of their weddings, to give you a taste of their wedding style and skill.  Happy Friday everybody!  

Featured Blog From The Collection: Michelle & Ray's Cedarwood Wedding

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Michelle and Ray’s wedding was one of the most intimate, most enjoyable weddings that I have had the pleasure of photographing in Nashville, and I say this in spite of the fact that Michelle became trapped in traffic and was two and a half hours late. Thanks to efficiency of Historic Cedarwood and the amazing attitudes of Michelle Ray, we were able to get all of their wedding photographs done in considerably less time than normal.

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As you can see, Michelle and Ray are two of the most fun people that you’ll ever met and I cannot express how thoroughly I enjoy them.

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One of the bridesmaids made these adorable place cards.

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Michelle and Ray like so many others in Nashville are here for school. Ray is currently enrolled in school and planning on teaching at West Point. Impressive? I don’t think that anyone at the wedding actually lived in Nashville and because of this, it felt like one big reunion.

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Another beautifully done wedding by Historic Cedarwood.

Michelle and Ray, you are wonderful and I can’t wait to photograph your after session!

-Erin Lee

These were such awesome pictures. Cedarwood is a gorgeous location and this looked like such a fun wedding!  All the pictures were by Erin Lee of The Collection. Please do check out more of her work as well as more great photography by Krystal and Erin on The Collection's Blog.

Posted by Tabitha | Filed under: 2 comments »

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