Thursday, March 1, 2012
If you can't wait to partake in the March Madness college basketball frenzy, this month might pose a few challenges. There are so many not-to-miss wedding planning events! But with a solid action plan, you can attend events, meet wedding pros, buy your gown and your wedding decor (at a steal), and still kick back and enjoy as many basketball games as you'd like!
Here's our guide to upcoming bridal events. Unlike any other time of the year, this month will be chock-full of once-a-year bridal events, a month I'm affectionately calling "March Wedness". (Others are required to source ABG if you want to use this term!).
THE Details!
March 3 - Cedarwood Style Show
If you haven't yet finalized your wedding location, this would be a great Saturday to do so. Cedarwood is hosting a style show. It's primarily to showcase great style ideas for their current brides. But, if you haven't secured your wedding venue and seek an incredible outdoor space, plan to from 3-5 pm. You missed the RSVP date but I'm sure that if you are seriously interested in their venue, they'd be glad to add you to the list. (But contact them today!)
For details, click here.
March 4 - Here Come the Brides Bridal Show
I've never attended by I plan to stop by and check it out. Sorry, I can't give you insight into the show but I am excited to see what it has to offer Nashville brides and grooms. If you see me there, say hi!
Meg - I attended the show last year and compared to others, it is a bit small. But in a good way! As you step into the large room you get a feel for the layout. Typically set in a horseshoe, with with the stage in the middle, you can meander around or cut across, or take a break by the stage. I was in the midst of my planning when I went, but I had met Cathy (one the show producers) and she had encouraged me to attend. It really was fun, because the producers love doing this. They have fun with the fashion show and with having the attendees join in competitive games on stage - you could win great prizes for your wedding!
For more details, click here.
March 10 - Whole Weddings, a Bridal Show at Whole Foods
I'm really excited about this show. With more and more of us exploring the green way to live, I look forward to seeing what Whole Foods has to offer for weddings. I spoke with Linda, the event organizer, and she informed me that Whole Foods offers cakes and desserts, flowers, and catering for weddings and events. Tabitha and Meg, our ABG bloggers, swear by there desserts, especially those made with all natural dyes. While I'm not a green thumb or an all natural girl (just yet), I will be sure to check out their cake just for you! Hey, I'm a team player and duty calls.
The show promises to showcase all that Whole Foods offers for your wedding but they've also invited other eco-friendly wedding pros to showcase, from stationery to wedding planning. It will take place at their Green Hills location which is easy to get to. I hope to see you there.
For details, click here.
March 13 - Ashley's Wedding Planning Camp: Your Values, Vision + Budget
I know. You've heard me say it but my camp is one event this year that you should attend. I've invited expert wedding pros and newlyweds to help you plan your wedding the right way. There is NO other wedding planning class offered in Nashville but mine. You owe it to your relationship and your finances. My camp will help you reduce your stress, focus on your marriage and help you hire your wedding team like you're a pro.
At this first class, we will help you commit to your true values, discover your wedding vision / style, create and prioritize your wedding budget so you know what to spend and what not to spend. We will also be at our first location, Noah Liff Opera Center. If you attend all three nights, you will get a look and feel for three amazing venues.
For details, click here.
March 15 thru March 17 - Bridal Bargainista, for Bargains on Wedding Decor
We'll share a full details on this event next week but for now, be sure to register to attend (if you are a bride) and clean out your storage closets (if you are a newlywed or wed vendor looking to say goodbye to your used wedding goods).
This is the bargainista's first wedding consignment sale in Nashville but based on their sold-out show in Memphis last year, you should plan to attend with me.
For details, click here.
March 17- Goodwill Wedding Gala, for Bargains on Dresses
The Goodwill Wedding Gala is a great place to shop for the following: your wedding dress, rehearsal dinner dress, second dress for your reception, bridesmaid or mother of the bride/groom dress. Every dress is priced to sell, under $400. Some gowns are pre-owned, others sample gowns or brand new from bridal salons. Already have your dress? Shop the discounted accessories, from veils to shoes.
For details, click here.
March 20 - Ashley's Wedding Planning Camp: What Your Money Buys + Tips for Hiring Your Dream Wedding Team
This week's camp will take place at the Nashville City Club, which gives you an opportunity to tour it if you are still seeking a venue. The panel will be completely different than the 3/13 event and the topics discussed will change too.
For details, click here.
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March 27 - Ashley's Wedding Planning Camp: How to Hire Your Dream Wedding Team (Part 2) + Smart Ways to Do It Yourself
For our third, and final evening, we will continue to discuss hiring your vendors. You're giving your budget to them and trusting them to create your perfectly imagined day - make sure you are hiring the right people, with the right contracts and information!
We will also talk about the very popular side of weddings - DIY! What you should and should not DIY, as well as some tips and examples of sucessful projects. The venue that evening will be Houston Station, which is a great space for creative minds.
For details, click here.
Keep watching our site and our events page as we will add events throughout the month and year as they are sent to us!
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Bridal Shows & Events, DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Eco-Friendly Weddings
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Thursday, February 23, 2012
Get ready to be amazed from 3pm - 5pm on March 3 at Cedarwood, where you'll get to know their wedding designers and see the many facets of what they offer for weddings at their venue. The Cedarwood Style Show promises to be an afternoon of inspiration that will give you a great glimpse into what Cedarwood can do.
The event begins at 11am for Cedarwood's brides and from 3 - 5pm everyone is welcome to take a tour and visit. You'll get a chance to check out the property which has a beautiful house, a really cool barn - perfect for a reception, and their outdoor cathedral. Oh, and, one of my favorite little details - their swing out front, hanging from a tree branch, something that's always adorned with ribbons and is one of the first things your guests will see when they drive on to the property. It's a small detail, but boy does it set the mood for a wonderful day. With sprawling, natural grounds a lake, and beautiful architecture there are tons of areas for great pictures on your wedding day.
Not only is Cedarwood an incredible wedding location, their staff is known city-wide for their all-inclusive wedding packages, which include wedding design and coordination. Cedarwood works closely with their brides to plan the wedding day; their on-site event director will coordinate everything from start to finish to the wedding design and decor. They have a tremendously creative staff. Their designs have won awards and at their disposal is a huge inventory of decorative accessories. Whatever your style, there are plenty of options from which to choose - vintage furniture, props, accessories, or glamorous and modern ones, and it's all included in your venue fee.
Picture by Kristyn Hogan
Picture by Krystal Mann
ABG Notes: These are but some of the many props and custom decor items Cedarwood has. (Pictures by Cedarwood)
Pictures by Krista Lee Photography
ABG Notes: Cedarwood's stunning "Burlap & Bling" wedding design (these last two pictures) has been featured in national and international magazines. (Picture by Dove Wedding Photography)
Picture by Ace Photography
These pictures are but the tip of Cedarwood's creativity iceberg and it's going to be a style show you won't want to miss. It's free to attend but you must RSVP first (click or email: courtney{at}historiccedarwood{dot}com), then, set your calendars. Go, be inspired and enjoy yourself at Cedarwood's Style Show from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday, March 3. If you need a little more convincing visit Cedarwood's blog for more gorgeous weddings and pictures and be sure to let them know you heard about it from us!
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events, Details, Design & Florals, Wedding Venues and Locations
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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
For the second part of our Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show recap (click here for yesterday's recap of the show), Sara and I share more favorite booths from wedding professionals, some of which are new to us. We've got pretty cakes, stationery and booth displays that took our breath away, including one that was inspired by (to me) the best 7-minute love story ever.
Just to take you back for a second - the PWG show took place Super Bowl Sunday and it was the first bridal show to be hosted at the Gaylord Opryland. As you can see, it was a great success! Now... here are the continued highlights, listed in no particular order.
A Magical Affair (AMagicalAffair.com)
Sara: The booth for A Magical Affair was simply adorable! They had a replica of the exterior of the house from the movie “Up!” and their whole booth was themed around that. From the invitations, bright colors that decorated the tables and balloon-shaped name cards, it all worked together so perfectly.
Tabitha: It was hard to miss this booth and Sara and I lingered a little while to check out the details. I'm a huge fan of Pixar so seeing this theme come to life like this in the middle of a convention hall was a real treat, right down to the little balloon place cards on the table and the hand prints on the mailbox - great attention to detail from A Magical Affair!
Ashley: I was told that my 3-year old niece fell in love with a booth with a house. Now that I am seeing the photos, I can see why! What an incredible booth!! A Magical Affair always wows with their imaginative booth and event design.
Cake by Sweetface Cakes.
A Little Something Detailed (SomethingDetailed.com)
Sara: The variety in the designs at the booth of A Little Something Detailed was simply stunning. No matter what your theme or idea for your wedding, Jennifer will be able to create a suite of paper goods that will wow your guests!
Tabitha: Jennifer's custom stationery doesn't just cover weddings but also birthdays and other special occasions. She can also provide matching paper goods for your dinner tables, like the place card in a shell for a beach themed wedding tablescape!
The Dog Spot (TheDogSpot.com)
Sara: It's not every day (or every bridal show) that you see a dog boarding facility booth, but I was excited to see what The Dog Spot was offering. What to do with your dog during your wedding and honeymoon might get overlooked until later, but The Dog Spot is definitely something to check out now! They offer free daycare and boarding during your wedding day and then half price for those services during your honeymoon!
Tabitha: As a dog owner, I was most concerned with what to do with my dogs when we went on our honeymoon. At the time our regular sitter was still available but there certainly wasn't a service like what The Dog Spot offers. They also will groom and bathe your dog and I know, first hand, that the owner has a dog of his own and will care for yours as if it's his, so you can whisk away on your honeymoon free of worry!
Party Studio - Joe Hendricks Photography (JoeHendricks.com)
Sara: One of the first booths we came across once we got into the show was the Party Studio photo booth of Joe Hendricks Photography. It wasn’t hard to spot Joe and Rhonda as there was a line of brides waiting to get into the photo booth area they had set up. The vibe was really fun and everyone that came by was having a great time!
Tabitha: Not just brides, but moms of brides too! Everyone loves hamming it up but when larger-than-life props are provided and when the photographer is as fun-loving and friendly as Joe? It's just a recipe for a good time with this photo booth!
Ribbons of Chocolate (RibbonsofChocolate.net)
Sara: Of course we loved the food we got to taste at the show, and Ribbons of Chocolate was no exception. They had their chocolate fountain set up that was different than any one I had ever seen – lots of little fountains in one, with milk and white chocolate for brides to choose from. In addition, they also had some amazing mac and cheese that was a big hit!
Tabitha: After all that cake and sweets (and the white/milk chocolate duo fountain) their delicious mac and cheese was a welcome change in flavors. Like Sara said, the chocolate fountain was a nice change from the regular bulbous shape you usually see, and to offer not just one but two flavors! And who doesn't enjoy variety right?!
Wedding 101 (Wedding101.net)
Sara: Draped in beautiful white fabric, the Wedding 101 booth stood out from the crowd right away. The dresses they had on display were amazing and the details on each table they had were incredible. From paper goods right down to the chairs, the themes were carried all throughout and you could really see the time that had been put into the display.
Tabitha: You couldn't have missed Wedding 101's booth because it was quite a sight to behold. Under their beautiful, draped tent were a few displays inspired by wedding gown styles. Our favorite was the set-up that was front and center that was a country, rustic table with a hay bale for seating! Old fashioned soda bottles held yellow and white striped paper straws, and overhead was a hand-made (by Amy of Wedding 101) hanging pendant to really complete the look! Very creative!
There were so many amazing vendors at the show that gave brides (and grooms) such a great sampling of what Nashville vendors can do! To see our recap from yesterday click here. Did you attend the PWG show at Opryland Hotel? What were your favorite booths?
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events
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Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Perfect Wedding Guide bridal show was held last week at Opryland Hotel and I was truly blown away. This was my second bridal show in a few weeks, more than I attended as an actual bride-to-be, so I was very excited to check it out along with Tabitha! There were so many vendors with such beautiful booths that it is hard to pick just a few, but here are some of the highlights!
Enchanted Florist (EnchantedFloristTN.com)
Sara: The booth at Enchanted Florist was just incredible. Caprice did an amazing job with the theme they chose, which transformed their booth into the most elegant setting for an outdoor wedding. There were arrangements and bouquets everywhere, and even a dress form with a skirt made of flowers!
Tabitha: Caprice, owner of Enchanted Florist, told us the inspiration for her booth was more of a classic Fall look than a typical, country-like autumn so the overall effect was a little less rustic, more polished and definitely more elegant.
Music City Events (AMusicCityEvent.com)
Sara: The moment we walked into the show, the Music City Events booth caught my eye. They had the most beautiful tables set up. The details on the tables were just gorgeous. One of them was covered in all shades of purple – flowers, ribbons on the back of the chairs – so many things to catch your eye and bring a theme together!
Tabitha: Definitely loved the simplicity of the tablescape. Ribbons are a cost effective adornment to basic wooden chairs and you can find them in so many shades and colors, which will allow you to perfectly match florals and place settings for a signature color scheme! Music City Events did a great job with that!
Regalo Design (RegaloDesign.com)
Tabitha: The work of Regalo Design never disappoints and this show was no exception. The design and floral work of their booth were a perfect representation of the work that they bring to their clients.
Street Tuxedo (StreetTuxedo.com)
Tabitha: Brides and grooms got to meet the Street Tuxedo family (no, really, they are a family owned and run business) at their booth that allowed a thorough look at what they offer. From the various styles and colors of tuxedos to the rainbow of vests and accessories, their booth was impressive and showed the quality of their product. Plus it's always so good to see the Street family!
Sweetface Cakes (Sweetfacecakes.com)
Sara: Wedding cakes are something I love – to eat and look at – and Sweetface Cakes had some breathtaking cakes with them at the show. One of my favorites had flowers decorating the tiers, with white and clear petals on them. Such artistic work full of details that I am sure took hours to accomplish.
Tabitha: The little button-like detailing on the green, square, three-tiered cake in the first picture is what caught my attention. I love what bakers are doing with colors and textures and Sweetface Cakes had several cakes each in their own unique style, to show everyone who attended, plus some pretty good samples!
Ashley: While I didn't attend the show, I've fallen in love with the floral cake above by Sweetface. It's so feminine and I love the dimension and detail. Plus, what you can't tell from the picture is...their cake is really good!
Join us again tomorrow for more wedding vendors and booths that stood out at the Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show!
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Posted by Newlywed Sara |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events
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Monday, February 20, 2012
We all like to eat—love of food is something that each of your wedding guests will share. A meal brings us together, much like a wedding itself, polished with a careful balance of uniqueness and tradition, two things catering boutique Down South Delights takes pride in.
Food is tasty but a large budget item. More times than not, it will be your largest wedding expense. As such, it impacts many areas of your wedding, from your budget to your guests' experience. Last week I spoke with Rita Rowland from Down South Delights and learned just how it impacts a wedding day in a variety of ways. Food offers something beautiful to your special day, but there are a few things you need to know, and there’s no better lady to tell you than Rita!
What should a couple factor into their wedding planning timeline from a catering perspective?
Yes, in terms of timeline, I always advise brides to first look at the most competitive dates. May, June, September, and October are prime wedding months, so if your wedding is going to fall within this slot, you need to find a caterer immediately after your venue is booked. When you book a venue, you will have a list of caterers that venue allows on the property. So even when you’re in the midst of finding a venue, if there’s a caterer you really want, you must make sure your desired venue is connected with that specific caterer.
What about budget? How does catering impact a wedding budget?
It’s important from the beginning that you share your budget with the catering company of your choice. The company you choose, along with the type of food as well as the amount of food determines how much of your budget will be devoted to catering. Don’t feel like you have to choose the most inexpensive option. Catering is something you can be selective about; you get what you pay for, and food is something your guests will remember. Venue and catering require the main chunk of a wedding’s budget for most brides.
Tasting Plates: (left) blanched green beans, red pepper hummus, artichoke chutney, lemon, cilantro, basil chiffonade, steamed potato dumpling, and (right) seared shrimp with cranberry chutney served on a bed of tri color sushi wraps.
How important is location when it comes to catering?
Look for a venue that has an area appropriate for catering—a spot that can be sanctioned off so that food preparation isn’t in the way of anything, preferably with the option of running water. If a venue doesn’t have this, the budget can be significantly stretched, especially when it comes to elaborate dinners, because you’re paying additional fees to create a proactive system for the food to be prepared and served. Also, thoroughly read every document you’re presented regarding venue and catering. Some places do all-inclusive pricing, while others require gratuity.
How does a couple's guest count influence on catering?
When finding a caterer, the couple needs to have an estimate of how many guests will attend their wedding. Down South Delights, for instance, typically requests a range, such as 150-200 people. This also impacts your budget, because oftentimes with caterers, the price per person decreases the higher the guest count climbs. Furthermore, some caterers aren’t capable of serving an enormous number of people, which could narrow your options if you’re planning on a ton of guests.
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Sweet potato biscuits filled with Virginia baked ham.
Does wedding style influence catering decisions?
Yes, absolutely, especially in regards to dinner versus hors d'oeuvres depending on what you prefer. Many people think hors d'oeuvres are always cheaper than having a dinner, which isn’t necessarily the case. In my experience, dinner is actually more cost-efficient, because hors d'oeuvres typically require more hands-on detail. With that being said, it’s important that you let your guests know what style of dining is included at your reception. Timing is everything. If the hour of the day leads your guests to expecting dinner, but they attend your reception only to discover a small amount of food, they’ll likely leave earlier than originally planned. You don’t want your guests to leave simply because they’re hungry. Really examine how long your guests will be involved in your day, and know that certain elements of a reception prolong the celebration, the main aspect being a bar. With a bar, you’re not only expecting guests to be there for hours, but you’re also establishing that there will be plenty of food. The bar option must mean plenty of food as well.
Drink buffet at a rehearsal dinner - photo by Dan Roberts.
Do you find that special diets influence catering?
Yes, this is increasingly becoming a major issue. I always tell brides never to change their menu for only a few. Simply have something special prepared. On the other hand, if half the guest list is vegetarian, you may want to look into making this the base of your menu. Most caterers, however, will accommodate your need and have something available for the specific diets present.
Do rising food costs impact catering?
Typically, yes. If a caterer can guarantee that rising food costs will not affect the price of your catering, jump on that. At Down South Delights, we always let customers know that there could be a 10-15% increase in food costs at any time. You need to create a bit of cushion in your wedding budget in case this occurs; instances like this are unexpected even for the caterer.
Rita also told me that she encourages brides to taste everything they can before deciding on a caterer; meet with as many people as you like! You can be picky about this. Food is something your guests will be talking about long after your wedding is over; choose something that they’ll rave about.
All photos courtesy Down South Delights, unless mentioned.
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Posted by Betsy-Intern |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events, Cakes & Food
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