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.
.jpg)
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!
share
Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Bridal Shows & Events, DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Eco-Friendly Weddings
0 comments »
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Attention all budget-smart or vintage seeking brides: I've got a hot-off-the-press goody for you this week...The Goodwill Wedding Gala Look Book is now available and you can see it here before anywhere else!! Take a few moments to enjoy some of my favorite looks and then check out the entire digital magazine, which includes a small sampling of the dresses that will be on sale (all for under $400) at the Gala.
How gorgeous is this wedding gown! I can't believe it will be available for under $400 at the Gala.
The Gala will will offer dresses for brides and bridesmaids too!
Look Book Credits - Vintage Car: 1959 Bentley from Matchless Transportation, Men’s Attire: Street Tuxedo, Location: Schermerhorn Symphony Center
If you are not familiar with the Goodwill Gala, here's a quick synopsis:
The Goodwill Wedding Gala is the ultimate way to save on your wedding dress. The Gala will take place from 6am to 9am on March 17 at the Goodwill Store in Rivergate located at 2101 Gallatin Pike North in Madison, Tennessee.
The dresses:
You will find bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, cocktail dresses, mother of the bride/groom dresses, flower girl dresses, and more from Alfred Angelo, Allure, Eden Bridals, Mary’s, Watters Brides, etc. No wedding gown will be priced over $400!!
The organization:
Proceeds from the sale of these items will benefit the mission of Goodwill. Goodwill helps provide employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities and others who have trouble finding and keeping jobs.
The inside scoop:
-
Be sure to arrive early - last year there were 350+ brides in line at 6am to get their dream gown for less!
-
Attendees will be treated to refreshments provided by C&K Catering and The Cupcake Collection.
-
Rhonda Patton Weddings will provide inspirational wedding designs.
-
Pre-owned wedding gowns have been cleaned by Nicholson Cleaners.
To read all about the organization, the event, and our tour of the Goodwill facilities, read our full feature via this link. For more information, visit giveit2goodwill.org or call 615-346-1665.
share
Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, Bridal Shows & Events, Bridesmaids & Bridal Party, DIY & Budget Wed Finds
1 comment »
Monday, February 6, 2012
Let’s face it, brides-to-be often splurge on the one big item for their day, their wedding dress. And sometimes, the cost of the gown breaks the bank. With this in mind, we’re overjoyed to announce the annual Goodwill Wedding Gala.
The Goodwill Wedding Gala is a one-day, bridal super sale that will take place on Saturday, March 17, at Goodwill’s Rivergate store. Trust us, the store will be transformed into a bride’s dreamland and will be filled with deeply discounted wedding dresses, shoes, veils, accessories, along with dresses for your bridesmaids, mothers, and rehearsal dinner. You want it and it will be there!
To learn more about the Wedding Gala, we took an extensive tour of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee’s main processing plant, which is located in Nashville. We knew that the gala was a great way for brides-to-be to get crazy deals on dresses but we wanted to know about the organization and how the Gala benefits Tennesseans in need of help with their job search. Here’s how:
Betsy and Ashley of ABG. All photos courtesy of Scott of the Goodwill.
Brides-to-be: Get a deal on your dream dress and help someone in your community go from no job to a job.
For you brides-to-be, you’ll have the opportunity to shop among well over 300 new and pre-owned dresses all for less than $400! As a bonus, Nicholson Cleaners’ has graciously cleaned each pre-owned dress!
Previous brides: Donate your wedding attire, receive a tax deduction and help brides-to-be save!
For all you brides who’ve already walked the aisle, we encourage you to spread the word to donate your wedding attire – from your bridal gown to wedding shoes. Ask your bridesmaids to donate their dress.
Everything you and your girls donate (dresses, shoes, accessories, etc) is a tax deduction and will undoubtedly bless future brides. Can you imagine? Something that you loved on your wedding day can now be used to do the same for another love story! It’s time to clean out your closet and give. Stop them from just collecting dust and warm the heart of a new bride! All you have to do is donate your gently-used wedding items to Goodwill’s main office at 1000 Herman Street in Nashville or contact Natisha Moultry at 615-346-1665 to setup a pick up.
Bridal salons + clothing stores: Clean off your racks and make room for your fabulous new collections!
If you own a bridal salon, why wait for a sample sale? Instead, donate your dresses, shoes, veils, and any bridal items to the gala. No donation is too small; it’s tax deductible and will make room for the latest collections with little effort. Goodwill will even pick it up.
How your donation or purchase benefits Tennesseans with their job search:
What you may not know is that every donation helps fund Goodwill’s Career Solutions programs, most of which are free to the thousands of Tennesseans who visit each of the 17 Career Solutions Centers located in Middle and West Tennessee.
After taking a tour of Goodwill’s warehouse with Ashley last Monday, I write these words totally bewildered and nearly speechless. There’s no person out of reach. Every corner of Nashville’s warehouse radiates with purpose and hope. Hundreds of people are working each day at the processing plant simply because of the generosity of area donors. The company has 1600+ employees who work in a variety of departments within the organization, from the warehouse to teaching job skills.
Natisha of Goodwill (right) with Ashley and Betsy of ABG
With each donated item that is sold in one of Goodwill’s 30 stores in Middle and West Tennessee, 89 percent of the proceeds get poured back into the mission through free counseling services, job assessments, trade and skill classes, and many other programs. Almost all of them free! Goodwill is building workers from the ground up while inspiring them to dream big!
We were so inspired by our tour, including the wall quotes placed all over the facility.
Nashville bridal community: Let’s make a difference. At the 2011 gala, our donations and purchases generated revenue for the all the communities served by Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee. Donate your wedding dress and accessories by March 12 or save the date to find your dream dress at Goodwill’s Rivergate store from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 17.
share
Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, Bridal Shows & Events, DIY & Budget Wed Finds
2 comments »
Thursday, January 26, 2012
If you are a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) bride, you probably come from one of two camps - either you are the next Martha Stewart and craft like no other and want to ensure your wedding has your personal stamp all over it OR you have a limited budget. Either way - you're smart enough to know you will need a wedding planner in some capacity, especially when it comes to insight on your budget and wedding day-of timeline.
The truth is, some wedding planners are wiling to help DIY brides, others aren't. Regalo Design is one of wedding planning company that is wiling to help the DIY bride. They have years of experience with DIY brides and have added an affordable new service just for you...
...Introducing the Regalo DIY bride consultation package!
When Damon and Sarah Goude of Regalo Design got married, Damon told us that Sarah was the one who planned and did everything right down to the last detail - "It can be done but even so there were still things she looked at and said, 'I wish we did this or that differently.'" To avoid that inevitable moment of hindsight, Regalo Design created a $150 consultation package together for you so you don't spend that day worrying and you can execute with ease. What does the package offer the DIY bride?
.jpg)
Left: the Regalo studio; Right: Damon and Sarah
Vendor Recommendations
Regalo Design will, without bias or commission, recommend vendors for every detail you need and will put together a checklist specifically for your wedding that they then will email to you to keep. Regalo Design is a very do-it-yourself driven company that designs and creates unique decor for their brides so they will know the best places you can go to find the materials you'll need.
A Custom Checklist
When you meet with Damon and Sarah, they will go through your ideas for your wedding day with you and help fill in any blanks where necessary. "Sometimes couples don't realize how much actually goes into a wedding, that there are details that often go overlooked. This makes sure you are covering your bases."
After that personalized checklist is finalized and the notes are taken, Regalo sends it all to you to keep and use. We asked if there was anything to bring to the meeting and Damon said, "bring pictures, flower ideas, decor ideas, a schedule if you have one ready and we can make improvements to it if necessary."
Expert Answers
Maybe you want to create your own centerpieces and have certain looks or flowers in mind but have no idea where to start or what to budget. Or you have some guest list questions or etiquette questions for which you can't find answers. Regalo will answer those questions and honestly advise you so you tackle your DIY wedding with confidence.
Images: Ace Photography
Very rarely will you have access to this information without full-on hiring a planner so definitely take advantage of this wonderful offer from Regalo Design. "We just want to make sure you have it all planned out and you’re taking mental snapshots of the wedding on the day itself and not making a list of what you wish you could have done differently." Book your consultation with them today, whether you're at the start of your planning process or deep in the midst of it already. Click here for the registration form and be sure to let them know that you're an ABG bride!
share
Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
0 comments »
Friday, December 30, 2011
We'll continue our advice for newly engaged Nashville couples next week. For the weekend, we'd like to share a Nashville-area wedding, our last for 2011! This year, we've featured some incredible local weddings - Erin and Ron's Front Porch Farms wedding is in great company.
Today's wedding features many details of which we are huge fans. From do-it-yourself elements to birds, beautiful floral arrangements, and bright colors, Erin and Ron's wedding at Front Porch Farms is just too pretty not to share. Erin is a writer for HerNashville's "Her Night Out" column and as a fan of her writing, it was really cool to see her wedding vision come to life and confirmed what I thought - she has great taste! Combined with the planning expertise of Kathy Best and Front Porch Farms and the talents of the wedding vendors Erin and Ron worked with, this was a beautiful wedding. Enjoy!
Erin + Ron
Wedding Date ~ May 21, 2011
Ceremony & Reception ~ Front Porch Farms
Guests ~ 120
Wedding Team
Planner | Kathy Best of Front Porch Farms (I also couldn’t have done it without my mom)
Photographer | Erin Lee of The Collection
Gown & Accessories | Ellyne Bridal in Lincoln, Nebraska
Groom’s Attire / Groomsmen Attire | JoS. A. Bank
Bridesmaids Attire | J. Crew
Makeup | Jennie Cunningham (of Clinique, Cool Springs Galleria)
Stationery | I made the invites and programs myself
Ceremony Musicians | Chris Going, guitarist
Reception Musicians | The Remedies (band)
Transportation | Anchor Trailways (for guest transportation)
Caterer | Down South Delights
Cake Artist | Sweet and Sassy
Floral Designer | Enchanted Florist
Guest Accommodations | Holiday Inn Express on Broadway
All images courtesy of The Collection
Wedding Details
How would you describe your style as a couple?
We wanted a wedding that was not only meaningful to us, but was fun for our guests. A lot of our favorite times together have been spent outdoors, so we searched for an outdoor venue that incorporated the beauty of nature. We wanted a shabby chic meets vintage meets DIY kind of wedding that played tribute to each of our families and hometowns. I grew up in Nebraska and Ron is from Kentucky, but we met in Nashville and we wanted to incorporate all three places.
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
Front Porch Farms fit our style perfectly. The natural setting was gorgeous, and one that would have been impossible to recreate in an indoor venue. We added many details to make it personal including a signature drink recipe from a bar in Nebraska, toasting with mint julep glasses and by giving guests popcorn from a shop from my hometown. We added a southern touch with blue mason jars, mix and match china, shrimp and grits, and Yazoo beer. We also used flowers from Ron’s late mother’s garden to hang from the property’s oak tree that we used our altar. It served as a memorial to her, along with the various birds we had in our decor (she and I both loved decorating with birds).
What was the favorite aspect of your wedding?
Our wedding was everything we imagined it to be. It’s very rare that a scene plays out exactly as you picture it, but from the way I looked to the colors and the placement of the details, the entire day was identical to what I envisioned, and that completely amazed me.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
Our biggest splurge was photography. We ended up spending more than we had anticipated, but after doing research, I learned it just wasn’t worth the risk to skimp on the one thing we would have to remember our wedding forever. Before we met Erin Lee, my biggest fear was that I wouldn’t like my wedding pictures, but I couldn’t be happier with the photos. It was an investment I will never regret.
We had a lot of DIY projects that not only helped us save, but incorporated our personality in the wedding. I designed our invitations and had them printed at Kinkos. We then had the wedding invite made into a poster for guests to sign for a guest book (it cost us less than $10). My mom made the table runners and place cards and my dad made yard games, which my sister and I decorated, to play at our cocktail hour.
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
I started a lot of DIY projects that I didn’t end up finishing or incorporating in the wedding. I went through an indecisive phase when I didn’t know exactly what I wanted. Looking back, I should have waited until all of our vendors were in place before I started on projects. Once we had everyone booked, the details and vision all fell into place.
In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Don’t let the inevitable stress get in the way of enjoying the excitement of this very special time in your lives.
share
Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Real Nashville Weddings
0 comments »
