Tuesday, July 27, 2010
I'm sure there's some sort of psychological study somewhere that proves that our good childhood memories remain familar and continue to attract us. It might be grandma's cooking, or a certain smell or the great times we had playing with our friends. For Marti and Justin, an engaged Nashville couple, things came full circle when these childhood friends finally (at the hands of their mutual friends) got together. Today's real engagement is evidence that sometimes, you just need to look at what's around you to find joy.
Marti and Justin just exchanged vows this Saturday and we want to wish them both all the best in their new life together! P.S: We can't wait to see the wedding pics!
An ABG Couple's Engagement Story!
Her Marti Bryson
Lebanon, TN
Him Justin Latimer
Mt. Juliet, TN
How did you meet?
We have known each other since we were 5 or 6. We went to the same school until high school. After college I moved away for about 5 years when I came back Justin was attending the church I had grown up at. It was then that mutual friends began trying to set us up. We finally gave in!
The Proposal
Where? The Grand Canyon
When? February 16, 2010
How? We had gone to Las Vegas for the week, Justin rented a truck and we drove up to the Easter Rim of the Grand Canyon. We were walking around and Justin sat down on a huge rock that was sitting close to the edge with an amazing view. I sat down beside him, we were talking and the next thing I know he was asking...and he had the ring!
Did you enjoy your engagement photo session?
Yes! To be honest I was not looking forward to it, I do not really like to take pictures. But we both had a blast, it was so hot, and I think I swallowed 3 mosquitoes but we still had so much fun. Mike made it very laid back and casual...it was like we were just all hanging out. I loved all of the pictures, we were very pleased!
What matters most as you plan your wedding?
That at the end of the day on July 24th me and Justin are married and will be spending the rest of our lives together!
Has any decision triggered a meltdown in your wed planning process?
Small wedding or big wedding? I had a hard time deciding. But me and Justin are blessed with so many great friends and family that we love and we wanted everyone to be there!
What has been your major couple disagreement and what have you done to compromise?
DJ or Band? Justin wants a dj and I want a band. Haha we still haven't decided!
What's the one must-have for your wedding day? His? Hers?
I want it out at my parents house where I grew up...and I want no RAIN! Not much to ask for huh?
Your wedding details...
- style-I like things that are different but very simple. I love simple!
- colors-Shamrock green, Navy and White
- venue-My parents house, they live on the lake.
- vendors we've hired to date-Well...you would need to talk to my mom!
What do you most look forward to after marriage?
Duh...the honeymoon! And after that...coming home every night and knowing Justin is going to be there!
Any words of wisdom for newly-engaged couples?
Just have fun with it. Involve your family and when people want to help let them help!
What a great engagement session! Their story is a testament to how great pictures are possible when the photographer puts you at ease. Thanks so much to Myrick Studios for sharing these photos with us. So fun!
share
Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography & Videography
2 comments »
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Today's my birthday!! As I celebrate my life I also am thankful for peace of mind, love of self and my wonderful friends in the bridal community. I also want to offer select Nashville brides my unique wedding story in hopes that it will help you in some way...
My Personal Wedding Story
Many years ago - I got engaged and married and had what I thought was cold feet. It wasn't cold feet. It was a gut feeling that something just wasnt right. I'd met an incredible man who loved me dearly, who "fit" my lifestyle and family and shared my values. He seemed to be all that I wanted and needed but something just wasnt right. We got engaged - he designed the most incredible proposal that included a spa day, a picnic in my favorite park and then an elegant dinner with friends to celebrate my saying yes.
But something still wasnt right. I hoped over time it would feel as right in my heart as it did in my head.
The wedding rehearsal was a nightmare - my dad could tell something was wrong. I knew that our connection was off but my fiance assured me that I was just nervous. I wanted to believe him.
We married and started our life. Then, the pressures of marriage arrived. A week after our honeymoon - he lost his income. His family's business went bankrupt. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Given our fragile (and doomed start) we werent strong enough to turn lemons into lemonade but we also didn't have the courage (months after our wedding) to face reality and walk away. Last year, we finally woke up and set one another free to have peace and find true love. Today, we have no regrets. We are both very happy and enjoy our lives. We were blessed with the most amicable divorce ever and still are friends.
Am I thankful for meeting a wonderful man that adored me who I adored? YES! Do I believe we should have ever married? Absolutely not. Had I possessed the courage then that I eventually found, I would have never said "i do". But, without marrying, I would have never started AshleysBrideGuide.com, which is THE BEST THING to ever happen to me! It is my baby, one that he encouraged and supported me to start. So, I am forever thankful to him.
But, the same doesnt have to be your story. If you have ANY doubt - take heed.
I know countless ABG brides who start their wedding planning as excited as every other bride but then wake up to their personal reality and the wedding is called off. I support them and am sooo proud of them. I know calling off a wedding is hard - probably one of the hardest things in life to do. But kudos to the women who were/are courageous enough to do so.
Many divorced women (like myself) were too afraid or confused to do so. Instead, we marry - feeling "cold feet" throughout the engagement and even on the wedding day. Instead of being runaway brides, we immerse ourselves in wedding planning instead of taking a step back to really assess the situation. That was my story and that's one of the reasons that I really want every Nashville bride to take a break from planning and rethink your engagement.
If you have no doubt that your fiance is truly the one for you, THANK GOD! Focus less on wedding planning and start having more fun, enjoy one another and strengthen your marital foundation.
But, for brides-to-be with doubt, take some time to really, really think - trust your gut, seek counsel and ask yourself the toughest decisions of your life.
Helpful "Cold Feet" Resources
1) Here is a great article for smart women who may find themselves walking down the wrong aisle, preparing to marry the wrong guy.
2) And, here's the associate book, How Not to Marry the Wrong Guy and their Cold Feet blog.
3) Marital counseling and education - Marie of Nashville Marriage Studio is one local counselor that is a good start for your conversation. Contact her to express your feelings and get clarity before you get married.
4) Ask your friends and family - they know you better than anyone and they either see the sparkle in your eyes or don't. Their honest and loving insight might help you see things more clearly.
5) On a lighter note - if you do find that you are engaged to the wrong guy - I Dump for You is a service that will call off your engagement for on $25. http://idump4u.com/
Also - I'm also celebrating our ABG being named BEST REGIONAL BRIDAL BLOG!!!! Thank you for your many votes. We are also a finalist in the BEST OVERALL BLOG. Please vote for us today and tomorrow as a birthday gift to me:). THANK YOU!
share
Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Engagements & Proposals
16 comments »
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Ever consider having a wedding planning-free week? My challenge to every engaged couple is to take the week off and do nothing but focus on your relationship - no weddding planning. I know it's not easy - there's stuff to do - but give it a try. Try a date night or a wedding planning free zone, and have fun! Why? Many grooms have told me that they felt their relationship was put on hold after they proposed. Try your best to not let that happen. Stay focused on the purpose of the engagement - a period of bonding and growing. It's not all about the wedding but the marriage.
Marie of Nashville Marriage Studio is a Nashville premarital education counselor. She helps couples focus and strengthen their relationship. On Thursday, she is hosting a couples' game night to get Nashville engaged couples out and having fun! Please consider this fun outing as a great way to bond and to meet other Nashville couples who are equally in love...and stressed:).
share
Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Engagements & Proposals
0 comments »
Monday, June 14, 2010
We hear stories about how people fell in love at first sight and just knew they were with "the one." For others, things fall into place at a wonderful yet different pace -- and those stories are just as fun to hear.
Today's featured couple, Erin and Blake of White House, TN share their dating/engagement story and some of their favorite engagement pictures, courtesy of Lotus Blossom Photography, Nashville wedding photographers.
Her
Erin Sellards, White House, TN
Him
Blake Webster, White House, TN
How did you meet?
Blake and I met through mutual friends in high school in the spring of 2005. My two best friends were dating his two best friends at the time. We were both single and were always around each other due to our friends. It definitely wasn’t love at first sight for us, unfortunately. It took a little while for us to come around, but we eventually did. We have been inseparable ever since!
How did you know this was “it?” Did you talk about it a lot? Or was it just understood from day one?
I think it took us both a little while to realize that we were meant to spend the rest of our lives together. In the beginning of our relationship, we took things slow and just had fun. Probably a couple of years into our relationship, we started talking about our future, including marriage. We knew that we would wait a couple of years because we were so young at the time. We moved in together in the summer of 2008, and bought our first house together in the summer of 2009. Soon after buying our house, I brought home Bella, our sweet little Malti-poo. We both love her more than we ever thought we could love a little furball like her! We both knew that it wouldn’t be long before we would begin planning the rest of our future together. And I didn’t have to wait very long!!
The Proposal
· Where? Opryland Hotel
· When? August 8, 2009
· How?
Blake told me that he wanted to take me out to one of our favorite restaurants, Old Hickory Steakhouse. I told him that it was too much, since we were not celebrating anything particular and that we should eat somewhere a little less expensive. He convinced me that we deserved to have special night together, so I agreed. We ate an AMAZING dinner and had a lot of fun together! Before we left, Blake excused himself and when he came back he said he was ready to go, that his stomach was hurting. Poor guy!! A few steps out of the restaurant, Blake tells me that he left his card in the restaurant. I started to become annoyed because he had left his card at another restaurant that same week, but I told him we would go back and get it. I turned around and saw a crowd of people, our family and closest friends. Completely shocked and confused, I turned to Blake. He is down on his knee. He puts the ring on my finger and asks me to marry him. I was so shocked and embarrassed to have all of these people staring at me, I apparently slapped his arm and walked away! I finally realize that “this did just happen” and go over to our family and friends! After about ten minutes of jumping up and down and adoring my ring, I walk over to Blake and tell him that I would love to marry him!
Did you enjoy your engagement picture session? Why? Is there anything of significance you could share with us about the session?
We could not have been more AMAZED with Amber and John! They made us feel so comfortable. We had so much fun with them, more than we could have ever expected! We were so pleased with how our images turned out. We loved how we had a variety of styles to choose from as well. I told Blake that I was sad that our session with Amber and John was over and that I needed to find another reason to need professional photographs so that we could see them again! Amber was so professional, extremely personal, quick to answer questions and to get us our images… I could go on for days! We loved them!
What matters most as you plan your wedding? Life together?
We are so excited to take these next steps in our lives! We just want to have fun and enjoy every second of every experience we are given.
Was there a decision that may have triggered a meltdown in your wedding planning process?
We began planning for our wedding almost immediately after we were engaged. A few months into planning, we realized that we would be so much happier (and a LOT less stressed) to have a destination wedding, just the two of us. We decided to get married while on our honeymoon in St. Lucia. We are so excited, and so happy to not have the stress of planning the wedding we had originally expected!
Couples disagree. Let's keep it real and help other engaged couples not kill one another! What has been your major couple disagreement and what have you done to compromise?
Blake and I disagree on many different issues- in daily life, and dealing with our wedding. Blake is an early bird, I am a night owl. I LOVE details, Blake likes simplicity. Blake is more traditional, I like to mix things up a bit. Although we do disagree on a few things, we feel like we balance each other out. We have become pretty good at accepting each other’s flaws and embracing them. We just truly want to make each other happy and so far we are doing a great job!
What do you most look forward to after marriage?
We look forward to seeing where life takes us. We hope to start a family soon and enjoy all of life’s adventures with the people we love!
Any words of wisdom for newly-engaged couples?
This time is about you and your partner and learning what works for the both of you. There are so many things you will learn about each other, even if you think you already know everything there is to know! Tell your fiancé you love them every chance you get and make every memory last! You only get to live these moments once!
share
Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography & Videography, Real Nashville Brides
2 comments »
Friday, May 28, 2010
Sometimes, even when that first attempt at a date seems closer to a dud than a firecracker, it's worth trying again. I'm so glad that Marianne and Chris decided to give it another go and take their long friendship to the next level otherwise we wouldn't have a fun story to tell today! The couple worked with Mark & Noelle of McCoy Made for their engagement session and I love how these pictures really speak volumes about the couple's compatibility and personalities. I hope, after a rather grey, rainy start to this week, today's Real Engagement Story perk things up for you a little!
Nashville Engagement Story - Marianne & Chris
Her Name: Marianne Callis
Her Hometown: Lebanon, TN
His Name: Chris Mandrell
His Hometown: Gallatin, TN
How did you meet?:
I honestly don’t remember the first time we met, it’s been so long ago. Chris’ brother started dating my best friend ten years ago when we were all in high school (they married in 2003), so Chris and I have known of each other for a long time. But we didn’t start dating until the summer of 2007. We actually went on what we call our “First First Date” in the spring of 2006, but the timing wasn’t right. Neither of us really lost interest, though. Then in late June 2007 Chris and I started talking again, and we decided to go see a movie together (“Live Free or Die Hard”), what we now call our “Second First Date.” We’ve been inseparable ever since
How did you know this was “it?” Did you talk about it a lot? Or was it just understood from day one?:
We first started talking about marriage towards the end of our first year together, when Chris had a job opportunity that would possibly mean moving a couple hours away. We knew we loved each other and wanted to stay together, but since we both come from very traditional, conservative families, simply living together wasn’t an option. The job opportunity fell through, but the conversations continued.
The Proposal:
Where?
My apartment.
When?
September 13, 2009, an ordinary Sunday night after he got home from work.
How?
I give Chris the utmost credit for making the ordinary “extraordinary.” He called me when he got off from work saying he was going to run through Taco Bell and pick up dinner before heading to my place. He asked if I wanted anything. I had eaten dinner not long before, so I turned down the offer. He gets to my place and sits down with me to watch TV, the small bag of food sitting between us.
After a couple of minutes he gets up with the food to go get a plate, but suddenly he stops in the doorway. “Uh oh, they forgot some of my order…” This is not unusual, unfortunately, so I simply responded, “What’d they forget this time? He turns around reaching into the bag, and in a swift motion I barely remember he’d pulled a small wooden box out of the bag, was down on one knee in front of me opening the box, smiling, and asking me to marry him.
The first words out of my mouth were, “Are you kidding me?” (in an exuberant tone, of course!). Yes, that’s really what I said! We’d been talking about marriage for a while, but hadn’t really discussed a time frame, so while I was really really really excited, I certainly wasn’t expecting a proposal! And then I looked at the ring… It was EXACTLY the one I wanted! I’d found a picture in a magazine a few weeks earlier, but it was too expensive. But here one just like it was presented before me. Again I said, “Are you kidding me??” (lol!) After that I believe I did say yes, finally! (The ring was wrapped around a Taco Bell sauce packet with the phrase “Will you marry me?” printed on it.)
Turns out he’d taken the picture to a local jeweler, and traded in the gold on his Dad’s wedding band (his dad passed away a few years ago; Chris’ mother insisted he use his dad’s rings towards mine) for a gold band just like I’d wanted, and used the diamond from his dad’s ring as my diamond. I’m so honored to wear it!
Did you enjoy your engagement picture session? Why? Is there anything of significance you could share with us about the session?
We had a blast during our engagement session! Mark & Noelle McCoy are an absolute joy to be around! They made Chris and I feel super-comfortable during the whole process, and it shows in the pictures. We’re pretty contemporary people, and Mark & Noelle did a fabulous job capturing that about us. J (I’m so excited to get to my bridal portraits and our wedding photos I can hardly stand it! Lol!)
I don’t know that there’s really anything of significance other than it was freezing cold. Our session was right after the HUGE snowstorm at the end of January. I remember worrying about whether the snow & ice would melt enough for us to make the trip from Gallatin to Franklin, but luckily it did. We’re going to use our pictures to make a guestbook, and it’ll be neat to have pictures with snow on the ground at our wedding in the summer.
What matters most as you plan your wedding? Your life together?
For our wedding, what’s most important is just being ourselves and sharing our love with our closest family & friends. We have a relatively small guest list so we could make the experience really awesome for those who are there. And it’s pretty much the same for planning our life together: we want to be ourselves, and share all of life’s experiences with each other.
What decision triggered a meltdown in your wedding planning process?
No meltdowns. J Some tough decisions, maybe, but no meltdowns.
Couples disagree. Let's keep it real and help other engaged couples not kill one another! What has been your major couple disagreement and what have you done to compromise?
Honestly, to this point we’ve not had any major disagreements or arguments. We’ve always worked well with each other, “not sweating the small stuff,” as they say. Our wedding planning has been no different. We decided what the most important things are, worked on those things together, and everything else isn’t worth stressing over.
What's the one must have for your wedding day (such as a particular service, product, vendor)? His? Hers?
I had to have stellar photography!! I had been researching local photographers for awhile, and had it narrowed down to a few choices. When Chris proposed, I quickly set up meetings with my top picks. All were excellent, but I clicked most with Mark & Noelle McCoy. (I say “I” because Chris wasn’t able to go to the meeting, but he trusted me.) They were just so easy to talk to! And I knew that’s what I wanted on our wedding day. And now after seeing our engagement pictures, there’s no doubt we made the right choice.
Chris’ one must-have is a Predators groom’s cake. So we’ve ordered him a cake shaped like the Predators logo (flavor TBA). When getting decorations ready, I decided to take it a step further and do an entire Predators-themed table. I don’t want to give away the details, ‘cause I have some surprises in store for him, but it’s going to be good!
Your wedding details (if you’ve gotten that far in planning)...
Style:
Inspired by our love of Affliction-style clothing & rock music, we’re putting a rock-and-roll edge on what’s otherwise a pretty traditional Christian wedding.
Colors
The ceremony will be black & white, and the reception red & black.
Venue:
Both our ceremony & reception will be at the Greenvale Community Center in southeast Wilson County. The community center used to be a 1-room schoolhouse, and my Grandmother attended school there growing up. On the hill behind the schoolhouse stood the house where my Grandmother and Great-Grandfather (her father) were born. Lots of sentimental value!
Vendors we've hired to date
Photographers: Mark & Noelle McCoy, McCoy Made
Wedding Planner: Kristin Kaplan, Simply Stunning Events
Catering: Pam Hogancamp, Ribbons of Chocolate
Tables & Chairs: Party Providers (in Lebanon)
Jewelry: Thomas Jewelers (in Gallatin)
Cakes & cupcakes: Melanie Williams, Creative Cakes by Melanie (Groom’s Cake)
Angela Boone, Simply Sweet Treats (Cupcakes)
Dress alterations: Oakwood Cleaners
Invitations: Me!
…and a host of other things bought through Etsy, eBay, Hobby Lobby, & Michael’s! (I’m a big do-it-yourself-er)
What do you most look forward to after marriage?
Immediately after? Our honeymoon! We’re both itching for a week’s vacation. But in the long term we’re looking forward to experiencing life & building a home together.
Any words of wisdom for newly-engaged couples?
1 - Enjoy being engaged for a little while before diving into planning!
2 - Decide on a feasible budget, then pick 2 or 3 things that matter most. For us it was photography & food. Hire the best vendors you can afford for those 2 or 3 priorities, and then do the best you can with the rest of your budget to fill in the rest.
3 - Hire a professional wedding planner, even if it’s just to help run things during the wedding! I’m really enjoying doing the planning myself, but there is absolutely no way I’ll be able to take care of things on the big day, nor am I going to ask a family member to “work” that day, either. Kristin Kaplan is exactly who I need! She’s super-organized, and is going to take over everything I’ve planned a month before the wedding and make it come to life. Unless you’re getting married at the courthouse, I don’t see how anyone can enjoy their day without a wedding planner!
Congratulations Marianne and Chris, here's wishing you both all the best and a lifetime full of love together!
Thank you to McCoy Made for the pictures.
share
Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography & Videography, Real Nashville Brides
2 comments »
