Wednesday, April 10, 2013
There are many reasons why I love Houston Station. While it's off the beaten path, its downtown location makes it an easy drive from most parts of greater Nashville. Once you walk inside, you fall in love with the limitless options. You definitely have to see the space yourself to rule it in or out, but here's my Q+A with the folks at Events Nashville, who manage Houston Station, along with some great pictures that to give you a peek into the space.
Photo: Matt Andrews Photography; Full wedding featured here.
Photos: Contact Houston Station for details
Quick Info About Events Nashville:
Main Contact: Elizabeth Gilbreath
Phone Number: 615-289-7225
Email: elizabeth {at} eventsnashville {dot} net
Learn more via their website: www.eventsnashville.net
Become a Facebook Fan: Houston Station
Follow them on Twitter: @HStationEvents
My Q+A with Events Nashville on Houston Station
The Events Nashville team manages Houston Station and the Ambrose House - our discussion here focused on Houston Station.
How many years have you been in business?
Events Nashville launched in 2008 and the Houston Station event venue opened in 2009.
What do you like most about weddings?
The chance to support each family on such a joyous day—seeing the mother of the bride relax and take her shoes off—You made it!
Photo: Krista Lee Photography
What’s your favorite wedding photo/video and why?
The bride pretending to stab the groom with the wedding cake knife. Brides and grooms, families and guests seem to feel laid back and comfortable having fun at Houston Station.
What is your service philosophy?
Houston Station is a tremendously flexible historic space—each bride and groom have their own special and unique wedding and reception experience. Historic venue spaces, wide open vendor policies, and our capable Events Nashville professionals support every bride and groom on their big day.
What are your strengths compared to others in your category? Why should a bride hire you?
Events Nashville sponsors wide open vendor policies and freedom of choice. Not only is this liberating for the bride and groom, but huge savings are provided, especially for food and alcohol budget items, compared to most other venues. Besides a warm and authentic historic ambiance, Houston Station has a convenient in-town location, great load-in access for vendors, full service valet parking, and ample professional support. And for hourly entertainment, we feature the train!
Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors—helpfulness, professionalism, style?
Clean Plate Club, Monica Holmes—Super creative Planning and Catering
Southern Events for furniture and linens—Terrific value and service
PMC Valet—Great support at the front of the house
Noteable Blends—Rhythmic and melodic coffees Nashville
Nashville Event Lighting—Over-the-top ambiance on a budget
Photos: Jonathon Campbell Photography
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Helpful Vendor Interviews!, Wedding Venues and Locations
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Monday, April 1, 2013
I recently discovered Turnbull Creek Farm which is owned by Tallahassee May. Turnbull is a certified organic family farm right outside of Nashville. While it is a great resource for green Nashville brides and planners seeking an eco-friendly floral option, it's also a lovely option for non-eco brides who are simply are drawn to Tallahassee's centerpieces, bouts and bouquets designs.
I took a few minutes to interview Tallahassee (whose name I LOVE). I hope my interview with her saves you time and helps you quickly gauge how she can help with your big day.
Tell me about Turnbull Creek Farm.
Turnbull Creek Farm is a certified organic, small family farm that has been growing produce and cut flowers for over 10 years. We sell our produce and to customers in Nashville through Fresh Harvest and grow specifically for City House Restaurant. We sell our cut flowers as a weekly bouquet offering to customers in Nashville and also supply many local restaurants and the Turnip Truck Natural Market.
How many years have you been in business?
We began providing floral design services for weddings 3 years ago, as customers starting contacting us who wanted a fresh, locally grown flower alternative for their wedding or special event.
How did you get started in weddings?
Customers began requesting my flowers for their weddings and special events. At first, it was a small group who preferred a more "wildflower" or farm-ish look to their event and I did a lot of mason jar arrangements. Now I use my flowers for many different wedding styles - from urban sophisticated to romantic and rustic. I have learned as I have gone along, and taken floral design courses as I have been able to to learn specific tricks of the trade. I really enjoy doing weddings! It is fun and creative work.
What do you offer brides?
We offer brides a full service of floral design for their wedding. We can work with brides from seed to bouquet, meaning growing varieties specifically suited to their desires of color, theme, and time of year. For instance, a bride may want a purple theme in August, so I can grow lovely lisianthus in deep shades of purple just for her!
We can work with brides who want whatever we have available at the time, to brides who wish for something more specific in terms of look or color. I do order in some flowers that I do not grow, such as roses, if it is what works best for the bride's wishes. I have relationships with small flower farms throughout the country, so although it may not be specific to Middle Tennessee, the product can still be supporting small businesses and are not imported.
What do you offer wedding pros, other floral designers?
My flowers are available to other designers, etc if they wish to use a fresher, locally grown product.
What are your strengths compared to others in your category?
There are not too many other flower growers in the area. Tennessee is a tough climate for year round flower farming. I have been doing it for a while now, and have a consistent supply of a large selection of flowers. I feel like I really know and understand what works for the climate, what are good seasonal choices for the bride, and what will hold up for outdoor weddings in the summer! Also, my design sense has evolved past the "farmy" look and can be quite sophisticated, although loose and natural always. I really pay attention to the latest trends in flower growing and design.
What would previous brides/grooms say was the main reason they selected your company?
I get most of my business through word of mouth from pleased clients. People exclaim how beautiful, fresh, and unusual the flowers are, and are pointed in my direction. Other brides have chosen me because supporting a local product and business with a small carbon footprint is a priority.
Describe the bride/couple that would most love working with Turnbull Creek Farm?
I am not a typical florist. I am first a farmer, so that is a different vibe than going into a florist shop and meeting with a crew of people who are juggling many different events and using imported flowers. Most of my clients love the idea of their flowers being grown right here in Middle Tennessee, and love knowing the person who did the growing. Clients like to come out and walk around the farm, taste a tomato right off the vine, and see how their flowers are doing! My best clients know what they want, but are also comfortable being flexible and open to whatever changes the growing season may throw my way! They are trusting of me that I will take good care of them, even if I may have muddy boots and dirty fingernails when they come to visit! My clients have always been respectful of the farming process. These are not "wildflowers" that are picked on the side of the road and are sold cheap! I really try to emphasize I am not the cheap alternative. My flowers are nurtured from seed to harvest just as any other crop on the farm would be. Most of my clients understand that and are pleased to pay for a top quality product and service, especially since my flowers are organic.
What should the green, eco-conscious bride know about your company?
I am a certified organic farm, meaning I never use chemicals on my flowers or produce. Over 80% of the flowers used in this country are imported and are not subjected to the same regulations regarding chemical usage as they would be in this country. The carbon footprint of these imported flowers is huge! Using locally produced product of any kind really helps reduce fossil fuel consumption while also supporting the local economy. It really is possible to have a great selection of locally grown flowers almost year round, starting in March with ranunculus and anemones, all the way until frost in October.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Helpful Vendor Interviews!
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Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wedding dress trends are everywhere - magazines, websites, blogs, we just love our gowns. What about our grooms? Don't we want them to look good too? For the longest time, we kept hearing one name mentioned from the mouths of brides whose grooms have looked sharp at their weddings - Street Tuxedo. We are really excited to shine our spotlight today on Street Tuxedo, a locally owned and operated tuxedo rental company whose goal is to make the wedding experience enjoyable and easy for your groom.
There are many reasons that I love Street Tuxedo. They take care of Nashville couples. They have great inventory which is all available locally (so they can respond faster than places that have to order.) When you go to their stores, they take care of you like family because it's a family-operated business. They are accessible, with 4 Nashville-area locations: Berry Hill, Cool Springs, Murfreesboro and Green Hills. Added bonus - If your groomsmen are not in Nashville, Street can also serve them - via their partners - from coast to coast. They should be your first stop for attire for your groom, groomsmen.
How to Connect with Street Tuxedo
Website: streettuxedo.com
Pinterest: pinterest.com/streettuxedo
Facebook: facebook.com/streettux
Locations: Berry Hill, Cool Springs, Murfreesboro, Green Hills
Ashley's Bride Guide goes one-on-one with Rachael of Street Tuxedo
Number of years in the business: 26
How did you get started in weddings? My father, Mr. Street, bought Kornman’s Department store in Madison, TN in 1984. He rented tuxedos there as well as sold mens clothes (jeans, underwear, etc.) He realized that a lot of the profit was coming from the tuxedo sales and rentals. So he decided to sell off all of the random men’s wear and focus solely on tuxedo sales and rentals. And here we are 26 years, 3 locations, and thousands of weddings later.
What do you like most about weddings? I love when the bride and grooms come in to pick out their tuxedos. The bride’s entourage watched her try on countless gowns now it is her turn to sit back, relax, and watch the groom model different looks until the perfect one is found. Another thing that we always enjoy is when all of the groomsmen and the groom come in to pick up their tuxedos. The camaraderie and fellowship with each other is so fun to watch. Everyone is so excited to be reunited for the happy occasion.
What’s your favorite wedding picture and why? I have 2. One is my handsome grooms face the first time he saw me on our wedding day. The look on his face says it all. And second is also a picture from my wedding day, it is the whole Street clan, the people I love most in the world in one picture. What a fantastic day that was.
Rachael's handsome hubby!
The Street family on Rachael's wedding day.
What is your service philosophy? We have to remember that although we see multiple weddings done each weekend, the brides and grooms that come into our stores are doing this for the first time. And we have to stay excited and fresh about what we do. Each groom has a different idea of what he wants to wear on his special day and we will try our best to help him find his perfect look!
What are your strengths compared to others in your category? First: We are family owned, therefore we care about what we do and treat our brides and grooms like family. Second: We have tuxedos in stock available for try-on. Why should your groom pick his tux out of a catalog? Third: We go above and beyond the call of duty when necessary (taking a set of studs and cuff links to the church just minutes before the wedding begins) Lastly, we have the largest selection of styles and colors in Middle Tennessee.
Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors? We work very closely with the ladies at The Bride Room and I think that the brides and grooms appreciate the convenience of the 2 stores being so close. We have so many photographer friends and wedding planners that we love working with that it is hard to narrow it down. I must say that the Nashville Wedding industry has some top notch vendors. Nashville brides are so lucky to have such fabulous people to choose from.
Who do you recommend when you’re not available/not a fit? If we do not have what they are looking for then it must be something really off the wall so I usually recommend GOOGLE!!
What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends? I watch the awards shows - ESPY’s, Oscars, Globes. We may not always agree with what the celebs are wearing but they have a big influence on the current trends.
What trend do you love? I love self tie bows paired with suspenders. Such a simple, classic look--yet so handsome on every man!
What trend do you hate? I don’t hate any of our tuxedos….but I am tired of BROWN! I have been there, done that….about a million times! We still get calls about brown tuxedos all the time.
Which trend are you glad to see go? Long tuxedo coats!!
Which trend are you sad is gone? I think the wedding industry has gotten away from formal weddings. We are seeing more and more neck ties, suits, even no coats at all. I miss the days of the ultra formal weddings…so classy.
What are your favorite wedding websites? I love to look at photographers blogs: Gray Photography, Kristyn Hogan, Jonathan Campbell, Evin Photography, Gambill Photography and of course Ashley’s Bride Guide!!
Neatest wedding find? PINTEREST! It has been huge for our industry. We all know that us girls have been planning out our big day since we were small children...now we have an easy fun way to keep up with all of our ideas. Follow Street Tuxedo on Pinterest to see what we are LOVING these days!
For the platinum bride, what is the one thing you’ve always wanted to see? Being a tuxedo shop, we love when the bride and groom “make it formal”, meaning white tie and tails for the wedding party and all guests in tuxedos as well.
What is the biggest misconception about your industry? There are a few..COLOR! We have every color imaginable. Not everyone knows that you can also RENT SUITS, it’s not just tuxedos. Also, tuxedo shoes get a bad rap…the manufacturers have started making tux shoes more comfortable, we get compliments on the comfort all the time! Another misconception is if you have out-of-town groomsmen they can go get measured at any tuxedo shop across the country. It is a courtesy we all do for each other!
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Helpful Vendor Interviews!, Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, Grooms, Groomsmen & Tuxedos
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Wednesday, February 20, 2013
When you think about DJ's and lighting do you picture disco balls, fog machines and strobe lights? Think again! The DJ and lighting professionals we're introducing to you today aren't one of those cheeseball companies. Cosmo Creations not only provides music to suit your wedding, they also will set up specialty lighting touches to create the right ambience for your special event. With lots of experience in the business, Brent Cantrell and his team are changing the perception of wedding DJ's from corny to one of professionalism and class.
Contact Info
Name: Cosmo Creations
Main Contact: Brent Cantrell
Phone Number: 931-265-2934
Email Address: cosmocreationsdj at gmail dot com
Twitter: twitter.com/cosmocreations
Number of Years in the Business: 10 years
How did you get started in weddings? I started Cosmo Creations in 2001 after college because I love music and liked the idea of owning a small business. In 2003, after attending several of my friend’s weddings, I saw a serious need for a wedding disc jockey with a “not so over the top” personality, the rest is history.
What do you like most about weddings? As a DJ, it’s a great feeling to see a crowd at a wedding reception for the first time and try to read what style music they would enjoy listening to. It’s good to have input from the bride and groom for song selections but being able to read a crowd and determine what songs your guest would enjoy listening to is a fun challenge.
What is your service philosophy? We have been best described as “not so over the top” when it comes to DJ’n style. Also, we think looks are very important, that’s why we dress professional and bring professional looking gear! You have to have both; some brides may think they don’t care what kind of gear a DJ brings as long as it sounds good but looking good (and smelling good, not like smoke) is a must!
What are your strengths compared to others in your category? Why should a bride hire you? When choosing wedding entertainment, a disc jockey can usually play a wider variety of music at a more cost effective rate than live music. That being said, Cosmo Creations excels when compared to others disc jockeys in two main categories. #1) We leave our egos at home; the day is about the bride, groom, family, and friends celebrating one of those special moments in life. #2) We look great! Maybe not the most handsome, but we dress professionally and bring the best gear (and best looking gear), this is important and your guest will notice.
Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors? It’s hard to pick just 5 of my favorite wedding vendors! But here goes…..
A Delightful Day Event Planning – Mary Alice Sublett knows how to stick to a timeline and she’s one of the sweetest people you will ever meet! She also runs StudioWed Nashville which is a great resource for Middle Tennessee Brides! I also happened to be Mary Alice’s disc jockey at her wedding.
Simply Stunning Events – Kristin Kaplan is the most detailed wedding planner that I’ve had the privilege of working with. I’ve know Kristin and her husband Brian (he’s a great photographer) for several years now and they are both members of StudioWed. Did I mention that I also DJed their wedding?
Kristin & Brian Kaplan's first dance. (Picture by McLellan Style)
Kyle Gregory Photography (KGImages.blogspot.com) – Kyle is a great up-and-coming photographer! He’s very easy to work with and for a young photographer, he takes amazing photos! Cosmo Creations also DJed his wedding, we’re very fortunate to know so many talented and young wedding vendors.
The Country Music Hall of Fame – I’ve known Debbie Parsley for the past six years and she’s great to work with! Out of all the venues in Nashville, The Country Music Hall of Fame is my favorite to DJ. The history, architecture, and fantastic people to work with are just a few reasons why it’s at the top of my list.
Kristyn Hogan lifestyle photographer - Kristyn Hogan takes amazing photos! I met Kristyn through StudioWed and now it seems like we run into her all the time.
A wedding DJ-ed by Cosmo Creations (Photo: Kristyn Hogan)
What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends? I like to read Mobile Beat for music and lighting trends, Billboard, and Cool Hunting is also a great iPad App that gives me inspiration on colors and trendy stuff to incorporate into a wedding reception.
What are your favorite wedding websites?
StudioWed.net
WeDJ.com
WeddingWire.com
Does your company do anything special that a green bride might want to know?
5 years ago we would have brought dance lights that consume more than 4,400 watts. Today, to create the same lighting effect, we use less than 60 watts.
What is the biggest misconception about your industry? Wedding Disc Jockeys have earned a bad reputation over the years for being cheesy and sometimes unprofessional. Truth is…… the correct Disc Jockey can add much value to your wedding reception, making it a great day for all who attend!
Ashley Adds: Last year, Cosmo Creations added a photo booth and basic affordable wedding lighting to their service offering. They are becoming an even better solution for brides looking to work with one quality vendor for multiple services. Read about their lighting addition here and their photo booth here.
Photo booth by Cosmo Creations
Affordable lighting service by Cosmo Creations
Give Brent and his team at Cosmo Creations a call and let them know that Ashley's Bride Guide sent you!
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Helpful Vendor Interviews!, DJ, Band, Lighting + Transportation, Photo Booth, Wedding Resources
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Monday, January 28, 2013
A few weeks ago, we featured a lovely couple - Jessie and Austin - who planned their wedding with the help of StudioWed Nashville. But many of you may wonder what StudioWed is and how they can help you.
AshleysBrideGuide.com is a wedding planning website. Every day, we introduce you to great wedding vendors or share important wedding information or ideas. StudioWed Nashville is a wedding planning studio, a bit like our website, only in in-person. The help is complimentary and the team - Mary Alice and Leigh - meet with brides every day to help them find wedding vendors for their wedding day.
StudioWed has connected brides with some of Nashville's best wedding vendors and has given them a conveniently located space to use for wedding meetings. StudioWed Nashville is great for brides who want in-person, hands on help with hiring wedding planners, floral designers, and other wedding pros.
Learn more about the studio in my Q+A below.
Leigh + Mary Alice, owners of StudioWed Nashville
Contact Info
Name: StudioWed Nashville
Main Contact: Mary Alice Sublett or Leigh Barker
Phone Number: 615.739.5477
Email Address: maryalice at studiowed dot net
Twitter: twitter.com/StudioWedNash
Facebook fan page: facebook.com/studiowednashville
How did you get started in weddings?
StudioWed celebrates its third anniversary next month! But we’ve been in the weddings industry since 2000 & 2005!
A StudioWed wedding (Photo: Kristyn Hogan) For more, click here.
How did you get started in weddings?
Leigh's wedding career began in 2000 when she was first asked to photograph a wedding. Her love for photography and creativity only grew from there as she began to photograph several weddings a year. In 2004, she coordinated her first wedding and decided to take it on full-time after a few years!
After planning her own wedding, Mary Alice decided to pursue a career directing others' weddings. She earned her certification by the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants and completed an internship with Mary Dann, a renowned California event coordinator. She's been in business since 2005 as a planner/coordinator at her company, A Delightful Day.
The two of us worked together for a few years at A Delightful Day and decided in 2009 to open a franchise of StudioWed in Nashville! And here we are!
A StudioWed wedding (Photo: Mary Rosenbaum) For more, click here.
A StudioWed wedding (Photo: McCoy Made) For more, click here.
What do you like most about weddings?
Mary Alice - The decor! I love seeing the different fabrics, florals, and paper goods come together to create an amazing wedding design! Leigh – The details and especially the dress!
What is StudioWed? What service do you provide newly engaged couples?
StudioWed Nashville is an exclusive collection of Nashville’s finest wedding professionals, available in a fun and modern studio. Our vendors include photographers, venues, wedding cakes, florists, and everything in between to plan your Nashville wedding. We invite both Nashville brides and brides whose wedding destination is Nashville to come in and enjoy the relaxation and ease that planning your wedding should be!
StudioWed’s services are completely complimentary; just call and we’ll set up the appointments with the vendors you want to meet, or we can introduce you to a variety of wedding professionals who will best fit your needs, style, and budget.
What is your service philosophy?
To provide a luxury experience through personalized wedding design and exceptional service from expert vendors who guide brides through an efficient planning process in a relaxing and inspiring studio.
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Photo: Lotus Blossom Photography
Who are your vendors?
For all list of all ofStudioWed's Vendors click here.
Some of our vendors include:
Planning - A Delightful Day Event Planning, Simply Stunning Events
Make-up/ Dress/ Style - Amy Lynn Larwig, The Bride Room
Catering/ Cakes - Chef’s Market
Venues - Cedarwood, Nashville City Club, Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University, Noah Liff Opera Center, CJ’s Off the Square, Events @ 1418
Photo/Video - Kristyn Hogan, Lotus Blossom Photography, FocalPoint Cinematic Weddings, Photo Booth Nashville
Lighting/Decor/Floral - Brocade Design Arts
Entertainment - Cosmo Creations DJ Service, Wedding Musicians Company, Prime Source Entertainment
Rustic floral arrangement by Brocade Design Arts
Stationery by Amber Housley
What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends?
Bride Tide, The Knot, Pizzazzerie, GreenWed, Brides, Weddings Unveiled magazine and Unveiled blog... so many places!
What are your favorite wedding websites? Neatest wedding find?
Style Me Pretty, Southern Weddings, Snippet & Ink, 100 Layer Cake.
Where can we find you if you’re not working with a bride?
MA - Scrapbooking and spending time with my hubby and pooches, Lucy and Gracie.
Leigh – Working on the house with my hubby!
What would be doing if you did not work in weddings?
MA - Teaching!
Visit StudioWed Nashville's website for more information, inspiration and to give them a call at no obligation! Be sure to tell them that their friends at Ashley's Bride Guide sent you. Happy planning!
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Helpful Vendor Interviews!, Advice & Planning, Bridal Shows & Events, Wedding Resources
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