As a Nashville wedding resource, our goal is to help you find great services and products for your wedding that are available locally. We love Nashville and know that just about everything we need can be procured in our amazing city!
When we learned about Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co, we just knew their gourmet chocolate would be a great wedding favor option for brides. They make their own stone ground dark chocolate in a variety of flavors that not only are beneficial to you* but also taste really really good.
Customize your own chocolate wrapper with your initials and message to your guests.
We heart Olive + Sinclair
They were kind enough to let provide chocolate bar swag to our SATC party guests (which they loved!). And just the other day, Ashley sampled and swooned over Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Gelato at Brave Gelato. Can you say delish! If that weren't enough, when Gwyneth Paltrow was in Nashville filming a movie, she visited Olive & Sinclair and gushed on her site, GOOP.com that "the chocolate itself is some of the most flavorful we've ever experienced and the combinations were amazing"...It's good stuff!
The company
Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co. was founded by Tennessean Scott Witherow who was the generous source of the chocolate bars donated to the party. Scott is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef whose resume boasts several of Nashville's most innovative restaurants with skills excelling in the pastry department.
Made right here in the heart of Nashville, Olive & Sinclair's chocolate comes in delicious flavors like Mexican Style Cinn-Chili, 67% or 75% dark chocolate, coffee (which has bits of coffee beans in it - so good), salt & pepper and my personal favorite, sea salt. In fact, I'm nibbling on some right now for inspiration**! They produce 330-600 pounds of chocolate a week in their McGavock Pike factory and store and you can get the chocolate there or at several local stores!
The bars each come wrapped in a chic, stylish wrapper and the entire package is a visual treat. The wrappers are designed by local printing company, Spirit of Nashville and are just stunning. Each time I buy a bar I feel this urge to frame the wrapper! It's that pretty!
Custom wedding chocolate bars for favors or gifts
What Ashley and I are most excited about is Olive & Sinclair's wedding chocolate! The rich, delicious dark chocolate flavor which is sure to please everyone who has a bite. But the special part about this is the wrapper which has a bride and groom on it, and a place where you can print your initials and a message for your guests. This is such a fantastic gift for out-of-town guests and/or wedding favors to really give your guests a personalized piece of Tennessee to take with them.
They need at least three weeks notice to get the bars ready so for those of you who haven't picked your favors or haven't thought of the perfect item for your gift bags, get in touch with Olive & Sinclair to discuss.
I'll leave you with video of Scott and his team at Olive & Sinclair hard at work, creating the bars from start to finish. Visit the Olive & Sinclair Blog to see what else they've been up to and find out what new flavors they're going to have for us later this year. I, personally, can't wait.
Video courtesy of Josh Anderson
* Did you know that dark chocolate can be good for you? According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, dark (not white or milk) chocolate contains high levels of antioxidants and has been shown, in some cases, to lower high blood pressure. And we all know about pressure when it comes to planning a wedding! Decision made - chocolate favors it is!
For his birthday, your anniversary or wedding day, you could get him a tie, another DVD/video game/golf club/shirt even his favorite bottle of scotch. But let's face it, there's no better gift for your man than YOU! Better yet, beautiful, glamorous pictures of you compiled into an album for him to always enjoy when you're not around.
So... You've been toying around with the idea of having a Boudoir Shoot, huh? Well, know that just about every girl I've worked with has stated, "I NEVER thought I'd be doing this!" In other words, you're not alone! So, I thought that from time to time I'd post an idea of how to prepare for your shoot!
One thing I can't stress enough, is to pay attention to the details and have some fun with your outfits! This is not your everyday photo shoot, so why not bring the spice level up a notch!? I worked with Mrs.B a few months back, and she brought along these FABULOUS red boots! Are they not TOTALLY amazing!??! My jaw dropped when I saw them, for real. I had so much fun at this shoot, and the beautiful Mrs.B's now-hubby LOVED his wedding gift.
I also spoke to Noelle and got a bit more helpful information for you!
How would you describe a boudoir session to a girl who's never seen or done one?
A boudoir session is a romantic, classy, sexy shoot - a supermodel shoot. It’s a personal and private gift for your husband or husband to be. The goal is to create this album that’s a classy piece of art to give to your husband/husband-to-be. It pushes confidence in women and hopefully it’ll be an exciting thing to give to your man. it’s a great way for a woman to come in and celebrate how you are today. I see girls get so excited and they end up wanting more pictures than what they get in their album.
Sounds like fun, I think I'd want to lose a few pounds first or tone up!
A lot of people think they have to lose weight first but you should do it as you are. I'll never make you pose where your least favorite "problem area" is showing. When girls sign up I send them a questionnaire to find out more about what they are comfortable with. There is no nudity - it’s really classy. I encourage girls to really think outside the box and don’t just show up with something simple. You’re never going to do a shoot like this again or at least not very often. Go get the most glamorous eyelashes! Had a girl come in with thigh high patent leather boots - not something she’d normally wear but it was like a fun costume just for the session.
We had a girl whose husband is a guitarist so we used a guitar as a prop.
So anyone can do this?
None of the girls on my blog are professional models, they're girls like you and me. They are brides-to-be or wives. All the girls on the blog have given me their permission to share their pictures but I won't ever show your picture unless you give me permission.
Every single girl who's come in for a session has been like, "I can't believe I'm doing this but I'm so glad I did." They come in really timid but leave really confident - I want girls to feel beautiful when they see their pictures and look as confident as they did when they left the session. I coach them through the poses, and I creat an atmosphere in the studio that's relaxed and so the girls feel comfortable.
To book your Boudoir Session with Noelle, give her a call or send her an email. After you confirm your session with her she will send a document your way with details on what to bring, how to visualize your session and she'll also provide a list of her recommended make up and hair stylists who are closer to her studio.
For more details and some gorgeous boudoir session pics, visit the McCoy Made Blog!
We love answering bride e-mails! Here's one we got recently:
"Hi Ashley! I am getting married in Nashville on May 29th, 2010. Everyone will be from out-of-town and I have been surfing the web to find fun things for them to do in Nashville. There is so much to do in Nashville, that I don't know what to pick for them to do. Could you suggest ten fun things for out-of-town guests to do in Nashville? Thanks so much!"
We couldn't think of a better (or more fun) list to make and reached out to our loyal Twitter and Facebook friends who helped us create the following 10 activities to suggest for wedding guests looking for things to do in Nashville.
Photo: Flickr
#1: Loveless Cafe & Motel
Probably THE Nashville institution, the Loveless Cafe is famous for its down-home, Southern, Nashville charm. They are known best for their delicious biscuits and fantastic food that will leave you satisfied and happy after your meal. Though still called a motel, it no longer serves as a place to unpack and stay in but instead now features retail shops selling art and great knick knacks to take home. Loveless Cafe's preserves are wonderful items you can include in your out-of-town gift bags too!
#2: Arrington Vineyards
Photo: ArringtonVineyards.com
Gather your bridal party, pack a picnic and head to the gorgeous countryside just outside Franklin, TN. Arrington Vineyards is a haven that can make you feel like you're no longer in Nashville yet it's a great showcase of another wonderful thing about living in Tennessee to your out-of-town guests. Sample wines, listen to live music (Every Saturday in the Summer) and just enjoy the fresh air with your friends while kicking off the weekend's celebrations.
#3: Pancake Pantry
The fact that there's a line out the door everyday that it's open proves that the Pancake Pantry is good. Don't let the line keep you from eating at this Nashville tradition - the wait is never very long and it's totally worth it. Have some chocolate chip pancakes, or if you're watching your waistline try the blueberry pancakes. After you're done you can walk it off around Hillsboro Village and pop into the local boutiques in the area.
#4: The Parthenon
Photo: Nashville.gov
This is a sight to behold. Yes, we have a Parthenon in the heart of our city with its very own statue of Athena within the structure. Our Parthenon serves as the city's own art museum where visitors can also see a collection of art by 19th and 20th century American artists.
#5: Adventure Science Center
Photo: Advenuresciencecenter.com
This is fun for everyone young and old! The Adventure Science Center offers hands-on activities for kids and adults - I couldn't think of a better way for your guests with kids to while the afternoon away before heading to your wedding later on.
#6: Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art
Photo: Gaylordhotels.com
Cheekwood's beautiful gardens will thrill your fauna enthusiast guests and those more into art will enjoy the permanent collections on hand as well as the featured exhibits. Have lunch in the Pineapple Room or rent it out for your rehearsal dinner. If you're the super organized type, Cheekwood also offers group tours in which you can arrange for your guests to participate!
#7: Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Photo: Fristcenter.com
Another fun place for families and art lovers, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts has permanent exhibits as well as traveling exhibitions from all over. They have a kid's activity area where children can draw and create their own art. Admission is free for visitors under 18 and they offer group discounts if you inform them in advance. And since you're already downtown...
#8: The Country Music Hall of Fame
Right in the heart of downtown Nashville and a mere walk from the hotels is one of the gems of Music City - the Country Music Hall of Fame. Guests can take a tour and get to know the rich history of Country music and learn more about its roots in Nashville. The souvenier shop sells wonderful items your guests can take home to remember their visit. They can also grab a bite at Two Twenty Two grill within the hall.
#9: The Ryman Auditorium
Photo: Tripadvisor.com
The best musicians of all time have set foot and performend on stage at the Ryman Auditorium - Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Kings of Leon, Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, Coldplay... the list goes on and on. In the day, visitors can take a tour of the venue and see its beautiful stained glass windows. For those so inclined, the Ryman is featuring "Opry Country Classics" every Thursday evening through June! Something for the older folks or country music lovers perhaps?
#10: Honky Tonks!!
Photo: Citydata.com
A visit to Nashville wouldn't be complete without a trip to a honky tonk down on Lower Broadway. A great way to top off your visit (besides the wedding of course) is to dance the night away in one of the bars and enjoy live music from the house bands! It's a great way to get a taste of Nashville's nightlife without having to go to a cheesy nightclub. So put on your boots and get ready to do some serious honky tonking Nashville style!
GIFTS
Now that you've got activities, you'll need gifts for your guests! Nicoandlala.com can create custom Tennessee/Nashville gift baskets that would offer a perfect slice of Nashville.
These are just some of our favorites. Other suggestions were the Nashville Zoo, B.B. King's Blues Club, Gaylord Hotel (where you can visit the conservatory), the General Jackson for a water tour of Nashville, and lots of local bars and restaurants.
For more ideas visit Nashville365.com and VisitMusicCity.com. We also learned that you can take a tour of downtown on a segway. That sounds like SO much fun!
Have more ideas? Leave us a comment. We'd love to see what else you come up!
Registering for gifts seems like it's lost its magic. Places like Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond are great for basics but when it comes to the truly unique gifts that will showcase your impeccable taste - think locally. Before you trudge down that beaten path to yet another chain store to find that needle in the generic haystack, consider some treasures in your backyard!
Ash Blue - gifts with timeless style and craftsmanship.
Even though they're new to the neighborhood, Ash Blue (http://www.ashblue.com) may have well been the reason the shopping plaza is called Fashion Square. Established in 2003 by Susannah and Zulu Scott-Barnes, Ash Blue carries the finest gifts from all over the world. No really, Zulu travels all the way to South Africa for great finds all the time.
It's not just gifts for the home, but gifts for yourself as well. They have gorgeous handcrafted jewelry, hats and stationery. This is a fern leaf necklace by one of the designers they feature, Mani Design, and would be perfect to wear to your rehearsal dinner.
From silverware to china sets, there's a style to match your tastes whether it's classic or more contemporary. These number dishes would be great to add to your bridal registry.
Ibiza Fine Gifts
Ash Blue’s shoes may have been a little too big to fill for most gift shops, but not Ibiza Fine Gifts who moved into the Belle Meade location where Ash Blue used to be. Ibiza Fine Gifts has proven to satisfy the neighborhood’s high-end clientele’s needs.
They sell great items for the bride and groom’s registries and thank you gifts for the generous wedding shower hostess. Here’s some fun “stock the bar” type gifts you could get. LOVE the polka dots.
Nothing says “I am a bride of grace and etiquette” like proper stationery.
They have a complete list of brands they carry at their website and you can find more pictures by doing a search on Facebook.
You’re Invited
More preppy than progressive? Nothing shows off your personality better than personalized or monogrammed goods. You’re Invited specializes in personalizing gifts for every occasion so you can find more hostess thank you gifts, something to give your bridal party or something for yourself!
Plus, the staff at You’re Invited are so helpful and nice. I love their professional, personal shopping touch and hometown feel. This is an addictive store and a local business you will want to support for years to come.
Show off the sports bond you share with your fiance and customize with favorite team’s logo or colors!
For the cheese connoisseur
I’m sure you agree, you can never have enough stationery for thank you cards and correspondence. You’re Invited carries a huge line of customizable paper goods so you’ll be sure to find something to match your personal taste.
So go get your pots and pans from the usual places, but embrace your fabulous style by looking at the unique boutiques right at your perfectly manicured fingertips. Your wedding is going to be special - shouldn’t your gifts be too?
Friday, October 23, 2009 Paula, an ABG bride on Facebook (by the way - follow ABG on Facebook) asked me... Question: "I'm trying find a fairly inexpensive second favor, tying in his Southern roots. Any ideas?" Ashley: When I think of Southern wedding favors, I think of delicious food - sweet, indulgent, fried:). Apparently, we're all on the same page because when I posed the question to my Twitter/Facebook friends - 99% of the ideas were edible! Hillary of Your Day of Fairy Tales (twitter.com/urdayfairytales): I saw this yesterday in Get Married magazine and loved it - Personalized guitar picks and a song written specifically for the couple & given out Lynette of McNeal Video (twitter.com/mcnealvideo): Love the Krispy Kreme donuts - and so do the guests.
From Vicki Stanton of Bella Wedding (yourbellawedding.blogspot.com; twitter.com/TnBellaWeddings) Here is my daughter's take on Southern treats... My daughter wanted to showcase Tennessee at her wedding. Her Granny is English so lots of English cousins, aunts & uncles were coming to the wedding. Her father is from New England so lots & lots of New Englanders would be there. And the groom! The groom's family was from Louisiana. So you can see why having everything Tennessee was so important to Sarah. The reception was at Travellers Rest Plantation. The full buffet was totally Southern - from the biscuits to the banana pudding. Even the music included Bluegrass & Country. The Tennessee treats that were placed in beautiful apothecary jars were...Goo Goos, Leo Peppermint Candy Sticks (once made in Nashville), Moon Pies, Salted Peanuts in the shell & Tennessee Tea Cakes. The guests helped themselves during the reception & carried bags of goodies homes. The Tennessee treats were a big hit for everyone! From Latrice of Bridal Opulence (bridalopulence.com; twitter.com/bridalopulence):
(t-cakes)
Here are a few I've suggested: Tennessee T-Cakes (tntcakes.com) in Chocolate truffle or Key Lime; Goo Goo Clusters & mini Cokes; Custom truffles from Hillsboro Chocolate Co. (hillsborochocolate.com/home.html) or Dreamy Gelato (dreamygelato.com) in Atlanta  - both companies can add a custom monogram to the truffle; Mini bottles of champagne, Jack Daniels or Moet; Photo booth pics or Polaroid photo guest book.; Vintage Monogram Candy Jars (opulentfavors.com); The ever popular custom candy bar or popcorn bar.
Hillsboro Chocolate
Opulent Favors
Tabitha via twitter.com/Tabbulous the cutest favor was when the bride gave mini moonpies and rc cola away. Erica via twitter.com/ResplendentlyMe "Derby Time!" Mint Julep Cup Tea Light Holder - Love the ones here! http://www.myweddingfavors.com/derby-time-julep-cup-holder.htmlEmily from Simply Yours Weddings & Etc. (twitter.com/1weddingwoman):Â A young lady I worked with that was married in the mountains of East TN had a very fall themed wedding. She had leaves with their name and wedding date etched on them AND they had had coasters that said "Eat, Drink and be Married" with southern candies attached to them.
Tiffani from Creative Designs and Events (creativedesignevents.com): Jelly bottled into salt-n-pepper shakers with the bride's favorite fabric, that they used all throughout the wedding.
Amy from The Bride Room (thebrideroom.com): biscuits with jams/ honey -- because what southern doesn't love em and love to eat!?! (especially is they could be warm!!) and of course super cute presentation/ packaging I've always wanted to see something done like a family favorite recipe -- packing it up real cute and include the instructions on how guests can make it again! Something that people can take past the wedding night and think of the couple!
For those with a seated dinner I think there is so much fun to be had here. Of course this all takes time but it could be a really neat way to make each guest feel thought about. Have each table be with a certain group of guests and make their favor specific to that table and those people. For example college friends of the bride and groom incorporate a funny gift (college football being so big in he south that could be a way you could incorporate it to those grooms (and brides )who LOVE IT!) that relates to a college experience that they would get a laugh out of and enjoy where as the extended family might like something more sentimental. OHHH!!! Just saw on Style Me Pretty-- Caramel Apples... what a YUMMY favor!!!
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)who LOVE IT!) that relates to a college experience that they would get a laugh out of and enjoy where as the extended family might like something more sentimental. OHHH!!! Just saw on Style Me Pretty-- Caramel Apples... what a YUMMY favor!!! 
