Friday, May 4, 2012
A real wedding straight from the bride... Brittany actually contacted us herself before Regalo Design could even think to tell us about this beautiful wedding! Regalo acted as the event planners, floral designers, provided rentals, and saved the day when unexpected rain forced the ceremony indoors. Whether from the bride or the vendor, we are just happy to share this wedding with you.
Brittany and Brandon met at his parents house shortly after she moved to Nashville. His parents hosted guests at church for lunch and she attended. Brittany described why this chance meeting lead to a lifelong commitment: "We started spending a lot of time together after that and it didn't take us long to realize how much of an undeniable connection we had. We had so much fun together- we could laugh and talk about absolutely anything. No one had ever made me feel so unconditionally loved or cared about and our individual qualities made each other better." Their sweet love can be seen in their photos... Enjoy!


Brittany + Brandon
Wedding Date ~ September 4, 2011
Ceremony + Reception Venue ~ Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Guests ~ 250


Wedding Team
Planner, Florals, Decor + Rentals | Regalo Design
Photographer | Aubrey Joy Photography
Videographer | Catchlight Cinema
Wedding Gown + Bridesmaid Attire | The White Room
Bride’s Accessories | Vintage shoes, Swarovski crystal + freshwater pearl earrings from my mom, other jewelry from Etsy.com
Rings | Genesis Diamonds
Groom’s Attire + Groomsmen Attire | Street Tuxedo
Hair & Makeup | Marian Carden of Trade Secret, Green Hills Mall
Stationery | Invitations & Calligraphy - Anibella Ink + Paper
Caterer | Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Cake Artist | The Bake Shoppe
Ceremony + Reception Musicians | Nashville Jazz Orchestra
Vintage Furniture Rentals | Four Inch Fold
Transportation | Nashville Wedding Cars (1939 Packard)


My Wedding Details
How would you describe your style as a couple? How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
I adore the elegance and class of the classic jazz era so I really had fun searching for a band with that sound, a getaway car, and little details that were reminiscent of that period.
The vintage furniture section of our reception was, by far, my favorite, in terms of décor. Mao Thao of FourInchFold vintage rentals did an amazing job styling it and I added old family wedding photos and set up our “Polaroid”-style guest book there. Our guests really enjoyed the personal touches.


I also followed wedding blogs to get a feel for what I really wanted because I wasn’t that girl who started planning her wedding at 5 years old. If I liked something, I tried to incorporate it, whether it was vintage or new, eclectic or traditional. I’m glad I did that. Trying to make each little thing fit into a certain theme is very restricting.
Although our “theme” was elegant and jazzy with some vintage touches, I threw in “Oh The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss as one of our ceremony readings because I read it and it was silly and exciting and I decided I wanted it read at our wedding! It should always be about what you love and what makes you happy.



Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue....
My something old was my grandmother’s pearl brooch pinned to my bouquet and the earrings from my mom were new. I borrowed my great great grandmother’s handkerchief - I carried just in case I got emotional during my vows…which was bound to happen since I can’t get through an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition without crying my eyes out. And for something blue, I had vintage soft blue heels decorated with a flower shoe clip from Etsy.
My husband also had a “something old” from his mom. She doesn’t have any daughters so she took a piece of her wedding dress and stitched it to hold a small coin that was engraved with “With God, All Things Are Possible.”


What was your most memorable or favorite moment?
We were so glad we decided to do first glance pictures. It was the only part of the day that we had all to ourselves, and definitely one of the most special moments between us. Having him tell me how beautiful I looked and having a chance to talk about our morning was very calming before all of the people descended on us.
Our ceremony was supposed to be outside so the rain was heartbreaking. I had to readjust my vision for the day and it turned out to be possibly more beautiful than I had imagined and no one ever knew it was supposed to be outside. So many other little things weren’t quite right but I think I was the only one who really knew. When you’ve planned every tiny detail, it can be hard to look at the big picture but it’s worth it to just let it all go and enjoy the day.
Our first dance song was “Misty” by Sarah Vaughan. Misty is my favorite song and my dad is an amazing jazz musician and played the saxophone with the band as we danced. It was special to me because he claims he’s not much of a dancer so that was our father-daughter moment.


Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
We planned for 250 and decided a $25,000 budget, which we didn’t exactly achieve. But, we saved SO much money (like thousands!!) with Regalo Design. Everything we booked in their name was tax free and they are master negotiators! The most we saved was on the venue.
I splurged on the band because it was important to me to have live music and the vintage furniture rentals and décor that was set up in our reception space. It was well worth it because that little vintage section was my favorite part of all the décor.


I had high hopes of DIY-ing my accessories and table decorations but, as a medical student, there was just no way I could make that happen. I wanted to make my girls’ birdcage veils as well as my own. I wanted to learn calligraphy for our thank you sign to use for thank you post cards. None of this happened but I had a lot of fun browsing Ebay for the vintage items that I used as table decorations and Etsy for my accessories.


Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
The day of our wedding, it rained ALL day! So, all of the meticulous planning was kind of pointless. I wish I had been able to just relax more and not worry about the tiny details during the planning process and even on the actual day. I would advise any bride to just enjoy the process and the day and focus more on the love that you’ve found instead of miniscule details because you really have no idea how it will all turn out. And no matter how it turns out, it’s always beautiful because it’s your wedding day and you’re in love and celebrating and nothing else matters!


Thank you dearly to the couple for sharing their day with us!! We're so glad we could provide inspiration in your process and share the outcome! To see more photos of their wedding day, visit Aubrey Joy's blog. And if you are looking for your wedding to go smoothly, even in the face of setbacks or catastrophe, be sure to contact Regalo Design! They've proved their capable here, while their florals and design are just a stunning mirror of the day.
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Posted by Megan |
Filed under: Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds, Real Nashville Weddings, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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Thursday, May 3, 2012
All of the paper goods for the Cedarwood's Style Show were designed by Designs in Paper. It's no surprise that we were left swooning over every table's unique paper creations - from invites to program fans. We decided to do a round-up of some of our favorite paper goods from the style show. Custom paper is often overlooked but as you see, it can add a sophisticated touch throughout your event. Fall in love with some of the great details and contact Designs in Paper to let them create something special to fit your wedding vision.
Rustic Wedding Inspiration with Vintage Paper Accents by Designs in Paper
Read the full feature via these links: Cedarwood's Style Show Rustic Inspiration or via the Designs in Paper blog.




French Country Farm Paper Accents by Designs in Paper
Read the full feature via these links: Cedarwood's Style Show French Country Inspiration and via the Designs in Paper blog.

Tangerine Dream with Paper Accents by Designs in Paper
Read the full feature via these links: Cedarwood's Style Show Inspiration and via the Ace Photography's blog.

Rustic Denim Wedding Inspiration with Paper Accents by Designs in Paper
Read the full feature via these links: Cedarwood's Style Show Rustic Denim Inspiration and via the Ace Photography blog.

Photos: Ace Photography, Krista Lee Photography and Kristyn Hogan.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Details, Design & Florals, Inspiration & Trends, Invitations & Paper Goods, Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds
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Monday, April 16, 2012
Chef's Market and Catering has always been a favorite of mine just from personal experiences with the company - they not only produce great, custom menus for their customers but they are also able to decorate the food tables according to the theme of the wedding. Recently they provided a dessert table with a selection of sweet treats that would make Willy Wonka jealous. The table decor and set-up complemented the couple's gorgeous wedding that took place at the Country Music Hall of Fame. We reached out to Genna of Chef's Market who walked us through what inspired the look and decor of this fantastic dessert buffet and how the Chef's Market team brought it to life according to the couple and planner's vision.

All Photos: SB Childs Photography
What was the inspiration behind the dessert table you created at the Country Music Hall of Fame?
Genna: The bride and groom wanted their wedding to feel very upscale and elegant with a rustic/country influence and their venue (the Country Music Hall of Fame) was the perfect place to pull that off. Their wedding planner, Angela Proffitt, asked us to provide the vintage style table used for the dessert display and with the ‘vintage chic’ look in mind, we did the rest ourselves!

How did you incorporate the bride and groom’s vision into the design as well as the dessert selection?
For the display, we used old windows, lots of earthy textures and vintage styled items like serving trays, milk bottles, and of course the table, to give it a shabby chic feel. We created a moss tiered ‘wedding cake’ to hold the pie pops and used apples under glass, not only for color but also for that rustic influence they wanted.
With it being a fall wedding, the bride and groom wanted to incorporate the season into the dessert selection, so we did lots of apple related desserts (Apple Pie Pops, Baby Lady Apples dipped in Caramel & Chocolate, etc). We also made cupcakes of their choice (Red Velvet, Hummingbird) and had an assortment of their favorite cookies for guests to grab on the go.



What other kinds of desserts can you make?
We try not to limit ourselves when it comes to creating desserts. We love experimenting with recipes and trying new things to make sure our client’s menus are as personalized as possible. Our most popular desserts tend to be cupcakes, truffles, cookies, and dessert shots, but we’ve also done things like mini tiramisu, individual pies, fruit tarts, and more.
What makes a Chef’s Market dessert table stand out?
We have a true passion for creating great food and beautiful presentation. Whether it’s a buffet, plated dinner or a dessert display, we put a lot of energy into making sure it will wow our clients and their guests! We really listen to brides and grooms to make sure we understand their vision for their wedding reception in order to incorporate that same look into any of the food displays we put together.

What a beautiful spread to match a beautiful wedding. Thank you to Chef's Market and SB Childs Photography for sharing the details from the wedding. For more of what Chef's Market can do for your special event or wedding, check them out online at ChefsMarket.com.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Cakes & Food, Inspiration & Trends, Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds
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Monday, March 26, 2012
Rhonda Patton continually amazes us with the work she does to transform weddings to meet the bride's vision. Sometimes, photos do not speak enough for the person behind the work. Who is Rhonda? Why does she love to work with wedding design? How has she developed her skill? We asked her all of these questions, but really... her work does speak for itself, the words just explain what isn't seen in the picture.
Her style really speaks to the stylish, modern bride who wants a fresh look - especially if it's something unique! Read on to find out more about Rhonda Patton Weddings and Events; the woman that drives the company and the beautifully transforming work that could make your wedding a dream come true.

About Rhonda Patton Weddings & Events
Main Contact: Rhonda Patton
Blog: rhondapattonweddings.typepad.com
Phone Number: 615-727-4429
Email Address: rpattondesigns{at}gmail{dot}com
Follow on Twitter: @RhondaPatton
Become a Facebook Fan: Rhonda Patton Weddings & Events

Photo by The Collection
How many years have you been in business?
10 years
How did you get started in weddings?
First, I began designing interiors for homes and offices. I branched off into fresh floral design and event design beginning with my first wedding in 2003.

Photos by Townsend Photographers

Photo by The Collection
What do you like most about weddings?
Transformation! I simply love to transform. Weddings are all about transformation.
What’s your favorite wedding photo/video? Why?
I personally do not have a favorite wedding photo or video. I love all of my weddings! I ensure my weddings are not too “contrived” and really strive to help the bride think outside of the box.


Photos by The Collection
What is your service philosophy?
I’m quality driven and believe great customer service is the platform for any business.
What are your strengths compared to others in your category? Why should a bride hire you?
I am not your standard retail florist. As an event designer, I’m capable of ensuring the bride focuses on the total ambiance of her wedding. I custom order Grade A flowers and quality products for each client. I ensure the bride has a signature wedding of her own.

Photo on left by Townsend Photographers; photo on right by Phindy Studios.
What attracts brides to your service/company?
My clients have molded me into the designer I am today! My brides have an affinity for modern design. They like fresh, innovate, contemporary concepts. My brides are stylish and super chic and hire me for my modern style.
What would previous couples say was the main reason they selected your company?
I’ve heard so many times before that I am different. I bring fresh ideas to the table. I try to shy away from contrived “flowers in a vase” look. Every bride is not for me. but for sophisticated, truly modern brides, I am a top contender.

Photo by Kristyn Hogan
Describe the bride/couple that is most attracted to your service/company?
The bride that is most attracted to my company is a real modern bride who wants nothing normal. They like a little tradition but they mainly want fresh, innovative concepts. They want something new and look to me for creativity. I propose unique ideas, concepts and decorative pieces. My inventory is modern and stylish. I’ve been told that my style reminds them of Atlanta, Chicago, California, or New York.
Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors – helpfulness, professionalism, style?
Unlike others, I personally do not have favorite vendors. I think vendor selection is based on an array of criteria for that particular bride (personality, budget, style, competency, customer service, cultural competency, reputation, experience, etc.).


Photo by Derek Wayne Lee Photography.
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Posted by Megan |
Filed under: Our Featured Advertisers!, Details, Design & Florals, Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds
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Wednesday, March 7, 2012
It's one of your worst nightmares - the vision of your wedding day is not the reality. You walk in and nothing's right. This is one nightmare that you can avoid with Rhonda Patton Weddings & Events, who believes that, "Sketching is instrumental in the design process." Rhonda Patton is one of a handful of local wedding pros who sketches your design and also offers tangible mocks ups of your wedding design.
To give you an idea of how she works, I'd like to share some photos from Jennifer and Armand's uber-chic Nashville wedding. You may have seen their national featured in Munaluchi Bride, or on several Nashville blogs, including their photographer's, Kristyn Hogan. But today, Rhonda allows us behind the scenes and shares the actual drawings that she created for the couple, that allowed them to see and modify the details of their day, well in advance of their reception.
Rhonda Patton's work is incredible; it is inventive and glamorous. But it's her unique use of visual aids that puts many couples' fears to rest. We are happy to peak into that process and share it with you today.
The Background: The bride and groom chose to use a combination of three vibrant colors: blue (ranging in hues), Sunkist orange, and fuchsia pink. They were married at Riverside Seventh-Day Adventist Chapel and celebrated their reception at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Their stylish and elegant decor really came together with the floral design; it really made the colors pop.
The Design Sketches:
Terrace Chandelier
During the cocktail hour (before the reception), guests were greeted with an overhead chandelier concept of mango calla lilies and clear, globe candleholders.


Focal Point of the Room - Long Table of Repetitive Design
Rhonda says that she used design repetition at the focal point of the room to create that continuous flow of the room's design. It really made for a stunning head table.
They ordered over 2,000 orange and fuchsia roses for Jennifer and Armand's day, and the reception flowers arrived in and were stored in an 18-wheeler until they could transfer them from the controlled temperature to the venue.

Guest Tablescapes
Again, the design held over to the guest tables and the drama continues with the height of the centerpieces. Aren't the groupings stunning?! Her team soaked over 50 oasis balls (which are the center for the roses to sit around and create a pomander), for all of the centerpieces - the soaked centers keep the flowers looking fresh throughout the night.

More Wonderful Wedding Details
Bridal Party Flowers
The bridesmaids carried an array of roses, mini calla lilies, dendrobium orchids and gloriosa lilies. The groom and groomsmen wore mango orange calla lily boutonnieres.



Bride's Bouquet
Jennifer's bouquet was rounded with hydrangeas and accented with roses, dendrobium orchids, mini calla lilies, and gloriosa lilies. The cuff of the stem was dressed in gold Swarovski crystal strands.


Ceremony Entrance
The door to the church was decorated with oversized, cursive "J" and "A" letters - made of fuchsia pink and orange carnations. As guests entered the vestibule, they came upon a 4 ft tall floral design in a uniquely shaped glass vase filled with gold branches, orchids, hydrangeas, calla lilies, and bells of Ireland.


Ceremony
The bride walked down a 60 ft aisle with a dense border of over 200,000 pink and orange rose petals (they filled six 30-gallon bags), and the couple said their vows under a 8X10 canopy. The canopy was accented with a canopy and back drop of crystal strands and individually hand glued blue and orange dendrobium orchid blooms. Hanging votives were layered in for candlelight.



Country Music Hall of Fame Reception
Again, you can see the emphasis they placed on cohesiveness and design repetition. It's all in the details!



Candy Bar
The couple provided Rhonda with a list of their favorite candies and from there she created a candy bar to be remembered! So how did they create a table of such strong aesthetic qualities? They practiced! The candy was delivered a few days before the wedding, and Rhonda's staff created the layout of the candy station on a 8ft rectangle.
Rhonda described the process saying, "we moved, elevated, adjusted, swapped and switched glass vases and apothecary jars until we created the perfect aesthetic design for the candy bar. Once we got it just right, we labeled and packed the jars and took a picture for reference." Impressive, right?!



Many thanks to Rhonda for posting all of this information and letting us share with our readers (see her original posts on her blog). If you are as impressed as we are by her work, contact her and book her immediately! And make sure to mention that you saw her on ABG!
Rhonda will be an expert speaker at our workshop, The Smart Bride. Register now to ask your design questions in person. Click here for your complimentary ticket.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Details, Design & Florals, Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds
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