Wednesday, May 23, 2012
We have shared various reasons why Street Tuxedo is the best choice for your tuxedo rental needs, and we've shared lots of weddings in which the grooms and groomsmen looked dapper in the tuxedos they rented from Street. It's easy for us to go on and on about why we feel they're great and that you should work with them. But, instead of us trying to convince you even further, we are going to look to your peers to tell us why they love Street Tuxedo. These are all from reviews from real brides and grooms who recommend Street Tuxedo and why they loved working with them for their wedding!
Photos by Mary Rosenbaum
1) Huge Selection of Quality Tuxedos
Street Tuxedo personally picks out the styles of tuxedo they carry and stay up-to-date on the latest trends for weddings so grooms always look good. "They have an incredible selection of top quality tuxedos, this is the boutique of tuxedos, not the Walmart of tuxedos you'd find in the mall," said one groom. Another satisfied groom commented, "They had our tuxes in in time, had way classier looking tuxes then the generic chains, and were extremely personable."
Street Tuxedo's warehouse is here in Nashville and they have a huge inventory of tuxedos, suits, shirts, and the accessories that accompany a tuxedo (vests, ties, cummerbunds, etc.) so if you need something to match what the bridesmaids are wearing, odds are very good they can match it. This is a huge source of relief for couples who have specific color schemes. "We had trouble deciding on the exact shades that would best compliment the bridesmaids dresses and the Street Tuxedo team were extremely helpful in making these decisions." Other grooms praised their variety and ability to match colors and said, "They have lots of options and we were really happy with the tuxes we got."
Photo by Jonathon Campbell
2) Experience and knowledge
Unlike most tuxedo rental stores, Street Tuxedo is not a chain and isn't a typical retail shop where there is constant turnaround with their sales people. With years of experience and staff comprised mostly of the Street family, the person you're working with most likely has the surname Street and is dedicated to making sure you have the best experience possible. One groom took notice and said, "No high school kids working here, like other stores in the mall! You feel confident that you're getting great service, a good product, and someone who knows what they're doing!" No one is selling you on a tux just for the sake of making a sale - Street Tuxedo wants you to look good on your wedding day and they work hard to make sure that happens!
Which brings us to the next reason brides and grooms enjoy working with Street Tuxedo...
3) Great customer service
Whether your guys live in Nashville or in another state, Street Tuxedo will make sure everyone gets the right outfit that you specified in the right sizes. Newlyweds Angel and Peter experienced this good service first hand: "We had trouble deciding on the exact shades that would best complement the bridesmaids dresses and the Street Tuxedo team were extremely helpful in making these decisions. They were EXCELLENT in working with all of our out of town men in the bridal party."
In the case of this next groom, they had a unique situation that Rachael Street of Street Tuxedo rolled with and made everything work: "One of our ring bearers is from Wales and his mother had sent me the measurements in European sizes. I forwarded them to Rachael to see what she thought. She worked with what I gave her and helped us figure out the right size for the little boy."
Now THAT is good service.
ABG Notes: They even have tuxedos for boys and ring bearers. How cute! (Photo by Amanda Evans)
Photo by Becca Yager Photography
4) Local
Why should brides be the only ones to have a shopping experience? Street Tuxedo has three locations in middle Tennessee with a large selection of samples grooms and groomsmen can try on. There's no guess work involved when ordering your tuxedo. Simply call Street Tuxedo to schedule an appointment during which your groom can find a style of tuxedo in which he is comfortable and, more importantly, looks really good!
We hope this helps you make your decision and gives you a better idea of what's in store for you. Tuxedo shopping should be an enjoyable part of weddings and when in doubt, rest assured Street Tuxedo will be on hand to help you out.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Newlyed Elizabeth Ulrich-Fanguy, owner of Stockroom Vintage, is a passionate chick with an old-soul. She has been collecting vintage pieces since she was a kid. The child of a furniture maker, she was born into a family with an appreciation for handmade, restored, and repurposed beauties. It's no wonder that for her own budget wedding, her family recommended that she use her own pieces. And, that's just what she did.
Soon after she accomplished the feat of a lifetime, a vintage wedding for under $5k, she decided to share her specialty collection, custom-search and event styling services with other Nashville brides. And while her pieces are stunning, she is staying true to her budget wedding roots and amassed a collection that every Nashville bride can afford.
Images from her recent photo shoot (below), which I am lucky to share with you today, give a small peak into her world of antique goodies, which are all available to rent via her website.
Photos: Stef Atkinson Photography
ABG: What was the inspiration behind your photo shoot?
Elizabeth of Stockroom Vintage: This wedding shoot was inspired by the whimsical style of Kate Spade, graphic black and white patterns, and my undying love for confetti and gold glitter. When I first envisioned the shoot, I wanted to make sure I styled it in a way that showed brides how vintage pieces can be incorporated into a more modern look. I adore rustic, farmhouse weddings, but I also love to push the envelope and show people that vintage can also feel really sleek, new, and cool. I love the way the chevron patterns and the gold touches—from the polka dots placed on the walls to the bow-topped-swizzle sticks made with gold lamé ribbon—play off the rustic nature of the worn wood furniture and the industrial look of the space at WestLight Studios. I’ve always been a fan of looks that are both hard and soft, tough, and girlie. It’s unexpected and fun and something guests will remember.
I also incorporated tons of DIY elements to keep the budget low. I always say you should splurge on big things—like an amazing photographer, such as Stef Atkinson, who photographed this shoot—and craft little details yourself to save money. For this shoot, I bought all of the big, girlie blooms at Import Flowers and arranged them into various jars and vintage vessels. I turned some pretty glass drawer knobs from Anthropology into holders for the place cards. I designed the “Make It Rain” envelopes and filled them with hand-cut confetti and made the gold bow drink stirrers. I also made all of the table runners, recovered the mix-and-match vintage dining chairs in a chevron print to tie them together visually and crafted the paper flowers out of pretty party napkins and polka dot tissue paper. And those plates on the dining table? I fell in love with these Ticker Tape Tidbit Plates from Kate Spade, but couldn’t splurge on them. So I bought some white vintage plates at Goodwill and a gold porcelain paint pen at the craft store and whipped up my own version of these confetti-sprinkled beauties for less than $10.
ABG: Stef Atkinson's photos are spectacular! I noticed she also did your wedding photos. Who else participated in the photo shoot?
Elizabeth: Photography was by Stef Atkinson Photography; Venue was WestLight Studios; Flower were purchased at Import Flowers and arranged/styled by Stockroom Vintage.
ABG: I absolutely love the mail collector used for guest table cards! The black and white contrast against the worn wood is genius. What was your favorite piece from the shoot?
Elizabeth: The Vintage Postal Sorter is such a stunner. It’s definitely one of our show-stopper pieces, and I’m so grateful to the old postmaster who set it free. With its worn wood, the remnants of the original paper state labels and all of those cubbies, it’s always so much fun to style. And those cubbies are just begging to be filled with all sorts of vintage goodies and small details. For this shoot, I filled many of the slots with handmade and handwritten escort cards. Old clocks, skeleton keys and a few owls from our collection—along with single stems of tulips and ranunculus—add interest to the vignette and make it even more photogenic. The possibilities for this piece are endless: Use it as a ceremony backdrop, a way to showcase cupcakes at the dessert table and on and on. For the shoot, I placed it atop our Gray Day Table, which serves as a welcome table to guide guests to their seats at the reception. Our Spools and Spindles wrapped in ribbon and adorned with glittery letters set the “Let’s Party” tone for the evening.
ABG: Which Nashville wedding venues do you feel are a good complement for vintage brides?
Elizabeth:
~ Marathon Village: I love everything about Marathon Village, from The Bang Candy Company to Marathon Music Works, the latter of which Stockroom Vintage will be styling with vintage props galore for the Porter Flea independent handmade market on June 16. And the event space at Marathon Village is just as covetable, with the exposed brick, loft-like feel and industrial vibe. Vintage pieces with a more feminine look, like curved leg tables and tufted sofas, really pop in a space like that.
~ Houston Station: I love the warehouse at Houston Station for the same reasons. You just can’t beat hardwood floors, exposed brick and all of those gorgeous wood beams. It has so much warmth and beauty that it wouldn’t take too many unique props and vintage additions to really set it off.
~ Carnton Plantation: As much as I love industrial spaces, there is something to be said for beautiful gardens filled with trees that have been there for hundreds of years. The sense of history here is amazing, and it’s a perfect complement to vintage pieces because they all share a common sense of soul. And posing and snuggling with your hubby on a vintage sofa in the middle of an open field? It doesn’t get more romantic than that!
~ Rose Mont Mansion: This mansion in Gallatin also has that sense of history that I gravitate toward and a big photogenic porch to boot. Plus, it’s super affordable, which is even more of a reason to love it.
ABG: You take such pride in your wonderfully curated, eclectic collection. What is the newest addition that gives your heart a pause?
Elizabeth: Like a proud mama, I’ll say these pieces are like my children and I love them all equally. But I’m particularly fond of a 19th-century wooden Cobbler’s Rack that is everything I want a great, unique vintage piece to be: worn to perfection, fully functioning (with its original rolling casters!), and ready to be repurposed. When I first spotted it, I instantly envisioned about 10 different ways to use it at a wedding or event. That’s how I know I’m inspired! With all of its shelving, which is made of wooden slats, I can see it being used behind the bar or at a buffet to hold heirloom china and glassware. It would also make for unique storage for guests’ gifts. Or, my personal favorite, as a one-of-kind dessert buffet, where the shelves could be used to store and display cakes, pies, and all sorts of pretty confections.
Elizabeth's newest and favorite rental addition - antique cobbler's rack
Vintage loving brides, you are sure to love Elizabeth, her collection and her delicious vintage blog, which you should certainly add to your list for daily wedding inspiration.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Details, Design & Florals, DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Inspiration & Trends, Real Nashville Brides
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Monday, May 21, 2012
AshleysBrideGuide.com welcomes the Nashville City Club to our list of Nashville wedding resources. If you are not familiar with them as a wedding venue, you might be surprised to find that it is an all-inclusive, downtown wedding location for Nashville brides and grooms. We were!
A few years ago, I had the great fortune of attending a business event at The Nashville City Cub. What stood out the most during that visit was their exceptional food and service. Because they are an established, full-time restaurant, with an Executive Chef, food is their forte. Ironically, most brides that choose Nashville City Club for their wedding venue discover their incredible food after falling in love with the venue's stunning views.
If you are a city-loving bride and want your guests to experience a taste of Nashville's vibrant downtown, add the Nashville City Club to your list of reception locations to consider. Because they are all-inclusive, you can literally show up with your dress, groom, guests, and photographer. You can even have a small ceremony at the same location.
Whether you are interested in great food and city views or an all-inclusive venue that alleviates some of your stress, you can't really go wrong with the Nashville City Club.
Photo by Scoobie's Photographic Images
About Nashville City Club
Located: Downtown Nashville at 201 4th Avenue North, 20th Floor
Main Contact: Gina Manlove, Private Events Manager
Phone Number: 615-620-1327
Email Address: gina{at}nashvillecity.com
Follow us on Twitter: @nashvillecity
Become a Facebook fan: facebook.com/nashvillecityclub
Blog: nashvillecity.com/city-club-blog/
Website: nashvillecity.com
Can you give us an overview of your venue?
Enjoy the convenience of an all-inclusive venue paired with the luxury and personal service of a private club, all set against a backdrop of Nashville's twinkling city lights. With renowned culinary and event professionals, we can expertly craft an enticing variety of custom menu ideas that are sure to impress your guests. In addition, we will guide you through all aspects of event planning, while working with you to turn your affair into a truly extraordinary and memorable occasion. We invite you to come see why the Tennessean named the Nashville City Club the Best Place to Get Married AND the Best View of the City in 2011!
Photo by Scoobie's Photographic Images
How long have you been in business?
Since 1957
What is your motto/philosophy?
We have the same goal as you – to make sure you, your family and friends are taken care of from the moment they arrive in our lobby to the very last dance of the night.
What options does your venue offer?
Ceremony ~ Reception ~ Showers ~ Parties
What type of rooms are available? How many people can you accommodate?
The Nashville City Club houses five (5) banquet/meeting rooms, all with beautiful views of the downtown skyline. Our rooms range in capacity anywhere from 2 to 250, depending on the type of function and required set up. For weddings, we recommend between 150 - 200 guests.
Salmon lollipops! Can you say, unique and yum?! (Photo by Scoobie's Photographic Images)
How many events do you take per day?
One wedding per day. Clients may elect to do a full venue buyout (with ceremony and reception) to be the ONLY private event at the Club that evening.
Is outside catering allowed? Do you require couples to use a set list of caterers?
No, all catering is provided in house.
Is outside alcohol allowed?
No. All alcohol is served by our TABC certified staff.
Photo by Scoobie's Photographic Images
Is an on-site event coordinator available?
The Private Events Manager serves as your "wedding concierge" guiding the process from planning to execution. However, brides are welcome to bring in outside wedding planners if they would like additional planning assistance.
What is your pricing model?
Combo: Room Rental + Per Person Price.
Room rental is $950 for the ballroom and $1500 for a full venue buyout. Per person prices range from $90 - $130 per guest inclusive of food, beverage, service, taxes, and fees.
Which bride budget do you serve?
Moderate and Luxury
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Photo by Scoobie's Photographic Images
What attracts couples to your venue for their wedding? What are your key selling points?
Our venue offers all-inclusive catering and beverage packages, but we are not a hotel. We provide an ambiance that is elegant, but not stuffy, with an experienced staff to guide you through the planning process, but we are not pushy.
Located in the heart of downtown, we offer an exclusive and private space, within walking distance to area attractions, hotels, and Broadway (and we don't have high parking fees!). Our venue has simply the BEST views of downtown Nashville.
Photo on left by Bridgett Ezzard and photo on right by Scoobie's Photographic Images
ABG Notes: You really can rent a room for two! Pictured here is an anniversary table (celebrate where you were married!).
What makes your venue so unique from a service perspective?
Because we have a membership-driven culture, our attention is always on the needs of the client first and foremost. We also are well established in the Nashville community with a strong history of elevated service and cuisine.
What else should brides know about your venue?
We welcome non-member and outside groups to use our space. We also have a few coveted fall dates open - call us about November!
All uncredited photos by Nashville City Club
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Our Featured Advertisers!, Wedding Venues and Locations
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Friday, May 18, 2012
We love featuring local Nashville weddings, but Reagan, TN is local enough and this wedding just shows the importance of finding vendors you love - wherever they are located. For Kyla and John's budget-friendly wedding, Picture This Nashville really brought the fun (all the way from Nashville) and made the day for them and their guests.
Thanks to Shannon Fulton Photography for sending us photos from the ceremony and reception. Other photos are from Picture This Nashville (as marked).
Kyla and John's Picture This Guestbook cover
Kyla + John
Wedding Date ~ October 8, 2011 at 6pm
Ceremony + Reception ~ Outside of a family friend's house in Reagan, TN
Guests ~ 200
Budget
$10,000
Wedding Team
Photo Booth | Picture This Nashville
Photographer | Shannon Fulton
Gown | Allure Bridal - diamond white, one shoulder, mermaid cut
Groom’s Attire + Groomsmen Attire | Chocolate Tux from Brasher's Tuxedo in Jackson, TN
Bridesmaids Attire | Sangria dresses from David's Bridal
Hair | Maria Fucci - Tips to Toes Nail and Hair Spa
Makeup | Rachel Stricklin
Stationery | The Print Shop, Parsons, TN
Ceremony Musicians | Chase Inman, Cord Laster, and Emily Baughn
Reception Musicians | DJ - Scotty Adams
Cake Artist | Liz Whitsitt and Lila's Cake Shoppe, Lexington, TN
Floral Designer | The Flower Basket, Parsons, TN
Tent Rental | Party Pros USA, Florence, AL
My Wedding Details
How would you describe your style as a couple?
Fun and energetic, up for anything!
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
We had a unity firework instead of candle or sand, and we had a big screen TV to play the Tennessee/Georgia game - go Vols!
Plus, the photo booth was so much fun! The guests loved it! And instead of birdseed or bubbles, we had biodegradable confetti poppers.
What was the favorite aspect of your wedding?
The location and gorgeous fall day, beside a pond and historic log cabins.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
We splurged on our photo booth (Picture This) and the tent rentals (Party Pros USA). We made it work because when I saw Picture This Nashville at a bridal show I knew right then I had to have them. It was new, innovative, and it was something original which is what I wanted my whole wedding to be. I wanted people to saw "wow I've never seen this before". The photo booth was perfect for our wedding!
We saved on our food - our families made all of the food and we saved on doing the centerpieces ourselves, we borrowed tables, and table linens from our church.
Bridesmaids goofing off with the props and looking through the Picture This Nashville photos, before taking their own.
Why did you decide to hire a photo booth for the reception and at the same time make it your biggest splurge?
I wanted our guest to feel like they had a part in the guestbook instead of just a signature. I wanted them to have fun and the props totally made it fun. And I wanted them to be able to take something with them to remind them us and how fun our wedding was, the prints did that.
It really added to the atmosphere at the reception. Our reception was meant to be fun and it really made it just that; it really added that extra spark that wow'd our guests. They completely loved it and are still talking about it.
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
We would have hired a wedding planner! It was way too stressful doing it myself.
In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Hire a planner, you can enjoy the planning if someone else is doing it.
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Posted by Megan |
Filed under: DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Photo Booth, Reception Entertainment, Photo Booths
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Thursday, May 17, 2012
Something Old Something New (SOSN) has something for every bride looking to maximize her wedding budget. The wedding consignment boutique located in Nashville's Lenox Village features new, sample, and consignment wedding items at affordable prices, including bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, mother-of-the-bride gowns, shoes, jewelry, hair accessories, veils, and reception décor. Something Old Something New also caters to local party-goers, supplying the Nashville area with gorgeous second-hand dresses (most under $40!) perfect for any gala or prom.
Special thanks to Joe Hendricks Photography for kindly providing images of the salon and gowns.
This week is their official grand opening! Wedding vendors are invited to drop by for wine and cheese today (Thursday) from 6-830pm. Brides, neighbors, friends - stop by Friday from 6-830pm and enjoy catering by The Chef and I. The boutique will continue to be open Saturday and Sunday so you can shop all weekend.
Beth - owner
Beth Glascock, owner, opened Something Old Something New so that brides could stretch their wedding dollars further, spending less on gowns and accessories and more on big-ticket expenses such as photography and catering. When designing the boutique, Beth wanted the feel of the store to be “comfortable and special”. “We want you to come and relax and have a good time; I don’t want anyone to feel like this is a high-pressure situation,” said Beth. As most brides know, shopping for a wedding gown can be stressful enough without having a sales consultant hounding you to make a purchase. Something Old Something New prides themselves on putting the bride’s feelings first. Beth has even encouraged indecisive brides to go home and sleep on their decision.
“I had a bride who was hesitant because she was in love with a gown from a different store…I told her she should buy the gown she loved, even if I wasn’t selling it to her.” Beth wants every bride to be comfortable and excited about their purchase, and her enthusiasm and sincerity for her customer’s happiness is obvious. Complimentary private appointments are encouraged and there is no pretense, only an experience that resembles a game of dress-up for the bride and her companions!
Looking to buy?
Something Old Something New is a great option for budget brides. The boutique is also an excellent option for a bride who is looking for multiple gowns for her event. Almost all of the bridal gowns are priced around $200, veils are priced at $50 or less, hair accessories are under $30, and shoes are priced at around $15. Most of the gowns do require some dry-cleaning or mending, but that extra expense is reflected in the prices.
Something Old Something New is open M-F by appointment Only, and Saturdays 10am-5pm. Appointments can be made by emailing Beth at info{at}somethingoldnewandblue.com or by phone: 615-428-8379.
Looking to sell?
There are 5 easy steps that Beth suggests for consigning items at Something Old Something New. Visit their website for details.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, DIY & Budget Wed Finds
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