Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Here's a super fun wedding with a modern twist, courtesy of Lotus Blossom Photography, who always manages to capture such joyful aspects of a wedding.
What ABG loves about this wedding is that just because you're having a destination wedding doesn't mean that you can't hire {great} Nashville wedding vendors you love/trust...or still check out ABG for ideas everyday:).
Thanks Cathryn and Michael for sharing your special day with us!
Bride - Cathryn Renee Kelton of Nashville, TN
Groom - Michael Robert Formichella of Long Valley, NJ
Ceremony - Memorial Chapel, The campus of Emory and Henry College in Emory, VA
Reception Location - The Martha Washington Inn and Spa, Abingdon, VA
Guests - 100
My wedding style
I would say our wedding style was classic with a slight modern twist. I kept the color scheme simple, but elegant with black and ivory, and used classic cut A-line dresses. Our modern touch came from using tropical flowers for the arrangements. It added a sophisticated touch of color.
My colors and why I choose them
We used black and ivory. Black and white is such a classic combination, and everyone looks good in black. I chose ivory instead of white because my dress was ivory.
My theme
I didn’t start out with a theme, but it ended up being lace. My dress had lace trim, therefore I ended up choosing bridesmaid and flower girl dresses that incorporated lace in their designs to carry the theme throughout all the girls. It ended up looking gorgeous having the lace common to everyone.
Wedding wow factor
Our guests loved the candy buffet we had at the reception. We bought apothecary jars in various sizes and filled them with various candies we purchased at bulk warehouse stores.
Favors
In lieu of wedding favors we provided black and white organza bags at the candy bar for guests to take home their favorite candies.
Personalized touches
Other than the standard monogrammed cocktail napkins everyone has, our cake had our initials incorporated into the design.
Most special moment for me
It’s hard to pick a most special moment because there were so many, but I would have to say during our rehearsal dinner, Mike’s sister and her partner who are in a band called Driftwood Fire, dedicated a song for us and sang for everyone.
What I did for the kids in my wedding
I bought our flower girl two My Little Ponies for being in the wedding. She was more excited about her ponies than getting to wear her princess dress.
Gift for bridesmaids
I bought each bridesmaid a necklace with their birthstone in the pendant. I also ordered a tote bag set that I had monogrammed for each of them.
Groomsmen
Mike chose his groomsmen's gifts based on each one's hobbies. He bought his best man a nice pocket knife, one groomsman is into art, so he bought them a set of nice artist pencils. The other three groomsmen are his fraternity brothers, he bought them Max (from Where The Wild Things Are) bobble heads because Max is their mascot.
My wedding vendors
Photography: Lotus Blossom Photography
Dresses: The White Room
Hair: Hannah Young
Invitations and Bridesmaids’ tote bags: Exclusively Weddings
Cake: Brenda Maus (Rocky Mount, VA)
Reception and Rehearsal Dinner: The Martha Washington Inn and Spa
Ceremony: Memorial Chapel, Emory and Henry College
DJ: Grant Smiley (Abingdon, VA)
My faves – highly recommend
Bridal gown/bridesmaid dresses - The White Room
Hair - Hannah Young
Photography: Lotus Blossom Photography
The Martha Washington Inn & Spa
How I found my vendors – bridal shows, wedding planning resources, friends:
My sister bought her wedding dress from The White Room which is one of the reasons I decided to get my dress and bridesmaids’ dresses from them. The biggest reason though is they have an amazing selection, and the girls are wonderful to work with. It is worth the short drive to Lebanon to check them out!
Hannah Young has been a long time family friend, she did my sister’s and my hair for my sister’s wedding and our hair looked beautiful.
Amber of Lotus Blossom Photography and I have been friends since middle school. She’s been interested in photography as long as I’ve know her. I couldn’t think of anyone else I would have wanted to do our pictures. We have gotten so many compliments on the quality of our pictures, I HIGHLY recommend Lotus Blossom Photography to anyone.
Mike and I met in college, which is why we chose to get married at Emory and Henry College. The town of Abingdon, VA reminds me of Franklin, TN. It is very historic which beautiful old buildings dating back to the late 1700’s. We chose to have our rehearsal dinner and our wedding reception at The Martha Washington Inn because it is a beautiful Plantation home, and the service is amazing. The staff was easy to work with and the food was wonderful. If you are thinking about having a beautiful mountain wedding, please give them a call. Not only do they do receptions, they can also do weddings.
My wedding rewind
What I would do differently if planning again
I gave myself a lot of unneeded stress trying to make everyone happy. Everyone, especially your parents are going to have an opinion and will want something a certain way. While there are compromises that have to be made in planning any wedding, I finally learned that you have to put your foot down sometimes, because you can’t please everyone, and most importantly you need to please yourself.
Biggest waste of time or money?
Decorations at the church, you’re at the church for a short period of time, and no one really notices them. I’m glad we just decided to do pew bows, but we didn’t even need to do that.
Best value for the service/product
Lotus Blossom Photography, you get two photographers to cover your event, not just one. Hannah Young, she does beautiful hair and doesn’t cost a small fortune. Artificial Flowers from Michael’s - we were able to have tropical flowers in the fall at a fraction of the cost.
Neatest find
We found beautiful inexpensive apothecary jars for our candy bar at Hobby Lobby.
Advice for other Nashville brides?
1. Don’t feel like you need to go to the big box bridal stores for your dresses. Independent boutiques have better selections, and you’ll be surprised that their prices are very similar to what you’d find at the chain bridal stores. Besides, you don’t want to have the same dress as 1000’s of other girls. Those of you getting married right after college, please think of this. I had 7 friends get married the summer after we graduated college, and they all went to a chain bridal store. A few weddings had the same bridesmaids’ dresses, but in different colors. The nice thing about an independent bridal store, if you don’t like one aspect of a dress’ design, you can have it taken off or you can have something added. They don’t do this at the chain stores.
2. Your bridesmaids, and groomsmen for that matter, are spending a lot of money for you. Get them something nice in return. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Go shopping after a major holiday and you’ll get great deals on nice things. I got my girls a diamond and birthstone necklace from Kohl’s as part of their presents. They were $100.00 necklaces on sale for $30.00. Shop around and wait for sales, I was able to pick up my girls’ tote bag sets from exclusivelyweddings.com on sale. They were normally almost $50.00 for the set, I got them for $20.00.
3. Give yourself at least a year to plan. You don’t want to be rushed, this process is stressful, and you don’t want to make yourself crazy. We picked one or two things to take care of a month, because we did that, two months before my wedding we had all of the planning finished. I had time to sit back and enjoy the last few months of being engaged.
4. Think about artificial flowers. They’re much cheaper than real flowers. The tropical flowers we used would have cost us a fortune if we used real flowers. Our artificial flowers looked so real, people at the reception tables had no idea the centerpieces were fake until we told them.
5. Lastly, have fun. Wedding planning can be a huge headache, but it doesn’t have to be. Stay calm, learn to compromise, and enjoy this period in your life. It goes by before you know it!
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Posted by Lotus Blossom Photography |
Filed under: Destination Weds & Honeymoon , Real Nashville Brides, Real Nashville Weddings
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009 Today's Guest Blogger: Brandi Montgomery, Nashville bride Continued from yesterday... Upon leaving the booth, I saw the most colorful vehicle you could imagine with a sign advertising military discounts. I told you guys my fiance was veteran so whenever I see military discount I always check it out. The great thing is, I found an awesome way to save money on our honeymoon. I will definitely be placing this in open view for my fiance.
4) Most Interesting Booth - Cook Travel LLC, 1-800-828-8077 WHAT DO THEY OFFER: All Inclusive Luxury Vacation packages to Sandals and Beaches resorts SPECIALS: 10% off current promotions for military couples 5 and 6) Best Presentation of Services / Products - Tie between Glitz Bridal and Ribbons of Chocolate WHO: Glitz Bridal, 615-646-9964 WHAT: Bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses and accessories SPECIAL: 50% Off Semi Annual sale on August 7th and 8th What I liked best about the Glitz Bridal booth was the fact they had a live model to showcase their dress. Funny think, I walked past the booth admiring the dress before I noticed she was real. The bridesmaids designs were also great and non generic for those of us who love originality.
mashed potato bar
WHO: Ribbons of Chocolate, 615-449-4368 WHAT MAKES IT HOT!!: They offer chocolate, white chocolate (can be tinted to match your colors,) caramel and cheese fountains. They also offer catering services There were lots of sweet things to eat at the bridal show, my favorite, chocolate. In my search for a chocolate fountain, I found something out of the box, modern, and HOT!! An orange colored tinted white chocolate fountain and a lovely mashed potato martini bar (I'd heard about them, but never seen the concept.) The owner Pam, can tint your fountain to match your wedding using white chocolate and also offers catering. To top it off she was extremely nice and informative. SPECIAL: Make sure you tell her you saw it on ABG:) 7) Best Overall and Best Value - Wedding Cake Designs Last but not least...what have I missed, WEDDING CAKE. There was Wedding Cake EVERYWHERE, and we sampled all of them. There were some really great cakes including the White Chocolate Truffle by Signature Cakes by Vicki (I ate 4 of the sample bites.) Maples Cakes had some really trendy fun designs with great use of color. However, Wedding Cake Designs stood out to me the most. Her cake tasted awesome, and she serves cake shots adorned by a ribbon (coordinated with your colors) with a foil stamp. I LOVED her cakes so much I was going to book on the spot, (I couldn't b/c I hadn't cleared it with my fiance.) She is also offering 10% of to ABG readers who book soon. This makes the price of the cake less than $400 for a 4 tier cake, and under 4.00 a cake shot. In my opinion she had the taste, look and presentation that encompassed everything I was looking for...Modern, Chic, and Frugal. Luv it! Why is she hot!: She does custom cakes and cake shots; her designs are great Specials: 4 tier cake under $400 and cake shots under $4.00
Overall, I had a great experience at my second bridal show. I found my cake, photo booth, honeymoon plan and have some great leads on linens, venues, and attire. I didn't really go to many of the photography booths, that's the one thing I already have. Oh, I did fail to mention I reserved my fiance's tux on the spot, which gave him a free tux and $30 off his groomsmen tuxes. What a way to end a Divalistic Day!
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Attire & Accessories, Bridal Shows & Events, Real Nashville Brides
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 Today's my birthday so I am trying my best to stay away from the computer and opting for a day at the park, movies, etc. But, it's perfect timing because today I am welcoming Brandi, an ABG bride, who did a full round-up of her favorites from the bridal show, to offer a bride's perspective. I will return Friday with more of my finds but today and Thursday, check out Brandi's favorites. It was surprising that she found some vendors that I didn't even see! She also spoke with vendors and they are offering specials for ABG readers so be sure to mention ABG if you call them. Thanks Brandi - great job! I can't wait to start following your blog. Today's Guest Blogger: Brandi Montgomery, Nashville bride Hello brides, planners, and grooms to be, I am thrilled to give you a review of the recent bridal show. Who am I - a modern/chic bride. I'm on a Kool-Aid budget with Champagne taste. I happen to be relocating states, getting married and starting a new job in the upcoming months, not to mention taking on a step mother role. My fiance' is prior military and I am an inch away from my 30th birthday. I think I've checked all the boxes of majority of you all out there, so grab a pen and some papers, I've got some HOT!!! finds for you all. Although I've attended a bridal show before, I was in no way mentally prepared. I should have know something when my neighbor advised me to wear tennis shoes (I rocked flip flops.) There were short brides, tall brides, Second timers, mothers, groom's (I counted about 30,) all there for the same reason as I - bargains! With my Matron of Honor in tow, I proudly put out my BRIDE badge, but not before stopping to get a picture for you guys. We were greeted with sounds from the Nashville Chamber Players. These guys were great and would make an excellent addition to any cocktail hour, wedding, or reception.
Now a recap of my favorites! 1) Best Wedding/Event Styling - Enchanted Florist
2) Best Floral Design - Accent Designs
What set them apart from the other florists booths: Keven said he loves color and uses it to create an atmosphere for each bride. Kevin designs made me feel as if I stepped into my own wedding reception, complete with bridal bouquets and all. He incorported ostrich feathers into a table scape that brides couldn't get enough off. Warner also had bouquets on hand with different moods. Check out the pic's below including one with me and favorite bridesmaids bouquet.
Tips on booking him: 6 month advance notice if you can, try to steer clear of holiday weekends. Accent Designs-Owner Kevin Warner, 615-833-9710
3) Great Deal - Ace Photobooths NEWS FLASH! I FOUND MY PHOTO BOOTH for $800-"HOORAY!) I had a plan so conquer all the booths, but my curiosity couldn't let me get past a line that started to gather. WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE: Retro, chic, mirrored, and graphics can be added WHAT MAKES IT SO HOT!!: The $800 price includes 4 hours with an attendant, a dvd with all of your pics, a choice of black and white or color, pics come up in seconds, if you'd like double prints it's an additional $40 per hour. This was the best price that I've seen online and at the show. You can even change the color of the curtain. What we liked best was the preview of your self and the countdown before the picture snapped. Here is my photo. HOW DO YOU GET IT: There is a $250 retainer which allows you to hold your booth. Its the bridal show special so you need to act FAST!
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events, Real Nashville Brides
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Monday, June 22, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I have become fast e-friends with Lillian, who I mentioned yesterday. We email a few times a week re: her wedding plans and learned that her engagement session took place at Southall Eden, a farm in Leiper's Fork! I was so excited to see her pics b/c I love Southall. Then, she told me that she won her engagement session in a Photo Graphix photo contest. So, I had to know more. Here's what Lillian shared with me and her pics: About the contest:
First submission: Submit an image showing "LOVE" between couples...be creative! And no distasteful images please :) Up for grabs: Free couples shoot session (that's right, sitting fees waived). Can be as relaxed as you want or you can dress back up in your wedding attire...you choose!
We won!
 
After more than 400 votes, the picture of Craig proposing to me on stage at they Ryman Auditorium won us the contest! I actually submitted it the day after we got engaged, and never expected we would win. Lucky us!
Our engagement shoot As for the shoot itself, I was a nervous wreck until we got to the farm. You see all these amazing photos that are so inspiring and then you stress over your outfits a billion times, but in the end, it's just about capturing this moment in time when you are just blissfully in love with your best friend. Jen and Ann of Photographix were great to just let us interact on our own, rather than stage us too much, and that made us completely comfortable to smile, laugh, kiss and even flirt a little like we do when we're all alone! It made for such a fun, relaxing day for both of us. Craig (my fiance) usually hates having his picture made, but when we were driving back after it was over, he mentioned that he actually enjoyed it a little - a major milestone for sure! I think he was just proud of himself because the photographers said what a great little model he was! Lillian
Thanks Lillian and Photographix for sharing these amazing pics and congrats on your engagement!
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Photography & Videography, Real Nashville Brides
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
I love this wedding story, for so many reasons.
The wedding touches:
Since April, I have heard so much about this wedding. From taking place at Baber House, a new Nashville wedding venue, to incorporating a rentacake - one of the first I've seen in use and a photo booth. Plus, the wedding planner was Courtney of A Magical Affair; paper goods were provided by Designs in Paper.
With so many great vendors and touches, I simply couldn't wait to see the pics and here they are! Before I share the wedding, I wanted to share from Cakes by Shara's blog on how you can use a rental:
"The Watson's love Publix cakes so Cakes By Shara designed a 4 tier [faux] wedding cake in custom colors for $300 with a real slice of cake in the back, this cake would have served close to 275 people for the retail cost of $1787. Publix sheet cake cost $75 each for a full sheet cake 1 1/2 inch high. They needed 4 [sheet cakes] so the savings on this cake is over $1100. None of the guests knew that this was not a real wedding cake."
The touching wedding: I'll let Myrick tell you about this amazing couple and their story...
Guest Blogger: Myrick Studios is a Nashville-based, wedding photographer.
Engraved on the inside of their rings, it reads "True Love Waited". It's so incredible to actually come across a couple who did it, well, they didn't "DO IT". Brittany and Lawson waited. They vowed to each other and to God to remain pure until their wedding night. What an awesome story and what a privilege it was to capture this moment. In this sex-craving culture that we live in, it's so inspiring to to meet a couple who had the strength to say no to all of the temptation that surrounded them and to say yes to each other. True love waited. Meet Brittany & Lawson. May God continue to protect and bless this marriage.
Visit Myrick's blog for even more Watson wedding pictures.
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Photography & Videography, Real Nashville Brides, Real Nashville Weddings
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