Thursday, February 4, 2010
3.2 months. 14.2 weeks. 100 days. 2400 hours. 144,000 minutes. 8,640,000 seconds. And, it all comes down to one moment. The moment you walk down the aisle to the one you love, the one to whom you are going to pledge the rest of your life. Could you plan your wedding in that short amount of time? Nashville newlywed Amber did, and she wrote about her journey on the blog aptly named 100 Days to Plan a Wedding.
Thoroughly impressed by this concept and her hard work, I think it only right to share with you Amber’s inspirations and reflections for her wedding day. Not only did she plan a wedding in 100 days, but she also did it on a budget! {Brides, start taking notes!}
1. What was your biggest splurge that you thought was well worth it?
Photography! It was the one think I was willing to blow my budget on. Once the flowers are dead and the cake is stale, the photos are all we have to remember our big day. I was so blessed to find Matt Vietti and his creative eye! {you can read about her decision here & here}
2. What did you think was the biggest waste of your money?
Nothing. We were very frugal and thought out all our purchases. {be sure to check out her budget recaps}
3. What was your favorite Do-It-Yourself project?
The Paper Poms! They were very time consuming, but they were a lot of fun to do with my mom, and my various friends and family who stopped in and helped make one.
4. What would you go back and have someone else do that was originally a DIY project?
Invitations! DIY invitations were a great idea in theory, but they were, by far, the most tedious and annoying thing we had to do. They required a lot of assembly we didn’t know about until we got home and opened the box. The invitations were an odd size so we couldn’t print them at home. We ended up having to spend $60 extra and take them to Kinkos. {be sure to read about it here & here}
5. Why 100 days?
Dave {her husband} knew his brother was being deployed to Iraq in October and his best friend was also leaving in October for Naval boot camp. He wanted both of them to be a part of our special day and didn’t want to wait another year plus to get married so he popped the question in June! By the time I had processed what was happening, I realized we only had 100 days to go. That is what inspired the blog and my thought process throughout the entire planning process!
Today’s blog was written by Cassandra, an ABG bridal blogger. She is also a Nashville bride-to-be and writes from her unique perspective! Read more about Cassandra’s here.
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Posted by Cassandra |
Filed under: Real Nashville Weddings
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Wednesday, February 3, 2010
I love this couple’s engagement session. You probably remember me featuring it last summer. I love it because the two look like a jewelry ad - so perfect, so in love. While they look like models, they aren’t. They are real and were recently married in North Carolina.
I was happy to see their lovely wedding pictures shared by their photographer so I wanted to be sure to share them with you. Whether you’re getting married in Nashville or having a destination wedding, I’m sure you’ll enjoy!
Featured Favorite Blog
Myrick Studios, a Nashville-based Photography Company
http://www.myrickstudios.com
I love to meet a couple that really enjoys having a good time and enjoys being with one another. Meet Chris & Claire Schmidt.. I actually met these guys through Facebook! We communicated via email for a while because they were planning a destination wedding in North Carolina while trying to move to Little Rock Arkansas. These guys decided to come to Nashville to do their engagement session and they were just too cute because they were so nervous about their shoot together! Well, as you can see, they were total naturals in front of the camera.. and it was a total pleasure to capture their love for one another through my lens…
Chris & Claire actually met in Memphis…so they just HAD to have a picture with Elvis in it!
Visit Myrick Studios for more from this romantic, North Carolina destination wedding.
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Real Nashville Weddings
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Friday, January 8, 2010
Our first featured wedding of 2010 is one that epitomizes romance and fun all at once.
Thanks Sarah and Brent for letting me feature your wedding and to Phindy Studios for the fantastic pictures!
Our first featured wedding of 2010 is one that epitomizes romance and fun all at once.
Thanks Sarah and Brent for letting me feature your wedding and to Phindy Studios for the fantastic pictures!
(Photos courtesy of Phindy Studios)
Bride - Sarah
Groom - Brent
Ceremony & Reception location - Riverwood Mansion
Guests - 185
Wedding Style:
My wedding style
Timeless and elegant yet simple
My colors and why I choose them
Most of what we did was in shades of green and white. We wanted to compliment the beautiful garden where we were married, which was lush and green in late August with subtle white accents. The girls wore champagne and the boys wore navy suits.
Personal touches
Instead of table numbers, each table was assigned a song title. We picked our favorite love songs as well as a few that would make the guests assigned to that table laugh.
We served Mexican popsicles from Las Paletas for dessert. I’m not a huge fan of wedding cake (although we had a small one just for the photo opp) and Las Paletas are my absolute favorite! Also, I knew we were taking a risk with the potential heat by getting married in Nashville in August. What is better than a refreshing popsicle on a hot summer night in Nashville?!
Wedding wow factor
Our guests loved the photobooth. The photos kept getting funnier and funnier as the night went on.
Favors
We didn’t have typical favors, but the photoboth gave the guests two “photo strips” - one for the guest to keep/take home and one for them to put in our guest book with a note.
We actually put the favor budget toward serving sliders as a “snack” after dancing at the reception. Everyone had worked up an appetite!
Gifts for bridesmaids / Groomsmen
Bathrobes with their names embroidered on them for the bridesmaids and for the groomsmen meat trays/cutting boards with their initials carved in them.
Most special moment for me?
Our first dance was such a perfect moment! Getting all of our friends/family on the dance floor at one time was pretty fun as well.
My Wedding Vendors:
Photographers: Phindy Studios
Dress: Faccio Bridal (the dress was Rivini)
Bridesmaids dresses: Vineyard dresses that I bought at Bella Bridesmaids
Hair & Makeup: Erin Pruitt of Studio BBC
Flowers: East Garden
Ceremony Music: Nashville Chamber Players
Reception Band: Pat Patrick Showband
Photobooth: Photobooth Nashville
Desert: Las Paletas
Invitations: A family friend of my husband has her own company, Curly Girl Design
Programs: Custom-Programs.com
Hotel for out of town guests: Hilton downtown: We had a lot of guests from out of town so it was important for us to have a great hotel where we could host other “events.”
My faves - Highly recommend
Our photographers, Phindy Studios, were very easy to work with, fun and are amazing at what they do!
Hilton Downtown: we hosted a cocktail hour after rehearsal dinner to “welcome” guests the night before our wedding before our guests left as well as a Sunday brunch before our guests left. Everything went smoothly and our guests loved staying at the Hilton.
I loved working with Faccio as well. The ladies there are wonderful! They were very helpful with my dress and so much more.
My Wedding Rewind:
What I would do differently if planning again?
I would have delegated more and taken on less myself. I loved planning but it was a bit stressful.
Biggest waste of time or money?
Based on our contract with our ceremony/reception site, we were to use their catering company. This was nice because we did not have to shop around for a caterer, but, in the end, we were limited in our catering options and our ability to negotiate.
Best value for the service/product?
I bought a sample dress at Faccio. I would not have been able afforded the dress if I had not bought it at such a discount. And, the sample dress was in great condition!
Also, our photographers, Phindy Studios were amazing!
Neatest find
Our programs that doubled as fans: An outdoor ceremony in Nashville in August is asking for some hot guests. So, our programs were also fans to keep guests cool during the ceremony. I looked around at several fan types but only Custom-Programs.com had exactly what I was looking for. I was nervous about ordering programs online, but they turned out perfectly!
Advice for other Nashville brides?
I think every bride should make a promise to herself to, no matter what, enjoy every minute of her wedding day. So much time, effort, details and money goes into the day. Don’t let the stress, anxiety or little things that go wrong distract you from what you have been working so hard to do – enjoy it!
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Real Nashville Weddings
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Thursday, December 3, 2009
I met Monyanita at a bridal show this year.She was really excited about her wedding! Since she attended my alma mater, (Hume-Fogg High School here in Nashville) I wanted to stay in touch.
We kept in touch and she recently sent me her wedding pictures to share with other budget brides. Forget a budget bride, Monyanita admits to being a cheap bride...which is a very rare admittance. I thought I would feature it today to give other "cheap brides" some ideas to stretch that shoestring budget:).
My word of advice to brides on a budget is reduce your guest list and save/splurge only on what matters to you the most. That way, you can have the wedding of your dreams within your budget. I especially love her idea of college alumni reception tables.
That's my advice...keep reading for Monyanita's advice.
Bride - Monyanita Hockett
Groom - Michael Henry
Our wedding details - September 12th, 2009 3:30pm
Ceremony location - Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church
Reception location - Gordon Jewish Community Center
Guests - 250+
Wedding Style:
My wedding style
I am very traditional so I would say my wedding was classic. I didn't want to do anything too contemporary because I want to be able to look at my pics in 20-30 years and still think my wedding was timeless. I don't want it to look dated.
My colors and why I choose them
My colors were plum and olive with champagne accents. I chose them because I just love the way green and purple complement one another and champagne goes with both of those as well.
My theme I am a very family oriented person, so I just wanted a big family/fun-filled day.
Personal touches
Sept 12, is also Michael's bday, so I surprised him with his own bday cake, separate from the wedding cakes. We went to "rival" colleges so we had what we called "alumni tables" at our reception. We also had a memorial table w/pictures of loved ones that had passed away. We wanted them to still be a part of the day too.
Wedding wow factor
I got so many compliments on the decorations and of all things my programs. They were very unique. Everyone also told me how much fun they had at the reception. Both my husband’s fraternity brothers and my sorority sisters sang to me, then we all “strolled” and “party hopped” and a lot of people enjoyed that!
Favors
Purple and green candles in votive holders w/personalized matches
Gifts for bridesmaids / Groomsmen
I purchased their jewelry for the day and silk jewelry rolls for them to pack their jewelry when they travel. For groomsmen, my then fiance ordered wall clocks with each of the groomsmen’s favorite football teams.
What I did for the kids in my wedding
I got my flower girls mini tiaras, their shoes and socks. I got my ring bearer, bible bearer, and crier hand held electronic games.
Most special moment for me?
I had been locked away in the bridal suite the whole time, so I hadn’t seen some of the decorations. When I finally came out and turned the corner, the first thing I saw was my mother and grandfather waiting to walk me down the aisle, Then I saw the memorial table and my great-grandparents and brother were smiling back at me. I miss them a lot and to see them on the table and know that they were “there” in spirit was very emotional for me.
My Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Directors - Vicki Jones- A Brownie Affair and Cheryl Williams
Videographer: AHA Video Productions
Floral Design & Decorations: Flowers by D
Bride’s Make-up: MAC Cool Springs
Bride’s Hair: Danielle Carter- Acts of Faith Hair Studio
Bride’s Dress: A Bride’s Storey
Groom’s Attire: Bridals and Formals by RJS
Attendants Attire: Bridals and Formal by RJS
Reception Entertainment: DJ C-Lo
Limousine Service: Niles Limo
Programs: JJ Graphics
Rings: Tiffany’s/Platinum Jewelers in Franklin
My faves
All of my vendors were great…and VERY personable.
My Wedding Rewind:
What I would do differently if planning again?
I would make sure I had a FULL understanding with my vendors. I had a small misunderstanding with my reception site. They had a few rules and customs that I wasn’t aware of because of the differences in our faiths. The JCC has a beautiful facility, and a nice big place to have a reception. Just make sure they explain the rules of the kitchen if you decide to use it.
Biggest waste of time or money?
Nothing… I was frugal….almost just plain cheap
Best value for the service/product?
Our cakes without a doubt. I didn’t want to spend $4 for a thin slice of cake so I really had to look around. Ms. Pat was VERY reasonable and nice to work with and not only were my cakes beautiful, they tasted great!!! My cake had three flavors (strawberry, French vanilla, and white chocolate) and the groom’s cake was a melt in your mouth dark chocolate cake with a whipped milk chocolate filing and covered in ganache. It was, for lack of better words, off the CHAIN!!
Neatest find
I got the jewelry for my bridesmaids at www.glamourgoddess.com. I really suggest this site. I also got my cake topper from EVENTistas which I found on www.etsy.com.
Advice for other Nashville brides?
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make your wedding nice. Always look for the sale!! I used artificial flowers, which I went to purchase myself. I waited until Joanne’s, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby had their flowers on sale for 50% off. That saved me tons. After the wedding, we gave kept one of the alter arrangements, then gave the others away as gifts. I also got my favors on sale from Hobby Lobby and put them together myself with help from my matrons of honor, mother, and aunt. I also waited until the matches went on sale on weddingchannel.com they eventually got down to $16.99/100. Lastly, don’t be afraid to go outside of Nashville-area to find your vendors. My vendors came from all over TN (Springfield, Springhill, Memphis, Gallatin, etc) and it really saved us money.
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Real Nashville Weddings
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Today, I'm continuing my real wedding week, celebrating the love (and lovely weddings) of Nashville couples:). This wedding quickly caught my attention for two reasons: 1) the incredible photography and 2) the pretty purple - which I love!
Purple isnt an easy couple, you've got to know what you're doing or it can be too much. This couple got it right! It's breathtaking and elegant yet simple. I know you will LOVE this wedding that Phindy Studios featured on their blog last week...Just had to share it.
Featured Favorite Blog Phindy Studios, a Nashville-based Wedding Photography Company http://www.phindystudios.com/
I am so excited to share with you Andrew & Rose's wedding. They were married this Fall at Union Station in a beautiful ceremony officiated by Andrew's grandfather. He is a full blown Air Force Colonel, so for those of you who know us, that was pretty exciting, especially for Phil. Andrew is currently serving in the army and it was very touching how that was incorporated into the day. These are two very special & sweet people and we could not have been more honored to be apart of their day. Rose, you are crazy talented (she made the majority of her jewelry & bridesmaid jewelry, added the details to the top of her dress, made her hair clip-pretty much put her touch on every detail!) and we look forward to seeing what you do in the future 
I've highlighted some of my favorites from their wedding but visit the Phindy Studios Blog for more pics from this wedding and to see more amazing weddings they've photographed.
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Real Nashville Weddings
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