Tuesday, April 16, 2013
One thing I love about what I do at Ashley's Bride Guide is the opportunity to get to interview and share with you some of Nashville's top wedding professionals, via my vendor spotlights.
Today's spotlight is on jHenderson Studios, operated by the lovely Jenna Brie Henderson who's as cool a person as her photographs are gorgeous. I've really enjoyed reading her blog which showcases not only her talent in photographing weddings and engagements, but photography as a whole. I won't spoil it for you, you can see for yourself in our one-on-one with jHenderson Studios.
How did you get started in weddings?
When I began working in photography, I knew right away wedding were for me! A friend was getting married about the same time, and that was my way in. From there, it was a mix of hard work and luck that built my client base, and now I’ve been in business for myself for over 7 years.
What do you like most about weddings?
I love the beauty of the drama of it all. There is just so much going on, emotions are on edge, people are always moving & interacting…it’s such a spectacle. I love the challenge of telling the story of a wedding day by capturing the motion in a still photograph.
What’s your favorite wedding pic/video and why?
My favorite changes on a regular basis, though I tend to lean towards images that are photojournalistic in their nature, where my subject has ignored me and been present in their own moment. Any image that contributes to telling the whole story of a wedding is going to be one I love.
What is your service philosophy?
I want my clients to know that I’m available to them at any time to answer questions and help them have a truly wonderful wedding experience that is showcased through beautiful photos. I also like to make friends with my clients…not only does it makes everything seem less like work, but I love staying in touch as their family grows.
What are your strengths compared to others in your category? Why should a bride hire you?
My strength is my personality. I have the right balance between being assertive enough to orchestrate a large number of people and laid back enough to not sweat the small stuff. I pour my heart and soul into every single wedding I photograph. Not only to I dwell on my upcoming weddings for the weeks and days prior, thinking about the ways I can do my job better, I also spend hours after it's all over, going through each and every photo to make sure they're all as perfect as they can be.
What makes you stand out from other photographers?
First of all, I shoot a mixture of digital and film photography. I shoot mostly 35mm film throughout the wedding day, and I’ve chosen to shoot film because I love all things analog in such a digital world. It’s important to me to tell the story of a wedding as it happens, and I find that film brings an extra touch of beauty to that story. I haven’t completely abandoned digital photography, but my best work tends to come from film. (All images in this post were photographed using film).
Also, my pricing structure is quite different from most. Rather than having set packages, I allow my clients to build their own custom wedding collection using a credit system. It gives my clients the chance to get exactly what they want, and know exactly what it costs.
Who are your favorite Nashville wedding vendors?
Ashley’s Bride Guide, of course! I’m also a HUGE fan of the gals over at CJ’s Off the Square as well as Legacy Farms and anyone involved with the Main EventPro team. And I’ve never seen a bouquet I didn’t love from The Enchanted Florist or Brocade Design. With This Ring Wedding Films is my top videographer recommendation. Honestly…I could keep going. There are so many great vendors in Nashville.
Who do you recommend when you’re not available/not a fit?
I usually refer folks to Ashley’s Bride Guide first! I know only top quality vendors are listed here. I also love the work of Joshua Gull. I’ve been lucky enough to have been in front of his camera, and I know any client who books him would be pleased with his work.
Good answer! Thank you:). What's the best way for Nashville brides and grooms to contact you?
Contact: Jenna of JHenderson Studios
Visit: jhendersonstudios.com
Call: 931-703-3016
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Tweet: @jhendersonphoto
Friend us: JHenderson Studios on Facebook
share
Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Helpful Vendor Interviews!, Photography, Wedding Resources
0 comments »
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
When you think about DJ's and lighting do you picture disco balls, fog machines and strobe lights? Think again! The DJ and lighting professionals we're introducing to you today aren't one of those cheeseball companies. Cosmo Creations not only provides music to suit your wedding, they also will set up specialty lighting touches to create the right ambience for your special event. With lots of experience in the business, Brent Cantrell and his team are changing the perception of wedding DJ's from corny to one of professionalism and class.
Contact Info
Name: Cosmo Creations
Main Contact: Brent Cantrell
Phone Number: 931-265-2934
Email Address: cosmocreationsdj at gmail dot com
Twitter: twitter.com/cosmocreations
Number of Years in the Business: 10 years
How did you get started in weddings? I started Cosmo Creations in 2001 after college because I love music and liked the idea of owning a small business. In 2003, after attending several of my friend’s weddings, I saw a serious need for a wedding disc jockey with a “not so over the top” personality, the rest is history.
What do you like most about weddings? As a DJ, it’s a great feeling to see a crowd at a wedding reception for the first time and try to read what style music they would enjoy listening to. It’s good to have input from the bride and groom for song selections but being able to read a crowd and determine what songs your guest would enjoy listening to is a fun challenge.
What is your service philosophy? We have been best described as “not so over the top” when it comes to DJ’n style. Also, we think looks are very important, that’s why we dress professional and bring professional looking gear! You have to have both; some brides may think they don’t care what kind of gear a DJ brings as long as it sounds good but looking good (and smelling good, not like smoke) is a must!
What are your strengths compared to others in your category? Why should a bride hire you? When choosing wedding entertainment, a disc jockey can usually play a wider variety of music at a more cost effective rate than live music. That being said, Cosmo Creations excels when compared to others disc jockeys in two main categories. #1) We leave our egos at home; the day is about the bride, groom, family, and friends celebrating one of those special moments in life. #2) We look great! Maybe not the most handsome, but we dress professionally and bring the best gear (and best looking gear), this is important and your guest will notice.
Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors? It’s hard to pick just 5 of my favorite wedding vendors! But here goes…..
A Delightful Day Event Planning – Mary Alice Sublett knows how to stick to a timeline and she’s one of the sweetest people you will ever meet! She also runs StudioWed Nashville which is a great resource for Middle Tennessee Brides! I also happened to be Mary Alice’s disc jockey at her wedding.
Simply Stunning Events – Kristin Kaplan is the most detailed wedding planner that I’ve had the privilege of working with. I’ve know Kristin and her husband Brian (he’s a great photographer) for several years now and they are both members of StudioWed. Did I mention that I also DJed their wedding?
Kristin & Brian Kaplan's first dance. (Picture by McLellan Style)
Kyle Gregory Photography (KGImages.blogspot.com) – Kyle is a great up-and-coming photographer! He’s very easy to work with and for a young photographer, he takes amazing photos! Cosmo Creations also DJed his wedding, we’re very fortunate to know so many talented and young wedding vendors.
The Country Music Hall of Fame – I’ve known Debbie Parsley for the past six years and she’s great to work with! Out of all the venues in Nashville, The Country Music Hall of Fame is my favorite to DJ. The history, architecture, and fantastic people to work with are just a few reasons why it’s at the top of my list.
Kristyn Hogan lifestyle photographer - Kristyn Hogan takes amazing photos! I met Kristyn through StudioWed and now it seems like we run into her all the time.
A wedding DJ-ed by Cosmo Creations (Photo: Kristyn Hogan)
What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends? I like to read Mobile Beat for music and lighting trends, Billboard, and Cool Hunting is also a great iPad App that gives me inspiration on colors and trendy stuff to incorporate into a wedding reception.
What are your favorite wedding websites?
StudioWed.net
WeDJ.com
WeddingWire.com
Does your company do anything special that a green bride might want to know?
5 years ago we would have brought dance lights that consume more than 4,400 watts. Today, to create the same lighting effect, we use less than 60 watts.
What is the biggest misconception about your industry? Wedding Disc Jockeys have earned a bad reputation over the years for being cheesy and sometimes unprofessional. Truth is…… the correct Disc Jockey can add much value to your wedding reception, making it a great day for all who attend!
Ashley Adds: Last year, Cosmo Creations added a photo booth and basic affordable wedding lighting to their service offering. They are becoming an even better solution for brides looking to work with one quality vendor for multiple services. Read about their lighting addition here and their photo booth here.
Photo booth by Cosmo Creations
Affordable lighting service by Cosmo Creations
Give Brent and his team at Cosmo Creations a call and let them know that Ashley's Bride Guide sent you!
share
Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Helpful Vendor Interviews!, DJ, Band, Lighting + Transportation, Photo Booth, Wedding Resources
0 comments »
Monday, January 28, 2013
A few weeks ago, we featured a lovely couple - Jessie and Austin - who planned their wedding with the help of StudioWed Nashville. But many of you may wonder what StudioWed is and how they can help you.
AshleysBrideGuide.com is a wedding planning website. Every day, we introduce you to great wedding vendors or share important wedding information or ideas. StudioWed Nashville is a wedding planning studio, a bit like our website, only in in-person. The help is complimentary and the team - Mary Alice and Leigh - meet with brides every day to help them find wedding vendors for their wedding day.
StudioWed has connected brides with some of Nashville's best wedding vendors and has given them a conveniently located space to use for wedding meetings. StudioWed Nashville is great for brides who want in-person, hands on help with hiring wedding planners, floral designers, and other wedding pros.
Learn more about the studio in my Q+A below.
Leigh + Mary Alice, owners of StudioWed Nashville
Contact Info
Name: StudioWed Nashville
Main Contact: Mary Alice Sublett or Leigh Barker
Phone Number: 615.739.5477
Email Address: maryalice at studiowed dot net
Twitter: twitter.com/StudioWedNash
Facebook fan page: facebook.com/studiowednashville
How did you get started in weddings?
StudioWed celebrates its third anniversary next month! But we’ve been in the weddings industry since 2000 & 2005!
A StudioWed wedding (Photo: Kristyn Hogan) For more, click here.
How did you get started in weddings?
Leigh's wedding career began in 2000 when she was first asked to photograph a wedding. Her love for photography and creativity only grew from there as she began to photograph several weddings a year. In 2004, she coordinated her first wedding and decided to take it on full-time after a few years!
After planning her own wedding, Mary Alice decided to pursue a career directing others' weddings. She earned her certification by the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants and completed an internship with Mary Dann, a renowned California event coordinator. She's been in business since 2005 as a planner/coordinator at her company, A Delightful Day.
The two of us worked together for a few years at A Delightful Day and decided in 2009 to open a franchise of StudioWed in Nashville! And here we are!
A StudioWed wedding (Photo: Mary Rosenbaum) For more, click here.
A StudioWed wedding (Photo: McCoy Made) For more, click here.
What do you like most about weddings?
Mary Alice - The decor! I love seeing the different fabrics, florals, and paper goods come together to create an amazing wedding design! Leigh – The details and especially the dress!
What is StudioWed? What service do you provide newly engaged couples?
StudioWed Nashville is an exclusive collection of Nashville’s finest wedding professionals, available in a fun and modern studio. Our vendors include photographers, venues, wedding cakes, florists, and everything in between to plan your Nashville wedding. We invite both Nashville brides and brides whose wedding destination is Nashville to come in and enjoy the relaxation and ease that planning your wedding should be!
StudioWed’s services are completely complimentary; just call and we’ll set up the appointments with the vendors you want to meet, or we can introduce you to a variety of wedding professionals who will best fit your needs, style, and budget.
What is your service philosophy?
To provide a luxury experience through personalized wedding design and exceptional service from expert vendors who guide brides through an efficient planning process in a relaxing and inspiring studio.
.jpg)
Photo: Lotus Blossom Photography
Who are your vendors?
For all list of all ofStudioWed's Vendors click here.
Some of our vendors include:
Planning - A Delightful Day Event Planning, Simply Stunning Events
Make-up/ Dress/ Style - Amy Lynn Larwig, The Bride Room
Catering/ Cakes - Chef’s Market
Venues - Cedarwood, Nashville City Club, Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University, Noah Liff Opera Center, CJ’s Off the Square, Events @ 1418
Photo/Video - Kristyn Hogan, Lotus Blossom Photography, FocalPoint Cinematic Weddings, Photo Booth Nashville
Lighting/Decor/Floral - Brocade Design Arts
Entertainment - Cosmo Creations DJ Service, Wedding Musicians Company, Prime Source Entertainment
Rustic floral arrangement by Brocade Design Arts
Stationery by Amber Housley
What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends?
Bride Tide, The Knot, Pizzazzerie, GreenWed, Brides, Weddings Unveiled magazine and Unveiled blog... so many places!
What are your favorite wedding websites? Neatest wedding find?
Style Me Pretty, Southern Weddings, Snippet & Ink, 100 Layer Cake.
Where can we find you if you’re not working with a bride?
MA - Scrapbooking and spending time with my hubby and pooches, Lucy and Gracie.
Leigh – Working on the house with my hubby!
What would be doing if you did not work in weddings?
MA - Teaching!
Visit StudioWed Nashville's website for more information, inspiration and to give them a call at no obligation! Be sure to tell them that their friends at Ashley's Bride Guide sent you. Happy planning!
share
Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Helpful Vendor Interviews!, Advice & Planning, Bridal Shows & Events, Wedding Resources
0 comments »
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Many people ask me - what's your favorite aspect of weddings. For me - it's all about the design. I love that a bride can express her style through every wedding design element - from flowers to her cake.
Floral design is one category where the sky is truly the limit. In fact, it's one area that's usually a high priority for moms. Most moms LOVE flowers so you'll want to choose someone who can work with you AND mom to make your wedding a botanical dream come true.
For this reason, Enchanted Florist is one of my favorite floral design companies. I am always wowed by their work and easy to approach nature. Once you see their prolific portfolio, you will see exactly why I heart their work. Plus, Caprice, the owner, is a true sweetheart!
Photo: Photographix
Photos above and below: Kristyn Hogan
Meet Caprice: Caprice Palmer of the Enchanted Florist has become Nashville's go to florist for brides, celebrities and event professionals alike. Raved about by the clients that work with her and revered by Nashville top wedding professionals, her wedding flowers and event designs are some of the area's best. With a background is in technical theatre, Caprice spent years working with some of the top theatre companies around the country. Wedding and event design would become a natural transition motivated by her family's decision to open the Enchanted Florist in 1994. Caprice would take over as owner and lead designer in 2005 and after 14 years as a full service florist, the Enchanted Florist shifted its focus exclusively to weddings and private events in 2008 to better serve their customers. With a keen eye for original and creative designs, coupled with her genuinely warm and down-to-earth personality, Caprice's passion for her work is evident in all that she does.
While grateful for the many opportunities, awards and accolades afforded to her throughout her career Caprice works only for her clients. The moment you're left breathless, your groom's wildest expectation is surpassed and mom is elated... those moments and sometimes the sweet notes after the fact are the fuel to Caprice's passion and dedication. The passion and dedication that Caprice and her company use to continue to push the boundaries of floral design and make your next event original, timeless and enchanting!
Photo: Gray Photography
Photo above: Michael Howard Photography
Photos above and below: Chris and Adrienne Scott
Enchanted Florist is creative, modern and timeless. In love with their fabulous florals yet? I knew you'd love their work!
share
Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Helpful Vendor Interviews!, Details, Design & Florals, Wedding Resources
0 comments »
Friday, January 4, 2013
Jessie and Austin were married last year at Nashville's Houston Station. With the help of wedding planning boutique StudioWed, they were directed to an all-star team of hand-picked vendors who helped them design the wedding of their dreams and an experience of a lifetime. Jessie admits that hiring Leigh, a wedding planner with A Delightful Day, was a splurge. But, as she and many other brides will tell you, it was more than worth it to have someone handle your day and ensure that you enjoy every moment and leave the work to others.
As you read all about Jessie's wedding, enjoy the inspiration and also take note of her sage advice.
Jessie and Austin
Wedding Date ~ September 1, 2012
Ceremony Venue ~ Owen Chapel
Reception Venue ~ Houston Station
Guests ~ 135
Budget ~ $20-50k
My Wedding Team:
Planner: Leigh Barker with A Delightful Day
Photographer: Jessie Holloway Photography
Gown and Veil: The White Room
Men's Attire: Men's Warehouse & J. Crew
Bridesmaids' Attire: Dillards
Hair and Makeup: Meagan Murrah and Russha Sage from Tangles
Stationery: Brocade Designs
Ceremony Musicians: Josh with High Tone Entertainment
Reception Musicians: High Tone Entertainment
Transportation: Grand Avenue
Caterer: Bacon and Caviar
Cake Artist: The Bake Shoppe
Groom's Dessert: Ice Cream Sandwich cart from The Sugar Wagon
Floral Designer: Brocade Designs
My Wedding Details
How would you describe your style as a couple?
Our style is a little less formal. We love all things Nashville, friends and family, and are passionate about music.
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
I think our floral/decor designer best described our style as “a little bit southern and a little bit rock and roll”. We wanted a small historical venue for the wedding ceremony and a wedding reception venue that would showcase the vintage style we both love. Owen Chapel fit the bill as an intimate picturesque location for the ceremony.
Houston Station’s gorgeous hard wood floors and exposed beams were so perfect that we even scheduled our wedding around their availability.
I tried to choose colors that had a vintage feel, like “mason jar” blue and soft pinks and peaches.
What was the favorite aspect of your wedding?
By far my favorite aspect was the wedding reception. From the food, to the decor, and even the music, everything was absolutely perfect. We loved spending that time with the people that mean the most to us and seeing our ideas come to life.
Where did you splurge?
We splurged by hiring a planner. I had my own ideas, but I wasn’t sure about pulling it all together. Leigh, from A Delightful Day, worked with us every step of the way to make sure everything was exactly what we wanted. I was still able to choose even the smallest details, and Leigh helped us turn those into a reality.
Where did you save/DIY?
Part of wanting our families all there and being involved, we had a biscuit bar at our reception with homemade jams made by Grandmother and Great Aunt. They even made tiny jars of the jam for guests to take home as wedding favors.
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
Honestly, everything went so smoothly, there was nothing that we would do differently. All of guests kept commenting that it was the most stress free wedding they had attended, and we couldn’t agree more. It was a perfect day.
In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
It’s your wedding day, so surround yourselves with people you love and details that reflect the both of you.
share
Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Real Nashville Weddings, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Resources, Wedding Venues and Locations
0 comments »
