Thursday, March 29, 2012
Jessica and Gordie won the Her Nashville wedding contest last year and their wedding has been featured in many publications, but we were all too happy to feature it ourselves with all the incredible details! We have already spotlighted their board game cake as one of favorites from 2011, but the whole affair is worth seeing.
We hope you enjoy their lovely outdoor ceremony and indoor reception with a game board theme. The theme came from Gordie's proposal with a game of Pictionary!
All photos by Jonathon Campbell Photography.
Jessica + Gordie
Ceremony & Reception Venue ~ Cellar One
Guests ~ 85
Budget
$10,000-$20,000 out of pocket – plus winning the Her Nashville contest
Wedding Team
Venue | Cellar One
Planner | Sarah Willard, Music City Events
Board Game Design | Something Detailed
Photographer | Jonathon Campbell Photography
Photo Booth | Picture This Nashville
Videographer | Truepix Cinematic
Weddings Gown | White Room
Bride's Accessories | Borrowed from family and friends
Groom’s Attire | Groom wore a tux he owned
Groomsmen Attire and Groom’s vest | Street Tuxedo
Bridesmaids Attire | Chosen from various stores (whatever the girls wanted) in different shades of brown
Hair | Lauren Henry from Fierce Salon
Makeup | Katie Russo Makeup
Stationery | Designs in Paper
Ceremony Musicians | Friends
Reception Musicians & Lighting | JD’s Music
Caterer | Chef’s Market
Cake Artist | The Cupcake Collection
Floral Designer | Branching Out
Rentals | The Premiere Event
Guest Accommodations | Hotel Indigo, Hilton Downtown
Event Guidance | Wedding 101
My Wedding Details
How would you describe your style as a couple?
We are pretty laid back and wanted our wedding to be a casual fun celebration that everyone could enjoy. We wanted everything to focus on us celebrating our love and our family / friends that took time out of their busy lives to join in the weekend.
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
Since we’re laid back, our friends like to party, and they know we love board games we tried to set an appropriate tone in a number of ways. The groom was the only guy in a tux. We opted to keep the groomsmen in tux pants and matching vests but with differing ties. The bridesmaids were asked to choose a dress that they’d be comfortable in, as long as they kept within our color range.
Jessica’s dad is a huge fan of Maker’s Mark so our signature drink was just that, Maker’s Mark. We also had board games and brainteasers spread around the cocktail area to keep our guests interested while we took our pictures. The Cupcake Collection provided amazing cupcakes on an amazing cupcake stand that was built out of board game boxes like Monopoly, Cranium, with the edible cake topper made to look like the board game Apples-to-Apples.
Our lighting and music was super fun with lanterns hanging over all our tables, up-lighting around the room, and a playlist that included music we handpicked to insure we’d enjoy the music, and our friends got onto the dance floor.
What was the favorite aspect of your wedding?
We are thrilled that we made the conscious choice to have as many of our friends and family involved in the entire weekend as possible. From the rehearsal dinner to the brunch on the day after, it really allowed us to connect with everyone that made the journey to Nashville to see us. On the day of the wedding our favorite aspect was seeing all of the elements we’d planned on and worked hard to assemble come together to be so much fun for our guests. The interactive photo wall that featured pictures of our guests with us over the years, our DJ and the lighting he accomplished, the puzzles, games, and brainteasers spread around the space, and the photo wall were all such a thrill.
Where did you splurge?
Our two biggest splurges were with a photographer and our venue. We wanted to be sure we were comfortable with our photographer, and since we both love photography, we felt it should be a priority for our big day to be captured properly and in a way that suited our taste and style.
Where did you save/DIY?
Winning the Her Nashville contest gave us a bit more leeway in our budget, but we still tried to stay affordable where we could. We created an interactive photo wall in our ‘game lounge’. We also made a lot of the paper items ourselves including menus for the rehearsal dinner with fun puzzles for our guests, and goody bags, and placemats for our brunch.
To continue with our board game theme we looked for a lot of inexpensive board games and old school wooden brainteasers and used them as centerpieces where we couldn’t afford flower centerpieces. For our guest favors Gordie and I took mock-photo booth pictures of ourselves thanking our guests from joining us. We bought frames off eBay and put these photos in them.
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
For the most part we were super happy with everything about our wedding! We’d advise that you always read all of the fine print on every single contract that you see so that you understand what all of the costs can be. Also, come up with a detailed photo list and make sure you have enough time scheduled on the day of the event to get all the pictures you want. Make sure that everyone knows where your priorities are.
In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Keep your wedding theme, goal and budget in mind and as you plan and ask yourself if the things you are incorporating add to the desired end product.
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Posted by Megan |
Filed under: Inspiration & Trends, Real Nashville Weddings, Reception Entertainment, Photo Booths, Wedding Venues and Locations
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012
No one wishes for a rainy wedding day. But with an average of 107 wet days in Nashville, it's bound to happen. (By the way October is the driest month in Nashville.) What are your options? Opt for an indoor venue, even though you heart is set on an outdoor wedding, or pay for a tent (that you may not even use) just in case? The decision is tough. Is there another way to have the outdoor feel that you desire without having to rent a tent? Front Porch Farms has a solution!
Front Porch Farms has seen couples through both sunny and rainy days and co-owner, Kathy, is here to walk us through how she worked with Elvar and Austin to ensure the rain didn't keep their wedding from being beautiful. Sometimes, all you need is the right location to pull a fast one over mother nature!
According to co-owner Kathy: "It rained! And rained and rained! If you want to see what a wedding looks like at Front Porch Farms in the rain then this is a great example. What you will see is a ceremony in the pavilion with a packed house of guests who traveled near and very far. The pavilion was already set for the reception but we improvised and made a ceremony area with the hills as the backdrop. Guests were seated at their tables and did not seem to mind.
Also, there are beautiful shots of the bride, groom, and bridal party on the front porches and lots of fun celebrating.
Yes it rained but it was still beautiful and no one enjoyed it more than the bride herself who didn’t let the weather spoil her day or her joy in marrying the man of her dreams."
ABG notes: The ceremony was moved to the pavilion, one of Front Porch Farm's covered areas (the other being the barn) and it was decorated beautifully.
ABG notes: The covered pavilion is spacious and still gives you a great view of the surrounding, sprawling greenery so you don't have to be cooped up in a stuffy tent to stay dry. Plus, it has a proper floor so you won't have to rent flooring or worry about your heels sinking into grass!
ABG notes: With covered areas that still give you the feel of being outside and at no extra cost, a wedding day at Front Porch Farms should provide that sense of relief to your planning and your budget. The spectacular views won't be obstructed, and when the rain clears, there may be a bonus backdrop for your pictures like this!
Picture by Front Porch Farms
For more beautiful images from this rainy day wedding, photographed by Red Letter Days, visit Front Porch Farm's blog here. Contact Kathy Best at Front Porch Farms for more information on having your wedding at the venue! At a flexible wedding venue like Front Porch Farms, you can have a wonderful wedding, rain or shine.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Real Nashville Weddings, Wedding Venues and Locations
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Friday, March 16, 2012
My job rocks. I get to look at beautiful weddings from blogs and I get to share my favorites with you. Today's favorite is from Cedarwood, a historic wedding venue known for its designer weddings. The wedding is a beautiful, antique-inspired event from last Fall with really cool details. I'm not sure which I liked more - the vintage photographs and props or the custom signage - but I'm sure you will enjoy it all!
Heidi + Jason
Wedding Date ~ September 23, 2011
Venue ~ Cedarwood
From Cedarwood:
Oh my goodness, how we adore our bride Heidi’s Maggie Sottero “Rhianna Royale“ wedding dress in the delicate color called light gold. No one can illuminate a gorgeous bride and her gown quite like Ace Photography. Seriously, there are so many stunning photos of this bride and her groom Jason at their September 23 Cedarwood wedding, it took three selection sessions just to narrow down our favorites for this post.
Autumn is a glorious time for an outdoor wedding, with warm weather and a touch of fall peeking through the end of summer. Heidi and Jason balanced their romantic pastel-hued wedding with rustic moss, wood, and burlap, as well as autumn-colored accents - including Jason’s southern-chic paisley print bow tie!
Vintage jewelry, bouquet rosary, family heritage photo table, heirloom quilts, and embroidered monogrammed jars of homemade apple butter for guests favors made the wedding personal and unique. A friend of Heidi and Jason gave them original art featuring Cedarwood’s historic house, barn and truck (we love it!) for wedding guests to autograph instead of a traditional guest book — a perfect, steal-worthy idea! Just as original are the custom art-calligraphy chalkboard signs Cedarwood created for Heidi and Jason’s ceremony ‘program,’ seating chart, and bar menus. Kudos to Karen, our resident artist, who keeps raising the bar on Cedarwood‘s custom signs!
Other favorite details from this wedding include Heidi and Jason’s vintage cigar box ring bearer ‘pillow’ – almost as adorable as the little guy himself – and their trio of wedding cheesecakes! There’s so much to enjoy about this beautiful southern soiree! What’s your favorite detail?
I don't know about you but, personally, my favorite detail is the sheer happiness on the happy couple's faces in the pictures. I know, cheesy right? But there's nothing like seeing a bride and groom truly enjoy their day and that's what tends to happen when the Cedarwood team is there to see you through from start to finish.
There are plenty more pictures from Heidi and Jason's big day so check out the complete blog post here. We've got many more beautiful weddings from Cedarwood to feature so definitely look forward to them. Thank you to Ace Photography and Linda at Cedarwood for sharing this beautiful wedding with us, we can't wait to see more!
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Real Nashville Weddings, Wedding Venues and Locations
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Thursday, February 23, 2012
Get ready to be amazed from 3pm - 5pm on March 3 at Cedarwood, where you'll get to know their wedding designers and see the many facets of what they offer for weddings at their venue. The Cedarwood Style Show promises to be an afternoon of inspiration that will give you a great glimpse into what Cedarwood can do.
The event begins at 11am for Cedarwood's brides and from 3 - 5pm everyone is welcome to take a tour and visit. You'll get a chance to check out the property which has a beautiful house, a really cool barn - perfect for a reception, and their outdoor cathedral. Oh, and, one of my favorite little details - their swing out front, hanging from a tree branch, something that's always adorned with ribbons and is one of the first things your guests will see when they drive on to the property. It's a small detail, but boy does it set the mood for a wonderful day. With sprawling, natural grounds a lake, and beautiful architecture there are tons of areas for great pictures on your wedding day.
Not only is Cedarwood an incredible wedding location, their staff is known city-wide for their all-inclusive wedding packages, which include wedding design and coordination. Cedarwood works closely with their brides to plan the wedding day; their on-site event director will coordinate everything from start to finish to the wedding design and decor. They have a tremendously creative staff. Their designs have won awards and at their disposal is a huge inventory of decorative accessories. Whatever your style, there are plenty of options from which to choose - vintage furniture, props, accessories, or glamorous and modern ones, and it's all included in your venue fee.
Picture by Kristyn Hogan
Picture by Krystal Mann
ABG Notes: These are but some of the many props and custom decor items Cedarwood has. (Pictures by Cedarwood)
Pictures by Krista Lee Photography
ABG Notes: Cedarwood's stunning "Burlap & Bling" wedding design (these last two pictures) has been featured in national and international magazines. (Picture by Dove Wedding Photography)
Picture by Ace Photography
These pictures are but the tip of Cedarwood's creativity iceberg and it's going to be a style show you won't want to miss. It's free to attend but you must RSVP first (click or email: courtney{at}historiccedarwood{dot}com), then, set your calendars. Go, be inspired and enjoy yourself at Cedarwood's Style Show from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday, March 3. If you need a little more convincing visit Cedarwood's blog for more gorgeous weddings and pictures and be sure to let them know you heard about it from us!
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events, Details, Design & Florals, Wedding Venues and Locations
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Wednesday, February 1, 2012
When we feature a certain wedding vendor or venue, we base much of our information on our visit to the venue and what we loved at the location. It's one thing to appreciate a venue on a visit or even enjoy the pretty pictures featured on their blog but what do brides like you think about the venue? Why did they select it from all of the other options for their big day? And, what was their opinion after their wedding took place?
Every few weeks, we're going to delve a little deeper and ask brides and wedding venues WHY brides booked their location. There is so much to consider and maybe their decision making process will help you.
Today we ask Kathy Best, owner of Front Porch Farms why, exactly, brides have selected her beautiful farm venue for their wedding day.
Picture by Erin - The Collection
From your experience, why do brides love Front Porch Farms?
It's the perfect “at home” wedding without it being at their home! It’s also a great destination wedding for Tennessee: Southern charm and romance in a beautiful outdoor setting away from the traffic and noise of the city but still close enough to be convenient. Brides know whether their guests are coming from down the road or across the country, when they get here it’s all worth it. We make everyone feel at home because it IS home!
(Picture by The Collection)
Picture by Shots by Cheyenne
ABG Notes: Chill on the porch and take in the gorgeous view (Picture by The Collection)
ABG Notes: Even if it rains, Front Porch Farms has you (literally) covered and it will still look good. (Picture by Red Letter Days)
ABG Notes: It's like a playground for photographers with tons of backdrops and structures to make pictures interesting. (Picture by Phindy Studios)
What would you describe the feel of Front Porch Farms is?
Front Porch Farms is not a venue but an “experience.” A couple who were recently married here told me this and I have to agree! Maybe it’s because we live here or maybe it’s the couples but each wedding day, Brian and I feel as if someone in our family is getting married in our home and everyone is our house guests. Whether a bride and groom’s style is glamorous, simple elegance, vintage, or country chic – one thing is universal, their day is truly romantic and incredibly intimate. Maybe the best word to describe our weddings is “comfortable.” Couples feel at home expressing themselves and their love for each other and their guests enjoy a large dose of Southern Hospitality.
What is something brides have said they just absolutely love about having their wedding at Front Porch Farms?
So many brides have reviewed us on WeddingWire, complimenting us on our "guidance, sensitivity to budget and the bride's vision," "calm and accommodating manner the team brought together last-minute details," "gorgeous venue and great ideas to make things special," "genuine desire to make couples happy and amazing design skills," "warmth and professionalism," and "flawless decor, stellar imagination and creativity." Brides and their families have commented that working with FPF has far surpassed their expectations, that so many guests say that it has been the best wedding they've ever attended, and remarked on the "rental items and inventory that are unbelievable and a great value." They like being "treated like family or an old friend" and love the laid-back atmosphere, beautiful location, and top-tier venue "setting straight out of a storybook!" We love our clients!!
What is it you love that you think brides will/do love as well?
The first thing people say when they get here is “Wow, what a view!” Even photos can’t capture the panoramic beauty. We are only 30 minutes West of Nashville but it’s like you have gone to East Tennessee mountains. We have 32+ acres next to untouched property around us and photographers can take full advantage of it. I love seeing romantic “first looks” and photos shot among the stunning with the trees, pastures, arbors, pond, and barns.
The other thing that couples love is our fun approach to weddings. During the day, groomsmen can fish, swim, play horseshoes and other outdoor games or watch sports in the guesthouse. We offer guests lemonade or tea when they arrive and they also have the opportunity to play outdoor games, relax in the porch swings and rockers or later use our fully-functioning outdoor fireplace to roast marshmallows. It’s all part of the experience.
Picture by The Collection
Picture by The Collection
Picture by Shots by Cheyenne
What made you decide you wanted to host weddings at your home?
When a friend asked me about hosting weddings here, I have to admit it started out as a way of making a little extra money by combining my love of flea market decorating with my experience with events from the music industry. It quickly evolved into an obsession for me and a lifestyle change for both of us. Nothing could happen without Brian (yes I admitted it honey). He builds farm tables, props and custom arbors (not to mention keeps everything running here) and I invite couples into our home every week whether it’s to tour, plan or get married.
People always ask us why and how we do it. My answer is we get to see couples fall in love with our place the way we did when we found it and got married here. It’s a renewed appreciation for what we have built here and for each other. You can’t stay mad at each other long when so much love is around. It’s the best marriage counseling ever!
What is one thing about the farm that you wish more brides took advantage of?
Brian and I love being creative and while we have a ton of props and décor already, we are always wanting to do something unique. We'd love to have more brides work with us to create a truly customized, personal one-of-a-kind event! One item in particular is the small farm tables Brian has made for couples to have their wedding guests sign {a la guest book} and then serve as their sweetheart table for the reception and later a family heirloom. He’s also made arbors, wooden boxes, chalk boards – you have an idea and budget and he can do it. There are unlimited opportunities for special details and customization.
Ashley adds: The ABG team has been to Front Porch Farms and fell in love just like many of the brides that chose to wed at Front Porch. We were a bit apprehensive that it would be worth the drive when we mapped it but we walked away and concluded: 1) The drive is really easy and actually enjoyable and 2) This venue is definitely worth the drive! If they're a great fit for you and your vision, definitely make the drive. It's a must-see venue and isn't as far as you might thing. Give them a call and be sure to let them know you're an ABG reader.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Wedding Venues and Locations
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