First - on a totally random note, does anyone want to see The other Boleyn girl with me? It looks like a great chic flick and I have sneak passes for this Thursday, 2/28 at 730pm at the Green Hills theater. If so, just leave a comment on this blog and the tixs are yours (brides and vendors).
OK - Here’s a money saving secret that we’ll keep between us brides. Cakes by Shara has introduced a new concept (new to me at least) for Nashville brides, “Rent-a-Cakes”.
Why I love the idea of rental cakes:
In previous posts, I have shared the story of how I bought my wedding cake from The Bake Shoppe here in Nashville but then bought a second cake from Publix in Cool Springs to feed most of my guests. So, I had a beautiful cake that was displayed but I saved money buy adding a second cake that was plain (white iced no decoration) from Publix. I LOVE Publix (in general especially their fresh cut fruit) but I really love their cakes because they are always fresh and they are so easy to order. BUT, they don’t decorate nearly as nice as skilled cake artist.
But, what’s a girl like me to do - when have champagne taste on a beer budget? Well, I made it work with my half fab/half store bought cake solution. But now, Shara has introduced another option - rental cakes.
How does it work?
Well, Shara is one great cake designer, which you know if you’ve ever seen her work on her site or in person. Until now, she charged like $6 per slice or something like that. This option will save you half that.
Two options:
1) Basic cake design - You start with a few tiers of ivory or white cake. Then, you add your preferred ribbons, flowers (fresh or faux) or other decor. So, you are adding elements from your color palette to the cake. So you know, these faux cakes are the same ones you see at bridal shows. (Yeah, fooled me too - I thought they were real too until I kept seeing the same cake at each show.) Anyway, you add the touches to make the cake your own, buy a sheet cake from Shara or Publix or Sam’s. You simply display the real cake at the reception and when it’s time for the cake cutting, the faux cake goes to the back, cut pieces are served to the guests. (I guess if you wanted to do your traditional cake sharing Shara could make the top tier real.) You bring the faux cake back to Shara the next week and get your deposit back.
2) Custom cake design - You work with Shara to design a custom cake, which is a little more elaborate than just adding cute bows and flowers. Same faux cake, same process as above.
Bottom line is this, if you have a tight budget but still want to have a fabulous cake, you have a new option. Or, if your family has a special diet but you still want a gorgeous looking cake, you’ve got option.
Contact Shara to learn more.
(Obviously not a “Rent-a-cake” but gives you an idea of her work)
Here are the lucky ladies who won our booth contests last week!
Kara Smith - Free “Spa Manicure” courtesy of Tina’s Salon for Nails and Hair
Victoria Walker - Free “Bridal Monogram” courtesy of Wonderful Graffiti
Kim Bindel - Free “Spa Manicure and Pedicure” courtesy of Tina’s Salon for Nails and Hair
If you are not a winner, don’t be jeal, here are other prizes and ways to win:
Win sneak passes to see The Other Bowleyn Girl. Simply post a comment on today’s blog. Sneak preview is this Thurs, Feb 28.
Win a spa pedicure from Tina’s Salon on Feb 29th! - How? Post quality message to board or daily blog or forward our weekly newsletter to Nashville brides or wedding vendors. Get one entry for every action. You need the pampering and we need your help!
I’m still sleepy but woke up to share my “Fab Friday Finds”…
This Friday, I am focusing on my finds from Perfect Wedding Guide, Nashville bridal show. Now, I will admit that there were great vendors that I probably didn’t get a chance to see because I had my own booth and wasn’t able to walk around as much as I normally do. So, if I missed you - sorry in advance.
New Finds:
1) Pretty Piece of Cake - Leanne of Wonderful Graffiti literally pulled me out my booth to taste their cupcakes. I thought, “Leanne, do you know how many cupcakes I’ve tasted? It’s what I do - bridal shows.” Before I knew it, I was at a pretty non-descript booth and she was pointing at them. So, I picked up the full-sized cupcake (which is rare for bridal shows) and tasted. It was amazing. It was lemon filled with blueberry. I’ll admit, I am not a big fan of palette surprises but when those real blueberries gushed, I was pleasantly surprised. The cake was moist and tasty and oh-so flavorful. There was no way to be pretty eating this cake. Prepare for blueberry teeth but a happy stomach.
2) Lavish Event Planning - Tara makes these lifesize letters that can be used to spell a word (maybe your wedding theme) or monograms. I’m all about wedding day personalization and these letters do the trick. Tara also does a custom painted dance floor. (see floor in the pic below)
3) Chef Penelope - I was only able to leave my booth for like 5 minutes and did a quick scan around the show for fabulousness and food b/c I was hungry. This was the only table that still had food when I did my rounds and lucky for me, it was good food:). Meatballs that left an interesting taste that made me curious. I asked the guy what it was and I think he said plum or something. But, I am a simple girl so he probably said something French and I was like “ok, whatever”. It had a good taste so I was sold.
4) Cakes by Shara - I have raved about Shara before but at the show, she introduced a new offering for the Nashville brides with a modest budget or any bride seeking a great looking cake at half the cost. Anyway, I’ll tell ya more about her “Rent-a-Cake” in my blog next week.
5) Savannah Tea Company - now, I am not a girlie-girl - I prefer Victoria Secret to Crabtree and Evelyn. BUT, I do have an appreciate for neat people/places/things. So, when I met these wonderful ladies (they were toooo sweet), I wanted to spread the word to girlie-girls everywhere.
They offer a neat tea room near downtown on 8th Ave South, that can host your bridal luncheons, small parties, etc. They have an awesome menu and they even do cakes.
Faves from the show that I already know and love…
1) Sherrell’s Floral Design - I’m really not sure when Tonya of Sherell’s is going to get a website one day, but I promise you - her work is incredible. For now, you can reach her at 615-289-5211.
2) Maples Wedding Cakes - funny story - so Jay comes by at beginning of the show and says that he has an orange cake that I would love at his booth. Honestly, at 20 minutes before show open, he could have said “I have a million dollars for you at my booth” and I would not have really heard what he said. I was going nuts (which is why I am NOT a wedding planner). So, at the end of the show, as I am passing his booth to take my stuff to my car, I see the orange cake and stop in my tracks. As I stand to admire the orange cake, Jay says “I’m still here” and I turn around and he is seated on the bench (worn out!). I didnt even know he was sitting there:). So, I tell him I love the cake and he says “I thought you would”. Then, I remember his comment from 5 hours before…the orange cake!
So, I run to Corrine (Weddings by Reese) and ask if she has a camera, which she does. (She’s a wedding planner, of course she’s always prepared.) She takes a pic of the cake and sends it to me that night. So, ladies - I hustled to get the picture for you - because that’s what I do! Believe me, the cake was even more feroush in person. (Feroush - meaning ferocious, hot, fab - coined by Christian of Project Runway. I can’t get enough of him!)
Anyway, I think it’s amazing that Jay could “read” my style and know exactly which cake I would love, based on my website, booth, etc. Bet he’s “in tune” with his clients. Ladies, this guy is kind of a big deal.
3) Weddings with Reese - She had a booth that could have been my booth’s twin. We really do think a like, probably why I like her so much. She had a beverage bar - with lemonade and coffee and she did the whole flavored syrup thing. Loved it! She incorporates neat details into her events so she always comes with a surprise.
4) A Magical Affair - loved the paper dress and other neat touches!
5) A Delightful Day - loved the black and white table covering and the gorgeous floral arrangement.
As I promised last week, I went on a site tour of Hotel Indigo Nashville, Nashville’s newest hotel. I wanted to check out this fierce hotel for myself. (I am using fierce a lot since it’s my fave contestant’s word on this season of Project Runway - he’s so funny and he’s rubbing off on me.)
Anyway, the hotel is even better in person. I really love this hotel, even if though they snubbed our growing Nashville bridal community by not inviting us to their “Grand Opening” party next week. (To be fair, they probably aren’t even aware we exist.:) But, this hotel is way to cool to be hanging with the same ole’ crowd. We digital divas are the new “in” crowd. Or, maybe we’re the ones hanging in the wrong crowd. Nah…we like our crowd. Perhaps ABG is to weddings what TMZ or Perez Hilton is to Hollywood. And, we’re so cool w/that!
So, the hotel rocked. There’s fab everywhere you look. But, what I like most is:
1) Hotel Indigo is the hottest hotel in Nashville. Hotel Preston would be the second if you’re looking for modern but not the best location. (BTW, I met with Mike of Myrick Studios yesterday and he was the one who reminded me of Hotel Preston. More on him in a few days…remember I called him eye candy in a previous blog? Well, he didn’t forget, nor did his “Dr. Girlfriend”…funny story, stay tuned!)
2) Hotel Indigo is completely out of the box. Randall, the sales manager, is willing to think outside the box since this hotel is all about customization. He took me to one floor of the hotel that has a huge hallway. The beauty is, Randall said that if you were to book all 19 of the rooms on the floor, only 19 per floor, you could literally turn the hallway into a hospitality area or a reception. How hot is that! Your guests wouldn’t have very far to go and you could make the space your own.
Then, he took me to another floor that had another huge hallway, a lounge area and an attached outdoor area that will be decked in a few months. This will allow you to have an outdoor ceremony, come in for a pre-reception, and then head back out for dancing.
So, the options are endless…but, it is only an option for medium to small wedding parties. If you are inviting less than 150-200 guests, Randall can probably find a way to make it work. If you are a funky, mod chick, this is your spot. If you are looking for a formal, traditional wedding spot, keep looking.
Think W hotel meets Music City for vibe and IKEA meets West Elm for style.
They are opening another Hotel Indigo downtown, in Printer’s Alley next year. It will not have single and double rooms, just King rooms - definitely not for wedding guests with families. But, if you are looking for a nice place to chill after your wedding, before heading to you honeymoon, it could be an option.
I could live in Hotel Indigo Nashville, for sure!
View full slide show above or check out these quick pics below…
There’s is NOTHING hotter than a home-cooked meal that you don’t have to make! If you are a non-cook like me, you will appreciate this fantastic find. Supper Wizard is based right here in Nashville and as I am told, Larry, the personal chef, will come to your home and prepare dinner and leave you with several meals for the week. He also offers couple cooking classes so tell your wedding guests to call Larry and hook you up with a gift that you can really use. What good is china if you’re eating popcorn for dinner?
When John and I got married, we signed up for classes at the Viking Store in Franklin, TN. It was an awesome couple activity (pricey but worth every second). We had a great time and learned how to…well, we had some great meals.
I met Angela Disrud, Nashville wedding photographer, a few weeks ago and we had an instant connection. Her work speaks for itself; she clearly has a passion for what she does - and it shows! Her work is nothing less than art. Her images are more like watching a movie than flipping through wedding photos. Each picture tells a story and I find myself wanting to know more.
If you are a Nashville bride and haven’t hired your photographer yet or a wedding planner looking for a great photographer for your brides, check out Angela’s work. She’s a true artist.
For inquiring minds…I am announcing the winner of my Nashville bridal show booth giveaway on Monday by 11am. The winner will be notified on the site and will have 24 hours to respond to post. So if you entered, stay tuned…
Selah Style and Events has launched an online bridal boutique for Nashville brides . I asked Kat (owner and wedding planner) why she decided to offer a bridal attire line and she said “I found that when working with brides often they would come to me and say they were having a difficult time finding cute, usable gifts for their party without spending an arm and leg for them! The thing I love about the lines I carry is that all of them are quality, well made products that are still affordable and super cute!
I agree! Selahstyle.com is a great place for bridal gifts for yourself or your bridesmaids. While the business is based in the Nashville-area, you can buy everything online, 24/7. If you need some hand holding, you have a local contact:) She’s adding items all the time so be sure to check often.
Anyway, I’m lovin’ my cute tote bag from the line - see mine below.
Enter ABG at checkout to receive a 15% discount! (Wedding planners - this line would make great gifts for your clients:)
