Aleesha was one of the first Nashville brides to register on ABG and also attended our 27 Dresses event. Aleesha got married this past weekend! Rhonda Patton Weddings was the event florist and was there to capture many of Aleesha’s amazing details. These aren’t the official wedding pics, but I simply couldn’t wait to share…
I am so excited that Roderick and Aleesha tied the knot yesterday. They are such a beautiful couple and I absolutely loved working with them. Roderick and Aleesha are such a classy couple and their wedding was a perfect reflection of their personality. So here’s the 411…
Roderick and Aleesha tied the knot at the Hilton Garden Inn ballroom with an inspiration by Tiffany theme. This theme was perfect being that the ballroom is chocolate and blue…and a little bit of bling to top it off made this wedding “AB FAB” (absolutely fabulous)!!!!
The staff was amazing and I especially want to give a shot out to Larry Manghane and his staff. Larry is the director of sales and was extremely pleasant to work with. Not only did Larry keep everything in check but the bubbly wedding planner, Mary Natalie Hester of Weddings by Mary Natalie was there to make sure everything was executed in a timely fashion. Natalie was hilarious…
I just loved working with her. She was such a sweetie and is truly a passionate planner with 10+ years in the industry, she didn’t miss a beat. Photographer Tara Harper captured some amazing photos of Rod and Aleesha. I can’t wait to see them!!!
The total WOW FACTOR of the night was a Tiffany boxed shaped wedding cake by the impeccable designer of Tea & Co.
The bride’s bouquet was an elegant array of cream roses accented with crystals tied with cream midori ribbon with a crystal embellishments.
The bouquet was a nice compliment to her dress and did not overpower the detail of the dress.
The centerpiece was composed of hydrangeas and roses to accent the chocolate iridescent pin tuck linens from Southern Events.
The tables were accented with Tiffany blue boxed favors and blush pink menu cards.
I love the color palette of Tiffany blue, cream, chocolate and blush pink as the accent color.
The bridesmaid wore duponi silk chocolate and carried a pink rose bouquet.
This wedding was personalized with personalized rhinestone letters on each favor box and customized hanging “J’s” from the mirrored areas. The bride and groomed loved these “J’s” specially customized by Rhonda Patton Weddings and better yet…they can add them to their home decor.
The cocktail bar was stunning- consisting of raw shrimp and various dipping sauces. Such a classy way to display your dipping sauces…
Aleesha and Roderick marveled their guest with such classy elements. I truly wish them the best. Best wishes to Mr. & Mrs. Jones.
Meet Michele of Casual Elegance Photography. She is based in Clarksville, TN but serves engaged couples all over the Greater Nashville area and will travel for destination weddings (as you can tell from the photos pictured below). Contact Michele to learn more about her wedding photography services.
How did you get started in weddings?
I started a photography business after my wedding photos cost an arm and a leg with the end result being nothing short of unsatisfying. Then a dear friend asked me to photograph her wedding.
What do you like most about weddings?
The union of two people…I could not wait to get married, it is the most awesome experience.
What’s your favorite wedding pic/video and why?
The black and white photo with the red roses in the sand to me captures the pure romantic feel of a father giving away his daughter.
What is your service philosophy?
Best price that will work for you…not me, Best quality and above all, best customer service.
What are your strengths compared to others in your category? / Why should a bride hire you?
I promise to do anything it takes to make your day special…anything!
Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors in terms of helpfulness, professionalism, style?
Who do you recommend when you’re not available/not a fit?
Well, when it comes to style, it’s not up to me, it is up to the bride and what vision she wants for her wedding day. If that still doesn’t work, I will recommend a fellow photographer, but luckily that has not happened yet.
What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends?
WE, Lifetime Weddings, The Knot.com, AshleysBrideGuide.com, Brides.com, “Say Yes to the Dress”, Rich Bride Poor Bride (my favorite).
Let’s discuss current wedding trends.What are your brides requesting?
All of my brides to date pretty much want the same style, relaxed candid shots capturing emotions, very unposed and carefree.
That’s an amazing picture! So, which trend are you lovin’ now??
Studio shots…I am not a fan of fake backgrounds and overly posed shots.
Which trend are you glad is gone?
That’s hard to answer, because everyone has their own style. My past trend could be another bride’s favorite. But if I had to narrow it down, I would say 80’s poof.
Which trend are you kind of sad to see go?
Not in all case, but in some, I am noticing that the bride wants the wedding pics shot before the ceremony, removing the element of surprise from the grooms face when he sees her for the first time.
Good point. I hadn’t thought about that. I did the ole’ school way - didn’t see my beau until the ceremony which worked. But, we did get a lot of the non-couple pics done before the wedding - like with my girls. I diverge…
Advice for brides?
No matter how much planning and down to the minute preparation you have, something will always go wrong, but do not let it ruin your day. Just remember that no matter what happens, Your wedding day is about you and the groom and no one else. At the end of it all, you will still be man and wife.
I’m completely obsessed with a new book on weddings, Style Your Dream Wedding. It’s a great way to find your bride style and determine “your look” for each category - flowers, cake, etc. I know you’ll love this book too!
On Saturday, I attended the Murfreesboro Bridal Show at Oaklands Historic House Museum and had a blast! I’ll admit, I thought it would be an in and out show, not because I didn’t think there was talent in M-boro (there’s ton) but because I knew it was going to be really small. But, quantity doesn’t equal quality, which I quickly realized!
The show was very cute, the folks at Oaklands did a great job and have a great wedding venue. And, EVERYONE was really friendly (which should be a given but it inst). Some of Greater Nashville’s top bridal pros were there and I met some new vendors that you should add to your list.
While there were some great vendors that I didnt meet (I’ll be honest - this list isnt comprehensive because I spent more time chatting with some than others b/c I am kind of chatty) - here are the ones that stood out:
Gambill Photography - I’ll share more about Angie Gambill later but this chick rocks. I love her work (as do brides - I hear it all the time) and she’s so much fun. You really have to meet her and go to her studio to see her amazing walls of talent but check out her site and stay tuned as I will feature Angie very soon. But believe me, everything she touches is fab - from her booth and studio to her wedding pics.
Maples Wedding Cakes - Yes, you’ve heard me rave about Jay at Maples before but this guy never ceases to amaze me. His cakes not only are stunning but they taste mighty good too. Usually, when I attend shows, I am “caked out” before I get to Jay’s booth. But, b/c he was the only cake booth there, I got to sample three flavors - strawberry, sour cream almond and orange dreamsicle. Loved them all and still cant really say which is my fave. Cakes should be fab and fresh. Meet him and you’ll agree - amazing inside and out.
The Write Impression (615-217-2109)- I finally met Susan, the owner of this super-chic paper and gifts store in M-boro. I visited the store a few weeks ago. I was so excited, I didn’t even get a chance to look through her TRU wedding invitation book…Just another reason to visit the store again!
Embassy Suites Murfreesboro - This new hotel will be a wedding venue option very soon! It is scheduled to open in September. Contact them to learn more.
Julie’s Bartending (615-579-3456) - Julie kept me refreshed and told me all about her services. Finding professional bartenders can be challenging. But, Julie is affordable and licensed and seemed like she would take great care with wedding guests.
Brian Peters of Private Chef (615-337-9175) - Aside from this incredible display of fruit, which immediately caught my eye, this guy was really nice and professional. He introduced himself, told me all about his culinary experience and then asked if he could prepare a plate for me. Of course - that’s why I come to these events (only half-kidding). His seafood alfredo was unbelievable. It had real chicken and shrimp and I couldn’t get enough. Plus he’s uber-affordable.
Nicole’s Elegant Events - I like Nicole so much. She’s an up and coming, Nashville-area wedding planner. Her booth was decorated in eggplant and green - the fab colors this year so she’s clearly got the trends down. I stood in her booth and laughed 4ever. She was excited about her new website launch so be sure to check out her photo gallery. She’ll be sharing more on her weddings with us soon.
I’m completely obsessed with a new book on weddings, Style Your Dream Wedding. I am going to try my best to express what makes it amazing……but really, there are no words.
I am literally taking the book everywhere and showing it to everyone - from Stephanie and Rebecca of Relish Invitations to Mindy of Ever After Weddings. Yesterday, I hung out with Latr
ice of Bridal Opulence and couldn’t wait to show her. Verdict - everyone loves it too!
While this book has simply stunning photography (see above), what makes this book amazing is that it 1) it is comprehensive - it covers ideas for every category - wedding dresses, stationery, reception, etc. and 2) it is organized by bride style.
Bride style is really what makes this book spectacular. According to the author, Susie Coehl , there are 6 bride styles: Fanciful, Contemporary, Beach, Exotic, Classic and Countryside. Going forward, I’ll use her categories as I describe weddings, because it’s so accurate. (Thanks Susie!)
I think that everyone involved in weddings should have this book - from planners and brides to florists and photographers - everyone! It is a great book to have at every consultation with brides because it helps the bride determine her bride style, which can be referenced throughout the planning process. Every bride should buy (or at least borrow:) the book because you can take it to your consultations to help direct every vendor. Once they know your style, it’s easier to design your day.
To start, you should take a few minutes to determine your bride style by taking the quiz here. Once you know your style, you can flip through the book and find great ideas based on your style.
From the quiz, I learned that I was a fanciful bride with a small touch of contemporary. Once you learn your style, take the book to your appointments and use it as a guide and inspiration for every aspect of your big day. I promise, the book will help you organize your thoughts.
Oh - and when you buy the book, click here to do so - that way, I can make like 50 cents off your purchase. Hey - I’m promoting it, my time is worth something. No seriously, it is by far the best book i have ever seen in helping you think through your style and then getting visuals for each component of your day. I could probably blog about it everyday until July and still have plenty to cover. But, I won’t. Get yours and Enjoy!
I will be giving a copy of this amazing book to one lucky person at the Relish Launch Party. Plus, I will have one copy on hand for those who like to see/touch before they buy. If you are a bride interested in attending, contact me. Invited planners - be sure to rsvp.
Check out Fabuless Bride’s blog, spotlighting Savanah Tea Room. Fabuless really liked the venue so I wanted to share with everyone.
I love it when other blogs do vendor/venue spotlights! I love reading them to gather information on possible locations and to get ideas! I had such a great experience at a location the other day, that I just have to do my own vendor spotlight!!
On Monday, my mom and I went to have lunch at the Savannah Tea Company to check it out for my bridal luncheon the week of my wedding! It’s still a few months away, but we wanted to confirm that we’d really want it so that we could hold the date! We’ll be taking over the whole place so we needed to make a decision soon. Almost as soon as we walked in and were greeted by Emily, the owner, our decision was already made! We absolutely adored EVERY second inside the tea house!!
It was the perfect time to go, as I’d been REALLY stressed out the day before and that morning, trying to get stuff done that just wasn’t very much fun! We had a wonderful relaxing time- probably spending more time than we should’ve, but we were the only customers there after awhile, and the waitress and owner were just so helpful and nice that it was the kind of place you didn’t want to leave!
When I was little, I used to make my mom have tea parties with me ALL the time! We’d have to dress up, put on make-up, and drink lots of the “finest” tea (really just plain old black tea!) from my cute little china cups. I often had a friend or two I could talk into doing it with me, but it was mostly my mom!
As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the owner, Emily, who showed us around a bit (we told her we were there for lunch but also to check out the place for the bridal luncheon!). She went over the menu with us- which has an EXTENSIVE tea list! I was slightly overwhelmed by the list, but Emily gave some great suggestions! I chose Pomegranate Rose hips (been on a pomegranate kick lately so I thought, why not?!). It was wooooonnnnderful! My mom tried the Chocolate Mint tea (sounds odd for tea….but wow!!!), and of course, I stole quite a bit of it!
For just $3.25 you get your own little pot of tea and you get to choose a tea cup off of the shelf. This is the one I chose….It looked very cute and cozy and invited me to sip from it all day long! It reminded me of my childhood as well, since this light pink and green were my favorite colors to wear together for a long time!
It took us awhile to decide what to eat too, because of all the GREAT choices! They make all of their quiches, soups, muffins, scones, etc. fresh every day! Actually, they don’t make scones every day because they are usually part of the special requests for light or full tea reservations. However….we REALLY wanted to try them- it’s been ages since I’ve had a scone and the thought of that and clotted cream along with my tea was just irresistible! They whipped up a couple just for us, which was sooooo nice!
They were YUMMY! The scones are in the shape of a teapot, and they also do PB&J sandwiches for kids in the shape of teapots- how cute!! They have a great kids lunch (less fussy stuff!) and a great “kid’s” room as well.
This small room seats about 10 and is off of the main room (with seats for 20). It will be perfect for all the little flower girl’s and junior bridesmaids to play “tea” in with the fancy hats, gloves and boas. I LOVE the poster of Scarlett and Rett! :o)
And the cute main room, where the shelf of tea cups is located….
You can sort of see the gift shop- filled with tea pots and tea cups, of course, in the front, along with sample designs of the wedding cakes they also offer! I thought they looked familiar, then after talking with Emily realized I’d seen them at the bridal show at the Frist!
Our lunch order was fantastic as well! Every meal off the menu comes with fruit, muffins, and a frozen cranberry salad! YUM!!!! They have different soups, quiches, and sandwich specials, along with a few regulars. I tried the black forest ham and apricot preserve paninni- fantastic!! Along with a cup of chicken mushroom soup…again great! (you can see the muffin- ate one already- and cranberry salad on either side!)
Mom had the crustless asparagus and mushroom quiche along with vegetable tortellini soup. I, of course, snuck bites of both! Ok, so I asked, I didn’t steal!:o)
They also do tea tastings, for larger parties. So that you can each get a different pots of tea and share and try them all out! I didn’t think I would EVER run out of tea! That’s partially why we stayed for so long and partially because it was just so great! I kept thinking I’d be at the bottom of the pot and on my last cup….and nope, there was still another, and another, and another….they’ll give it to you to go if you have some left, but we wanted to stay and finish. And umm…..even though my mom got hers later than me (she waited until after we ate our main meal to order!), hers went faster, because I had to have some of hers too!!
I absolutely cannot wait to go back for my bridal luncheon- I might have to go back sooner! I can’t say enough good things about the food, the place, and the people! We must’ve asked Emily AND Casey dozens of questions each and they were both willing to answer them all plus some! They were fantastic! If you live near Nashville, and haven’t been- you should!!! I will be going again soon! Anyone want to come?!!
(Hey everyone - Fabuless Bride sent me these cute, spring-colored M&Ms. She saw them and immediately thought of my website colors. Thanks for thinking of me Fabuless!)
