Monday, June 30, 2008

One thing Kendall (aka Fit Bride) knew from the beginning was that she wanted “black and white scroll” to be the theme of her wedding. At first I thought, “Ok, how impossible is this going to be?”. But once I set my mind to it, everything fell into place from welcome bags from www.Nashvillewraps.com all featuring the scroll pattern…

….to Save the Date magnets at www.MagnetStreetWeddings.com.

We first thought we’d use the Save the Date magnets that had 3 pictures and looked like the pictures that guests will get from the photobooth. But then decided to keep a more formal feel and chose this design. We liked the “feel” of it and the layout with one large picture of Kendall and Kiel instead.

In fact, I was suddenly surrounded with inspiration. While at Hobby Lobby I came upon hat boxes in different sizes in black and white swirl. Wasn’t sure what I was going to do with them but it didn’t take long to find out.

Our fabulous cake designer Vicki from Signature Cakes is designing a fabo 4 layer white chocolate truffle and lemon cake with black swirl designs and fondant ribbon. Kendall’s cake will be very similar to the picture below…4 square layers of white butter cream frosting with the black scroll work but with a black fondant bow cascading down the front and starting on the second layer in back and going down, and she’s making a very elegant black “H” for the cake topper. We actually met with Vicki and she sketched out what we wanted BEFORE we ever found pictures that were similar. We took one of the hat boxes with us and that inspired the design on our cake. She’s even ordering scroll templates to try and match it.

The groom wants cupcakes so Jessica at Cuppycakes Bakery is making 6 different flavors of cupcakes and we will display them on…you guessed it….the 5 hat boxes!! Also at Hobby Lobby, I found stick on black and white scroll lettering to put on the black fabric photo album that we are using at the photobooth table www.partybooths.com. Guests will have their pictures taken and paste one set in the album with their best wishes and take the other set home.

I’ve also found some wonderful invitations at www.weddingpaperdivas.com that you can order in the black swirl and as an added little touch I’m adding monogram confetti in each envelope from www.designsinpaper.com . As for the confetti, we haven’t finalized the design yet since we haven’t settled on the invitations. If we go with black invites we’ll use white confetti, white invites we’ll use black confetti. Kendall wants monograms and not their names.

From there things snowballed. I found 12X12 scrapbook paper in a beautiful black background with white swirls that will be used for the programs, rolled up like a scroll and tied with ribbon. The same paper will be cut and folded into a cone shape finished off with ribbon handles for guests to use at the candy bar, www.candyfavorites.com. The candy favorites website actually has a section for weddings or you can click on a color. I chose black and white of course. We’re having white M&Ms, black cherry and coconut white jelly bellys, swizzle sticks, white chocolate mints, black licorice twists, whoppers snowballs.

And from good ole Target, I found some incredible acrylic picture frames with black scroll work that will be placed around with different messages in them. …and finally I found beautiful black and white swirl linen tablecloths for the larger tables at CJs off the Square in Franklin.

You might think the world is green but believe me, after these past few months I think the world is black and white swirl!!! Can’t wait to show you all the finished look all pulled together.

Friday, June 27, 2008

I reached out to Vicki of Signature Cakes to learn a bit of the history and ins/outs of wedding cakes. Here’s some info that will be helpful as you search for the wedding cake designer to make your dreams come true.

AshleysBrideGuide.com (ABG): Wedding cakes have become quite an important part of a wedding. What is the history of the wedding cake and what is its significance?

Signature Cakes: Wedding cakes have their roots in Ancient Rome, however those “cakes” were loaves of bread that were broken over the brides head by the groom. Much later the multi-tiered white wedding cake was introduced and was reserved for English royalty. Today, it is the centerpiece of the reception. It is also the new couple’s first time hosting guests, thus should be a marvelous pastry reflecting the occasion.

ABG: We hear all the time about different types of icing. Can you tell us a little about icing?

Signature Cakes: “Not all Buttercream icing is created equal.” Genuine Buttercream is made from egg whites, hot syrup and butter–NO powdered sugar and ABSOLUTELY NO SHORTENING. Also dark chocolate or white chocolate ganache is delicious. But, of course, rolled fondant is the foundation of the smooth couture wedding cake.

ABG: What is a “gourmet” cake?

Signature Cakes: The definition of gourmet is: special, high-quality food, sophisticated, expensive, rare, and/or meticulously prepared. If there is a time for cake to be gourmet, shouldn’t it be at your wedding? At Signature Cakes all our cakes are gourmet and there is never any additional charge.

ABG: Can you share some wedding cake trends with us?

Signature Cakes: In New York, LA and other major cities, fondant cakes with sugarpaste flowers and other embellishments are very popular. Mixing contemporary, architectural and geometrical patterns with floral designs is a fresh trend.

ABG: Do you recommend fresh flowers on a cake?

Signature Cakes: Some brides desire fresh flowers. However, it is imperative that the flowers be handled properly. They must be washed and free from pesticides. Furthermore, flowers tend to “leak” onto the icing if they wilt. At Signature Cakes, we make available edible sugarpaste flowers that surprisingly don’t cost any more than fresh flowers ordered from your florist.

ABG: What is the best way to go about finding a cake designer? Do you suggest a consultation and tasting appointment?

Signature Cakes: The most common phrase I hear from brides is, “I want a simple and elegant cake.” Simple and elegant can be interpreted in myriad ways. The consultation clarifies these conceptual ideas. An hour, or longer for more complex designs, should be allowed for the process. Finally, I sketch a color rendering of the cake. When the bride sees the “blueprint” take shape before her eyes, it will either confirm our vision, or we can reevaluate the direction o the design, which results in a splendid wedding cake with no unwanted surprises on wedding day.

ABG: When should the wedding cake be ordered and how is the cost determined?

Signature Cakes: It is never too early to place your wedding cake order, but six months to a year before normally assures you the cake designer of your choice. Generally, servings start at $4.00 per slice and continue up depending on the labor involved. Compared to the cost of the reception including the venue location, dinner, and decor, the wedding cake is actually quite reasonable. And once again, remember that it is the “WOW” factor of the reception.

Thanks for the info Vicki! My sister loves Signature Cakes and always looks for Vicki when I drag her to bridal shows! Fit Bride (aka Kendall) has hired Signature to do her “Winter Wonderland” cake for her December wedding, so I can’t wait to see her cake.

In the meantime, contact Signature Cakes for your cake consultation.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

I was introduced to Blue Nova Weddings by Kym, publisher of A-LIST Weddings. When I met Maria and Link (the duo), at the Relish Launch party, I really didn’t understand what Blue Nova offered brides. I said “I just have to see it”. And see it I did.

A few weeks later, Maria of Blue Nova offered to help with my Sex and the City party. So, I was able to see them in action.

What Blue Nova offers is truly unlike any other company, which is why it’s often hard for me to describe. But, if you are looking for something hot that will stand out from traditional linen or backdrops, Blue Nova is the company to contact.

I’ll share some of their other structures later but check out the stretchy table covers and chairs - very sleek. I don’t know everything that they can do but I think they can do just about anything.

I’ll let Maria tell you about some of their goodies:

Transform your event into an experience with our their Snappy Covers (TM). Our elegant chair and table covers can transform your table into a stunning focal point that welcomes your guests and invites the celebration to begin!

Our archways and lighted columns add an elegant touch. They can be used in your ceremony, as an entryway, or in the reception area. These pieces add visual interest and light to create a stunning focal point.

Upcoming Nashville Bridal Shows!

It’s that time again! Grab your bridesmaids and forget about calorie counting because it’s bridal show, a.k.a cake time! (Only kidding vendors - we attend for more than just cake.)

September 14 - Fish 94FM Bridal Show

Find event details on my Nashville bridal event calendar.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

I have heard so much about weddings on the bridge and finally…pictures! How awesome is this for an outdoor venue? I am not brave enough to have an outdoor event but kudos to those of you who are. They are certainly worth the stress:)

So, as I check out the vendors…I am wondering if anyone in Nashville does lighting other than Nashville Event Lighting. I mean - Blake’s crew did my SATC party, they did the lighting for the wedding that I featured yesterday and now this one. He does a great job but I had no clue he was “the” company of choice. Plus, I “officially” met Blake’s adorable wife Misty yesterday. I’d seen her at a wedding in April but we weren’t introduced.

Anyway, here’s a new venue option for your wedding day.

Today’s Guest Post: Rhonda Patton Weddings, a Nashville-based, event floral designer.

If you think the Shelby Street Bridge is beautiful then you should see it at night. Jodie and Joseph were married on the bridge. Yes, you can have weddings on the bridge. This is the coolest venue I’ve worked thus far! The bride’s mother was able to capture this beautiful rainbow. How lucky is that to have the reflection of a rainbow on your wedding day!

Not only is the venue unique but the view is even more amazing!

The bride carried a saturated palette or red roses. (Charlottes, Forever Young and Black Magics) collared with green ti (pronounced tea, like the beverage) leaves.

The bridesmaids carried a mix of Leonidas Roses, Black Schwarzwalder Mini Callas and Cream Stock.

A perfect collection to accent their chocolate floor length gowns from Arzelle’s

To follow with the Leonidas and Crimson Reds, the centerpieces were composed of Charlottes, Forever Young Red and Leonidas Roses. Large square glass vases with river rocks to accent.

The four tiered cake was provided by Dessert Designs

So Sophisticated! Chocolate sashes and hanging lanterns by Nashville Event Lighting

The Rose Petal Toss

This is such an easy DIY for any bride. The bride made these cones from scrapbook paper. We filled them with fresh rose petals and the guest tossed the petals during the recessional.

Thanks to the bride for these amazing pictures. Professional photography by Burligame Photography coming soon.

Best Wishes to Jodie and Joseph!!!!

UPDATE: For information on Nashville’s Shelby Street Bridge, click here.

These shirts can be customized with your wedding date, or flowergirl, or bridesmaid. I like this trophy wife tee and think it would make a great honeymoon travel tee. I am so not a trophy wife but I bet a bride cutie like Belle Bride (now a newlywed) would wear it:).

Even though the tee below isn’t for brides, I love it so much I couldn’t help but share. Neat gift idea for one of your blogging girlfriends. Visit OpulentFAVORS.com for more tees and to purchase.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Is it just me or is every bride 23 years old with a $100K+ wedding budget? I mean, every time I read a wedding magazine or see a wedding tv show, “that” bride is featured. But brides are so diverse - they are all ages, races and have budgets all over the map.

I love to feature all types of Nashville brides - not just young brides with huge wedding budgets, not just bargain brides - but all bride types. So, I simply couldn’t to share this wedding with you!

The wedding pics are amazing and so was the wedding. The bride is radiant and her day was simply beautiful, as was she.

I’ll let my guest blogger introduce you to this amazing couple.

Today’s blog is by Jenna of JHenderson Studios, a professional wedding photographer and recent Nashville bride.

Allow me to introduce you to Ann & Shannon McCulley, a newlywed couple that celebrated with friends and family on May 17th. Self-described as a ‘mature’ couple, I knew from the very first email we were in for a great time when Ann said, “We’re old and we’re having the wedding of our lifetime!” And that is exactly what they did.

Shannon and Ann had the right attitude when it came to planning their big day. “A lot of people found it strange that a couple our age would have a big wedding and that I would wear a wedding dress,” Ann said. “But we just made up our mind that this is what we wanted to do and we did it! We have absolutely no regrets.”

Of course, it would be hard to regret anything at a wedding as beautiful as theirs. Amy Parman with CJ’s Off the Square in Franklin, Tennessee did an incredible job at creating such a breathtaking ceremony and reception. The pink and brown colors were displayed throughout what Ann describes as a ‘casual classic’ event. Their attention to detail was brilliant; even the toenail polish for the bride and bridal party coordinated.

Speaking of bridal party, Shannon & Ann kept it simple and personal by inviting their children to be their wedding attendants. Ann’s daughter served as matron of honor, while Shannon’s sons were his best man and ring bearer; Shannon’s daughter was the flower girl.

It was so obvious what a fun-loving couple the bride and groom are. With their first dance, which Ann mentioned as her favorite part of the day, they let their true personalities shine. After a few beats to a slow song, the DJ (per their request) let the record skip and switched to an up-beat number to which Ann & Shannon danced their own choreographed moves. Considering they met at the Nashville Dance Club back in ’06, it was the perfect personal touch.

And now, for the pictures…

CJ’s Off the Square in Franklin always does a fabulous job of making everything look gorgeous. I was lucky enough to have a bite of the cake from The Bake Shoppe. Delicious!

During our consultation, Ann mentioned her daughter/matron of honor had head-to-toe tattoos. I immediately pictured this shot in my head; its one of my favorite shots from the whole day.

The McCulleys chose the garden at CJ’s because it was such a romantic location.

Can’t you see the joy on their faces?

Here’s a moment with Shannon & his sons. It was a perfect day for the outdoor ceremony. Not a cloud in the sky!

With such unique personalities, I had to do something a little funky. Ann looked beautiful in her dress, and it moved with her so well.