Daily Scoop

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I met Amber and John of Lotus Blossom at the Fish Bridal Show a year ago. They had the cutest booth and were taking photo booth style pics, decked with props and all. I decided to give it a whirl.

As I took my pics, I chatted with Amber and John. They were such a happy couple and we instantly connected. I loved their vibrant use of color and genuine enjoyment of photography. Plus, they are very affordable:).

So, I thought I would share some of what I learned about Lotus Blossom. They support ABG so please take a moment to visit their site and see if their style/approach is right for you.

My Spotlight on Lotus Blossom Photography
Amber and John, Nashville Wedding Photographers
http://www.lotusblossomphotography.com

How did you get started in weddings?

John and I both got our start in photography back in high school. We both had the privilege of being the photographer on our respective high school year book staffs. It wasn’t until after our wedding in 2006 that we realized wedding photography would be a great fit for us. We loved our wedding photos (taken by the incredibly talented Michael Howard) so much and they brought us so much joy that we really wanted to be able to bring that same joy to others.

{by Emily T photography}

What do you like most about weddings?

I like that there is so much activity going on that day - me and my camera are easily able to blend into the background, allowing me to capture some of the most amazing candid real moments.

What’s your favorite wedding picture and why?

Oh my goodness that is such a hard question!! One of my current favorites is this pic of Kayla and Brock from their October Wedding. I just love how dreamy and ethereal feeling it is. Plus just by looking at it you can see how in love they are :).

What is your service philosophy?

I try really hard to make every bride feel special. I am a sucker for paper goods and believe there is nothing like a hand written note. In short, my service philosophy is personal attention.

What are your strengths compared to others in your category? / Why should a bride hire you?

I really hate to compare to others because I think every photographer in Nashville has something great about them. I guess if I have to pick something, I’ll go with the thing I keep hearing from my brides and grooms - we are fun. We know that the wedding day can be stressful for the bride and groom so we try to keep picture taking time light and fun and happy. After all, if you’re not having fun, it’s going to show in your pictures. And yes, I’m not afraid to make a fool of myself if it means I’m going to get a great pic of you laughing!

Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors?

(1) The University Club Nashville with Deborah Fluhart. Love, love, love this woman and the facility. We actually had our reception there and she made it such a pleasure for us. Then in June we had the pleasure of shooting an amazing wedding there and once again thanks to Deborah and her crew it went off without a hitch.

(2) A Delightful Day - while I won’t officially work my first event with Mary Alice until December, I have known her as a personal friend for several years and she is top notch. Call her!!

(3) Choice DJs/Bart Hanchey - another vendor that I used for my wedding and have since worked weddings with. Bart knows how to keep the party rocking all night.

(4) Branches - amazing and unique floral design.

(5) The Bride Room - Indescribably beautiful gowns + personal service makes this place perfect.

Who do you recommend when you’re not available/not a fit?

Emily T Photography. I second shoot for Emily on a semi-regular basis and she is so talented it’s incredible.

What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends?

I read a ton of blogs to help stay current on trends. Of them is of course the Ashleys Bride Guide blog Another favorite is the Style Me Pretty Blog.

{blushing} You didn’t have to include me in your faves…but I’m so glad you did:). Let’s discuss current wedding trends, which trend do you love?

My favorite recent trend is the return to hand made, meaningful items. (like these amazing programs with the hand-made wax seals)

Which trend do you really dislike?

I can’t really think of anything! I guess I’m pretty open minded when it comes to trends :).

What about past trends? What are you glad is gone?

Stiffly posed wedding images. Spot color.

Ohh - I was that bride in 2005 that had to have spot color! Ha! I’d forgotten about that!

Which wedding trend do you really miss?

Big Hair. Yes I realize that’s not really wedding specific, but being a curly haired girl, I could have had some kick butt big hair.

Hey - big hair is back! What are your favorite wedding websites? / Neatest wedding find?

One of the things I enjoy most about being in the wedding industry is trying to help brides find ways to save money and be unique at the same time. I discovered my latest favorite wedding find + way to save $$ at one of my October Weddings - instead of a Unity Candle have a Bible (or your book of choice) signed by the parents, Maid of Honor, and Best Man during the ceremony.

I like that! You’re so creative. I also love that you offer Monday budget tips for brides. Speaking of advice, any last advice for brides?

Have fun! Enjoy every minute of your day, and make sure you hire a great photographer so that you can relive it over and over again!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Nashville’s very own Dulce Desserts was featured in the November issue of SOUTHERN LIVING!! I’m so happy for Juanita, the owner, and her lovely staff.

If you’ve never been to the Dulce Desserts bakery, you should (go!) and know that what’s really neat about Dulce Desserts is that they offer wedding cakes and other desserts too. (You should check them out for your Thanksgiving sweets.) I love that she regularly attends culinary classes in NY to keep a pulse on what’s hot in pastries/desserts. This means that Dulce can bake your wedding cake but also provide pastries for your reception, rehearsal or guest favors.

So, what’s new with Dulce Desserts?

I reached out to Juanita because I always like to know what ABG site sponsors are up to. Plus, she’s always willing to take a few minutes to share the latest trends in Nashville weddings.

The dessert buffet aka a “buffet of deliciousness”, per Juanita:)

Love it! A Nashville bride to Juanita that she wanted to do something different. BUT, she still wanted to keep the tradition of having a wedding cake. Juanita worked with her to create a full buffet of desserts. This was a new take of wedding cake, other way to think “sweet” and overall, a great way to maximize her dessert budget.

Juanita said that she’s been getting a lot of requests for the dessert buffet because every bride (not just bargain brides) is looking to be a bit more budget-conscious. And while your dessert buffet can be as lavish as you’d like, the goal of this dessert buffet was to give the bride everything she wanted and be budget savvy as well.

mini desserts - tartletts, monogrammed cookies, etc

Sugar flowers that fool pros!

Juanita shared a funny story about this recent Nashville wedding that took place at the Schermerhorn. She set up the cake (that accompanied the desserts) and the florist said, “I didnt bring orchids”. He thought the orchids were REAL! But, they were sugar flowers that looked so real they fooled the pro. I had to see and share the cake - so she sent the following pic of the sugar orchids.

3-tier, sugar orchid cake that accompanied the mini desserts at the Schermerhorn

Cakes and desserts that uniquely express you

Here are some other neat cakes by Dulce Desserts that she also shared.

Champagne satin finished cake with lace highlights and bows

Strawberry shortcake cake at the Schermerhorn

Ganache finished oval cake with sugar coral and shells

“Corrugated fondant with satin banding, sugar anemone and ronunculus”.

That’s Juanita’s description, not mine:). My words are much simpler, “pretty and yummy”.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Today is the last day of my “ways to save” wedding tips. But, I have saved THE BEST for last.

Let’s be honest, it’s a near impossible challenge to plan a fabulous wedding for less than $10,000. The average Nashville wedding is about $20K and that’s a modest budget with very few frills…until now!!!!!!!!!

SIMPLY CHIC FARM WEDDING PACKAGE

The wedding elves have created an unheard of package for Nashville brides and I am excited to be present it to ABG readers exclusively.

Here’s the scoop: ABG sponsor Southall Eden Farm has collaborated with Nashville’s top-notch wedding pros to design a beautifully intimate (100 gues) wedding for 10 lucky couples…for just $10,000!

(Southall Eden Farm)

What’s the catch? No catch but you must grab one of their 10 pre-set, non-peak wedding dates. If you haven’t set your date (or are open to reconsidering) and want a fantastic wedding, this is the chance of a lifetime. Here’s my tip - if you are interested, contact Southall Eden asap. So many brides will be getting engaged between Thanksgiving and Christmas and you don’t want a newly engaged bride to grab your $10,000 wedding!

The $10,000 package includes:

• Rental of Southall Eden Farm for ceremony and/or reception
• Professional event planning and directing by Premier WED
• Frame tent and rental items from Music City Tents & Events
• Designer flowers by The Enchanted Florist
• Your choice of heavy hors d’ouvres or buffet dinner by Unique Flavors
• Three tiered white wedding cake by Unique Flavors
• Wedding photography by Photographix
• Professional lighting and ipod docking station by JD Music
• Custom printed invitations by Southall Eden Paperie
• Clients are welcome to bring their own alcohol.

(Unique Flavors)

(The Enchanted Florist)

(Southall Eden Paperie invitations)

The lucky dates available are:

Sunday, May 9, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010
Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010
Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010
Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010
Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010

These dates will go fast. Stop reading, and go contact Shannon of Southall Eden Farm asap. (615) 775-4080

Thursday, November 19, 2009

I’m back to continue my series on wedding savings! Today’s focus is wedding cakes and wedding invitations.

Wedding Cake Savings

Wedding Cake Design by Rebecca (cakesbyrebecca.com) is offering $100 off your 2010 wedding cake purchase if you book by December 31st.

Crumb de la Crumb (crumbdelacrumb.com) - is offering 15% off of your wedding cake if booked by 12/31/09!! Including “infusions”!

Wedding Stationery Savings

Southall Eden Paperie - while their specialty is custom designs, they often offer “Luckly Leftovers” at a steal! For instance, this black save the date set is only 75 cents and you get: a square 5 1/4” Save-the-Date printed with your name, wedding date and location. Black mailing envelope.

Southall Eden Paperie also offers budget-friendly invitations, as seen below.

Relish - is the home of the invitation builder - where you can design your own wedding stationery, from invitations to save the dates. This month, they are offering 30% off thank you cards, that you design!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Whether you are a platinum bride or a budget bride, when you spend less, you can make more of your dream come true:). You can put the money in the bank, finance your first home or take a more extravagant honeymoon. Where you put your savings is up to you but here are some tips on saving money on your bridal gowns.

Couture Gown Savings

1) Save on designer gowns at trunk shows and sample sales

A trunk show is when the designer comes to a local store or sends an enviable quantity of their gowns to a local store for brides to see, real life in person . This is a great time for you to see the dresses in person versus having to order them unseen, which is customary. AND, nearly every trunk show offers savings for brides who order their gown that day. This is one of the BEST ways to get the gown of your dreams for 10-15% less.

Bridal salons offer sample sales on gowns they usually plan to discontinue. These dresses have been tried on by other girls but with a good cleaning - it’s like new. Oakwood Cleaners specializes in cleaning and altering bridal gowns - from $500 gowns to $20,000 gowns. In fact, they are the only couture cleaner in Nashville. They are also eco-friendly. (Wonder if my leather coat is ready yet - need to call and check.)

Here are a few sample sales that you SHOULD consider:

- The Bride Room is having a HUGE sample sale this Sunday at 11am sharp, selling dresses off the floor & discounts on re-orders. Please note - They are extending the deepest discounts ever and expect a LARGE turn out. Oakwood Cleaners have extended a generous rate for cleaning the sample gowns and also for alterations through their expert seamstress. Bottom line - if you haven’t found your dress, you need to be there.
- They are also offering 10% off any purchases Thanksgiving weekend.

- Faccio Bridal is hosting an early bird sample sale Sat, Nov 28 8-10 am. Special perks for special ordering that day too! No appointments necessary.

last week was their Rivini trunk show. girls - you couldn’t gotten this dress…for less!:)

2) Save by buying pre-owned wedding dresses

Local stores - the Nashville area has a few used wedding gown stores like Memories Consignment in Hermitage and Encore Bridal (encorebridalandformalwear.com) in Murfreesboro, which sells new and nearly new wedding dresses.

Memories Consignment (above) - where an ABG bride (below), bought her pre-owned wedding dress

Encore Bridal in Murfreesboro, TN

Online - be careful. There are some great deals out there BUT there are also lots of scams. If you buy on Craigslist, only buy locally - with someone that you can meet, see the dress. DO NOT BUY without seeing the gown as there are sooo many scammers on that site. Ebay is another option but again, beware.

There are a few sites devoted to used wedding dresses, like preownedweddingdresses.com.

3) Save by hiring a custom designer

When I spoke with Designs by Sara Marie and learned that many of her bridesmaid dresses range from $100-150 (and look great) I thought this was a great idea for bridesmaids. She also does custom bridal gowns and can create a design based on your desires (which could include budget).

I know that Beth, a Nashville newlywed who had one of my favorite weddings of 2008, wanted a designer gown but didn’t want to pay the designer cost. She contacted Maria Elena Bishop, of Romantic Creations, who was able to create her custom gown for less.

I hope I’ve given you some great ways to save on your perfect wedding dress. Don’t forget the upcoming sample sales and special incentives. Happy shopping!!