Friday, April 25, 2008

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.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Reminder - don’t forget about the Clarksville bridal show this Sunday. I’m going with planners from A Magical Affair and Bridal Opulence. We’re carpooling because we’re so green:) and I’m all about chatting the whole way, which is what Courtney and I seem to do best. Anyway, we are going to find out what’s going and to learn how to ballroom dance; be sure to check out the class if you go.

It is also my husband’s birthday. Any ideas on what I can give him? He’s a huge sports fan and loves any Louisville team. Email me ideas.

Here’s is my final report on my top 20 favorites from Weddings, The Bridal show…drumroll please:

• J.Botanical - Fun team with fabulous work. No website address so call Judy at 615-826-7263. (Tell her Ashley sent ya!)

• Nashville Toffee Company - Add a this taste of Nashville to your wedding attendant gifts or “out of town” bags. The orange/red color scheme of their boxes are great for summer/fall weddings. (I know brides are always thinking of color complements!)

• Black Eyed Pea - Best food I tasted and my girls loved them too. Great food, great staff…what more do you need. No website so call 615-264-3005. They are in Hendersonville.

• Enchanted Florist - Breathtaking! I didnt met the owner, Caprice, but I hear she is awesome to work with. Can’t wait to meet her!

• Accent TN - You couldnt miss their amazing table displays as you entered. Plus, they were friendly and had great floral bouquets.

• Chicas and Brides - Really neat gifts for bridesmaids and brides. You are only a bride once (hopefully) so enjoy it and let everyone know with these cute tees and totes.

• Chef’s Market - they cater but they also decorate for your event. they consider themselves a “one-stop” shop, which makes life easy. Didnt taste their food but they had the most stunning table decor.

• Street Tuxedo - They are locally-based company which is rare for tuxedo rental. I spoke with Dick and he was very informative. He said they have a great selection of inventory that’s local so they can get the styles you want, fast.

• Jo’s Cakes and Catering - Wow! Her work doesn’t even look like cake. It looks like art. It is amazing. I didnt get a chance to chat with Jo b/c she was bombarded with brides but she should be added to your list for a custom cake. Her website doesnt do her work justice so check out my pics below to see her talent.

• Wedding Cake Designs by Rebecca Schreher - I really liked appreciated her simple yet elegant cake designs. They were perfectly shaped with timeless designs.

• Maples Wedding Cakes - Jay was very kind and knows what he’s doing. His work has been featured everywhere.

• The Bake Shoppe - More great talent plus the design team is VERY easy to work with.

I hope you enjoyed my “top 20″ list. That was a lot of work! Have a great weekend.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

As promised, here are more “Top 20″ vendors from Saturday’s bridal show. Today’s focus is planners and photographers. (If you missed the first 5 - view yesterday’s post.)

• A Delightful Day - wedding planner with tons of style and terrific talent. I’m her BFF…big fan forever.

• Selah Style and Events - adorable concept and Kat is one chic chick. She can do everything and she makes house calls! Her wedding planning services fit ANY budget. (You know you need the help. So now what’s your excuse?)

• Harmony Designs Photography - This is my girl and she rocks. She was looking good and showing off her amazing photography.

• Evin Photography - Great gal with great skills. Her crew was so cool that I just had to take a pic. Plus I love her work.

• Dove Photography - Another team that does extraordinary work that brides love. Ask Amber of A Delightful Day if you need a recommendation. Her wedding pics are simply amazing. I actually took a picture with Whitney of Dove at the show but I looked awful! Sorry Whit, I couldnt post that one. Maybe next show Shana of Harlow Hair can hook up my makeup and hair so I am prepared for pics. Just check out Dove’s site for a gallery or beautiful pics.

• Studio Momenti Photography - I didnt get a chance to speak with them, just admired their work from afar.

Like yesterday, check them out and tell me your favorite.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Well ladies, it’s hump day. So, I figured I should get off my hump and give you the update you have been waiting for…The unofficial, unauthorized, but oh-so-reliable skinny on the Saturday’s show.

This show had so many new vendors. Many were young women (who know young women) and fellow “brides turned business owners” who have returned to the wedding world to showcase their newly discovered talents. Which I love!

As you know…I went, I saw and I conquered! You saw the Party Patrol video so you already know that I had a ball. But, that was just a taste of the show.

20 vendors made “Ashley’s A-List”. (Hey - if Oprah can have a list so can I:) I will share them all with you over the next few days.

Here are my faves from the paper and music categories. They are all Nashville-based wedding vendors so support local, buy from them and enjoy great local, in-person service.

Get ready to add these fabulous finds to your short list:

• myOWNvitations - truly unique stationery and paper products, designed by Shannon (who I almost knocked over while filming the Party Patrol video! Sorry Shannon - thanks for being a good sport.)

• Designs in Paper- original, custom stationery, invitations, etc. Really cute ideas that are out of the box. The brainchild of Donette. I love the monogrammed confetti. Can’t wait to get some of my own.

• Relish - really cute site that allows you to design your custom invitations online.

• Harlow Salon- I met Shana of Harlow on MySpace and was sooooo excited to see her at the show! I adore her work and her grand personality. (grand - a word I picked up from my 90 year old, southern-belle piano teacher.) While she does all things beauty, she seems to love wedding hair and makeup. She is awesome and was doing demos at the show. Check out her wedding hair video in my vendor directory.

• Party Patrol -DJ extraordinaire - read Monday’s post for more info

Check them all out and let me know your favorites by voting on this blog post. Simply leave a reply with your favorite vendor, based on their website or your experience with them at the show. Did I miss someone spectacular? let me know! (How do you reply? Just click comments below.)