Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Yesterday, I shared Rhonda’s DIY wedding inspiration. Today, she how she transformed the wedding of a real Nashville bride. Told you, she can make your wedding dream come true with floral creativity that is one-of-a-kind.

Guest Post: Rhonda Patton Weddings is a Nashville-based, event floral designer.

Trying not to blog about this wedding before it happened was tough - now that it’s over, I can finally release the chains and give you a sneak peek about this lovely couple.

Lee {the handsome “Will Smith” look-a-like} and Elisabeth {a beautiful and classy diva} were married last Saturday at St. Luke’s with a warm reception at Marriott-Vanderbilt. I had the pleasure of working as their event and floral designer and had a blast because they were sooooo sweet and such an adorable couple! They could easily pass as siblings and they had this majestic connection to one another. Lee was very involved in the planning process and even helped me with the design of their tablescapes.

I was absolutely ecstatic they hired Gray Photography as their photographic artist. Gray Photography, a hubby and wife duo are one of the most sought after wedding photographers. Their work is regal redefined - over and over again!

Here is a sneak peek with pics courtesy of Gray Photography’s Blog

Elisabeth carried a bespoke bouquet of calla lilies accented with crystals. The entire stem was wrapped in black midori ribbon and accented with a beautiful butterfly brooch {the bride loves butterflies}…

Gray does a fabulous job capturing details! Ingenious skill - they really crossed the line with this one….

…more details - the bride and groom’s ring in the candy scoop of jelly bellies

…the beautiful and delectable cake by Signature Cakes by Vicki

… fun photos of the bride and groom from Photo Booth of Nashville

…Best Wishes to Mr & Mrs Cunningham!!!

To see more from this wonderful wedding, be sure to visit Rhonda Patton Weddings over the next few weeks - or contact her for help with your Nashville wedding.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Maybe it was the not so great experience I had with my wedding videography. Or, maybe it’s because I love folks who use “smart” technology to make everyday things more creative. Oh - maybe it’s my silly desire to find and promote vendors who possess integrity and customer service. I really can’t put my finger on one reason but one thing is apparent…Lynette of McNeal Video rocks and her team never ceases to amaze me.

1) The McNeal Video team is enthusiastic. They love weddings (they only do weddings by the way) and see every wedding as a full cinematic production. Which is why their new movie posters make so much sense.

2) They care about the details and moments that matter most to brides. McNeal is all about the full details and their blog shows they care about what matters to the couple. Check it out for yourself. When I visit McNeal’s blog, I really feel like I was at the wedding.

3) Their quality and innovation make bride’s rethink wedding videos. Wedding videos get a bad rap. They are often the last category considered and most brides decide to put their budget toward photos vs videos…which I understand. But, after seeing McNeal Videos, many brides reconsider. They find the budget so they can make the investment. Plus, no wedding video or package is the same with McNeal. Everytime I speak with Lynette, she is talking about something new she is doing for a wedding.

Where is all of this coming from? I’ve always been a fan. But, the real wedding featured below reminded me of all of the things that makes McNeal Video one of my faves.

If McNeal Video pulled all of these components together to present this wedding for a blog post, just imagine how creative the video is! Enjoy this stunning wedding recap!

Guest Post: McNeal Video, a Nashville-based, wedding videography company.

(Ashley Adds: This is the new wedding poster I told you about last week! McNeal debuted them and creates them for her brides, available full size or postcard size and would be great to give to your family and frame in your wedding shadow box.)

LaTonya and Horace (Chip) were married in a beautiful ceremony on December 1, 2007 at the Born Again Church. The photo below shows the beautiful set that was built especially for them. It was the perfect backdrop for the bride who looked like a princess! Their reception was held at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. Click here to view clips from their video.

You can read about all the details in our original post. More photos from the wedding day are posted in the Gallery section.

It’s unusual for me to post raw footage clips, but there was one special event that happened during the reception that I want to share. The father/daughter dance — only its the fathers/daughter dance. I smile everytime I watch it. You can view it here. (It’s a very large file. Depending on your internet connection and the speed of your PC, you may have to let it play through once, and then watch it again to view it smoothly.)

(Ashley Adds: McNeal doesn’t miss a beat! Whose wedding is it anyway? Does McNeal do the scrapbook too? Only kidding:)

(Ashley Adds: I love this picture!!!)

Photographer: Joey Pippin of Lifetime Weddings

Videographer: McNeal Video

Event Planners: Gloria Vereen ([email protected]), Kim Vereen & Parthenia Fayne ([email protected])

Florist: The Ivy Basket

Hair Stylist: Kenny Vereen

Make-Up Artist: JK Hunter

Musicians: Rod McGaha, Chazz Williams, Elijah Holt

Layout and Printing: Fatima Vann of Angel Trumpets Design Studio ([email protected])

Wedding Cake: French Confection

Friday, February 29, 2008

Yesterday, my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary! Can you imagine being with the same person for 40 years? I certainly hope so:) seeing as though you are planning a wedding.

So, we’re all heading to Atlanta to celebrate. But before I head out, I wanted to share a real Nashville wedding, as told by the couple’s wedding planner, Tiffani of Creative Designs & Events.

One thing that I really liked about their reception was that it wasn’t the same old reception. I appreciate its simple yet personal feel. While some brides want big receptions, like I did, here is an event that really represents the couple. Yeah, some may tell you what your day should entail but I believe your day should reflect what is important to you and your fiance. If you want an intimate setting and love breakfast (as this couple did) have a small brunch. If you love Mexican food and crowds, have a huge fiesta.

Anyway - I also like this wedding because it highlights a few new-to-me Nashville wedding vendors (so be sure to check out the photographer and the florist).

Well, I am off to ATL. Enjoy this Nashville wedding by Tiffani.

Guest Post: Tiffani of Creative Designs & Events is a Nashville wedding planner. Visit her website for learn more about her wedding planning and coordination services.

I recently planned a wedding for Sabrina & Greg Young. I meet Sabrina when she was a bridesmaid at another wedding I planned.
When the couple came to me, I knew I would have fun working with them. Sabrina was an easy bride. She sat back and let me handle all the details of her wedding. There were two vendors that Sabrina knew she had to have for her wedding, and they were my favorite vendors:
Laurie Carpenter Photography & A Village of Flowers.

Laurie truly cares about her couples and wants them to have the best photos. She takes great photos and gives the couples all of the photos she takes.

Village of Flowers is different from most shops, I can give them colors and a theme and they always come up with something fabulous and affordable. I can always trust that I will love everything they do.

The couple wanted a morning wedding, so we decided to have brunch at the reception. I got them a great deal at the Nashville City Club. The City Club is at the top floor of the Suntrust building downtown. The walls are lined with windows, so it was the perfect setting.

It worked well with their Tiffany blue and chocolate brown theme. I ordered linens and centerpieces from Southern Events. Jill the owner is great to work with. They have a wide selection of rental products and their prices are reasonable. I added the white beads to the twig stands and faux crystal stones to the head table. Just to give a little sparkle!

At the reception, guest enjoyed dining on their favorite breakfast foods and a pancake/waffle station.

The couple decided to give their guest cupcakes to take home for later as the favors. I packaged the cupcakes in these chocolate brown boxes and tiffany blue ribbon, with each guest names on them.

I ordered the boxes on www.bagsandbowsonline.com and the ribbon I found at Michael’s. Very affordable favors!

The couple truly enjoyed everything about their wedding. I didn’t give them all the details, so they were pleasantly surprised to see everything come to together. I like my couples to have fun and to enjoy their special day without worrying about anything!!

Thanks!!

Tiffani Helms
Creative Designs & Events