Tuesday, April 1, 2008

So, Ray (finace) and I are full-on into registry mode! I didn’t realize so many people would be asking about it so soon, so we are getting at it as fast as we can!

We’re already totally set on Bed, Bath & Beyond and getting everything we can there! So far we’ve nailed down our bedroom linens, bathroom stuff, china, and lots of kitchen gadgets. We haven’t chosen lots of decorative stuff, or any basic kitchen theme stuff- pot holders, dish towels, everyday dishes, etc. I wasn’t crazy about any of what they have, so I thought we’d do Target. However, in talking to several recent brides, I’ve hardly heard one good thing about their return policies and their registry updates! In the store they even tell you it takes up to 3 hrs for it to update online. Every thing at BB&B is real time updates, they have NO problems with exchanges even without receipts, and they even give cash for returned items. I’ve heard nothing but good about that store!

or or neither??

I have had hassles in the past with returning stuff at Target. They only allow you two returns a year without a receipt- even when you are just getting store credit! And I tend to get lots of gifts from there! I looooooove the store! I’ve mentioned lots of good stuff I’ve found there on my blog already! But I do hate their return policy! I’ve been stuck with two pairs of the same shoes from another wedding, well since last summer!! They still have them, still regular price and they’ve never been worn and I can’t return them!! Keep meaning to get Ray to do it for me, but until then, they sit in my trunk!

I know that Walmart is getting tougher on returns, but I’m just wondering about their wedding gift return policy and how good their registry is. I did think it was kinda ghetto to register at Walmart, but hey-that’s where I do a lot of my shopping on a regular basis. They are getting much cuter stuff in the home sections, and some of the stuff I actually like better than Target! And I’ve heard lots of people say lately that they WISH they’d registered at Walmart- at least just to get the gift cards!

So, what’s a girl to do?! I do have several things on my Target registry, but the only thing I just can’t do without from there are these picture frames….

(plus a few more!)

which go oooooh so well with our Nautica bedspread we picked out (Ray’s favorite thing of ALL! He loves Nautica like I love Roxy!)

(believe me, I will totally girlie this up!! :o) )

Do I stick with Target? Or drop it for Walmart? I’d like to give people more choices than just BB&B, and I’m not too fond of registering at any department stores, which I never shop at otherwise!

Help!!

Ashley Adds:

I totally know how you feel. I registered at BBB, Target, Linens and Things (for stuff that neither had). I didn’t register at Walmart. I found Target to be HORRIBLE because of their awful return policy.

I love Target when I am shopping for myself but don’t like it for registries. They expect folks to give you gift receipts, which is so unlikely. BBB on the other hand was FANTASTIC. However, I’ve heard that their return policy may have changed since I got married. But, I was able to return so many things for cash or for exchange with no questions asked. They were amazing. But, double check to make sure you know their new policy. Again, not familiar with Walmart but I know in general they are pretty good about returns and give a gift card without a receipt. Who can’t use a Walmart gift card:)?

Come on Fab, I say keep it real with your wedding - if you shop at Walmart regularly (like millions of Americans do whether they admit it or not:) then register there. My mom kept telling me that I needed to register at Macy’s or a department store for China. Well, China I will NEVER use and I never shop at Macys. So, I registered at Pottery Barn (not the greatest return policy either) for these monogrammed, everyday whites and my guests purchased many items from there. I did a small registry at Macys (for mom) and got like 1 item from there. Bottom line, do you!

Based on your choices, I personally would do Walmart and BBB. If those Target frames are a must-have, get them with the cash from BBB:) Just my two cents.

ABG readers - feel free to comment.

Find more from Fabuless at Daisy’s Favorite Things.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Today’s my anniversary! I just made breakfast for John, which is rare since our schedules are completely flipped. We’re going to dinner at Macke’s, which was voted Nashville’s most romantic restaurant. Never been - if you have, let me know your thoughts before our dinner reservation. Not too late to cancel!

I am so excited to introduce ABG readers to Stacey, a new contributor to our Daily Scoop. We call Stacey “The Fabuless Bride” because she finds the most creative ways to save money while planning a classy, beach-themed, Nashville wedding.

The Fabuless Bride will update us regularly on her planning. You can easily find “The Fabuless Bride” blogs by her profile box (below) or by selecting the blog category - Guest Bride: The Fabuless Bride.

Oriental Trading Company: Wedding, bachelorette and shower supplies!!! Plus lots of other fun goodies

I’ve used Oriental Trading Company before for things for school. Like these adorable Magic Color Scratch Sombrero Ornaments that my kids had a blast with around Christmas time. How can you beat a craft for 120 kids for only $30!?(although just saw right now I’d get the same amount for $18 on clearance!)

OTC specializes in bulk/cheap items, but it never occurred to me that they might have wedding stuff!! I’m not sure why I never thought of it, but I hadn’t! I get catalogs at school all the time, but of course no wedding themed stuff was in there!

So in searching for stuff for out-of-town gift baskets/bags, I came across a forum that talked about getting stuff from there. Like these Large Hibiscus Tote Bags, $9.95 for a dozen!

I’m not going to make any claims on the quality of their stuff because I can only attest to the crafts I’ve ordered! They all came quick, and were well packaged! These bags are cute, but a little too beachy for me!

The possibilities are endless for what you can find from their site!!

Here are some cute things I came across (ahhhhem….my bridesmaids, you might want to take some notes- now that I know some of you are actually reading this!!)
How freakin cute are these “Just Married!” Flip Flops!??! I’ve seen something like this before, but not exact. Totally great for the honeymoon!

These are totally cute “Bride” And “Just Married” Iron-On Jewelry Set! I actually picked up some similar ones from Walmart for pretty cheap!

Lots of fun… Bachelorette Basic Party Pack.

There’s lots of other great stuff too, but there are some goofy things as well. Like an inflatable arch! But a lot of stuff is cute, great for a bride on a budget, and lots of stuff can even be personalized! Like these cute glass champagne flutes (which I may be getting for myself!)

And this personalized banner!

Do some searching for yourself, and you just might find a few great things you’ve been looking for! Favor ideas, bubbles, centerpieces, there’s tons of items to chose from if their in the realm of what you’re looking for! And someone must be buying those inflatable arches if someone was crazy enough to think of the idea to make them!!

Ashley Adds: I like this Personalized Tote too! Let me know if you’ve ever ordered from Oriental Trading. I’d love to know what you think about the quality of their bags, other wedding accessories.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Hey everyone, I am introducing a few new members to our bridal community over the next few weeks. So now, in addition to inviting local wedding pros to blog, I am also opening up the virtual mic to Nashville brides-to-be, bridesmaids and others involved in wedding planning.

It is my hope that these blogs will provide something of interest to our entire Nashville wedding audience. So, these blogs will be filed under Ashley’s Guests and Real Nashville brides. If you are blogging, please let me know as I’d love to follow your blog too!

I’ve chosen this blog by Stacey because she stopped by my bridal show booth on Saturday and told me all about these wonderful lanterns she’d found to complement her beach theme. I think every bride should have a theme, one that reflects what is important to you (as Stacey has done). So, I share in her excitement! YAY! It’s kind of a big deal to decide on your wedding theme.

You can learn more about Stacey and her wedding at Daisys Favorite Things. Enjoy.

Starting my beach theme!

If you know me at all…you know two things for sure- I love the beach and I love the color blue!! Therefore, these two things are going to be part of my wedding theme, of course! Since we’re no where near the beach and it’s pretty impossible for me to do a true beach wedding if I want lots of people to come, I’ve decided to subtly decorate with classy, sophisticated ocean tones and accessories! I haven’t gathered much yet, but am thinking pretty shades of blue, seashells, and sand.

My apartment has been a big source of inspiration. It’s my oasis from the crazy world filled with beach pictures, real and artsy ones, shades of blue and brown, and seashells abound! I created a couple of these awhile ago, and thought about doing them on a bigger/better scale for table centerpieces at my wedding…..

Then last night on my way home from spending lots of time brainstorming with Chaundra about wedding plans…and asking all FIVE of her kids to be in my wedding (Gabby, age 3, promptly said “No!” when I asked her to be the flowergirl, but after I explained what that meant, she said, “Ok!”), I decided to shop at Kohl’s! Partly to remind myself that I can- because I don’t have 5 kids tagging along with me, and partly to search out their special deals for the early bird/nightowl specials going on this weekend (you know…in case there was anything wedding related!!). I’m as about as obsessed with their clearance as I am with Target’s. Maybe even more so, which is why I’d avoided going for a long time- I can’t go without scouring the whole store for something on sale/clearance!!

To my surprise, I came across the PERFECT wedding centerpieces!! They totally fit my original idea- but also surprisingly another object I’ve seen and loved, but didn’t know how to make them work together! I’ve loved the “wrought-iron” lanterns I’ve seen lately, but didn’t know if they would fit with my theme!! Well, these aren’t wrought iron but are perfect….AND come with sand, shells, AND candle!! They’re on sale too! At $25 each, I’m probably saving myself a lot of time finding each different element separate! I probably would’ve wanted one even if they weren’t on clearance…but knowing me, I’d have waited to see if they stuck around until clearance time! Instead, armed with a new debit card for my wedding account, I promptly called my mom to share the great find (and ask her to search her Kohl’s for more!), and then headed for a shopping cart and loaded up all 4 that they had!!

In the package-

Had to take it out as soon as I got home….it was all neat and orderly!

Here’s what the stuff inside looked like. The sand looks a little more like salt (the margarita kind) but it should work! It actually looks better than what it looks like in the pic!!

So…here’s to actually getting something accomplished this week!! I’ve got my dress, and my centerpieces picked out and that’s about it!! I have soooo many ideas, but I haven’t been able to find that perfect place for the wedding, or the perfect dresses for my maids!! After those two things, it should make lots of the other pieces easy!

Hopefully, I’ll find more of these lanterns to actually use one on each table, but even if not- I’ll still use them in some way at the reception and/or wedding!! :o) So exciting!

**Update** My mom went to the Kohl’s near her yesterday and bought 4 more!! So we should just need 4 more to have enough for the tables. If we don’t find more or end up with more tables, we’ll just use something else,maybe closer to the original idea on the rest of the tables! I think spending $300 on these is plenty!! :o)