Monday, April 21, 2008

Relish, a hot new invitation company, has invited us to their launch party! Last week, I hinted about a May 4 event…well, I can finally share the scoop. Can’t believe I was able to keep the secret so long.

What’s Relish?

For starters, Relish is an invitation company based in Nashville. Relish allows you to build-your-own invitation - online. Using their color palettes and patterns, you can build affordable, custom invitations online, in the comfort of your home - no pressure:) The process is super easy and brings an affordable, custom invitation option to brides everywhere. But, they are based here in Nashville, so we get them first!

My Interview with Relish

Learn all about Relish by watching my “AshleyCam” interview. I’ll admit, it’s a bit amateur (sound-wise) so you see why I am not a wedding videographer. Plus, McNeal Video and Dynamic Video were busy shooting weddings so I had to rely on my trusted tripod.)

The Must-Attend Relish Events!

Exclusive Launch Party - Sunday, May 4

The Relish Launch Party is primarily for the city’s top wedding planners. Everyone who is anyone will be attending. (Planners - if you haven’t rsvpd, this is your friendly reminder.)

But, if you are a Nashville bride and want to check out their invitation line in person, contact me asap to get on my VIP guest list. I am honored to have received an invitation to this special event and I want to take a few of my readers with me.

The event is designed to introduce everyone to their super cute invitations and interactive website. Plus, we’ll have an opportunity to win neat prizes (facials, gift certificates) and meet some great Nashville bridal vendors.

Online Launch Party - Monday, May 5

Unable to get on the guest list for the Relish party? No worries. Relish is hosting an eParty for brides everywhere! Save the date, set your phone alarm, set an email reminder - do whatever - but make sure you log onto www.getrelish.com on May 5 as this is an event that you do not want to miss.

Anyway - the guest list is limited so contact me if you want to attend the party. Fun, food and fabuless invitations - promise.

Upcoming Events

May 4: Relish Launch Party - Space is limited so contact us if interested
May 5: Online Relish Launch Party

Find details on these events, trunk shows, and more on our Nashville bridal event calendar.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Before Swoozie’s opened in Nashville’s Green Hills area, we couldn’t wait. We wouldn’t be jealous of Atlanta much longer, Swoozie’s was finally coming to Nashville! Fast forward, Swoozie’s has been here for 6 months or so and…we’re still loving it! This love is proving to be no temporary crush.

I’ll admit, I’ve visited several times and have been way to excited to chronicle for ABG readers. It really is like a Candyland for big girls…I wanted to shop and see, not take pictures and notes. But luckily, the ABG community always has my back.

Latrice has written a blog on Swoozie’s that I have been following. Now that her three-part series has ended, she’s letting me “borrow” it so I can share all of the goodies with you. I’ve mentioned Latrice before, she’s amazing. She is a shopper like I’ve never seen. Tons of style and always found at the neatest Nashville boutiques, but I’ll spare you more of my blah, blah, blah…enjoy this Friday Find.

Guest Post: Latrice of Bridal Opulence, a Nashville wedding planner

Swooning over Swoozie’s!

Nashville has some of the greatest places to shop, by far. Just recently in the Green Hills area the brand new Hills Center opened with all the latest trendy boutique like stores. One of my all time favorite specialty stores in the center is called Swoozie’s!!

This hip little happening spot is the best place for anything gift related or paper/stationery related. I am a huge fan of paper products so every time I go in the store I stay for at least an hour.

There so many gift-y books & journals for the newly engaged bride-to-be. This table in the picture carries a Tiffany blue & chocolate theme, which is a really happening color for weddings this season. There were cute little notepads, books, etc that range in price of $12.95 & up. They also offer a printing service at the store and will personalize your items for a small fee, making everything so special. One of the cutest items by far was the “Wedding day survival” kit, which is priced at $34.95

Swoozie’s also carries the most creative paperware - that includes plates, beverage napkins & cups - great for that bridal shower, engagement party, etc.

Check out this “Because I’m The Bride, That’s Why!” foam cup ($6.95) and the “Tie the Knot Bride” beverage napkins ($4.95).

Stationery is another reason that Swoozie’s has such a huge following of loyal customers. The stationery by far is the cutest I’ve ever seen, and would make your bridal shower invites, save the date cards & also wedding invitations truly stand out. This is the place for those DIY Brides!! The average price for this category starts at $8.95 & up.

So if you are a DIY bride and have a love for stationery…..Swoozie’s is the place to be!

Selecting the right bridal party gifts can be a huge task if you don’t have anything in mind. Luckily, Swoozie’s has gifts for both your bridesmaids & groomsmen.

Selecting the perfect gift for the men in your party can be intimidating. Swoozie’s has the most perfect set of gifts for that hard-to-shop-for man & they also can do monogramming & engraving. I am all about personalization!!!

The crocodile leather black flask are a perfect “manly gift”!!! They have “groomsman” engraved on the silver hardware, it looks great. Also, the picture would be a nice added touch that could be given and either place a picture from the bachelor party or your actual ceremony as a thank you gift. Swoozie’s also carries a wide array of koozies, which you can never have too many of those. The pictured wedding frame “The Guys” retails at $19.95, this frame is also available in “The Girls” & also “Mother & Father of the Bride”

Swoozie’s makes it so easy to shop for your bridesmaids & also for your flower girl. There are so many unique and fun gifts to choose from in the store & also on line.

We will start with your bridesmaids: in the picture below the black & white motif is amazing! With this collection comes notecards with can be personalized for an additional $5; cute wine bags, coasters etc.

Notecards are a favorite of mine. In this age of emailing, a hand written note is always top on list. It’s also an etiquette thing as well. So you can never go wrong in getting personalized stationery for yourself or your party. Other ideas that you can pick up at Swoozie’s are personalized soaps, carry all bags, burlap initial wine bags & also initial wine stoppers.

Wine stoppers start at $14.95

Initial soaps start at $11.00 & Carry all bags start at $19.95 & up

Market Tote - Turquoise with Brown Trim Price: $19.95

Perfect little gift for your flower girl!

For your bachelorette party, girls night out, Swoozie’s can personalize a sash for you to wear so everyone will know it’s your special night.

Swoozie’s…your one stop shop for bridal party gifts with a personal touch!!

They also carry the cutest selection of table decor.

Currently they have 3 that really struck my fancy & I would like to share them with you.

This black & white table setting could be the theme for a very chic bridal shower. Incorporating a Tiffany blue, pink or red to the color scheme would definitely make the color pop!!! Also you could request that your guest wear colors that coordinate with your color scheme. This would create really super cute pictures.

For a Nautical or Beach theme:

This is so adorable and with a little creativity, you could incorporate sand to your table center pieces for an added effect.

Bachelor Cook out: All American Theme

This table decor would make for a great afternoon Bachelor cook out with the fellas. You could carry this theme out and incorporate all things baseball. What a fun cookout this would be & I would even suggest renting a cute little old fashion popcorn popper for your guest.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Hey Nashbrides,

I just got off the phone with Shannon, my girl over at myOWNvitations to learn a bit more about their open house. (BTW, she did the fabulous black, white and red wedding invitation that’s on my current love list - see below.) Anyway, you know I love wedding stationery and wedding cakes so I am super-duper excited about their upcoming invitation open house. I’ve never been to a paper party (but I’ve certainly been to a million jewelry/pampered chef and beauty product parties against my will). But, this is a must-attend party if you are a modern, stylish Nashville-area bride who wants custom wedding invitations and paper that makes your statement.

(Shannon says: This Asian-inspired invitation with concise, modern wording let’s everyone know that your wedding will be a party to remember! The coordinating origami folded program is held closed by bamboo skewers. What a fun twist!)

Shannon’s invitations are all about the paper - she uses the most interesting textures for her invitations. And, because all of her work is custom, she can do all of the coordinating pieces like labels for your welcome baskets, save the dates, etc, which you’ll see first hand at the open house!

(Shades of orange and coral work great for both summer and fall weddings. The shimmery metallic backer adds an elegant touch to this invitation.)

The party will be held at a super-chic downtown Nashville loft and will be a lot less congested/rushed than a bridal show where you have to scream just to talk and can forget about discussing important questions - like prices, timeline, customization, etc. At this event, Shannon promises that you can expect one-on-one q&a with the designer.

You know you’re in love with these invitations too. Your wedding invitations set the tone for your wedding. So, contact myOWNvitations asap to rsvp for this wedding paper party. This event is open to Nashville’s most stylish brides, planners…and geeky bloggers like me. See ya there!

(A pale blue paper embossed with a bold pattern adds interest and texture to this classic patterned invitation. The layers are held together with a single crystal brad.)

(Pink and gold have been a wedding scheme favorite even before Martha said it was cool! This imported fuchsia cotton paper is flocked with a beautiful gold pattern. Add a shimmery gold ribbon and a rhinestone buckle and you have an invitation that is absolutely regal!)

(Strawberry is a fresh new take on the ever-popular pink! It’s paired with chocolate in this contemporary geometric pattern to create an invitation that is simple and modern, yet interesting. Who doesn’t love a chocolate covered strawberry?)

(What better way to make your invitation represent you as a couple than adding a cute photo? The invitation is wrapped in a shimmery plum jacket and tied with a delicate organza ribbon.)

Anyway, be there or be square (…my throw-back phrase today). No seriously, if you want a hot invitation that wows your guests, come out and see the latest in wedding invitation fab.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Your wedding is the ultimate expression of who you are. From your cake to your colors, every aspect reflects a part of your personality. Invitations are no different. In fact, they set the tone for your wedding way before your big day - they tell your guests what to expect - formal event? beach side affair? Invitations set the tone.

That’s why I love great save the dates and wedding invitations. Now, there is another option for creative brides - Video/DVD invitations.

DVD/Video invitations consists of a video of the couple inviting their guests. Simply concept but the options range the entire gamut.

If this is something of interest to you, here are the components:

1) Budget - of course everything starts with budget. Yes brides, you have to decide at the beginning how much we can/want to spend on invitations. This is your starting point and your budget will drive EVERYTHING.

2) Style - based on your budget, do you want to go all out for the invitation or do the bare minimum? There are many ways to approach this but let’s say there are two types -DIY approach / luxe approach.

3) Format

DIY:

- use still pictures and create a slideshow type production

- produce your own video (with tripod or friend videoing) and then upload the video to youtube (as these folks have done)

- send your pics to a company like Show and Tell, although I honestly think you could achieve this same look on your own

Luxe:

- add the video creation to your wedding videography package. If you don’t plan to hire a wedding videographer, you could still hire a videographer to create your DVD. Nashville wedding videographer McNeal Video created the dvd invitation featured below. What I like about this video is that it truly expresses this couple’s style.

Click here if you can’t see.

A professional video like this will serve two purposes - one you get a professionally made video to send to your guests; which makes an awesome first impression and 2) you get a chance to see your wedding videographer/photographer at work way before your wedding day. If there are any issues/problems, you know well in advance and can work to resolve the problem or hire someone else

- use professional pics from your engagement photo session

- work with a Nashville stationers like Kim at PaperKuts Studio or Cat of Carte Blanche; they both carry the Marsupial Papers line. Marsupial Papers is all about style and quality and I love their dvd invitation packaging; it’s simple yet elegant. Contact PaperKuts to learn more.

- develop something really innovative like this adorable cartoon wedding invitation below that I found on youtube

4) Packaging - how do want to present the video invitation? You really have tons of options. And, you can combine them too.

DIY:

- Place on your wedding website or blog

- Email your guests and place the link to your video and other wedding info in the email (if you have a really tight budget but want a unique invitation)

Luxe:

- Completely custom invitation from Designs in Paper (yes they do everything)

- Semi-custom invitation like these great ones from Marsupial Papers (clearly fabuluxe) or Reel Invitations, if you’re on smaller budget but don’t have time to do a quality DIY version.

Final note -

I would not rely on the digital invitations to disseminate info like directions, registry, important info in the dvd solely; you should provide a paper copy or at least a printable document. I would place this info on my wedding website, email or in a paper invitation that accompanies the dvd. (obviously not the registry info). People like to carry that type of info with them. I would also consider a save the date magnet or something that they can place on their fridge so they dont forget your wedding date.

Regardless of your budget or your style, have fun creating an ultra-personal, super creative way to invite your guests. It will certainly give your wedding an added wow factor.