If you are looking for ways to reduce your wedding costs without sacrificing style and memories, here are a few options:
1) Bridal Specials:
- Ask your vendors if they offer a special rate for ABG readers. Here’s a list of ABG advertisers and their Nashville bridal specials. Also, many of the vendors in my vendor directory offer specials when you mention ABG. This is a great way to hire your fave vendor, save money without sacrificing your wedding dream.
- Attend bridal shows, find a favorite and take advantage of bridal show specials. Many vendors offer specials for brides who contract with them within weeks of bridal shows. For instance, at an August show, The White Room offered a $100 off coupon on their dresses. At the September show, Sweets and Sundries offered a three tier wedding cake for $495.
2) Rental Wedding Cakes:
Get the cake you want, for less with a fake cake - Rentable cakes are an option for brides seeking couture looking cakes. Cakes by Shara offers “rent-a-cakes”. Check out my article on these rent a cakes here.
3) Smart Floral Design
Work with a knowledgeable/helpful florist to use flowers in season. I really like this flower picker resource by Weather.com that walks you through the most popular wedding flowers available by season. Here are a few other website resources.
If music and entertainment are your thing, be sure to hire a DJ because a great dj is a great mc and can help you and your planner keep your event running smooth. an ipod cant get folks on the dance floor, can’t announce your bridal party or fill in when necessary. Many djs can also help you set up your ipod dj by delivering speakers, etc. Blake of Nashville Event Lighting recently set up a dj ipod set and lighting for an event.
Fabuless bride purchased her wedding dress at a Nashville consignment store. She was elated to be able to make changes to the dress - add a train, add a colored sash, etc and still had the option to sell it back to the store if she wanted to.
Most venues offer lower rates for non-Saturday wedding/events. If you really love a place but it’s slightly out of your budget, see if the venue offers a better rate on a Friday or Sunday. I don’t really recommend this option unless it’s a long weekend OR most of your guests are local. While it will save you money, it will likely be really inconvenient for your wedding guests. Fridays require your guests to take off Friday from work and can be very hectic for everyone to attend. Sundays usually require your guests to take off on Mondays, unless you have an early ceremony - like a brunch.
Another great way to save money is to follow some of my fave budget bridal blogs like Nashville’s Budget Savvy Bride or bridal experts, like DIY bride.
Have you found great ways to save without sacrificing what’s important for your wedding day? Comment on this blog or email me your tips.
The Franklin Bridal Ball is Thursday and kicks off Nashville’s bridal show season. So, it’s time for my bi-annual, unofficial “rate and round-up” on the upcoming Nashville bridal shows. I say unofficial because I doubt the show producers would endorse my take on their shows. But, because this is a bride’s guide, I strive to provide a bride’s perspective, which is helpful because there are SO many bridal shows.
Don’t get me wrong, having a lot of bridal shows is great because you get to see great ideas in person and have the opportunity to meet several dozens of vendors without driving all over time. BUT, there are so many that often it’s hard to determine which to attend.
So, I will try my best to give you the scoop on the shows based on the local vendor buzz plus my experience at their last show.
Oh - I also created a bridal show checklist for you. Just print a few copies and take them to easily track your faves. Download here.
Great for: Brides looking for high-end vendors; ideal for luxe and moderate brides or budget brides seeking their “splurge” items
What’s neat: small, boutique-style bridal show
Cost: $15 in advance; $20 at door
Expect: Established, high-end vendors, glamorous and creative booths that offer great ideas and services. Intimate and “exclusive” audience. Amazing ideas and services for your wedding day.
**Ashley’s favorite “everyone’s competing for best booth” show - tied with PWG. I anticipate vendors will bring out their best to compete with other top vendors. And I can’t wait to see what they do to make it happen. Expect greatness. I’d be disappointed if vendors don’t “bring-it, work-it”.
Great for: Brides seeking good mix of luxe and moderate options
What’s neat: small, boutique-style bridal show at great venue
Cost: $10 at door
Expect: I anticipate the show will be similar to Franklin Bridal Ball, but with more vendors and a larger crowd. PWG’s first show was in February and it was 10 times better than everyone expected and I think this show will be even better.
**Ashley’s favorite “everyone’s competing for best booth” show - tied with FBB.
Where: Austin Peay State University Morgan Univ Center Ballroom
Great for: Clarksville, TN / Hopkinsville brides or Nashville-area brides looking for something different; great for all bride budgets
What’s neat: This show is a great find and offers vendors that serve all budgets and the best assortment of all vendor types I’ve ever found. It also has really “nice” vendors. (There is a “snob” factor at some shows that you won’t find here.)
Cost: Not sure but pre-register (source ABG) and receive 1/2 admission!
Expect: Optimal ratio of vendors to brides; no waiting in line to speak with vendors; nice glass of champagne/apple cider upon arrival (classy touch last show - hope this year will be the same:); everything you need to plan your Clarksville / Hopkinsville wedding under one roof. ABG will have a booth at this show so stop by to see us!
**Ashley’s favorite “no-lines, great variety” show.
Great for: All bride budgets; mothers and bridesmaids looking to make a day of bridal vendor shopping
What’s neat: This show is the largest show in the southeast, with rows and rows of vendors. I love this show because it attracts a diverse mix of established and “new” vendors who offer brides the hottest, out-of-the-box ideas and products. Plus, you get a free subscription to Modern Bride magazine with your admission.
Cost: $12 at door, $10 when you pre-register
Expect: Lots of walking so wear comfortable shoes! Show can be overwhelming. But, but for the organized and efficient bride, it offers every vendor you need. Be sure to have a game plan so you know what you’re seeking and stick to the plan.
ABG will have a booth at this show so stop by to see us!
Where: Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art
Great for: High-end brides seeking luxe bridal vendors
What’s neat: Red-carpet ambiance
Cost: $12 at door or $10 with pre-registration
Expect: Last year at Cheekwood, the booths were spread across 2 or 3 buildings with stairs. So, wear comfortable shoes, bring an umbrella in case of rain and prepare to walk! Be sure to get a good understanding of where the booths are located because while the venue is gorgeous, finding all of the booths was a bit like a scavenger hunt.
What’s neat: This show allows you to shop for your bridal vendors while hitting up Forever 21 and Shi. (Can’t beat that!) The fiance will not mind attending because he’s bound to find plenty to do. Plus, if you are on a budget, this might be the show for you. Last show, I noticed that this show attracted great options for all brides, especially those on a budget.
Cost: Not sure but pre-register; last show was free
Expect: Casual and easy going show. Nice assortment of categories and budget options.
A few weeks ago, I overheard a few of my favorite Nashville wedding photographers discussing “first look” sessions. Of course, I always want to be in the know (aka nosy) so I started asking questions. Here’s what I learned:
The best reason is because this time is very special to the bride and groom. It is very private and intimate. We try to set it up so, beside the photographers, the bride and the groom are the only ones around. This removes any nervousness and pressure and allows them to be completely themselves. If the bride wants to shout with joy as she walks or runs down the isle to her groom she can. If the groom wants to cry without others looking at him, he can. After the photographers have captured some great emotion, they leave the bride and groom alone for a few moments of complete privacy.
Having a special meeting enhances the schedule for the day. Because the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony, all the photographs can be taken beforehand. This allows a smooth flow between the ceremony and reception. As soon as the ceremony is over, everyone goes to the reception. The guests love this because they do not have to wait for the bride and groom to have their photographs taken. The bride, groom and family love this because the celebration does not slow down to take formal family photographs.
Likewise, photographing the bride and groom before the ceremony allows them to have more time to take photographs together. What this does is allow the photographer to be more creative and relaxed so as to get better photographs of the bride and groom.
Of course, many will want to have that traditional time where the bride walks down the isle and sees the groom for the first time during the ceremony. It is interesting that we still keep this tradition because it came from the custom of arranged marriages. By not letting the groom see the bride, until she was at the alter, kept the groom from running away if he did not like the way the bride looked. Knowing this, we feel that not only is the special meeting more romantic because of the intimacy, but we feel the concept is more romantic as well.
Here are “first look” photos from Dove Photography. Simply stunning and so romantic!
More and more couples are opting to see one another before the wedding ceremony. While I encourage this practice, I respect whatever a couple chooses to do. However, I honestly cannot think of any negatives of seeing one another before the ceremony and I have never heard anyone say “I wish we didn’t see one another beforehand.” It is a wonderful opportunity to have a few quiet moments with your love and truly share your emotions.
Last year I witnessed at least two grooms get a little choked up and misty eyed. This was such a special moment for the bride that most likely would not have happened if the groom saw his bride at the altar for the first time. While we girls love to see the men in our lives show emotion, let’s face it they are not going to be comfortable to show tears in front of a crowd of people. Most guys, even if they felt choked up, would feel self conscious in front of a crown and hold back their emotions. A guy is much more apt to get emotional with his bride to be if they are alone (the photographer doesn’t really count either). The excitement and love that is shared when the “first look” happens is so special and beautiful and I love having the opportunity to be up close documenting this versus in the back of a church.
The other pro that I found to having the first glance is that more time is typically allowed to get ample, beautiful photos of the couple. I have also found that the day seems to flow better when the important photos are taken before the ceremony. It is really important to me for the bride and groom to be able to enjoy their guests and for me to not be dominating too much of their day.
Let’s face it the wedding is about the couple and not the photographer. The wedding day passes so quickly that often the bride and groom do not get to spend as much time together as they would like because they are making the rounds trying to greet everyone. The “first look” is often the only time the couple has alone together (with the exception of the photographer). I highly encourage all couples to discuss all options and make a collective decision. No matter what choice you make your wedding day with be special and memorable! Here are a few images from weddings where couples chose the “special meeting” option.
Here are “first look” photos from Angela Disrud Photography. They really capture the essence of the moment.
Ashley Adds - Keep in mind - all of these pics were taken before the ceremony, when the couple first meet, and in private. They capture their first impressions, which I love.) I am glad that Dove and Angela Disrud Photography “schooled” me on “first look” sessions. I think they are a great idea, especially if you are a bride (like I was) who is willing to create a new “tradition”.
This article is our first in our new series called Weddings 101: What You Need to Know Before You Hire. Enjoy this thorough, informative article from a Nashville wedding expert.
Guest Post: A Magical Affair, a Nashville event and wedding planning company.
When it comes to good eats at your reception, it’s all about taste. In this blog, we’re going to talk about how the time of day says a lot about what your guests expect you, as a host, to provide on your big day.
While your wedding is the biggest day of your life, to your guests, it’s still a party. And yes, it is your party, but you want to keep in mind that it’s important that you consider your guests while planning your reception. Remember that they are the people that have driven cross-country to share in your special day, and that they would probably like more than cake and some saltines at the end of a 24-hour drive. If you can only afford cake and saltines, trust us, forego the saltines and make it the best cake-only reception you can.
Receptions are one of the main things that your guests remember from years to come. The tales of your wedding will usually begin with the crazy stories about Aunt Milda drinking a few too many Chambord-laced champagnes, or how the two of you busted out the craziest first dance anyone had seen. Either way, making your reception memorable means creating good memories, and those aren’t the kind that start with “remember when Billy and Mary had saltines and spam at their reception? My, that was interesting.” Work with your budget to create a memorable (in a good way) reception.
A caterer is one of your big five planning items: Locations (ceremony & reception); photography; style (casual reception or awesome extravaganza event); dress; and yes…the food! Catering should follow after you’ve determined these three things: 1. Your budget (trust us, you want to figure that one out FIRST- there’s nothing worse that getting your heart set on a sit-down, plated dinner and then finding out you have the budget for saltines and cake), 2. Your location for your reception, and 3. the time of day. This blog will focus on the time of day and how it impacts your catering choices.
The Brunch or Lunch Reception (10 am- 1 pm)
- If you have an ceremony between the hours of 10 in the morning & 1 in the afternoon, your guests will generally expect a brunch or lunch to follow. Lunches are a great way to save money, because you can bring in the elegant elements you’d like to have at a dinner, but for less. For what you’d spend on a buffet at dinner you can do as a sit down at lunch. Luncheons, as you know, are usually smaller, daintier affairs, but there’s no limits on what you can serve: lobster & steak works just as well as soup and salad!
For planning the perfect brunch reception, do your research. The best research? Eating, of course. Go out to Sunday brunch and see what you like best. Do you want to have something your guests can customize, like an omelette station or a belgium waffle bar with exotic fruits and syrups? Wanting to do alcohol? Offer bloody mary’s, mimosas, or some fresh champagne. For the quintessential Sunday brunch, bring in fresh country ham, biscuits, and gravy. There’s a lot you can do to create an elaborate, sumptuous breakfast that will keep your guests talking for years to come.
The Mid Afternoon Reception (1-3 pm)
- If your soiree falls between 1 & 3, it’s safe to serve light refreshments. This is the ideal time for the cake and punch reception with a few light bites, like tea sandwiches, dips, and fruit. You could also do something fun and offer a wine tasting reception, with assorted fruits and cheeses. This is a very stylish alternative that helps you to save money (because you need less food and less service staff!)
If you choose this option, a great rule of thumb for the wine tasting party is to choose 3 reds and 3 whites with varying levels of sweetness. You can offer your guests the favor of their wine tasting glass at the end of the afternoon, and get jiggers that measure out a precise 1 oz pour for each taste. A standard wine tasting progresses from sweetest to driest wines, with food pairings along the way. Talk with your favorite local wine shop owner for tips on selecting affordable wines for your reception. By limiting the tastes to one ounce, you can save on wine and food while delighting your guests with an upscale and unique party offering that they’ll remember for years to come.
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The Dinner Reception (4-7 pm)
Anytime between 4&7 implies that you are going to serve your guests dinner. The popular option in the south is a full buffet with mixed heavy appetizers. This is by far a cost effective option to the seated, plated dinner. You can spice things up a bit by trying the newest trend: soup shooters! Roving trays of soup replace the standard passed appetizer in advance of the buffet dinner, giving your guests plenty to talk about as they marvel over your genius style. Plus, soup can be a very cheap option to appetizer offerings. If the weather’s warm, serve a gazpacho with chilled tomatoes. If it’s cold out, you could try this yummy purreed butternut squash soup. Either way, it’s fun, cool, and cheaper than puffed pastry wrapped lobster bites.
Either way, when your guests come at dinner, and you serve alcohol, make sure that you offer them enough for keep their stomachs full before hitting the road. It’s your responsibility as party host to ensure that your guests don’t over indulge in your alcoholic beverages and that you have food for them (and alternate beverage choices) for them to enjoy.
If it’s not in your budget to provide a full meal and you want to have an evening wedding, perhaps pick our next option.
The After Hours Soiree (after 7 pm)
- If you are hosting a ceremony after 7pm, it’s safe to assume your guests have eaten and you can try some of the more trendy reception offerings, like a dessert buffet (mmm) or even a late-night finger food extravaganza. Do you and your husband to be love sundaes? Then have a sundae bar? Big into Pizza? Have a pizza buffet. Later evening weddings & receptions allow for you to try a bit of the unconventional, and you can often do so with less expense.
For the perfect dessert reception, go with desserts that are exotic and fun (and different from wedding cake). Try tiramisu bites, cheesecakes, or custom-made chocolates to wow your guests and delight their sweet tooths. Or, if you want to do something fun and a bit upscale, offer some delightful dessert wines to accompany the dessert offerings. Port Wine, Ice Wine, and Champagne are delicious selections, but so are custom drinks, like a chocolate martini, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and signature coffees can all be delightful options (and tasty offerings) for your guests to enjoy!
Happy MLK Day! In honor of MLK, join me in being nice to a perfect stranger:) and be sure to check out the amazing Civil Rights Collection on display at the Nashville Library. It is a must-see.
Avoiding your wedding budget? You’re not alone. So many brides start planning without one.
Please take my word on this one - before you open a bridal magazine, attend another bridal show or sign a vendor contract - do the following:
1) What can you afford? Determine how much you and your fiance can comfortably spend on your wedding and honeymoon. Chat candidly because a lot of folks go into big debt planning a wedding and have no money for the important stuff. Imagine the problems that arise in the long run.
There was a bride who went to buy invitations and had no clue how much she could spend. So, she fell in love with a gorgeous wedding invitation that cost $10 per invitation. Days later, the very disappointed and embarrassed bride returned to the vendor and said, “what do you have for $2 per invitation?”. At that point, she couldnt be happy with any invitation in her budget. Dont stress yourself out by looking at Vera Wang dresses when youre on a Davids Bridal budget. You can find great wedding goodies in your budget but you will always be disappointed with you start outside your budget.
2) What will family contribute? If others are helping you finance your wedding, ask them early on how much they are comfortable contributing to your wedding budget. Have a honest conversation with them so everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises that could spoil your day, or your relationship. If you are not comfortable discussing money with them, get the courage because the longer you wait, the more potential problems. In fact, if you cant candidly discuss the financial aspect of the wedding with them, do not depend on their contribution as you plan. Believe me, if its hard to discuss money at the beginning stages, it will be even harder and to ask the week of your wedding after you have signed contracts based on their contribution. Ask now, dont assume and everyone will be happier in the long run. I know this first hand!
I knew a bride whose aunt was paying for her wedding. It was like 2 months before the date and she still didnt know how much she had available. Every time she hired a vendor, her aunt (the financer) was disappointed. Because the bride didnt really know and was afraid to ask, there was a lot of stress.
3) What’s important to you? Once you have a final budget, write a list of all the major items you’ll need for your big day. Rank each item in order of priority. My list looked something like this:
#1 - Dress, #2 - Cake, #3 - Photos, #4 - Invitations, #5 - Great reception venue, #6 - Good ceremony venue, #7 - Seated dinner…#48 - Wedding shoes, #49 - Favors, #50 - Transportation, #51 - Out of town guest baskets…and so on.
Once I compared my budget to my priorities, it was easier for me to determine how much I wanted to spend on each item. Based on my list of priorities, I decided that out of town baskets were not doable. I also hired a limo company that offered a one-way drop off to pick up me and John after the ceremony vs the entire wedding party. The car wasnt as important because because on our itinerary and logistics, no one would really see the car after the ceremony or before the reception.
Anyway, you get my point - start with what’s most important to you because no bride can have everything. Some of my girlfriends decided that photos were #1 and so instead of hiring a photographer and a videographer, they put all of their photo/video budget together and hired a killin’ photographer. I personally wish I’d done that too.
Bottom line - budget is critical! Set your immediately and stick to it.
A wedding planner can help you figure this sort of thing out. They have the experience and know how to set and maximize budgets. Not ready to contact a planner just yet? Email me and I can help! There are also some nifty resources listed below to help you get started.
When I got married last year, I was completely bombarded with “advice” and “etiquette”. My wedding day quickly went from what Ashley envisioned for herself to everyone’s “shoulds”…from my family to his family. I was even receiving century old wedding etiquette from English women who had nothing better to do than spend their time creating wedding rules. Somehow (even in death), they wanted to dictate the wording on my invitations, the outer envelope that was to “protect the interior contents” of my invitation , the color dress I should wear…it went on and on. You name it - someone had a “rule of thumb”.
Case in point - I went to a lovely stationery store to purchase thank you notes. There were so many rules. I was asked by the sales person (who was very well-meaning and helpful) who would be writing the thank you notes - me or him. Huh? What does that matter? Her response, “Men should not write on fold-over note-cards, only women. Men use flat cards for note writing.” Now, I am sure that all of you “etiquette” folks know this. But, I follow my own path and prefer logic to tradition, practicality to ritual. So, I picked out the cards that I liked the most - best value for style - and my fiance and I started our note writing. (To my gift givers who received a thank you card from him written on a fold-over t-note, hope you were not offended and if so what’s the protocol for that?)
Don’t get me wrong, if you are a traditional, classic person - by all means, follow tradition. But if you aren’t, and you are a looking funky, eclectic, contemporary, or otherwise independent thinking…do what expresses you. Do you! Write your own wedding manual. Follow the beat of your own drum.
In fact, I am so happy to see the multitude of women choosing to break the mold. From the Offbeat Bride to the Anti-Bride (check out my bookstore for their books), brides are rethinking weddings. What a welcomed relief! (Note - when you hire a wedding planner (or any vendor for that matter), be sure he/she supports your philosophy and isn’t interested in suppressing your uniqueness. Lindsey of A Bride Idea is very flexible and offers a fresh approach to planning. She can be ultra-conservative or super mod. She wants to deliver your day, your way.)
At the end of your big day, your happiness and that of your fiance, is all that should matter. Set a budget, determine what’s important to you and stick with it.
