Did you miss the Franklin Bridal Ball on Thursday? No worries, I have the exclusive inside scoop!
It was a great bridal show. The bridal show featured dresses from The Bride Room and The White Room. Brides seemed to have lots of fun and proudly wore their cute bride caps and tees. I wanted a hat too! But since I am no longer a bride-to-be, the hat was out but there was still cake to look forward to:). Check out my video featuring Nashville brides.
Video 1
Video 2
I get so excited at shows that often I lose focus. But, I tried to visit as many as possible because I knew you would want all of the details.Here are the Sweetest Finds from the Franklin Bridal Ball:1) Most fabulous finds - Diana Warner Jewelry, The Bride Room Diana Warner Jewelry - Stunning jewelry for brides and bridesmaids plus super chic pieces for every day in between.
In addition to great custom wedding invitations, Designs in Paper offered custom notecard giveaways. Theirs had a DnP design but they can create one to complement your wedding theme that’s even cuter. I love the idea and know that this is a favor your guest is likely to use.
3) Tastiest treats - Maples Wedding Cakes, The Sweetest Day, Jo’s Cakes and Catering
Maples Wedding Cakes - offers an elegant taste of heaven. There really isnt much better. The dedicated team is constantly introducing “innovative” flavors to their menu and their cakes are stunning! I love their peach cobbler pound cake and at the show they introduced “red delicious”, an apple cake…yummy.
The Sweetest Day - Red Velvet is one of their most popular flavors and I wasnt sure if I was going to like it but I gave it a try and loved it! I also liked their fudge cupcake.
Jo’s Custom Cakes and Catering - I am not a fan of cheesecake so I asked my friends to give it a try. Verdict? They loved the cheesecake balls!
Courtney and Jennifer wowed everyone with this innovative booth depicting wedding day pictures. What a neat concept! I really liked the couple on a wedding cake (my pic cut off the cake they were standing on - sorry) and the dog in tux. Cute! Loved the design and out of box thinking.
5) Most stunning booth- A Delightful Day, Fabu, Enchanted Florist
These booths offered great wedding ideas for design, rentals and themes and showed the vendors ability to execute on wedding concepts.
A Delightful Day - loved the light display on the ground (courtesy of Nashville Event Lighting) and the table tree.
Enchanted Florist - I was completely drawn to the Enchanted booth because it’s always romantic, vibrant and breathtaking.
6) Best twist on a traditional service - McNeal Video
McNeal Video is so innovative. They don’t just video your big day, they partner with brides to create a wedding cinematic production. I fell in love with the wedding video “coming soon” trailer posters. The ways to use these posters are endless and are a great way to keep everyone excited until your video arrives! And, the posters can be framed and used as wall art for years to come.
While some booths stood out more than others, these booth vendors were super-friendly and friendly vendors are always in style:
UPDATE - Myrick Studios is currently offering ABG brides a 15% discount. So, be sure to book now to get the discount and mention ABG.
Last December, I met Mike of Myrick Studios at bridal show and fell in love…with his work that is. (There is a running joke that I have a crush on him - don’t believe the rumors). Since then, we’ve played phone and email tag but finally…Mike has joined the ABG family and will be sharing his weddings with us regularly.
About Myrick Studios :
Mike serves Nashville brides but is willing to travel for destination weddings, trash the dress sessions and other bridal events. He’s fun, professional and his work is always amazes me. I’m a HUGE fan of Myrick Studios (see my initial blog here).
Here’s a sampling of his recent work…
There are hundreds of options for wedding photographers in the Nashville area alone. But, Myrick Studios is a top notch photographer so I consider his work a real investment. (Most would agree that wedding photography and videography are two expenses that are really investments because they capture memories that last forever…everything else is icing on the cake.)
I am honored to feature Mike’s work. Contact Mike today to get on his calendar because his dates go fast! Tell him Ashley sent you!
I reached out to my contact Kristen of aloft Nashville, a super cool hotel option for Nashville out-of-town wedding guests. I just had to know all about this stylish new spot. The more I learn, the more I can’t wait for for the hotel to open. When you contact Kristen, be sure to mention ABG and find out the current promo for ABG readers!
Here’s the skinny:
aloft Nashville - Cool Springs
7109 South Springs Drive
Nashville, TN 37067
Area of town: Franklin / Cool Springs / Williamson County / Brentwood
ABG contact: Kristen McBryde
Phone number: 615-435-8700
Email address: [email protected]
Website address: www.alofthotels.com/coolsprings
About Venue
In the same way that W hotels broke through the clutter of conformity in the upscale hotel arena, aloft – A Vision of W - is shaking up the lodging industry with urban-influenced design, cutting edge technology, sassy style and social atmosphere.
aloft brings a new tWist in travel to the younger, hipper, tech-savvy guest and will raise the bar in the select-service category, delivering loft-inspired social spaces and guestrooms, enhanced technology services, landscaped outdoor spaces and a lobby with a bar and pool table which transforms from a playful place or quiet space by day to an eclectic, electric social scene at night.
aloft rooms feature nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows to create a bright, airy environment. The centerpiece of the aloft room is the ultra-comfortable signature bed, and large stylish bathrooms complement the guest experience with oversized walk-in showers and amenities created by bliss® spa. Each aloft room is also a combination high-tech office and entertainment center, featuring complimentary wired and wireless internet access and a one-stop connectivity solution for plugging in multiple electronic gadgetry such as PDAs, cell phones, mp3 players and laptops – which are linked to a 42” flat panel LCD television for optimal sound and viewing.
Year business established:
2008 (Fall) - Rooms can be booked now though.
Payment options accepted?
All Major CC’s
What options does your venue offer?
Reception - SMALL!!
Showers/Parties - YES
Guest Accommodations- YES
What type of room(s) are available?
King Loft - 1 king bed
Queen Loft - 2 queen beds
What is the capacity?
Indoor events - 40
Outdoor events - 50
What catering options do you allow?
Onsite catering - no, but some capabilities
Outside catering - preferred
Preferred list of caterers - A Dream Come Ture Catering, Constant Craving
Outside alcohol not allowed
Is an on-site event coordinator available?
Yes
What is your pricing model?
Room rental fee (if so - what?) $500 Full Day or Evening Rental
Which bride budgets do you serve?
All bride budgets can be accommodated
What else should brides know about your venue?
In the same way that W hotels broke through the clutter of conformity in the upscale hotel arena, aloft – A Vision of W - is shaking up the lodging industry with urban-influenced design, cutting edge technology, sassy style and social atmosphere. aloft will offer an array of bridal packages for wedding showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and overnight guest accommodations.
Be sure to contact Kristen to book your wedding group and ask for the ABG special.
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 Latrice 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.
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.
