Save the date - Franklin Bridal Show - May 3 from 12pm to 4pm at Monell’s at Historic Lillie Belle’s. Find new ideas and more choices than you can imagine.

Friday, April 3, 2009

On Saturday, I had the honor of attending the Nashville Lifestyle Bridal Show at the Schermerhorn. I always love going to the Nashville symphony because it’s stunning. I didnt get a good pic of the venue set up but it was breathtaking. Here are some of the vendors that grabbed my attention:

b. Hughes - I fell in love with this Oscar de la Renta dress available at b. Hughes. The other dress were gorgeous but this one really stood out!

Gambill Photography -As I chew on the root beer and tropical belly jeans that Angie of Gambill Photography gave me at her booth, I think back to the most amazing storybook album ever! She said it’s a mystery glass album but I say - wow, wow, wow!!! Krista (a bride to be) went with me and was equally amazed. Angie was also the event photographer.

Love this book! It was like 20X8.

an inside view of the book

A Delightful Day - Mary Alice and Amber had a sweet pink candy bar, florals by Rhonda Patton Weddings and invitations by Sweet Life Designs.

Photo Booth Nashville - Krista and I couldnt resist taking pics! I gave her our set, since she’s a Photobooth virgin:).

Maples Wedding Cakes - A true highlight of the day. When they announced that we’d be served cake after our lunch, I looked at Krista and smiled. We couldn’t wait and sure enough - Maples delivered. The cake was a sour cream almond with filling that I cant even describe. When the wait staff saw only a bit of icing left and tried to take our cakes, we were like - not yet!

Hutton Hotel - It was great to meet Amanda! She invited me for a full tour of this hotel, which is expected to be the “it” hotel. I’ve seen

Belle Meade Vacations - I met a lovely duo of travel experts - Laura and Bernadette - and boy do I now yearn for a beach vacation. They can book all of your travel needs - from destination weddings, girlfriend vacations to honeymoons and family getaways. You can reach them at [email protected].

Hillsboro Chocolate Company - ok, these chocolates are perfect ABG chocolates! They are like the same colored stripes as my website. So not only can they complement your wedding theme, but they can anticipate it! Only kidding. It really did seem like they created these chocoolates just for me.

And, Jessica, who Ive exchanged emails with, was super nice. It was great to finally meet her. She said that the chocolate boxes make great favors that double as guest place cards. I agree!

Mojuba Wedding - I was initially attracted to their booth colors but as soon as I saw their ultra-unique emergency kits for grooms and brides, I thought - how clever! Jackie, the brainchild, has created emergency kits that have EVERYTHING you could possible need on your wedding day. The bonus is that the bags are durable and can be used forever. They are modern (not “weddingish”) and contain items - such as razors, makeup, bandages - everything you’d forget.

McNeal Video - Lynette and Cheryl were there as the official event videographers.

Social Graces -Had the cutest bachelorette party kits. Yes - they have beautiful paper to (of course).

Red Tie Service - offers luxury transportation for your wedding guests / bridal party

Tulip Tree - These folks were so nice and so were their florals.

Monday, March 2, 2009

If you missed Friday’s post, I shared some great finds from this month’s Perfect Wedding Guide show. Today, I will share a few more wedding vendors you should consider.

A Bride’s Storey

Can you believe that this dress is only like $300 or 400?? It is available at A Bride’s Storey in Murfreesboro. Ask about the Venus taffeta dress and tell them I told you to check it out! What a bridal gown bailout! Thanks wedding gods.

Southern Events

I love Southern Events’ extensive collection of specialty event rentals. This girl has amassed an enormous warehouse of fab! For example, just look at these linens and other table goodies. And, she told me that she has like a 6000 sq foot warehouse of just about everything a fancy girl needs to make her wedding memorable.

Really, there are no words.

Mint and Sage Photography

Mint and Sage debuted The Mintastic Experience, a service in which their creative consultant, Lindsey Monger, works with you to develop concepts for your wedding.

You can contact them to learn more but here is taste of how they infuse your theme throughout every element of your wedding.

Shabby chic theme with neat touches throughout

Maples Wedding Cakes

Maples Wedding Cakes was another booth that only stopped by but didn’t get a picture. (The one below is from his website.) But - with one visit to his website - most brides are sold. Then, you taste the cake - double sold. His cakes are the most consistent cakes around - always perfectly decorated, moist and flavorful.

Faccio Bridal

Faccio Bridal showcased gorgeous, gorgeous dresses by Rivini and Jim Hjelm! I think if I were getting married again - this magenta dress would be the dress for my bridesmaids. Not only is the dress color rich, elegant and so-hot, the style is yummmmy!

Faccio says, “All of the bridal gowns are by the ultra chic Rivini bridal collection and the bridesmaids are by the ever stylish Lazaro collection.” I agree totally - chic and stylish.

Exceptional Weddings and Events

I wasnt familiar with Exceptional Weddings and Events so I stopped to have a quick chat. What interested me most was their ceiling and wall draping. They showed me pics of a school gym that they draped. For those who have found a great venue but know that it needs some t.l.c., draping might be the answer.

Signature Cakes by Vicki

Vicki of Signature Cakes is always so nice to me and it’s always great to see her. I am so proud of her too. Her business is growing, especially about traditional brides looking for a classic yet tasty cake.

Gina Bilyeu Photography

I loved Gina’s booth - so vintage and cozy. If you didn’t get a chance to see her portfolio, be sure to view it here. Gina offers great wedding photography and her rates are still affordable! Book her before they increase:)

Designs in Paper

Designs in Paper was one of the first booths I saw. But, because of the attendee traffic - I wasn’t able to get any pics but Donette just sent me over one!

They offer spectacular paper goods - from custom invitations to custom confetti. Check out their wedding paper gallery for more info.

Dream Cakes

I dashed past Dream Cakes and tasted the chocolate. It was good.

The Bake Shoppe

Lastly, I made a quick stop at The Bake Shoppe before hitting the road!

Word to the wise:

- Remember to check every vendor against the Better Business Bureau to see if there are negative reports before you hire. I happened to see a wedding vendor that I hired for my wedding day at the PWG bridal show. I had not seen this vendor at a single show since my wedding day debacle and really hoped the company was leaving the bridal scene…unfortunately not so be sure to check the BBB before hiring anyone!

- Remember to interview all vendors. For instance, it’s important to know which caterers and cake artists are licensed by the county health dept to make/sell food. You want your guests to be safe. I haven’t interviewed and asked for health scores for every food service provider that I mention on my website (that would be a full time job) b/c I am not hiring them but giving ideas and inspiration. But I strongly encourage you to do so before signing any contracts or making any deposits.

Want to know what to ask a cake artist for instance? Jay of Maples Wedding Cakes offers a handy list of questions for wedding cakes. But you can search online to find questions to ask each vendor.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Before heading to Atlanta a few weeks ago, I stopped by Nashville’s Perfect Wedding Guide bridal show at the Frist. The show had some great vendors if you missed it. Here are a few of the ones that stood out as I tried to fight the crowd of brides:

Bridal Opulence

Latrice of Bridal Opulence had an amazing booth that was an reinvention of the classic black and white wedding palette. Other aspects of the decor included “a damask table runner & green pops of color under the damask and with the feather plumes. The main focal point was the bling crystal globes that were accented with bling voltives & larger faux diamonds sprinkled throughout the table.

Other personal accents were the damask & green Bridal Opulence table number, and the damask china place setting.”

It was better than bling and was a number one favorite with bride attendees.

Chelsea, an ABG bride who has hired Bridal Opulence for her wedding coordination, was there to give other brides her perspective. Her wedding is this year and she admitted to being an ABG addict! I can’t wait to feature your fabulous wedding Chelsea! Thanks for supporting ABG:).

Don Yeager Photography and Brocade Design Arts

Donald Yeager Photography and Brocade Design Arts (floral design)were side-by-side and shared a common concept. Brides were able to take fun pictures, selecting a funky umbrella or a bouquet and pics were taken by Don and made available on his website the week following the event.

The Donald Yeager Photography side- with a wall featuring canvases from recent weddings & engagement sessions

I really liked this bouquet, which “features lemon-yellow mini calla lilies and white tulips, with lily grass loops- a completely spring inspired bouquet”.

handmade & hand painted boxes were filled with fresh cherry blossoms, daffodils, tulips, wax flowers and roses for a resplendent spring arrangement

Williamson County Weddings and Events

I always enjoy seeing the lovely chicas at Wililamson County Weddings and Events (Wilco Wed). They always make me laugh and I am so glad they help brides remember that wedding planning should be fun! If you didnt stop at their booth, check out their blog to learn more about their services. The Williamson County Weddings and Events blog is one of my Nashville favorites.

Shanna Mahoney Photography

Shanna - please don’t kill me for this picture. But, I loved your booth but my camera didn’t. But brides - please do check out Shanna Mahoney’s website/portfolio b/c my pics dont do her pics justice.

Ribbons of Chocolate

Again, the line was really long at Ribbons of Chocolate. I did try to take a picture of their orange dessert fountain, which I really wanted to taste, but I was so far away that this is all I got. If you want a dessert station / chocolate fountain, their fountains are always great. (bad, bad pic I know).

Friday, February 20, 2009

Quick reminder - The Murfreesboro Bridal Show is Saturday and The Williamson County Weddings & Events Invitation Showcase is Sunday. I am going to the invitation showcase. If you are a bride, need invitations and want to go with m, just email me and we can coordinate.

I always enjoy the Clarksville Brides Wedding and Event Showcase. Here are some of my favorite finds from January’s show. They might be good options as you shop for vendors. It doesn’t matter whether you are Clarksville or Nashville based because most of the vendors travel across Middle TN. In general, if you love ‘em, hire ‘em…before they are all booked.

A really neat find was Turning Point 8, an acoustic duet that performs all types of music - from Celtic to Classic to Renaissance - on a hammered dulcimer. I wasn’t familiar with the instrument but the sound was spectacular. If you are looking for live music that’s memorable for your ceremony or other celebrations, they offer a free music consultation - 931-801-0251 or [email protected]

Visions by Debra - Debra, a Clarksville wedding planner, created this pebble seating chart to give brides ideas for their wedding day - pretty neat

I Do Special Occasion Makeup

Rockelle, of I Do Special Occasion Makeup, offers specialty makeup, including custom blended airbrush makeup - all the rave in Hollywood. Her makeup always looks fantastic so I have asked her to do a trial run on me so I can share my makeover with you.

Yvonne Chamberlain Photography - Yvonne and Tami (in the pic) do wonderful work so there was no wonder why their booth was busy, busy. Check out their website too see their wedding portfolio.

They recently debuted their Boudoir Photography service and dates are filling up fast. Contact them (931-553-8010) to learn more but it’s all about personal and intimate photography for your groom that he “unwraps on your wedding day” as the ultimate gift for his eyes only. The next boudoir sessions are 2/21, 3/21 and 4/18.

The Cake Artist 270-522-8901, [email protected]

Wedlocks offers on-site hair and makeup artistry. Not only do they have a cute business name but their work was awesome! Talk about gorgeous wedding hair! Plus, some of their work has been featured on The Knot. Contact Christine Smith of Wedlocks at 410-402-3646 or [email protected].

I loved this bridesmaid dress by The Bride’s Boutique. The style is flirty and fun and the color is perfect for Spring. And, the color - tangerine-paprika color, is so hot this year in fashion.

I really like The Bride’s Boutique. They always have a great selection of bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses. I was drooling over recent pics of their bridal photo shoot, done by Joan of Art Photography, another great wedding photography option. Joan is too funny super talented. Anyway, I am sure you’ll love some of these great gowns too.

The Bride’s Boutique also sponsored the fashion show so if you want to see more bridal fashion, check it out here. Or, view the Something Blue Bridal Shoppe fashion show here.

Turning Point Productions is a a premier Middle TN wedding videography company. Danielle, of Turning Point, is pictured below and I am sure they also did the videography for the fashion show (which you can see above). They video lots of Nashville weddings, like the Indian wedding video that I featured a few weeks ago.

It was great to meet the folks at Spangler Entertainment (wedding djs, musicians)…

…and to finally got to meet Mark and Noelle of McCoy Studio! They are actually based in Franklin, TN but serve the Middle TN area. Their work is spectacular. Oh - and you like them, call them asap b/c I met a mom on Sunday whose daughter really wanted McCoy but her date was booked. She was so disappointed and her mom was at the show trying to find another photographer.

Update - admission is free

Friday, January 23, 2009

The Nashville Scene/NFocus Bridal Brunch is this Sunday at the Cannery. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets online (my code is BRBR09) because tickets will be limited (to keep the event intimate) and you will save $5 only online.

A few weeks ago, I attend The Enchanted Brides Bridal show for Middle TN brides. It was a great show (as their January show always is). The show attracts many of the city’s most upscale and inventive bridal vendors and a much more intimate, one-on-one environment for brides.

If you couldn’t attend or forgot some of the vendors, I’ll share some of my favorites below.

Event Decor

Reveal Event Style was a new addition and it was unexpected and inventive. Honestly, I didn’t expect anything but “wow” from Jennifer Neal Edwards, the event stylist for Reveal. She approaches every event- whether a wedding or celebrity studded party - as a custom movie set. Her goal is to bring to life a vision for your wedding that is bigger than life and supersedes any dream you had.

For her booth at the show, she created a luxe hot air balloon and all that was missing was the hot air (but she could do hot air for your event, believe me). Would you do a hot air balloon for your wedding? maybe, maybe not - but the point is - your wish is her command. She can make anything happen and her ideas always blow my mind.

(That’s Jen on the right. I caught her doing a fun pose - she’s so silly and chic.)

Nashville Event Lighting - the “go-to” folks when you want to transform into space and want every detail covered. They did the lighting for my Sex and the City party last year and I didn’t realize how much a space could be improved until I saw their lighting. Lighting is crucial to add pizazz. NEL is the most respected and trusted lighting vendor. In fact, they are the only ones I ever hear any planner recommend. It was great to see them at the show.

Elaine McCord Florals was the floral designer for my wedding and was one of my favorite vendors. She never remembers me but I always remember her. She made my flowers beautiful and was super easy to work with, which every bride knows is priceless on your wedding day.

Wedding Coordination

Mary Alice of A Delightful Day - always cool, calm and creative!

Tara of Lavish Event Planning (with her little one) and Jen of Reveal

Huge Lumiere by Lavish. Tara had a great booth, I just couldn’t get to it because brides loved it too and you brides always take priority over a stalker like me!

Wedding Videography

I was so happy to see my friends at McNeal Video - Cheryl, Lynette and Amy (who was also a bridal gown model). Brides and moms love McNeal’s wedding videography and I do too!

Catering and Cakes

Dulce Desserts - intricate and feminine wedding cake and it tasted awesome. The tiered slices below gave me a great assortment of their flavors.

Event design? Food? Chef’s Market does both superbly well.

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Well if you don’t, now Ribbons of Chocolate offers a strawberry fountain! I wasnt sure if I would like it but it tasted like a strawberry milkshake and was perfect paired with marshmallows. I also sampled a sweet and salty salsa that was chock full of flavor.

Photo Booth

Amy of Photo Booth Nashville!! We always have fun when we get together. We stole a quick picture while folks were taking photos in their photo booth. Amy and Jeff started Photo Booth Nashville while planning their own wedding and finding a huge void. In fact, this bridal show was the 1 year anniversary of our first meeting, when I first fell in love with the photo booth concept for wedding receptions. When we met, they didn’t have a clue what I did…most people still don’t!

Photo booths are rising in popularity (b/c they’re super fun) and this duo provides great service and the booth is what I call “fun in a box”, sure to be a fav among your wedding guests.

Music

DJ Dan is the man! DJ Dan & Co was the DJ for my last party and rocked the crowd! I didnt have to tell him exactly what to play - just told him “girl power meets high fashion divas” and he created the perfect play list and was a great MC for the night. Need a DJ - add him to your call list.

Bridal Gowns

This dress, from b. Hughes Bridal, was a show stopper. Great silhouette and perfect for the bride who wants to be a princess for a day.

Wedding Invitations and Custom Paper Goods

Designs in Paper can create complete paper ensembles - from water bottles, cd covers, invitations, programs, confetti - that complements your wedding theme or style like no other. For this bridal show, at the Country Music Hall of Fame, they created paper albums - to give you yet another an idea of what they can do with paper. Their work is custom so you can use their samples to get inspired or they can create an invitation completely from a blank slate, which is their forte. They find the neatest ways to transform paper.

myOWNvitations showcased 20+ examples of their custom wedding invitations. With myOWNvitations, it’s all about the paper quality and design - all spectacular. I could totally select an invitation from one of their previous designs - just change the date!