Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Like yesterday’s couple, Sarah Kate and Craig also wanted to incorporate parts of their heritage (Australia) into their wedding day. They also gave ipod nanos as bridesmaid gifts - so cute…I’d certainly love that as a bridal party gift!
Sarah Kate and Craig are clients of Dynamic Video. Jennifer of Dynamic Video was kind enough to provide still video images for their wedding feature but check out their video, which will give you a great taste of their big day. Jennifer also had this to add: “The ceremony was stunning and the reception a blast. I also captured the rehearsal dinner and was touched by how these two families living worlds apart made such a connection.Having your rehearsal dinner videotaped is such a wonderful gift. Its the evening that were two families connect, and also when the really touching and funny stories are told. I was really moved by this wedding and enjoyed working with all of the family members.”
Here’s their wedding video, courtesy of Dynamic Video
Thanks Sarah Kate, Craig for letting me feature your wedding!
Bride - Sarah Kate of Brentwood, TN
Groom - Craig of Perth, Western Australia
Our wedding details - April 18 at 6pm
Ceremony location - Brentwood Hills Church of Christ
Reception location - Vanderbilt Legends Club, Franklin TN
Guests - 215
Wedding Style:
My wedding style
Vintage Romance
My colors and why I choose them
Sage Green, Champagne, and Ivory. Green is my favorite color and I wanted the bridesmaid dresses to be a soft green color. I felt that champagne complimented the sage nicely. I preferred ivory since it was neutral and delicate.
My theme
I didn’t have an actual theme for the wedding. Yet, I wanted the décor, lighting, and ambience to exude a romantic and enchanting feel.
Personal touches
We hung both an American and Australian flag (5’ by 7’) from the ceiling rafters over the dance floor. The groom’s cake had mini American and Australian flags decorating it. We wrote our own vows, which proved to be very sentimental and special.
Wedding wow factorGoing by the feedback and compliments we received post-wedding, the guests loved the authenticity of our happiness and the way we interacted with the guests, both on-stage at the ceremony and at the reception. One guest remarked that there was an atmosphere of love that was actually palpable. I got numerous compliments on my dress and style. We also got plenty of compliments on the chocolate grooms cake. Delicious!
Favors
Since Craig is from Perth, we wanted to incorporate Australia into our wedding favors. So, we arranged 4-piece coaster sets in ivory organza drawstring bags. The coasters were black with different scenes of Australia in a central square. (i.e. beach and ocean life, outback, wildflowers, famous indigenous animals)
Also, we had several out of town guests. 10 family members and friends flew over from Australia and several out-of-town family members in America came to Nashville. So, we provided welcome baskets for all our out-of-town guests. We filled them with brochures and pamphlets of must-see sights in Nashville, stamped post cards of Nashville scenes, and quintessential American goodies (Girl Scout cookies, Dr. Pepper, Goo Goo clusters, blow pop lollipops, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (candies not available in Australia), bottled water with personalized welcome messages from the bride and groom, and more)
Gifts for bridesmaids / Groomsmen
I gave each of my bridesmaids a hot pink ipod nano, personalized with individual messages on the back. I love music and wanted to give them something that reflected my personality and was a bit unconventional.
Craig gave his groomsmen silver utility Zippo lighters engraved with their initials.
What I did for the kids in my wedding
The only kid involved in our wedding was Craig’s 9-year-old nephew, Christian. He was both our ring bearer and reader. We didn’t have any flower girls. For Christian, we included some extras in his welcome basket: a Frisbee, stuffed animal, a small game, and autographed country music CD’s. Also, we intentionally provided fried chicken fingers at the reception for the kids attending the wedding, knowing that most children like chicken.
Most special moment for me?
Wow, it is hard to pick just one moment. However, I would have to say walking down the aisle with my dad to the theme song of the movie Cast Away. The musical choice was sentimental to my family and very emotional. I soaked up the moment of making eye contact with my guests and smiling at Craig, waiting to join him at the end of the aisle.
My Wedding Vendors:
Wedding planner: Julie Fox Fletcher of Everlastings ([email protected])
Cake: Dessert Designs by Leland http://www.dessertdesignsbyleland.com/
Caterer: Vanderbilt Legends Club http://www.legendsclub.com/fw/main/Home-1.html
Photography: Katie Mosley http://www.kmosleyphotography.com/
Video: Dynamic Video http://www.dynamicvideo7.com/
Invitations: Buchanan Ink http://www.buchananink.com/
Dress: Hob Nob (Australia) http://www.hobnobbridal.com.au/
Tuxedos: Street Tuxedo http://www.streettuxedo.com/
Rings: Memphis Jewelry
Music Ceremony: Wedding Musicians Company http://www.weddingmusicianscompany.com/
Soloist: Kim Keyes
Music Reception: DJ Doug Griffin http://www.djdouggriffin.com/
Flowers: John Conger
Gifts: Donna Birtles https://donnabirtlesgifts.com/
Hair: Sarah Adams of Backstreet of Hair, Brentwood TN
Make-up: Sheila Davis Curtis of Shine, Nashville TN
My faves
I absolutely loved the cakes. They were gorgeously designed and tasted delicious! The chocolate truffle cake was heavenly. Also, I loved working with my talented photographer Katie Mosley. She is a friend of mine and was so calming and organized with great ideas for locations and shots. My make-up looked stunning and I felt so confident, thanks to artistic Sheila Davis Curtis. Complimenting my make-up, my friend Sarah Adams turned by hairstyle vision into a romantic reality. Lastly, the flowers were breathtaking. John Conger is such a visionary and added so much detail and beauty to the décor with the flowers he arranged.
My Wedding Rewind:
What I would do differently if planning again?
I planned my wedding from Australia with the big help from my parents in Nashville. They did most of the planning and organizing stateside. The only thing I wish I could have changed was being in Nashville with them as we planned together. It would have been a lot easier and made for some great memories.
Biggest waste of time or money?
A few things: I was warned by my wedding coordinator that there is always tons of wedding ceremony programs left over. So for 215 guests we ordered 125 programs and still had some left over. We ordered way too many embossed monogrammed napkins for the reception. Actually, the catering staff overlooked our napkins and used their own at the buffet lines and only used ours at the cake table. If you have monogrammed napkins, make sure to have the catering staff use them.
Best value for the service/product?
Dynamic Video did an incredible job! It was an exceptional value and Jennifer was so easy to work with. She created a package that really met all our needs. She even rush-delivered a highlights video to be shown at our reception in Australia, just 2 weeks after the wedding. It truly brought tears to our eyes! Our Australian guests felt like they had been at the actual wedding.
I couldn’t even imagine pulling this wedding off without our wedding coordinator. Julie Fox Fletcher was worth every penny and more! Katie Mosley was invaluable (professional, creatively talented and fun!) as our photographer.
Neatest find
Donna Birtles Gifts: she is such a talented, friendly individual with great, unique ideas for all types of occasions. This woman truly goes the extra mile to meet your wedding (and all occasions) needs.
Advice for other Nashville brides?
Remember why you are there. Enjoy your wedding, take time to visit with your guests. At the end of the night thank God for your beautiful day and ask him to remain the center of your lives as husband and wife. Oh yeah, take a minute before you leave for a big group hug with your mom and dad.
