Friday, April 17, 2015
We'd like to wish a very happy 1st anniversary to Cara and Carey, our featured couple of the week!
A spring wedding at Belle Meade Plantation was the perfect backdrop for their Nashville wedding. Belle Meade’s flowers, trees, and bushes made decorating for the spring nuptials a breeze! Bright colors popped in every aspect of the wedding: from the bridesmaid dresses and bouquets to the décor, it all added to the picturesque, spring wedding.
Cara & Carey
Wedding Date | April 12, 2014
Ceremony Venue | Belle Meade Plantation Garden
Reception Venue | Belle Meade Plantation Carriage House
Guests | 175
Budget | $30,000 – 40,000
Wedding Team
Planner | Lesa Neff, Infinity Restaurant Group
Photographer and Videographer | SheHeWe Photography
Gown | Augusta Jones, The Bride Room
Bride’s Accessories | Belt (Anthropologie), Earrings (Etsy), Cowboy Boots (Ariat)
Men’s Attire | Men's Warehouse
Bridesmaids’ Attire | Love Lane, Bella Bridesmaid
Hair | Jessica Riehm, Studio BBC
Makeup | Babe Beauty Bar
Cake | The Cupcake Collection
Stationery | Designs in Paper
Caterer | Harding House
Floral Designer | Rebel Hill Florist
Ceremony Musicians | East Nashville Bluegrass Trio
Reception Musicians | Soul Searchers (Prime Source Entertainment)
Lighting | Bright Event Productions
How would you describe your style as a couple?
Classic & Simple
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding (e.g., décor, colors, details, or even venue selection)?
Belle Meade Plantation is so beautiful in the spring you don't need much decoration so we kept it pretty classic & simple except for our bright and colorful flowers by Rebel Hill Florist.
What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?
Everyone really loved the food. Harding House did a great job putting together a menu of BBQ and other southern favorites.
Did any of your weddings vendors stand out as exceptional?
We absolutely loved SheHeWe Photography. I cannot say enough nice things about them- we would definitely recommend them. They were so nice and fun, easy to work with, and took amazing pictures.
We also really loved The Cupcake Collection and Rebel Hill Florist. They were both great to work with, and we got so many compliments on both the cake and the flowers.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
We definitely splurged on our pictures/video, but we're so glad that we did. You spend so much time planning the little details and then the day goes by so fast. It's great to be able to go back and look at everything. We originally weren't going to do a video, but we absolutely loved our video/picture fusion so it was a great investment. We saved by doing a lot of our own design and printing, such as programs, welcome notes, etc.
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
Have a shorter engagement! We were engaged for over a year and it made the wedding planning process drag on a little too long.
In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Don't sweat the small stuff; get a good band or DJ, good food, drinks, family & friends, and you're all set.
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Posted by Holly Engaged Bride |
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Thursday, April 16, 2015
As a bride or groom, you want gifts for your wedding party that show your appreciation, and that are thoughtful and enjoyable. After all, your friends and family have been a source of encouragement, love, and patience through the wedding planning process!
A great way to do that is to incorporate some favorite things in their gift. Kimberly Washington of East Nashville's paperKuts studio offers just that - customizable boxes tailored to the likes of the groom or groomsmen!
We reached out to her to learn more about these fun gift boxes for grooms!

Where did you get the inspiration for the groom box?
The inspiration came from the same thoughts for the bridesmaid boxes. I was checking out other options and thought a cigar box would be soooo cool and unique. I've done a bowtie and matching socks as well!
What does a groom’s box include?
Most of the fellas love the idea of the cigar, adult beverage, etc., but it can contain whatever he likes! It will always include stationery!
What is the price for each box?
The base price per box is $40.
Can the contents of the groomsman box customizable? Personalized?
The groomsman box can be customized to fit the needs of the men that will receive them. It is totally up to the customer's tastes and what they want to spend in regards to which items are included, etc. How much is customizable is a question that I get quite frequently. Personalization is on my radar to explore.
Are the boxes intended as a gift for the groom or for groomsmen, or either?
The boxes make an excellent gift for the groom or groomsmen.
How far in advance would an order need to be placed?
To ensure I provide the best options and price, a 10 day request would be great, but I can get it together sooner if necessary.
paperKuts studio also offers gift boxes for bridesmaids. You can read more about them here or call paperKuts for details at 615.885.0231, [email protected].
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Posted by Holly Engaged Bride |
Filed under: Grooms, Groomsmen & Tuxedos , Guests, Gifts & Favors,
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Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Your wedding planning just got easier! Last week, Houston Station unveiled an entire event community of wedding and event vendors who are all co-located. This select group of wedding professionals and specialty businesses make it easy to meet great wedding pros under one roof.
Their grand opening took place last week and it was all that a girl could desire: pretty things, tasty treats, and wonderful connections. If you missed it, start with part one of our recap (click here) and then keep reading...
Smoke Et Al, LLC Beyond Barbeque @ Houston Station www.smokeetal.com
Wow. My taste buds will never be the same after trying their fried pickled okra at their food truck, which is located at Houston Station. Their down-home food and flavor will have your guests amazed and coming back for seconds!
Liberty Party Rental @ Houston Station www.libertypartyrental.com
This company is all about styling dream weddings and their latest studio, housed in Houston Station, is no different. With a friendly staff and a wonderful workspace, a planning bride can work with the friendly staff to choose fabric styles, table settings, dishes and more. They offer everything you can think of for any event needs!
Clean Plate Club Event Planning, Design, and Management www.cleanplateclubonline.com
After I thought I had no more room, I tried their BBQ Sundae Split which allowed me to sample three types of meats, sides, and sauces. My oh my! Southern cuisine at its best! Be sure to contact them at Houston Station to cater your rehearsal or reception. Their white sauce chicken was our favorite hands down!
Me eating the sundae from Clean Plate Club.
Lane Photography www.lanephotographyonline.com
We missed seeing our friends at Lane Photography but we did get a peek into their spacious photography studio!
Bloom Flowers & Gifts @ Houston Station www.nashvillebloom.com
Beautiful flowers, vase ideas, and more were all displayed at their creative space in Houston Station. They truly know how to beautify a room and an event with the perfect blooming flowers.
Chef's Market Catering & Restaurant www.chefsmarket.com
Shrimp, couscous, garlic sauce, and ginger topping were just some of the delicious food choices I tried! Their fresh, healthy food options did not make me feel guilty when I went back for seconds! Be sure to check them out to please your taste buds. What we loved most was that their food was innovative and got us out of our comfort zone.
You can contact each of the wedding businesses located at Houston Station directly to schedule an appointment or visit Houston Station to see the venue.
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Posted by Shab Engaged Bride |
Filed under: Florals, Details & Design , Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds, Photography, Wedding Venues and Locations,
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Tuesday, April 14, 2015
As a wedding planning bride, the best event of the spring wedding season so far has to have been Houston Station's Open House, which took place on April 9, 2015 in Nashville! It was such a fun night where I was able to meet the wedding vendors that are housed in the historic venue community and event space. From great music and exquisite lighting to diverse caterers and food trucks, I could only imagine getting married with these all-star vendors.
The Grand Opening truly allowed guests to see the space and the vendor community in action! Here are a few of the amazing vendors I visited.
Houston Station - houstonstationnashville.com
The venue was set up to showcase ideas for a ceremony and a reception, complete with a DJ and food everywhere!
Flavor (catering & special occasions) - flavorcaters.com
There was so much unexpected flavor in their Mexican chocolate dessert. It was clearly a favorite dessert as many people kept telling us we had to try it. And the turnip green queso - amazing!
LVD @ Houston Station lvdbridal.com
A consignment wedding dress boutique housed in Houston Station and brought to you by The Dress Theory, this gorgeous space was filled with jeweled and laced gowns. As a shopping bride, I know I will be back to try on some of their one-of-a-kind dresses!
JD's Music Mobile DJ / Southern Sky Lighting @ Houston Station southernskytn.com
Housed in Houston Station with wonderful wedding options to entertain your guests. I enjoyed chatting with the staff that just moved in and was ready to help planning brides with music and sound.
This all-in-one space has just about every vendor you need for your Nashville wedding. Click here to see part 2 and enjoy more vendors at the Houston Station Grand Opening.
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Posted by Shab Engaged Bride |
Filed under: Bands, DJs, Music, Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, Florals, Details & Design , Food/Catering,
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Monday, April 13, 2015
As a recently engaged Nashville bride, I'm ecstatic to have finally found my wedding venue, Capitol Theatre! I'd love to share the details to see if it's an option for you, too.
Capitol Theatre, located in Lebanon, Tennessee, provides a romantic, intimate experience in Middle Tennessee weddings. This revamped 1940s Art Deco building has a large stage, dance floor, and even a red carpet. It seats up to 350 guests and caters to brides with any budget.
They are also incredibly accomodating. They are able to hold large weddings like mine, and to flip the room from ceremony to reception. They also offer extended hours and include many items, like chairs, tables, table covers, lights and sound, and even a bartender for reasonable additional fees. Being that so much is included in this one venue, there was less to worry about for my groom and me. There is a green room for him and his groomsmen, and an upstairs attic for me and my bridal party to get ready. Danielle, the coordinator, is also very helpful and easy to work with, making this whole experience fun and stress free.
We are also movie buffs, so being able to get married in a theater with our special day posted on the marquee just sounds unique and fabulous! Capitol Theatre is unlike any other wedding venue. Here, you and your guests will enjoy a remarkable celebration of love where the movies that make us believe in it are shown!
Contact Info
Capitol Theatre
110 West Main St, Lebanon, TN 37087
Area of Town | Lebanon
Main Contact | Danielle Piercey
Phone Number | 615-784-4014
Email Address | [email protected]
Website | capitoltheatretn.com
About the Venue
The Capitol Theatre is a newly renovated 1940s Art Deco venue. Themed weddings, classic weddings, or whatever your dream may be: The Capitol Theatre is the venue for your special day.
The Auditorium is open and airy with a warm, welcoming feel, and has a live performance stage, a large dance floor, and a state of the art audiovisual system. The Auditorium has several seating arrangements available to accommodate your needs and seats 300-350 individuals. The Attic is our cozier space on the second level. It has a warm atmosphere with a raw warehouse style. The Attic houses its own audiovisual system and seats 50 guest for more intimate weddings and receptions.
When was your business established? June 2013
What is your motto/philosophy? A stage for any setting
Payment options accepted: Cash, Check, or Credit.
What options does your venue offer?
Ceremony, reception, bridal showers, and parties.
What types of rooms are available?
We have a backstage area with dressing rooms and a restroom.
How many people can you accommodate?
300-350 individuals
How many events do you take per day?
We usually can have up to two events per day. When we have a wedding booked, that is the only event we will schedule for that day.
Is outside catering allowed? Do you require couples to use a set list of caterers?
We do not have any preferred vendors.
Is outside alcohol allowed?
Yes, you can have an open or cash bar with a licensed bartender, or you can use the Capitol for a cash bar.
Is an on-site event coordinator available?
No.
What is your rental rate?
$100-$4000
What attracts couples to your venue for their wedding?
Our renters are always attracted to the unique qualities we offer and the one-of-a-kind venue you cannot find anywhere else.
What makes your venue so unique from a service perspective?
We kept with the '40s Art Deco theme. Everything from the curtains to the carpets in the Capitol was custom made for us. The chandeliers throughout the Capitol are from the 1940s.
What else should brides know about your venue?
Brides can go to our website to see pictures and to set up tours to visit the Capitol.
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Posted by Shab Engaged Bride |
Filed under: Real Nashville Brides, Wedding Venues and Locations, Wedding Style - Classic,
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