Tuesday, July 21, 2015
There are many ways to make your wedding uniquely you, from décor, to music, or even food. Another great way to make your wedding "uniquely you" is signature gobo lights. In Nashville, Bright Event Productions is the go-to for Gobos. These lights can be fully customized for your wedding or event. They offer personalization with your names, monograms, or pictures. We spoke with the folks at Bright to learn more about how these details illuminate your big day. Read more below about what they have to offer and how they can be customized for your Nashville wedding or event.
Photography: Amy Nicole Photography
Photography: Photographix
Do you work directly with couples or do you only work with planners who represent the couples?
Yes! We work with both planners and individuals (though we highly recommend working with a planner for your Big Day!).
Where do couples usually use them?
Custom gobos are typically used on a focal wall or dance floor, where as pattern stock gobos are used to create pattern and texture on a dance floor, a tent ceiling, venue walls – nearly anywhere you want.
Photography: Matt Andrews Photography
Photography: McLellan Style
Can they be used after an event? If so, how?
Custom gobos are cut in a 3” diameter steel plate that we are happy to mail to the couple after the event. Some couples have saved the plate by adding it into a scrapbook, making a Christmas ornament out of it, or even a magnet. The plate can definitely be reused, but you will need to have a Source IV light to project the gobo.
What are other ways you use lighting to add personality/monograms to wedding?
Gobos can be used in all sorts of ways to create customized designs and add personality to your event. We have used a glass prism gobo on a tent ceiling to mimic the surface of a geode, overlapped gobos to give the impression of wallpaper on blank walls, and even worked with a client to turn her drawing into a custom gobo. Endless possibilities are available when you work with BRIGHT!
Photography: McLellan Style
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Posted by Holly Nashville Newlywed |
Filed under: Lighting, Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds,
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Monday, July 20, 2015
Nashville's Perfect Wedding Guide Wedding Show takes place on August 2, 2015 from noon - 4 p.m. The show will be held at the Music City Center. The show always delivers a variety of wedding vendors, ranging from cakes to photographers, serving all wedding budgets.
If it's anything like its past shows, you'll meet great vendors and leave with loads of wedding ideas.
We're SUPER excited about this show. Click the link above and use our "ABG" code to get $5 tickets. And, stop by our booth to meet our bloggers!
UPDATE: Purchase your bridal show tickets online, by the dates listed below, and be entered to win the following:
• $50 Bed, Bath, & Beyond GC + dozen cake bites compliments of Connie's Cakes (July 26)
• Engagement Session from Ivory Door Studio (July 31)
• 20 customizable "thank you" cards and envelopes compliments from Fanciful Ink – no deadline yet
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events,
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Friday, July 17, 2015
In his search for a proposal photographer, Josiah knew he wanted someone with a timeless style so that he and his wife-to-be could enjoy each memory for years to come. He researched and hired photographers Nyk & Cali to be present when he proposed to Kristen. He then hired the duo again to photograph their engagement session.
Read about Kristen's perspective of the proposal and engagement sessions, and then take a look at some of those timeless memories!
How did you and your groom meet?
We actually met on eHarmony. Crazy, I know! It was one of the spur-of-the-moment decisions I (Kristen) made to join, and I started talking to Josiah immediately. He had a business conference in Nashville a week later, and we met up and had our first date at J. Alexander's.
Tell us about your proposal - with all the details!
I knew Josiah had an event planned for me while we were in Tennessee for Christmas. He made it seem like we were going to just have a nice dinner or go to Opryland. The day of, he had Ashley (I have been babysitting her children since they were babies) pick me up, and I had a pamper day with her and the girls. I got my hair, nails, and makeup done. Then, we went to her office (Wedding 101) and I got dressed. The girls made it seem like we were going to Opryland, but they were meeting us there. That caused me to be a little suspicious (well, that & the fact that I was all dressed up).
Josiah picked me up and we drove to Belmont, my alma mater. He started talking about how much he loves me as it was raining and I was just all around confused. I thought it was going to happen but I did not want to get my hopes up! He brought me in front of the bell tower and then got down on one knee with the ring.
After he proposed, I noticed photographers (Nyk & Cali) and we started talking to them. We decided to walk around campus to take more photos. They are my absolute favorite photos ever. We then headed to an amazing dinner catered by Maggiano's at the Belmont Mansion with my friends and family. Afterwards, we went to Opryland.
A few days later, we met up with Nyk & Cali again for some engagement shots around downtown Franklin. Since we live in Texas now, it was important to me to get some photos around my hometown.
Why did you decide to do engagement pictures?
To capture the moment for future generations. It was a surprise for me, but Josiah wanted to make sure the moment was captured and that we had photos to look back on and to share with people. It was special because we are able to see exactly what was happening from another perspective and share those photos with everyone.
How did you choose the location of your engagement shoot?
Josiah was going to propose at the Parthenon (we walked around there on our first date), but it was under construction, so he chose Belmont. Belmont is an extremely special place for me so it could not have been closer to perfection. The other photos in downtown Franklin were chosen so we could have special photos in Tennessee, since we would be getting married in Texas.
What characteristics were you looking for in a photographer?
I asked Josiah and he said, "personality and talent." Someone that shot timeless images, not just trendy ones. It was really important to him that they are focused and not all overly artsy photographs. They were photos that you could have displayed for years to come; photos that would not look dated or trendy depending upon when they were taken. In short, timeless and classic.
How did you work with your photographer to achieve the photos you envisioned?
We really didn’t have to. They knew what they were doing and we knew we would end up with amazing photos. We wanted the photos to capture the moment and be real. And that is exactly what they are. We didn’t have to choose the angles, the shots or anything. We trusted them to pick those things out as we do not have experience in photography.
What was the engagement session like?
They were really sweet and made the whole experience comfortable and natural. They made the whole experience really easy.
Do you plan to use these photos for your wedding?
Yes, I have photos printed out that will be used in frames around the reception. I also used them in a photo guestbook, and friends have used them to decorate at my shower. We also sent one of our favorites along with our invitations.
What/who have you hired for your wedding so far?
We hired a photographer, florist, baker, caterer, and a videographer. We are using a friend who is a sound guy as our DJ and another one as an MC. We went back and forth on the videographer but decided yes, we really would like a video of our day.
What’s your favorite find so far?
The videographer because they even have an upgrade to Blu Ray, which we did. We ended up going with a local restaurant for the caterer. It was a terrific way to save money because we are having a full-fledged burrito and Mexican buffet for a lot less than a private caterer would have charged. They have even worked with us on outfits, etc., and could not have been nicer about it all!
Did you capture your engagement with surprise photographers? We would love to hear about it! Leave a comment telling us more! Love Nashville weddings? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
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Posted by Holly Nashville Newlywed |
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Thursday, July 16, 2015
Meredith and John’s wedding teaser is an excellent compilation of the perfect wedding day. A collection of shots from the wedding and reception created the perfect blend of moments captured forever, from the first married kiss to the departure of the “Just Married” limo.
The video is complemented by the cover version of “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” by James Taylor, and while the couple enjoyed their big day, Audio Video Art seized the small moments for all to see. Smiles, the cake cutting, and tidbits of otherwise unseen moments of fun are shown, plus Meredith and John’s first dance as husband and wife complete with the classic dip and a romantic kiss!
We love this gorgeous wedding teaser by Audio Video Art and are sure the extended version, provided to the couple, is even more magical!
Meredith and John's Wedding Day Teaser from Audio Video Art - 615-783-1536 on Vimeo.
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Posted by Taylor |
Filed under: Real Nashville Brides, Videography,
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Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Rhonda of Oakwood Cleaners shared the following story with me that I hope serves as a warning for all of you buying/considering pre-owned wedding dresses:
"I just heard about a bride that bought a pre-owned dress that was 4 inches too big. She went to a seamstress that agreed to take it in, but after it was finished, it did not fit to her satisfaction. First of all, it was really dirty, and had been altered. There's no telling how many times it had been worn (or altered). The needle marks from the last alteration were still showing when the seamstress got it. It appeared to have been washed in a washing machine (vs. dry cleaned), and the lining was a wrinkled mess.
Brides need to understand that not only is it quite difficult to take a dress down 4 inches and have it fit correctly, but if it has been washed or worn several times and altered more than once, the fabric will not react the same as if it were new. It is up to the seamstress to tell the bride of the problems that can occur up front and have the bride sign an agreement stating they understand this."
Most of you who are considering a pre-owned dress are probably going the online route - from Craigslist and eBay, to sites like preowneddresses.com. These can be great ways to save, or they can turn into a huge nightmare, as Rhonda described above.
So, what's a girl to do? Here's what our pros at Oakwood Cleaners suggest, whether you are buying or selling your gown online.
Tips for Buying a Pre-Owned Wedding Dress Online
~ Start with an online retailer that offers a grace period. This will give you time to receive the dress, see the actual size, assess the condition of the dress, and decide if you want to keep it. You must see it, try it on, and touch the fabric.
- Shop for dresses as close to your size as possible. It's not a good idea to jump sizes. Determine your "wedding gown size," which is not the same as your street clothes size. Once you know your bridal size, stay close to it as you shop for pre-owned gowns. The bigger the difference between your size and the pre-owned size, the more costly the alterations and sometimes the changes could impact the actual dress's shape.
~ Ask the seller whether the dress has been cleaned. Opt for a dress that has been cleaned already. It will need to be cleaned to determine what stains will remain. You don't want to buy a gown online that's dirty, then have to pay for the dress only to find out which stains will or won't come out. If not clean, ask how dirty. See if pictures of the stains can be provided.
~ Ask about alterations. Has it been altered? If fabric has been cut away, there may not be enough remaining to let back out.
~ Ask if it is damaged and what the extent of the damage is.
Corset gown by designer Monique Lhuillier. Source
Keep or return the dress?
Once the gown is in your hands (during the grace period)...
~ Take the dress and the seller's documentations to a true pro that specializes in bridal gowns, such as Oakwood Cleaners.
~ Have them inspect the dress and tell you what it might cost to clean, fix, and alter the dress. They won't be able to fully predict the actual cost of alterations, but they will give you direction. If it needs cleaning, they will let you know. They can't guarantee spots will come out, but they will tell you their expert opinion and give ballpark quote. They can tell what custom changes will be needed.
~ Be realistic. Some of the really popular styles have a corset and can't be taken in or let out, due to the boning (See Vera Wang gown below). The two-piece Monique Lhuillier corset style tops aren't easy to alter. Repeat wearing of the top can stretch it. So, by the time the seller is ready to sell, it may not fit the purchaser with similar size/body as well as a brand new dress would. Stretching will cause the dress to fit differently, even if it hasn't been altered.
Based on your Oakwood gown inspection, determine if you will love it or leave it. It may seem like a good deal, but repairs, alterations, and cleaning might be expensive. You need to be smart. In the long run, a used dress could cost you more on the back-end than a new gown.
Oakwood says, "This type of dress would be exceptionally difficult to have altered due to the boning in the bodice. Buyers should exercise caution with this type of gown."
Tips for Selling Your Wedding Dress Online
~ Be honest. You will have better success and fewer returns from buyers. This will save you money (from shipping costs), time, and stress.
~ Clean the dress before you list it. This will give the purchaser a realistic idea of how wonderful the dress could be.
~ Highlight the positives and negatives. Document what's been done to the dress. Share photos of damage and stains to give an overall state of the dress. Point out tears, pulled bustles, and areas of heavy stains.
~~~
Editor's note: This article originally appeared in April 2014, but we wanted to reshare it with our newly engaged or recently wedded girls!
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: Alterations + Gown Preservation, Advice & Planning, Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories,
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