Thursday, December 10, 2009
Nashville Wedding Venue Week officially ends today. No, it wasn't an entire week, but I have some holiday fun planned for Friday so we'll wrap up the venue features today, leaving the Nashville Zoo last but certainly not least.
Nashville Zoo Showcase:
The Nashville Zoo has new options for Nashville weddings!
I was invited by Amanda Kerr (Catering Sales Manager: 615-445-7825) to attend an open house there a few weeks ago. It was a fun evening. When I arrived, there was such suspense in the air. There was a long walk from parking to the "new" Jungle Terrace Pavilion and I could hardly contain myself, wondering what the venue had to offer.
As we approached the pavilion, I saw a huge message written in lights on the tent. This was the work of Nashville Event Lighting and I thought it was a great touch. If you have an event there - definitely add your monogram or a welcome message for your guests.
{Warning - my pics from the Zoo's Open House weren't the best. Not sure what was going on but I knew you'd want to see them anyway.}
When I arrived at the pavilion, there were food stations everywhere. The food was sooo good. I'm a very picky eater - I actually have a kid's taste buds. If I like the food - everyone should. I started with a Tilapia meal (umm-didn't love) but luckily that didn't stop me! The next station was a carving station with turkey, gravy, and a roll. Much better; it was really good. Next up - an Asian stir fry. Tasty! Last stop - pulled BBQ chicken. This was the best meal. I had two sandwiches and really didn't want to stop. Who catered it? The Zoo! They have their own in-house catering staff. Love it!
In addition to the delicious food stations, The Bake Shoppe showcased custom animal print bridal cakes to give brides ideas of how they can have an elegant, zoo wedding.
{love this one!}
The Bake Shoppe created an adorable kangaroo bridal shower cake for me a few years ago. If you wanted a sculpted zoo cake - maybe as your groom cake, I am sure they could create one. Dulce Desserts also does some really neat sculpted cakes.
The Enchanted Florist designs the most creative floral / decor elements for Nashville weddings. I expected nothing less for an evening at the zoo.
And, what made the evening more spectacular was that I entered their giveaway and won a free zoo membership!!
Nashville Zoo Wedding Info:
Who has a wedding at the The Nashville Zoo?
I think a zoo bride is 1) a bride who is fun and full of whimsy, 2) a bride who loves nature/animals, or 3) a bride who has children (maybe second marriage) and wants to ensure the venue can be fun for all ages.
Here’s what you definitely need to know. The Nashville Zoo has seven spaces and attractions for your wedding, including a cute carousel (for your guests to ride with music and an attendant).
Among the seven spaces available are: the Pavilion, which can accommodate up to 290 people; Festival Field (1500 ppl); African Savannah (600 ppl); Historic Home (250 ppl).
To give you an idea of rental rates, the Jungle Terrace Pavilion is $3000 for an evening rental and includes the space from 6-11p, round table seating, tables and chairs, basic lighting package, one host, one security guard, set up and clean-up. Can’t believe it includes tables and chairs - makes it super easy.
More Zoo Wedding Inspiration:
Want more inspiration? WeddingNouveau.com is one of my favorite websites for cultural/very unique wedding inspiration. {All of the inspiration boards below are wedding nouveau. Visit her site for tons of inspiration and for all image credits.}
African, exotic and vintage - perfect for a zoo! or…
regal and opulent celebrating the richness of nature {love the Vera Wang gown in bronze!}, or…
outdoor, colorful and cultural - this is my favorite look - fun flair!
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Posted by Ashley King |
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Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
A word that I'm loving that has come out of this recession is "staycation" which is when you have a vacation close to home. We've all gotten a bit more creative and resourceful as we approach our budgets in general. Weddings are no different.
That's when I thought about Heavenly Weddings and Events aka Heavenly Hitch. Heavenly Weddings is an all inclusive, garden wedding venue. It's only 30 minutes from Nashville, in Portland, TN but seems worlds away from Nashville. It could be a place to consider if are looking for an affordable, get-a-way venue for your wedding. Maybe you were hoping for a destination wedding...maybe to Gatlinburg, but this is close, but still allows you and your guests to get away:). Seriously - they have some reasonable prices and a very nice ambiance.
Debbra is the property owner. If you like pictures and what the venue has to offer, give her a call to discuss your wedding.
Here's what she told me about the wedding venue along with a few of my favorite pics from weddings there.
Heavenly Weddings and Receptions offers a pristine place where your spirit will unveil the mystery of your hearts for one another, vastly different from any other venue.
Heavenly Weddings and Receptions is a breathtaking place to have your wedding. Your guest will be speechless when they enter the grounds.
The innocent beauty of song birds and water dancing on the emerald pond is the background for your perfect outdoor wedding. As the sun sets and you have made your vows to one another, you may choose to have the horse drawn carriage take you to your grand celebration, where your guest will be waiting to welcome you for a night of dining and dancing.
Contact Debbra at 615-888-3040 or go to Heavenlyhitch.com.
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Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 A few weeks ago, I headed to Mt. Juliet, Tennessee to check out a spanking new venue, The Haven House. This venue is for the bride seeking a southern comfort wedding, nestled in nature. If you are seeking a truly southern, countryside wedding, you'd like this venue. In fact, even the city girl in me fell in love with the wrap around porch and high ceilings! Plus, The Haven House, Baughman Media Works and a few other Mt. Juliet based vendors are giving away a free wedding! Visit getmarriedfree.com for all of the details.
In the meantime, here's more about this rustic outdoor venue from Austin, the venue's event planner.
The driveway can be lined with lights.
These jar lights, shown on shepherd hooks are very sweet and look brilliant once the sun goes down.
The Haven's driveway is over 800' long, which will provide your event privacy. The front field can accommodate 250 guests comfortably for a ceremony, 150 guests for a seated reception or 200 guests for a cocktail style reception.
Here the front field is set with our Rustic Green Arch and 60 Dark Wood Chairs. The field can also be tented.
The Front Yard can accommodate a 40'x115' Tent, which can hold a ceremony for 400 guests.
{the high ceilings I love}
The Haven has hardwood flooring and neutral wall colors through out. The Main Room has a fireplace and can host a "Fireside Ceremony" for 30 guests.
With over 200' of wrap around porching, 20 acres and 2000 sq feet of event space, the ceremony and reception options are almost limitless!
{my pics of the wrap porches that I also loved}
Please contact Austin 615-485-8078 or [email protected] to schedule your tour today! Be sure to check out getmarriedfree.com for details on the free wedding!
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Monday, December 7, 2009
Last week I featured great real Nashville weddings and bridal events. This week, I'd like to showcase some amazing Nashville wedding venues. First up, a recap of my extraordinary night at CJs off the Square. Luckily, I ran into Emily (planner) and Kristyn (photographer) there so they promised to capture everything to share with ABG brides, while I chatted and ate cake - what I do best! Emily - you did an amazing job on your recap of our fun night!!!!! Guest Post: Emily Humphries of Simply Yours Weddings, Etc. Tucked perfectly into the historic district of downtown Franklin, Tennessee sits the beautiful CJ's off the Square! CJ Dickson and her amazing team hosted an Open House event for brides and vendors to see the goodness that CJ's has to offer.
So why attend an open house like this one? There are so many great things about these types of events as a bride, but there are a few reasons in particular that stood out to me as I observed and interacted with brides at CJ's that night. First of all, for couples that are getting married at CJ's off the Square, they were able to see exactly what a full swing event looks like. How fun to be able to picture your own event whether you had already booked with CJ's or not! If brides that were present saw any details set up that they loved and thought might work for their special day, Amy Parman of Williamson County Weddings and Events was on hand as another “hostess with the mostest to talk through these possibilities and details! (CJ's off the Square is a division of Williamson County Weddings and Events, but they partner with other planners as well! They are so amazing!) Another really great thing about Open House events for brides is that you get to meet and mingle with tons of vendors all at once as well as sample their incredible work! From the minute you arrived at CJ's, you were met by the friendly valet service from Viva Valet (rollsroycelimostransportation.com). Then, walking into the entrance, one of CJ's friendly staff greeted each guest! They also entered into a drawing for a free night stay at the Cool Springs Marriot AND for a chance at a free engagement session with Hartz Photographic!
 
Upon entering CJ's there was instant eye candy and delectable goodies! Beautiful invitations done by Williamson County Weddings & Events (aka the Boutique at CJ's off the Square!), to die for floral arrangements by Caprice of The Enchanted Florist (enchantedfloristtn.com), gorgeous cakes from The Bake Shoppe, and of course a delicious buffet from A Catered Affair (acateredaffair.net)!
Just can't get enough of Bake Shoppe's cake!
Outside under the tent and in the gardens, live music played by Silver Strings (nashvillesilverstrings.com), drinks were flowing and being served by VIP Bartending (vipbartendingservice.com) and the gorgeous centerpieces on each table were also done by Caprice of The Enchanted Florist and the amazing team at CJ's!
Their beautiful garden area was all aglow with a newly featured lighting package that draped lights throughout the pavilion and the gazebo. Nashville Event Lighting had also had created special lighting to shine in the floor of the reception area as a special touch.
So brides: next time you see an open house or tasting at a venue it is so worth the trip to walk away encouraged, excited, full of ideas, and friendly faces of contacts who are more than willing to be there to make your day as special as you dream of it being! Huge thanks to Shannon Jenkins Photography and Kristyn Hogan Photography for the images used in this blog! Happy Planning! -Em
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Sunday, December 6, 2009
You've seen this fab Vera Wang gown on the cover of this month's Bride magazine. But, this one - you've got to see in person! It's available only at b. Hughes Bridal.
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Posted by Ashley King |
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