You’re Invited Shares Real Inspiration from an Engaged Couples Fall Wedding
Thursday, August 26, 2010
We usually feature real weddings after the couple's big day. But how are those days created? What goes on behind the scene? How can you take all of those magazine pictures you've torn out and turn them into a wedding design? And, how exactly does a wedding planner take your concept and help you execute?
With the help of Stephanie of You're Invited, we will take you behind the scenes of an upcoming Nashville wedding. As Stephanie shares this engaged couple's wedding details, we hope their wedding planning process will help you develop your own plan or help you understand how an effective wedding planner adds value.
When an engaged couple comes to you, how do you approach finding their wedding vision?
When I start the planning process with a bride, I ask lots of questions to get to know them (this helps me help discover their vision). Questions such as - what colors do you love, what are your favorite things to do, what are the 3 most important aspects of your wedding, what type of experience do you want to create for your guests?
I will also ask the couple to bring in pictures they like, whether they are wedding photos they like, or even just magazine photos. It's amazing what an interior decorating magazine can do to help me understand and create a bride's vision for her wedding. I never want a bride to feel overwhelmed as we start the planning process. Their vision can evolve over the course of the planning process, and doesn't have to be created on day one.
I'm sure you are working with many great couples, helping them plan their wedding. Tell us about one of your engaged Nashville couples. What is the engaged couple's personality?
The bride and groom are extremely professional, family-oriented and fabulous to work with. This will be the second marriage for both, so they wanted to keep this wedding "simply elegant." Also, a lot of traditions that 1st time brides want to use, we won't be doing with this wedding (large wedding party, father walking her down the aisle, garter/bouquet, etc).
What is the vision for their wedding?
The bride and groom both want their families and friends to really enjoy this evening together. They want fabulous food, beautiful flowers and a really fun party.
Have they selected wedding colors/their theme?
Yes, we've actually changed the colors throughout the planning process. When she and I originally met, we knew she was going to have a fall wedding, so those were the colors we chose (bronzes and golds, oranges, eggplant purple, and pops of green). As the wedding planning process has evolved, so have my bride's color choices. We are now utilizing more of the rich eggplant in the main color scheme, instead of as an accent color.
What is the inspiration for their wedding?
Fall and her love of those particular colors
Engaged couple's wedding - Picture source: You're Invited.
Which vendors/venues have they hired to date and why were they hired specifically to execute on their vision?
Noah Liff is the ceremony and reception location site. It is a fabulous new Nashville venue and the Opera Studio is a blank canvas to create an amazing event. Jessica, the facilities manager there, is so great to work with on projects/events.
Left: Ragsdale Lobby. Right: Opera Suite (Photo courtesy of NashvilleOpera.org)
Nashville Event Lighting - I knew I would need Blake and his team to work their magic on this space. We have the ceremony, reception and then a lounge area to create, and I know lighting will be one of the key elements to help accomplish this.
Blue Nova Designs - The bride and I immediately knew that we wanted to drape the walls and the ceiling to soften the look. The team at Blue Nova has been great during the design process offering us multiple options from which to choose.
Jay from Maple's Wedding Cakes - who doesn't love Jay's yummy cake and fabulous design work!
Terry from The English Garden - my bride described her vision to Terry in regards to flowers, and they immediately connected. Terry has an amazing eye for color and design, and will make my bride's vision come to life in his floral design work.
Jonathon Campbell Photography - We love their work and ability to capture even the smallest details. After my bride met with them, she knew Jonathon and Sharon were a great fit for what she wanted in a photography team. She loves the fact that they are a husband/wife team and she loves their portfolio!
Sargeant's Catering - they have a long-standing reputation in Nashville for delicious food and great service. After our tasting with them, we were blown away at how fabulous the food is going to be for this bride and groom and their guests.
Valet One - for valet parking. Becky is so great to work with and very accomodating.
Music City Tents and Events - for rentals-very professional to work with both before, during and after an event.
Tabitha: Fall colors really are elegant. I especially love the way the multi-colored ribbons are tied to the back of the fruitwood chiavari chair in the bottom right corner. Picture source: You're Invited.
What is their splurge item?
Food!!
How are they choosing to maximize their wedding budget?
They are not having a large wedding party; instead the bride has a Matron of Honor and that's the only one who will stand in the front with them.
What excites you most about this wedding?
I am excited about several things - the amazing transformation that will happen to the Opera Studio at the Noah Liff; from lighting to draping to the table arrangements, it is going to be unrecognizeable from its current look. I'm also excited about the "flip" of the Ragsdale Lobby from the ceremony site to the "after party lounge" after guests finish their seated dinner. Third, I'm excited about the interactive dessert concept we're doing for this wedding. It's going to change guest's experience at wedding receptions.
Any words of advice to couples beginning their wedding planning on finding their inspiration?
Look at magazines, surf websites and blogs, and ask your friends what kind of wedding they envision you having. All of those things will help inspire you to create the wedding of your dreams!
For more of Stephanie's work, check out You're Invited's website or their wedding planning blog for more ideas and resources for your dream Nashville wedding!
About the Author:
Tabitha
Blogging is something I’ve enjoyed doing for years. My interests lie mostly in lifestyle related topics like fashion, style, design, food and weddings. When I heard Ashley was looking to bring on new members to the ABG team, I jumped at the opportunity - I can’t think of a better way to stay involved in weddings than to write about them and to stay in touch with the trends and new ideas. Lucky for me, Ashley likes my blog and trusts my experience to bring me on and so far, it’s been a blast.
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Posted on August 26, 2010 |
Filed under: Inspiration & Trends, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
