Nashville Wedding Vendor Spotlight: Music City Events
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Company name: Music City Events, http://www.amusiccityevent.com
Contact Info: Sarah Willard
Phone number: 615.727.3903
Ashley: How did you get started in weddings? Sarah: I began planning my own wedding in 2002 and realized just how much is out there. It was overwhelming to sift through the dozens of names and websites and prices and availability and styles. 6 months after my engagement a friend of mine got engaged herself and I helped plan her wedding as well as mine. Before I knew it, I had spent a year planning several weddings for friends. When the last one married, I felt so empty - that's when I knew this was truly more than "something fun" and that is was my passion!
Ashley: What do you like most about weddings? Sarah: I love to see brides different ideas and desires. I've never had a bride ask for the same thing and I love being able to expand on their dreams. To show a bride a design and see her eyes light up with excitement is one of the best experiences. Ashley: What's your favorite wedding pic/video and why? Sarah: I love the photo of this reception. The bride wanted an "Old Glamour Hollywood" theme with Sinatra, Lauren Bacall, and Katherine Hepburn as inspiration. We decided to go with jewel tones - dark purples, amythest, emerald green, and stunning blues. I added the peacock feathers for a whimsical modern feel. We held the reception in an old factory chosen for the exposed brick walls and original wood flooring - perfect for our ambiance. We hung bare round lights along the perimeter of the room for a soft glow and to supplement the candles.
Another was Laura Lee, whose favorite color is red - so that was inspiration for her August wedding. Red rose petals were grouped with candles on the altar and red linens, chair covers, and organza ties were used in the reception with a stunning square cake with red roses and Swarovski crystal cake topper. Two kinds of centerpieces were used for depth some topped with balls of flowers and other with floating candles and curling willow.
(photography Dale Doreman)
Then there was Nancy and Keegan who held an intimate ceremony at one of my favorite tucked away venues: Cools Springs House in Brentwood. After the ceremony they were whisked to the Factory at Franklin for a small Laotian reception - meaning about 250 guests instead of 500!
(photography Scott Hammaker)
Ashley: What is your service philosophy? Sarah: Your wedding is a glorious, important day of your life. You should not spend your engagement worrying about its outcome. My goal is take the stress away and bring out the pleasure and fun in the planning.
Ashley: What are your strengths compared to others in your category? / Why should a bride hire you? Sarah: I am very passionate about what I do, and I approach each wedding and each bride as the unique individual that they are. I stay up to date on all the latest trends and designs and most importantly, I listen to what the bride desires and help her achieve that! I love to play with different color schemes and textures, and to pull design ideas from everything around us. My inspiration has come from some of the strangest places!
Ashley: You have years of experience and have done so many Nashville weddings. Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors - helpfulness, professionalism, style? Sarah: 1) Chef's Market: Shannon is a wonder to work with and can create exquisite menus and tablescaping. Scott is incredibly talented and crafts spectacular arrangements and designs. We've worked together so often that we practically read each other's minds! 2) SS Graham Florals & Events 3) REM Entertainment: Whenever I need a DJ, Bob is automatically who I turn to. You can't get a better Emcee and entertainer than him! 4) Gray Photography: Zach and Jody are IT as far as photography is concerned. You get the both of best worlds, dramatic artwork worthy of magazines and fun, candid moments of the whole day. 5) Party Providers: Dana and her crew are so on the ball that I never need to go to a different rental supplier. Everything is always pristine when delivered and the service is unbeatable. Ashley: Who do you recommend when you’re not available/not a fit? Sarah: Emily Humpries of Simply Yours Weddings & Etc. I have brought Emily on for larger, more detailed weddings and she is certainly a person that you can rely on in any situation.
Ashley: What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends? Sarah: I like to look "outside of the box" and stay on top of design trends, not just wedding trends. I am a member of different event organizations. I subscribe to several wedding and design magazines and meet with industry professionals on a regular basis. I also keep an emphasis on continuing my education in the industry and of course I watch all the fun shows out there! Ashley: Let's discuss current wedding trends...Which trend do you love? Sarah: Gobos! I love projecting the couples monogram, logo, or design over the dance floor, down the aisle, above the cake - you name it. You can have virtually anything anywhere in any color, it's an amazing decor item with instant glamour.
Ashley: Which trend are you glad is gone? Disposable cameras on the reception tables. Most guests carry tiny digital cameras these days. Instead, opt for a PhotoBooth, it's much more fun and interactive for your guests!
Ashley: Which trend are you sad is gone? Sarah: A private dinner for the bride and groom. The whole wedding day is so high paced that the bride and groom often don't get to spend time with each other until the next day! I like to have all the photos shot early in the day and let the bride and groom have a private dinner during the cocktail hour. It allows them to focus on each other without 300 people in the room with them.
Ashley: What are your favorite wedding resources? / Neatest wedding find? Sarah: Brides.com is a great resource for just about everything and Flicker is a fun place to find tons of photos for inspiration (just be sure to search with 'wedding'!). http://www.brides.com/ http://www.flickr.com/ Ashley: Advice for brides? Sarah: Look into hiring an event planner - even if it's only for the weekend. You'll be glad you did before you even get to the rehearsal! Planners can readily answer any and all of your questions and will be the buffer between you and vendors on your wedding day. You should be able to enjoy your wedding without worrying about the reception setup, time, musicians, etc. Pay attention to your photographer. If you don't get a good one, you'll regret it. Your photos are the only lasting item from your wedding. Be sure to get a photographer you are comfortable with and who will work with you - not make you work with them. A bad/uncaring photographer can make you, your family, and wedding party uncomfortable or upset and that will show in your photos. Most of all - have fun! Enjoy your planning process and keep your fiance as your focal point. He (or she!) is, after all, the reason you are celebrating.
Thanks Sarah!!
About the Author:
Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide
Hey - I'm Ashley! I started AshleysBrideGuide.com to give Nashville brides, or folks planning a Nashville wedding, a local resource for inspiration and resources. Hope to see you at a bridal show soon! Happy Planning.
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Posted on April 13, 2009 |
Filed under: Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Resources
