All About You’re Invited Gifts, Paper and Events - a Nashville Wedding Resource
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Have you ever driven by a cute little shop in Belle Meade called You're Invited Gifts, Paper and Events? Well, if you didn't stop in, you missed a real gem. It's a wedding and event boutique owned by event planner Stephanie Alexander and her business partner Anna Peebles who oversees the stationery division, You're Invited is a source for great ideas for themed weddings and parties. Today's spotlight is on You're Invited Nashville Events and the creative force that is Stephanie. She cooks, she decorates, she designs, she's pretty darned amazing and we're excited to introduce you to her.
We spotlight You're Invited Gifts, Paper and Events, a great Nashville wedding resource
Contact Info
Name: You're Invited Gifts, Paper and Events
Wedding/Event Contact: Stephanie Alexander
Phone Number: 615.353.5520 (office)
Website: http://www.yistationery.com
Email Address: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Number of years in the business?
I have been planning weddings and events since 1999. I started out planning all the alumni events for a private university, and then while obtaining my MBA, I worked in Mexico for an international company and planned corporate events both in Mexico and in the U.S. When I moved back to the United States, I continued to plan social events and weddings. Anna Peebles and I launched You're Invited Events last fall out of You're Invited Gifts and Paper in the Belle Meade Galleria.
How did you get started in weddings?
It originally started when friends starting asking for advice and help when they were planning their wedding, due to my work and knowledge in event planning. After that, word-of-mouth helped send brides my way! Weddings quickly became one of my biggest passions in life!
What do you like most about weddings?
I absolutely love the fact that I am a part of this couple's most important day of their life. To be asked to share in that day is such an amazing privilige. I also enjoy watching a couple from the planning stages during their engagement to the moment when their say their vows. After working with brides for so long on their weddings, I always try to remain in touch because we have developed such a close relationship!
What’s your favorite wedding pic/video and why?
I would have to say, selfishly, that this picture of my husband and I from my wedding, which I designed, is my favorite! I married my high school sweetheart over 8 years ago, and I still love this picture.
What is your service philosophy?
My service philosophy is Personalized and Planned to Perfection. I strive with each bride to make her wedding unique and custom. I don't want to create a «cookie cutter» wedding. I also strive for perfection in both the design and execution of a wedding. I work really hard to get to know my brides on a personal level so that their wedding day is exactly as they envisioned.
What are your strengths compared to others in your category? / Why should a bride hire you?
I am very creative, and I have an eye for detail. While at the same time, I am extremely organized and efficient. In addition, with my extensive business background, including having an MBA, I approach each wedding with the client's budget and timeline in mind. I am able with each wedding to help my brides not only design the wedding of their dreams, but also I execute their wedding weekend in an extremely organized manner.
Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors – helpfulness, professionalism, style?
Nashville Event Lighting - Blake and his entire team are so talented
BlueNova Design Group - love how they can transform a room
Fabu Event Rentals - I love all of their unique décor items that help the aesthetic of a wedding and reception,
Empire Valet - Becky and her staff always provide the best service
Jay with Maple's Wedding Cakes - the flavor of his cakes are amazing as is his design work
Who do you recommend when you’re not available/not a fit?
My events team is made up of 2 lead designers and several event assistants, so one of our team members is almost always available! If we're not, they are so many talented vendors in Nashville and ABG is a great place to find them.
What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends?
I read blogs daily and magazines monthly. Some of my favorites are swsmag.net, 100layercake.com/blog, and stylemepretty.com. I also read Southern Living, Veranda, Town and Country and FoodNetwork Magazine. It's amazing what kind of inspiration I get for weddings that comes outside of a traditional wedding magazine.
What trend do you love?
I love how brides and grooms are incorporating family recipes into their weddings. I'm seeing it in the food that they serve (from the meal all the way to the dessert) and in the favors they create! I've seen a bride take her grandmother's jam recipe and make it for her wedding favors, along with attaching a recipe card. I think it's such a unique and special touch to incorporate.
Is there a trend that you do not like?
My goal is to make each bride's vision come true, regardless of it's a trend that's not my favorite at the time. After all, it's her big day! I just help her make her vision come to life.
Which trend are you glad is gone?
Brides feeling as if they have to have follow every rule in the book. I love that brides now mix and match bridesmaids dresses depending on each girl's shape and don't require them to having matching hairdos, or that they are choosing non-traditional music for their recessional, such as Stevie Wonder's «Signed, Sealed, Delivered.» I love that brides are thinking outside the box for their wedding day.
...Sad is gone?
I know it's not environmentally friendly to throw rice anymore, but I love looking at old photos of couples as they exited their reception and were covered in rice! But, I discovered that since rice is out, you can substitute with rice-shaped orzo pasta and still be green/environmentally-friendly!
What are your favorite wedding websites? / Neatest wedding find?
I read blogs daily and magazines monthly. Some of my favorites are swsmag.net, 100layercake.com/blog, and stylemepretty.com. www. swsmag.net, http://100layercake.com/blog, and stylemepretty.com, and inspiredbride.net. The neatest wedding find - Father of the Bride cufflinks for a father who is an avid collector. The bride framed them for him after he wore them at their wedding and included a photo of the two of them before they walked down the aisle together!
What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends?
I read Southern Living, Veranda, Town and Country and FoodNetwork Magazine. It's amazing what kind of inspiration I get for weddings that comes outside of a traditional wedding magazine.
For the platinum bride, what is the one thing youve always wanted to see?
There are a few national furniture rental companies with the most amazing bars and lounge furniture. I want a bride who is willing to have some fabulous furniture pieces shipped in or custom made for her wedding. I have a book of ideas of what I want to create!
Where can we find you if you’re not working with a bride?
If I'm not working with a bride, I'm probably working on another event, such as a birthday party, a corporate event or a fundraiser or blogging or tweeting. If I'm off and not working, I'm spending time with my amazing husband, Josh and my 2 beautiful little children, Lillie Claire and Will.
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We look forward to seeing more weddings from You're Invited! In the meantime, contact Stephanie for help planning your wedding or click here to visit the You're Invited website. You can also follow them on Twitter or "Like" them on Facebook!
Pictures courtesy of You're Invited Nashville, Jonathon Campbell Photoraphy, Kristen Steele Photography (KristenSteelePhotography.com), Alicia PIper.
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 October 27, 2010 |
Filed under: Wedding Planners & Coordinators
