Thursday, February 11, 2010
We had so much fun at the Nashville Lifestyles Bridal Show at the Hermitage Hotel. The weather had started to improve, the sun was shining and the turnout was quite good! Lots of brides looking for great ideas and inspiration who attended with their moms and friends. We even saw a couple of grooms and that's always a good thing!
Photo source: NashvilleLifestyles.com
The highlight of the show was the luncheon with Tara Guerard. You might recognize her name from the books Southern Weddings: New Looks from the Old South and Weddings by Tara Guerard; It was exciting to hear what she had to say and she filled us in on her favorite wedding ideas and gave us predictions of trends to come.
The Hermitage Hotel - bridal registration desk
General wedding ideas / answers to attendee questions.
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Traditional weddings are back! Modern weds are on the decline as couples return to the basics, focusing on important ingredients
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It's a party! You want your guest to really enjoy the event. Have flip flops (summer) or wraps (fall/winter) so your guests are comfortable.
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Rehearsal dinner should incorporate what the groom likes - sports, music, maybe at his favorite venue. It should also be very different (menu, vibe) than the wedding reception. If you are doing a seated dinner for wedding, try a buffet for rehearsal.
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Guest books rarely get looked through by couple. Try a signed picture, wishing well or something more creative.
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Most brides are sporting two wedding dresses - their wedding dress and something short for the reception.
She encouraged working with local vendors (we second that!) and thinking locally - for example, when thinking of your menu try to stick to locally product, and to be as environmentally sound as possible, create your menu with seasonal items. Which brings us to a topic I hold dear...
Food:
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Small is the new big. If serving hors d'ouevres, make sure they're actually small enough where just one bite is all your guests need to take. Mini ice cream sandwiches are also a neat addition.
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Provide bags for your guests to take wedding cake home (but of course, save some for yourself!)
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Minimize clutter and eyesores and instead of having ugly chaffing dishes with a buffet, have serving stations or work with your caterer and florist to make the food stations pretty.
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Food in martini glasses are out!
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Signature drinks are still very popular and make the reception more efficient by minimizing waiting lines at the bar.
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Consider station cocktail parties versus seated dinners.
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Try to minimize lines by having a huge bar with ample servers and bartenders. Tara suggested one bartender/server per 50 guests.
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Candy bars are still in, which we love:). For one event, she used rolling carts to travel to guests during reception.
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Some great finds based on Tara's wedding forecast - Clockwise: Ice-cream sandwiches from marthastewart.com, easy bite hors d'oeuvres from Chef's Market, candy buffet by Rhonda Patton Weddings, snazzy serving station by A Catered Affair
Tara chatting with moms. Photo source: NashvilleLifestyles.com
Color:
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"Blue is out" and lavender is still a hot color.
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Pinks and pale peaches making their way back into color schemes.
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In the fall, expect to see more jewel tones.
Do-it-Yourself:
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A huge proponent of DIY, Tara had fantastic ideas for favors. She suggested using etched glass as place cards which, at the end of the night, turn into unique favors for your guests! Don't have the budget to offer every guest an etched glass? Just do etched, monogrammed glasses for the bridal party.
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Monogramming is a lovely, traditional detail, and can be even more meaningful when you know an aunt or you have a grandmother who knows how to embroider. Have her monogram some linen napkins just for you and your groom. Or monogram the ribbon that's going around your bouquet for a sentimental touch.
Clockwise: Monogram hanging floral by Enchanted Florist, DIY getaway car decorations and etched glass place setting from MarthaStewart.com, DIY program by The Thirty Something Bride (thirtysomethingbride.com)
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For out-of-town guests, keep it simple and print the information booklet yourself. Provide a small container or mints or just a small bag of candy and include bottles of water with labels you made yourself vs over the top, out of town guest baskets. Spend the money elsewhere.
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Something creative and economical that I've seen brides do is recycling their ceremony flowers and incorporating them into reception decor but one thing I've never seen that Tara suggested was using pew markers, ribbons and all, to decorate the getaway car!
A point she reiterated was to think locally and to really work with your vendors especially your caterer and your florist - really involve them in your planning so everything goes together perfectly.
Speaking of vendors, we got to see several of Nashville's premiere companies present at the show too. Some of them made great use of their space. Wedding 101 (wedding101.net) turned their area in the hotel's lobby into a romantic seating area. It really welcomed you to their space.
Social Graces (socialgraces.com) used antique manequins and furniture to display their custom stationery.
We saw our favorite lighting company, Nashville Event Lighting and got to chat for a bit. Models glided around dressed in the prettiest gowns from the Cotton Mill while harpist Phyllis Taylor Starks filled the rooms with classic wedding music. Also there were Maples Wedding Cakes (maplesweddingcakes.com), Classic Party Rentals, the Governor’s Club (thegovernorsclub.com), King Jewelers (kings1912.com), OSHi Flowers (oshiflowers.com - fabulous florals), Feria Cinematic Imagery and American Laser Centers (www.americanlaser.com). We truly were in great company that day.
Tara will be speaking this May at The Wedding Experience, by StudioWed, which could be a great excuse for a weekend get-away!
Thank you to all the brides who came by to say hello, it was such a pleasure to meet you all! If you picked up a 2010 Bride sticker from us that day, don't forget to submit a picture of you with the sticker on your bumper! Remember: each picture of a bride and her sticker on her car means another $5 to our relief fund to help Haiti. You can find more details about that here.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events, DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Inspiration & Trends, Luxury Wed Finds0 comments »
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
A few weeks ago, Allison at b.Hughes Bridal sent over the Vera Wang Fall 2010 Look Book to us. When Ashley asked if I'd like to be the one to review it I could hardly contain my excitement. When I finally got it together, I managed a, "um, yes please." As I looked through each design my heart just ached with envy for all the lucky brides who will get to walk down the aisle in these creations. Vera Wang, once again, shows her flair for designs that are nothing less than stunning.
Exclusively at b. Hughes, Nashville brides will have easy access to some of the most elegant, beautiful gowns by Vera Wang. Her Fall 2010 collection will be available at b. Hughes very soon.
Let's start with my favorite. Meet Eliza:
I'm not usually a fan of full gowns but I can't help but gush when I see this one. I just love how delicate the bodice is with the lace! The pleats just seem to dance around the dress and the black grosgrain bow just completes the ensemble.
The look book describes this next gown as an "Ivory stretch mikado strapless mermaid gown with swirling flange skirt and black grosgrain bow at waist." (Style no. 122010) You might recognize this from when Khloe Kardashian wore it in her wedding!
The model wears a seed bead and crystal rose petal shrug, which comes separately. So romantic!
The sash is made of horse hair, with pleating that complements the organza and horse hair biased tiered gown. (Style no. 123610) This is a little more traditional looking for the classic bride.
b.Hughes will also carry all the belts, sashes and ribbons by Vera Wang.
Another strapless number that's just dreamy, almost as if she has a cloud on. "Tulle strapless ballgown with allover shirring, floating crystal petals, and horsehair bow at waist." (Style no. 123610)
The back is spectacular with the way the shirred tulle seems to cascade its way around and down the dress.
Lastly the piece de resistance. This one also has a name. Say hello to Esther, a gown with "Illusion sweetheart soft A-line gown with elbow length sleeve, layered floating chantilly lace appliqué with French tulle overlay and horse hair bow at waist."
It's so classic and angelic and edgy all at once. And if this looks familiar, it's because Ivanka Trump wore it when she got married last year.
Vera Wang's bridal gowns never cease to amaze me. It's enough to make a girl like me want to get married again! Well... almost enough!
(Big thanks to Allison of b.Hughes Bridal for sending us the pictures!)
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Posted by Tabitha |
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Friday, January 29, 2010
You know what they say: Save the best for last! Today’s bridal show recap is on the great bridal gowns we got to see. From designer gowns to custom dresses, the brides were dazzled by the beautiful dresses that were there.
Designs by Sara Marie
Bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses and even dresses for mom, Designs by Sara Marie makes picking a wedding dress so much easier for you if you just can’t find THE gown. She even makes accessories!
I love the way the train cascades from behind the dress as opposed to a giant skirt that gets bulky when bustled.
We also got to see other gowns courtesy of some local boutiques.
Some very classic gowns complete with modesty wraps from Bridal Warehouse (usabridal.com).
David’s Bridal (DavidsBridal.com), holding their own amongst the designer gowns and staying up-to-date with the embellished belts. Very pretty.
Each of the gowns from Glitz Bridal & Formal Salon (glitzbridal.com) have their own spectacular style - the ethereal, garden goddess dress to the far left, mermaid cut and red-carpet-ready in the middle, and simply gorgeous with off-shoulder straps and a full train.
Look at the pleats peeking out from under the middle dress - brilliant! Such exquisite gowns from The White Room (thewhiteroom.us).
The Premier Bride Bridal Show was wonderful, I hope all of you brides who attended took away lots from it for your big day and you’ve been inspired to tackle your planning head on with the poise and grace that befits an Ashley’s Bride Guide bride.
Special thanks to Kristyn Hogan lifestyle photography for capturing all of the wonderful images.
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Thursday, January 28, 2010
Bridal shows are a great way to get to know the best kept secrets in the wedding industry. Here are some of the booths we saw that we thought had unique concepts on typical decorating ideas.
Bella Aeris
Located in Green Hills in Nashville, Bella Aeris specializes in illuminated flowers.
This is such an unexpected and different way of using lighting and florals for wedding decor. I picture these as part of a centerpiece, or to light up a gift or seating card table. Bella Aeris is run by the nicest couple, Ann and Mark. Check out their website at bellaaeris.com for a bigger gallery of their work.
Designs in Paper
This is a lovely local, custom stationery company. I liked their display where the invitations almost floated in view and weren’t impeded by booth walls or laying flat on tables. Look at the menagerie on this one! Perfect for shower invitations or a themed wedding, maybe at the zoo!
Visit them online at www.designsinpaper.com
Branching Out
This booth quickly caught our attention. Look at the feathers! It’s an outrageously glamorous touch to a centerpiece. I especially like their use of yellow, black and white.
The spider mums really soften the tablecloth - slightly whimsical, really cool and modern.
Creations by Debbie
Weddings by Debbie is a wedding decor company and they work with brides to conceptualize the style and decor of the wedding, working on every detail right down to the napkins. You can see more of their services at creationsbydebbie.net
Accent TN
Accent TN does a wonderful job with table settings and scapes. Instead of a boring votive, the sunflowers inside the hurricane make an understated, fun centerpiece.
A gorgeous blue and green silk napkin is a complemented perfectly by a peacock feather. See galleries of their work at accenttn.com
Our Song Forever
I’m sure lots of couples have trouble finding THE song for their first dance. To really make something yours, how about a song written just for the two of you? Our Song Forever is run by four songwriters who can compose something for your big day that no one else will have. For more details visit them at oursongforever.com.
There were so many other familiar vendors we love that we must acknowledge. Two of the photographers’ whose work we admire Jonathon Campbell pictured with his lovely wife Sharon and Shanna Mahoney Photography were there with their booths decked out almost like a real studio. Great job guys!
Over the bustle of the crowd you could hear music provided by Blue Tone Music (bluetonemusicusa.com), Spangler Wedding DJ Service (spanglerentertainment.com pictured), and DJ Dan & Co. (djdanco.com) We were whisked away to luxurious honeymoon locales by travel companies, visited awesome local venues like the Nashville Zoo (NashvilleZoo.com pictured), Ambrose House and several new farm/outdoor venues around town. Oh! I can’t forget to mention Buca di Beppo (bucadebeppo.com) and commend them on their delicious tiramisu samples. They had really cool reps out at the show, and I recommend you look into having your rehearsal dinner or just a good ol’ party there!
When you’ve had enough decadent food at Buca di Beppo, check out Wedding Shaper (weddingshaperonline.com) - they guarantee you can lose 2 clothes sizes in just 10 minutes! Sounds promising!
Special thanks to Kristyn Hogan lifestyle photography for capturing all of the wonderful images.
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Posted by Tabitha |
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
We have even more great events for you to attend as you embark on your journey as a newly engaged bride or couple! Ashley’s Bride Guide is a proud sponsor of all of these events and we hope you’ll be able to make it to the ones of most interest to you. They promise to be really fun and the workshops will be especially educational.
The Wedding Experience
This luxury event will feature StudioWed vendors from across the South. Engaged couples will be inspired to create their ideal wedding day, while learning from an impressive list of vendors. Visit www.studiowedexperience.com for more details and register here.
The Diamond Date
This event will be a great time for you newly engaged couples! Get the red carpet treatment at Elegant Diamonds in Mt. Juliet, TN. Anytime between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. that day, park your car at the Regal Cinema and hop on a shuttle that will take you to and from Elegant Diamonds where you get to try on exquisite jewelry and have your picture professionally taken. For more details and to register, visit www.thediamonddate.net
Bridal Bliss
Get the professional perspective and start planning your big day at the Bridal Bliss event at You’re Invited in Nashville. Registration is free. For more details and to reserve your place visit http://yievents.blogspot.com
Romantic Dinner for Two at The Haven
For just $50 per couple you can celebrate Valentine’s Day over an intimate, three-course set menu dinner at The Haven. They are taking reservations now for either 5:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. that evening, with space limited to just 20 couples per session. Definitely make your reservation now at www.TheHavenValentine.eventbrite.com.
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