Monday, November 9, 2015
Sambuca is always a wonderful option for dinner, drinks and a night out on the town – but it is becoming one of Nashville’s hottest venue options for wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners of all shapes and sizes.
When planning an event, flexibility is key. From the amount of space needed, to different menu and entertainment options. Do you envision a chic and modern hors d’oeuvre reception with a view of the city lights in a beautiful glass-enclosed space? Or maybe a more traditional affair with warm, romantic elements such as velvet curtains and wrought-iron candlesticks complete with a multi-course sit-down dinner?
Sky Loft:
Great view of downtown Nashville; Perfect for wedding reception, lounge or small ceremony.
At Sambuca, both are possible under one roof in their unique, versatile space. There are actually more than half-a-dozen ways you can utilize this hip restaurant to make your wedding dreams a reality.
Take the top-floor for instance. You can reserve the entire space, including the exclusive upstairs bar that has a stunning balcony overlooking the restaurant PLUS the jaw-dropping Sky Loft, or you can split the two up and rent the Sky Loft and the bar separately.
Main Area:
Can be used for ceremony or reception with live music.
Or for an even bigger guest count (up to 500!), you can reserve the entire restaurant and treat your guests to passed cocktails with a view of the city upstairs and dinner and dancing in the Balinese Dining Room on the main floor, complete with live-music and a second bar. Oh, and did we mention that a live band is included for any couple that rents the entire restaurant? Yes, it is!
Cozy Spaces:
Can be used for greeting guests or for guest lounging.
Open to hosting a day-time celebration? Well, Sambuca offers an all-inclusive package for events that conclude before 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. This package includes room rental, DJ, passed appetizers, a delicious buffet and a photo booth all for $50 per person!
Exquisite Food:
All inclusive or a la carte menus make wedding planning easy!
At Sambuca, the options are truly endless. Give their event manager, Tiffanie, a call today at (615) 577-2173 to start planning your bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner, wedding reception or after-party.
Editor's note: This feature originally appeared in March 2014. The contact details have been updated in this version.
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Posted by Newlywed Heather |
Filed under: Destination Nashville Weddings!, Wedding Venues and Locations, Wedding Style - Modern
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Thursday, September 25, 2014
Every bride wants to have a memorable exit to mark the end of her wedding day and the beginning of her life with her groom. And while unique exits can make wonderful memories and photos, they can also wreak havoc on your bridal gown.
Rhonda, a true bridal gown-cleaning expert with Oakwood Cleaners, discusses the type of receptions and exits that can damage your gown and what can be done to reverse this damage. Of course we want you to enjoy your wedding day. Just keep these things in mind as you plan your exit.
Photo: Shannon Fulton Photography
What are some reception exits that can stain/ruin your wedding dress?
1) Rain: You decide to keep your dress on as you leave the reception while it’s raining. Mud or even oils from cars that spread can gather at the bottom of your dress and can cause permanent damage.
2) Pool: Many venues now have pools that guests and even brides and grooms jump in to celebrate at the end of the night. The water mixed with chlorine can cause silk to shrink and discolor. This goes for lake and ocean water as well.
3) Beach: Sand is quite abrasive and can cause delicate fabrics to snag and can even cause holes in your gown.
4) Candy: Let’s say instead of rice, you decide that you’d rather have your guests throw candy. Whether it is colored or not, sugar can cause stains on your dress especially if you have perspired or if it is raining outside. Also, if sugar is not removed from the dress brown spots can occur in coming years.
5) Silly string - Silly string could stick and stain your gown.
6) Bubbles - If you opt for bubbles, be sure to tell your dry cleaner as they do contain soap and might react with the cleaning agent, mostly if it is a silk dress and has to be dry cleaned.
Photo: Matt Andrews Photography
Photo: Bledsoe Photography
Already married? Here's what you can do to fix/reverse damage to your wedding dress.
First of all, do not do anything to try to remedy any stains yourself. If your dress is wet, leave it to hang dry – do NOT put it in a plastic bag wet! Soaking the gown, using a “Tide Stick” or trying any home remedies found online could set the spots permanently.
As soon as you can, bring your gown to a dry cleaner that is certified to spot clean and preserve your wedding dress – this is truly the only way to remove damage. But do keep in mind, some damage unfortunately cannot be reversed, but a trained professional should be the only one to try!
If you’re concerned about any damage that your dress may have or if you would like to have your dress preserved by experts (we can’t recommend this enough!) be sure to visit Oakwood Cleaners at one of their three convenient Nashville locations!
Rhonda says, "if you are keeping your gown, then you are keeping your memories. And, if there are stains or holes, those are memories from the most important day of their life!"
We couldnt agree more!
Photo: Shuffield Photography
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Posted by Newlywed Heather |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories
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Friday, September 12, 2014
For Jennifer & Trey, their wedding at Noah Liff Opera Center was not just about coming together as a couple, but coming together as a new family of three. Not only did they include their son in their vow ceremony but they also wanted him to be involved in the reception as well, in a very sentimental and memorable way. Instead of a traditional groom’s cake, they asked him to choose a special cake design that was uniquely his – a bright blue warthog! Definitely a special, unforgettable touch!
The couple also chose lush, deep blue velvet linens to adorn the tables throughout the reception space, gorgeous flower-filled candelabra centerpieces, and unique wall-projected lighting elements that complemented their eclectic, yet classy style.
Be sure to read on for details from Jennifer about this beautiful and sentimental celebration.
Jennifer & Trey
Wedding Date: May 24, 2013
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Noah Liff
Guests (#): 125
Budget: $10,000 - $20,000
Wedding Team
Venue | Noah Liff Opera Center
Photographer | Matt Andrews Photography
Gown | The Bride Room, Monique Lhuillier
Bride’s Accessories| Veil from etsy.com
Men’s Attire | Nordstrom’s, Hugo Boss
Hair | Abby Tedder, Kiva
Makeup | Amy Lynn Larwig
Stationery | Etsy.com
Caterer | Chef Penelope's Catering
Cake Artist | The Sweetest Day
Floral Designer | English Garden
Ceremony Musicians | Shane Baker (family friend)
Reception Musicians | Nashville Party Patrol
Rentals | Music City Tents & Events
Lighting | Nashville Audio Visual
Transportation | Grand Avenue
Guest Accommodations | Loews Vanderbilt
Bartenders | Hamilton Bartending
My Wedding Details
How would you describe your style as a couple?
Classy with an eclectic edge. We don’t always follow the “norm”, but we appreciate and honor traditions that have meaning to us.
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
We broke tradition in a couple areas, like by not having a bridal party or having my dad walk me down the aisle. However, we did include our families and friends in other ways like asking them to make the toasts and father/daughter and mother/son dances.
We also took a lot of time to think through the actual ceremony and the words and music chosen. We wrote our own vows, which provided an opportunity to really speak to each other during the ceremony.
We really wanted to incorporate our six-year old son, Miles, in a meaningful way. He was called up as part of the ceremony and Trey said “vows” to him as a new parent. Also, instead of a groom’s cake, we had a “Miles cake” and we gave him the freedom to pick out whatever he liked. He definitely took that liberty and selected a bright blue warthog. He ate the entire head by himself.
Noah Liff Opera Center offered us a venue “outside the norm” that was perfect as-is, but allowed us a canvas we could customize. We used a lot of lighting – some natural plus some up lighting and decorative GOBOs, which gave the space an intimate feel.
What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?
Our wedding was like a family reunion for a lot of our guests. I think everyone really enjoyed being together to celebrate our marriage. We also got a lot of compliments on the food and Miles’ cake.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
We splurged on photography and our honeymoon to Costa Rica. We saved money in other areas by researching like crazy for the best deals while maintaining quality. We also included family and friends where possible, like our ceremony music, but we didn’t have a bridal party. Also, I purchased my dress off the rack, which saved about 50%.
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
I wish we had hired a videographer. At the time, it seemed like a splurge but I’m sad we don’t have a video to commemorate our day. There were so many special moments I wish we could relive outside of them just being in our memories.
In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Remember the meaning of the day. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the details and planning, but take a breath and don’t forget to enjoy each other along the way. Also, spend the money to get an amazing photographer. You won’t regret it.
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Posted by Newlywed Heather |
Filed under: Real Nashville Weddings
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Wednesday, September 3, 2014
There are only a few things that you actually get to walk away with after your wedding day: memories, pictures, gifts and most importantly, your gown. Believe me, I know trusting one of your most treasured and expensive possessions with a stranger is something that can keep you up at night. Thankfully, Oakwood Cleaners is here to calm your fears and make sure your wedding dress is not only spotless after your big day, but will also stand the test of time. Who knows, your daughter may actually want to wear your beloved gown one day!
To give us some insight on this process, we spoke with Rhonda Wernick, who is not only the owner of Oakwood Cleaners but is also a board member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists! She helped us to understand some common fears that brides have during this process and also why it really is imperative to clean and preserve your gown.
Photo: Oakwood Cleaners
Why should brides get their gown professionally cleaned after their wedding?
Your gown means the world to you and you will never forget how you felt in it, and how it still makes you feel to this day. You danced, laughed, cried, drank, ate, hugged, all on the biggest day of your life. No matter how careful you are, your gown is a magnet for food particles, drinks and perspiration; there is ground-in dirt from hours of sweeping the floor. Even hugs from family and friends can transfer oil and dirt that can ruin your gown. If you want to keep it for the next generation then cleaning and/or preservation is a must.
What are some typical concerns that you hear from brides who are unsure about this process?
Some concerns that we commonly hear are: Who is cleaning the gown? Will it be sent away away? What kind of cleaning agent is being used? Will my gown be cleaned with other clothing or another gown? The gown is delicate or a family heirloom, what if something happens?
How do you calm those fears?
We begin the process by talking with each bride about any specific concerns that she may have (stains, damage, loose embellishments, etc.). Each gown is treated individually on a case-by-case basis, as if it were our very own. We will have the gown for two to four months and you can rest assured knowing that your gown will not be sent to a mass-production cleaning plant, we do all of our own cleaning and preservation in house. Finally, we have a pressing specialist on site who will carefully inspect the gown and make sure it is returned just as beautiful as the day you wore it.
Photo: Association of Wedding Gown Specialists
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This certainly helps to ease my mind and I hope it does yours too! Oakwood Cleaners is a family owned business that has been in Nashville for over 15 years. They are Nashville’s only members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists and are also certified couture cleaners, so you can have confidence in the fact that no matter what the fabric or difficulty level of the wedding gown, Oakwood will handle it with expert care.
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Posted by Newlywed Heather |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories
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Friday, August 29, 2014
Emma and Mark are a laid back couple who describe their perfect evening as a night lounging on a patio listening to live music and enjoying craft brews. This “perfect evening” translated into the inspiration for their big day and Music City Events was on hand to make that vision a reality.
Emma knew that she had to find the perfect location for this unique look to be achieved. From the very moment she laid eyes on Houston Station, she knew she had found “the one…” venue, that is! Exposed brick, rustic beams that cascade overhead, and beautifully aged wooden floors complemented the bride’s vision of an upscale southern porch party.
Also helping with that vision? The food and drinks that they served guests, complete with a low country inspired menu (pass the shrimp and grits!) and locally brewed southern beers. In fact, they love craft beers so much that not only did they create personalized pint glasses for favors but they also brewed their very own beer for their guests to enjoy. Talk about personalization!
There are SO many fun and creative aspects of this wedding that we know you are going to love. Read on for more!
Emma & Mark
Wedding Date: 11.10.13
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Houston Station
Budget: $20,000 – 30,000
Guests (#): 115
Wedding Team
Venue | Houston Station
Planner | Deb Hagerty with Music City Events
Photographer | Matt Andrews
Gown | The Bride Room, Augusta Jones gown
Bride’s Accessories | Kate Spade shoes, Jackie Kennedy Onassis replica earrings and necklace, and a gold bracelet and necklace that my mother and great-grandmother wore in their weddings.
Men’s Attire | Ralph Lauren Tuxedo from Men’s Wearhouse
Bridesmaids’ Attire | CamilynBeth Ampi Dress
Hair | Ciji Crawford
Makeup | Sonja Sevin
Stationery | Relish
Caterer | Flavor Catering (Jason Crockarell)
Cake Artist | Dulce Desserts (cupcakes)
Floral Designer | Phillipe Chadwick
Ceremony Musicians | Edsel West
Rentals | Music City Tents and Events
Lighting | Bright Event Productions
Transportation | Matchless Transportation
Wedding Details
How would you describe your style as a couple?
Mark and I are both very laid back. Our idea of a perfect evening includes a big patio, craft beer and live music. We wanted to capture that same feel for our wedding.
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
Mark and I worked very hard to incorporate our style into every aspect of our wedding.
Venue: Mark and I wanted a venue that would allow us to have a laid back wedding in an open, inclusive space. Once I saw Houston Station, I was hooked. The exposed brick, weathered wood, coffee shop, and nearby train tracks were elegant, yet casual.
Drinks: Mark loves craft beer. For beers, Mark and I brewed a double IPA with the help of his brother, which we named Long Neck Ale. We also got a variety of craft beers from Nashville breweries (Yazoo, Jackalope, Cool Springs Brewery, and Fat Bottom). We had two signature drinks—the Markarita and the Ginger Veil. We named our tables after breweries around the country! And finally, our favors were pint glasses with the logo a friend of mine designed for our beer!
Music: Mark and I love music, so music was very important to our “style.” First, Mark and I made our own playlists for our cocktail hour and a BBQ the day before. We picked southern bands, many that we’d seen in concert. Second, we wanted music during our ceremony to have a history. I walked down the aisle to “Ma Belle Danceur (Emma Rain)” by Dax Johnson, a song Mark sent me early in our relationship! Our recessional, “Your Baby Ain’t Sweet Like Mine” by The Carolina Chocolate Drops set the stage for our reception. During our ceremony, Mark’s brother performed a beautiful acoustic version of the song, “I Like to Be With Me When I’m With You” by Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors. We had an AMAZING live band, Edsel West, who made our reception a great party (just ask Mark’s 90-year-old grandmother!). They played a lot of great 80s rock—another thing Mark loves.
Food: We loved our food. My biggest regret from the wedding is that I didn’t get to eat more of it! Mark and I wanted to incorporate the things we love into our food as well. Mark lived in low country South Carolina and I (Emma) went to school in New Orleans so we decided to have Shrimp and Grits. Jason, from Flavor Catering, had options for New Orleans’ style and low country South Carolina style shrimp and grits. We had other upscale southern food as a nod to our southern roots.
Pre-wedding events: Mark and I wanted to make the whole weekend special to thank our family and friends that travelled in to spend the weekend with us. On Friday night, we experienced the Nashville Pedal Tavern with our wedding party. On Saturday, rather than having a formal rehearsal dinner, we decided to have a BBQ and invite all of our wedding guests. Our guests loved it too because they got to know one another.
What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?
We got compliments from our guests about the incredible food (vanilla infused sweet potatoes), the delicious drinks, and the band! Also, our photographs are spectacular, and we have received many compliments about what a great job Matt Andrews did on the photography! As the bride, my favorite aspect was getting to be in the moment and see what all the planning looked like! Mark loved the band, the beer and the photo booth.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
We splurged on the photographer, food, and band. I wanted great memories, delicious food, and a great party! We saved on the decorations by collecting a beautiful assortment of green glass vases and brass candlesticks. We made our own table numbers.
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
Honestly, no. I started working with Deb from Music City Events very early in my planning process and that made the whole planning process much easier! The most important things to book first are the vendors that can only book one wedding—photographer, venue, band!
In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
If you choose “Sweet Child O’ Mine” for the Mother-Son dance, use the Sheryl Crow version, not the Guns N’ Roses version!
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Posted by Newlywed Heather |
Filed under: Real Nashville Weddings, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Style - Rustic, Farm
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