Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Weddings don't just happen, they take careful planning (as you're currently learning) and the orchestration of all your vendors, your family, your wedding party, and you and your fiance/fiancee. And when it comes to your photography, you want to ensure that you and your photographer are on the same page and that your details and the bigger moments of your day are captured.
We asked Don of Donald Yeager Photography, a Nashville wedding photographer, how a couple can best work with their wedding photographer to maximize their time and ensure they accurately tell your wedding story via photos. Here are tips for getting the best photos of your Nashville wedding...
When do you like to start the photography part of a wedding day?
I prefer to tell a wedding story through my images. Meaning there needs to be a beginning and an ending. The beginning starts with the bride getting ready, with shots of the dress, shoes, and the rest of her accouterments. Then, there is the emotional moment where she slides into her dress. The day progresses on from those starting moments that heighten the emotional value of the narrative of the day. It’s not so much of when the photography part of the wedding day begins as much as when the wedding day is beginning.
What's the best way for couples to utilize the time they have with you?
Planning and communication: both are paramount to maximizing time for images! Although some people may think that photography just happens, a lot of planning takes place on the part of wedding planner, couple, and photographer. First the wedding planner and/or photographer communicate with the couple to determine which images are the most important to them, or if they have any special requests for their pictures. Then, the wedding planner and photographer coordinate to make sure as much time as possible is allocated before the ceremony to ensure that the images that are important to the couple are captured.
How do you have your clients prepare for wedding day photography?
I don’t really. My objective is to capture the atmosphere and emotion on the day of the wedding and I am afraid that if provide too much direction, I might ruin that.
What information do you request from them to help make things more efficient?
One thing that has helped a lot is for the couple to make a list of the formal pictures setups with the family members’ names. This is useful, for I don’t know who mom, dad, or grandma and grandpa are. The list prior to the wedding allows me to organize the setups so there isn’t one person coming up for a shot, then sitting down, then coming up. It speeds up the process, which allows the couple to have some time after formals to take some images after just being married!
Ashley adds - At The Smart Bride workshop, Don also recommended that the couple designate a family member to help gather those for the family picture. We often forget that the photographer doesn't know your family; you will be in the photos or busy so when it comes to the formal photos, you need an assigned family member who is fairly familiar with the names on your family picture list. Maybe have one person designated from bride's side and one from groom's side
What would help you (and your wedding photography colleagues) the most when it comes to the wedding day?
Communication. I can’t stress the value of communication enough. We (photographers) love our jobs and know how important our images are to our clients. It's one, if not the most, important days of your life and the images are irreplaceable! If you have any requests, please tell your photographer. Did you put your grandmother’s charm on your bouquet? Tell me! Did you make all the pinwheels lining the aisle? Tell me! Are your groom doing a coordinated dance to surprise everyone? Tell me! Just in letting me know will help capture these details of your wedding that I otherwise wouldn’t have known about. My end goal is for my couples to be able to look back at their wedding pictures in 20 years and bring back all the laughter, tears, smiles, and emotion on the day that they were married.
So while you're trying to picture how your day's going to go, think about Don's words of wisdom and that should help you put your timeline together with a little more ease. Check out some more of Donald Yeager Photography's work on his site at DonaldYeager.com.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Photography0 comments »
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
We have shared various reasons why Street Tuxedo is the best choice for your tuxedo rental needs, and we've shared lots of weddings in which the grooms and groomsmen looked dapper in the tuxedos they rented from Street. It's easy for us to go on and on about why we feel they're great and that you should work with them. But, instead of us trying to convince you even further, we are going to look to your peers to tell us why they love Street Tuxedo. These are all from reviews from real brides and grooms who recommend Street Tuxedo and why they loved working with them for their wedding!
Photos by Mary Rosenbaum
1) Huge Selection of Quality Tuxedos
Street Tuxedo personally picks out the styles of tuxedo they carry and stay up-to-date on the latest trends for weddings so grooms always look good. "They have an incredible selection of top quality tuxedos, this is the boutique of tuxedos, not the Walmart of tuxedos you'd find in the mall," said one groom. Another satisfied groom commented, "They had our tuxes in in time, had way classier looking tuxes then the generic chains, and were extremely personable."
Street Tuxedo's warehouse is here in Nashville and they have a huge inventory of tuxedos, suits, shirts, and the accessories that accompany a tuxedo (vests, ties, cummerbunds, etc.) so if you need something to match what the bridesmaids are wearing, odds are very good they can match it. This is a huge source of relief for couples who have specific color schemes. "We had trouble deciding on the exact shades that would best compliment the bridesmaids dresses and the Street Tuxedo team were extremely helpful in making these decisions." Other grooms praised their variety and ability to match colors and said, "They have lots of options and we were really happy with the tuxes we got."
Photo by Jonathon Campbell
2) Experience and knowledge
Unlike most tuxedo rental stores, Street Tuxedo is not a chain and isn't a typical retail shop where there is constant turnaround with their sales people. With years of experience and staff comprised mostly of the Street family, the person you're working with most likely has the surname Street and is dedicated to making sure you have the best experience possible. One groom took notice and said, "No high school kids working here, like other stores in the mall! You feel confident that you're getting great service, a good product, and someone who knows what they're doing!" No one is selling you on a tux just for the sake of making a sale - Street Tuxedo wants you to look good on your wedding day and they work hard to make sure that happens!
Which brings us to the next reason brides and grooms enjoy working with Street Tuxedo...
3) Great customer service
Whether your guys live in Nashville or in another state, Street Tuxedo will make sure everyone gets the right outfit that you specified in the right sizes. Newlyweds Angel and Peter experienced this good service first hand: "We had trouble deciding on the exact shades that would best complement the bridesmaids dresses and the Street Tuxedo team were extremely helpful in making these decisions. They were EXCELLENT in working with all of our out of town men in the bridal party."
In the case of this next groom, they had a unique situation that Rachael Street of Street Tuxedo rolled with and made everything work: "One of our ring bearers is from Wales and his mother had sent me the measurements in European sizes. I forwarded them to Rachael to see what she thought. She worked with what I gave her and helped us figure out the right size for the little boy."
Now THAT is good service.
ABG Notes: They even have tuxedos for boys and ring bearers. How cute! (Photo by Amanda Evans)
Photo by Becca Yager Photography
4) Local
Why should brides be the only ones to have a shopping experience? Street Tuxedo has three locations in middle Tennessee with a large selection of samples grooms and groomsmen can try on. There's no guess work involved when ordering your tuxedo. Simply call Street Tuxedo to schedule an appointment during which your groom can find a style of tuxedo in which he is comfortable and, more importantly, looks really good!
We hope this helps you make your decision and gives you a better idea of what's in store for you. Tuxedo shopping should be an enjoyable part of weddings and when in doubt, rest assured Street Tuxedo will be on hand to help you out.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories0 comments »
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Nashville catering company, Chef's Market, invited engaged couples to their open house and tasting event to give brides an opportunity to chat with them in a more intimate, conversation-conducive setting than a bridal show. It was a great event that allowed couples to see Chef's Market's creativity, when it comes to food presentation and displays, and to taste just how delicious their food can be.
If you're not hungry now, you probably will be by the end of today's feature!
Chef's Market doesn't have a set style of cuisine and offers customizable menus to suit your event's style and vision. "We listen to the bride and groom and give them what they want for their wedding," explained Genna Dufault, Chef's Market's marketing assistant, "We're not boxed into any specific category."
Instead, Chef's Market showcased a variety of food options, designed to keep your guest entertained, fed and wowed, from popular to really unique options. There were smaller appetizers, short plates, and a dessert section.
Menu
Chips & Queso
Fruit & Cheese Platter with Gourmet Crackers & Sweet Fruit Dip
Corn & Avocado Salad on an Edible Spoon
Lobster & Tarragon Salad on an Endive
Tuna & Mango Tartar in an Edible Green Tea Cone
BLT Bites with Tomato Caviar
Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls with Southern Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce
Mini Sweet Potato Biscuits with Citrus BBQ Duck & Blackberry Ketchup
Short Plate Station
Absolut Citron Dill Gravlax with Lebanese Tabouli, Pumpernickel Toast Points & Roasted Garlic Aioli
Espresso Herb Seared Beef Tenderloin Medallions On a Rosemary Parmesan Crouton with Wild Mushroom Ragu & Red Onion Marmalade
ABG Notes: Edible spoons are fun and easy to handle. Your guests then won't have to worry about disposal or having to hold on to something.
ABG Notes: Another convenient appetizer or hors d'oeuvre option.
For dessert and treats, there was a 3-flavor, popcorn bar. Guests looking for slightly more decadent sweets could choose from banana pudding, chocolate mousse dessert shots, and mini cupcakes with flavors like hummingbird, strawberries and cream, and chocolate Elvis. At the end of the night, couples left with gift bags that included more yummy dessert.
If you're trying to find a caterer who will be able to meet your tastes and needs, do give Chef's Market a call to find out more of what they offer. Visit their website for examples of menus and their blog for catering tips and ideas.
Rentals - Liberty Party Rental; Specialty Lighting - Nashville Event Lighting
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Cakes & Food, Inspiration & Trends0 comments »
Monday, April 30, 2012
At our recent Smart Bride Bootcamp session, Vicki Nelson (owner and cake designer of Signature Cakes By Vicki) gave our attendees a thorough run-down of what ordering custom wedding cakes entails. Brides commented that it was really informative so we thought we'd share it with you.
Photo by Meishach Moore Photographers
Factors Involved In Custom Wedding Cakes by Vicki Nelson, Signature Cakes by Vicki
There are many factors concerning and affecting the price of a wedding cake. Below are the things that affect price:
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Number of servings is the base for any cake price: The number of tiers doesn’t tell the baker how many people you want to serve.
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The type of covering: buttercream, fondant, ganache, cream cheese icing, etc.
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Type of designs on the cake: piping, moldings, cutwork, damask, quilting, embossing, etc.
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Sugarpaste or gumpaste embellishments: handmade flowers, ribbons, sashes, bows, draping pearls, shoes, butterflies, dragonflies, custom panel work, etc.
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Color and finish: colored fondant, colored gumpaste, paint work on the cake or embellishments, metallics, edible glitter, etc.
Many brides come to me and say, “I want a simple and elegant cake.” Simple and elegant means different things to different people. It does not mean “plain and cheap.” Now, if it means sophisticated and minimal or modern and simple lines, then simple and elegant is exactly what they want. However if they are really trying to say that their budget requires the cheapest price that they can get, then they probably need to go to a grocery store.
ABG Notes: Simple, elegant but not boring. Definitely not a grocery-store cake!
Sometimes a bakery will have a really low “base price” but if you add any custom art at all, the price goes up significantly. For example: on “Black Friday” many retail stores sell products at a drastically reduced price to get the customer in the store, hoping that they can upsell them to a more expensive product. It’s called a LOSS LEADER. Ask the baker what their PRICE RANGE is. You may find that a baker with a higher base price, may have much more value for a custom cake. What a bride should really want is the most value for her budget. If you buy the cheapest cake available and it doesn’t taste good and no one eats its, it wasn’t a very good value. Here are some examples of different types of cakes and different ways they may be priced.
Cake Example 1 is a plain cake, Cake Example 2 is a “simple and elegant cake,” and Cake 3 is a very detailed, custom designed cake. All three cakes serve the same amount of people.
Plain cake
Example 1: Plain Cake (above)
Serves 150 people
3 or 4 tier round, square or hexagon (all one shape)
Buttercream icing
Buttercream dots or scrolls
Buttercream boarder around tiers
Fresh flowers by your florist
1 flavor of cake
Simple and elegant
Example 2: Simple and Elegant
Serves 150 people
4 tier round, square or hexagon
Ivory or white fondant
Royal icing piping
Gumpaste ribbon at base of tiers
Impression or cutwork on 2 tiers
Monogram
3 flavors of cake
Topper or fresh flowers by florist
Custom designed, detailed cakes
Example 3: Detailed, Custom Designed
Serves 150 people
4 or 5 tier choice of shapes (can be mixed)
Ivory or white fondant
Royal icing piped/molded
Lace like brides dress on tiers
Gumpaste ribbon around the
Base of each tier any color
Embossed, impression, or quilted
Colored details of choice
Sugar roses, orchids, and calla lilies on top of the cake
Swagging or ribbons
Monogram
3 to 4 flavors of cake
Do your research to find out what is realistic. TV show wedding cakes and groom’s cakes are elaborate and costly. So if you want an over the top, detailed cake with sugar flowers and lots of embellishments, or a sculpted one of a kind groom’s cake, find out what cake artists in the area are capable of making that type of cake. Check independent reviews and pictures to be sure that the cake designer is up to the task.
Vicki Notes: Groom's cakes start as little as $100 for a very basic butter cream cake and go up from there. Elaborate, sculpted, 3D cakes can cost over a thousand dollars and up. Don't forget, TV is magic! Reality is not.
Just because someone’s starting range is inexpensive doesn’t mean that they will be consistently the best price. Don’t compare a Kroger wedding cake that is a plain white cake with “buttercream” icing, little dots, and silk flowers on it with a wedding cake that is custom designed with fondant lace, ribbons, and sugar flowers on it. Compare apples to apples. Look for VALUE for your investment!,
After you have done your research, below are questions you might ask a cake designer in approaching how to spend your cake budget:
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My budget for my wedding cake is $(insert your price) for a 125 person cake. Can you work with my budget? What type of cake can I expect to be able to afford?
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I have $(insert your price) for a cake for 125. I really want a fondant cake with sugar roses and calla lilies. Can you work with my budget?
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What is your price range for sculpted groom’s cakes?
Thank you so much for sharing this information with us Vicki. For more great cakes from Vicki be sure to check out Signature Cakes By Vicki's website. Contact Vicki for your custom wedding cake design and be sure to tell her you found her on Ashley's Bride Guide!
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Cakes & Food0 comments »
Monday, April 23, 2012
When it comes to Cedarwood weddings, the one thing you'll notice with each is an incredible theme, perfectly executed, from "Burlap and Bling," "French Classic," "Literary Love," and so on. It may look like a lot of work with all the props, flowers, stationery, and whatever else falls under the "rental" category, but it's not a lot of work for the bride and groom. Particularly when you have your wedding at Cedarwood, the rentals are included or if they do not have what you love, they work with you to find it.
Recently, Cedarwood had a Style Show where attendees were able to see, up close, just how awesome the Cedarwood design team can be when it comes to wedding decor.
Photo by Dove Wedding Photography
Because Cedarwood's design team are so comfortable and familiar with the venue, once you give them your ideas they know exactly where things can be placed to achieve your vision. As Linda Wright, owner of Cedarwood, explained, "Cedarwood owners come from an extensive wedding design background and they pour their passion for styling into creating the most magical events imaginable. The consistency in quality of Cedarwood weddings is apparent by looking through features on Cedarwood weddings. Everything is handled by the Cedarwood team, who are hands on throughout the entire process. They will take a bride’s ideas and turn them into a cohesive designer look for the wedding."
Photos by (left) Krista Lee Photography and (right) Dove Wedding Photography
Photos by Krista Lee Photography
Photos by Ace Photography
Cedarwood's designers have a pulse on what brides are seeking, which allows them to keep just the right inventory of enviable decorative props from milk glass to old jars in various colors to tin cans and china for you to use to your heart's content. This saves you the extra effort of searching for vintage objects if that's the look you're going for, and saves you some rental costs as well.
Linda: "Vintage rental companies are popping up to provide access to antique and vintage furniture and accessories so brides don’t have to invest for one time use. A great idea, but rentals still add cost to the overall budget. Cedarwood has a large inventory of décor that is available to our brides at no extra cost! Just ask for a tour of the Cedarwood props barn and let your imagination loose!"
Photo by Dove Wedding Photography
Cedarwood uses the term "up-cycling" where found, old objects are used to decorate for an authentically vintage look and feel. One man's trash is your beautiful wedding decor!
Photos by Krista Lee Photography
Cedarwood does a wonderful job caring for and tending to the grounds at the venue; the team knows the value of nature and the huge part it plays in what they do so it's only natural (pun not intended) that they are also eco-conscious with their design practices.
Linda: "Cedarwood offers several eco-friendly wedding options, including farm fresh flower bouquets, picked from the estate gardens or neighboring farms. To leave something green behind, a "Love Grows" flower or tree unity ceremony is a popular option. Cedarwood's naturally organic setting for both the ceremony and reception eliminates guest travel. Our limited plastics policy and recycling are inherent in all wedding celebrations. Locally-grown whole food reception options using organic produce, community supported agriculture are options at Cedarwood."
ABG Notes: Herbs are a great alternative to flowers that may have to be shipped.
Photos by (left) Krista Lee Photography and (right) Kristyn Hogan.
Click here to see more details and concepts from the Style Show and be prepared to be amazed. For more information on Cedarwood visit their website at CedarwoodWeddings.com.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events, Wedding Venues and Locations2 comments »
