Friday, April 8, 2011
If you're a bride considering a wedding in a ballroom but are hesitant, today's wedding might convince you otherwise. Caprice of The Enchanted Florist told us that Mercedes (bride) wanted a "lush and romantic" wedding. "Mercedes had seen us at a bridal show and had received flowers from us many times (when we were a full service florist) so she was really excited to find out we did weddings and events. She brought in an inspiration picture and we took it from there."
From the looks of things, it looks like Caprice and her team delivered and the bride and groom had a fabulous time.
Bride ~ Mercedes Soria
Groom ~ William Santana Li
Married November 6, 2010
Ceremony ~ The Cathedral of the Incarnation
Reception ~ Loews Hotel
Planner ~ Lavana of Weddings And Event Details
Floral Design ~ The Enchanted Florist
Photographer ~ Divine Images
The bouquet is stunning, cascading all the way down, VERY romantic.
Even before the guests arrive, the room looks completely transformed from blah ballroom to romantic wedding!
Sugar flowers by Signature Cakes by Vicki look almost real.
For more about Enchanted Florist and to have them design the florals for your wedding, visit their website at EnchantedFloristTN.com and let them know that you saw their work on Ashley's Bride Guide!
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Real Nashville Weddings
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Wednesday, April 6, 2011
If the words "contemporary," "signature style" and "versatile" appeal to you, today's post may make your day. Ashley and I received a VERY special invitation from Chef Penelope's Catering to enjoy a lavish soiree at Epic 9 last week.
The entire place was transformed into a wedding wonderland which included specialty lighting, gorgeous draping, refreshments, cakes thanks to Signature Cakes by Vicki and some beautiful decor ideas by the fabulous Jennifer Edwards-Milam of Reveal Event Style.
And luckily Arline of Ace Photography was there to capture the event in detail for us!
I'll admit, the first thing I usually look for at a party is the food especially when the party is hosted by a caterer. Ashley and I were eager to sample Chef Penelope's fare so after saying hi to the folks who run Epic 9, the nice people at Matchless Limousine and to the awesome Jennifer (who's absolutely the bomb when it comes to wedding decor/design) we made our way over to the buffet. Of course!
Beautiful vintage Bentley parked outside. So glam!
On the menu that evening were little shot glasses of black bean salsa with a bite of cornbread, spinach artichoke dip, chicken and mashed potatos and much more. Everything tasted as good as it looked. (Ashley chowed down on 2 plates of chicken and mashed potatoes - true southern girl.)
The advantage to smaller servings of food is the convenience. And the fewer utensils your guests have to use the better!
Caprese salad on little forks! Great for grabbing and moving on at a party.
Refreshments and wonderful bartending service was provided by V.I.P. Bartending Service (VIPBartendingService.com).
Ace Photography (who took the wonderful pics you're seeing) were on hand to document the evening and to let guests play in their new video photobooth.
You can see your guests when they're in the photobooth thanks to the video capabilities! Exclusive to Ace Photobooths.
Signature Cakes by Vicki provided the cake that evening and when I was invited to sample one of each, I happily obliged. Butterscotch, white chocolate, chocolate and strawberry were the flavors on hand in tiny cupcake form.
Music and entertainment that evening was provided by Spangler Entertainment (SpanglerEntertainment.com), specialty lighting by Party Time Nashville (PartyTimeNashville.com), linens by Connie Duglin (ConnieDuglinlinen.com) and draping by Events Plus (EventsPlusNashville.com) and rentals from Music City Tents & Events (MusicCityTents.com). The music kept the crowd going but wasn't intrusive at all, and the room's decor concept was by Reveal Event Style. We loved the little details, especially these fuzzy green spheres that were placed on the lounge furniture.
There's also a private VIP Room that has a bird's eye view of the main area (you'll see the window to the left of the picture below) where you could go for some quiet time and you'll still be able to see what's going on downstairs. Or it could be a room in which your guests can go chill out from the hustle and bustle!
The decor was great, and looking at everything we had no idea that when stripped bare, Epic 9 was basically a huge blank canvas of a room. The vendors did a fantastic job with everything and they made the space feel so festive and inviting! All that was missing was the bride and groom; but I can totally see brides with bubbly personalities, who are just looking to thoroughly enjoy their wedding and have fun and let loose, getting married in that setting! The beauty of a venue like Epic 9 is that it's really how limitless your imagination is because with the right vendors and proper execution, you could really put your style stamp on your wedding and have a day you'll never forget!
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events, Cakes & Desserts
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
If you're starting your wedding planning, or if you're currently in the midst of it all, you know all too well that budgeting is/has been a huge headache. How do you figure that number out? What do things usually cost? What amount or portion of that overall budget do you set aside for what item?
Luckily, the wedding planners at StudioWed Nashville recently launched a two-part "how-to" blog series covering what to expect for your Nashville wedding budget that we wanted to share with very Nashville bride!
Enjoy a few excerpts below and be sure to read more...
Image courtesy of PhindyStudios.com
Part One: How To Figure Out Your Budget
With many brides and grooms, one of the first conversations you have as a couple and with your families is How much should we spend on this wedding? If you’re not having this conversation, first and foremost, you should be! Your budget is going to determine the type of venue that you can afford, help you to arrange your priorities, and create a common ground that all parties are comfortable with. Many times brides will worry about setting up a wedding date and finding a location prior to setting a budget, get into a venue that takes up a good percentage of their budget, and then those other priorities are pushed to the back-burner due to a lack of budget remaining. We want you to start of your planning process with knowledge that will help you in this journey:
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Throw the wedding budgets that you see online out the window! Plugging your information into a prepared excel sheet of numbers isn’t going to be able to give you the personalized budget that you need. Your wedding isn’t going to be the same as the next bride and many of these online budget calculators and sheets are giving you a false indication of how much things cost in weddings! If you choose to hire a planner, one of their responsibilities is providing you with a budget, showing you a realistic view of how much things cost in your area, and what is a reasonable and appropriate amount for you to allot per item/category/vendor.
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Prior to the budget discussion, next go on to the tedious task of putting together the guest list. An average wedding in Nashville may cost around $27,000 but that is for approximate 125 – 150 guests. If you are planning to have 250 guests, your wedding may cost a lot more so be sure to take your guest count into consideration. Best advice: Heads =$$$. If you want to reduce your overall wedding costs, you must eliminate guests...
KEEP READING - NASHVILLE WEDDING BUDGETS - PART 1
ABG adds: An example of priorities is "Are you an all-out florals kind of bride? Or would you prefer simpler arrangements at a smaller budget?"
ABG adds: Perhaps specialty lighting is a big deal for you? (Image courtesy of Nashville Event Lighting)
Part Two: What You Can Expect To Pay in Nashville
Wedding Planning services: Month of (or otherwise referred to as day-of) coordination services: $700-$3,200. For partial to full planning services: $2,500-$6,000++. In terms of percentages, expect to allot between 10-20% of your budget for a planner. Brides, see the value in paying a professional, experienced wedding planner/coordinator!
Flowers/Decor elements: For Personal flowers (bouquets, bouts, etc.) you can expect to pay anywhere between $500- $2000 depending on amounts needed (# in bridal party, family, etc.) and for full floral design that includes ceremony flowers, reception flowers, centerpieces, etc. you can expect to pay $1500 – $8,000 or more. If you’re wanting to include lighting, you can expect to spend anywhere between $400-$3,000+ depending on your choices (from simple uplighting to pin spotting to hanging chandeliers, etc.) and the labor involved in them. This also goes for drapery for your space as well. In terms of percentages, expect to allot between 15-25% of your budget for florals, lighting, and drapery, depending on what you choose to incorporate...
KEEP READING - REALISTIC NASHVILLE WEDDING BUDGETS - PART 2
According to Kristin and Mary Alice, expect to allot 15-20% of your budget on decor/floral elements (image courtesy of The Photographix)
Plan to allot 40-60% of your budget on catering (Image courtesy of Down South Delights Catering
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Advice & Planning
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Monday, March 28, 2011
One thing I love about what I do at Ashley's Bride Guide is the opportunity to get to know some of Nashville's coolest wedding professionals and I get to share what I love about them with you. We like to feature these spotlights because it's a great introduction to what they do and what it is that makes them a little different from their colleagues in the industry, and what could make them the perfect person for you to work with.
Today's spotlight is on jHenderson Studios, run by the lovely Jenna Brie Henderson who's as cool a person as her photographs are gorgeous. I've really enjoyed reading her blog which showcases not only her talent in photographing weddings and engagements, but photography as a whole. I won't spoil it for you, you can see for yourself in our one-on-one with jHenderson Studios.
Contact Info
Name: jHenderson Studios
Main Contact: Jenna Henderson
Phone Number: 931.703.3016
Email Address: [email protected]
Twitter: twitter.com/jhendersonphoto
Facebook fan page:facebook.com/jhendersonstudios
Number of Years in the Business: 5
How did you get started in weddings?
I was drawn to weddings from the beginning. They have a beauty and a drama to them that I’ve always found interesting, and my personality is a good match for the wedding industry.
What do you like most about weddings?
The movement & the emotions. Weddings are constantly in motion, and bubbling over with so many different emotions.
What’s your favorite wedding pic/video and why?
I love this image from Josh & Maleah’s wedding in January. It was a moment I wasn’t expecting, but when I realized the shot that was about to unfold, I got myself in position and clicked. I barely had a second before all the pieces fell out of place again.
What is your service philosophy?
I want my clients to be 100% in love with the images I present. I do my best to make sure I’m available to my clients at anytime. I want all my clients to feel they have my fullest attention.
What are your strengths compared to others in your category? Why should a bride hire you?
My personality is my greatest strength. I’m easy going and well suited for working with a large number of people. I’m also willing to do whatever it takes to get the shot, even if it means making a fool of myself to get a laugh!
What sets you apart from most other vendors in your field?
I shoot a mixture of film and digital. I'm working on shooting film more and more, and I think it sets me apart a little. While there are several photographers on the national scene who shoot film, there are very few of us in Nashville. I'm hoping to switch and be 100% film in the next 1-2 years.
Tabitha: These photographs were taken by Jenna on film and converted to digital images. There's definitely more of a richness and warmth to them!
What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends?
I’m a total wedding blog-stalker! I love Southern Weddings, Green Wedding Shoes, Style Me Pretty, Snippet & Ink, The Wedding Chicks, and of course, Ashley’s Bride Guide!
What are your favorite wedding websites? / Neatest wedding find?
Lately, I’ve been addicted to pinterest.com. It’s such a great way to keep up with ideas for weddings & engagement sessions.
Favorite TV show and why?
I can’t ever get enough of Mad Men…I love the clothes! The Thursday NBC lineup is also at the top of my list.
What is the biggest misconception about your industry?
That it’s easy and anyone can do it. Wedding photography requires skill and experience, and so much more than a nice camera.
We look forward to seeing more weddings and pictures from jHenderson Studios here on ABG. In the meantime take a look at Jenna's work on her website at jHendersonStudios.com and be sure to let her know that you saw here here on Ashley's Bride Guide!
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Helpful Vendor Interviews!, Photography
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Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wedding design is an underrated, deceptively uneasy task. While it all may just look like a bunch of flowers in a container surrounded by candles, it's staged for perfection! Some venues leave the wedding creativity to you, but Historic Cedarwood is just the opposite. They partner with each of their brides to ensure a signature style and even offer packages with design included! For this reason, nearly every wedding I've seen at Cedarwood has been amazing!
I recently attended an Open House at Cedarwood and was able to learn more about their signature design options. Today I'm happy to share my favorite Cedarwood designs with you. (See Part 1 for my recap of their venue.) They have tons of ideas and great taste and once you determine Cedarwood is the venue for your wedding, they will find a style that is unique to you.
My favorites...
French Flea Market
The antique typewriter, the mason jars with old French printed cards (perfect for seating assignments/name cards) and the mini Eiffel tower just scream Paris. Using old, used, found objects from the Cedarwood inventory, the table is a dream come to life for any bride who goes for this style of decor. As Linda of Cedarwood said, it's a style "that combines eclectic elements and is perfect for a bride who wishes to incorporate some of her own 'treasures' into tablescapes." She also pointed out that the mason jars could be used as favors! You can see more great details here on the Cedarwood Blog.
The napkins had fleur de lis stamped on them. A very simple but effective detail.
Love Birds
I thought this one was really cute. Another variation of the vintage style and again using found objects, the Love Birds theme has bird-inspired details like eggs in a nest sitting on the table or inside an old bird cage. I see it as a symbol of what is to come, that the day's marriage can hatch into a lifetime of love that the couple will enjoy.
Modern Vintage
That gorgeous white glass you see is milk glass, of which Cedarwood has an arsenal. Without too much fuss or muss, they used black ribbon and "adornments to give thema modern 're-do'" as Linda explained to me. "The flowers were designed in 'pave' style which means closely grouped, in short arrangements which is used in modern design." I personally like how the pastel and the stark black and white are such a bold balance of tones. Definitely a style I see the glamor-inclined brides pick for their wedding!
Sunset Trail
This table, to me, reminds me of the prairie - wildflowers, old containers and apothecary bottles, a jar of old buttons from clothes that have been lovingly worn and the old timey looking pictures. This table is perfect for displaying your own old pictures from your grandparents' or parents' weddings, and pictures of yourself. The sachets Cedarwood had on the tables contained lavendar, another great favor idea!
They're not just limited to the vintage look and can cover more sleek, glamorous styles to some more vibrant and colorful designs such as these.
And let's not forget their stunning floral arrangments!
There were so many wonderful tables on display during the Open House, these were just the ones that I found myself walking around and looking at the most. These designs are truly just the tip of the iceberg from the creative designers at Cedarwood. They have tons of ideas and great taste and are there to work with you to find a style that is unique to you.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Florals, Details & Design , Wedding Venues and Locations
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