The Downtown Bridal Bash is Jan 24.  RSVP for This Free Today.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Newly engaged brides, or brides still looking for THE perfect wedding gown, Modern Trousseau and StudioWed Nashville are collaborating with some fabulous vendors for a one-of-a-kind, personalized bridal event on January 24th!

Contact StudioWed, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 615-733-0155 to RSVP or for more details.

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The LIST! 2013 Nashville Bridal Events, Shows Plus My Bridal Show Tips

Friday, December 28, 2012

Let's face it, most of us are still in vacation mode. With another long weekend coming up and with that gorgeous new ring on your finger it's hard to stay focused. Today we're going to help you get a little more focused on the priorities at hand - like your upcoming wedding and the bridal shows you're about to attend.
 

What is a bridal show and why should you attend?

We love bridal shows! A bridal show is an event in which local wedding pros set up a booth and turn it into a mini-boutique or store of their own. Attending a bridal show is like going to a wedding mall where you can meet dozens to hundreds of wedding pros under one roof. You can go and talk to event pros that you will need for your wedding day - from wedding planners to rental companies. Their booths will give you an idea of what they have to offer and the better ones will leave you inspired and wow'ed!  

We recommend that you do research FIRST! Spend a few hours on our website looking at our wedding directory and our blog to see what you like and who you might want to see in person. Visit their blogs or websites and see which shows they are participating in and seek them out. While there, check out others that grab your attention. The more prepared you are, the better your experience and productive your day.  

Many bridal shows offer a fashion shows allowing you to see tuxedos, bridal gowns, bridesmaid attire. Make sure you time your arrival to see a show.
 

How to prepare for a bridal show

1) Set your overall budget before you start wedding shopping.
2) Wear comfy shoes and bring a bottle of water to drink. Maybe something salty - You will need it after your 3rd piece of yummy cake.
3) Print 50 info labels that contain your first/last name, email, phone, mailing address - this will save you lots of time when you enter contests and/or give vendors your information.
4) Take a notepad and a pen to write down your favorites.
5) Take a camera to capture the ideas you like.
6) Plan ahead by bringing a shopping list of the vendors that you need and your estimated budget for the category.
7) Go with one friend to keep you focused on your objectives - which vendors you need at which budget.

Which shows to attend?

There are several bridal shows coming up at the start of the year we're all really excited about. In the next few months, you will hear about several bridal shows and events. While you'd probably like to, you will not have the time or energy to attend them all. Here's our list of the Nashville-area shows we plan to attend and think they'd be great to add to your calendar to check out.

January 4, 5: Brides Against Breast Cancer, Sheraton Music City in Nashville TN

Gowns for a good cause - gotta love it!  View full details here.

January 6: Pink Bride Bridal Show, Nashville Convention Center in Nashville TN

This is a BIG bridal show. I used to go to the show to get ideas, find new wedding goodies... until we were kicked out by the show producer...like our little Nashville blog is any threat! Moving on - we did like going to this show because it's big! But, we do hear a lot of brides say it's too big. You've been warned. If you want to take a crew of friends along for wedding fun, go, check it out. Sample food and cake and get ideas. Then check out one of the smaller shows, listed below, if you want more one-on-one interaction with potential vendors.

January 13: Enchanted Brides Show, Hutton Hotel in Nashville TN

The Hutton Hotel hosts the Enchanted Brides show. This evening event also shows off the hotel's beautiful ballroom with great views of the city. Pre-register here. The Enchanted Brides show is always a great show! You will get tons of ideas and meet some of the city's most exclusive wedding professionals. View show details here. 

January 13: Clarksville Brides Show, Wilma Rudolph Event Center in Clarksville TN

I've attended this show several times in the past. Good show! I caught their cake dive contest a few years ago. What a hoot! If you live near the area, plan to attend because this is one of the best ways to find great local wedding pros. View show details here.

February 10: Here Come the Brides Bridal Show, Franklin Factory in Franklin TN

This was a fun show! Kathy, the show producer, wanted couples to come out and have fun together while they shopped for wedding pros. They show is medium sized - not too big and not too small. The vendors are some you won't find at other shows that you may also attend. The venue is easy to get around. View show details here.

 

February 17: Perfect Wedding Guide Show, Nashville TN

The folks at the Perfect Wedding Guide magazine organize a quality, high energy bridal show with lots of our favorite wedding vendors. View show details here.
 

For a complete list of upcoming bridal shows visit our events page to stay informed and ready to go! Happy planning!

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Free Tickets to Sunday’s Bridal Show, Here Come the Bride, at the Franklin Factory

Monday, October 29, 2012

The Here Come the Brides bridal show is offering complimentary tickets to readers of AshleysBrideGuide.com. I attended the bridal show last year and it was fun. What immediately stood out about this show is that there were different vendors that I usually don't see at other shows. So, if you have attended some of the other Nashville bridal shows but still want in-person ideas and resources, check out Sunday's show because more than likely, you will meet vendors you haven't seen elsewhere. Plus, the show is free for our readers so why not go and enjoy your wedding planning with friends?!

Tickets are $8.00 but email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to request free tickets for ABG brides and guests. In your email, include your name, date of reception, and how many tickets you will need.

Here Come the Brides Bridal Show
The Factory at Franklin
Sunday, November 4
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Cathy, the show producer, describes Sunday's bridal show as "not only informative but entertaining! You will be treated to an array of professional wedding vendors, a high energy fashion show, over $20,000 in prize giveaways, including a romantic weekend getaway, and Here Come The Brides Bridal Show's signature 'bridal war games' with crowd participation. The first 100 brides receive a free tote bag with gifts. If you have attended other shows, you still have not attended one quite like ours. This show will entertain you and get you and your guests involved with the fun. Come enjoy the day. Trust us, your fiancé, will even enjoy it. "

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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide | Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events 1 comment »

Are Your Guests Talking Behind Your Back? Get Smart About Invitations BEFORE You Order Anything!

Monday, October 1, 2012

What color font or size font should you use to make sure your guests can clearly read your invitation?

What information should you include?

Can you send one to an entire family even though the members live in different homes?

Is using a mailing label (vs. hand addressing) appropriate?

Can you include your registry information on your invitations?

Will guests be willing to RSVP online?

What's the best way to communicate an "adult only" wedding?

Should single guests be allowed a guest or what's the best way to approach?

Should you include your parents' names, if one of them is inactive or deceased or if they are not paying for the wedding?

There are so many things that you don't know, and suddenly, it's midnight and you are up desperately placing your invitation order or addressing envelopes.

If you are anything like I was when I planned my wedding, I simply didn't know what I didn't know. And while you might think these things do not matter, they do. If you cut corners, your guests will be misinformed (and calling you all the time) or will feel disrespected because you didn't think enough of them to send a personal invitation, properly addressed, to their home.  

Luckily, Jen of Something Detailed is teaching a workshop on invitation etiquette.  Believe me, this girl knows her stuff! And, she's willing to help you learn. There's no reason not to soak up her wisdom, especially when it's practically free. (Your registration free is applied to your stationery order.) Plus, Jen is giving away some great goodies to all attendees!

The fun yet entertaining workshop takes place this Satuday (October 6) at Wedding 101. Find details and a link to register below. But before you head off to register, check out the 5 common wedding invitation mistakes provided by Jen below. It will give you a taste of what to expect at the workshop.

5 Common Wedding Invitation Mistakes 

1. Correctly listing the hosts names
Did you know that the wording of your invitation implies who is paying for the wedding? There are many ways to choose to include all the loved ones who are contributing to your big day, especially when dealing with multiple sets of parents. How the bride's parents, step-parents, and groom's parents are listed is all based on the wedding hosts, but sometimes it is also a nod to recognize loved ones.

2. Requesting their presence
Did you know that "requests the honor of your presence" is reserved for a wedding held in a house of worship only? I've seen many brides make this mistake when getting married outside of a church setting.

3. Misspelling a guest’s name
Starting your guest list is one of the most stressful parts of planning a wedding. The guest list impacts everything, especially your budget. As you start your invitation list, use an excel spreadsheet to stay organized and make sure to proof read from the get-go so as not to misspell a guest’s name. There is nothing more impersonal than sending an invitation to someone with his or her name spelled incorrectly! Have your fiancé or mom proofread your list as well.

4. Putting gift registry on the invitation
Traditionally, it is improper to include registry information or registry inserts in a wedding invitation. It implies that you expect a gift. It is also not in good taste to include “no gifts please”, “please make donations to…”, or “cash gifts only”.

Many couples are creating personal wedding websites with all their registry details included. Include your wedding website on enclosures and Save the Dates to ensure guests are properly informed. But, no matter what: do not include it on your formal invitation.

5. Not using “and guest” correctly
Allowing unmarried guests to bring a significant other is always a nice offer, especially if they don’t know anyone else at the wedding. If you have a lot of unmarried friends, allowing all of them to bring a guest can make your budget skyrocket. Make sure to use “and guest” when inviting a single guest to your wedding, but try your best to find out if they have a steady specific significant other and include his or her name on the envelope. Be sure to never use “+1”, it’s too informal, and “guest” should always be lower case.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette Workshop for Brides

Your invitations are the first thing guests will see – it sets the tone of your entire wedding. It’s also one of the most stressful parts of the wedding planning process. Our goal is to make it easy and fun by sending you home with the confidence that you can make etiquette choices that best fit your style, and to learn how to overcome the pressure of doing it right.

We’d like to invite you to an intimate event this fall:

Wedding Invitation Essentials: The Modern Details of Wedding Invitation Etiquette

A workshop answering all the real questions you have about one of the most stressful parts of the wedding planning process.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
October 6, 2012
Wedding 101 at the Factory
230 Franklin Road, Bldg. 11, Ste. MM
Franklin, Tennessee

You’ll walk away with:

~ personalized attention and one-on-one consulting about your wedding invitations
~ the exact wording for your wedding invitation and enclosures
~ a template and ideas to help you write the perfect thank you note
~ all the etiquette knowledge you’ll need to send invitations with panache and class
~ a checklist of things you need to do before starting your wedding invitations like knowing your budget, securing your venue, and having a clear vision of your style.
~ a checklist of the enclosures you need for your wedding invitation suite such as an accommodations card
~ a complete guide on how to address your envelopes appropriately

We’re making this event something fun you can do with your mom or maid of honor. You’ll receive a workbook to guide you in answering your etiquette questions, a light snack, mimosa’s, personalized swag, and more.

Brides who attend will get their registration fee back to put toward a wedding invitation order with Something Detailed!

Reserve Your Seat

Visit weddinginvitationessentials.com for full details and tickets or visit somethingdetailed.com to learn more about Something Detailed's custom invitation service.

If you don't respect your guests or want them at your wedding, don't invite them. But if you do, make them feel special, from invitation to reception. Your invitation will be their first impression of how they will be treated at your celebration. Attend this Saturday's workshop and learn how to create a delightful first impression of your wedding using your invitation.

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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide | Filed under: Advice & Planning, Bridal Shows & Events, Invitations & Paper Goods 0 comments »