Monday, December 22, 2014
When Carly and Cameron were married in July of 2012 in Illinois, the carefree bride left everything to her hired wedding professionals. She did, however, care about one thing... her wedding gown. She wanted it to be exclusively hers and not one she'd see anywhere else. And after her big day, her mom took her gown to Nashville's go-to gown care specialist, Oakwood Cleaners, to make sure it received expert care.
Read about Carly's wedding dress and why it was so special via my interview below.
Please tell me the story about your dress? How did you come to having a dress made vs bought? Tell me about the design process?
The story of my dress is actually very simple. I had never been one of those people who had planned my wedding since I was 5 years old. And, when it came right down to it, when we actually started planning the wedding, I was very open to pretty much anything. I told the flourist to do whatever she liked best--same with the chef, the photographer, invitation designer, etc. I sort of figured that every person we hired knew what they were doing and I trusted them to do it.
The only thing I really didn't want, was to look like every other bride. This turned out to be a very easy thing, because my best friend from college, Alex Jillian, graduated from FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) in Los Angeles. She offered to create my dress as a wedding present and I knew immediately that that was what I wanted to do! I visited her in LA twice--once to help her create the design, and second for an initial fitting--and the rest was up to her! She flew to Tennessee 5 days before the wedding and finished the dress there, making sure it fit correctly. Other than that, I pretty much gave her free-reign to do whatever she felt was best and was very happy with the result!
A lot of brides take their dress home and hang it in the closet after their wedding? What made you decide to take such a great level of care with your gown?
Since my dress is one of a kind, I knew that I wanted to preserve it for posterity. It took me a little while to get that accomplished, but here we are!
How did you find Oakwood Cleaners?
My mom found Oakwood online.
What do you plan to do with your gown? Are you preserving it to become an heirloom?
I am definitely cleaning and preserving it to become an heirloom!
What advice do you have for other brides regarding custom gown creation, cleaning, preservation?
My advice to other brides would be to treat your dress after your wedding the same way that you treated it before you bought it. I'm having my dress preserved because it's one of a kind. It's getting special treatment, because I got special treatment. It was created especially for me, and so I want to have it treated especially well. If I had chosen to purchase a dress it really wouldn't have mattered as much. Our budget was very small, so the dress would have been underwhelming and mass-produced. I had several friends who chose to purchase dresses, which they then saw worn by their friends only months later. And, if this had been the case for me, I would have probably donated my dress to women who needed it. However, because my dress was created for me, it truly feels like an heirloom--something I feel proud preserving and passing down to my children.
Photography: Erin Melissa
Carly was so relaxed that she had a bowling after-party following her reception (where she bowled in her gown!)
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Posted by Ashley King |
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Friday, December 19, 2014
When their photographer, Jay Farrell, sent photos of Amanda and Eric's wedding, I smiled. Their color palette could very well be my own selection and their carefree approach was evident and refreshing. Though there were many DIY projects (which are always a lot more work than expected) there's an easiness to this couple. We can't imagine they fussed over the details, yet there are so many great ones. It's as if they said poof and whimiscal garland appeared.
You'll enjoy this wedding at Madison Creek Farms, a venue that's new to us that we're glad to discover.
(Spoiler - Amanda did stress - keep reading her story below.)
Amanda & Eric
Wedding Date: September 13, 2014
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Madison Creek Farms, Goodlettsville, TN
Guests: 120
Wedding Team
Photographer | Jay Farrell Photography
Groom's Attire | Custom made
Bridal Party Attire | Various places
Caterer: CJ's Catering
Floral Designer | DIY
Musicians | Friends
Rentals: Art Pancakes
Invitations | Friend, Chris Miller
Wedding Details
How would you describe your style as a couple?
Our style as a couple is Boho meets Mountains.
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding (e.g. décor, colors, details or even picking the venue)?
We incorporated this into our wedding by having the wedding at an outdoor venue and a rustic vibe all around.
What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?
Our favorite aspect of the wedding was the gather of friends and family to join in the celebration of our union.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
Probably the most we splurged on was the photographer, then catering, but it wasn't too expensive and the food was great.
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
The thing I would change about the planning is to actually have a wedding planner to relieve some of the stress.
In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
For any couple planning to get married take the time to plan and always expect the unexpected. There is a good chance the unexpected will happen.
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Real Nashville Weddings,
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Thursday, December 18, 2014
The Annual Brides Against Breast Cancer Gown Tour will take place at the Sheraton Music City Hotel. Aside from being able to buy a designer wedding gown at a discount, the gown tour benefits a very worthy cause. The VIP event will be held on Friday, January 2 followed by the Gown Tour Sale on Saturday, January 3.
Here are some of the details about the event:
"Brides Against Breast Cancer is a non-profit organization whose funds contribute to programs and services for cancer patients and their families. We have expanded outreach and educational efforts to bridal shows around the country to ensure that everyone impacted by cancer have the resources and information they need in their battle with cancer.
Wedding gown sales are an important fund-raising event for BABC. We have over 100 charity bridal shows across the nation bringing 700-1000 couture and designer gowns with us at a discounted price.
At our shows we create a boutique like atmosphere, setting up the ballroom into thirds. 1/3 dressing rooms; 1/3 gowns; 1/3 bridal partners. We create an intimate setting by helping brides-to-be say yes to the dress! Extra fun events are such as VIP power hours before the bridal show which offer the brides signature pink drinks, lite bites, and fun giveaways! In each city a grand prize is offered as well-usually a weekend stay in that hotel! Also, each of our exclusive vendor tables will have a raffle item donating their free services to the brides, guests and volunteers. So come say yes to the dress and attend your local Brides against breast cancer bridal show!
Sponsor
Attend
Volunteer
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, Contests, Giveaways, Specials, DIY & Budget Wed Finds,
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Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Sometimes the element of surprise in an engagement isn’t the location, but time of day. Sometimes, the best wedding stories begin with an engagement that happens right in the middle of a seemingly ordinary day, smack dab in someone’s living room.
We loved hearing about Sarina and David’s engagement story and we’re happy to share it with you on the blog! So without further adieu, prepare to swoon over this heartfelt engagement story.
Oh! Their engagement photos were taken in Baltimore by their Nashville photographer, Nyk + Cali Wedding Photographers, who flew to Baltimore just to capture this sweet couple.
Sarina & David
Date of proposal: February 1, 2013
Wedding date: May 17, 2014
How did you get engaged? Tell us about your proposal:
David and I were doing long distance at the time. He had just graduated from physical therapy school in Kentucky and he came up to visit me in Baltimore for the week. I was supposed to be on vacation/research time but I had to go into the hospital for a work meeting in the morning the day after he arrived. I was at the hospital all morning and I came back to the apartment to pick David up for lunch.
When I walked into my apartment, he had created a trail of rose petals, candles, and pictures of us leading from the front door to the back of the living room. He was waiting at the end of the trail with a ring. I'm sure he said something sweet, but I don't even remember because I was so excited, and of course I said yes.
I had a feeling that he was going to propose on this trip but I never expected it in the middle of a random afternoon. He said it was the only time he would have been able to surprise me. The cherry on top occurred when we went to dinner that night to celebrate. We were sitting in the restaurant in Baltimore and my parents walked in to join us for dinner! He had told them he was proposing and arranged for them to fly up from Kentucky to be there for our celebration.
What did you enjoy most about being engaged?
Living in the same city! David moved to Baltimore about a month after we got engaged and it was amazing to have him living down the street instead of 4 states away.
What was your wedding style?
Elegant but colorful! We combined cultures and had a fusion Indian-American wedding. We got married at the Omni Hotel in Nashville which naturally lends itself to being very elegant and sophisticated. However, indian weddings are very colorful and fun, so we didn't want to lose any of the vibrancy from my culture. Thankfully, we had some great people help us balance those two ideas.
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Posted by Newlywed Leah |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals,
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Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Wedding day hair and makeup are crucial to how a girl feels on her special day. So when looking for someone to make you look and feel fabulous, it’s best to go with someone who’s professional and who’ll make sure you relax on the day-of.
Studio Nash Salon & Spa recently opened a new location in the Houston Station Event, Art and Music Community and their salon is beautiful! Their full service salon affords clients a wide range of services and their experience with wedding parties attracts many Nashivlle brides.
Learn more about them via our quick interview below and contact them to discuss hair, makeup and other beauty needs for yourself or bridal party.
Photo: Nyk + Cali Wedding Photographers
Tell us about Studio Nash.
Studio Nash is co-owned by Nashville natives and sisters, Jaima and Jordan. I (Jordan) have been in the industry over seven years and always had a dream of owning my own salon. It only made sense when my sister became an esthetician to make that dream come true together. Studio Nash has been open for a little over two months inside the beautiful historic Houston Station. We have loved watching the Houston/Wedgewood area grow and couldn't imagine having our salon anywhere else.
What services do you offer to Nashville brides?
We offer everything from pre-wedding facials and waxing to beautiful updos for the whole wedding party the day-of. We really urge brides to have a pre-wedding plan as well as their plan for the actual day. Facials are crucial for healthy glowing skin and can really change the outcome of wedding day makeup for the better. Jaima also offers lash extensions which is great for brides and clients alike. The hairstylists of Studio Nash always require a trial run for the bride to insure complete happiness and relaxation for the big day. In addition to hair and facials for the bride, we also offer full hair services for the wedding party. Also, because we know how hectic the day of the wedding can be, Studio Nash will travel to the wedding venue for hair.
What makes Studio Nash unique?
Studio Nash is located in one of Nashville's newest, up-and-coming areas Houston/Wedgewood. We only use the best and top-of-the-line products. We currently use and retail Redken, Pureology, and Eminence Organics, an all-organic skincare line. We strive to keep the atmosphere fun and relaxing for our clients.
Why do you love weddings and Nashville brides?
We get to be a part of the biggest day of a girl’s life! It doesn't get any better than that.
What advice do you give to brides when it comes to hair and their wedding?
Trial runs are key! Search Pinterest and celebrity magazines and bring as many pictures of what you love and even don't love so we can get the right look.
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Salon Nash is located inside the Houston Station Event Community, 434 Houston St Suite 274, Nashville, Tennessee (615) 332-2857
Photo: Kate Underwood Photography
Photo: Courtney Helton Photography
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Posted by Newlywed Leah |
Filed under: Makeup, Hair, Health, Beauty ,
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