An Enchanted Engagement at Front Porch Farms

Thursday, October 28, 2010

We get very excited when our favorite vendors are picked to be a part of events that make national headlines.  When Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert had their engagement party they chose to celebrate it at Front Porch Farms. The food was catered by Chef's Market, the decor was superbly put together by Enchanted Florist with romantic and always spot-on lighting done by Nashville Event Lighting and everything was captured by Kristyn Hogan, lifestyle photographer.  Enjoy!

An Enchanted Engagement at Front Porch Farms

First off, congratulations and all the best to Miranda and Blake.  The team at Ashley's Bride Guide are excited for you both and look forward to the wedding day!

It certainly looked like the perfect day for a country engagement party!  What blew me away was how the decorations and centerpieces were all perfectly rustic, as if they were all found objects from a flea market or an old-timey store.  So I called up Caprice at Enchanted Florist and asked her what inspired her. "We wanted it to look like you rummaged through found objects and put it all together. We wanted a vintage country feel vs. a literal country feel which is why we used more found objects."

Each table is was covered in its own quilt, and each centerpiece was different from the next. I also love the use of real pieces of wood, which Caprice explained was to keep it somewhat masculine. "We placed the centerpieces on quilts and we didn’t mind if they were tattered or worn - that was teh whole point. We wanted to use very random things which is why we used different quilts. We used burlap, all of the vessels - mason jars, tins, boxes or hats, those were just objects we gthered or had.

Caprice: Yellow roses are the state flower of Texas (where Miranda was born), which Cathy of Front Port Farms suggested they use as a nod to the Lone Star State.

The couple had given Caprice free reign to the decor. "it’s very interesting because people who say “I just totally trust you, I know what you do is great, here is my budget have at it.” It allows you be creative but it’s more pressure than doing something where they know exactly what they’re getting... it was an interesting experience and it was fun to have freedom like that."

The creative vendors behind this event:

Photography: Kristyn Hogan, lifestyle photographer

Catering: Chef's Market

Flowers/Decor: Enchanted Florist

Lighting: Nashville Event Lighting

Venue: Front Porch Farms

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Posted by Tabitha | Filed under: Details, Design & Florals, Engagements & Proposals, Wedding Venues and Locations 1 comment »

It Takes Two - Dual Engagement Sessions with Brian Kaplan Photography

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Even mother nature can't hold back true love.  The seasons have been quite odd this year here in Nashville, but weddings still went on as did outdoor engagement photography sessions.  I love seeing couples who are great sports, who take everything in stride and who will stare a storm cloud in the face and say "Just try and stop us."  One such couple is Jonathan and Nicola who had their engagement session with Brian Kaplan Photography.  Their first engagement session was interrupted by wind, rain and cold so they rescheduled to that fateful weekend in May when NONE of us could do anything because of the flood.  They tried again a little later and what we have are two very sweet, very lovely blog posts to take you into the weekend. Enjoy!

Engaged Nashville Couple Jonathon & Nicola, Photographed by Brian Kaplan Photography

...we went out to Land Between The Lakes for an engagement shoot with Jonathan and Nicola, two amazingly cool people who are getting hitched this August.

UNFORTUNATELY our weather turned for the worst out in Kentucky land and it not only rained but dropped about 20 degrees and was windier than a schooner in a hurricane. SO we are going to do a Take 2 shoot this coming weekend. But I wanted to share these special photos photos from our day yesterday!

Part two:

Jonathan and Nicola are some serious super troopers. Having had to propose to Nicola in the rain, their first e-session get rained on and our rescheduled session have the worst flooding ever in Nashville, these two have seen enough rain. So with today being such a beautiful day, I took them out to get eaten alive by mosquitoes and walk through smelly woods, aren’t I so sweet???

Well I think the bites payed off! Here is a special look at today’s session.

Jonathan and Nicola Long Hunter State Park Engagement Session

We hope Jonathan and Nicola had a great wedding in August and can't wait to see the pictures from that!  For more wedding and engagement pictures you can see online visit Brian Kaplan Photography or check out Brian's photography blog. 

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Posted by Tabitha | Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography & Videography 0 comments »

There All Along! Marti & Justin Share Their Proposal + Love Story

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I'm sure there's some sort of psychological study somewhere that proves that our good childhood memories remain familar and continue to attract us.  It might be grandma's cooking, or a certain smell or the great times we had playing with our friends.  For Marti and Justin, an engaged Nashville couple, things came full circle when these childhood friends finally (at the hands of their mutual friends) got together.  Today's real engagement is evidence that sometimes, you just need to look at what's around you to find joy. 

Marti and Justin just exchanged vows this Saturday and we want to wish them both all the best in their new life together! P.S: We can't wait to see the wedding pics!

An ABG Couple's Engagement Story!

Her Marti Bryson
Lebanon, TN

Him Justin Latimer
Mt. Juliet, TN

How did you meet?

We have known each other since we were 5 or 6. We went to the same school until high school. After college I moved away for about 5 years when I came back Justin was attending the church I had grown up at. It was then that mutual friends began trying to set us up. We finally gave in!

The Proposal

Where? The Grand Canyon

When? February 16, 2010

How? We had gone to Las Vegas for the week, Justin rented a truck and we drove up to the Easter Rim of the Grand Canyon. We were walking around and Justin sat down on a huge rock that was sitting close to the edge with an amazing view. I sat down beside him, we were talking and the next thing I know he was asking...and he had the ring!

Did you enjoy your engagement photo session?

Yes! To be honest I was not looking forward to it, I do not really like to take pictures. But we both had a blast, it was so hot, and I think I swallowed 3 mosquitoes but we still had so much fun. Mike made it very laid back and casual...it was like we were just all hanging out. I loved all of the pictures, we were very pleased!

What matters most as you plan your wedding?

That at the end of the day on July 24th me and Justin are married and will be spending the rest of our lives together!

Has any decision triggered a meltdown in your wed planning process?

Small wedding or big wedding? I had a hard time deciding. But me and Justin are blessed with so many great friends and family that we love and we wanted everyone to be there!

What has been your major couple disagreement and what have you done to compromise?

DJ or Band? Justin wants a dj and I want a band. Haha we still haven't decided!

What's the one must-have for your wedding day? His? Hers?

I want it out at my parents house where I grew up...and I want no RAIN! Not much to ask for huh?

Your wedding details...

- style-I like things that are different but very simple. I love simple!
- colors-Shamrock green, Navy and White
- venue-My parents house, they live on the lake.
- vendors we've hired to date-Well...you would need to talk to my mom!

What do you most look forward to after marriage?

Duh...the honeymoon! And after that...coming home every night and knowing Justin is going to be there!

Any words of wisdom for newly-engaged couples?

Just have fun with it. Involve your family and when people want to help let them help!

What a great engagement session!  Their story is a testament to how great pictures are possible when the photographer puts you at ease.  Thanks so much to  Myrick Studios for sharing these photos with us.  So fun!

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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide | Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography & Videography 2 comments »

Rethink Your Engagement: Cold Feet or The Wrong Man? My Personal Love Story

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Today's my birthday!!  As I celebrate my life I also am thankful for peace of mind, love of self and my wonderful friends in the bridal community.  I also want to offer select Nashville brides my unique wedding story in hopes that it will help you in some way...

My Personal Wedding Story

Many years ago - I got engaged and married and had what I thought  was cold feet.  It wasn't cold feet.  It was a gut feeling that something just wasnt right. I'd met an incredible man who loved me dearly, who "fit" my lifestyle and family and shared my values.  He seemed to be all that I wanted and needed but something just wasnt right.  We got engaged - he designed the most incredible proposal that included a spa day, a picnic in my favorite park and then an elegant dinner with friends to celebrate my saying yes. 

But something still wasnt right.  I hoped over time it would feel as right in my heart as it did in my head.

The wedding rehearsal was a nightmare - my dad could tell something was wrong.  I knew that our connection was off but my fiance assured me that I was just nervous.  I wanted to believe him.

We married and started our life.  Then, the pressures of marriage arrived.  A week after our honeymoon - he lost his income.  His family's business went bankrupt.  Everything that could go wrong did go wrong.  Given our fragile (and doomed start) we werent strong enough to turn lemons into lemonade but we also didn't have the courage (months after our wedding) to face reality and walk away.   Last year, we finally woke up and set one another free to have peace and find true love.  Today, we have no regrets.  We are both very happy and enjoy our lives.  We were blessed with the most amicable divorce ever and still are friends.

Am I thankful for meeting a wonderful man that adored me who I adored?  YES!  Do I believe we should have ever married?  Absolutely not.  Had I possessed the courage then that I eventually found, I would have never said "i do".  But, without marrying, I would have never started AshleysBrideGuide.com, which is THE BEST THING to ever happen to me!  It is my baby, one that he encouraged and supported me to start.  So, I am forever thankful to him. 

But, the same doesnt have to be your story.  If you have ANY doubt - take heed.

I know countless ABG brides who start their wedding planning as excited as every other bride but then wake up to their personal reality and the wedding is called off. I support them and am sooo proud of them.  I know calling off a wedding is hard - probably one of the hardest things in life to do.  But kudos to the women who were/are courageous enough to do so. 

Many divorced women (like myself) were too afraid or confused to do so.  Instead, we marry - feeling "cold feet" throughout the engagement and even on the wedding day.  Instead of being runaway brides, we immerse ourselves in wedding planning instead of taking a step back to really assess the situation.  That was my story and that's one of the reasons that I really want every Nashville bride to take a break from planning and rethink your engagement. 

If you have no doubt that your fiance is truly the one for you, THANK GOD! Focus less on wedding planning and start having more fun, enjoy one another and strengthen your marital foundation. 

But, for brides-to-be with doubt, take some time to really, really think - trust your gut, seek counsel and ask yourself the toughest decisions of your life. 

Helpful "Cold Feet" Resources

1) Here is a great article for smart women who may find themselves walking down the wrong aisle, preparing to marry the wrong guy. 

2) And, here's the associate book, How Not to Marry the Wrong Guy and their Cold Feet blog.

3) Marital counseling and education - Marie of Nashville Marriage Studio is one local counselor that is a good start for your conversation.  Contact her to express your feelings and get clarity before you get married.

4) Ask your friends and family - they know you better than anyone and they either see the sparkle in your eyes or don't.  Their honest and loving insight might help you see things more clearly.

5) On a lighter note - if you do find that you are engaged to the wrong guy - I Dump for You is a service that will call off your engagement for on $25.   http://idump4u.com/

Also - I'm also celebrating our ABG being named BEST REGIONAL BRIDAL BLOG!!!!  Thank you for your many votes.  We are also a finalist in the BEST OVERALL BLOG.  Please vote for us today and tomorrow as a birthday gift to me:).  THANK YOU!

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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide | Filed under: Advice & Planning, Engagements & Proposals 17 comments »