Friday, June 24, 2011
When Ashley hired Sarah Goude of Regalo Design to take care of the details of her country chic wedding, she got what she wanted from the color coordinated pinks and whites to specialty linens Sarah made just for the wedding. Ashley and Marcus wed at the Baber House on a sunny afternoon, surrounded by friends, family and beautiful custom decor to fit her vision.
Bride ~ Ashley Curry
Groom ~ Marcus Golden
Date: May 28, 2011
Venue: Baber House
Couple's Style: Their style was best described as Country Chic. To achieve that look, Sarah of Regalo's designed handmade linens, mint julep arrangements, chargers, napkins, custom menus, paper pom lanterns and mason jars.
Couple's Budget: $30,000
A little toss bouquet so the bride's own beautiful bunch of peonies aren't ruined. (Image by Regalo Design)
Images above by Regalo Design
Wedding Vendors
Caterer ~ Ribbons of Chocolate
Cake ~ The Bake Shoppe
Photographer ~ Surreal Image Studios
Makeup ~ Heylee B
Tent ~Grand Central
Rentals ~ Southern Events
We'd like to wish Marcus & Ashley all the best, and we hope their life together is as fabulous and fun as their wedding looked!
{Regalo Design is a full-service event planning, floral and event design company with over 20 years of combined event experience. Visit RegaloDesign.com for a full list of services and to get in touch with Sarah and Damon Goude. Be sure to visit their specialty wedding favor site as well at Favors.Regalodesign.com.}
All images by Surreal Image Studios (SurrealImagesStudios.com) unless otherwise stated.
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Posted by Tabitha |
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Thursday, June 23, 2011
Last Thursday, Ashley and I attended Cupcakes and Couture, the showroom opening of Kerried Away Couture and Paige’s Pantry in Murfreesboro. Kerri, a custom dress designer, and Paige, a cake decorating instructor, opened their doors on May 24th and hosted a fabulous launch party on June 16th.
We have LONG supported and LOVED Kerried Away Couture - as an amazing designer, bride and local, female entrepreneur. So, we were elated to celebrate the launch of her store. We thought we were going to see what was in store for Nashville brides but we too got carried away when we realized that her designs are great for brides, bridesmaids, moms, any special occasion AND everyday wear too!
The Couture {Glorious Dresses + Accessories}!
First - How does this custom dress thing work? You start with choosing your fabric and Kerried Away has hundreds of amazing options - from solids to dots and silk to cotton. Then, you choose your dress style, from short to long, strapless to spaghetti strings. It's really simply, yet really fabulous. You can have a custom made dress that fits YOUR measurements, so no altering! For your bridesmaids, you can choose the style and fabric or allow them to choose the style and you choose the fabric. It's totally up to you.
Here are some of our favorite designs that were on display for the evening...
Kerri in a stunning floral print Kerried Away Couture strapless dress.
Melanie, a Kerried Away Couture designer, in a print that Ashley swooned over all night plus the skirt that Ashley MUST have. She couldn't leave until she tried in on, over clothes and all!
Ashley: "This skirt is perfect. I've got to have it..."
"...and I must have these too!"
Kerri creates gorgeous skirts, and dresses, all made to order! Her designs are great for bridesmaids, rehearsal dresses, and every day skirts. We love the versatility of Kerri’s designs!
Kerried Away Couture also has an incredible selection of handmade jewelry for weddings or any special occasion. The jewelry is handmade by her favorite artisans and absolutely stunning. Just like any Kerried Away Couture design, these pieces are great for your bridesmaids or a night out on the town with your fiancé!
The Cupcakes {Celebratory Party}!
In addition to meeting the entire Kerried Away Couture team, we were also introduced to Paige of Paige's Pantry and her team. Paige’s Pantry specializes in cake decorating classes, and sells cake decorating supplies. There are different classes designed for families, children, or just the ladies. Talk about a great treat for your bridesmaids!
Kerri & Ashley
Lane, Marketing Manager & Stylist at Kerried Away Couture, Kerri & Paige
Befitting the occasion, guests were served delectable cupcakes and cookies in the shape of dresses. So cute! Hors d’oeuvres were provided by The Greenery on the Square.
One of our favorites, an Oreo topped cupcake!
Everything was custom, including the wall decor that represents their focus on cake/couture! Love it!
Cakes made by local bakers were on display, along with decorating items for all baking lovers!
Right, Dream Cakes; Left, Robyn's Nest (Showcased bakers work from inspected home kitchens.)
The new guest book? We were all about this cake sign-in!
Party Girls Cupcake Kit! Perfect for a girl's night in!
The whole Kerried Away Couture + Paige’s Pantry Family! Thank you for hosting a great event!
Congratulations, Kerri & Paige! We are so thrilled for you two and cannot wait to see your businesses grow in your new space.
All photos courtesy of Bethany Ann Photography
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Posted by Bethany |
Filed under: Bridal Gowns, Men's Attire & Accessories, Bridesmaids & Bridal Party
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Wednesday, June 22, 2011
When Nate and I first got engaged, we sat down and made a list of the things we wanted and needed to make our big day complete. The usual things were on that list – great photography, delicious catering, good music, etc. One thing that wasn’t on it was a videographer. While we would have loved to have it, we just didn’t think we could afford it and if something had to go, that was it. We’d have photos, and surely that would be enough to help us remember our day.
{Bill & Deanna Vincent of First Dance Pictures at work}
{Enjoy our highlight clip courtesy of First Dance PIctures}
As time went on, we started to doubt that we could do without it. Since we didn’t think we could afford a professional videographer, we started to wonder if maybe a friend or a family member could help us out. There are a couple of problems with that idea though. First, none of our friends or family are what we would call “great” with a video camera as far as we know. Secondly, who would we ask? If we asked a wedding guest, they would have to spend the day behind a camera and miss out on the actual festivities. And we didn’t feel right about asking someone who we hadn’t invited to the wedding in the first place.
After a little bit of thinking, and some moving around of the budget, we finally decided to hire a professional videographer. We actually ended up hiring our videographers, First Dance Pictures, because of Ashley’s Bride Guide. I had worked with Bill Vincent, one of the owners, at CMT a few years back and ABG was advertising a special that First Dance Pictures was running – it was perfect! We were able to get amazing videographers for a great price and not break our budget!
Once we met with Bill and Deanna we knew we had made the right decision! They were with us throughout our day and caught some amazing moments! We both cried watching our highlight video and immediately sent it to our family and friends. We received our final DVDs last week and had an afternoon filled with laughter and tears (mostly from laughing too much). It was the perfect way to capture every little moment of our day and we’re so glad that we ended up doing it. The quality of the video is only something that professionals could have brought us. If you are on the fence about hiring a videographer, take my word for it and do it! You will remember your day forever, but there is so much that you won’t see or won’t be able to remember that you’ll be glad you have it on video later on.
{Me and Nate on our wedding day}
All images courtesy of Betsy Limbaugh Photography
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Posted by Newlywed Sara |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Photography & Videography, Real Nashville Brides
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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
We often watch red carpet proceedings and start fantasizing about their million dollar wardrobes. Now that you're in the throes of wedding planning, you're probably also noticing the guys in their suits and tuxes more. As you see George Clooney or Brad Pitt saunter down the carpet you've thought "What great style." Who knows, maybe your fiance's wondered if he could be a rock star in a cool tux for your wedding! Well guess what? Street Tuxedo can help!
Giving us the 411 on how you can get these looks with Street Tuxedo's very large inventory is Rachael Street who was really helpful when I went to her with pictures of these hot leading men and rock stars.
Classic Black
Jon Hamm's classic (and studly) tux is easily found from Street Tuxedo's large selection. From two button to three, flat front or pleated pants, the black tuxedo is posh and dignified and always a safe bet. If your groom wants to get the really dapper look, Street Tuxedo also carries self-tie bowties (which according to Rachael are becoming more popular of late) but also has clip-ons for ease of use.
Left: Image courtesy of Style.com. Right: Image by Kristyn Hogan lifestyle photographer
Navy
We've seen navy take off as a popular color with dresses in fashion and even weddings but I personally have yet to see many grooms embrace this color tuxedo and I'd love to! This very sleek look on Andrew Garfield can be achieved with Street Tuxedo's Troy suit in Navy by Calvin Klein. The actor wears a skinny navy tie that Street Tuxedo carries in navy, blue, white and ivory and will eventually offer more colors since skinny ties are what's hot with guys now.
Left: Image courtesy of DGfever.com. Right: Image courtesy of StreetTuxedo.com
Steel Grey
For more of a suit look, a charcoal or steel grey tux by Jean Yves takes your rock star look up a notch or two. Worn with a dark grey tie, this look is less starched and stiff than a typical tuxedo but still more formal than just a suit. Very sharp.
Left: Image courtesy of Style.com. Right: Image courtesy of StreetTuxedo.com
Royal Style
Not only were the hats on the female guests at the Royal Wedding catching everyone's attention, the gentlemen who were in attendance also wore some very dapper tuxedos. "Not quite tails, the men wore cutaway style tuxedos with grey striped pants and charcoal coats" said Rachael, who noted that since that day, people have been requesting that style for their weddings!
Left: Image courtesy of bumpshack.com. Right: Image courtesy of StreetTuxedo.com
Grey
Not exactly from the red carpet but when Kings of Leon's Caleb Followill got married, it really did look like he could have gotten his tux from Street Tuxedo! On the right, Nashville groom Jonathan wears Street's Calvin Klein grey tuxedo with an ivory tie and looks just as dapper.
Left: Image courtesy of BrideFinds.com. Right: Image courtesy of KristaLeePhotography.com
Rachael also had some good advice for tuxedos and fit, namely with pants. With flat front pants becoming more popular in style, it is important to know that it's not a style that fits every body type. "We have a groom who has specified that anyone with a waist size of 38 and up in his party is to be given pleated front pants." She explained that flat front pants fit really snug around the thigh and hip area and that "usually, a tall, slender guy can get away with a flat front but a shorter more stout guy would not look as good in it." Grooms have been mixing pant styles to suit their groomsmen's body styles so that's always a good tip to keep in mind when dressing the men in your party. Not all the styles of tuxedos have pants that come in both flat and pleated front so be sure to clarify it with Street Tuxedo.
SPECIAL FOR ABG BRIDES: Receive a free groom tuxedo with five paid rentals.
For some really good examples of grooms who have worn tuxedos from Street, visit their Facebook Page picture gallery. You can browse through their website for a selection of what they carry and better yet, stop by the store to talk to their knowledgable staff about your tuxedo needs. Whether it's classic or modern, we're confident that Street Tuxedo will help you get what you want.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Bridal Gowns, Men's Attire & Accessories, Grooms
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Monday, June 20, 2011
Through my own experience as a bride, then an event coordinator and now wedding blogger, I've been asked this question several times - "My venue already has a coordinator, why should I hire a wedding planner?" It's a valid question, one that even I had when I got married. Even my venue coordinator said that her services were limited and she advised I hire my own planner (at the very least a day-of one) so I did and I was glad.
Shoot, don't take it from me! I'll leave you in the capable hands of Sarah WIllard of Music City Events who lends her expert advice today. Take it away Sarah!
ABG adds: Hand assembled favor boxes and decor that Sarah's team created for her bride. Obviously, this level of service goes beyond that of an on-site coordinator. (Image by Music City Events)
Sarah: This seems like a simple enough choice: "My venue has an onsite coordinator so - yay! Now I do not have to hire one. This saves money in my budget! Woohoo!" Simply put, though, it is not that cut and dry {hardly anything ever is}.
So, on the surface, it seems like a venue coordinator can do all the things that a private planner can do. She can accept deliveries. She can tell you where they always place the cake, where they always put the bar and where they always place the dj. Venue coordinators are wonderful, but they are not a private planner.
As a planner, I love having them. They know the building inside and out. They can tell me the best place for load in, the quirks of the service elevator, and how many refrigerators are onsite for the catering company. They know, among other things, where all the extra paper towels are located {it seems silly, but you do not want the restrooms to be paper towel-less at your reception!} and more importantly, if the security alarms go off for some reason or another - they can turn it off!!!
ABG adds: Sarah's brides always have tons of do-it-yourself elements that require time to put together. (Images by Krista Lee Photography)
However {you knew it was coming!}, venue coordinators are not private planners. Their main concern is their building. That is their number one priority. I am not saying that she doesn't wish you the best reception in the world and that she will not help. Far from it, most venue coordinators love talking to brides and seeing their venue all dolled up for your private event. They are sincerely happy for you! But they are there to ensure that the rules are followed, nothing is broken and the building is always up to par throughout the evening. Their focus is on the building. And it should be. That is why they are there.
A private planner, on the other hand, is all about you. 100%. She knows your wedding inside and out. She knows how the cake table is supposed to be set up. She knows that your grandmother's wedding champagne glasses are to be placed at your sweetheart table. She has worked with you for at least one month, if you are only working with her for day-of coordination, or up to and over a year if you have planned together from the beginning. Her main goal is to make your wedding everything you want it to be, and to ensure that all the other vendors are on time and on cue for every event throughout the evening. Your planner has worked with and discussed in depth your wedding with all your vendors that are there. She knows all the minute details and it is her sole job that day to make everything as perfect as possible for you. Proactively!
Images by Myrick Studios
Venue coordinators are wonderful. They love to talk about their building and to give you advice, when appropriate. But they cannot be everywhere at once and they cannot give you their undivided attention. A planner can, and does. And you know what? A good venue coordinator will tell you the same thing. 
Sarah Willard is the lead planner at Music City Events and has coordinated tons of weddings, large and intimate. For more of her work or to contact Sarah visit her online at http://amusiccityevent.com.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Venues and Locations
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