10 Fun Nashville Ideas for Out-of-Town Wedding Guests

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

We love answering bride e-mails! Here's one we got recently:

"Hi Ashley! I am getting married in Nashville on May 29th, 2010. Everyone will be from out-of-town and I have been surfing the web to find fun things for them to do in Nashville. There is so much to do in Nashville, that I don't know what to pick for them to do. Could you suggest ten fun things for out-of-town guests to do in Nashville? Thanks so much!"

We couldn't think of a better (or more fun) list to make and reached out to our loyal Twitter and Facebook friends who helped us create the following 10 activities to suggest for wedding guests looking for things to do in Nashville.

Photo: Flickr

#1: Loveless Cafe & Motel

Probably THE Nashville institution, the Loveless Cafe is famous for its down-home, Southern, Nashville charm.  They are known best for their delicious biscuits and fantastic food that will leave you satisfied and happy after your meal.  Though still called a motel, it no longer serves as a place to unpack and stay in but instead now features retail shops selling art and great knick knacks to take home.  Loveless Cafe's preserves are wonderful items you can include in your out-of-town gift bags too!

#2: Arrington Vineyards

Photo: ArringtonVineyards.com

Gather your bridal party, pack a picnic and head to the gorgeous countryside just outside Franklin, TN. Arrington Vineyards is a haven that can make you feel like you're no longer in Nashville yet it's a great showcase of another wonderful thing about living in Tennessee to your out-of-town guests.  Sample wines, listen to live music (Every Saturday in the Summer) and just enjoy the fresh air with your friends while kicking off the weekend's celebrations. 

#3: Pancake Pantry

The fact that there's a line out the door everyday that it's open proves that the Pancake Pantry is good.  Don't let the line keep you from eating at this Nashville tradition - the wait is never very long and it's totally worth it.  Have some chocolate chip pancakes, or if you're watching your waistline try the blueberry pancakes.  After you're done you can walk it off around Hillsboro Village and pop into the local boutiques in the area.

#4: The Parthenon

Photo: Nashville.gov

This is a sight to behold.  Yes, we have a Parthenon in the heart of our city with its very own statue of Athena within the structure.  Our Parthenon serves as the city's own art museum where visitors can also see a collection of art by 19th and 20th century American artists.

#5: Adventure Science Center

Photo: Advenuresciencecenter.com

This is fun for everyone young and old!  The Adventure Science Center offers hands-on activities for kids and adults - I couldn't think of a better way for your guests with kids to while the afternoon away before heading to your wedding later on. 

#6: Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art

Photo: Gaylordhotels.com

Cheekwood's beautiful gardens will thrill your fauna enthusiast guests and those more into art will enjoy the permanent collections on hand as well as the featured exhibits.  Have lunch in the Pineapple Room or rent it out for your rehearsal dinner.  If you're the super organized type, Cheekwood also offers group tours in which you can arrange for your guests to participate!

#7: Frist Center for the Visual Arts

Photo: Fristcenter.com

Another fun place for families and art lovers, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts has permanent exhibits as well as traveling exhibitions from all over.  They have a kid's activity area where children can draw and create their own art.  Admission is free for visitors under 18 and they offer group discounts if you inform them in advance.  And since you're already downtown...

#8: The Country Music Hall of Fame

Right in the heart of downtown Nashville and a mere walk from the hotels is one of the gems of Music City - the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Guests can take a tour and get to know the rich history of Country music and learn more about its roots in Nashville.  The souvenier shop sells wonderful items your guests can take home to remember their visit.  They can also grab a bite at Two Twenty Two grill within the hall.

#9: The Ryman Auditorium

Photo: Tripadvisor.com

The best musicians of all time have set foot and performend on stage at the Ryman Auditorium - Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Kings of Leon, Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, Coldplay... the list goes on and on.  In the day, visitors can take a tour of the venue and see its beautiful stained glass windows.  For those so inclined, the Ryman is featuring "Opry Country Classics" every Thursday evening through June! Something for the older folks or country music lovers perhaps?

#10: Honky Tonks!!

Photo: Citydata.com

A visit to Nashville wouldn't be complete without a trip to a honky tonk down on Lower Broadway.  A great way to top off your visit (besides the wedding of course) is to dance the night away in one of the bars and enjoy live music from the house bands! It's a great way to get a taste of Nashville's nightlife without having to go to a cheesy nightclub.  So put on your boots and get ready to do some serious honky tonking Nashville style!

GIFTS

Now that you've got activities, you'll need gifts for your guests! Nicoandlala.com can create custom Tennessee/Nashville gift baskets that would offer a perfect slice of Nashville.

These are just some of our favorites.  Other suggestions were the Nashville Zoo, B.B. King's Blues Club, Gaylord Hotel (where you can visit the conservatory), the General Jackson for a water tour of Nashville, and lots of local bars and restaurants. 

For more ideas visit Nashville365.com and VisitMusicCity.com.  We also learned that you can take a tour of downtown on a segway.  That sounds like SO much fun!

Have more ideas? Leave us a comment.  We'd love to see what else you come up!                                                       

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Posted by Tabitha | Filed under: Advice & Planning, Guests, Gifts & Favors 0 comments »

Exquisite Wedding Finds for Nashville’s Luxe Bride - Unique Gifts for Your Registry, Bridal Party

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Registering for gifts seems like it's lost its magic. Places like Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond are great for basics but when it comes to the truly unique gifts that will showcase your impeccable taste - think locally. Before you trudge down that beaten path to yet another chain store to find that needle in the generic haystack, consider some treasures in your backyard!

Ash Blue - gifts with timeless style and craftsmanship.

Even though they're new to the neighborhood, Ash Blue (http://www.ashblue.com) may have well been the reason the shopping plaza is called Fashion Square. Established in 2003 by Susannah and Zulu Scott-Barnes, Ash Blue carries the finest gifts from all over the world. No really, Zulu travels all the way to South Africa for great finds all the time.
 

It's not just gifts for the home, but gifts for yourself as well. They have gorgeous handcrafted jewelry, hats and stationery. This is a fern leaf necklace by one of the designers they feature, Mani Design, and would be perfect to wear to your rehearsal dinner.
 

From silverware to china sets, there's a style to match your tastes whether it's classic or more contemporary. These number dishes would be great to add to your bridal registry.
 

Ibiza Fine Gifts

Ash Blue’s shoes may have been a little too big to fill for most gift shops, but not Ibiza Fine Gifts who moved into the Belle Meade location where Ash Blue used to be.  Ibiza Fine Gifts has proven to satisfy the neighborhood’s high-end clientele’s needs.

They sell great items for the bride and groom’s registries and thank you gifts for the generous wedding shower hostess.  Here’s some fun “stock the bar” type gifts you could get. LOVE the polka dots.

Nothing says “I am a bride of grace and etiquette” like proper stationery.

They have a complete list of brands they carry at their website and you can find more pictures by doing a search on Facebook.

You’re Invited 

More preppy than progressive?  Nothing shows off your personality better than personalized or monogrammed goods.  You’re Invited  specializes in personalizing gifts for every occasion so you can find more hostess thank you gifts, something to give your bridal party or something for yourself!

Plus, the staff at You’re Invited are so helpful and nice.  I love their professional, personal shopping touch and hometown feel.  This is an addictive store and a local business you will want to support for years to come.

Show off the sports bond you share with your fiance and customize with favorite team’s logo or colors!

For the cheese connoisseur

I’m sure you agree, you can never have enough stationery for thank you cards and correspondence.  You’re Invited carries a huge line of customizable paper goods so you’ll be sure to find something to match your personal taste.

So go get your pots and pans from the usual places, but embrace your fabulous style by looking at the unique boutiques right at your perfectly manicured fingertips.  Your wedding is going to be special - shouldn’t your gifts be too?

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Posted by Ashley | Filed under: Guests, Gifts & Favors, Luxury Wed Finds 0 comments »

Nashville Wedding Question: Bride Seeks Southern Wedding Favors

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday, October 23, 2009 Paula, an ABG bride on Facebook (by the way - follow ABG on Facebook)  asked me... Question: "I'm trying find a fairly inexpensive second favor, tying in his Southern roots. Any ideas?" Ashley: When I think of Southern wedding favors, I think of delicious food - sweet, indulgent, fried:).  Apparently, we're all on the same page because when I posed the question to my Twitter/Facebook friends - 99% of the ideas were edible! Hillary of Your Day of Fairy Tales (twitter.com/urdayfairytales): I saw this yesterday in Get Married magazine and loved it - Personalized guitar picks and a song written specifically for the couple & given out Lynette of McNeal Video (twitter.com/mcnealvideo): Love the Krispy Kreme donuts - and so do the guests.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianmazanec/196581814/

From Vicki Stanton of Bella Wedding (yourbellawedding.blogspot.com; twitter.com/TnBellaWeddings) Here is my daughter's take on Southern treats... My daughter wanted to showcase Tennessee at her wedding. Her Granny is English so lots of English cousins, aunts & uncles were coming to the wedding. Her father is from New England so lots & lots of New Englanders would be there. And the groom! The groom's family was from Louisiana. So you can see why having everything Tennessee was so important to Sarah. The reception was at Travellers Rest Plantation. The full buffet was totally Southern - from the biscuits to the banana pudding. Even the music included Bluegrass & Country. The Tennessee treats that were placed in beautiful apothecary jars were...Goo Goos, Leo Peppermint Candy Sticks (once made in Nashville), Moon Pies, Salted Peanuts in the shell & Tennessee Tea Cakes. The guests helped themselves during the reception & carried bags of goodies homes. The Tennessee treats were a big hit for everyone! From Latrice of Bridal Opulence (bridalopulence.com; twitter.com/bridalopulence):

(t-cakes)

Here are a few I've suggested: Tennessee T-Cakes (tntcakes.com) in Chocolate truffle or Key Lime; Goo Goo Clusters & mini Cokes; Custom truffles from Hillsboro Chocolate Co. (hillsborochocolate.com/home.html) or Dreamy Gelato (dreamygelato.com) in Atlanta  - both companies can add a custom monogram to the truffle; Mini bottles of champagne, Jack Daniels or Moet; Photo booth pics or Polaroid photo guest book.; Vintage Monogram Candy Jars (opulentfavors.com); The ever popular custom candy bar or popcorn bar.

Hillsboro Chocolate

Opulent Favors

Tabitha via twitter.com/Tabbulous the cutest favor was when the bride gave mini moonpies and rc cola away. Erica via twitter.com/ResplendentlyMe "Derby Time!" Mint Julep Cup Tea Light Holder - Love the ones here! http://www.myweddingfavors.com/derby-time-julep-cup-holder.html Emily from Simply Yours Weddings & Etc. (twitter.com/1weddingwoman):  A young lady I worked with that was married in the mountains of East TN had a very fall themed wedding. She had leaves with their name and wedding date etched on them AND they had had coasters that said "Eat, Drink and be Married" with southern candies attached to them.

http://classifieds.weddingbee.com/topic/fs-eat-drink-and-be-married-coasters-new-in-boxes

Tiffani from Creative Designs and Events (creativedesignevents.com): Jelly bottled into salt-n-pepper shakers with the bride's favorite fabric, that they used all throughout the wedding.

Amy from The Bride Room (thebrideroom.com): biscuits with jams/ honey -- because what southern doesn't love em and love to eat!?! (especially is they could be warm!!) and of course super cute presentation/ packaging I've always wanted to see something done like a family favorite recipe -- packing it up real cute and include the instructions on how guests can make it again! Something that people can take past the wedding night and think of the couple!

http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/diy-wedding-favors-recipe-books/

For those with a seated dinner I think there is so much fun to be had here. Of course this all takes time but it could be a really neat way to make each guest feel thought about. Have each table be with a certain group of guests and make their favor specific to that table and those people. For example college friends of the bride and groom incorporate a funny gift (college football being so big in he south that could be a way you could incorporate it to those grooms (and brides )who LOVE IT!) that relates to a college experience that they would get a laugh out of and enjoy where as the extended family might like something more sentimental. OHHH!!! Just saw on Style Me Pretty-- Caramel Apples... what a YUMMY favor!!!

http://www.monstercandyapples.com/weddings.php

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Posted by Ashley | Filed under: Guests, Gifts & Favors 0 comments »

Bridal Shower Favor Idea from Wedding 101, Nashville’s New Wedding Boutique

Monday, August 17, 2009

Monday, August 17, 2009 On Friday, I went to preview Wedding 101 and it was so exciting!  As I stated last week, I wasn't able to attend the vendor preview but I do hope that you at got to go to the grand opening Saturday. If you haven't checked it out, here's how the boutique looks.

When I arrived on Friday, Ashley was on the phone and told me to get a party favor as I waited.  She directed me to a table with 3 apothecary jars that were half-filled with brightly colored balls.  The table had empty tins...my first thought - what a cute candy bar!  But it wasnt:).  Ashley ended her call and told me the jars were filled with scented balls (not candy).  Ahhh...got it now:).

 Just like a candy bar, the scent bar would have a tin for filling with scented beads, mini candle, a favor bag with a cute label

As I created my "scented sachets" tin - I thought - no, this isn't a candy bar but it could definitely be a scented favor bar.  I told Ashley and a new fun bar was born!

Wedding 101's favor bag includes confetti, travel candle, tin with beads and a label - so cute

I think this would be a great idea for a bridal shower.  Maybe you could allow your bridesmaids to create scented tins of their own.  The bar would be just as cute and interactive as a candy bar but for zero calories!  Plus, the scented sachets would last longer than candy.  The only concern is that people might mistake it for candy - so beware! Wedding 101's scented balls and candles would be a great place to start if you are interested in seeing it in action or buying the supplies.  Ashley said they would definitely help you create a scented sachet bar for your wedding.  There are like 7 fragrances available.  My favorite is the sunshine!  You can rent the jars, buy the sachets and even buy coordinating Botanicus travel candles to match. As you see, Wedding 101 is not only a library of info but also has a retail area too.  I'll be hanging out there a lot and I promise,  ABG and 101 will collaborate to make planning your Nashville wedding easier and even more fun and fab!

more from Wedding 101 - love these wedding gown, courtesy of Bridal Opulence

also love this table design by classic party rental - how cute are the hanging letters for a shower or fanciful wedding!

Another great bridal vendor - Maples Wedding Cakes - always stunning

You can see more at Wedding 101.

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Posted by Ashley | Filed under: Bridal Showers, Luncheons, Parties, Bridesmaids & Bridal Party, Guests, Gifts & Favors, Inspiration & Trends 0 comments »