Friday, February 19, 2016
Paige Brown Designs seems to have come out of nowhere and created a beautiful wedding factory full of elves. Seriously. Every wedding that Paige touches is breathtaking. She attracts couples that are unafraid to let her design magical weddings, full of sparkle, shine, and color.
Take Saida and Kenny. Their wedding really requires no intro. They are undeniably a beautiful couple, but there's so much more to love about their wedding: décor, photos, food, culture, tradition, attire, colors, drapery, venue (East Ivy is one of our favorites)- even their cake is understated and elegant. Their wedding wasn't just wonderful to behold; they were clearly enjoying every moment.
We'll shut up and let the absolutely incredible, artful photos speak for themselves. Oh, and Saida was nice enough to share the details so, after you swoon, circle back and read about her day and top-notch team.
Saida + Kenny
Wedding Date: September 5, 2015
Ceremony + Reception Venue: East Ivy Mansion
Guests: 120
Budget: $40,000 – 50,000
Wedding Team
Planner + Floral Designer | Paige Brown Designs
Photographer | Stephanie Sorenson
Videographer | Peerless Weddings
Gown | 1st dress: custom gown, 2nd dress : Oleg Cassini
Veil | Custom by Jaxie Bridal
Men’s Attire | Street Tuxedo
Bridesmaids' Attire | Glitz
Hair | John Lane Studio
Makeup | Charlene Northington
Stationery Menu Cards | Print Pray Love
Caterer | A Dream Come True Catering
Cake Artist | Devyne Delights
Reception Musicians | Premier DJ
Rentals | Liberty Party Rental
Lighting | Nashville Audio Visual
Wedding Details
How would you describe your style as a couple?
We both love fashion, and we wanted our wedding to be stylish, but remain timeless. It was important for me that our wedding have aspects of my Swahili culture. Our wedding favors were custom-print African bags made by a family friend in Malindi, Kenya.
Where did you get your inspiration?
I did have a Pinterest board for inspiration, but a lot of ideas were what had I envisioned in my head. My planner, Paige Brown, did a wonderful job of making it all come together so beautifully.
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
We wanted a venue that was intimate and different from the typical wedding venues. The historical East Ivy Mansion was exactly that! We loved that it was intimate, but still spacious, giving our guests a feel that they can just walk around the grounds and take in all the beauty.
Our colors were gold and purple because we felt that these colors were regal. We wanted our wedding to have a royal, but not stuffy, feel, since it was held outdoors.
What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?
The entire day was a magical experience and one I can never forget! The music was also important because we wanted to be sure to incorporate both of our cultures. The DJ did a great job playing American, African, and Arabic music for everyone to dance to.
Our guests loved the photo booth. Everyone enjoyed getting in there and taking pictures. It was also a great additional wedding favor.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
We are both big foodies, and we wanted to have extremely tasty food. We took some dishes from some of our favorite local restaurants and had A Dream Come True catering remake them as our dinner entrée. We also wanted the eating to be a fun experience, so we had two chef-manned stations.
We saved money on transportation, since our venue allowed the option for us to get ready there and also stay the night. We didn’t find it necessary to have transportation.
Who were your favorite vendors and what made them exceptional?
My planner, Paige Brown, really helped in taking care of so much for the big day. She was always available and made me feel like I was in good hands.
Stephanie, our photographer, was a no-brainer for us to work with because she did our engagement photos. We knew our pictures were going to come out exceptionally great!
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
There isn't much I would change about the planning process, other than maybe to enjoy it more. Time goes by so fast, and before you know it, the wedding day is here!
In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Remember that this day should be a reflection of your love for each other, so never lose sight of that!
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: Multicultural, African-American weddings,
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Monday, January 25, 2016
On December 3, 2015, Nashville's fashionistas came together to celebrate the grand opening of Paige Brown Designs. Located in East Nashville, in Historic Edgefield, this new planning boutique promises everything the Chanel meets Betsey Johnson bride seeks for her big day: glamorous design, floral flair, and planning services by a kindred spirit who perfectly blends fashion and weddings. It's always fun to plan with a pro who gets you, and that's what Paige Brown offers.
Owner, Paige Brown
Paige Brown delighted Nashville guests with lavish looks, sips, and tastes, and showcased inspiration for 2016 weddings and events. Enjoy Paige's winter wonderland-inspired event and contact the Paige Brown team if you're ready to ensure your wedding boasts your signature style.
Caterer | Taste of Perfection LLC
Photographer | Shannon Bankston
Cupcakes | Yin Yang Cupcakes
Cake | Couture Cakes TN
Rentals | Liberty Party Rental, Nashville Event Draping, and Nashville Audio Visual
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: Florals, Details & Design , Inspiration & Trends, Multicultural, African-American weddings, Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds, Rentals, Wedding Planners & Coordinators,
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Friday, November 6, 2015
We absolutely adore couples unafraid of color, and Madia and Kwabena's wedding did not disappoint. With a color palette of bold pinks, muted pastels, deep purples, bright oranges, shiny golds, and sunny yellows, there was color and culture everywhere! They were also unashamed to share their playful yet seriously spiritual sides, keeping their day an authentic expression of whom they truly are.
Every photo speaks to their connection to their West African home, family, community, and faith, and their appreciation for new friends and new traditions. For their Nashville wedding, our words are simply not enough. We'll let Madia's words and their colorful and moving photos tell the story of their day.
Madia + Kwabena
Wedding Date: August 2, 2014
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Noah Liff Opera Center
Guests : 150
Budget: $10,000 - $20,000
Wedding Team
Planner | Bride + Sarah Willard of Music City Events
Wedding Day Coordinator | Bri Sanford
Photographer | Andrew Kenworthy Photography
Videographer | Leo Nnamdi of Onodigitals Studios
Gown | The White Room in Lebanon, TN
Men’s Attire | Macy’s
Bridesmaids’ Attire | Macy’s
Hair | Nisea Thomas
Makeup | Patricia Kpabar
Stationery | Designed, created by bride
Caterer | Family, friends
Cake Artist | Dulce Desserts
Floral Designer | MaryBlossom Nmoh of MaryBlossom Weddings
Ceremony + Reception Musicians | Michel Amarh
Rentals | Music City Events and Maryblossom Nmoh of MaryBlossom Weddings
Lighting | Music City Events
Wedding Details
How would you describe your style as a couple?
We are both from West Africa, so it was important for us to have a colorful wedding since color is infused within much of the clothing in our culture. We are also quite a contemporary couple with an appreciation of tradition, so we wanted to make sure that our style as a couple was apparent in our wedding by connecting old to the new.
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
We love bold and bright colors, so we decided on the colors gold, yellow, orange, fuchsia, and pink to add to our theme, which was entitled “Afro-chic.” From the invitations to the place cards, to programs, to the cake, to the dresses, to the flowers, and to the lighting, all of our colors were embedded. I utilized the hibiscus flower to assist with the theme of tropical, cool, and everything West African. The hibiscus flower is a bright and bold flower and I was inspired from it to expand my theme.
The images of Noah Liff Opera Center that I saw online were inspiring because it was a space that could be manipulated in any design. Also, the center was equipped with stunning architecture and lighting setups that I really loved.
What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?
All the guests loved the colors, the décor, and the food at the wedding. One part of the wedding guests enjoyed was the traditional Liberian Lappa Dance. This dance is done with fabric lappas (female wrap skirts) that are placed down in front of the bride/groom to walk across while dancing. This symbolizes blessings to a long and blessed marriage. Guests enjoyed the live West African drumming of master drummer of Ghana, Kofi Mawuko, and a performance of the bride and the company members of Mawre and Company performing “Kpanlango.”
Also, I got many compliments on the food because we had authentic West African cuisine for our appetizers and main course. Also, my cousin made two great alcohol-infused punches that we named after of countries' flags' names (Black Star from Ghana, and Lone Star from Liberia) that were a big hit for the legally aged guests.
For our gifts to the guests, my aunt made Liberian Rice Bread that was placed in individualized mini cake boxes. The cake supplied by Dulce Desserts, which was three-tiered with each tier being a different flavor (lemon, strawberry, and mango) with strawberry filled icing, was a big hit.
Where did you splurge?
Since we cut corners on some things, my husband and I splurged on our attire, gifts for bridesmaids/groomsmen, photography and videography, and décor.
Where did you save/DIY?
I DIY’d my invitations, programs, card boxes, place and food card settings. We saved on liquor because we bought boxes of liquor, wine, and beer over the course of six months from Frugal MacDoogal with a 10% discount on all cases. Also, my students were licensed bartenders so they assisted me with servicing my guests.
I mixed my plates/silverware with real china and faux china. The faux china saved us because our guest list increased and we did want to spend more money on china. Many guests were pleasantly fooled by the faux china and silverware because of the close resemblance.
Many of my friends and family of the Liberian and Ghanaian communities cooked various foods that we used for appetizers and the main course. Supplying our own food saved us $3500 compared to what we would have gotten with a caterer, and we had a lot more food left over for the next day to share with family and friends at our post-wedding cookout.
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
When planning any event you, have to expect the unexpected, so there is always going to be some things about the process you could have done differently. However there are minor things I wish could have happened differently, but I did not let that affect how I felt overall. Everything happened the way it was supposed to happen and it was a perfect day!!
In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Be open to all options when planning, listen to one another when exchanging ideas, and make planning fun!
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Multicultural, African-American weddings, Real Nashville Weddings,
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Friday, September 11, 2015
For their Nashville wedding, Aaron & Terece McGee set their sights on a wedding that was intimately them, pulling from inspiration from the first movie they saw together, Paperman. They took the paper theme even further by using paper airplanes instead of confetti and a paper lapel pin for the groom. All of these fun details illustrated this couple's creativity and perfectly complementary tastes. It also created a singular mix of lives unlike any other.
Read all about the cute ceremony from the bride...
Terece + Aaron
Wedding Date: March 7, 2015
Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Lodge
Guests: 175
Budget: under $10,000
Wedding Team
Planner | the Bride, Groom, and Family
Photographer | Roland’s Photography
Videographer | Antoine Rucker
Gown | The White Room
Bride’s Accessories | Dillard's; Bridal Sash - Helene Couture
Men’s Attire | Mens Warehouse
Bridesmaids’ Attire | Various online, Designer: Jenny Yoo
Hair and Makeup | J. Renee (Nashville, TN)
Stationery | Designed by the Bride, Printed by: Angel Trumpets
Caterer | Friend of the Groom, Joseph Hunt
Cake Artist | The Cupcake Collection
Floral Designer | Family and Friends
Ceremony Musicians | Charity Ward (singer/songwriter)
Reception Musicians | DJ: Antonio “AJ” Benton
Rentals | Art Pancake
Rehearsal Dinner location | Amerigo (West End location)
How would you describe your style as a couple?
Minimal, Eclectic, Fun.
Where did you get your inspiration?
Pinterest was the starting point, but it really changed a lot during the planning process. We were ultimately inspired by our venue, nature, and the first movie we saw together, “Paperman.”
How did you incorporate that style into your wedding?
Our minimal cake with a simple flower topping and small floral arrangements in mason jars brought in nature and the rustic vibe of the venue. Aaron wore a small paper plane lapel pin and for our exit we had our guests throw paper planes (instead of rice/bubbles/confetti) – this added a unique/fun element to the wedding.
What was your (or your guests’) favorite aspect of your wedding?
The ceremony. From the music, to communion and the foot washing, to the special prayer and exchanging of vows, all of our guests continuously commented on how loving and intimate the ceremony was - and how special they felt to be able to witness it. Also, our guests really raved about our wedding favor which was a CD filled with some of our favorite love songs.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
Splurge: Bridal sash.
Save: planning, invitations/programs, wedding favors, flowers.
Who were your favorite vendors and what made them exceptional?
Roland’s Photography: Roland’s experience was grade-A; he became a part of the journey from the engagement pictures to the jumping of the broom. We gained a friend who diligently captured each moment with care.
The Cupcake Collection: They were very accommodating, and, of course, the cake and cupcakes were delicious! They took our inspiration and created exactly what we wanted. They also let us use their handmade cupcake stand made from an old tree that fit in perfectly with our décor.
The Lodge (Nelson Andrews Leadership Lodge): The staff (especially Rachel) is very accommodating and worked hard to make sure we were happy and stress free on our big day.
Now that the wedding day is over, is there anything about your planning process you feel you could have done differently?
Something we would do differently is take wedding photos (all except Bride and Groom together) prior to the ceremony so we would have a shorter cocktail hour between ceremony and reception.
In one sentence, what words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
At the end of the day, it’s about the two of you, so don’t get to caught up in the planning. Things will likely not go as planned and that’s okay… be present in the moment and have fun. Oops that’s two sentences…oh well…we tried ;)
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Posted by Holly Nashville Newlywed |
Filed under: DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Multicultural, African-American weddings,
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Tuesday, August 18, 2015
I discovered Tiwana's happy bridesmaid dresses after accidentally spotting them on a friend's computer. The bold colors grabbed my attention, and I had to know more about this bride and the gowns she selected for her bridesmaids. After learning Kat of Katalac Photography, the photographer, was also an ABG bride, I knew this feature was meant to be!
Kat put me in contact with bride Tiwana and we discussed her Nashville wedding. What inspired her? Who designed the richly colored frocks? How dare she go so bold? :)
Below is everything I learned about this non-traditional bride. May her refreshing approach remind us all to "let you shine" on your wedding day and the remaining 364 days a year!
What inspired your style?
My personality. I thought about “all things me” and how I wanted my guest to remember my wedding. I wanted to make sure that when they thought about my wedding, they thought that it really was Tiwana’s style and personality. I am a very bold and classy girl; lively but elegant, and I wanted that to show through my style.
How did you choose such bold, unique colors for your bridesmaids?
Pinterest was my first stop! I had no idea of the color scheme at first. I wanted something that was bright and bubbly (like me), yet soft enough to portray elegance. When I came across this wedding party that had orange and yellow (a lighter color though), I thought, "This could work." So I began to search for color schemes with orange, yellow, and gray (to soften it up with elegance). I had lots of help from my friends and of course my (now) husband as well.
Did your bridal party love your color scheme initially or did it grow on them after they saw it all come together?
They all loved it initially. They all said the colors really say, “Tiwana.” I was a bit skeptical even after it came together, mostly concerned that the elegance would not shine through the bright colors. I wanted fun but I wanted elegant.
Were your bridesmaids dresses custom made or purchased from a retailer?
My bridesmaids’ dresses were designed by Alfred Sung, from his Dessy Group Collection. It was after I found this designer online that I really nailed my bridesmaid dress colors. I ordered color swatches in the yellow and orange colors he offered and landed on “daisy yellow” and “mandarin” from the Aflred Sung Dessy Group Bridesmaid Collection.
Did you allow them to choose their own styles?
Yes. I sent them all the styles I liked and they each choose from my selections.
What advice would you give to brides who want to do something less traditional, bold for their wedding?
I would say go for it! These are the days of “non-traditional.” Be yourself and let “YOU” shine through on your day!! After all, when you think about your wedding years from now, the last thing you want to say is, “I did that to make ‘blank’ happy.” There will be a lot of people with input about what the day should look and feel like, but if you stick with your vision, you will be more excited and less stressed. One of my most memorable visions of my wedding is when I think about EVERYTHING; my dress, all the decorations, colors, etc. I think, “My wedding was everything I imagined it would be because my friends and family helped bring 'my vision' to life (and my husband)…but really me!"
Beautiful bride, Tiwana, and her groom
Photos by Katalac Photography, katalacphotography (at) gmail (dot) com
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: Bridesmaids & Bridal Party, Inspiration & Trends, Multicultural, African-American weddings,
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