Friday, January 15, 2010
I always look forward to opportunities to meet Nashville brides (hear about your planning) and meet wedding professionals. So, you know I’m psyched about this Sunday’s bridal show.
If you’re planning to attend, I’ll be there in my AshleysBrideGuide.com t-shirt and will be in and out of the ABG booth. I’ll be giving away some super cute stuff for brides and wedding pros at my booth so please stop by.
Special thanks to the gals helping at the ABG booth - Kristyn Hogan (our photographer), Tabitha (new blogger) and Cassandra (new blogger and bride), Krista and Tami (brides), and Emily (pal to keep me from being lonely).
In addition to meeting our fabulous team, here are a few, must-see booths at this Sunday’s bridal show (Weddings, The Bridal Show):
Enchanted Florist - Caprice never lets me down. Every year - her booth is fantastic! You don’t want to miss it. Her florals are stunning and her wedding designs will leave you in awe.
The Bake Shoppe and A Catered Affair - They always debut their newest cake designs at the January show. These cakes are so inspiring so definitely check out their booth, take pics and add to your inspiration boards.
Jonathon Campbell Photography’s “Go Red” booth is always red and always stunning. Aside from seeing their wonderful photography in person, you should also sign up as they will also be offering an awesome giveaway.
Event design? Food? Chef’s Market does both superbly well. This year, their booth will be tangerine and slate gray so expect it to be fab!
Designs by Sarah Marie will have a booth but will also be showcasing custom gowns during the fashion show.
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Wedding Resources
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Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tips for The Penny Pinching Bride
Hillary Capes, Nashville Wedding & Event Planner
http://www.YourDayofFairyTales.com
So you are officially engaged and you are starting the planning process. You have done your research, you have even set a wedding date, but where do you go now? The first thing you should do after you have your wedding date selected and have spread the word about your engagement is to set the budget.
Many websites can provide you with an easy formula to distribute your budget easily once you determine the budget, but how can you determine how much you can spend.
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The first thing to consider is who is contributing to the wedding. Tradition states that the bride’s parents paid for a majority of the wedding with the groom’s side picking up things such as the rehearsal dinner, the brides bouquet, etc. Many brides do not follow this traditional etiquette and many are paying for their own weddings. So talk to family and see who is contributing what.
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Create a best scenario guest list and go off of that. If you know in your area that catering is very expensive, you can expect to spend between $80 and 100 per person. For a 200 person wedding this can be approximately $20,000. If you have a large family and an extended list of friends, you can expect to have a larger budget if you want a full sit down meal.
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How much can you logistically save for your wedding? If you make say $500 a month, you know that you can’t save $1000 and still live. So be realistic about how much you can save.
Once you have created the initial budget you then need to break it down by category.
Here is a breakdown from Bride’s Magazine I love!
This chart is pretty accurate and that’s why I like it! I did make one change and included a portion of the budget for wedding planner. It’s a small portion of the budget to save you a day of hectic and scurry.
With these helpful tips, you are on your way to planning the perfect budget friendly wedding!
Hillary
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, DIY & Budget Wed Finds
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Not to be outdone by wedding day pictures, newly-engaged couples are investing in professional engagement portrait sessions to really showcase their personality as a couple. Engagement pics are also a great way to test your makeup, get to know your photographer better and get comfortable in front of the camera.
Experienced photographers can take you to the best Nashville spots for engagement shots, give you ideas and help you prepare. One of those photographers is Amber V. of Lotus Blossom Photography. She was kind enough to give us “10 Great Tips for Beautiful Engagement Photos”. This should help you tremendously.
Amber - thanks for taking time to educate us all of the process. Awesome tips!
Guest Blogger: Lotus Blossom Photography, a Nashville wedding photographer
With so many people getting engaged this time of year, I thought it might be helpful to share some tips on how to make the most of your engagement session. Being a list maker at heart, I decided to share 10 useful tips with you:
(1) Choose a location that is meaningful to you. - a place that has significance to you and your fiance is always going to be better than a random park. The place you met, the place he proposed, or your home town square are all great options.
(2) Choose a location that is unique. - if you can’t think of a location with significance, the next best thing is a place that is unique. Kayla and Brock chose the county fair for their engagement photos because it was something different than what all of their friends had done and the results were great!
(3) Avoid wearing the same colors as your fiance. - we’ve all seen photos of two people, both wearing black shirts that end up looking like a two headed black blob. It’s MUCH more visually appealing if you and your fiance coordinate instead of match. If you’re not sure of the difference, ask your photographer for suggestions. Chances are they can help!
(4) Wear Cute Shoes. - Cute shoes are always a good idea, but especially for engagement photos. Everyone loves a cute “shoe shot” so why not make the most of it and dress your feet accordingly. I’ve also mentioned this because this is a really good excuse to print this out and say “Look honey!! ABG says I should buy new shoes for our engagement photos! ” You’re welcome
(5) Think about having your e-pics done in a season opposite that of your wedding date. - If you’re getting married in the summer, you might like to have some photos of you and your fiance in the fall or winter. Having photos of the two of you in a variety of seasons will be good for decorating your home.
(6) Dress for the weather. - going right along with reason #5, if you are having e-pics taken in January make the most of it with a cute coat and winter accessories. If you’re having them done in August, skip the long sleeves even if your most favorite shirt is a wool sweater. It’s super important that you are comfortable because if you’re not it will show in the photos.
(7) Consider an activity. - if there is an activity you and your fiance really enjoy doing together, consider incorporating that into your engagement shoot. Do you both love baseball? Have some of the pics done on a baseball diamond. Are you both foodies? E-pics of the two of you whipping up something delicious would be adorable! Much like location, an activity can really help to personalize your photos.
(8) Bring Props. - No I don’t mean bring your couch to the shoot! Going along with #7 if you both love to read, bring some books. If you’re both head-over-heels for your dog, bring it along!
(9) Choose a photographer that you are comfortable being around. - this one is huge. If you don’t feel comfortable with your photographer it will show in your photos. In the current age of blogs, Facebook and Twitter make it a habit of reading your photographer’s blog and friend them on Facebook. This way by the time your engagement shoot rolls around you will feel like old friends!
(10) Be yourself! - this is the most important thing to remember. If you are a fashionista who follows the latest trends, then no matter what anyone says wear your trendy duds. If you live in jeans, then rock your denim in your photos. These photos are about you and your fiance so let that shine through!
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Photography & Videography
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sometimes the most fun part of planning a wedding is putting the pieces together - picking your own linens, the types of chairs and tables that will look pretty under the tent you’re picking out yourself. What isn’t as fun in this situation is when you have to keep in check the various vendors you’re getting each item from. Wouldn’t it just be easier to get them from one rental company?
While a few rental companies offer only certain types of items, Liberty Party Rental is a full-service company that has everything you need in their own inventory. So there’s no need to try to coordinate when the tent is going to be set up so you can tell another company when they can be one site. It helps a lot to have it all consolidated to one point of contact so you can focus on something else!
I also want to mention that their staff also have a good eye for decor. Here is a tablescape by them from last year’s Franklin Bridal Ball that we LOVED.
Their staff are great, they’re really creative, easy to work with and have years of experience and knowledge to help you put your event together. You can find more information on them at their website www.LibertyPartyRental.com or search for them on Facebook.
We had their Director of Marketing Julie Hurst tell us a few more things about the company.
Vendor Spotlight: Liberty Party Rentals
For over 25 years we’ve been helping brides create the perfect wedding that she dreams of!
Liberty Party Rental is a full-service, family owned, event rental company proudly serving middle Tennessee since 1983. From china and silver, to tables, chairs, and bars, to fountains, cake plateaus and cupcake stands, to tents, furniture and luxurious linens, we offer exceptional products coupled with impeccable service to make your dream come true on your wedding day.
Our expertise
With over 100 years of combined hospitality industry experience, the Liberty Party Team is proud to help you with the décor for all of your special events. Our team of professionals is comprised of highly resourceful problem solvers with the capabilities to do whatever it takes to fulfill clients’ event needs.
Our advantage
From backyard barbeques, graduations and birthday parties to weddings and galas, Liberty Party Rental has everything you need to satisfy your décor needs. Tents and flooring, tables and chairs, china and flatware, serving pieces and linen – we make it easy to get quality rental products from one source. Let the Liberty Party team help you design the décor to make your next event special.
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Liberty Party Rental team is to assist our clients with designing award winning events. We strive to be the premier full service rental company offering quality products throughout Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama. Since 1984, we have given our clients the freedom to celebrate.
Dependability
* No matter what size event you’re throwing, you can count on Liberty Party to put your mind at ease. As your party partners, we’ll make sure your event is set up on time, in superb condition, in any weather.
* For those last minute needs or Mother Nature’s surprises, our 24-hour on-call service is always there for you. With Liberty Party, you won’t lose sleep worrying about the details. And that means even you can enjoy the party
Customer Service
Exceptional customer service is a hallmark of Liberty Party Rental. That’s just one of the reasons why customers come back to us again and again, and refer us to their friends. From an event’s inception, to its execution, Liberty Party’s team of dedicated and detail-oriented professionals provide unparalleled assistance. In planning and preparation, our sales team strives to anticipate your every event need. · Our expert installation crews take tremendous pride in seeing that every table and chair is perfectly placed. It’s a commitment to sterling service you can depend on.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Wedding Resources
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Monday, January 11, 2010
Depending on your reception venue many brides are choosing to purchase alcohol for their guest as a money saving tip. You can look to places like a Costco that sell wholesale beverages for additional savings. I am going to supply you with the rule of thumb when purchasing alcohol and just how much to purchase per 100 guest. Keep in mind, only you and your fiance truly know your guest and just how much they will consume.
Use this as a starter guide if you are stocking your own bar:
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Champagne Toast: 1.5 cases (18 bottles) per 100 guest assuming 6 glasses per bottle
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White Wine - 18 Bottles. People typically drink more white wines than red
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Red Wine - 10 bottles {If you are serving both, consider buying half red & half white}
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Scotch - 3 liters
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Beer - 2-3 cases
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Whiskey - 1 or 2 liters
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Bourbon - 1 or 2 liters
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Vodka - 6 liters
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Gin - 2 liters
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Tequila - 1 liter
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Club Soda - 1 case
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Cranberry Juice - 2 gallons
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Grapefruit juice - 1 gallon
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Orange juice - 1 gallon
If your caterer does not provide a bartender or have access to one, look to your local bartending schools to find new graduates that may be looking for pick up gigs. This makes it super affordable, but also a win/win because they are aware of all the new drink mixes, as well as all the classics!
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Posted by Opulent Couturier |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, DIY & Budget Wed Finds
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