Thursday, June 24, 2010
Last year, we featured The Thirty Something Bride's dress search. I am sure it was helpful to witness a bride like you as she searched for "the" gown.
Today, Hanna is here to share her gown search. I'm sure you all remember Nashville bride Hanna. She had the super cute engagement session involving her bulldog Bella, and she had the oh-so-chic engagement party at her mother's home. Well, now she's back again to share with us her dress shopping experience.
Know that you are not alone - you too will find the perfect dress! (Disclaimer - ABG does not endorse taking pics at bridal salons. It's against store policy at most stores.)
The Search
It was a Saturday afternoon when my mom and I were discussing my future wedding knowing that the proposal was coming very soon. We both got so excited that we couldn’t wait to go dress shopping! I live in Hillsboro Village, and there are two bridal shops just around the corner from me.
The first shop we popped our head into was Romantic Creations. All the gowns are designed and made by hand there. So, if you’re looking for a “one of a kind" dress, I would recommend it.
We also ventured over to Village Bridal; they always have beautiful dresses in the window that catch my eye. Unfortunately, when you go into the store all of the dresses are in bags, to protect them, which makes it very difficult to see the gowns.
Next, we visited Arzelle’s on West End. They had a nice selection and were very helpful. {I loved the large fitting rooms!} I had an open mind towards any and all dresses and tried on just about every style available. After trying on about 30 gowns, we called it quits for the day. I realized I was not ready to purchase and that I wanted to do some research.
Over the next few weeks, I began looking on the web; this is when I discovered sites such as Ashley’s Bride Guide and Southern Weddings. I browsed through numerous bridal sites, educating myself on all the latest bridal looks and designers. Many of the dresses that I loved were available The White Room in Lebanon so I made an appointment there. I was ready to go back out and try again!
When we arrived, we were greeted by Talen, who is so knowledgeable and sweet. I was surprised by all of their beautiful selections. The room was filled with hundreds of dresses, and I wanted to try them all on! They gave us our space to select dresses but were there in an instant to take it to my fitting room. Once I began to try on the dresses, Talen was outside my fitting room ready to zip me up and pin me in. She asked questions about what I liked or what I didn’t like about the dresses in order to help me decide the “look” for which I was searching.
In the end, it was between two gowns that were completely opposite! It was between a Stephen Yearick Cinderella-esque gown and a Jasmine Couture Mermaid. I felt totally confused, but Talen assured me that this was common and that once I gave it some time, it would come to me. She even sent me an encouraging little note in the mail and thanked me for coming in!
I made some final stops at b. Hughes Bridal, Sugar Drop and The Bride Room, but in the end, decided to make a follow up appointment at The White Room and bring my sister the MOH along. Talen had pulled my two favorite dresses, and I tried them on again. There was no question about it this time. The Stephen Yearick was MY wedding gown! The search was over.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Attire & Accessories, Real Nashville Brides
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Monday, June 14, 2010
We hear stories about how people fell in love at first sight and just knew they were with "the one." For others, things fall into place at a wonderful yet different pace -- and those stories are just as fun to hear.
Today's featured couple, Erin and Blake of White House, TN share their dating/engagement story and some of their favorite engagement pictures, courtesy of Lotus Blossom Photography, Nashville wedding photographers.
Her
Erin Sellards, White House, TN
Him
Blake Webster, White House, TN
How did you meet?
Blake and I met through mutual friends in high school in the spring of 2005. My two best friends were dating his two best friends at the time. We were both single and were always around each other due to our friends. It definitely wasn’t love at first sight for us, unfortunately. It took a little while for us to come around, but we eventually did. We have been inseparable ever since!
How did you know this was “it?” Did you talk about it a lot? Or was it just understood from day one?
I think it took us both a little while to realize that we were meant to spend the rest of our lives together. In the beginning of our relationship, we took things slow and just had fun. Probably a couple of years into our relationship, we started talking about our future, including marriage. We knew that we would wait a couple of years because we were so young at the time. We moved in together in the summer of 2008, and bought our first house together in the summer of 2009. Soon after buying our house, I brought home Bella, our sweet little Malti-poo. We both love her more than we ever thought we could love a little furball like her! We both knew that it wouldn’t be long before we would begin planning the rest of our future together. And I didn’t have to wait very long!!
The Proposal
· Where? Opryland Hotel
· When? August 8, 2009
· How?
Blake told me that he wanted to take me out to one of our favorite restaurants, Old Hickory Steakhouse. I told him that it was too much, since we were not celebrating anything particular and that we should eat somewhere a little less expensive. He convinced me that we deserved to have special night together, so I agreed. We ate an AMAZING dinner and had a lot of fun together! Before we left, Blake excused himself and when he came back he said he was ready to go, that his stomach was hurting. Poor guy!! A few steps out of the restaurant, Blake tells me that he left his card in the restaurant. I started to become annoyed because he had left his card at another restaurant that same week, but I told him we would go back and get it. I turned around and saw a crowd of people, our family and closest friends. Completely shocked and confused, I turned to Blake. He is down on his knee. He puts the ring on my finger and asks me to marry him. I was so shocked and embarrassed to have all of these people staring at me, I apparently slapped his arm and walked away! I finally realize that “this did just happen” and go over to our family and friends! After about ten minutes of jumping up and down and adoring my ring, I walk over to Blake and tell him that I would love to marry him!
Did you enjoy your engagement picture session? Why? Is there anything of significance you could share with us about the session?
We could not have been more AMAZED with Amber and John! They made us feel so comfortable. We had so much fun with them, more than we could have ever expected! We were so pleased with how our images turned out. We loved how we had a variety of styles to choose from as well. I told Blake that I was sad that our session with Amber and John was over and that I needed to find another reason to need professional photographs so that we could see them again! Amber was so professional, extremely personal, quick to answer questions and to get us our images… I could go on for days! We loved them!
What matters most as you plan your wedding? Life together?
We are so excited to take these next steps in our lives! We just want to have fun and enjoy every second of every experience we are given.
Was there a decision that may have triggered a meltdown in your wedding planning process?
We began planning for our wedding almost immediately after we were engaged. A few months into planning, we realized that we would be so much happier (and a LOT less stressed) to have a destination wedding, just the two of us. We decided to get married while on our honeymoon in St. Lucia. We are so excited, and so happy to not have the stress of planning the wedding we had originally expected!
Couples disagree. Let's keep it real and help other engaged couples not kill one another! What has been your major couple disagreement and what have you done to compromise?
Blake and I disagree on many different issues- in daily life, and dealing with our wedding. Blake is an early bird, I am a night owl. I LOVE details, Blake likes simplicity. Blake is more traditional, I like to mix things up a bit. Although we do disagree on a few things, we feel like we balance each other out. We have become pretty good at accepting each other’s flaws and embracing them. We just truly want to make each other happy and so far we are doing a great job!
What do you most look forward to after marriage?
We look forward to seeing where life takes us. We hope to start a family soon and enjoy all of life’s adventures with the people we love!
Any words of wisdom for newly-engaged couples?
This time is about you and your partner and learning what works for the both of you. There are so many things you will learn about each other, even if you think you already know everything there is to know! Tell your fiancé you love them every chance you get and make every memory last! You only get to live these moments once!
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography & Videography, Real Nashville Brides
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Sometimes, even when that first attempt at a date seems closer to a dud than a firecracker, it's worth trying again. I'm so glad that Marianne and Chris decided to give it another go and take their long friendship to the next level otherwise we wouldn't have a fun story to tell today! The couple worked with Mark & Noelle of McCoy Made for their engagement session and I love how these pictures really speak volumes about the couple's compatibility and personalities. I hope, after a rather grey, rainy start to this week, today's Real Engagement Story perk things up for you a little!
Nashville Engagement Story - Marianne & Chris
Her Name: Marianne Callis
Her Hometown: Lebanon, TN
His Name: Chris Mandrell
His Hometown: Gallatin, TN
How did you meet?:
I honestly don’t remember the first time we met, it’s been so long ago. Chris’ brother started dating my best friend ten years ago when we were all in high school (they married in 2003), so Chris and I have known of each other for a long time. But we didn’t start dating until the summer of 2007. We actually went on what we call our “First First Date” in the spring of 2006, but the timing wasn’t right. Neither of us really lost interest, though. Then in late June 2007 Chris and I started talking again, and we decided to go see a movie together (“Live Free or Die Hard”), what we now call our “Second First Date.” We’ve been inseparable ever since
How did you know this was “it?” Did you talk about it a lot? Or was it just understood from day one?:
We first started talking about marriage towards the end of our first year together, when Chris had a job opportunity that would possibly mean moving a couple hours away. We knew we loved each other and wanted to stay together, but since we both come from very traditional, conservative families, simply living together wasn’t an option. The job opportunity fell through, but the conversations continued.
The Proposal:
Where?
My apartment.
When?
September 13, 2009, an ordinary Sunday night after he got home from work.
How?
I give Chris the utmost credit for making the ordinary “extraordinary.” He called me when he got off from work saying he was going to run through Taco Bell and pick up dinner before heading to my place. He asked if I wanted anything. I had eaten dinner not long before, so I turned down the offer. He gets to my place and sits down with me to watch TV, the small bag of food sitting between us.
After a couple of minutes he gets up with the food to go get a plate, but suddenly he stops in the doorway. “Uh oh, they forgot some of my order…” This is not unusual, unfortunately, so I simply responded, “What’d they forget this time? He turns around reaching into the bag, and in a swift motion I barely remember he’d pulled a small wooden box out of the bag, was down on one knee in front of me opening the box, smiling, and asking me to marry him.
The first words out of my mouth were, “Are you kidding me?” (in an exuberant tone, of course!). Yes, that’s really what I said! We’d been talking about marriage for a while, but hadn’t really discussed a time frame, so while I was really really really excited, I certainly wasn’t expecting a proposal! And then I looked at the ring… It was EXACTLY the one I wanted! I’d found a picture in a magazine a few weeks earlier, but it was too expensive. But here one just like it was presented before me. Again I said, “Are you kidding me??” (lol!) After that I believe I did say yes, finally! (The ring was wrapped around a Taco Bell sauce packet with the phrase “Will you marry me?” printed on it.)
Turns out he’d taken the picture to a local jeweler, and traded in the gold on his Dad’s wedding band (his dad passed away a few years ago; Chris’ mother insisted he use his dad’s rings towards mine) for a gold band just like I’d wanted, and used the diamond from his dad’s ring as my diamond. I’m so honored to wear it!
Did you enjoy your engagement picture session? Why? Is there anything of significance you could share with us about the session?
We had a blast during our engagement session! Mark & Noelle McCoy are an absolute joy to be around! They made Chris and I feel super-comfortable during the whole process, and it shows in the pictures. We’re pretty contemporary people, and Mark & Noelle did a fabulous job capturing that about us. J (I’m so excited to get to my bridal portraits and our wedding photos I can hardly stand it! Lol!)
I don’t know that there’s really anything of significance other than it was freezing cold. Our session was right after the HUGE snowstorm at the end of January. I remember worrying about whether the snow & ice would melt enough for us to make the trip from Gallatin to Franklin, but luckily it did. We’re going to use our pictures to make a guestbook, and it’ll be neat to have pictures with snow on the ground at our wedding in the summer.
What matters most as you plan your wedding? Your life together?
For our wedding, what’s most important is just being ourselves and sharing our love with our closest family & friends. We have a relatively small guest list so we could make the experience really awesome for those who are there. And it’s pretty much the same for planning our life together: we want to be ourselves, and share all of life’s experiences with each other.
What decision triggered a meltdown in your wedding planning process?
No meltdowns. J Some tough decisions, maybe, but no meltdowns.
Couples disagree. Let's keep it real and help other engaged couples not kill one another! What has been your major couple disagreement and what have you done to compromise?
Honestly, to this point we’ve not had any major disagreements or arguments. We’ve always worked well with each other, “not sweating the small stuff,” as they say. Our wedding planning has been no different. We decided what the most important things are, worked on those things together, and everything else isn’t worth stressing over.
What's the one must have for your wedding day (such as a particular service, product, vendor)? His? Hers?
I had to have stellar photography!! I had been researching local photographers for awhile, and had it narrowed down to a few choices. When Chris proposed, I quickly set up meetings with my top picks. All were excellent, but I clicked most with Mark & Noelle McCoy. (I say “I” because Chris wasn’t able to go to the meeting, but he trusted me.) They were just so easy to talk to! And I knew that’s what I wanted on our wedding day. And now after seeing our engagement pictures, there’s no doubt we made the right choice.
Chris’ one must-have is a Predators groom’s cake. So we’ve ordered him a cake shaped like the Predators logo (flavor TBA). When getting decorations ready, I decided to take it a step further and do an entire Predators-themed table. I don’t want to give away the details, ‘cause I have some surprises in store for him, but it’s going to be good!
Your wedding details (if you’ve gotten that far in planning)...
Style:
Inspired by our love of Affliction-style clothing & rock music, we’re putting a rock-and-roll edge on what’s otherwise a pretty traditional Christian wedding.
Colors
The ceremony will be black & white, and the reception red & black.
Venue:
Both our ceremony & reception will be at the Greenvale Community Center in southeast Wilson County. The community center used to be a 1-room schoolhouse, and my Grandmother attended school there growing up. On the hill behind the schoolhouse stood the house where my Grandmother and Great-Grandfather (her father) were born. Lots of sentimental value!
Vendors we've hired to date
Photographers: Mark & Noelle McCoy, McCoy Made
Wedding Planner: Kristin Kaplan, Simply Stunning Events
Catering: Pam Hogancamp, Ribbons of Chocolate
Tables & Chairs: Party Providers (in Lebanon)
Jewelry: Thomas Jewelers (in Gallatin)
Cakes & cupcakes: Melanie Williams, Creative Cakes by Melanie (Groom’s Cake)
Angela Boone, Simply Sweet Treats (Cupcakes)
Dress alterations: Oakwood Cleaners
Invitations: Me!
…and a host of other things bought through Etsy, eBay, Hobby Lobby, & Michael’s! (I’m a big do-it-yourself-er)
What do you most look forward to after marriage?
Immediately after? Our honeymoon! We’re both itching for a week’s vacation. But in the long term we’re looking forward to experiencing life & building a home together.
Any words of wisdom for newly-engaged couples?
1 - Enjoy being engaged for a little while before diving into planning!
2 - Decide on a feasible budget, then pick 2 or 3 things that matter most. For us it was photography & food. Hire the best vendors you can afford for those 2 or 3 priorities, and then do the best you can with the rest of your budget to fill in the rest.
3 - Hire a professional wedding planner, even if it’s just to help run things during the wedding! I’m really enjoying doing the planning myself, but there is absolutely no way I’ll be able to take care of things on the big day, nor am I going to ask a family member to “work” that day, either. Kristin Kaplan is exactly who I need! She’s super-organized, and is going to take over everything I’ve planned a month before the wedding and make it come to life. Unless you’re getting married at the courthouse, I don’t see how anyone can enjoy their day without a wedding planner!
Congratulations Marianne and Chris, here's wishing you both all the best and a lifetime full of love together!
Thank you to McCoy Made for the pictures.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography & Videography, Real Nashville Brides
2 comments »
Friday, May 14, 2010
We love brides in boots! Here's a great engagement session featuring a great looking couple whose style and story we heart!
We'll let the Kristyn tell you their story...
Guest Blogger: Kristyn Hogan, lifestyle photographer
Jennifer & Armand excude style and grace. Not only are they both extremely talented, they are genuine, good people who love each other and those around them. We had so much fun wandering through alleys to capture their love and I cannot wait for their fabulous wedding this fall at the Country Music Hall of Fame!
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Hello fabulous gold cowboy boots! Jennifer brought together all the style for this shoot and completely captured their personalities with all of the elements!
I told Jen & Armand to bring a few things that represented them as a couple. Since Armand tours several months out of the year, one of their main forms of communication is through their laptops. It was so fun when they turned on some iTunes and got their grove on 
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Posted by KRISTYN HOGAN lifestyle photographer |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography & Videography, Real Nashville Brides
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010
A few weeks ago, we launched a search for Nashville's favorite bridal blog (aka written by a bride2be or newlywed). The goal was simple - we wanted to know who the Nashville community deemed a must read, who they followed daily and why. We wanted to discover new blogs or see what we were missing in those we didnt follow regularly.
We received tons of votes for local bridal bloggers! While they couldn't all win, every participating blogger will receive a free ticket to party with us at our sold out, Sex and the City party! (Bloggers - contact me to get your free ticket by Monday.)
The contest made it more obvious to me that we have some well loved blogs.
Ok, Ok. Drumroll please...
The top 3 voted blogs were 100 Days to Plan a Wedding, The Budget Savvy Bride and The Thirty Something Bride!
But, the winner was Louise of The Thirty Something Bride, who was voted Nashville 2010 Best Bridal Blogger! In addition to may other perks, Louise will receive tickets for herself and a friend to our coveted Girls Night Out party + 5 tickets for loyal bride-to-be readers.
The results were very close so we've decided to offer 3 complimentary party tickets to 100 Days to Plan a Wedding, The Budget Savvy Bride. Your fans love you and we do too!!!
I called Louise last week to congratulate her on being named Best and she was so honored:). She didnt know how many of her readers voted but was happy to participate.
For those of you unfamiliar with Louise, she's got a huge personality that leaves an impression. She's helpful, direct and blunt and you either love her or are left with your mouth wide open at some of the things she says. I've enjoyed her company since we first met and want you to meet her today! Even if you know her, keep reading...you may learn something new.
Ashley's 1on1 with Louise of The Thirty Something Bride
Ashley: Tell me a little bit about when and why you started your blog. Why did you think it was important?
The Thirty-Something Bride (TTSB): I got engaged in Dec 08 and started my blog in April 09. I actually didnt think it was important. It was for me. A place to vent to someone other than The Candyman (her now husband).
Ashley: And then you started meeting people and discovered that they read your blog?
TTSB: That part was a little bit weird for me because my cousin writes a blog and I knew that other people commented and I figured they were her friends and I didn’t know they were other strangers/ other bloggers that read her stuff. My first real comment was either from Sharon (Jonathon Campbell Photography) or Tabitha (of ABG) who commented and I was like “oh my god she’s reading this?”. And at that point, I thought oh my goodness, people are actually reading this! And then it just kind of grew and I started talking about it and wow.
Ashley: How would you describe your blog?
TTSB: Ya’ know what? What I feature a wedding and I don’t know the bride, which is most times the case, I always warn the bride to read my blog before they agree to do this because I can be driect, snarky and I cuss and if any of these things don’t bode well with you, no hard feelings, I get it. So, my blog is kind of direct and it’s a mix of, I guess some personal things and bridal things that in my head. I try to make it both personal and wedding. If something personal is going on how, I try to show how it would affect someone who’s planning a wedding.
Ashley: How did your husband, aka The Candyman, get his name?
TTSB: Long story short, basically from the Christina Aguilera song Candyman – “There’s nothing more dangerous than a boy with charm.” And that was definitely The Candyman when we started dating.
Ashley: Does The Candyman like your blog?
TTSB: I don’t know! (laughs) He definitely supports it that’s for sure. (Yells into background ”Honey do you like my blog?”) Laughter. “Like totally, love it.”
Ashley: Does he read it regularly or no?
TTSB: He is very supportive but he doesn’t read it everyday but he’ll read it in chunks and gets caught up.
Ashley: I love that! I’ll have to listen to that song!
TTSB: It’s a good song it’s kind of fitting actually. It’s just a fun boppy song but if you listen to the lyrics there’s some cool stuff in there.
Ashley: So do you have any blog regrets? Like, blogger's guilt or anything you’ve said that you wish you hadn’t?
TTSB: Where do I start? Hah! All. The. TIME. And you know what, I’ve definitely had some blogger's regret, really just more vomiting anger than venting than using it as a platform to organize my thoughts. But you know what that keeps it real. I don’t delete comments, I never post comments anonymously, I’ll own it. If I mess up, you know what - hopefully I learn something from it and I do I learn something all the time from writing my blog
Ashley: What’s the one thing you’ve learned recently as a result of regret or comment
TTSB: We’ve been married 7 months and somebody who was kind of peripherally involved read my blog and found, literally, a sentence that was maybe 9 words wrong and it blew up in my face. And again it goes back to ownership. I wrote it, I said it, I meant it and in that case I did mean it and I had to own up to that sentence. It sucked a little bit but all of it ended up being for the best.
Ashley: Good! So are you ever anxious, or apprehensive about what you’re going to say before you post anything? Are you like “ooh should I hit publish on this?”.
TTSB: No, I think maybe I’ve done that less than a handful of times.
Ashley: Now that your blog has taken on a life of its own, do you have any blog goals?
TTSB: I guess growth is always a goal in and of itself. And ya’know I want to experience different aspects of the wedding industry.
Ashley: So what surprises you most about your readers?
TTSB: This contest! This contest really showed that a lot of my male friends are reading! I was really shocked at who came out to vote ya’ know? And I’ve had a couple of them send me emails and say, “Really enjoyed your blog” and I think wow, that’s weird.
Ashley: Yeah I was surprised at the number of male voters too. Why do you think males read your blog so much?
TTSB: I think that some guys, especially the ones who might know me, see it as just entertainment. Like "What’s Louise's post talk about today? Who has pissed her off?". I don't really know why they read, I haven’t asked, maybe I’ll ask!
Ashley: As a recent bride who has seen weddings from when you were engaged til now, what' was your favorite bridal show?
TTSB: I would have to say Weddings, The Bridal Show, the bridal expo downtown. That one’s good because it’s big. And you really get to see a variety of vendors. But ya’ know everybody cautions people about the big shows and new brides and you know what? They’re all right. But there should be some caution because there are so many other vendors than those right at the show and you need to do homework beyond the show. But the show is a good place, if you’ve done the homework already, to meet the people collectively to have an immediate comparison. That’s good to have. There’s pluses and minuses but I did like the Perfect Wedding Guide show at the Frist – I liked that one because it wasn’t quite so overwhelming but at that point I’d pretty much hired everybody but I liked the venue itself and it offered more personalized interaction between people just because it wasn’t quite so big and you weren’t hurried.
Ashley: Lastly – what are your blog addictions?
TTSB: Oh man… well of course Ashley’s Bride Guide, duh. My Hands Made It is another. She voted her name’s Veronica and she’s like the DIY QUEEN. Love love love her. She’s great in fact I’m featuring a tutorial from her this week on my blog. There is a fashion blog called Dust Jacket Addict; it’s eye candy everyday. And Snippet and Ink; they offer a real a voice and they’re a resource but it doesn’t give you too much "Style Me Pretty" wedding envy. There’s still a voice there it’s not a corporate thing. I like the blogs with voices, I want to know who's behind them.
Be sure to visit The Thirty Something Bride's blog and others on my bridal blog directory.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Real Nashville Brides
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