Monday, July 28, 2014
Last month, Jenn and I headed to The Nashville NotWedding, a faux wedding designed to showcase real wedding ideas. As one of our favorite bridal event, this big fake wedding did not disappoint. The theme at this year's alternative bridal show was "not your typical rustic wedding." The participating vendors, all listed below, took the theme and the inspiration board and created something truly magical to showcase their creativity and to give couples a myriad of ideas for their big day.
The event started with the creation of a save the date, announcing the big day, then an engagement session with a lucky couple. The night before the wedding event, the couple and vendors were invited to a rehearsal dinner at Edgehill Village Cafe (which was delicious!). The ceremony and reception took place the following night, both held at the Cannery. We were treated to a beautiful, vow renewal ceremony followed by a full reception, with dinner, cake, ice cream and dancing!
Enjoy the pre-event and ceremony photos below and check back tomorrow for images from the reception.
Photo: Hannah Elaine Photography
Photo: Cassidy Carson Photography
Photos above: Hannah Elaine Photography
Photo: Cassidy Carson Photography
Photos above: Hannah Elaine Photography
Photo: Cassidy Carson Photography
Photo: Hannah Elaine Photography
Photo: Cassidy Carson Photography
Participating Nashville Wedding Vendors
Venue | Events at 1 Cannery Row | Mercylounge.com
Rehearsal Dinner | Edgehill Café | Edgehillcafe.com
Photography + Save the Date | Cassidy Carson Photography | Cassidycarsonphotography.com
Photography + Styled Shoot | Hannah Elaine Photography | Hannahelaine.com
Photography + Rehearsal Dinner | Maile Lani Photography | Mailelaniphotography.com
Day-of Coordination + Event Design (Table Numbers 13, 14, 15) | Creative Designs & Events | Creativedesignevents.com
!Event Design (Head Table + Table Numbers 3, 6, 9, 12) | Events by Elaine | Eventsbyelaine.com
Floral Design (Ceremony Backdrop + Table Numbers 2, 5, 8, 11) | Rosemary & Finch Floral Design | Rosemaryandfinch.com
Event & Floral Design (Bridal Party Flowers + Table Numbers 1, 4, 7, 10) | Shay Brown Events | Shaybrownevents.com
Invitations | Nesting Project | Nestingproject.com
Programs | With Love Paper Goods | Withlovepapergoods.com
Save the Dates | Green Bean Paper Company | Greenbeanpaper.com
Menus | J. Amber Creative | Jambercreative.com
Local Handcrafted Goods + Gifts | Batch Nashville | Batchnashville.com
Paper Accents | Liddabits Design Shop | Liddabitsdesignshop.com
Groomsmen Attire | Street Tuxedo | Streettuxedo.com
Bridal Party Attire | The Bride Room | Thebrideroom.com
Hair Salon | Nfuse | Salonnfuse.com
Makeup | Hayley Bidez Makeup Artistry | Hayleybidez.com
Perfume | Flower Acre | Pastitchperfume.com
Catering | Chef Penelope’s Catering | Chefpenelope.com
Wedding Cake | Frosted Affair | Thefrostedaffair.com
Cupcakes | Connie Cakes | Conniecakes.biz
Desserts | Ben & Jerry’s | Benjerry.com/vanderbilt
Event Rentals | Southern Events Party Rental | Southerneventsonline.com
Entertainment | Snyder Entertainment | Briansnyderentertainment.com
Photobooth | Snyder Entertainment | Briansnyderentertainment.com
Wooden + Iron Accents | Narrow Gate Artisans | Ngartisans.com
Travel | 2 Travel Anywhere, LLC. | 2travelanywhere.com
Transportation | F.A.D.D.S. Party Bus | Nashvillepartybus.com
National Linen | Vendor Linen Tablecloth | linentablecloth.com
National Sparkling Wine Sponsor | Ferrari | cantineferrari.it
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: Inspiration & Trends, Invitations & Paper Goods, Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds, Photography, Reception Entertainment, Photo Booths, Unique Wedding Ideas, Rentals, Wedding Style - Rustic, Farm ,
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Wednesday, April 2, 2014
If you're looking for a fun addition to your wedding reception, hoping to provide something delicious for your guests to snack on, or trying to make sure your guests really enjoy their wedding favors, then a popcorn bar or favor bag may be the perfect find for you! Kernels Southern Gourmet Popcorn is a family owned business that originated in Nashville, Tennessee. Based on the belief that their customers' needs are of the utmost importance, their entire team is committed to meeting those needs and providing a stress-free experience. As a huge popcorn fan, I was excited to try some of their mouth-watering flavors, and they did not disappoint! I spoke with Amber, one of the three sisters who own Kernels, to see what this scrumptious snack company has to offer Nashville brides.
Photos above: Kristyn Hogan Lifestyle Photographer
What are the most popular options that you provide for weddings?
Our most popular wedding option is the Kernels Mini Bag. These bags contain about one cup of popcorn, include a customized label and a ribbon. Typically, the label contains the couples' name and wedding date. These bags are great to have at place settings to give your guests something to snack on while they wait on the wedding party. Prices start at $1.50/bag.
What can a bride expect from Kernels?
Being a small business, the Kernels experience is very customizable. If there's a flavor (or bag or label) the bride wants that we don't have, we can probably get it. We can deliver to homes the evening before or to the reception the day of the wedding. For popcorn bars, one would just order the bulk bags and fill their jars. We don't provide jars, but we can recommend where to get them.
Do you provide popcorn for bridal showers or rehearsal dinners?
Yes, Kernels will meet any popcorn need! And we ask that brides remember Kernels around nine months after their honeymoon for a "ready to pop" baby shower theme!
What flavors are usually chosen? What interesting flavor combinations do you recommend?
Our popular flavors for weddings are Salted Caramel, White Cheddar and Frosty Caramel (a vanilla coated caramel). Flavored popcorn is fairly new to Nashville, so I recommend our Music City Mix. This is our Gourmet Caramel mixed with the Gourmet Cheddar, which gives you a sweet and salty combination that is very flavorful!
Feel free to stop by Kernels at their store front location at 2501B Gallatin Ave in East Nashville to see how you can incorporate their gourmet popcorn into your wedding activities. Make sure to sample all of their delicious flavors while you're there!
You can contact Kernels at (615) 378-POP4(7674) or online at kernelsnashville.com. Already a fan? Join us in liking them on their Facebook page.
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Posted by Jenn Dobbins |
Filed under: Cakes & Desserts, Inspiration & Trends, Reception Entertainment, Photo Booths,
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Monday, February 3, 2014
There were beautiful booths, tasty booths and fashionable booths at the Perfect Wedding Guide. But, our favorite booth belonged to Snyder Entertainment. It was engaging and downright FUN!
Snyder Entertainment wowed us with their innovative booth that allowed brides to print photos directly from Instagram using personalized wedding hashtags.
Here's how it works:
Guests upload photos to Instagram and include your pre-determined wedding hashtag. Then, they visit the Instagram Print Station set up at your reception by Snyder Entertainment. From the computer screen, they select the photos they want printed. The selected photos are then printed in seconds!
Each printout includes the image, caption and custom event greetings (i.e. your wedding logo, date, etc.)
This would make a great souvenir for guests and is such a fun way to see what your guests are capturing on your big day.
It was our absolute favorite booth!
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events, Reception Entertainment, Photo Booths, Unique Wedding Ideas,
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Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Yes. You've seen the photos of gorgeous weddings at Houston Station. But what you may not know is that 90 percent of Houston Station couples use the Blending Room to extend their reception. Which made me wonder...how many couples actually choose Houston Station for the Blending Room? Inquiring minds want to know!
The Blending Room is definitely a great complement to a Houston Station wedding. As a lounge across from the main reception area, the Blending Room is cozy, eclectic and houses Noteable Blends, a mobile coffee bar. Both the lounge and the coffee are the domain of Scott Davis, a coffee aficionado who is as passionate about great music as he is about creating a great coffee experience.
With this being Music City, there is a clear attraction to a post-wedding reception lounge that allows the couple to host an after party. Plus the aroma of gourmet coffee, blended in-house is equally appealing.
Top left photo by Ace Photography; top right photo by Jonathon Campbell Photography; bottom photos by Noteable Blends
The Blending Room: a Multi-Purpose Lounge with a Musical Stage!
Scott tells me that The Blending Room has a "live, active stage" with musical instruments. If you or your fiance are musicians, you can request to have the music stage set up after your wedding and invite friends and family on stage to get in on the action.
The space can be transformed into many configurations to allow its use for various events. Some ideas include a rehearsal dinner, groom's room, cocktail party or even for a parent wind-down area once the party really gets going in the main section of the venue!
As you can see from the photos I've included below, the space is cozy and full of personality. We even hosted a workshop here and the room went from being set-up in church style (yes - they have real pews) to reception style for our bride class. You can use the props and tables available at the venue or you can have the seating cleared and rentals brought in. Almost any type of seating arrangement will work in this versatile area, from cocktail tables to long, square tables.
Above and below: Various jam sessions in a number of room configurations.
Photography: Amy Nicole Photography
Noteable Blends, a Coffee Experience You Can Take Anywhere
From presentation to coffee favors, Noteable Blends has you covered. This mobile coffee bar, located in Houston Station's Blending Room is a gem for coffee lovers! Noteable Blends can be added to your reception, whether it's hosted at Houston Station or not. If you have a Houston Station wedding, you can opt to serve gourmet coffee to your guests. If not, you can work with Noteable Blends to set up a coffee bar at your venue. The options are truly limitless.
If you're a coffee lover, Scott can create custom blends for the coffee featured at your reception or for you to give to your guests as favors. Noteable Blends can also create a coffee experience for your bridal shower, crafting a signature blend for your maids based on their personality and taste preferences. This truly is a one of a kind gift!
Noteable Blends is a mobile coffee unit serving custom blends.
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Noteable Blends creates custom blends for couples that can be served at the wedding and guests can take home a bag, doubling as your favor.
Photography: left and right by Jenny Lindsey Photography
This gorgeous couch that sits in Noteable Blends is a wonderful prop for photos! (Photo: Amber Beckham Photography)
Except where noted, photos courtesy of Houston Station / Noteable Blends
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: Cakes & Desserts, Inspiration & Trends, Reception Entertainment, Photo Booths, Unique Wedding Ideas, Wedding Venues and Locations,
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Friday, September 27, 2013
Dawn and Jeff had a beautiful wedding but kept their marriage as their number one priority. That's what their wedding planner, Kelly of Kelly Dellinger Events, loved most about the couple. Thanks to Kelly, I learned all about this special couple, including how they worked with Cosmo Creations to ensure their live reception music was memorable and dance worthy!
I hope you enjoy learning about Dawn and Jeff, and their Nashville wedding, as much as I did.
Dawn & Jeff
Wedding Date ~ June 22, 2013
Ceremony Location ~ St. Augustine's Chapel at Vanderbilt University
Reception Location ~ W.O. Smith School of Music
Tell me about Dawn and Jeff.
Dawn and Jeff are one of the sweetest couples I've had the privilege to know and work with! They're big social dancers, love a great party. Dawn is a marathon runner and had the idea to do a "I Run to You 5K" the morning of their wedding, even! (The idea ended up getting ditched towards the end of planning, due to time limitations and the sheer chaos of orchestrating a huge event for 150 friends and family, but I loved the concept!) The couple wanted to maintain a "laid-back, traditional Southern tone" for their wedding, and I think they did an excellent job pulling that off.
What was their wedding style?
Relaxed, unpretentious, comfortable; family-oriented with an emphasis on Southern hospitality.
What 3 things were most important to the bride and groom?
The most important thing to Jeff and Dawn was that they celebrated their relationship with loved ones and gave their friends and family a fantastic guest experience. By providing transportation shuttles (charming trolleys!) for out-of-town guests staying in hotels in the city, guests didn't have to worry with Vanderbilt's limited parking or trying to hitch a ride after having a couple of cocktails. The couple prioritized spending money on delicious food, music that would keep everyone dancing until the wee hours of the morning, and a wedding planner who would ensure that they and their families didn't have to worry about a thing all day or night.
Do they live in Nashville or was it a destination wedding?
They live in Nashville, but the majority of wedding guests came from all over! Dawn's family is Virginia born and bred, and Jeff's is from upstate New York. It was a fun group - many guests went out honky-tonking at the end of the evening.
Why did they choose W.O. Smith for their wedding reception?
Dawn works for Vanderbilt and had fallen in love with the stunning cedar chapel for her ceremony. Reverend Lillian Hallstrand, a Chaplain at Vanderbilt's Medical Center, beautifully officiated the wedding. The W.O. Smith School had a similar natural aesthetic that carried out the
Wedding Team
Planner - Kelly Dellinger Events
Catering - B&C Catering
Music - Cosmo Creations
Photography - Tony Lopez Photography
Transportation - FADDS Trolleys
Florals - Geny's Flowers
Locations - W.O. Smith School of Music. St. Augustine's Chapel
Hair - Salon N'Fuse
Tuxedos - Street Tuxedo
Rentals - Liberty Party Rental
Officiant - Rev. Lillian Hallstrand
Where did they splurge and save?
Two of their major priorities were good food and good music! B&C provided some of their Southern mainstays: SCRUMPTIOUS pork ribs, miniature pies, sweet cornbread muffins and bacon-wrapped green beans.
Cosmo Creations is always my preference for reception DJs, and they were thrilled with how Josh kept everyone dancing all night long. One of Dawn's "non-negotiables" in her wedding planning was that under NO circumstances could she handle hiring a cheesy DJ. Cosmo Creations' Josh Rose was the perfect fit for their wedding - professional, personable, and charming without ever being over-the-top.
Both B&C and Cosmo are favorites of mine regardless of budget - Dawn & Jeff got exactly what they wanted without having to break the bank.
Perhaps the biggest splurge of theirs was a two-week honeymoon in Italy! They saved on wedding costs by opting for mini chess, chocolate, and pecan pies (as well as cupcakes) from B&C rather than getting a four-tiered production of a wedding cake. While they did have a little 6" round cake to cut (which they purchased at Publix the morning of the wedding!), the caterer's desserts stood out the most.
Ha! They were certain they didn't want a cheesy DJ. So glad they hired Cosmo Creations. I know they offer several services for weddings. What role did they play in Jeff and Dawn's day?
Cosmo Creations provided the DJ for their reception dancing, as well as sound equipment to ensure that Dawn's talented singer sister, Mary, could play keyboards and sing the father-daughter dance, a Stevie Wonder medley.
Cosmo's Josh Rose communicated directly with Dawn's sister Mary, a professional musician, to discuss their A/V equipment needs and provided exactly what fit the bill (in this case, microphones and a sound board). Mary and her beau had brought in their own keyboard and bongos. The couple rehearsed with everything hooked up and ready to go while Dawn and Jeff were taking photos after the ceremony, and everything went off without a hitch! Her rendition of "Isn't She Lovely?/You Are the Sunshine of My Life" was moving and an amazing way for Dawn to honor her talented family!
How was this approach to music made personal for the couple?
From time to time, especially working in Music City where practically EVERYONE is a phenomenal artist, close friends and family members of clients will perform during their weddings. I love collaborating with a reputable company like Cosmo in these situations, because I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that every little thing will be taken care of. When planning my brides' weddings, I avoid situations where "surprises" may arise. Working with Cosmo gives me the peace of mind to know that even though I may not know the answers, they'll ask the right questions and come prepared enough to seamlessly flow through the evening.
What did you most love about their wedding?
Dawn and Jeff REALLY cared about their marriage first and foremost. It matters a lot to me when brides have incredible taste and love beautifully designed events, but I always want to see that the love behind the day is what permeates every last detail the most. They might not have cared terribly much about having an elaborate wedding cake, but their love was palpable. That to me is more lasting and meaningful than a zillion Pinterest details thrown together haphazardly. Focusing on throwing a fun and comfortable party for guests, honoring your heritage and family, caring most about the ceremony and not sweating the small stuff? Recipe for nuptial success.
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Posted by Ashley King |
Filed under: Bands, DJs, Music, Real Nashville Weddings, Reception Entertainment, Photo Booths,
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