Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Let's face it, we love weddings. This site wouldn't exist if not for the fact that Ashley, me and the ABG team just love the whole kit and kaboodle of weddings from planning to the big day itself. I get teary eyed when the bride has her first dance with her groom or dad, I laugh and cheer when the bouquet is tossed, I've even come to love the lighting of the unity candle!! Traditions are wonderful, but sometimes it's fun to mix things up a little and put your own personal spin on things.
Today we hand the baton over to Nashville wedding planner, Sarah Willard, as she shares ways Nashville brides can add fun twists to their wedding ceremony.
Guest Blogger: Sarah Willard - A Music City Event
Weddings are steeped in tradition. Some are still eagerly embraced: the couple exchange rings as a symbol of their love and fidelity. Some traditions entice and annoy brides at the same time: the Bride and Groom cannot see each other prior to the wedding. Some are swiftly being carried away: the bridesmaids wear matching dresses (and yes, I have to say: thank goodness!). Some are quickly becoming a new tradition: slideshows of the couple growing up!Every bride has her idea of what traditions she does does not want. And every one of them wants something special and unique. It is always fun to incorporate new ideas even when – or maybe especially when - they are actually old!
A few fun traditions from around the world to think about as you plan your ceremony:
In Japan, purple is the color of love and a young bride may choose to wear an elaborately-embroidered silk kimono covered in purple iris-flowers.
Make this tradition your own - which conveniently falls into a very popular color right now! Use purple as a main color and pair it will bold yellows for the summer, or rich auburns for fall. Use irises in your centerpieces to incorporate a little about where you come from. Considering the Iris has been Tennessee's state flower since 1933, you can also give a little shout out to the lovely state we live in.
In Scandinavian customs, fiddlers and horns accompany the wedding precession to the church. Have trumpeters or other musicians lead the procession down the aisle.
Source: http://www.ingebretsens.com
The familiar English tradition of a throwing petals before the bride as she walked to the church – or her groom – invoked a happiness for the bride for her new life.
Photo source: A Music City Event
One of the most simple yet elegant of ceremonies is the Moravian Wedding Ritual. The bridal couple together lights one large candle. The flame is passed along to the guest, each of whom has been given their own candle. Each guest lights the candle of the one beside them until the entire room is aglow. This is a wonderful way to include your family and friends. I recommend doing this at the end of the ceremony – then you recess awash in candlelight!
Instead of using a traditional guestbook, that you most likely will not look at after the wedding, think "outside of the book" for your guests!
Big ticket items right now include a framed photo of you and your fiance with a wide mat for guests to sign, a vintage poster board with your wedding date and names, or a scrapbook with places to insert instant photos of guests. Why not go a little further and have a Wedding Guest Note Tree? Decorate the branches to reflect your taste and style - jewels, orchids, or moss are great touches and instantly transform the feel of the tree. Have your guest write a note on provided papers. Have fun with your note's shape, doves (traditional symbols of love, happiness, and harmony) are my favorite.
Photo Source: Jonathon Campbell Photography
Eastern European weddings set themselves apart from all others with music, song and dance. Weddings are a time to celebrate, to look forward with hope and courage and love. Weddings in Eastern Europe, as everywhere, symbolize the human spirit as nothing else can. Violins and lively gypsy music fill the air as colorful costumes twirl across the dance floor in a never-ending kaleidoscope of joy and happiness for all the world to witness. This could be excellent entertainment for your guests during dinner!
Source: http://www.krisallan.com
Whatever you choose – or do not choose – to do, be sure that it reflects you and your fiance. It is your wedding after all!
Happy planning!
Sarah Willard
Thanks Sarah! For more great twists on wedding ceremonies you can visit A Music CIty Events' blog or Wedding Nouveau, another blog we LOVE for multi-cultural ideas.
We'd also love to hear from those of you who have incorporated any fun twists in your weddings - share it in comments!
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Posted by A Music City Event |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Inspiration & Trends, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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Friday, April 23, 2010
What was once a shopping center in the heart of Belle Meade has now become a fantastic event space. The retail shops that used to inhabit S.P.A.C.E.S. seemed to have set the perfect area for a modern, almost industrial venue, bringing an "L.A. chic" option to the Nashville wedding scene.
They recently had an open house which Jennifer Neal Edwards of Reveal Event Style invited us to as her plus one. We were attending a wonderful tasting at Chef's Market that night and couldnt attend. But Jen did! And, she shared the following recap and pictures to share with you!
"Dutifully named "SPACES", it is an architectural, artful treat that boasts modern art forms - very metropolitan and edgy. The venue has a natural flow mingled with floating art crafted walls creating an exciting anticipation of what is around the corner! The organizers created a warm, welcoming environment infused with lighting provided by Colin (Tech Works Sound & Lighting). The textured linens (provided by Connie Duglin) were made of wonderful, crinkle taffeta in a color and texture reminiscent of rushing water. These flanked the feature art installation, a modern interpretation of a riverbed mirage.
I can just see an intimate wedding ceremony in the round! Ilex provided a lovely floating orchid candlescape. The table top florals were Asian inspired bamboo sculptures juxtaposed with tropical blooms and foliage. Each space within SPACES was dictated by lighting in hot colors including turquoise, hot pink and orange.
A floor inset of river stones with sleek silver orbs and iron tree silhouettes hosting a melange of earth tone glass and candle glow provided by the ever fabulous FABU (fabu.com). Absolutely stunning!
The culinary offerings at the grand opening were indicative of the atmosphere and what you can expect when you celebrate your special occasion at SPACES. The presentation was brilliant thanks to Kristen Winston Catering (kristenwinstoncatering.com). One eye-catching detail was the rockerfeller oysters on a half shell served on "shards" of plexiglass mimicking a bed of ice! Dessert Designs (dessertdesignsbyleland.com) provided pastry art cupcakes topped with pearlized sugar flowers. Glasses of wine and champagne clinked about as big band sounds filled the venue and enveloped the guest as they enjoyed every aspect and detail of this most wonderful new venue!" -- Jennifer
From the sounds of things, S.P.A.C.E.S. is going to be a wonderful venue that can suit all sorts of wedding styles from the simple, zen-inspired styles to over-the-top, spectactular tablescapes and decor.
I love the taller chiavari chairs - certainly beats standing all night!
It's all in the details - The simplicity of the bamboo and orchids don't take attention away from the food. Those pillows on the banquette are nicely complemented by the neon lights.
So pretty how the candlelight bounces off the orbs. Really gives it a magical feel without trying too hard.
Thanks again to Jennifer for a great recap of the evening. Hopefully we get to attend an event there soon. Until then, I'm really looking forward to seeing more pictures of events at S.P.A.C.E.S.
For more information about having your wedding at S.P.A.C.E.S., contact Anne Clayton at Music CIty Tents & Events (MusicCityTents.com).
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Venues and Locations
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Thursday, April 8, 2010
Today I'd like to share questions that we received from ABG readers on wedding etiquette and budget wedding planning. I reached out to two Nashville wedding planners who offered great advice that might be helpful for you.
Since budget and etiquette are necessary but not "fun" topics, I'd like to start with a little wedding humor.
This is a story that my mom emailed me. I almost never entertain those infamous "forwards", but this story I liked.
HOW TO BE GRACIOUS
Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing could dampen her excitement - not even her parent's nasty divorce.
Her mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear, and would be the best-dressed mother-of-the-bride ever!
A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's new, young wife had bought the exact same dress as her mother!
Jennifer asked her father's new young wife to exchange it, but she refused. ''Absolutely not! I look like a million bucks in this dress, and I'm wearing it,'' she replied.
Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, "Never mind sweetheart. I'll get another dress. After all, it's your special day."
A few days later, they went shopping and did find an equally gorgeous dress for her mother.
When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, ''Aren't you going to return the other dress? You really don't have another occasion where you could wear it."
Her mother just smiled and replied, "Of course I do, dear... I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding.''
NASHVILLE WEDDING ADVICE
Question from Nashville Mother of the Bride:
Ashley - I have ready many articles about gifting etiquette but have run into a few issues since my daughters wedding. I have always believed that a shower and a wedding are 2 different gift events. I always brought a less expensive gift to the shower and then a bit more for the wedding gift. We only invited our closest friends to the shower. I was surprised at how many did not bring a gift to the wedding. On top of that, people who asked to be invited, asked to bring a guest (and we said yes) and then did not bring the guest or a gift!
I am from New England. Could it be that the customs are different here in the south? I could never imagine not bringing a gift to a wedding and the shower. And I am not talking about the punch and cake wedding in the church where the whole congregation is invited. I am talking about a full dinner, dancing, etc wedding. This has nothing to do with the price of the gift. I believe that is entirely up to the individual and everyone has a budget. But to bring a family of 4 and not give a gift? What if the gift was lost? Can we ask them?
The other thing is we have 2 gifts that did not have a card attached and about 15 guests who did not give a gift. My daughter wants to be sure that everyone gets a thank-you note who gave a gift. How do we ask those individuals if they gave a vase or a grill for instance? It is so awkward!
Thank-you for clearing this up for us!
Expert Advice from Kristin of Simply Stunning Events:
Gift giving is always a tricky part of wedding etiquette and has been made more complicated in recent years by the economic and financial problems many are facing. You are correct that is is customary to bring or send a gift to both a bridal shower and the wedding itself. And typically people will bring a smaller gift to the shower because it is a smaller, more intimate party.
Unfortunately there will always be people who either don't know the proper etiquette or decide to blatantly ignore it. It is a shame that people asked to bring guests to your daughter's wedding, and then showed up without a gift or the extra guest. At this stage, it's up to you whether to continue having relationships with these people based on their behavior, but hopefully you can forgive and forget, regardless of how rude they were.
My personal thoughts are similar to yours in that you should always bring or send a wedding gift if you are invited to a wedding. Even if you choose not to attend, you are still obligated to send a gift. However the cost of the gift is entirely up to you. These days traditionally people spend about $50-$150 on a wedding gift and tend to spend more if they are invited as a couple or family instead of just as one person.
As for the dilemma over the gifts missing cards, I would suggest possibly sending an email to the entire group for which there was no gift, however be sure to blind copy (BCC), all the recipients so that no one else can see who the others were. In the email just state that you received a few gifts without a card attached and if anyone sent a gift and has not received a thank-you note, could they please respond with the gift that they gave. That way you're not calling out anyone in particular but still getting the message across. Hope that is helpful!
Question from a Nashville Budget Bride:
Hey Ashley - I just wanted to put a question out there... I have been looking at venues all over Nashville and am having trouble finding a reasonably priced but nice reception hall. I am getting married in January 2011 and would love to hear from your readers about non-budget-busting venues.
We don't have an exact guest number laid out but are just trying to be careful. My fiance and I are having to pay for the reception ourselves and would like to keep things on the low end of the scale. I think we have about $7,000 to work with but would love not to have to spend that much. Our photographer is going to be $600, the cake $650 and the flowers about the same. As you can see, the money gets spent quickly and before you know it there is no money left. I really just need any help I can get right now because my ideas are running out...as well as what's left in my wallet.
Expert Advice from Hillary of Your Day of Fairy Tales:
Personally, I love the Peacock Room in Lenox Village. Very reasonably priced, no required caterer, and has a kitchen so the bride can have catering on spot. Tables and chairs are provided as well as sound system. If you are willing to venture outside of Nashville and go to Murfreesboro, there is the MidTN real estate building which rents for either $250 or 500 based on space utilized, tables and chairs included as well as kitchen. Both of these spaces are blank canvases and are perfect options to really showcase their personalities by bringing in decor elements.
Keep those wedding questions coming, and we'll help you get your answers. Leave them in comments or contact us!
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010
I recently attended an open house at Events at 1418 and the Parisian theme was based on the movie Julie & Julia. (If you didnt see the movie, it's a film that contrasts the early career of chef Julia Child in Paris and aspiring chef (and Child-fan) Julie.)
Kellie Bryson, owner of Events at 1418, A Catered Affair and the Bake Shoppe worked with her joint teams to completely transform the space - from decor, desserts and catering - and to create an Ode to Paris evening that inspired Nashville brides and entertained event professionals. Being the simply girl I am, I asked Emily of Simply Yours Weddings to guest blog today, as her palette is much more sophisticated than mine. She appreciates fine wine and fancy food so she'll do a much better job describing the delicious details.
Guest Blogger: Emily of Simply Yours Weddings & Etc.
On a night in downtown Nashville, you don't have to look far for food, laughter, and fun. On this February night, Events at 1418 took us on a trip back in time and across the pond to a Parisian dinner party inspired by the recent film "Julie & Julia". Kellie and her talented team held nothing back as they created an atmosphere of incredible food and drinks as well as a beautiful display of all they have to offer.
From their sweet and accommodating bartending staff to their colorful chefs, down to the beautiful linens and tablescapes, all of it was produced right there within their exposed brick walls! Events at 1418 is a perfect venue for a rehearsal dinner or wedding reception! They literally have everything a planning couple would need right at their fingertips! Plus, they want to make each event extraordinary so they let the creative juices flow resulting in complete event concepts.
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Many of the items served were straight out of Julia Child's cookbook (with a special A Catered Affair twist)! My personal favorite was the beef bourguignon. SO good! They served it as an appetizer over french bread, and I could not keep myself from going back for more! They also served many of Julia's dessert recipes, such as apple tarte with cinnamon creme fraiche, chocolate almond cake, and raspberry bavarian, just to name a few! They did such a great job finding sweet ways to incorporate their theme into the decor and the food. I know this would be true for any other event held at this wonderful location for couples just like you!
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Of course, a sweet soiree like this one, brings out tons of fun people to eat, laugh and mingle! Here are a few shots of some of Nashville wedding people Ashley and I ran into!
From Left to Right - Amy Thomas of Swizzle Events, myself, and Rhonda Hendricks of Joe Hendricks Photography!
From L-R Rhonda Hendricks of Joe Hendricks Photography, Dawn Stoika of the The Bake Shoppe, Amy Thomas of Swizzle Events, myself and Ashley!
So brides, if you are still looking for a reception or smaller party event space such as a Bridal Luncheon or a Rehearsal Dinner, look no further than Events at 1418! They will take incredible care of you for your event!
Thank you to Kellie and the whole team at Events at 1418 for an incredible evening!!
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Posted by Simply Yours Weddings |
Filed under: Bridal Showers, Luncheons, Parties, Destination Weds & Honeymoon , Makeup, Hair, Health, Beauty , Photography & Videography, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Remember the splurge items I talked about in yesterday's post, Research, Prioritize and Trust your Gut? A critical splurge item is a wedding planner. The question of whether you will hire one will come up when you're discussing your budget and going through the list of necessities.
I've met a lot of brides, some who have hired planners and I've spoken to brides who did it all themselves with the help of friends and family. When asked why they decided to brave the planning process and the wedding day itself, the three biggest reasons they gave me were:
- Money - a planner was just not in the budget. The brides felt that the amount they would have to pay was better spent on other aspects.
- They just didn't think a planner was worth the investment - some girls felt that what a planner could do, her friends or family members could also do for free.
- How hard could a wedding be? It's a party isn't it? - After all the planning was squared away with every detail confirmed, brides felt they had it all under control and there just wasn't anything left to worry about. What could possibly go wrong?
It came as no surprise that 90% of the brides I spoke to who didn't hire planners said that they should have done so in the first place. The learned that a planner's help would have taken a load off them, and that a wedding isn't "just a party" and that so much goes into it on teh day itself. Which brings us to Why You Should Hire a Wedding Planner/Coordinator. We consulted with three of the industry's professionals, Amy Thomas of Swizzle Events, Kristin Kaplan of Simply Stunning Nashville and Sharon Campbell, wife and right hand person to photographer Jonathon Campbell.
After their years of experience, they told us why they think brides should never underestimate the importance of a wedding planner:
Knowledge and experience - planners know exactly what questions to ask vendors and how to get you the most bang for your buck. Even if your budget is limitless, it's best to get quality vs. paying too much for shabby work and loopholes in contracts. Planners negotiate for you, they will source for options for you and cut down on your work. You can plan and plan but what if something goes wrong?
Kristin Kaplan of Simply Stunning Events worked with a bride who, shortly before her wedding realized she'd lost her venue - "Everything was ready to go... the venue had also arranged for the catering and the wedding cake and suddenly the bride received a phone call stating that the venue had lots its license to host events and we'd have to make other arrangements. Within two days, we had another venue lined up, new caterers, a whole new menu and a beautiful wedding cake."
Planners know who to call and what to say. They have contacts and the knowledge to get things done. Sure, something like this doesn't always happen, but wouldn't you prefer to have someone on hand just in case it does?
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Get things done. We got a non-planner vendor’s perspective on the topic.
Sharon Campbell offered this advice. “On the day of, which is imperative, a planner can handle the orchestration of the event. A timeline is critical and a day of planner can help make sure that everyone knows where they are supposed to be and when. This includes vendors, your bridal party and even family members who may be coming in early for pictures. You have invested a great deal in your wedding day, why not allot part of that budget so someone that know how to make your day run smoother and get the most out of everything you paid for?”
I couldn’t agree more! Why should you (or any guest) be running around to cue the band when it’s time for your first dance? And no bride wants to deal with the bill while trying to mingle. The planner is there to make sure you are fed, happy, and ready to go cut your cake when it’s time. If there’s a problem with the beef tips? Never you mind, your planner should be the one to deal with it.
Lastly:
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No more stress! Your wedding planner is your problem solver, someone who could resolve conflict, handle emergencies before and during the wedding, all so you can enjoy your own wedding.
Amy Thomas has pulled MacGyver style rescues at weddings with her always-handy emergency kit which came in handy with a bridesmaid dress fiasco. Once, in the middle of a crazy wedding season, a bride neglected to hire a DJ and called Amy at the 11th hour. Working her planner know-how, she managed to book a great DJ for the girl. “The list of real-life examples on why to hire a planner could go on and on. I’ve helped brides work out awkward family situations, find a venue that allowed DIY catering, plan for disabled members of the wedding party, wrangled bored and cranky flower girls and ring-bearers and, occasionally, saved the wedding cake from the ‘best dog.’”
A lot of newlyweds say they hardly remembered what happened at their wedding. A bride once told me, “I was too busy worrying about the schedule that I didn’t get to say hi to people.” Your photographs shouldn’t be the only memories you have after the wedding, you should be able to remember who you got to see and talk to, how much fun you had, what songs you danced to and even how the food tasted!
Hiring a planner for your big day is a worthwhile investment. Like Amy said to us, the question really isn’t “why should you hire a planner” but really “When will you hire your planner?”
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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