Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Kristin of Simply Stunning Events is back to give us an update on her wedding! Be sure to check out her last post on selecting a Nashville wedding venue to get a great insider's perspective.
Guest Post: Kristin of Simply Stunning Events is a Nashville, TN-based wedding and event planner who is currently engaged to Brian Kaplan, a Nashville wedding photographer. Greetings! When we last left off, my fiance and I had chosen a reception venue, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Now we needed to focus on how to decorate it. First up, a color scheme. I always tell brides to look around their homes for some inspiration on possible wedding colors, chances are, if you like certain colors enough to use them in your home, you'll probably like to see them as part of your wedding. Also, consider the season and location of your wedding; it is much easier to work with the colors that will exist in nature at the time of your wedding and in your venue, rather than against them. For our wedding I knew we had to have some bright green since it's my absolute favorite color and Brian doesn't mind it. In fact, much of our home decor is in shades of green. And since the Hall of Fame has a beautiful brown wood floor we decided to use that color as well. To accent the green and brown we looked to nature! Since our wedding date is in the early stages of autumn, we figured bright oranges and reds would compliment the green and brown nicely. We had an official color scheme!
(our wedding colors)
Next up, my favorite aspect of wedding planning, decor! I spent a few months searching for and collecting images online of ideas and flowers that seemed to work with our colors and then sat down with the immensely talented Hillary Robson of Brocade Designs to make some decisions. We studied the flowers in the images and decided to work with a variety of green hydrangea, green cymbidium orchids, white dahlias, white hydrangea, red dahlias, yoko mums, orange roses, green and amber spider mums, orange calla lilies, and red James storey orchids. These flowers all provided a good range of color and the modern, unique vision I was aiming for. We then broke down each aspect of the ceremony and reception decor and came up with ideas for the bouquets, boutonnieres, church decor, and three different centerpieces in a range of heights to bring some interest to the reception hall. After the wedding I'll reveal the final look since I don't want to give it away with six months to go!
(our inspiration board)
(detailed picture of our decor inspiration)
To sum up, when choosing your decor, find inspirational images online that spark your interest and bring them to your floral meetings so your florist and/or event designer can get a feel for your style and the look you're trying to achieve. Work with the colors that are available at your venue and during your wedding season. And don't be afraid to think outside of the box, especially if you are on a budget. A good florist will work with what you have and make affordable suggestions to keep you from spending a fortune. Hillary and I decided to do a very large, elaborate centerpiece on only some of the tables to give the room a big impact but keep the rest simple to save money. I cannot wait to see the final result in September!
(more ideas from our second inspiration board)
Kristin - thanks for sharing your insight on choosing wedding colors and decor. Brides - contact Kristin with questions regarding your wedding and also - check out polyvore.com - a great way to create your own inspiration board and save your favorite visual ideas.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Inspiration & Trends, Real Nashville Brides, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Company name: Music City Events, http://www.amusiccityevent.com
Contact Info: Sarah Willard
Phone number: 615.727.3903
Ashley: How did you get started in weddings? Sarah: I began planning my own wedding in 2002 and realized just how much is out there. It was overwhelming to sift through the dozens of names and websites and prices and availability and styles. 6 months after my engagement a friend of mine got engaged herself and I helped plan her wedding as well as mine. Before I knew it, I had spent a year planning several weddings for friends. When the last one married, I felt so empty - that's when I knew this was truly more than "something fun" and that is was my passion!
Ashley: What do you like most about weddings? Sarah: I love to see brides different ideas and desires. I've never had a bride ask for the same thing and I love being able to expand on their dreams. To show a bride a design and see her eyes light up with excitement is one of the best experiences. Ashley: What's your favorite wedding pic/video and why? Sarah: I love the photo of this reception. The bride wanted an "Old Glamour Hollywood" theme with Sinatra, Lauren Bacall, and Katherine Hepburn as inspiration. We decided to go with jewel tones - dark purples, amythest, emerald green, and stunning blues. I added the peacock feathers for a whimsical modern feel. We held the reception in an old factory chosen for the exposed brick walls and original wood flooring - perfect for our ambiance. We hung bare round lights along the perimeter of the room for a soft glow and to supplement the candles.
Another was Laura Lee, whose favorite color is red - so that was inspiration for her August wedding. Red rose petals were grouped with candles on the altar and red linens, chair covers, and organza ties were used in the reception with a stunning square cake with red roses and Swarovski crystal cake topper. Two kinds of centerpieces were used for depth some topped with balls of flowers and other with floating candles and curling willow.
(photography Dale Doreman)
Then there was Nancy and Keegan who held an intimate ceremony at one of my favorite tucked away venues: Cools Springs House in Brentwood. After the ceremony they were whisked to the Factory at Franklin for a small Laotian reception - meaning about 250 guests instead of 500!
(photography Scott Hammaker)
Ashley: What is your service philosophy? Sarah: Your wedding is a glorious, important day of your life. You should not spend your engagement worrying about its outcome. My goal is take the stress away and bring out the pleasure and fun in the planning.
Ashley: What are your strengths compared to others in your category? / Why should a bride hire you? Sarah: I am very passionate about what I do, and I approach each wedding and each bride as the unique individual that they are. I stay up to date on all the latest trends and designs and most importantly, I listen to what the bride desires and help her achieve that! I love to play with different color schemes and textures, and to pull design ideas from everything around us. My inspiration has come from some of the strangest places!
Ashley: You have years of experience and have done so many Nashville weddings. Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors - helpfulness, professionalism, style? Sarah: 1) Chef's Market: Shannon is a wonder to work with and can create exquisite menus and tablescaping. Scott is incredibly talented and crafts spectacular arrangements and designs. We've worked together so often that we practically read each other's minds! 2) SS Graham Florals & Events 3) REM Entertainment: Whenever I need a DJ, Bob is automatically who I turn to. You can't get a better Emcee and entertainer than him! 4) Gray Photography: Zach and Jody are IT as far as photography is concerned. You get the both of best worlds, dramatic artwork worthy of magazines and fun, candid moments of the whole day. 5) Party Providers: Dana and her crew are so on the ball that I never need to go to a different rental supplier. Everything is always pristine when delivered and the service is unbeatable. Ashley: Who do you recommend when you’re not available/not a fit? Sarah: Emily Humpries of Simply Yours Weddings & Etc. I have brought Emily on for larger, more detailed weddings and she is certainly a person that you can rely on in any situation.
Ashley: What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends? Sarah: I like to look "outside of the box" and stay on top of design trends, not just wedding trends. I am a member of different event organizations. I subscribe to several wedding and design magazines and meet with industry professionals on a regular basis. I also keep an emphasis on continuing my education in the industry and of course I watch all the fun shows out there! Ashley: Let's discuss current wedding trends...Which trend do you love? Sarah: Gobos! I love projecting the couples monogram, logo, or design over the dance floor, down the aisle, above the cake - you name it. You can have virtually anything anywhere in any color, it's an amazing decor item with instant glamour.
Ashley: Which trend are you glad is gone? Disposable cameras on the reception tables. Most guests carry tiny digital cameras these days. Instead, opt for a PhotoBooth, it's much more fun and interactive for your guests!
Ashley: Which trend are you sad is gone? Sarah: A private dinner for the bride and groom. The whole wedding day is so high paced that the bride and groom often don't get to spend time with each other until the next day! I like to have all the photos shot early in the day and let the bride and groom have a private dinner during the cocktail hour. It allows them to focus on each other without 300 people in the room with them.
Ashley: What are your favorite wedding resources? / Neatest wedding find? Sarah: Brides.com is a great resource for just about everything and Flicker is a fun place to find tons of photos for inspiration (just be sure to search with 'wedding'!). http://www.brides.com/ http://www.flickr.com/ Ashley: Advice for brides? Sarah: Look into hiring an event planner - even if it's only for the weekend. You'll be glad you did before you even get to the rehearsal! Planners can readily answer any and all of your questions and will be the buffer between you and vendors on your wedding day. You should be able to enjoy your wedding without worrying about the reception setup, time, musicians, etc. Pay attention to your photographer. If you don't get a good one, you'll regret it. Your photos are the only lasting item from your wedding. Be sure to get a photographer you are comfortable with and who will work with you - not make you work with them. A bad/uncaring photographer can make you, your family, and wedding party uncomfortable or upset and that will show in your photos. Most of all - have fun! Enjoy your planning process and keep your fiance as your focal point. He (or she!) is, after all, the reason you are celebrating.
Thanks Sarah!!
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Resources
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Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Company name: Weddings by Helen Contact Info: Helen Morisette, http://www.weddingsbyhelen.com/ Phone number: 615.948.5833
Ashley: How did you get started in weddings? Helen: In 1994, with a lifetime background of training which includes, theatre, acting, dance, choreography, pageants, stage productions, managing, artist development, etc. I decided to turn my love of pageantry and choreography in to a full time vocation of Wedding Planning.
Ashley: What do you like most about weddings? Helen: The happiness, joy, and the coming together of friends and families old and new. Ashley: What's your favorite wedding pic/video and why? Why? Helen: I have way too many to count and view, the reason this is one of my favorites, is due to the personal attention the bride gave to her bridesmaids. Each Bridesmaid carried their favorite flower for their bouquet, and I love the setting. Ashley: What is your service philosophy? Helen: I provide professional planning and coordinating for amazing weddings, parties and special events. I will help to make your special day a perfect reflection of your style and taste, while minimizing your stress in planning. I spends time to find out what you envision your day to be; no dream too vast, every detail vital, to make it uniquely yours. I strives to match you with vendors that will exceed your expectations while working within your budget.
Ashley: What are your strengths compared to others in your category? / Why should a bride hire you? Helen: My knowledge, experience, approach, affiliation with vendors. My passion for weddings and bringing out every detail the Bride wishes for. And for just being me, sincere, honest, organized,as well as a good judge of character , and able to match the Brides personal style with the best vendors. And, the Bride always has me throughout her Wedding and reception. I work all my weddings!!
Ashley: You have years of experience and have done so many Nashville weddings. Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors - helpfulness, professionalism, style? Helen: OH my, way to many to count! I love so many. My goal is always to match the perfect vendors that best match the individual bride's needs. Ashley:Who do you recommend when you're not available/not a fit? Helen: There are so many other capable wedding planners, all with different personalities. It just depends on the bride and then I research that perfect person.
Ashley: What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends? Helen: Martha Stewart Weddings, Modern Brides, Wedding Style Magazine, The know, Ashley Bride Guide, Grace Ormonde, too many to count. Ashley: Let's discuss current wedding trends...Which trend do you love? Helen: Wedding trends are all over the place, old and new. This is great though because each bride can represent her own style. Ashley: What are your favorite wedding resources? / Neatest wedding find? Helen: Ashley's Bride Guide, The Knot and The Wedding Channel and many many more! Ashley: Advice for brides? Helen: The best advice, really, is don't be a slave to trends! Follow your heart, trust your instincts, and create your own unique wedding style. Of course, don't underestimate the help, input and advice of wedding professionals who can make your dream a reality with minimum stress and maximum results. With their professional guidance and years of experience, your wedding day will be beautiful expression of your personal style.
Thanks Helen!! You can view many of Helen's featured Nashville weddings here.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Resources
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Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Kristin of Simply Stunning Events is back to give us an update on her wedding! Be sure to check out her last post on planning a Nashville wedding to get a great insider's perspective.
Guest Post: Kristin of Simply Stunning Events is a Nashville, TN-based wedding and event planner who is currently engaged to Brian Kaplan, a Nashville wedding photographer. When my fiance and I set out to find a reception venue, I'll admit, we were a little lost. Of course I knew of many hotels, historic houses, plantations, and rooftop venues around the city but I had no idea what would fit our personalities the best. We were also dealing with the fact that 90% of our guests would be traveling from out of state so we needed a spot that was convenient and close to hotels. Then it hit me, The Country Music Hall of Fame!! It was perfect! Both Brian and I are very into music (it has become the un-official theme for the wedding), he plays guitar, I play piano, and he works in country music. The venue is also blocks from downtown and many major hotels. Score!
Country Music Hall of Fame at night
Staircase leading down to the conservatory
We immediately started working through the costs and details of renting the space. We decided that we could manage to make it work with our budget but there were of course some concerns we had to consider. Here are some questions to ask before signing on the dotted line! - Budget: Rental fees can range from $500 - $10,000 depending on the site but that fee isn't the only thing to worry about. Ask what that fee includes (will you need to rent tables and chairs or are they included?). Are there any other hidden fees to consider? Cake cutting fees, corkage fees, etc? One thing we learned about the Hall of Fame was that they require a sound production fee in addition to the cost of your music. That fee ranged from $400 to $1700 depending on which space you rent and whether you'd have a band or DJ. That is a BIG addition to the cost of renting the space and we had to be sure that we could fit that in the budget as well. - Vendor relations: Does the venue have a list of vendors that you must choose from? Are you allowed to bring in your own caterer or must you use the in-house catering? Are you required to contract certain vendors through the venue? At the Hall of Fame for example, you must use So Bro Catering (which I'm definitely not complaining about because they are fantastic!) and you also must book the band or DJ through the venue (meaning the sound production department does the actual hiring and you just pay the Hall of Fame directly). This can help save you time as your venue will probably recommend vendors that know the space well but be sure they are not overcharging you for the service (meaning they aren't paying the band $3000 and then charging you $4000 for it). - Logistics: How many people does the space hold? Does that number take into consideration the space for a dance floor? What time can your vendors access the venue to come in and decorate? How many hours does the rental include? How many restrooms are there? Will there be any other functions happening at the same time? Are there any insurance requirements? With the Hall of Fame they do require personal liability insurance (which only costs about $100 or so but still good to know about). Also we had to consider the fact that it is a museum and therefore would be open to the public until 5:00 PM. Fortunately our vendors can still come in to set-up anytime after 2 PM but it might be a bit more difficult for them to set up while people are walking around.
Rotunda, seats 150 with a dance floor for sit-down reception
So there you have it! There are of course more questions to ask a reception site, but these should help you get started. A good wedding planner can also greatly assist you in finding a venue that reflects who you are and can help guide you through all the questions and considerations!
Conservatory, seats up to 400 with a dancefloor for sit-down reception
Conservatory set up for an event
View of downtown from the conservatory
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Resources, Wedding Venues and Locations
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Monday, February 16, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Two weeks ago, I spent the day in Franklin TN looking for bridal finds. I started the day with Jen of Reveal Event Style. We went shopping and she (having an eye for all things fab) helped me find the cutest rain boots that were perfect for our rain date.
Then, we headed to Mellow Mushroom for lunch with the fab and funny ladies of Williamson County Weddings and Events. We discussed weddings, their my boots (an instant hit) and their upcoming invitation showcase. We also chatted about A Magical Affair and Evin Photography's new studio in Franklin, another spot to check out. We stopped in Rock Paper Scissors, a stationery store that I have always loved to find a housewarming gift. Not only do they carry amazing wedding invitations, their service is always spectacular. They always go above and beyond, even allowing Jen to surf their internet for some info we needed. Who does that? Back to the agenda, we had two really important objectives while in Franklin - 1) check out the hot chocolate cafe that Jen said was a must and 2) get a gourmet cupcake from either the Curious Gourmet Cupcake Cafe or Ivey Cake. We kept looking for this hot chocolate spot (b.c. I love hot chocolate and Jen knew about my sweet tooth) and we couldn't find it. Eventually, we asked around and found it had closed! Jen felt awful but hey - calories are calories - I can get my high elsewhere. So, it was on to cupcakes...
We discussed our two options with the ladies of CJs, they explained that Ivey is great if you like "cake" and Cupcakery is great if you like "icing". I am a cake girl so Ivey Cake it was! I will go on the record and say that Ivey Cake had the best banana cupcakes ever! I also had tasty chocolate on chocolate. I was not disappointed.
After our cupcake adventure, we headed to visit Shannon, the lead designer of myOWNvitations, a couture invitation line. She also bought a farm in Leipers Fork that we just had to see. It was quaint and cozy. In fact, my fingers are crossed because I am so hoping that Nashville brides will soon be able to rent the farm for their wedding! Stay tuned...I'll alert you when the farm is available.
red barn!
that's Jen!
the view
She also invited Dawn of Premier W.E.D. Dawn was great to meet! I've heard so much about her work and she's super stylish, classly, and was full of knowledge on how to transform the farm into a wedding venue. She also has a great personality...I can can only how pleased her brides are with her knowledge and know-how.
Dawn in barn above (notice the stylish coat)
Shannon's home was amazing (I was expecting Little House on the Prairie). She used her fancy design skills to decorate our dinner table (brides note the tablescape for your wedding:) and the dinner menu.
great spot for wedding guests right!
Shannon also was considerate enough to invite Cullen Wyatt (615-397-3853, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)), bartender/independent catering, to provide dinner for the gang. He served us watermelon martinis, fried green tomatoes and...then I had to go! My sister was in labor. Graciously, Shannon, Cullen, Jen and Dawn understood - helped me pack up a to-go plate of more yummy goodies, I took a bite of Cullen's homemade sorbet and was off! Thanks guys for a great day in Franklin. Brides - From unique wedding venues and pro event coordinators to gourmet cupcakes and personal chefs for your bridal events, Williamson County offers fab finds for your wedding day.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Cakes & Catering, Invitations & Paper Goods, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Resources
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