Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 28, 2008
Today's Guest Blogger: A Delightful Day, Nashville Wedding & Event Planners http://www.ADelightfulDay.com
I was searching through one of my favorite websites, Martha Stewart Weddings, and found some beautiful, and bold may I add, color combos for the new season. I love finding new colors and matching those that you wouldn't ordinarily put together. Enjoy! 
The first color scheme is Gold and Aqua. I very regal combination, with the girly addition of the blue. I love the slight touches of gold and the girly blue ribbon on the cake stand. I love old fashioned cake stands. If you have a cake small enough on the bottom tier, I definitely encourage you to search in antique stores for a cake stand you can use at your wedding, and keep for future entertaining.
I love the modification of the monogram. This would be a perfect set up for any color combination! It's such a simple, yet glamourous set up!
A beautiful touch of color is perfect for bridal jewelry. A beautiful company to look at for colorful bridal jewelry is TenThousandThings.
Traditional letterpress would be gorgeous in this gold!
I love the non-traditional color of the cake itself, blue, with the gold as the stand out accents.
This gorgeous bouquet with incredible texture is composed of mini phalaenopsis orchids and ochre garden roses, yellow tree peonies, fuzzy bunny tails, and millinery flowers feels as if it has just been picked from a field of dreams. A gold satin ribbon ties it all together.
This is a beautiful spin on the traditional seating cards, bringing in luxurious satin ribbon in a solid and a print.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Inspiration & Trends, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 I rarely do any blogs for grooms. It's not that I don't love Nashville grooms, I just was never a groom...so...well I can't relate:). But, I know that grooms are a big part of this wedding. It would be pointless without ya. So, when Latrice of Bridal Opulence told me about her newest find - The Sports Den for men, I was super excited and asked her to give Nashville brides and grooms a sneak peek into this fabulous find. Guest Blogger: Bridal Opulence is a Nashville-based, wedding coordinator who offers services ranging from full planning to day of wedding coordination.
I had the pleasure of meeting Carlina, the Spa Director for The Den Sports Spa at the Grand Opening of the new aloft Hotel. The Den Sports Spa is Nashville's newest & only spa designed specifically for men! The Den is located in Franklin Tennessee on the D1 Sports Training Campus, and specializes in grooming, massage therapy & skin treatments for the modern man!
Brides - this would be a great gift to give to your future hubby as well as a possible option for the groom-to-be & his attendants to get dressed & receive spa services the day of the wedding ceremony! The place is super masculine with a very contemporary vibe.
Carlina, invited me out for a tour last week & I really fell in love with the space. It has contemporary artwork w/masculine hardware & a strong masculine influence with rich tan brown & electric blue walls, hardwoods & plasma TV's. Their list of services are offered for men only, however ladies don't be jealous as they recently developed a Spa Package for ladies called the Teru Eshe Spa Club. The services for men include but are not limited to:
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Therapeutic Massage
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Deep Tissue Massage
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The Den Facial
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Facial Tune-Up
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Grooming (they house a Master Barber)
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Hands & Feet Maintenance
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Executive Head Trip Massage
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Hand Detailing
Don't you just love the masculine names for their services!!! Which really helps ease those "manly men" into the whole spa concept.
The Den also carries a very nice array of quality retail product lines which include: The Art of Shaving NY, Naturopathica Skincare & Redken For Men.
Before I get to the great images that I captured while on my tour, I must say that I had the pleasure of experiencing their massage therapist first hand, and let me tell you....she was fab-u-lous! Out of all the massages that I have had over the past few years, Lakesha is by far the best!!!
Take a sneak peek at The Den Sports Spa: Retail Space: Coffee & Juice Bar Master Barbering Space Their Signature Room: The Den Additional wait area Facial/esthetician area: 4 Serene Massage Rooms Manicure & Pedicure Space Locker Room I was able to capture the essence of the spa, but honestly to see it in person it's breathtaking & refreshing! I know the man in your life will love it & will feel special that you thought enough of him to send him to get a "manly tune up"! To schedule services please contact Carlina & she will take very good care of you! Be sure to tell her Latrice referred ya!! They also have a private room which would be great space for private events...bachelor parties, etc. The Den Sports Spa 7105 South Springs Drive, Suite 208 Franklin, Tn 37067 615.715.1814 Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) *Located in Cool Springs on the D1 Sports Training Campus*
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Grooms, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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Thursday, September 25, 2008
This is going to be short and sweet because I spent ALL day looking for these pics, freaked out b/c I thought I'd deleted them and finally found them. So, instead of a long laborious post about who I met at the show and all of the show details (lucky you), I am doing a sweet roundup of the vendors that I met / stood out at the Fish Bridal Show that took place a few weeks ago at Cool Springs mall. As always, the most exciting aspect of the day was meeting all of the brides and moms that are regular ABG readers, like Ashley (who is featured below and who recommended Cragfont) and her funny fiance. Can you guys come to all of the shows to entertain me?
The Finds:
1) Sweets and Sundries by Dining In
They were my booth neighbors and boy was I blessed to meet them. They kept me company for the entire day and I really enjoyed meeting them. Notice their health score is 97. As you interview cake designers be sure to ask for their health score! It's important to know.
Can you believe the books are cake? Yes - stacked cakes.
2) A Bride's Storey
David and Melissa of A Bride's Storey are ALWAYS nice. Brides and planners recommend their bridal salon for bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses and I think you'll be in good hands working with them. Plus, they carry bridal lines for every style and every budget. And, one thing that stands out is their customer service - no snobs, all service...which is the type of hospitality one would expect in the South.
3) Angie Gambill Photography
Like a great photographer, my girl Angie was like "um...let me take the picture". And boy what difference a photographer's eye makes. When I got back home and looked at the pic I took of Angie - not centered and lots of floor! See why you should hire a talented photographer? Give Angie a call. Great work and great personality.
4) Gina Bilyeu Photography
I was so excited to see Gina at the show. Brides always come to my booth sooo happy with their hiring of Gina to do their wedding. We didn't get to chat for long but she's a great find for wedding photos.
5) Last Minute Planners
After exchanging emails, I finally got to meet Austin. I was already impressed by her quick fire responsiveness. A vendor emailed her asking for a dove release. She emailed me to see if I had a recommendation. I emailed her a suggestion, back forth...anyway...she's very responsive - great trait for a wedding planner!
6) Homestyle Bakery
Aside from the fact that this cake is a perfect complement for my website (less the leaves) the cake was melt-in-your-mouth good! I really wanted to go back to this booth over and over but I didn't want to seem greedy. But, Ashley (bride friend) could see it on my face...I was in love.
But everyone on the south side (I have always wanted to say that since my friends in Chicago always talk about the south side), LOVES Homestyle Bakery. Their bakery is yummmy - from cookies to their blueberry donuts - so fab cake? No surprise. Cute cakes - complete surprise. Add to your list to consider.
7) Belles Fleurs
Great designs and Bonnie gave me a mini-bouquet to take home!
8 ) Speranza Exquisite Beverage Providers - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (Phillip and Lora Mason)
This was a fab find! I was just thinking the other day that a smoothie bar (since I heart Smoothie King - kind of addicted to their Caribbean Way) would be great for a summer, garden wedding. So, when I bumped into this bar, I was psyched. They offer a beverage bar for weddings and options include smoothies or espressos.
9) Lotus Blossom Photography
Amber and John were great! They took pics of their booth visitors and their props made it so much fun. Check out my pics below.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Bridal Shows & Events, Cakes & Catering, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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Monday, September 8, 2008
Special thanks to the bride's photographer, Shanna Mahoney Photography (who provided all the photos below) and the couple for sharing their wedding with us.
About us:
Bride: Christy of Mt. Juliet HS
Groom: Matt of Mt. Juliet HS My wedding details:
- Wedding date & time: July 26, 2008 6:00 pm
- Ceremony location: Eastwood Christian Church Nashville, TN
- # guests : 170
- Reception location: The Cannery Ballroom
My wedding style:
- My wedding style: Classy, Simple, Romantic, Intimate:)
- My colors: Black, White, and Tiffany Blue. I think black and white for a wedding are simple and classy. And throwing in the tiffany blue gave it a little something special.
- My theme: Not really a theme, just a play on colors.
- Wedding wow factor: The whole thing. The ceremony was very simple and intimate, and the ceremony was a big party!
- Favors: Tiffany blue boxes with a white ribbon bow filled with Lindor Truffles wrapped in black cellophane.
- Personalized touches: On both sides of our families, all of parents and grandparents are still married. And to show how important and sacred marriage is to us, we displayed wedding pictures of our parents and grandparents on a table with votive candles... Very sweet!
- Gift for bridal party? The bridesmaids were treated to a day at the spa with facials and massages and the groomsmen were given BIG bottles of Crown Royal... I know very classy
- Most special moment for me: Walking out of the doors at the ceremony and seeing the man of my dreams at the end of the aisle. I will never forget it for as long as I live. We were both tearing up and smiling from ear to ear!
- Gifts for the kids in my wedding: We got the girls dolls and the boy a batman car.
My wedding vendors:
- Planner - Hillary with Brocade Designs
- Cake - The Sweetest Day
- Caterer - Down South Delights
- Photographer - Shanna Mahoney Photography
- Dress - A Bride's Storey (everything from my dress to bridesmaids to flower girls. I also got a discounts for the tuxes based on buying dresses from A Bride's Storey)
- DJ - Canvas DJ
- Event Lighting - Nashville Event Lighting
- Reception Venue - The Cannery Ballroom
- Ceremony Venue - Eastwood Christian Church
o My faves -“ highly recommend Hillary with Brocade Designs was the best investment for the wedding. She took care of everything from designing all of the invitations to completely decorating everything day of wedding. She is absolutely amazing and I could not have done it without her. Shanna Mahoney is great. She made you feel so comfortable and confident when she was taking pictures. She takes great pictures and I will be using her for everything in the future!
My wedding rewind: -
What I would do differently if planning again? Hired Hillary sooner!!! I had already booked some vendors early on, and if I would have had her from the beginning, I would not have had as much trouble with flake vendors.
- Biggest waste of time or money? None. We trimmed all of the petty stuff out early on. Hillary saved me a ton of money, so I had no problems!
- Best value for the service/product? Hillary and Shanna Mahoney went above and beyond to make my wedding day as special as it could possibly be!
- Neatest find? Just Bargains... I got all of the flower girl baskets, ring pillows, candles (which I bought a ton of), pew markers... All 50% off at Hobby Lobby (you have to pick thru some of the tacky stuff, but it is worth)
My advice for brides-to-be: Shop around for wedding vendors. There are alot out there. Also, hire a wedding planner for at least the day of the wedding. The last thing you want to do is run around trying to decorate when you should be enjoying being a bride!!! The day only comes once and you should make the most out of it, because that will be the fastest day of your life (except for the 30 minutes before the wedding... that creeps by).
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Bridal Gowns, Men's Attire & Accessories, Photography & Videography, Real Nashville Brides, Real Nashville Weddings, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Resources
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Friday, September 5, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
With the help of two Nashville wedding pros, I've compiled an exhaustive list of items for your "Nashville -themed" welcome baskets. Your out-of-town guests (OOT) will be sure to enjoy a taste of Music City with these quintessential "Nashville" or Tennessee items.
Before I share this exclusive list of goods, please know that this list is based on Angela Profitt and Hillary Robson's help. These two women would have charged you like a bizillion dollars to create a list like this for you. So, you can thank me later for saving you the time and money:). Welcome Basket Recommendations by Angela Proffitt of Elegant Weddings by Angela
Angela, of Elegant Weddings by Angela, is one of the best wedding planners around. Her weddings have been featured in all of the luxe wedding publications so I was more than honored that she took a few moments to tell me what her glam brides give their guests. Ashley: What do your brides include in their welcome baskets? Angela: Personalized bottled water, goo goo clusters, small bottle Jack Daniels, moon pies, items from The Picnic (cheese straws are awesome), items from The Puffy Muffin, mints/gum, welcome packet with map of Nashville and the top 20 things to see in Nashville, a personal note from bride and groom.....this all goes in a box that closes from Beth Buchanan at Buchanan Ink and a ribbon and tag with their names and wedding date to finish it off.
Ashley: Sounds fab! It's a great mix of "Nashville goodies meet home-away-from-home comfort". Welcome Basket Recommendations by Hillary of Brocade Designs Hillary, of Brocade Designs, offers event floral design but she also doubles as a walking reference manual. She is so helpful and informative - hence her virtual lifeline to brides on our message board. Not sure what I would do without her....don't want to think about it. Ashley: What local finds do you recommend when creating a Nashville welcome basket? Hillary: I'm a fan of the eclectic out of town bags that leave guests saying "oh, that's from Tennessee--- how neat". Some of my favorite items include: For the Spirits: - Dickel: The Dickel distillery is a small and charming distillery that's a bit closer than Jack Daniels. - Arrington Vineyards: this Vineyard, located right outside of Franklin, is fast becoming a hit in Nashville & surroundings with it's award winning wines and beautiful, scenic vineyard. Prices range from 15-40 a bottle; the Raspberry is a hit and is just sweet enough, and the Vineyard offers tastings every day for free. - Yazoo Microbrews: Thrill your OOT's with a selection of brews from Yazoo, or treat them to a tour of the brewery. They have a variety of great brews on tap throughout the state. My personal fav is the Pale Ale.
For Non-Alcoholic Refreshments: Coffee: Bean Central Coffee is located in Nashville and features coffees that are fresh roasted daily. With flavors like Blueberry and Creme Brulee, you'd be foolish not to pick up a bag for your guests to enjoy in their hotel room. Sweet Treats & Confections: Lynchburg Cakes & Candy: Jack Daniels Cake, anyone? This is a fantastic & unique tinned cake, and the whiskey balls are to die for: Divine Art Toffee: The best toffee (and even some cool art pieces). Wrapping it all up Nashville Wraps: to make your OOT bags unique and well-wrapped State Shaped Baskets: Weave Crafters offers baskets in the shape of Tennessee and Specialty Wood Products offers state shaped baskets in different colors
Best Resource for finding unique state products: Pick Tennessee. Welcome Basket Recommendations by Ashley Of course I had to add a few ideas too. The Old Mill - offers handmade candy and lemonade - based in Pigeon Forge...close enough to qualify. Nashville trinkets - If you are local, you can run to any Walgreens or head to to 2nd Ave to buy "Nashville" memorabilia. But, if you are planning your wedding from afar, you can order items from My Favorite City. Tennessee T-Cakes Crema Coffee - fine espresso from my fancy friend Ben and his wife Rachel. They really know coffee and would be delighted to serve your guests. Colt Chocolates
Don't have time to create your own welcome baskets? Here are two great options: 1) Beci's Bags & Baskets - (615.423.6181) Nashville-based vendor. Choose from the Franklin Basket, with gift cards to Downtown Franklin and Goo-Goo Clusters, or the Emergency Kit, with toiletries. Delivery services are available as well. (Info on Beci's is courtesy of Wilco Wed.)
2) Kate Parker Weddings Nashville Basket - NOT locally produced but contains Nashville themed items.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Guests, Gifts & Favors, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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