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A Southern Wedding to Love: Destination Bride Weds at Belle Meade Plantation with Maids in Boots!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Sunflowers. Nashville. Cowboy Boots. Personal style.  Unpredictable color palette.   They had me at sunflowers!  What's not to love about Seth and Betsy's southern-style wedding at Belle Meade Plantation? The more I stalk their photos, the more details to adore.

I've grabbed a few photos from Nyk and Cali Wedding Photographer's blog where they did a full feature on Seth and Betsy's wedding.  Believe me there are many more strking photos, especially Betsy's personal style which is stamped everywhere.  Hop over to their blog to see Seth and Betsy's full wedding feature.  For more on Nyk and Cali Wedding Photographers, visit their website.

southern wedding belle meade plantation cowboy boots

The sunflowers in boots was THE shot that caught my attention.  Then came more and more great photos of this fun Nashville wedding!

southern wedding belle meade plantation cowboy boots

southern wedding belle meade plantation cowboy boots

southern wedding belle meade plantation cowboy boots

Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide | Filed under: Destination Nashville Weddings!, Nashville-Style 0 comments »

Birch, Brooch Bling and Lace? Signature Cakes by Vicki Shares the Latest in Wedding Cake Design

Thursday, February 21, 2013

At Sunday's Perfect Wedding Guide bridal show, cakes were certainly the show stopper.  There were so many to love, including the brooch cake below, designed by Signature Cakes by Vicki.  So what's hot in Nashville wedding cakes?  I reached out to Vicki for the scoop.  White cakes are still very popular but brides are working with their cake designers to take the basic white cake in a number of different directions, from lace to bling.  Here are a few cakes by Vicki that showcase what's hot...

Bling Brides

White cakes are big! This brooch cake, by Vicki, was my favorite of her 2013 designs.  If you are drawn to shiny things, this one sure dazzles!

brooch cake nashville bling white silver sparkles

Lovely Lace

Brides are loving lace.  Again, many are opting to keep the cake white, resulting in a classic white on white look. 

all white wedding cake bling nashville signature cakes by vicki
 

Burlap, Birch and Lace

Unless you've been under a rock, you've at least seen the burlap and lace wedding theme.  It's all over Pinterest and is uber-popular.  Rustic-style brides are all about burlap and lace and many are also opting for birch, another fun option, as designed below by Vicki. 

birch wedding cake nashville

Modern Matrimony

Modern girls, like me, are the minority in Nashville.  I'm drawn to the bold colors and geo shapes on this blue and green cake.  It's ultra modern, not for all but certainly a style perfect for me and other mod brides!

modern wedding cake nashville all white wedding cake blue green signature cakes by vicki
 
 
Opulent, Vintage Details

Are you "gone with the wind fabulous" like Kenya Moore on The Real Housewives of Atlanta? If you are the queen of luxury, here are a few cakes with ornate details fit for a queen.  They also are two of Vicki's personal favorite cakes.  And, it's not wonder that these cakes have been chosen by dozens of Nashville brides who have taken the styles and modified them to fit their personal taste.  Vicki says that the cakes can be tweaked, changing the color, the flowers.  

ornate wedding cake blue faberge inspired hermitage hotelelegant sophisticated classic cake nashville wedding

All wonderful cakes designed by Signature Cakes by Vicki!!  Contact Signature Cakes at 615-513-2266 or via email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide | Filed under: Cakes & Food, Inspiration & Trends 0 comments »

Get to Know Cosmo Creations, A DJ Co. that Exceeds Expectations, Offers Lighting and Photo Booths

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

When you think about DJ's and lighting do you picture disco balls, fog machines and strobe lights? Think again! The DJ and lighting professionals we're introducing to you today aren't one of those cheeseball companies. Cosmo Creations not only provides music to suit your wedding, they also will set up specialty lighting touches to create the right ambience for your special event. With lots of experience in the business, Brent Cantrell and his team are changing the perception of wedding DJ's from corny to one of professionalism and class.

wedding lighting affordable nashville basic wireless cosmo creations

Contact Info

Name: Cosmo Creations
Main Contact: Brent Cantrell
Phone Number: 931-265-2934
Email Address: cosmocreationsdj at gmail dot com
Twitter: twitter.com/cosmocreations

Number of Years in the Business: 10 years

Nashville-wedding-dj-lighting-service

 

How did you get started in weddings? I started Cosmo Creations in 2001 after college because I love music and liked the idea of owning a small business. In 2003, after attending several of my friend’s weddings, I saw a serious need for a wedding disc jockey with a “not so over the top” personality, the rest is history.

What do you like most about weddings? As a DJ, it’s a great feeling to see a crowd at a wedding reception for the first time and try to read what style music they would enjoy listening to. It’s good to have input from the bride and groom for song selections but being able to read a crowd and determine what songs your guest would enjoy listening to is a fun challenge.

What is your service philosophy? We have been best described as “not so over the top” when it comes to DJ’n style. Also, we think looks are very important, that’s why we dress professional and bring professional looking gear! You have to have both; some brides may think they don’t care what kind of gear a DJ brings as long as it sounds good but looking good (and smelling good, not like smoke) is a must!

What are your strengths compared to others in your category? Why should a bride hire you? When choosing wedding entertainment, a disc jockey can usually play a wider variety of music at a more cost effective rate than live music. That being said, Cosmo Creations excels when compared to others disc jockeys in two main categories. #1) We leave our egos at home; the day is about the bride, groom, family, and friends celebrating one of those special moments in life. #2) We look great! Maybe not the most handsome, but we dress professionally and bring the best gear (and best looking gear), this is important and your guest will notice.

Nashville-specialty-lighting-dj-service

 

Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors? It’s hard to pick just 5 of my favorite wedding vendors! But here goes…..

A Delightful Day Event Planning – Mary Alice Sublett knows how to stick to a timeline and she’s one of the sweetest people you will ever meet! She also runs StudioWed Nashville which is a great resource for Middle Tennessee Brides! I also happened to be Mary Alice’s disc jockey at her wedding.

Simply Stunning Events – Kristin Kaplan is the most detailed wedding planner that I’ve had the privilege of working with. I’ve know Kristin and her husband Brian (he’s a great photographer) for several years now and they are both members of StudioWed. Did I mention that I also DJed their wedding?

Nashville-wedding-dj-hall-fame

Kristin & Brian Kaplan's first dance. (Picture by McLellan Style)

Kyle Gregory Photography (KGImages.blogspot.com)  – Kyle is a great up-and-coming photographer! He’s very easy to work with and for a young photographer, he takes amazing photos! Cosmo Creations also DJed his wedding, we’re very fortunate to know so many talented and young wedding vendors.

The Country Music Hall of Fame – I’ve known Debbie Parsley for the past six years and she’s great to work with! Out of all the venues in Nashville, The Country Music Hall of Fame is my favorite to DJ. The history, architecture, and fantastic people to work with are just a few reasons why it’s at the top of my list.

Kristyn Hogan lifestyle photographer - Kristyn Hogan takes amazing photos! I met Kristyn through StudioWed and now it seems like we run into her all the time.

Nashville-wedding-dj-music

A wedding DJ-ed by Cosmo Creations (Photo: Kristyn Hogan)

What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends? I like to read Mobile Beat for music and lighting trends, Billboard, and Cool Hunting is also a great iPad App that gives me inspiration on colors and trendy stuff to incorporate into a wedding reception.

What are your favorite wedding websites?
StudioWed.net

WeDJ.com
WeddingWire.com

Does your company do anything special that a green bride might want to know?
5 years ago we would have brought dance lights that consume more than 4,400 watts. Today, to create the same lighting effect, we use less than 60 watts.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry? Wedding Disc Jockeys have earned a bad reputation over the years for being cheesy and sometimes unprofessional. Truth is…… the correct Disc Jockey can add much value to your wedding reception, making it a great day for all who attend!

Nashville-wedding-dj-lighting-service

 

Ashley Adds: Last year, Cosmo Creations added a photo booth and basic affordable wedding lighting to their service offering.  They are becoming an even better solution for brides looking to work with one quality vendor for multiple services.  Read about their lighting addition here and their photo booth here.

photo booth nashville

Photo booth by Cosmo Creations

basic affordable lighting wedding nashville

Affordable lighting service by Cosmo Creations

 

Give Brent and his team at Cosmo Creations a call and let them know that Ashley's Bride Guide sent you!

Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide | Filed under: Our Featured Advertisers!, Music, Lighting + Transportation, Photo Booth, Wedding Resources 0 comments »

February Bridal Giveaways: StudioWed is Giving Away a Cake AND a Date Night

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

In addition to their free wedding cake contest (which ends Friday, 2/22), StudioWed recently announced another February giveaway.    This month’s winner will receive a date night for two featuring dinner, dessert, and a movie. To enter into the drawing, schedule an appointment for a free StudioWed consultation today by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

wedding giveaway

You may also want to consider visiting their Champagne and Sweets Open House which takes place Feb 28.  Click here for details.

bridal event nashville

Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide | Filed under: Contests, Giveaways, Specials 0 comments »

Introducing… the Goodwill Wedding Gala Look Book!!  See the Gowns, Save the Date + Save!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Attention all budget-smart or vintage seeking brides: I've got a hot-off-the-press goody for you this week...The Goodwill Wedding Gala Look Book is now available and you can see it here before anywhere else!! Take a few moments to enjoy some of my favorite looks and then check out the entire digital magazine, which includes a small sampling of the dresses that will be on sale (all for under $400) at the Goodwill Wedding Gala.  

nashville wedding gala goodwill

goodwill gala nashville wedding dresses

goodwill gala nashville wedding dresses

How gorgeous is this wedding gown! I can't believe it will be available for under $400 at the Gala.

goodwill gala nashville wedding dresses

The Gala will will offer dresses for brides, bridesmaids, moms and flower girls too!

goodwill gala nashville wedding dresses

goodwill-wedding-gala-dresses-nashville

 

Enjoy the full Look Book below! (Visit the last page of the book for vendor credits.)

 

 

 

 

If you are not familiar with the Goodwill Gala, here's a quick synopsis:

The Goodwill Wedding Gala is the ultimate way to save on your wedding dress. The Gala will take place from 6am to 10am on Saturday, March 16 at the Goodwill Store in Rivergate located at 2101 Gallatin Pike North in Madison, Tennessee.

The dresses:
You will find bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, cocktail dresses, mother of the bride/groom dresses, flower girl dresses, and more from Alfred Angelo, Allure, Eden Bridals, Mary’s, Watters Brides, etc. No wedding gown will be priced over $400!!

The organization:
Proceeds from the sale of these items will benefit the mission of Goodwill. Goodwill helps provide employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities and others who have trouble finding and keeping jobs.

The inside scoop:

  • Be sure to arrive early - last year there were 350+ brides in line at 6am to get their dream gown for less!
  • Attendees will be treated to refreshments provided by C&K Catering.
  • Rhonda Patton Weddings will provide inspirational wedding designs. 
  • Pre-owned wedding gowns have been cleaned by Nicholson Cleaners.

To read all about the organization, the event, and our tour of the Goodwill facilities, read our full feature via this link. For more information, visit giveit2goodwill.org or call 615-346-1601.

goodwill gala nashville 2013

Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide | Filed under: Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, Bridal Shows & Events, Bridesmaids & Bridal Party, DIY & Budget Wed Finds 0 comments »

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