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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Nov 18 - Wedding Showcase at Nashville Zoo
I'm really excited to attend this showcase at the Nashville Zoo. Think it might be a cool venue? Check it out with me this Wednesday. Check out my bridal calendar for more details.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009 We're all seeking creative ways to do more with less. Planning your wedding is no different. This week will be dedicated to those Nashville engaged couples (or soon to be) looking to create an amazing wedding on a tight budget. First up is Hillary, a budget wedding planner, who will regularly share tips for budget Nashville brides on ABG, called "The Penny Pinching Bride".
Tips for The Penny Pinching Bride Hillary Capes, Nashville Wedding & Event Planner http://www.YourDayofFairyTales.com While the holiday season is rapidly approaching us, the engagement season is as well. Silver Bells and Merry Christmas are familiar phrases of the holiday season, but Will You Marry Me is a very popular phrase for couples. This holiday season will be a penny pinching one for many, requiring many people to get creative in their search for affordable engagement rings. But, there are ways to get a quality ring without breaking the bank. Take into consideration these 5 easy pointers to save money on your soon to be fiance's engagement ring! 1. Be educated! - You hear everyone talking about the 4 C's (Clarity, Cut, Color and Carat) engagement ring shopping. If you don't know what those are, stop reading right here and visit Shane and Co.'s website (shaneco.com) for jewelry education. This website will teach you everything you need to get the best bang for your buck when engagement ring shopping. Going in uneducated on the ins and outs of ring shopping could land you with a bad buy for your money. Know what kind of ring your fiancé wants and what color most of her jewelry is. If she has a right hand ring that is yellow gold, buying a white gold engagement ring could end up costing you more money than you anticipated. Talk to your fiancé's family and friends about what type of engagement ring she would like as well. 2. Choose a smaller stone to propose with- There is no shame in buying your future fiancé a starter ring and updating the ring on an anniversary to come, such as 1 year or even 5 year. Shane Co. offers this service and also a free lifetime warranty. 3. Don't be afraid of higher end department stores. Some higher end department stores such as JcPenney, Macy's, Belk, and Dillard's offer quality rings at a fraction of the price. When we got engaged last December (Yes we were one of those 19% happening in December), James told me that it was a temporary ring and that he wanted to get me a different ring eventually. We were out shopping one Sunday at JcPenney and found a great 1/3 of a carat nearly colorless, small inclusion ring for $300! That was too For example this Blue Nile (http://www.bluenile.com) ring sells for $1600.
Did you know that you can find similar rings for around $500 or $600. This ring below can be found at Wal-Mart (Don't cringe, read below) for $398!
Walmart.com
4. Don't Settle for a Ring that is not the Ring- Too many men regret that they did not take longer in searching for the perfect ring for their fiancé. If you don't find the ring by when you wanted to propose, don't worry about it. She will still love you if you propose at a least expecting time. Be 100% sure before you buy.
(Bravo Bride.com)
5. Scout eBay, Craigslist or pre-owned bridal sites, like Bravo Bride - Many recent divorcees sell their engagement rings and wedding bands on these websites for sometimes as much as 75% off. Just be on the look out and make sure everything is legitimate before purchasing. 6. Remember- No matter what amount you spend on an engagement ring, it is the love and thought that you put behind it and how happy you will be when you are husband and wife.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Amber, of Lotus Blossom, is a Nashville photographer and our newest sponsor. (Yay!) Over the next few months, I'll share more her work. For now, here's a bit about Amber, "I love photography. I love that through a series of photos a love story can emerge all without a single word. " Be sure to check out the Lotus Blossom blog today and every Monday for Amber's "Money Saving Monday" tips for Nashville brides.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009 I met Sara Marie at the Franklin Bridal Show. She was one of my favorite wedding finds this year! As you probably know, I am all about making your wedding unique. Designs by Sara Marie takes that to the max with custom bridal gowns and bridal party attire. When I saw these cute blue/white bridesmaid dresses (below) I was sold. While the bride kept the colors and the length the same, she allowed room for the bridesmaids to select the style that worked for their interest/body type. The result - two great dresses that look great on each girl. Learn all about Sara and her design philosophy in my interview below. I am sure you'll love her too! By the way, Sara Marie is also engaged (yay!!) so she knows exactly what you're going through:). My Spotlight on Designs by Sara Marie Sara Marie, Nashville Bridal Attire Designer http://designsbysaramarie.blogspot.com/
How did you get started in weddings? My love for fashion began very early in life. Playing with Barbie dolls, dressing them in the fanciest dress and marrying price charming was my forte. As I entered high school, I started enhancing my sewing abilities, and designed my dresses for formals, dances and proms. I attended fashion school and received a Textile & Apparel Management: Concentration Fashion Degree at the College of Textiles at North Carolina State University. During this time, I was hired at a bridal boutique. Going to the bridal markets and shows was such a great way to learn what brides want and need for their big day! From there, I started designing my own lines, creating one of-a-kind garments for brides who couldn't find exactly what they were looking for. With over 12 years of design experience, I have come to realize that designing has become an expression of love. Whether you are dressing up for a night on the town, a formal affair, or your wedding day; you should be wearing the perfect dress, which fits the perfect way!
custom mother of the bride dress
What do you like most about weddings? The dress of course! Ok, well that's not the only thing that I like, but I am very partial to wedding attire! What I love most is seeing the love between the couple. When you look at them, and you can see that they are so much in love that the wedding itself doesn't matter...but the life that they are starting together and the commitment they are forming in front of God matters...that's what I love! No matter how hard you plan your wedding, something is bound to happen that doesn't exactly go the way you envisioned it to. Don't let it eat you up inside, remember the big picture, you're getting married and you are going to spend the rest of your life with the person you love, the one of your dreams! What's your favorite wedding pic/video and why? As I have started working in the wedding industry, one wedding gown design that stands out in my mind that I have created was Rebecca's wedding dress. Her wedding took place outdoors in the fall. She was so fun to work with, and the design we created for her was fun and flirty! The trumpet silhouette flattered her figure and the sweetheart neckline with tulle accents gave her great curves and made her future spouse's jaw drop!
What is your service philosophy? I enjoy creating a relationship with the bride and her party. When designing garments for clients, the pinning, marking and fitting of garments can be kind of an intimate experience, so getting to know the client who I am designing for is a great tool in understanding what designs and silhouettes they are looking for. It's definitely all about service and having unique individual attention you wouldn't otherwise receive at some other bridal shops. What are your strengths compared to others in your category? / Why should a bride hire you? Being a custom couture designer, I have the ability to create any design you imagine! A custom dress is more than a gown fit to your measurements; it should be a reflection of your personality and taste, becoming a physical expression of your desire to be uniquely beautiful and special!! If you have already started your wedding gown search, but have looked and looked and haven't found the dress that you are looking for, don't panic or let your wedding jitters get to you. Going custom is the solution! The fact that you can't find your dress anywhere is actually good news. It means that the dress you will be wearing as you face the important milestone in your life is yet to be made! I will work with you to create what you have imagined, dreamed and fantasized about! Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors' helpfulness, professionalism, style? Florist: Belles Fleurs is a locally owned and operated Tennessee business specializing in custom wedding floral designs. They are awesome, and are my florist for my upcoming wedding! They will focus on "Your dreams...Your wishes...Your perfect wedding". Videographers: 2 Duce 2 Videography. This is a great videography team! They have a true art for capturing different elements of a wedding! I highly recommend them not only for there artistic abilities, but for there awesome personalities, they truly connect with you and make you feel like family! Wedding Cakes: Cakes By Rebecca. She has had years of experience in the kitchen! She came from a family that ran a bakery and cakes became her passion! Every time I see her, she is such a happy and bubbly person! Whatever your wedding cake dream is, she will bake it! Photography: Jonathon Campbell Photography. If you want a photographer that will not only capture the day, but truly capture the emotions, Jonathon is your guy! When you look at his pictures, you feel as though you were right there in that very moment! His photos are artistic, classy and timeless. His photos not only capture a memory, but translates to an image that can last forever. Photography: Wootton Photography. I have had the pleasure in working with Mike during various shoots and he is an awesome photographer! Very easy going, makes you feel very comfortable, and makes you laugh! His creative eye captures very unique shots, ones you wouldn't have thought of! I believe a great photographer is one that you can create a bond with, one that encompasses himself to feel what you feel, see what you see, and captures that in a photograph! That's Wootton Photography! What trend do you love? Oh my gosh, there are so many trends I love, I could write a novel! I love that weddings are now reflecting the unique personalities of the couple instead of old time traditions, like the weddings below! It's a lot more acceptable these days to think outside the box and do something interesting and unconventional!
Source: thingsfestive.com
Source: Flickr / Finestationery
Source: Greenweddingshoes.com
What trend do you hate? Hate? Well what about fondly dislike? There are a few wedding trends that I am not that fond of, but hey everyone has opinions. One is matching bridesmaid dress styles. Chances are your bridal party isn't all the same shape, color, size or height. So outfitting them all in the exact same dress means there's a good chance someone in the party is not going to look as good as the other. Instead, try doing different dresses in one color or a colorful array of complementary shades! Which trend are you glad is gone? One of the old traditions or trends that I am glad is gone is the wedding necessity of having a stark white dress to walk down the isle in! In our culture today, the symbolism of the color white has been thrown out the window with the scarlet letter! Be unique, be beautiful, dress in the color you want! Why not? It's your day! Which trend are you sad is gone? Wedding gowns with the big poofy sleeves! hahaha, just kidding! The trends that I end up liking have not gone out of style. If in a few years the pick up skirt goes out of style, yes, that will be the day I will become sad... Advice for brides? Going custom is the way to go! If you are looking for a unique custom wedding gown that is made to your measurements, I'm your girl! If you're like most of my clients, you've tried on several dresses by now, and nothing is quite right. You desire your dress to be the right design, fabric and color, and for it to fit you flawlessly. Through a combination of talent, dedication and ambition, I can design a flattering and timeless garment that you will adore! Please contact me to set up your initial consultation to design the dress of your dreams!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009 I'm back to continue my fun finds from the Franklin Bridal Show. If you missed the other wedding finds - check out Tuesday's post. 1) Dynamic Video - I always look forward to seeing Jen of Dynamic Video at bridal shows. One because she has the most durable, long lasting writing pens (ha) and two because she's always smiling and genuinely loves what she does. She makes it possible for brides - regardless of budget - to capture their wedding day.
2) Wedding Cake Design by Rebecca - alerted me to an amazing deal on tasty and stylish wedding cakes. You can take $100 OFF any wedding cake purchase booked by December 31st. For the budget sensitive, please know that you have more options that Publix and Walmart. You can still have a fabulous wedding cake and stay within your budget. You will probably not find a cake that packs more value than Rebecca's cakes.
This was my personal fave cake from Rebecca's display - simple, modern, sleek
3) Photo Booths (partybooths.com) - I stopped by and chatted with Mike who said that I look great in orange! For me, bridal shows are fun and filled with compliments. Ive considered going just for a esteem boost!
4) Niles Limousine Service (nileslimos.com) - A few weeks ago, Planning with Sarah Elizabeth asks me for 14-passenger vehicle. Hey Sarah - here's one:). Niles offers Red Carpet Wedding Packages for 14 passenger excursions and also an 8 passenger Lincoln. 5) Nashville Wedding Violin (nashvilleweddingviolin.com) - played soft, beautiful music for the entire show. In fact, they were so focused that they didn't even look up as I took pictures.
10.) Spring Hill Formals (springhillformals.com/tuxedos) - Sounds like far right? I asked the owner and he said that they are in Spring Hill and only 30-35 mins from Nashville but they "carry all of the latest styles of tuxedos and accessories in stock so you don't have to pick something out of a book like many places".
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