Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
I am going to lunch with Donette and Steve of Designs in Paper today and look forward to seeing their new wedding program line. In the meantime, they sent me some of their new invitation designs, so I thought I would share them with you. Next week, be on the lookout for an article on stationery - because it can be confusing trying to understand the difference between all of these great options. For now, contact Designs in Paper to learn more about their new, custom invitations styles featured below. Guest Post: Designs in Paper is a custom invitation company based in the Nashville-area. Our new invitation styles: Bellyband - either ribbon or paper bellyband that will give the bride the ability to keep enclosures nicely packaged. We've done a few different versions of it - mostly with monogram on the front.
Gatefold - this seems to be the most popular of the styles since it still has everything packaged together...
Accordion - either by itself or by adding a jacket to it, it's a cool new way to provide all the details about the wedding. The RSVP is a perforated postcard. We can print on front and back, so lots of ways to provide lots of information.
Mailer - a cool Designs in Paper styled mailer ... it has a notch for the flap to sit nicely down and we create custom labels to seal it. You can use enclosures, etc. Just sending out a cool sample of chocolate and green today!
Booklet - Love this new style... we've done a number of samples with monograms or cool symbols, etc. and then carry the booklet design on the pages as a watermark. The RSVP also is perforated, so guests can just tear it off and send it back.
Flat invitation - We've had a few brides looking for a lower cost solution... yet still unique. These are well within any brides budget since our prices are at least as inexpensive as most printing companies.
From a color trends perspective, we've done a lot of pinks, greens, lavenders, and browns lately! As always, our brides receive cool confetti (100 pieces) with their order for free!
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Invitations & Paper Goods
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Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Aleesha was one of the first Nashville brides to register on ABG and also attended our 27 Dresses event. Aleesha got married this past weekend! Rhonda Patton Weddings was the event florist and was there to capture many of Aleesha's amazing details. These aren't the official wedding pics, but I simply couldn't wait to share...
Guest Post: Rhonda Patton Weddings is a Nashville-based, event floral designer.
I am so excited that Roderick and Aleesha tied the knot yesterday. They are such a beautiful couple and I absolutely loved working with them. Roderick and Aleesha are such a classy couple and their wedding was a perfect reflection of their personality. So here's the 411...
Roderick and Aleesha tied the knot at the Hilton Garden Inn ballroom with an inspiration by Tiffany theme. This theme was perfect being that the ballroom is chocolate and blue...and a little bit of bling to top it off made this wedding "AB FAB" (absolutely fabulous)!!!!
The staff was amazing and I especially want to give a shot out to Larry Manghane and his staff. Larry is the director of sales and was extremely pleasant to work with. Not only did Larry keep everything in check but the bubbly wedding planner, Mary Natalie Hester of Weddings by Mary Natalie was there to make sure everything was executed in a timely fashion. Natalie was hilarious... I just loved working with her. She was such a sweetie and is truly a passionate planner with 10+ years in the industry, she didn't miss a beat. Photographer Tara Harper captured some amazing photos of Rod and Aleesha. I can't wait to see them!!!
The total WOW FACTOR of the night was a Tiffany boxed shaped wedding cake by the impeccable designer of Tea & Co.
The bride's bouquet was an elegant array of cream roses accented with crystals tied with cream midori ribbon with a crystal embellishments.
The bouquet was a nice compliment to her dress and did not overpower the detail of the dress.
The centerpiece was composed of hydrangeas and roses to accent the chocolate iridescent pin tuck linens from Southern Events. The tables were accented with Tiffany blue boxed favors and blush pink menu cards.
I love the color palette of Tiffany blue, cream, chocolate and blush pink as the accent color. The bridesmaid wore duponi silk chocolate and carried a pink rose bouquet.
This wedding was personalized with personalized rhinestone letters on each favor box and customized hanging "J's" from the mirrored areas. The bride and groomed loved these "J's" specially customized by Rhonda Patton Weddings and better yet...they can add them to their home decor.
The cocktail bar was stunning- consisting of raw shrimp and various dipping sauces. Such a classy way to display your dipping sauces...
Aleesha and Roderick marveled their guest with such classy elements. I truly wish them the best. Best wishes to Mr. & Mrs. Jones. (Contact Rhonda Patton Weddings for photo credits and for a consultation.)
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Details, Design & Florals, Real Nashville Weddings
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Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 28, 2008
Meet Michele of Casual Elegance Photography. She is based in Clarksville, TN but serves engaged couples all over the Greater Nashville area and will travel for destination weddings (as you can tell from the photos pictured below). Contact Michele to learn more about her wedding photography services.
How did you get started in weddings? I started a photography business after my wedding photos cost an arm and a leg with the end result being nothing short of unsatisfying. Then a dear friend asked me to photograph her wedding.
What do you like most about weddings? The union of two people...I could not wait to get married, it is the most awesome experience. What's your favorite wedding pic/video and why? The black and white photo with the red roses in the sand to me captures the pure romantic feel of a father giving away his daughter.
What is your service philosophy? Best price that will work for you...not me, Best quality and above all, best customer service. What are your strengths compared to others in your category? / Why should a bride hire you? I promise to do anything it takes to make your day special...anything! Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors in terms of helpfulness, professionalism, style? AshleysBrideGuide.com, A Magical Affair, A Delightful Day and Pursuit Video Who do you recommend when you're not available/not a fit? Well, when it comes to style, it's not up to me, it is up to the bride and what vision she wants for her wedding day. If that still doesn't work, I will recommend a fellow photographer, but luckily that has not happened yet. What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends? WE, Lifetime Weddings, The Knot.com, AshleysBrideGuide.com, Brides.com, "Say Yes to the Dress", Rich Bride Poor Bride (my favorite). Let's discuss current wedding trends. What are your brides requesting? All of my brides to date pretty much want the same style, relaxed candid shots capturing emotions, very unposed and carefree.
That's an amazing picture! So, which trend are you lovin' now?? I am totally loving the idea of DVD-Invites that you featured in this article. Which trend do you hate? Studio shots...I am not a fan of fake backgrounds and overly posed shots. Which trend are you glad is gone? That's hard to answer, because everyone has their own style. My past trend could be another bride's favorite. But if I had to narrow it down, I would say 80's poof.
Which trend are you kind of sad to see go? Not in all case, but in some, I am noticing that the bride wants the wedding pics shot before the ceremony, removing the element of surprise from the grooms face when he sees her for the first time. Good point. I hadn't thought about that. I did the ole' school way - didn't see my beau until the ceremony which worked. But, we did get a lot of the non-couple pics done before the wedding - like with my girls. I diverge... Advice for brides? No matter how much planning and down to the minute preparation you have, something will always go wrong, but do not let it ruin your day. Just remember that no matter what happens, Your wedding day is about you and the groom and no one else. At the end of it all, you will still be man and wife.
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Photography & Videography, Vendors & Venues
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Monday, April 28, 2008
I'm completely obsessed with a new book on weddings, Style Your Dream Wedding. It's a great way to find your bride style and determine "your look" for each category - flowers, cake, etc. I know you'll love this book too!
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Posted by Ashley |
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Monday, April 28, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
On Saturday, I attended the Murfreesboro Bridal Show at Oaklands Historic House Museum and had a blast! I'll admit, I thought it would be an in and out show, not because I didn't think there was talent in M-boro (there's ton) but because I knew it was going to be really small. But, quantity doesn't equal quality, which I quickly realized! The show was very cute, the folks at Oaklands did a great job and have a great wedding venue. And, EVERYONE was really friendly (which should be a given but it inst). Some of Greater Nashville's top bridal pros were there and I met some new vendors that you should add to your list. While there were some great vendors that I didnt meet (I'll be honest - this list isnt comprehensive because I spent more time chatting with some than others b/c I am kind of chatty) - here are the ones that stood out:
Gambill Photography - I'll share more about Angie Gambill later but this chick rocks. I love her work (as do brides - I hear it all the time) and she's so much fun. You really have to meet her and go to her studio to see her amazing walls of talent but check out her site and stay tuned as I will feature Angie very soon. But believe me, everything she touches is fab - from her booth and studio to her wedding pics.
Maples Wedding Cakes - Yes, you've heard me rave about Jay at Maples before but this guy never ceases to amaze me. His cakes not only are stunning but they taste mighty good too. Usually, when I attend shows, I am "caked out" before I get to Jay's booth. But, b/c he was the only cake booth there, I got to sample three flavors - strawberry, sour cream almond and orange dreamsicle. Loved them all and still cant really say which is my fave. Cakes should be fab and fresh. Meet him and you'll agree - amazing inside and out.
The Write Impression (615-217-2109)- I finally met Susan, the owner of this super-chic paper and gifts store in M-boro. I visited the store a few weeks ago. I was so excited, I didn't even get a chance to look through her TRU wedding invitation book...Just another reason to visit the store again! Embassy Suites Murfreesboro - This new hotel will be a wedding venue option very soon! It is scheduled to open in September. Contact them to learn more. Julie's Bartending (615-579-3456) - Julie kept me refreshed and told me all about her services. Finding professional bartenders can be challenging. But, Julie is affordable and licensed and seemed like she would take great care with wedding guests.
Brian Peters of Private Chef (615-337-9175) - Aside from this incredible display of fruit, which immediately caught my eye, this guy was really nice and professional. He introduced himself, told me all about his culinary experience and then asked if he could prepare a plate for me. Of course - that's why I come to these events (only half-kidding). His seafood alfredo was unbelievable. It had real chicken and shrimp and I couldn't get enough. Plus he's uber-affordable. Nicole's Elegant Events - I like Nicole so much. She's an up and coming, Nashville-area wedding planner. Her booth was decorated in eggplant and green - the fab colors this year so she's clearly got the trends down. I stood in her booth and laughed 4ever. She was excited about her new website launch so be sure to check out her photo gallery. She'll be sharing more on her weddings with us soon.
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Posted by Ashley |
Filed under: Cakes & Catering, Photography & Videography
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