Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Meet the ABG team!
Hi, I'm Ashley and I started AshleysBrideGuide.com (aka ABG) in 2006 to help brides and grooms, like you, across the Middle TN area plan a wedding - no matter your budget or whether you are planning locally or hundreds of miles away. At one point, I was like you - planning a Nashville wedding, didnt know where to start, was a busy professional with little time to call tens of people just to find out basic info.
I created ABG to save you time, direct you to fabulous local resources and events and help you keep your sanity! I have an incredible team of wedding bloggers that are all recenly married (2 of whom planned a Nashville wedding).
From right to left: Tabitha, Sara, Meg and me
As you plan your Nashville-area wedding, we are your go-to team of gals. You'll see us around at many Nashville bridal shows, we'll cover what we find and that which we think you'll like. We'll introduce you to great wedding resources, from Nashville wedding venues to hot hot hot photographers! We'll also share specials only available to ABG readers. Trust us, there's nothing like ABG available in Nashville or other cities for that matter. Here are 10 ways to use us/and our website, as your Bridal BFFs.
1) Personal responses to your questions! If you have a question, send it to us. From vendor recommendations to which bridal shows to attend, we receive all sorts of questions and love to hear from you. You can email us; post a message via our Facebook page (gotta Like us first) or reach out to us via Twitter @nashwedgals and we'll respond.
2) Daily blog offers expert advice and ideas. We blog 5 days a week, M-F and cover just about every topic for Nashville weddings. We interview wedding pros to ask the info you need to know, especially wedding venues to get their capacity, fees, etc. We also attend bridal shows and take photos in the event you aren't able to attend. You can either choose a topic and find exactly what you need or just read each day's feature. You're sure to find the info that you need. You can easily access our daily blog from our homepage. It appears under the section The Wedding Scoop.
3) Extensive list of wedding wedding pros to hire for your big day. Use our vendor directory to find your planner, photographer, cake artist, DJ, photo booth, etc. We have or know just about everyone you need for your wedding and have listed the Nashville wedding pros that support our website and our brides. You can easily search by keyword or by the category that you need.
4) Wedding savings for ABG readers. Before you hire anyone, check out our savings page to see what specials are available for ABG readers. No point in shopping without a coupon right? You may find someone that you have not considered or you may find a special offered by someone you've already contemplated. Either way, why not save and put that budgeted money elsewhere, whether it's $100 or $1000!
5) List of Nashville bridal shows and events. January and February will be super busy months, with great events for engaged couples just about every week. Only ABG lists most of the bridal happenings. If you want to get up close and personal, meet wedding pros, taste cake - our bridal calendar will help ensure you don't miss a must-attend event.
6) Photo gallery for ideas! Our inspiration gallery is full of wedding photos from Nashville weddings. Check it out to get ideas, share photos with your friends and find local wedding pros based on their bridal eye candy. What's great about our gallery is that you can search by wedding style and color and includes the links to the local pro responsible for the fab.
7) Hundreds of Nashville weddings in one place. It's one thing to fall in love with a wedding in California and then not be able to hire any of the wedding pros. It's another to swoon over Nashville-area weddings, with the confidence that the talent is right in our backyard! With one phone call, the pro could be booked for your wedding day and off creating something custom to your wedding vision.
8) List of other Nashville wedding blogs. We have a list of dozens of Nashville bridal blogs by brides/newlyweds (many are now becoming moms!) and wedding pros. You are sure to find some goodies to add to your follow list.
9) Advice and interviews via email. For the truly serious about being organized, we suggest that you subscribe to our email to receive it weekly (click here to sign up) or daily (sign up here). That way, you won't miss ANYTHING that we feature on our site.
10) Even more help when you follow us online! Want to stay in the loop beyond what we share on ABG? Like us on Facebook fan page or follow us on Twitter @nashwedgals. We're wedding junkies and share more advice, tips and great finds via our online communities. In fact, if you find something amazing in Nashville weddings, post it on our fan page or send it to us via Twitter so that we can check it out too!
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
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Thursday, December 29, 2011
Let's face it, most of us are still in vacation mode. With another long weekend coming up and that gorgeous new ring on your finger it's hard to stay focused. Today we're going to help you get a little more focused on the priorities at hand like your upcoming wedding and the bridal shows you're about to attend.
What is a bridal show and why should you attend?
We love bridal shows! A bridal show is an event in which local wedding pros set up a booth and turn it into a mini-boutique or store of their own. Attending a bridal show is like going to a wedding mall where you can meet dozens to hundreds of wedding pros under one roof. You can go and talk to event pros that you will need for your wedding day - from wedding planners to rental companies. Their booths will give you an idea of what they have to offer and the better ones will leave you inspired and wow'ed!
We recommend that you do research FIRST! Spend a few hours on our website looking at our wedding directory and our blog to see what you like and who you might want to see in person. Visit their blogs or websites and see which shows they are participating in and seek them out. While there, check out others that grab your attention. The more prepared you are, the better your experience and productive your day.
Many bridal shows offer a fashion shows allowing you to see tuxedos, bridal gowns, bridesmaid attire. Make sure you time your arrival to see a show.
How to prepare for a bridal show
1) Set your overall budget before you start wedding shopping.
2) Wear comfy shoes and bring a bottle of water to drink. Maybe something salty - You will need it after your 3rd piece of yummy cake.
3) Print 50 info labels that contain your first/last name, email, phone, mailing address - this will save you lots of time when you enter contests and/or give vendors your information.
4) Take a notepad and a pen to write down your favorites.
5) Take a camera to capture the ideas you like.
6) Plan ahead by bringing a shopping list of the vendors that you need and your estimated budget for the category.
7) Go with one friend to keep you focused on your objectives - which vendors you need at which budget.
Which shows to attend?
There are several bridal shows coming up at the start of the year we're all really excited about. In the next few months, you will hear about several bridal shows and events. While you'd probably like to, you will not have the time or energy to attend them all. Here's our list of the Nashville-area shows we plan to attend and think they'd be great to add to your calendar to check out.
January 10th: Enchanted Brides Show
The Hutton Hotel hosts the Enchanted Brides show. This evening event also shows off the hotel's beautiful ballroom with great views of the city. Pre-register here.
January 10th: StudioWed Nashville Open House
Meet the stellar team of wedding vendors at StudioWed Nashville in a more relaxed and intimate setting where you'll get plenty of time to ask questions, find out more about StudioWed and how they can help with your wedding planning.
January 15th: The Inspired Bride
StudioWed and Houston Station invite you to a special bridal show that they have promised to be a unique experience you won't want to miss. For more information visit StudioWed Nashville's blog here.
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January 22nd: Bridal Brunch
Her Nashville Magazine and nFocus Magazine invite you to join them at another fun Bridal Brunch at the WO Smith Music School. Sip on mimosas as you meet wedding vendors to chat about your day! Register for the event here.
February 5th: Perfect Wedding Guide Show
Perfect Wedding Guide usually organizes a fun bridal show with lots of our favorite wedding vendors. To find out more or register for the event visit their website here.
For a complete list of upcoming bridal shows visit our events page to stay informed and ready to go! Happy planning!
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011
90% of the Nashville brides that I have interviewed who didn't hire planners (hired one late in planning or hired one for limited services) said they regretted that decision. They gave me three reasons for not hiring a planner and I'm sure you've entertained these same thoughts...
3 Reasons Why Brides Don't Hire a Wedding Planner:
1) Money - a planner was just not in the budget. The brides felt that the amount they would have to pay was better spent on other aspects.
2) They just didn't think a planner was worth the investment - some girls felt that what a planner could do, her friends or family members could also do for free.
3) How hard could a wedding be? It's a party isn't it? After all the planning was squared away with every detail confirmed, brides felt they had it all under control and there just wasn't anything left to worry about. What could possibly go wrong?
In hindsight, they realized that a planner's help would have helped them significantly, and that a wedding isn't "just a party".
I'd like to encourage you to take their advice and hire a reputable Nashville wedding planner ASAP! You deserve to enjoy your entire engagement. You deserve to not "work" on your wedding day and to allow your family not to work on your day so everyone can savor every minute, dance, morsel.
I consulted with three wedding industry experts to give you various perspectives on the topic - Rita Rowland who runs the catering company Down South Delights, Mary Alice Sublett of StudioWed Nashville and A Delightful Day Event Planning and Sharon Campbell, one half of the dynamic photography duo Jonathon Campbell Photography.
3 Reasons Why a Bride Should Hire a Full-Service Wedding Planner:
1) They offer professional help finding quality resources + making sound decisions.
Planning can get really overwhelming with contracts and negotiation, not to mention arrangements you have to make for your guests and yourself. It can start to be too much. Wedding planners and professionals exist so you don't have to give yourself a headache trying to figure it all out on your own.
Mary Alice Sublett of StudioWed Nashville has had years of experience as a planner and working with vendors and had this piece of advice.
"Hiring a planner, whether to help you through the whole process, or for month of assistance, is the best investment you can make at the start of your planning journey! Planners can assist you through the to-do tasks, guide you into making the right vendor decisions, keep the planning process as stress free as possible, and provide you the advice you need to have a wonderful wedding experience.
Be thorough in choosing your planner by interviewing several to find the right personality and service fit for you and your fiance and once you find the right one, trust them to walk you through this process "hand in hand". Don't see hiring a planner as a luxury item, but as a must have item in your budget, as it will make the difference between a wonderful planning experience and a stressful one."
2) They have years of experience orchestrating wedding days
You have enough to worry about that day, why add on the stress of having to worry where all your vendors are at any given moment? Rita of Down South Delights explains this from a caterer's (and wedding vendor's) point of view:
"Having a planner involved with the process is definitely a big help from a caterers perspective. On the day of the reception we have a defined "go to" person that can answer questions and assist with details. If the bride chooses not to have a planner then vendors usually end up having to seek out a family member or the bride herself. The planner typically will email us a very detailed timeline so that we know the exact moment that we should be cutting cake, opening stations, opening the bar, preparing toasts, etc."
"If a bride chooses a full planning package then the planner and I can go through all of the details without having to constantly contact the bride with information that she may not have knowledge of. Opting for a day-of planner is still a great help for us. That means that someone will be on site to light candles, arrange cake toppers, organize seating charts, etc. The planner or their assistant keeps the entire reception rolling smoothly, prompting the couple when it's time to move on to the next aspect of the day.
Unless you're an uber organized couple, then a planner can make your life a lot smoother for the duration of the planning process. For most couples this is this the first time they've had to deal with linen sizes, seating arrangements, processional info, etc - a planner can handle all of this for you and keep all of us vendors on point with timing! Basically, a planner takes care of all the stuff that a bride doesn't want to have to worry about during her reception." (Rita Rowland)
I can't agree more: A bride shouldn't be the conductor of this fine-tuned orchestra. You were part of the planning process, you're very aware of every single thing that's involved, but you shouldn't have to be the ones wrangling them on your wedding day. Save your breath and adrenalin for yourself and your family. And if things go wrong, that shouldn't be something you have to fix! Which brings us to our next point
3) They create plans and back-up plans to handle unexpected challenges (from family discord to floods)!
Things can go wrong. This isn't to say they WILL go wrong but that if there's a bit of a mix up, do you really want to know and do you really want to be the person on the phone that day trying to deal with it? On that note, do you want your mom or aunt or best friend to be that person? Not ideally. This is where your planner comes in. Sharon Campbell brings home the point:
"We do shoot several weddings with no planner or coordinator at all (there is a difference) and without fail something always goes wrong, even if its something little and doesn't really matter in the end. I do notice that when that happens, the bride is always the go-to person for the family or venue, caterer, etc and it always creates the risk of being unnecessarily stressed on the day of your wedding.
No matter what your budget, I suggest it is a wise investment to have someone who is experienced and is not a family member or friend be the go-to person that can handle some of the mishaps and also help keep your day on track. As a photographer, we have a schedule, but we are there to capture your day and while we help in any way we can, we would not be able to answer questions or make decisions that could in any way alter your day. Do not expect your other vendors (not even the venue manager) to coordinate the day for you.
Make sure you have people that are excited about your wedding, trust them to do the job you hired them to do and then relax on the day your start your family!"
This is key - that you, your groom, your parents, siblings, and friends have fun. You invested in all these professionals, make it worth your while. And like Rita said, "It's the couples time to shine and a great planner can make that a lot easier."
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Engagements & Proposals
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Tuesday, December 27, 2011
For the newly engaged, the beginning of your wedding planning is such an exciting time. You probably don't know this, but more Nashville brides will get engaged between Christmas and Valentine's Day than any other time of the year. What does this mean? The wedding planning season has officially started and you'll be bombarded with commercials, wedding shows on TV, bridal shows, magazines, etc. That's awesome and a little overwhelming at the same time.
But, it doesn't have to be overwhelming if you love with your heart and plan with your head. How? That's where I can help you most! Back in October, I shared Seven Ways to be a Savvy, Happy Bride - advice I cannot stress enough and that I want to share with Nashville's newest brides.
1) Have a game plan BEFORE you start any wedding planning - know your priorities and values.
What will you value most: family, fun, spending time one on one with family, a big lively party, stress-free planning that allows you to enjoy every moment? What are your priority items? His? Do you love flowers? Does he want a vintage car? Rank all wedding expenses and their importance. Know "must haves" versus "nice to have."
2) Use your priorities and values to help you create a realistic budget and stick to it.
Don't overspend - It causes unnecessary stress and strain on you, your fiancé, and your families.
3) Determine two to three splurge items in advance, based on your values and priorities.
I recommend splurging on a great planner (a must), an amazing photographer, and a top-notch videographer. A great planner will make your life easier. She will help you brainstorm, create a solid plan, find and negotiate with vendors, and keep you inspired and focused - 90% of the brides I interview wish they'd hired a planner.
4) Shop smart - Don't shop or visit a bridal show or read another blog until you have a clear budget.
Know exactly what you plan to spend on all items (even splurge items) so you don't run out of money before you've made important purchases. It will keep you from buying what you don't need or what doesn't fit your style.
5) Reduce long-term stress and mishaps by researching EVERY vendor before you hire anyone or pay for anything.
Hire vendors with integrity and a good reputation.
- Check the Better Business Bureau. When I got married, I hired a videographer who had a great booth at a bridal show. I watched a video highlight of a wedding and was sold. No one was blogging back then and there wasn't a public forum. But there was BBB. I failed to check it and ended up screwed. He failed to capture key moments and I was devastated. When I mentioned it to him, he was defensive. It didn't go well. Moral - be sure to research every vendor you hire. At least check the Better Business Bureau for negative reports.
- Read blogs, ask brides. Brides are usually brutally honest. If they like someone, they will say. If they don't, they will say! This is a great way to find vendors they love and hate and exactly what happened.
- Read between the lines. Most vendors will not tell you if a fellow vendor sucks. Why? Because they/we have to work with these vendors for years to come and we can be sued. BUT we will often redirect you to another, more competent vendor. Vendors do this all the time but often brides and moms disregard the advice and move full steam ahead ignoring the subtle hints or recommendations.
For instance, a bride asked me about a photographer. I hesitated and asked her questions about her experience, then I rattled off a few other photographers that were qualified. She didn't get it, but mom got it. Another time, a bride asked me about a cake baker. I recommended others based on what she needed. She ignored my recommendation and called me a week before her wedding, frantic with a major emergency. By that time, it was too late and there wasn't much I could do.
- Hire vendors who specialize in what you need. Not every vendor can do everything. In this economy, some vendors are tempted to extend their services to make more money. Very few people can do everything. Whatever they promise they can do should be supported by a stunning portfolio of quality, consistent work. Ask them for referrals - if they refuse, that's a huge red flag.
- Ask questions like you're interviewing someone for a job. As a previous recruiter, I can share a few behavioral questions that might work for weddings. For instance - "Tell me about your most difficult bride (family dynamic, vendor, etc), what happened and how did you handle it? What did you learn?" Or, "Tell me about a day-of emergency and how you resolved it." One really good question is, "Tell me about a bride who simply could not be pleased, perhaps a real bridezilla who was dissatisfied. How did you handle the situation?"
- Don’t be teased by teasers. Ask to see the entire video or photo album. Ask to see more than one invitation or sculpted cake if that’s what you are hiring them to do. They should not be hesitant to share their work so you can look for quality and consistency.
- Make sure your caterer/cake baker is “legal” i.e. their kitchens are up to health codes so that what they prepare is safe for your guests. You don’t want anyone to get sick! They should be willing to show you their health score just like restaurants post.
- Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not. If you find yourself debating, asking others for advice - you probably know something is wrong. Don’t stick around waiting for resolution that won’t come, just move on. Things usually get worse after you pay, not better. There are many more vendors and venues vying for your business so do not settle. Bridal salons and venues are the worst offenders. Expect good customer service and do not accept poor service. As Beth and Elizabeth at Faccio Bridal said, “This is the most expensive dress you will ever buy. You should expect good service.” I agree!
6) Protect yourself
- Get everything in writing. If a vendor makes a promise, make sure it’s documented.
- Pay with credit cards when possible. Most credit card companies will protect you from fraud, loss, service issues. If you have decided to use cash instead, consider using a credit card and immediately paying off the charge with cash.
- If you have an unresolvable issue, contact the BBB for help mediating. If you can’t remedy the problem, at least you have a paper trail from your credit card company and an experience that will help other brides who might consider hiring this vendor.
7) Lastly, spend less time planning your wedding and more time building a strong foundation for your marriage. Your marriage should always be the focal point. I know it is easy to get excited and sidetracked by all the to-dos and the pretty wedding things, but remember the whole point is the marriage, not the wedding.
- Invest time and money in premarital education/counseling. Don’t just do the required, really invest time and resources in people who can help you build a great foundation from the start.
- Have date nights where no wedding talk is allowed. Avoid what I call “drive-by wedding planning” where your fiancé walks in the door and you start discussing wedding plans. Carve out a specific time/day to discuss the wedding and only discuss your wedding during that time, unless there is an emergency or you have to make the decision right then. This will allow him to enjoy your time together versus feeling like all you do is discuss the wedding. This applies to your friendships too - you don’t want to run them off.
- Focus on your values - don’t sweat the small stuff. And have fun.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Engagements & Proposals
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011
As we continue our trek back through Nashville's 2011 weddings, we bring you the favorite designs and decor as submitted by the Ashley's Bride Guide staff and participating members of the Nashville bridal community. The only thing we regret is that we could only choose a few! Enjoy the ones we have the space to share.
1) Movie Theme at Carnton Plantation
A large percentage of the weddings we see here in Nashville have a Southern twist to them. It's definitely fun to see weddings, like this one from A Delightful Day/StudioWed, in which the couple puts personal touches to their Southern venue with a movie theme! As Kelly Stack says, "I loved the quirky quality of her details, the fabulous ribbon-bedecked biscuit bar and cake buffet, the open-air layout of her Carnton Plantation reception, the long rectangular tables and fruitwood folding chairs, the fabulous mix-and-match florals in vases by Brocade Design Arts, and the Southern cooking by A Dream Come True was heavenly."
Planner: A Delightful Day Event Planning; Photos: The Collection, Erin Lee; Loved by: StudioWed
2) Mason Jar Love
I love, love mixing antique china plates and mason jars, especially for an outdoor wedding; so of course, I had to choose this one! The bride and groom actually own a decor business, which created easy access to vintage decorations, and according to Cali, they toasted each other with Mason Jar wine glasses!
Decor: Not Too Shabby Designs; Photos: Cali Ashton Photography; Loved by: Meg of ABG
3) Creative Fall Colors
ABG Blogger Sara loves all of these fall color options, especially those that vary from the typical red/brown/orange palate. More on the inspiration here.
Fall Inspiration: Historic Cedarwood; Photos: Rachel Moore Photography; Loved by: Sara of ABG
4) Eclectic Circus Theme
My first thought when I saw this wedding, it's cooky - in a good, fun way! Marathon Village is love for many indie, eclectic brides and this one takes the cake. From the ring bearers coming down the aisle in a circus wagon, to the elephant centerpieces, cotton candy, balloons, even the cake looked like a three ring circus! The overall theme was well displayed, but in no way tacky.
DIY Design by Bride & Family; Photos: Photography by Susie; Loved by: Meg of ABG
5) Eco-Friendly Options
Sara said that she really likes "the idea of such amazing decorations being eco-friendly since a lot of decorations for a wedding are just tossed at the end of the day." We all agree, which is why we love the green posts by Ashley of iHospitality. More eco-friendly decor options from the extensive decor inventory at Cedarwood.
Decor: Historic Cedarwood; Photo: Dove Wedding Photography; Loved by: Sara of ABG
6) Destination - Island of Ocean Blues
As a nod to our brides that marry elsewhere but take Nashville vendors with them, here is a beach side wedding that Kelly with StudioWed sent over. "Mary Alice & Leigh RAVED about this gorgeous wedding for months after it happened! The two of them flew to Fishers Island in New York (a "beautiful relic of a bygone era!") for this gorgeous summer wedding." -Kelly
Planner: A Delightful Day Event Planning; Photos: McLellan Style; Loved by: StudioWed
7) Victorian Elegance
I am always impressed or intrigued by photos from Ace Photography, which is why I constantly follow their blog. This elegance of this wedding in a Victorian home really is stunning.
Venue: Top O' Woodland; Photos: Ace Photography; Loved by: Meg of ABG
8) Parisian Style
Sara loved this post because it displays all of the different options that brides have when they wed at Cedarwood. We all love this shoot that Kristyn did of French tablescapes - so romantic!
Inspiration Shoot: Historic Cedarwood; Photo: Kristyn Hogan; Loved by: Sara of ABG & Team
9) Backyard Wedding
When you hear "Backyard Wedding" it usually brings to mind a simple affair, perhaps thrown together at the last minute, but this is anything but that image. Doug and Lea actually built the pavilion below just for their wedding. It was an intimate wedding in regards to who they invited - only those with whom they had lasting friendships. The moment I saw the wedding, I fell in love and had to share! (Be sure to check out Joe Hendricks' blog to see more photos - including their rose pinata!)
Planner: Weddings by Mary Natalie; Photos: Joe Hendricks Photography; Loved by: Meg of ABG
10) A Wedding for All Seasons
This summer, the folks at Main Event Productions assembled a dream team of wedding pros for the open house of their new venue, Legacy Farms. The result was pure deliciousness and bridal eye candy! To demonstrate the diversity of the venue and its many options for the Tennessee bride, the design and decor pros styled each area with a different seasonal theme. You can view all of the images via Ace Photography's blog in a Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 series. However, below are Ashley's favorite's from the inspirational shoot. The beauty of such a wonderful inspiration being created in greater Nashville is that you can actually hire this dream team to recreate a similar look for you vs. coveting them from afar!
Inspiration Shoot - Venue: Legacy Farms; Floral Design + Event Styling: Enchanted Florist + Events Plus; Photos: Ace Photography; Loved by: Ashley of ABG
Share your favorite wedding design and decor from 2011 with us, either as a comment below or on our Facebook page. Keep watching for more of our favorites!
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Posted by Megan |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Details, Design & Florals, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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