Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! For those of you who got engaged over the holiday - Congratulations!!! You found our blog just in time to read our handy-dandy list of private dining venues for your bridal events.
Some brides are hotel brides, others urban loft brides. But regardless of where you choose for your wedding location, you will likely need a restaurant to host your many special occasions from your engagement party to your rehearsal dinner or even holiday parties!
Believe me, it's not easy to find a great restaurant that can accomodate private parties with a smile. But our list is a great start. What's even better is that many of these restaurants can accommodate your wedding reception (if thats of interest) or can cater your event if you choose another locale.
Here are some of our favorites and favorites suggested by Nashville wedding planners...
Mere Bulles
Contact: Carlin McQuiddy (Wedding Coordinator)
Telephone: 615-467-1945
E-Mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website: MereBulles.com
I am a HUGE fan of Mere Bulles. They have A++++ service and go above and beyond to ensure that you enjoy your service as much as you enjoy their food. I went for a 12:30pm brunch at Mere Bulles last week and the atmosphere and staff were so great that I continued my meeting until their 6pm dinner! No kidding. I sat at the same table for about 8 hours. Their staff didnt kick us out. They were so hospitable and kept filling our water, asking if we needed anything. I expected to be asked to leave but they didnt, They kept serving us. And once they really closed, we continued our conversation in the parking lot for another 30 minutes. I noticed my waiter, Bill, coming towards me with my to-go bag! I was amazed that he was unfazed by us taking his table hostage all day and still brought my food outside. UNREAL service.
PLEASE add Mere Bulles to your list of private party venues to consider. You will not be disappointed. In fact, you will probably quickly become a fan just like me!
Buca Di Beppo
Contact: Holly Curtiss
E-mail:mbolt@bucainc.com
Website: Bucadibeppo.com
Buca di Beppo is, on a normal day, known for it's family-style Italian dining. Heaping portions of delicious appetizers and entrees, you know you'll leave completely satiated at the end of your meal. Specifically for rehearsal dinner, parties or showers only (no wedding receptions) they offer a semi-private room for your event and feature seven specialty banquet menus from which you can choose.
You'd be very surprised at how affordable their party options are. Think bridal shower, bridesmaid luncheon or rehearsal dinner. Good food, great location, awesome value! I'm a picky eater and even I loved their food:).
The Mad Platter is one of Tabitha's favorite restaurants. You all know she's a fan of good, quality food and she could NOT stop raving about how great every meal she's had at the Mad Platter has been and loves the fact that they are a very green-minded business. Located in Historic Germantown, The Mad Platter is a really romantic spot and the food will not disappoint.
Stoney River
Contact: Kristen Lee
Telephone: 615-340-9550
Website: StoneyRiver.com
We received rave reviews from some wedding vendors who were hired for a wedding at Stoney River. Great service, excellent food and everything was on time and efficient. Stoney River is an intimate, almost formal looking venue with the pressed linens, stoik wood tables and ambient lighting, perfect for smaller weddings or rehearsal dinners where you are surrounded by those nearest and dearest.
Who doesnt love Stoney River? Add it to your list!
Maggianno's of Little Italy
Contact: Rachael Paul (General Manager)
Telephone: 615-514-0280
Website: Maggianos.com
Hearty, authentic Italian-American fare, elegant rooms and a professional staff, Maggiano's of Italy is one of the lesser known options for celebrating special occasions. The restaurant offers a bar service as well, and has lower rates for children under a certain age. Choose either a seated, served dinner or buffet style.
Pictures courtesy of Maggianos.com
Jimmy Kelly's
Contact: Mike Kellly or Angie Smith
Telephone: 615-329-4349
Website: JimmyKellys.com/privateparties.htm
Pictures courtesy of JimmyKellys.com
Another Nashville institution, Jimmy Kelly's is a wonderful location for a rehearsal dinner or a more intimate gathering for your wedding dinner. They have a patio that can be tented for special events. The interior is like a charming old home with fireplaces and cozy rooms.
Merchant's Restaurant
Contact: Leah McDonald
Telephone: 615-254-1892
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website: MerchantsRestaurant.com
Since switching management this year, Merchant's Restaurant on Broadway in Downtown Nashville has taken on new life - from the same people who started the Patterson House, Merchant's Restaurant is now much more sophisticated in style and service and may just be the perfect spot for your event.
Pictures courtesy of MerchantsRestaurant.com
These are just a handful of restaurants in Nashville as suggested by brides and people in the wedding community. Contact their banquet/event coordinators for more details on having your event at their venue, and be sure to let them know that you saw them on Ashley's Bride Guide! Big thanks to Jonathon Campbell Photography, Hillary Capes-Smith and everyone else for sharing their favorite restaurants with us on Twitter and Facebook! Feedback from local wedding professionals is priceless and is hugely appreciated by us and our brides.
If you have a restaurant you love for weddings or parties that we didn't list, we'd love to hear from you so please don't hesitate to leave us a comment!
Our bridesmaids work hard to make us happy on our wedding day. They're spending money on dresses they'll probably never wear again, some of them will even travel just to spend 48 hours with us, their BFF. To make full use of the time, and so they also get to enjoy it (as much as we would like to think our weddings are enough enjoyment!) why not treat them to a little fun.
Here are some of our favorite girl spots. Have other ideas? Please share!
Art and Invention - ArtandInventionGallery.wordpress.com
Feeling crafty? Art And Ivvention is an art gallery in East Nashville and they have a space they rent out for special occasions such as Valentine's Day or even during the holidays to people who want to have a small gathering to make gifts or just to get together and do something fun. Ashley was there for a friend's birthday and said she had a blast and thought, "this would be perfect for girls' night out!"
The space can accommodate up to 20 people, and they are open to what you would like to do - if you want to paint picture frames to give exchange with your bridesmaids, or if you would like to paint pictures on canvas, owners Meg and Bret MacFadyen will provide the paint and equipment, and you provide the people. Bring your own wine, pack a picnic or have it catered and it would be a blast. Or you could top the evening off by going to one of the many wonderful restaurants in the area! Ashley and her friends ended the evening by having dinner at MadDonna's and it was great!
1) Escape Day Spa - EscapeSpaces.com
Make a day of being pampered at Escape Day Spa. The moment you walk in, you forget you're in the middle of a mall.
Calming, very peaceful waiting areas.
The meditation room
The trickling fountains, the soothing music and the delicious scents from candles and herbs take you to a place of relaxation that Calgon can't compete with. Spaces offers a manicure/pedicure package that you can top off with lunch in their cafe. They serve light fare like sandwiches and salads, with their strawberry fields salad being their most popular item. If you'd rather a massage, they offer sessions where two people can be in a room side by side so while some of your girls are getting their nails done, you could be getting the tension rubbed out of your shoulders alongside your maid of honor!
2) Tea Party with Izzy and Bell - IzzyandBell.com
Nothing says "Girl Time" more than a classic Tea Party. Izzy and Bell is a tea party catering company. When Ashley mentioned them to me, I started trying to find an excuse just to have a little tea party! From the pretty tableclothes to the serving platters to the vintage tea cups, Izzy and Bell will provide the decor and rentals, you just have to provide the space.
I gave owner Crystal De Luna-Bogan a call, and she was such a delight to speak to. She told me that the Traditional Tea Party is most popular with brides - it has a very vintage feel with the antique style cups, traditional English cakes and biscuits. petit fours and dainty finger sandwiches. But she puts a modern twist on things by using as many local ingredients as she can find. Or you can go with the Japanese Tea Party package which includes a more zen style menu of sushi, wasabi deviled quail eggs and green tea pana cottas, just to name a few of the more Eastern style treats. You can follow them on twitter (Twitter.com/IzzyandBell), or contact Crystal for availability and to schedule your tea party with your girls!
Pictures courtesy of Izzy and Bell
3) Bikram Yoga - BikramCoolSprings.com
Be refreshed, energized and relaxed all at once with a yoga class at Bikram Cool Springs.
This 90-minute class is a workout that will get rid of any last minute stress, and it will mentally prepare you for the big weekend ahead with lots of family members and friends. Join in one of their classes, or give studio owner Sandra Lee a call for a small group class where you and your girls will have the room all to yourselves. Tons of people, including me, swear by Bikram and I even got Ashley to take a class there. It was an experience she will never forget!!
4) Girl's Night at Cabana - CabanaNashville.com
Ashley and I LOVE, love, love Cabana (we went there to celebrate our birthdays this year). Great excuse to get a little dolled up, grab your girls, bring your iPod and have your own dinner party in the privacy of a cabana at, well, Cabana!
From behind a sheer curtain, you can still see people walk by, but you'll still feel slightly hidden and away from the crowd as you feast on some lobster brie mac n cheese, fresh pizza or any of their delicious dishes. It's the perfect place to people watch while having a few girly cocktails with your girls! Plus, Wednesday night is Ladies Night so drinks and food are a steal!
What are some of your favorite places to go? Or maybe you have a great suggestion on what brides can do with their bridesmaids? Tell us what they are in comments we'd love to hear them!
You're Invited Gifts, Paper and Events is a one-stop shop for your custom wedding needs. Their Belle Meade event boutique offers wedding planning, event design and custom invitations.
They have a very special, time-sensitive offer for ABG readers: Now through August 10th, ABG readers receive $150 off any wedding consultation package when you mention ABG plus an additional 10% off any event/wedding invitation. Definitely give them a call soon and be sure to mention that you're an ABG bride!
To give you a taste of their work, I am excited to feature a recent photoshoot by You're Invited, captured by Jonathon Campbell Photography. You're Invited's Summer Soiree photo shoot was, put simply, exquisite. The great thing about this Summer Soiree design is you can contact You're Invited and have them plan your bridal shower, bridesmaid luncheon or event and they can recreate the exact look below OR you can use the concept as inspiration. Either way - they can help you from plan to design. It doesnt get much easier than that!
Stephanie Alexander & Anna Peebles of You're Invited
Guest Blogger: Stephanie Alexander of You're Invited Events - Bridal Luncheon Summer Soiree
The photos capture the perfect bridesmaid's luncheon. Hot pinks and lime greens are a combination I love with the white which really pops against those colors. This invitation was the inspiration for this hot pink and lime green Bridal Shower/Bridesmaid’s Luncheon. Oftentimes, I will take an invitation and use it to help develop the overall look and feel of a party. If you need inspiration for your next party, I encourage you to visit an invitation/stationery store for ideas! Birds are a hot trend right now, in both décor and invitation design.
We packaged the invitations in little white boxes that had been lined in hot pink raffia. I love non-traditional ways of sending a fabulous invitation.
I chose a 60” square table with fuchsia satin linen, and a 48” round table with a lime green linen for the food and beverages. I love using a mixture of square and round tables at parties. I also chose white chiavari chairs. The crisp white really pops against the pinks and the greens. For the 60” square table where guests were seated, we used 4 large green topiaries, a glass pitcher filled with lime slices, wheat grass in ceramic containers and little bird boxes (to continue with our bird theme) and lime green Caspari placemats. In addition, we used monogrammed Pickard china for the placesettings. This Pickard china is extremely popular for bride’s wedding registries. (Rentals were courtesy of Music City Tents & Events).
For this particular arrangement, I used Bells of Ireland, pink larkspur, green curly willow and hot pink dried floral accents. In addition, I filled 8 bud vases with pink sweet peas. I placed these bud vases around the table near each guest’s place setting.
Putting the fresh dogwood blossoms in the jars is brilliant!
I created bird sticks for the dessert shooter glasses. The dessert shooters were strawberries and cream trifle and key lime and cream dessert shots. I wanted to incorporate the pink and green into the food and beverage table as well. I also served sparkling pink punch and rimmed the etched antique glasses with pink sugar. In addition, I utilized glass bird containers in varying heights, and Anna filled them with fresh dogwood blossoms. Another decoration I used on the food and beverage table was wheat grass in wooden boxes. To add another dimension, I added sweet pea stems to the boxes for a pop of pink color.
Dessert shots are a fun, one-serving option
This set up could also be taken indoors, we just happened to have a fabulous day with gorgeous weather but you could create this inside in a beautiful dining area or a screened in porch. A good party can be done indoors or outdoors and as a planner, I always have a back-up plan. If it had rained that day, I had the screened in porch ready to go at the house we shot these pictures at.
Absolutely delightful! Thank you so much for filling us in on the shoot. and thank you to Jonathon Campbell Photography for sharing the pictures with us. What blew me away was the fact that Stephanie did everything herself - the food, the arrangements, the beverages and the dessert. So this set up can be done regardless of your budget and whether you're a D.I.Y. bride or if you have a limitless budge to hire vendors such as You're Invited.
Let's be real - hardly anyone plays games at bridal showers anymore. And as much as some do enjoy those showers where there's a woman demonstrating cookware, I think we've run out of fun ideas for girly parties. Until now - Stella & Dot is the ultimate shopping experience that comes to you and your girlfriends. This is a fabulous idea for a shower or bachlorette party and it's perfect for the bride who thinks beyond kitchen utensils or lingerie. Not only will you have a blast hanging with your girls, you get to hand pick from a gorgeous selection for necklaces, earrings and bracelets for yourself and your girlfriends!
I was introduced to the jewelry line via an online feature via Opulent Couturier. Loved their website, their collection but really wanted to see it, touch it - that's the only way to tell if it's quality you know. So, weeks ago, I saw the jewelry in person at the Boro Bridal Ball and I was blown away - this is jewelry that's so chic, so pretty! I can safely say that the materials they use to are of great quality. Also, each piece you buy supports Stella & Dot's promise of a sustainable, fair economy to empower women all over the world - I like that!
Stella & Dot was founded by someone already in the thick of the wedding industry - the company was started by Jessica Herrin who was one of the co-founders of The Wedding Channel and she was inspired by (and created Stella & Dot) for strong women like us. This is a fabulous way for you to give your bridesmaids a gift or keepsake and with such an awesome selection you're sure to find one to suit the style of your wedding. Not to mention how at ABG we're all about girl power!
Speaking of girl power and powerful women, those of you coming to the Sex And The City 2 party will have a chance to see the jewelry firsthand and purchase some of the Stella & Dot pieces. And now that we've piqued your curiosity, check out how you can plan your own Stella & Dot party!
Sara Marie of Designs by Sara Marie is a bridal couturier, which wikipedia defines as "a couturier is a person involved in the clothing fashion industry who makes original garments to order for private clients". She creates custom bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses for Nashville brides so you can have EXACTLY what you want - any style or color, sized to your body measurements.
A few weeks ago, Sara Marie collaborated with a Nashville wedding vendors to share some design ideas for your wedding - from custom gowns to beautiful wedding florals.
The custom designs (and overall look) below are nothing short of gorgeous AND just a sampling of what Sara Marie (and crew) can create for your bridal party. Challenge her to design your dream gown or attire for your wedding party - from classic to modern - bright and bold to pretty pastel.
Welcome Guest Blogger - Designs by Sara Marie
Recently a group of vendors got together to do a quaint photo shoot at the Pleasant Hill Mansion at the Governors Club. Photographer Kristen Steele captured this shoot that brings all these wonderful vendors together! The garments that are shown were custom made and designed by Sara Marie, a local dress and fashion designer in the Nashville area. The flowers featured are by Belles Fleurs, Amy Lynn Larwig was the featured makeup artist, and the Necklaces were designed by Sarah Sanborn from P.U.R.E Jewelry.
This shoot took place at the beautiful Pleasant Hill Mansion at the Governors Club in Nashville. This is the perfect venue for your special event! This lovingly-preserved antebellum mansion was built in 1854 and overlooks the golf course at The Governors Club. This Mansion can be used for an intimate dinner party or a large wedding reception. There is simply no place like it.
Designs by Sara Marie offers custom wedding attire perfect for any occasion! My designs have a wide range of fashion making the attire a great asset for your wedding! Whether you are looking for contemporary, classic, or vintage, I can design a work of art!
Amy Lynn Larwig is a well known make up artist in the Nashville Area specializing in makeup and hair styling for film, print and runway. Her skills are immense, watching her work is like watching a painting come to life!
Bonnie from Belles Fleurs is truly a remarkable florist. It is a locally owned and operated Tennessee business specializing in custom wedding floral designs. Belles Fleurs will focus on "Your dreams...Your wishes...Your perfect wedding". Every client will receive undivided attention starting with a free consultation! Sarah from P.U.R.E Jewelry designs one of a kind, unique necklaces specifically with the client in mind. Her designs are a mix of vintage and modern, while using a wide variety of materials. They're feminine yet tough and can be worn with a formal gown or a tank top and jeans. You choose.
Enjoy and be fabulous!
Photos are courtesy of Kristen Steele Photography.
At Ashley’s Bride Guide, we’re always on the lookout for innovative and exciting wedding ideas.
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