Monday, August 15, 2011
The very talented Ace Photography has WOWed us again with Erica and James' Nashville engagement session. We are honored to share photos from their fantastic engagement sesson and look forward to featuring their April wedding.
Erica Camille Carney and James A. Whitaker II
Engagement Date: June 10, 2010
Wedding Date: April 2, 2011
How did you get engaged?
We were at Disney World at Epcot, it was right before the Laser Fireworks show at the end of the night, and James started saying we need to find a good place to stand. I thought it didn’t really matter since it was going to be in the sky but, we eventually found a spot. Then about five minutes before the show James said I talked to your mom, I'm like really what did you all talk about. He said I had to ask her a question, and based on her answer, I have one for you. James got down on one knee opened the ring box and asked "Will you marry me?" I said "Yes I will" and then the fireworks went off! it was amazing.
What's your wedding budget?
$5,000-$10,000
Who did you hire for your wedding team?
Photography I Ace Photography
Videography I Beyond the Still Image
Flowers I Flowers Express, Floral Design bouquets
Groom’s Cake I Amber Tarrant
Wedding Cake I Crumb de la Crumb
Tuxedos I Street Tuxedo
Bridal and Bridesmaid’s Gowns I David’s Bridal
Transportation I Alpha Omega Limousines
Wedding Venue I Celebration of Life Church
Reception Venue I BB Kings Blues Club-Nashville
What's your wedding style?
Classic, Elegant, Minimalist, and Fun
What was it like working with Ace Photography?
They are phenomenal. They meet with you to really connect before the first shoot and they really have a way of making you feel comfortable in front of the camera. They took a gray day in December and made the day look sky blue. They have an unbelievable artistic element and were extremely helpful with all aspects including helping with props. I highly recommend Arline and her team, you will be confident knowing your pictures will be perfect.
Any advice for engaged Nashville couples?
It's your wedding day it should reflect you and your husband to be, breath and enjoy your day!
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Posted by Bethany |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography
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Monday, July 18, 2011
Grant and Miranda's engagement session is a creative dream with props, different locations, and a ton of personality! The photographers at Ace Photography really tuned in to capture Grant and Miranda's fun-loving, adventurous relationship.
There's so much diversity in their scenes. View our favorites from their session and read more about this amazing couple!
Couple: Grant James Thornbury and Miranda Carol Ward
Engagement Date: 11.13.10
Wedding Date: 05.14.11
How did you get engaged?
Grant proposed to me on three different occasions, each special and romantic! The first: moonlit stroll on the beach in Florida. Grant serenaded me with a song he wrote inspired by our love. He read a passage from Song of Solomon (from the Bible) and asked me to be his wife. I didn’t say no, but requested Grant ask again at a later time. We both realized there were aspects of our lives we wanted to mature in before taking that step.
The second: Shakespeare In The Park with chocolate covered strawberries. After watching the play, Grant led me to the pond in front of the Parthenon and asked a second time. Although I wanted to say yes, my response was the same.
The third: road trip to Chattanooga for fine dining. Grant chose Chattanooga because that’s where my family was from. He wanted the two of us to aspire for a marriage like that of my parents (40 years and counting!). Grant took me to my parent’s childhood homes and then to dinner at the most exquisite restaurant either of us had been to, where Grant asked me a third (and what would be the final) time.
Who did you hire for your wedding team?
Music: Notable Occasions
Food: A Catered Affair
Cake: The Bake Shoppe
Flowers: The Enchanted Florist
Make-up: Amy Lynn Larwig
Dress: The White Room
Venue: CJ’s Off The Square
Photographers: Ace Photography
What was your wedding style?
Our overall theme was to bring the inside out, with vintage heirlooms/furniture, silhouettes, and mismatched textures.
What was it like working with Ace Photography?
Before any vender was chosen, including the venue, we booked our photographers. There was never any question; it HAD to be Ace! I (Miranda) had the pleasure of studying bridal portrait photography under Arline Beets and knew what she was capable of. We had exceptionally high expectations and upon viewing our engagement book for the first time, I was so pleased, it brought tears to my eyes. I was so moved, I couldn’t help but hug Arline and thank her tremendously.
Anything else you want to share about your engagement or your wedding day?
Besides the visual aesthetics and intimate atmosphere that CJ’s Off The Square has, they provided so much more. Instead of having to focus on stressful details of the day, everything went better than expected due to the dedicated staff. There wasn’t a detail left untouched from the planning process to the décor. Grant and I are immensely grateful to the team at CJ’s Off The Square because we got to experience our day as we had always dreamt.
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Posted by Bethany |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography
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Friday, June 17, 2011
Last month, Carmen Fowler and Jim LaBerge allowed us and Alex Bee Photo a sneak peek at their intimate rehearsal dinner at Mere Bulles in Brentwood, TN. The event was held for 54 of the couple's closest family and friends. Considering our absolute love for this charming location and their exquisite food, it was hard not to dig in; but we managed.
Carmen and Jim mingled with guests at leisure in Mere Bulles’ outside courtyard area while hors d’oeuvres were served. The dinner began at 6:30. Guests had delectable entrees choices and dessert options. Mere Bulles allowed the couple to mix and match their menu based on what they liked most: Slow Roasted Prime Rib, Seared Atlantic Salmon and Roasted Chicken. For dessert, the couple allowed their guests to choose between Strawberry Split Apart Cake or Chocolate Decadence.
Before, during and after dinner, the bride and groom were toasted many times over by family and friends. All of the guests used this time to reconnect with Jim and Carmen, while giving their sincerest greetings. Jim and Carmen, husband and wife-to-be, were all smiles all evening!
Carmen and Jim socialized with their family and friends on into the night.
All photos courtesy of Alex Bee Photo
We thank Carmen and Jim for allowing us to document their rehearsal dinner and wish them all the best in their new life together!
If you are struggling to find the right place to host your bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner or reception, look no further than the charm-filled Mere Bulles Restaurant in Brentwood. The warm and inviting environment of Mere Bulles provided the perfect place for Carmen and Jim to celebrate their upcoming marriage. Learn more about Mere Bulles Restaurant and their superb service at their website: merebulleslibrary.com.
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Posted by Bethany |
Filed under: Bridal Showers, Luncheons, Parties, Engagements & Proposals, Wedding Venues and Locations
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Thursday, June 2, 2011
Chris and Cressie got engaged in New Zealand last October after dating long-distance for over five years. And how did he propose? He asked Cressie to change her Facebook status to “engaged”! To celebrate their engagement, they threw a 1950s murder mystery party with a surprise reveal - their wedding date! Jennifer Fox Photography captured the thematic night full of throwback costumes, décor and even food. Enjoy the details as Cressie takes us through her DIY evening.
Chris Lewis + Cressie Teague
Engagement date ~ October 14, 2010
Wedding date ~ June 2, 2012
Our Blog: http://chrisandcressie.com/
Why host an engagement party? Why a themed party?
We got engaged on a trip to New Zealand but because we were so far away no friends or family could join in our celebration and excitement (except on Facebook) so a home town party was in order. We also wanted to officially announce the wedding date at this party and give our two sets of families and friends an opportunity to meet and mingle.
The theme developed out of a previous party I hosted - a 1920's Murder Mystery Birthday Party two years ago. I received rave reviews from my friends in attendance and pictures we posted from the 1920's party went viral; we even won a FREE 1950's Murder Mystery Party from the creator Dinner and a Murder (a wonderful Tennessee company). I was astonished at the support of family and friends who encouraged me to host another mystery party! Our engagement was the perfect catalyst to set the party into motion! As for the 1950's, I adore the fashion of that decade and I grew up singing along to Grease. It was the perfect decade for all of our guests who ranged in age from 25 to 85.
Costumes added to the fun and helped guests connect to the era of the murder mystery game!
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
Everything was DIY (are you impressed? Because we are!). The decorations were provided by myself and a few family members. Most of the items were borrowed, like a yellow rotary phone, cookie jars and dollies. I created the placemats out of old records and personalized them with 4-inch circle stickers created on my ink-jet printer. The goodie bags were white lunch bags that I ran through my printer and personalized with our logo. The dessert stands were records that were crazy-glued to $1 candle sticks from Dollar Tree. They were perfect for holding the petit fours. Prizes for Best Costume, Best Performer and Wealthiest Player were created by framing records that were spray painted to mimic the gold albums of recording artists. The table runners were cut from 1950's fabric featuring Elvis, I love Lucy, Betty Crocker and other retro scenes. All of the flowers were created from coffee filters and sprayed with food coloring to match the table runners. Pictures of Bob Hope, Lawrence Welk and other period characters were framed and placed around the house. The restroom was re-named a "Fall Out Shelter" and a personalized "Drive-In" sign was created from foam board and placed beside a flat screen TV that played commercials from the 1950's.
Tell us about the costumes!
I love sewing costumes as a hobby. I design and create sci-fi, Civil War reenactment , and the occasional renaissance fair costumes. So I naturally jumped at the challenge of 1950‘s period costumes for this party. I created my yellow dress along with Chris's plaid jacket, the five "diner-girl" aprons/hats for the servers, 2 poodle skirts and 3 pill box style hats for guests. We asked that guests wear 1950's attire and they did not disappoint. Several guests also made their own costumes and everyone was extremely original.
What was the most important design element for you?
My dress! I love the “Beautiful Blonde Pineapple” dress that Frenchy wore to the prom in Grease and I based my dress off this design. I also added a matching bolero from a dress I saw on the Lawrence Welk show.
Can you believe she made this dress? So beautiful!
Vendors
Venue | Paris Henry County Heritage Center in Paris, Tennessee. It is a historic 1920's Italian Villa turned museum and rental facility. Norma Steele, the director, was so accommodating and a dream to work with.
Murder Mystery Game Creator | dinnerandamurder.com
Decorations | DIY with set-up assistance by Dana Wyatt
Photography | Jennifer Fox Photography. The fantastic Jennifer Fox took all of our pictures, set up the photo booth and even took pictures in the rain in front of the 1956 Chevy. She really captured the fun mood of the party.
Food | My mother, grandmother and aunts provided all of the food. We wanted our guests to feel like they were in a 1950's diner. Period appetizers included stuffed celery, molded jello, popcorn and casseroles. For dinner we served hamburgers, hotdogs, pork loin sandwiches and french fries in baskets with paper liners. Banana splits and other ice cream creations were served with the petit fours and cake for dessert.
Cake | E.W. James & Sons
Petit fours | Peggy Ann Bakery - Huntsville, AL
Invitations | iPhoto/Apple Printing
1956 Chevy | family friends
Big thanks to Cressie for sharing her awesome party with us! The extent of DIY is so impressive! If you're not feeling as creative, test-drive your wedding planner, photographer, and other vendors by planning an engagement party first. We have an extensive list of planners who have enough creativity for you engagement and wedding celebrations.
All images by Jennifer Fox Photography.
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Posted by Megan |
Filed under: DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Engagements & Proposals, Real Nashville Brides
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Friday, May 27, 2011
Last October, Ashley’s Bride Guide teamed up with Jim of VidSigs to give away a Love Story Engagement Video to one lucky Nashville couple. {Click to see Ashley's VidSig video.}
Now, we're SUPER excited to share the final video and congratulate the winners, Kristin and Kevin!
See their innovative Love Story Engagement Video and determine if a Love Story Video is right for you.
We ask Kristin about working with VidSigs + their Love Story Video:
What was the experience like creating the video?
Kevin and I were really nervous before we shot the video because we didn't know what to expect and were afraid of sounding stupid. With me being such a planner, I wanted to have a script rehearsed, but Kevin was against that. It ended up being better because I think our story is genuine with a touch of humor.
How do you plan to use your video?
Our wedding is at private house, and our guests will mingle inside during cocktail hour. We will reveal the video along with a slide show of photos at our reception for our friends and family to enjoy. It will be a nice surprise and a perfect "thank you" as they all helped us win the video.
Would you recommend making a Love Story Engagement Video to other brides and grooms?
I think it's a very cool way to add something special that wedding guests can enjoy. Also, since I am a photographer, photographs and video are the most important investment I can make for my wedding. I know this video will be something I will love to play at our 50th wedding anniversary! I am so grateful we had the opportunity to create this memory.
How was it working with Jim?
Jim was so easy to work with, and had such a casual approach for the interview that it was easy to be ourselves. Kevin and I were interviewed separately so the video would be a surprise. I love the way he alternated us telling the proposal story so that you hear both sides at once. He was open to our input on the final outcome of the video and made as many changes as we wanted (although the first take was almost perfect).
How is wedding planning coming along?
We starting planning in May 2010 and have about 6 months until the wedding. Because of the ample planning time, I am pretty sure I have assembled the BEST wedding vendors in Nashville. We have Krista Lee as our photographer, who is so talented and positively amazing, Full Frame as our videographer, who convinced me with their Golriz & Devon video that I needed a wedding video, and Crumb de la Crumb, who hands down makes best wedding cake I have ever tasted.
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Krista Lee Photography
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Krista Lee Photography
We ask Jim of VidSigs about Love Story Videos, his specialty:
What is the cost of a Love Story Engagement Video?
The cost for a video like Kristin and Kevin's will hover around $500, due to the nature of music changes, photo overlays and how long they go to tell the background story of the engagement.
How are your videos different than other love story videos?
My videos are different because that are based on real and organically cultivated conversation between myself and the couple. They tell the story in a pristine, clean-looking environment that really allows the viewer to focus on the story. In the end, I strive to make it move the audience in an emotional way.
What is the turnaround time?
The turnaround should be around two weeks, or depending on how urgently the couple wants it to be finished. In Kristin and Kevin's case, we had well over ten months before their ceremony, so we had a little leeway.
We wish Kristin & Kevin all the best as they finalize their October 22nd wedding details! Be sure to check out VidSigs’ website for more information about creating your own Love Story Engagement Video!
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Posted by Bethany |
Filed under: Contests, Giveaways, Specials, Engagements & Proposals, Photography
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