Thursday, February 9, 2012
It's daunting enough to find our own wedding dress and dresses for our bridesmaids, nevermind finding THE tuxedo for our groom. Grooms are getting more and more stylish and luckily, the folks at Street Tuxedo have the men's inventory and keep a pulse on what's fashionable and can help him achieve exactly what he seeks.
We're going to help you jumpstart your tuxedo shopping with some advice from Rachael Street of Street Tuxedo on details that should be heeded and when when to start shopping for his attire.
Picture by Gambill Photography
What is the one thing you feel is overlooked by grooms/brides who come in to get their tuxedo?
They do not realize that they can try on their selection. We feel that the groom should not have to pick his tuxedo from a catalog or mannequin. He should get the same experience the bride got while searching for her perfect dress.
Pictures by Mary Rosenbaum Photography
How can the bride help their groom with tux shopping?
She needs to be present and offer opinions. She also needs to understand that, like her, he may have an idea in his head of what he would look like on his wedding day. She should be sensitive to that. She should give him some direction as far as her dress color and bridesmaids dress color as well as the theme/style of the wedding.
What is a realistic budget for tuxedo rental (for the groom/ groomsman)?
Most times the wedding parties are large enough that the groom gets his free (rent 5, 6th free) The average price is $120-160, but we have classic tuxedos starting at $60. Groomsmen pay for their own more times than not.
Just a few of the lines Street Tuxedo carries. More here.
How do guys in other cities get measured for their tuxedos to send to you?
They simply go to any local tuxedo shop and ask for their measurements. The majority of tuxedo shops don't mind at all providing this service. Street Tuxedo does this several times a day for out of town groomsmen, we know where that gentleman will be renting his tuxedo if he ever needs one in the Nashville area.
On the day of the wedding, how should the guys care for their tuxedos and can they avoid incurring any damage costs or replacement costs?
We do charge a $5 accidental damage waiver (DW). This DW however does NOT apply to that groomsman that has had one too many break dancing on the dance floor or decides to take a dip in the pool, FULLY CLOTHED. We just ask that you would treat our tuxedo as if it were your own.
What are the return options? Does Street Tuxedo pick up?
Tuxedos are due back the next business day. They can return to any ST location, it DOES NOT have to be the location they picked up at. We do offer to pick up at local hotels/venues if arrangements are made in advance (fees may apply).
Picture by jHenderson Studios
Picture by Gambill Photography
Fall in love with your handsome groom all over again after Street Tuxedo makes him look awesome. We can't encourage you enough to start (and probably finish) with Street Tuxedo when you start shopping for the right groom's outfit for your wedding or if you need something for his groomsmen that will complement what your bridesmaids are wearing.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, Grooms, Groomsmen & Tuxedos
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Tuesday, November 8, 2011
For your out-of-town guests, who are traveling to Nashville for your wedding, where they will be sleep before or after your wedding will be one of the more important things you’ll need to consinder. The price, location, comfort, will all matter as their guest room will contribute to their guest experience.
Navigating the world of hotels and room blocks can be more than a little tricky, especially when you’ve got a million other wedding details on your mind. Luckily for us, Kristen McBryde with Aloft Hotel in Cool Springs, has stopped by to fill us in on all the must have inside information for getting your guests the perfect night’s sleep!
How does a couple go about reserving a block of rooms for their wedding guests?
Call the hotel, ask to speak to the sales manager or individual that works with wedding room block. You will want to know your dates and approximately how many rooms you want to block.
How do room blocks work?
Typically hotels have a limit on the number or rooms you can block for your wedding. Some hotels will require that you pick up a certain number of rooms and you are held financially accountable to picking up 80-85% of the inventory you are requesting to block at the hotel. Some hotels will allow a small room block (usually 15 or less rooms per night) as a courtesy. You will need to ask this up front. Most all hotels will require that you sign some sort of agreement for a discounted room rate. In order to receive a discounted room rate you will need to block a minimum of 10 rooms.
Who is responsible for paying if guests don’t use all of the rooms? Will my credit card be charged?
It depends on the hotel policy. Some hotels will hold you to pick up at least 80-85% of your room block. If you do not, most contracts read that the person signing the contract is responsible. You will need to clarify this with the hotel. Some hotels will allow you to block small number of rooms (usually 15 or less) as a courtesy and not hold you financially accountable
Are there any discounts offered for guests who choose to stay at the hotel in which rooms have been reserved?
Discounts apply when blocking a minimum of 10 rooms or more in a group block. Anything below 10 rooms is usually not eligible for group discounts.
How many rooms should a bride and groom plan on reserving for their guests?
It depends on the circumstances and you will need to answer a couple of questions. Is this a destination wedding where most guests will be traveling from another location? Are the bride’s and groom’s families from different states outside of where the wedding is being held? What percent of your guest list are out of town guests? This is all great information to know prior to calling the hotel to set aside a block of rooms. The more accurate you can be with your room count the more accurate information the hotel will be able to provide.
How far in advance should a couple reserve a block of rooms for their wedding?
This can vary depending on the circumstances. You will need to see if there are any "special events" occurring over the same dates as your wedding weekend. This could not only prevent the hotel from offering you a block of rooms, but it could affect the rates your guests may pay. Typically, assuming there are no "special events", six months is a good time frame to secure your wedding room block with a hotel.
Will the hotel reserve the block of rooms right up until the wedding day, or will they book the rooms that have not been purchased by guests before the day of the wedding?
No, most hotels will provide you with a cut off date that your guests have to book their rooms by a certain dates. This date is usually from two weeks to 30 days prior to your group's arrival. After the cut off date, your guests may still be able to book rooms at the hotel, but the hotel can no longer offer the discounted group rate.
What’s your biggest piece of advice for brides and grooms when it comes to reserving a block of rooms at Aloft?
Call prepared with your preferred dates and number of rooms you are requesting. We understand, due to the social nature of weddings, that the bride cannot guarantee a certain number of rooms will be picked up. However, being prepared with the most up-to-date information you have (as far as guest count, dates, etc) is the best case scenario, as it will allow the hotel to provide you with the most accurate information possible. Do not expect all of your out-of-town guests to stay at the hotel you suggest, some guests will make their own arrangements no matter how easy and how much information you provide for them on the front end. Once you get your expected number of rooms you want to block, you can typically cut that by 20-30%. Also, communicate your expectations from the hotel on the front end that way the hotel has the opportunity to prepare where necessary for anything out of the ordinary or let you know if anything may not be possible.
A HUGE thanks to Kristen for taking the time to walk us through the room block process! Be sure to check out the Aloft website for more gorgeous pictures and booking information.
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Posted by Genna |
Filed under: Grooms, Groomsmen & Tuxedos
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Friday, August 26, 2011
Tabitha, Horace (our guest groom) and I are back with our final recap of the Perfect Wedding Guide bridal show. Overall, we loved the show! Loews Vanderbilt made a great location; the vendors were super nice; the show was well operated and there was lots of creativity. We had a great day and met lots of great new wedding vendors and were happy to see many of our wonderful website sponsors.
While we could'nt cover all of the show's wedding service providers, we'll cover a few of our remaining favorites today - from photography and photo booths to music and unique services.
First up, the photo booths...
Ace Photo Booth's video photo booth
A Video Photo Booth - Ace Photobooths
acephotobooth.com
Tabitha: It was almost more fun watching the people in the photo booths as it can be to get in one. Everyone seemed really pleased with their pictures. My favorite was when the two girls (pictured above) both showed their ring fingers to the camera. Alas, my amateur photography skills didn't capture it properly!
Ashley: Yeah, I'd agree. I think photo booths are a great addition to a wedding reception and this one takes video! So, not only are you entertained taking pics but you share the fun by watching your friends inside! As the bride and groom, you get to watch everyone's shenigans over and over and enjoy their personal messages, recorded especially for you.
Horace: I enjoyed all of the photo booths; they varied to give you a better plan to pick the best one. The jury is still out.
A Mini Photo Booth - Nashville Photo Booths by Snyder Entertainment
nashvillephotobooths.com
Tabitha: Snyder Entertainment's photo booth was a little less bulky which makes it easier to fit larger groups of people in the picture. It seemed to appeal to lots of brides who stopped and chatted with them.
Ashley: Brian of Snyder is such a great guy and I love that his booths offer couples a scaled down version of some of the larger booths. As you can see, it could fit just about anywhere.
Wedding Photography - The Collection
thephotographycollection.com
Tabitha: Always a pleasure to see these ladies. You can't miss their booth, it's set up like a cozy living room in which you can view their good work and chat with them. Very inviting, very personable, just like their photographers.
Ashley: The booth was like a mini-studio that spoke well for the company - vibrant colors, great eye for details, and super cool team of approachable, customer-service focused, fun photographers. You can tell a lot about a company based on their presentation; always trust the initial impression. The Collection was inviting and warm - just like their team of photographers. And, their wedding photography is outstanding.
L - R: Jessica, Erin & Sarah of The Collection (Thanks for the picture ladies!)
Wedding Photography - Roland's Photography
weddingsbyroland.com
Ashley: I really like this couple! They love what they do and it shows.
Horace (groom's perspective): They were quite helpful and had a great collection of their work. They really know how to capture the moment.
Tabitha: Roland and his wife were super friendly, I really liked the tile photo frame (pictured) and thought that was a cool way to have your picture on your wall. I wonder if you could make that part of your backsplash in your kitchen?
Roland's debuted the above framed work where images are printed on tile rather than paper.
Wedding Photography - Scoobie Photographic Images
scoobiephoto.com
Tabitha: I was impressed by their guarantee that couples get online viewing of their finished wedding images in just 7 days. They also make discs to give to parents of the couples so no more annoying "Can you email me that picture with you standing here with your dad again?" from either parent!
Ashley: Ditto. I think what Scoobie Photographic offers is truly rare. His turnaround time is unheard of. He also offers a traditional style of photography which parents and classic brides love!
Pretty Stationery - Designs In Paper
designsinpaper.com
Tabitha: It was so simple, but I really liked the "mom" tealight holder. That'd be a great place holder at the head table. You could even have one that says "Just Married" or "Mr" and "Mrs" for the bride and groom. Possibilities = Endless!
Ashley: This booth was so popular that I could barely get in it! But, I've worked with Designs in Paper for years and know that they can do ANYTHING with paper - from paper bouquets to buttons to one of a kind wedding invitations.
Funkalicious - Party Patrol
partypatrolonline.com
Tabitha: I wish DJ Kelly was able to break out some funky tunes to get the party started but it just wasn't that kind of show I guess. One thing's for sure, he was really cool and friendly, two things I'd like from my DJ.
Ashley: I was shocked to see Kelly so laid back. Normally, he is in party mode, as you can see on my funny video from a previous show here. If you need a wedding DJ, he brings the party!
Definitely Dapper - Street Tuxedo
streettuxedo.com
Tabitha: It seems like each time I see Street Tuxedo's booth at a bridal show, they've added more colors to their rainbow of swatches. The guys who modeled their tuxes were certainly very sharp-dressed men! Hopefully that encouraged the brides at the show to use Street Tuxedo for their grooms.
Ashley: Street Tuxedo gives Nashville grooms swag! Their team keeps a pulse on the latest in grooms fashion. I believe in supporting local businesses and love that Street Tuxedo is a Nashville-based, family-owned and operated business. When you go into the store, you will meet someone from the Street family. As such, they value each customer. Their inventory is also local so they can quickly get what you need.
Horace ( groom's perspective): They had a nice selection of tuxes with the wide variety of tie designs.
Great Idea - Music City Sitters
nashvilleweddingsitters.com
Tabitha: Why didn't I think of this? What a great idea. They provide games, toys and entertain your guests' children so everyone has a wonderful time at your wedding and no one has to leave because of a cranky child. Brilliant.
The Groom's Perspective
Horace's take on other wedding vendors at the bridal show:
Olia Zavozina: The wedding dresses were eye catching and definitely got a response out of the attendees.
Catch Light Cinema: I was really impessed with how the company makes you the star of your wedding day.
Tuxedo Avenue: Tuxedo options for the groom were limited but they seemed eager to accommadate.
(Message for wedding pros + show producers: Horace would have liked to have seen more vendors in these categories: spa, transportation, favor vendors, fitness, lighting vendors.)
Be sure to read our recap of our favorite of the show's wedding planners, designers and florists and wedding cakes and catering.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, Bridal Shows & Events, Grooms, Groomsmen & Tuxedos , Music, Lighting + Transportation, Unique Wedding Ideas, Wedding Resources
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Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Finding something for your grooms may seem like it's a lot simpler than dressing yourself and your bridesmaids for the wedding but sometimes the simplest details are the ones that require a little more work than we realize. To keep you from going into a tuxedo rental place and realizing that you have no idea where to start after you get there, we had Rachael Street of Street Tuxedo give us a list of questions you and your groom need to ask before tux or suit shopping.
Street Tuxedo were able to perfectly match the guys' ties to the bridesmaids shoes. Image: A New Heart Photography
Guest Expert Rachael of Street Tuxedo Says, "Ask Yourself...
What do you have in mind?
When a bride and groom come in to look at wedding attire they either have a good idea of what they want or have NO idea at all. It is very important to start with the question: “Do you know what you are looking for”. Because it can send you into two different conversations, either: I know exactly what I want…Grey Suit, no vest only suspenders etc. OR we have no idea please tell us all of our options.
Our customers have NO idea how many options they really have. In tuxes/suits alone you have at least 10 different colors to pick from: black, white, ivory, light grey, dark grey, navy, khaki, tan, brown and pinstripe. And then you have hundreds of vest and tie combo color options. We do ask that you bringa swatch if there is a color you want to match exactly.
Image: Alex Bee Photo
When is your wedding?
Your wedding date will tell you what your options are and are not – like no white shoes after Labor Day.
How many guys do you have getting tuxes/suits?
This will tell us whether it’s a small intimate day, large over the top party or somewhere in between. Often times a few important people are forgotten about: fathers, stepfathers, ring bearers and usher. Keep in mind we have bigger discounts for larger numbered parties.
What is the look/feel you are trying to achieve?
Think of your venue, color, theme, and whether your wedding is casual or formal; if you're going for trendy or classic.
What is your budget?
Although price is a concern, it is rarely a deciding factor. Most grooms keep their guys’ wallets in mind when choosing a style. And if what they pick is more than they think their guys can afford, they usually just offer to pay a portion of each guy’s rental.
Image: Brooke Boling
Image: Brett Warren
At Street Tuxedo, we take all of the guess work out of the 'choosing attire for my guys' process. After you have booked your wedding, we send a follow up email that answers most questions you have forgotten to ask:
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We include important dates—dates to be measured by, dates for pick up and payment, and dates for returns.
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We include a guide for out-of-town groomsmen—measurements needed and suggestions on locations to get fitted.
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We include the price—This way there are no surprises when you arrive to pick up the tux, as far as costs are concerned.
From ties to bow ties, Street Tuxedo has tons of options. Images by Brett Warren (left) and Kevin Wimpy Photography (right)
Thank you Rachael! From the testimonials we've read to feedback from brides and grooms, we know that Street Tuxedo works really hard to make sure your tuxedo shopping goes off without a hitch. "Although we do this on a daily basis, we want you to feel like you are our one and only concern. It’s because of you, we love what we do!" Check them out online or stop by to talk to them, their staff will be happy to help and be sure to let them know you're an ABG bride for some exclusive deals.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Grooms, Groomsmen & Tuxedos
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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
We often watch red carpet proceedings and start fantasizing about their million dollar wardrobes. Now that you're in the throes of wedding planning, you're probably also noticing the guys in their suits and tuxes more. As you see George Clooney or Brad Pitt saunter down the carpet you've thought "What great style." Who knows, maybe your fiance's wondered if he could be a rock star in a cool tux for your wedding! Well guess what? Street Tuxedo can help!
Giving us the 411 on how you can get these looks with Street Tuxedo's very large inventory is Rachael Street who was really helpful when I went to her with pictures of these hot leading men and rock stars.
Classic Black
Jon Hamm's classic (and studly) tux is easily found from Street Tuxedo's large selection. From two button to three, flat front or pleated pants, the black tuxedo is posh and dignified and always a safe bet. If your groom wants to get the really dapper look, Street Tuxedo also carries self-tie bowties (which according to Rachael are becoming more popular of late) but also has clip-ons for ease of use.
Left: Image courtesy of Style.com. Right: Image by Kristyn Hogan lifestyle photographer
Navy
We've seen navy take off as a popular color with dresses in fashion and even weddings but I personally have yet to see many grooms embrace this color tuxedo and I'd love to! This very sleek look on Andrew Garfield can be achieved with Street Tuxedo's Troy suit in Navy by Calvin Klein. The actor wears a skinny navy tie that Street Tuxedo carries in navy, blue, white and ivory and will eventually offer more colors since skinny ties are what's hot with guys now.
Left: Image courtesy of DGfever.com. Right: Image courtesy of StreetTuxedo.com
Steel Grey
For more of a suit look, a charcoal or steel grey tux by Jean Yves takes your rock star look up a notch or two. Worn with a dark grey tie, this look is less starched and stiff than a typical tuxedo but still more formal than just a suit. Very sharp.
Left: Image courtesy of Style.com. Right: Image courtesy of StreetTuxedo.com
Royal Style
Not only were the hats on the female guests at the Royal Wedding catching everyone's attention, the gentlemen who were in attendance also wore some very dapper tuxedos. "Not quite tails, the men wore cutaway style tuxedos with grey striped pants and charcoal coats" said Rachael, who noted that since that day, people have been requesting that style for their weddings!
Left: Image courtesy of bumpshack.com. Right: Image courtesy of StreetTuxedo.com
Grey
Not exactly from the red carpet but when Kings of Leon's Caleb Followill got married, it really did look like he could have gotten his tux from Street Tuxedo! On the right, Nashville groom Jonathan wears Street's Calvin Klein grey tuxedo with an ivory tie and looks just as dapper.
Left: Image courtesy of BrideFinds.com. Right: Image courtesy of KristaLeePhotography.com
Rachael also had some good advice for tuxedos and fit, namely with pants. With flat front pants becoming more popular in style, it is important to know that it's not a style that fits every body type. "We have a groom who has specified that anyone with a waist size of 38 and up in his party is to be given pleated front pants." She explained that flat front pants fit really snug around the thigh and hip area and that "usually, a tall, slender guy can get away with a flat front but a shorter more stout guy would not look as good in it." Grooms have been mixing pant styles to suit their groomsmen's body styles so that's always a good tip to keep in mind when dressing the men in your party. Not all the styles of tuxedos have pants that come in both flat and pleated front so be sure to clarify it with Street Tuxedo.
SPECIAL FOR ABG BRIDES: Receive a free groom tuxedo with five paid rentals.
For some really good examples of grooms who have worn tuxedos from Street, visit their Facebook Page picture gallery. You can browse through their website for a selection of what they carry and better yet, stop by the store to talk to their knowledgable staff about your tuxedo needs. Whether it's classic or modern, we're confident that Street Tuxedo will help you get what you want.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, Grooms, Groomsmen & Tuxedos
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