My Glam Session!  See What a Great Team Can Do.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Today marks exactly a year since I teamed with great Nashville wedding pros to throw a kickin Sex and the City party for Nashville brides and their girlfriends at aLoft Hotel.  It was spectacular and I look forward to our next parrtay!!  Before the event, I got all dolled up and asked Amy Lynn Lawig, makeup artist, to make me over and asked Jonathon and Sharon of Jonathon Campbell Photography to photograph me.  

I usually try to stay out of all pictures, preferring to stay behind the scenes.  I rarely even share my pictures.  But, a few Nashville photographers have been able to grab pics of me that I like and when that happens, I like to share them with the world:).

My favorite picture!

My glam team:

Amy Lynn Larwig - a top Nashville makeup extraordinaire.  She knows I never wear makeup and worked to keep me natural with a glow.  Success!  I look like myself, only better.  She even added lashes, which I almost declined but they made a big difference.  She was knowledgeable, complimentary, creative and patient with me. 

I felt gorgeous that night and even more fabulous after seeing the work in photos.  She does commerical and bridal makeup, so if you need a makeup artist for yourself or your bridesmaids, contact Amy asap.  Her calendar fills fast!

Jonathon Campbell Photography - I've always loved their work and I looked forward to the opportunity to give them a test run for your sake :).  Yes - they can make gorgeous women look incredible but I wanted to see what they could do to an gal that hates the camera and photos of herself.  Sucess!  I LOVE my pictures.  I've updated all of my social sites with my new fabulous, model-esque pics.  In fact, they almost made me look so good that people who are looking for the "Ashley in the pics" have to do a double take.  Photoshopped images rock!!

How does this relate to your wedding planning? As I did, you must find the best wedding pros for your wedding.  Communicate your vision, style, priorities (as I did).  You should LOVE your makeup, photos as much as I do.  Cutting some costs can lead to regrets forever.  Bridal makeup and beautiful images go hand in hand. 

Also - I had a great team of event planners, caterers, designers and other event professionals that allowed me the time to take these photos BEFORE the event.  So instead of running around tryining to do it myself, I was able to have fun.  Remember that as you put together your dream team.  

I should be on their brochure! "Aloha, Welcome to aLoft..."

I often dream of being served like Cleopatra.  A good photographer should be in-tune with your unspoken desires:).

Girl interrupted!  Leigh of StudioWed hops in my photo shoot.  Only joking - she was invited:).

I really like this photo too; it makes me happy!

Jonathon picked up this (heavy) chair in 90 degree weather, took it onto the hotel's lawn.  He was determined to get the perfect shot! I love the color contrasts the photograph affords - greens, blues, pinks.

Same here - lots of great colors!

I had a great time working with Amy Lynn and the Campbells.  They are easy going folks (which is important to me) so I felt comfortable the entire time.  You should too!  Don't settle.  Find the best team for your wedding day. 

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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide | Filed under: Makeup, Hair, Health, Beauty , Photography 9 comments »

Nashville Brides Should Know…Amy Lynn Larwig: Fresh, Fabulous Bridal Makeup

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Some brides tend to not make hair and makeup a huge priority in the wedding planning process - I know I didn't. But boy am I glad I squeezed out the extra money to get my makeup done by someone other than myself because it was well worth it.  Your face is going to be photographed from all angles, all day long both from a distance and close up.  While it's not a huge expense, professional makeup can be a neglected detail and I encourage you to really do your research and find a great makeup artist.

My interview today with Amy Lynn Larwig will help you jumpstart your search for a bridal makeup artist.  I've seen girls who have had their makeup done by Amy, brides of all skin tones and hair color and they all have, without fail, looked spectacular.  Let's get to know her a little better, and be sure to check out her portfolio video at the end of the post!

Nashville Wedding Resource Spotlight: Amy Lynn Larwig

Pictured: The famous Amy Lynn; Photo by Kristyn Hogan, lifestyle photographer

Picture courtesy of Daniel Meigs Photography (DanielMeigs.com)

Number of years as makeup artist: 8.5 years

How did you get started in weddings? By accident. I didn’t want to do weddings originally. But I got asked by some photographer friends of mine, so I tried it out and kinda fell in love.

Picture courtesy of Gregory Byerline (GregoryByerline.com)

What do you like most about weddings? Everyone is happy! It’s a fun occasion and I’m around during the girly time, so the mood tends to be light.

What’s your favorite wedding picture and why? 

The first part of my promo video showcases a bridal shoot I did with Chris & Adrienne Scott. I loved this shoot. The bride has such a presence. She let me have free range to do what I wanted, so I pulled her hair back to keep it simple and easy to maintain. And added some silver shimmer to her lids to really light up those blue eyes. A soft pink lip and cheek kept the look romantic and fresh.

Picture courtesy of Chris & Adrienne Scott (ChrisandAdrienneScott.com)

What is your service philosophy? I create clean, modern looks that fit you. Each face I work on is personalized and made to fit your unique style.

What are your strengths compared to others in your category? What sets me apart from other vendors, is the attention to detail. Before a brush even touches your face, a ton of questions about your skin, makeup routine, and wedding have to be answered. All these elements are pulled together to customize a look. Each high end product used has been tested personally by me and is applied with the utmost precision. Once the look is complete and you feel great in it, it’s all written down on a face chart and pictures are taken to ensure continuity on wedding day. There are other details included to make sure the beauty portion of your day is an experience, not just a task.

Picture courtesy of Evan Baines Photography (EvanBaines.com)

Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors?

Chris & Adrienne Scott (ChrisandAdrienneScott.com) -  This couple not only creates images that will melt you, but they are an absolute joy to be around. They make the experience such fun and really pull YOU out.

StudioWed - Technically, not a vendor, but a tremendous resource for brides and a great place to meet and talk about your wedding.

Chef’s Market - By far, the most amazing catering in Nashville. Beautiful food, and everything is delicious. They really take the time to build the perfect meal for your event and tastes.

The Bride Room (thebrideroom.com) - These women make each bride feel as if her day is the most important one ever. They get to know their brides individually and are so super sweet.

CJs Off The Square - A beautiful venue that makes planning your wedding a complete breeze. Amy and CJ are great listeners that take into account every detail of your dream day. They are super organized and definitely know how to get things done.

Picture courtesy of Zach Goodyear Photography (ZachGoodyearPhotography.com)

What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event trends?  I read the local wedding blogs. I also keep up with fashion magazines to see the upcoming trends. Zink is probably my favorite mag for fashion/ makeup.

Is there a wedding trend that you love?  Casual, fresh looks. Loose tousled hair and clean, young makeup. Lots of pinks on the cheeks, bright eyes, and soft lips.

Photo Courtesy of Evoke Photography

Which wedding trend are you tired of seeing?  The vintage thing. Red lips are pretty, but they tend to be hard to maintain. Especially during, “You may kiss the bride”.

Is there a trend that you are glad is gone?  In the words of a hairstylist friend of mine, “Deep fried updo’s” Crunchy curls pinned up prom style.

Pictures courtesy of Google.com

Which trend are you sad to see leave the scene?  A lot of brides are letting go of false lashes, which breaks my heart. I think even the most natural pair just give such an “umph!” and everyone looks good in them.

Photo courtesy of Jonathon Campbell Photoraphy

What are your favorite wedding websites?  I'm really jamming on custom made hair pieces. They are a fun way to add some pizzaz to your wedding ensemble. Anything by Jessica Frame (HeadlineofFluffandFringe.com)

Custom headpieces by Jessica Frame. Pictures courtesy of Chris & Adrienne Scott

Etsy has some great stuff too, such as Bridal Couture - etsy.com/shop/bridalcouture or Tallulah Opal (etsy.com/shop/TallulahOpal)

What advice would you give to brides on the wedding planning process in general?  “It’s just not that serious."  This tends to be my advice for life in general. Some brides spend all their time fretting over the perfect shade of green, or the precise amount of flowers in their bouquet, or the height of their bridesmaid’s shoes. They lose sight of the reason for this celebration in the first place…. You are getting married! When you find wedding planning becoming overwhelming, keep in mind that the number one priority is starting your marriage together.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?  “I can do my own makeup.”  This is HORRIBLE! You might do a great job on your makeup for work and hanging out with friends. But makeup for camera is a whole other beast. It takes special products and techniques to look good in professional pictures. It makes a world of difference in the end result of those images.

Amy Lynn Larwig, Makeup Artist. from Mark Brown on Vimeo.

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Posted by Tabitha | Filed under: Makeup, Hair, Health, Beauty , Wedding Resources 0 comments »

Dear Ashley: Brides Ask, We Answer!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

What do we love more than bringing you ideas with the Wedding Scoop? Answering your questions and helping you with your decisions with your planning!  We get so many great questions and we sincerely hope we help each person out.  I feel that on behalf of the ABG team and the awesome vendors we work with, I know I speak for everyone when I say that without you, our lovely bride-to-be, we'd be really really bored so thank you and keep those questions coming.

Nashville Bride's Question:

Hello Ashley - I met you at the bridal Gala in Lebanon. You helped me with my wedding at War Memorial. I have a question. Can you recommend any premarital counseling that is affordable? Also can you help me with finding an affordable make up artist? - Thanks

Ashley's Response:

Great to hear from you! I would reach out to Marie McKinney-Oates of Nashville Marriage Studio for premarital counseling. She also offers great workshops that will save you money on your marriage license.

Affordable makeup? Great makeup artists are a true investment - they make everyone look great and make your pics look wonderful. I would recommend hiring a professional that you connect with and one with a great portfolio and references. Here are a few to start with...

1) Amy Lynn Larwig (AmyLynnLarwig.com) who I trusted to do my makeup for my Sex and the City party!

2) Sherita Leslie (SheritaLeslie.com) - always fabulous!

Nashville Bride's Question:

Hey Ashley! I am totally in LOVE with this site and I love the new layout! I am getting married October 23rd of this year and I was wondering if you could spotlight someone who had their wedding reception at marathon village or will be having there. i want to see their ideas on decor for the space. it's a vintage event space and I want to turn it into an elegant and romantic area, but not sure how!

My fiance and I currently have Marathon Village booked as our reception site because it's so roomy, you can bring in your own caterer and alcohol, plus the view of the Nashville skyline at night is breathtaking!

I just wanted to see more pics of how the tables were set up and how other couples may set up the room, that's all.

Keep up the good work!!

Ashley's Response:

Thanks so much, that's so exciting for you and your fiance.  Kristin Kaplan of Simply Stunning Nashville planned a rehearsal dinner at Marathon Village and the set-up the couple had was just as gorgeous as a full-on wedding. You're so right - the view is pretty spectacular! Hope this gives you a better idea of how the room can be used. You can see more details on the Simply Stunning Blog!

All the best!

While we're on the subject of venues and great planners, here's a budget-minded question we received.

Nashville Bride's Question:

My fiance and I are planning to wed on 10/30/2010. We want to have our wedding somewhere in Nashville but we are finding it hard to locate a venue that fits into our $8000 budget (when you include the caterer and all the extras). Is an $8000 budget unreasonable these days? Can you give any advice on venue locations that might work for us? a place with indoor/outdoor would be great or just indoor. We are inviting around 180 but hoping for 135 or less.

Ashley's Response:

Is $8000 your reception budget (including décor, rentals, etc), food/venue (only) or entire wedding budget?  I recommend talking to two wedding planners who specialize in helping couples on a budget.  They know the venues, caterers, etc. that can help make your day great on a dime!  I'll direct you to their websites and from there, you can ask them your questions. 

They are always willing to help - whether you hire them or not. Let me know what they advise so I can share it with other brides in the future!

Details by Margaret - detailsbymargaret.com

Your Day of Fairy Tales - Hillary - yourdayoffairytales.com

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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide | Filed under: Advice & Planning, DIY & Budget Wed Finds, Makeup, Hair, Health, Beauty 1 comment »

A Taste of Paris for Wedding Receptions or Bridal Showers

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

I recently attended an open house at Events at 1418 and the Parisian theme was based on the movie Julie & Julia.  (If you didnt see the movie, it's a film that contrasts the early career of chef Julia Child in Paris and aspiring chef (and Child-fan) Julie.)

Kellie Bryson, owner of Events at 1418,  A Catered Affair and the Bake Shoppe worked with her joint teams to completely transform the space - from decor, desserts and catering - and to create an Ode to Paris evening that inspired Nashville brides and entertained event professionals.  Being the simply girl I am, I asked Emily of Simply Yours Weddings to guest blog today, as her palette is much more sophisticated than mine.  She appreciates fine wine and fancy food so she'll do a much better job describing the delicious details.

Guest Blogger: Emily of Simply Yours Weddings & Etc.

On a night in downtown Nashville, you don't have to look far for food, laughter, and fun.  On this February night, Events at 1418 took us on a trip back in time and across the pond to a Parisian dinner party inspired by the recent film "Julie & Julia". Kellie and her talented team held nothing back as they created an atmosphere of incredible food and drinks as well as a beautiful display of all they have to offer.

From their sweet and accommodating bartending staff to their colorful chefs, down to the beautiful linens and tablescapes, all of it was produced right there within their exposed brick walls! Events at 1418 is a perfect venue for a rehearsal dinner or wedding reception! They literally have everything a planning couple would need right at their fingertips! Plus, they want to make each event extraordinary so they let the creative juices flow resulting in complete event concepts.

Many of the items served were straight out of Julia Child's cookbook (with a special A Catered Affair twist)! My personal favorite was the beef bourguignon. SO good! They served it as an appetizer over french bread, and I could not keep myself from going back for more! They also served many of Julia's dessert recipes, such as apple tarte with cinnamon creme fraiche, chocolate almond cake, and raspberry bavarian, just to name a few! They did such a great job finding sweet ways to incorporate their theme into the decor and the food. I know this would be true for any other event held at this wonderful location for couples just like you!

Of course, a sweet soiree like this one, brings out  tons of fun people to eat, laugh and mingle! Here are a few shots of some of Nashville wedding people Ashley and I ran into!

From Left to Right - Amy Thomas of Swizzle Events, myself, and Rhonda Hendricks of Joe Hendricks Photography!

From L-R Rhonda Hendricks of Joe Hendricks Photography, Dawn Stoika of the The Bake Shoppe, Amy Thomas of Swizzle Events, myself and Ashley!

So brides, if you are still looking for a reception or smaller party event space such as a Bridal Luncheon or a Rehearsal Dinner, look no further than Events at 1418! They will take incredible care of you for your event! 

Thank you to Kellie and the whole team at Events at 1418 for an incredible evening!!

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Posted by Simply Yours Weddings | Filed under: Bridal Showers, Luncheons, Parties, Destination Weds & Honeymoon , Makeup, Hair, Health, Beauty , Photography, Wedding Planners & Coordinators 1 comment »