Tuesday, March 1, 2011
We receive many great questions from our brides and we do our best to answer them and get back to them as quickly as we can with the most useful answers from our wedding professionals. Today we have two questions that are at the top of most brides' minds at this time of year about wedding planners and gown buying.
Question: What do wedding planners usually do? Do you need a planner and a separate event designer or does the planner set up all the decor for the ceremony and reception?
An elegant, DIY dinner table with help from planner Music City Events. Image courtesy of Jonathon Campbell Photography.
Ashley says:
Great question! Here is a blog post by planning company Music City Events that may help with your questions. An excerpt from her site describes what planners can do -
"We keep everything running smoothly to create the bride’s dream wedding, beginning with the planning process and through the wedding weekend! We work with Nashville’s best wedding professionals. It is our job to know vendors in all categories in all price ranges. We save the bride time and money by only scheduling vendor appointments with those that fit her style and budget criteria.
Our purpose is to worry about all of those little details that you do not have time to think about and to deal with any problems that may arise throughout the day. We are here to relieve you and your family from the stress of the event whether you have 5 guests or 500 guests."
As far as an event designer vs a planner - many planners provide both - like Regalo Design. You can see a few examples of her work below.
Question: Can you tell me how I can get a list of local wedding dress sample sales? I have tried looking online but have not had any luck. I have read a lot of articles that say that is a good way to save $ on a dress and I am hoping to score my dress that way!!! Thank you!! Your blog has been a delight to read and so helpful in this process of planning a wedding. Keep up the GREAT work!
Ashley's Says:
Sample sales are one way to save on your wedding dress. You can also save by buying pre-owned (from various websites) or by attending the upcoming Goodwill Wedding Gala. As far as sample sales, we reached out to our Nashville bridal salons and here are there sample sale dates:
Arzelles (Arzelles.net)
End of summer. Date is set closer to that time.
Bride Room (TheBrideRoom.com)
Annual sample sale is always the weekend before Thanksgiving. Big Blowout Sample sale. And they have ongoing sales but it depends on whether that particular dress is eligible to be sold. Call or drop in for details.
bHughes (BHughesBridalFormal.com)
No date set for sample sale. Brides can visit the store/make an appointment to try on floor samples. Floor sample sale depends on eligibility of dress. Call for details.
White Room (TheWhiteRoom.us)
Have sample gowns they can sell all year round. don't usually have a large sample sale. Location usually late summer early fall.
The White Room
Faccio Bridal (FaccioBridal.com)
Don't have one on schedule just yet. Just had one at the end of the year. Normally do two a year no dates yet, usually mid summer or end of year depending on how much they have. Trunk shows on website/blog.
Glitz (GlitzBridal.com)
No dates set, keep checking website. Ongoing: Can go in and buy a floor sample 10% off a floor sample but subject to eligibility/ depends on the dress.
Goodwill Wedding Gala
This year, the wedding gala is scheduled for March 19th. Click here for more information.
Send us your questions and we'll get back to you with answers from our community of professionals as quickly as we can to help you with your planning.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, Real Nashville Brides, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
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Friday, February 4, 2011
The snow over the past few months has lots of people whining and moaning but for one super adorable, mega cool Jamie and Andy, they embraced the weather and took the loveliest engagement pictures we've seen this year at the Loveless Cafe. Jamie is a director of content for a music website, she re-sells vintage items on etsy (called Owl Really). Her fiance Andy is a turntablist and email marketing guru. WIth that kind of creativity you know these aren't going to be typical engagement shots.
From the moment I saw their first engagement picture, I was in love with this couple! I felt like I knew them (and liked them). Why? Because their engagement photos are original! They choose a photographer based on their unique style and worked together to capture their essence...as should you:). When you march to the beat of your own drum, everything is remarkable.
Jamie sent us their story, and we're happy to share it with you in her words.
Meet Jamie and Andy - Wedding Date April 30, 2011
Images courtesy of Pear Image Photography (PearImagePhotography.com)
Us: Jamie + Andy
Getting hitched: April 30, 2011 in Nashville, TN
Wedding style: budget/diy/vintage
Photographer: Alvin Pearman of Pear Image Photography
Location: Loveless Cafe
Our Engagement:
On Nov 14, 2010, he proposed with his grandmother's 50th anniversary band on my deck, which he helped build. His grandfather was his hero and unfortunately he passed before I ever met Andy, so it's very special that I get to wear the ring his grandfather bought as a symbol of his commitment to his wife of 50+ years!
We're not the typical beautiful, perfect, blonde couple that you see across wedding blogs and I really wanted amazing photos that would be blog-worthy. I had to keep reminding myself, "Your photos will be YOU. Get the images from the internet out of your head. Those people aren't YOU two." When I saw the photos from our engagement session, I was amazed at how Alvin really captured the essence of who we are and I think these photos stand up against all the beautiful blonde people I see on blogs! :) We're so in love and I think it shows in our photos.
We have always been impressed with Alvin's thoughtfulness and consideration; he is someone who truly listens when you speak. As a former NFL player (how cool is that?), we knew that he strove for excellence in EVERY area of his life and we knew the photos would be amazing.
We picked a day to head out to the Loveless and it just so happened to be a snowy, snowy, SNOWY day! The folks at the Loveless were SO nice to us, giving us free coffee and pie when we came inside to warm up! The windchill was about 12 degrees and it snowed ALL day. We were all frozen solid, but the snow made for such a gorgeous backdrop!
I made a lot of props for the engagement session. I cut our initials and a plus sign out of cardboard then wrapped them in yarn. I also took the glass out of a thrifted frame, wrapped the matte in yarn, painted wooden number cut-outs from Michael's, and attached everything together so we could display our wedding date. I thrifted vintage-looking copies of our favorite books (his: To Kill a Mockingbird, mine: Pride & Prejudice) and also the "I Choose You" flash cards.
Andy and I don't take ourselves seriously, which I love, but the mismatched buttons were definitely a mistake! He was having trouble buttoning his coat with his gloves on, so I helped him out but somehow buttoned all the buttons wrong! He claims he told me repeatedly that it was wrong but I definitely didn't hear him!! When we got the photos back and I saw what I had done, I laughed hysterically. I love that we're not perfect and shiny - we are real people and I think these photos capture that perfectly!
Congratulations Jamie and Andy! Thank you so much for getting in touch with us, it was so much fun to feature your engagement shoot, the pictures are great but we know it's mostly because the two of you are adorable. Looking forward to your big day, we can't wait to see everything you put together for your wedding!
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Real Nashville Brides
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Thursday, June 24, 2010
Last year, we featured The Thirty Something Bride's dress search. I am sure it was helpful to witness a bride like you as she searched for "the" gown.
Today, Hanna is here to share her gown search. I'm sure you all remember Nashville bride Hanna. She had the super cute engagement session involving her bulldog Bella, and she had the oh-so-chic engagement party at her mother's home. Well, now she's back again to share with us her dress shopping experience.
Know that you are not alone - you too will find the perfect dress! (Disclaimer - ABG does not endorse taking pics at bridal salons. It's against store policy at most stores.)
The Search
It was a Saturday afternoon when my mom and I were discussing my future wedding knowing that the proposal was coming very soon. We both got so excited that we couldn’t wait to go dress shopping! I live in Hillsboro Village, and there are two bridal shops just around the corner from me.
The first shop we popped our head into was Romantic Creations. All the gowns are designed and made by hand there. So, if you’re looking for a “one of a kind" dress, I would recommend it.
We also ventured over to Village Bridal; they always have beautiful dresses in the window that catch my eye. Unfortunately, when you go into the store all of the dresses are in bags, to protect them, which makes it very difficult to see the gowns.
Next, we visited Arzelle’s on West End. They had a nice selection and were very helpful. {I loved the large fitting rooms!} I had an open mind towards any and all dresses and tried on just about every style available. After trying on about 30 gowns, we called it quits for the day. I realized I was not ready to purchase and that I wanted to do some research.
Over the next few weeks, I began looking on the web; this is when I discovered sites such as Ashley’s Bride Guide and Southern Weddings. I browsed through numerous bridal sites, educating myself on all the latest bridal looks and designers. Many of the dresses that I loved were available The White Room in Lebanon so I made an appointment there. I was ready to go back out and try again!
When we arrived, we were greeted by Talen, who is so knowledgeable and sweet. I was surprised by all of their beautiful selections. The room was filled with hundreds of dresses, and I wanted to try them all on! They gave us our space to select dresses but were there in an instant to take it to my fitting room. Once I began to try on the dresses, Talen was outside my fitting room ready to zip me up and pin me in. She asked questions about what I liked or what I didn’t like about the dresses in order to help me decide the “look” for which I was searching.
In the end, it was between two gowns that were completely opposite! It was between a Stephen Yearick Cinderella-esque gown and a Jasmine Couture Mermaid. I felt totally confused, but Talen assured me that this was common and that once I gave it some time, it would come to me. She even sent me an encouraging little note in the mail and thanked me for coming in!
I made some final stops at b. Hughes Bridal, Sugar Drop and The Bride Room, but in the end, decided to make a follow up appointment at The White Room and bring my sister the MOH along. Talen had pulled my two favorite dresses, and I tried them on again. There was no question about it this time. The Stephen Yearick was MY wedding gown! The search was over.
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Posted by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide |
Filed under: Attire - Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses & Accessories, Real Nashville Brides
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Monday, June 14, 2010
We hear stories about how people fell in love at first sight and just knew they were with "the one." For others, things fall into place at a wonderful yet different pace -- and those stories are just as fun to hear.
Today's featured couple, Erin and Blake of White House, TN share their dating/engagement story and some of their favorite engagement pictures, courtesy of Lotus Blossom Photography, Nashville wedding photographers.
Her
Erin Sellards, White House, TN
Him
Blake Webster, White House, TN
How did you meet?
Blake and I met through mutual friends in high school in the spring of 2005. My two best friends were dating his two best friends at the time. We were both single and were always around each other due to our friends. It definitely wasn’t love at first sight for us, unfortunately. It took a little while for us to come around, but we eventually did. We have been inseparable ever since!
How did you know this was “it?” Did you talk about it a lot? Or was it just understood from day one?
I think it took us both a little while to realize that we were meant to spend the rest of our lives together. In the beginning of our relationship, we took things slow and just had fun. Probably a couple of years into our relationship, we started talking about our future, including marriage. We knew that we would wait a couple of years because we were so young at the time. We moved in together in the summer of 2008, and bought our first house together in the summer of 2009. Soon after buying our house, I brought home Bella, our sweet little Malti-poo. We both love her more than we ever thought we could love a little furball like her! We both knew that it wouldn’t be long before we would begin planning the rest of our future together. And I didn’t have to wait very long!!
The Proposal
· Where? Opryland Hotel
· When? August 8, 2009
· How?
Blake told me that he wanted to take me out to one of our favorite restaurants, Old Hickory Steakhouse. I told him that it was too much, since we were not celebrating anything particular and that we should eat somewhere a little less expensive. He convinced me that we deserved to have special night together, so I agreed. We ate an AMAZING dinner and had a lot of fun together! Before we left, Blake excused himself and when he came back he said he was ready to go, that his stomach was hurting. Poor guy!! A few steps out of the restaurant, Blake tells me that he left his card in the restaurant. I started to become annoyed because he had left his card at another restaurant that same week, but I told him we would go back and get it. I turned around and saw a crowd of people, our family and closest friends. Completely shocked and confused, I turned to Blake. He is down on his knee. He puts the ring on my finger and asks me to marry him. I was so shocked and embarrassed to have all of these people staring at me, I apparently slapped his arm and walked away! I finally realize that “this did just happen” and go over to our family and friends! After about ten minutes of jumping up and down and adoring my ring, I walk over to Blake and tell him that I would love to marry him!
Did you enjoy your engagement picture session? Why? Is there anything of significance you could share with us about the session?
We could not have been more AMAZED with Amber and John! They made us feel so comfortable. We had so much fun with them, more than we could have ever expected! We were so pleased with how our images turned out. We loved how we had a variety of styles to choose from as well. I told Blake that I was sad that our session with Amber and John was over and that I needed to find another reason to need professional photographs so that we could see them again! Amber was so professional, extremely personal, quick to answer questions and to get us our images… I could go on for days! We loved them!
What matters most as you plan your wedding? Life together?
We are so excited to take these next steps in our lives! We just want to have fun and enjoy every second of every experience we are given.
Was there a decision that may have triggered a meltdown in your wedding planning process?
We began planning for our wedding almost immediately after we were engaged. A few months into planning, we realized that we would be so much happier (and a LOT less stressed) to have a destination wedding, just the two of us. We decided to get married while on our honeymoon in St. Lucia. We are so excited, and so happy to not have the stress of planning the wedding we had originally expected!
Couples disagree. Let's keep it real and help other engaged couples not kill one another! What has been your major couple disagreement and what have you done to compromise?
Blake and I disagree on many different issues- in daily life, and dealing with our wedding. Blake is an early bird, I am a night owl. I LOVE details, Blake likes simplicity. Blake is more traditional, I like to mix things up a bit. Although we do disagree on a few things, we feel like we balance each other out. We have become pretty good at accepting each other’s flaws and embracing them. We just truly want to make each other happy and so far we are doing a great job!
What do you most look forward to after marriage?
We look forward to seeing where life takes us. We hope to start a family soon and enjoy all of life’s adventures with the people we love!
Any words of wisdom for newly-engaged couples?
This time is about you and your partner and learning what works for the both of you. There are so many things you will learn about each other, even if you think you already know everything there is to know! Tell your fiancé you love them every chance you get and make every memory last! You only get to live these moments once!
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography, Real Nashville Brides
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Sometimes, even when that first attempt at a date seems closer to a dud than a firecracker, it's worth trying again. I'm so glad that Marianne and Chris decided to give it another go and take their long friendship to the next level otherwise we wouldn't have a fun story to tell today! The couple worked with Mark & Noelle of McCoy Made for their engagement session and I love how these pictures really speak volumes about the couple's compatibility and personalities. I hope, after a rather grey, rainy start to this week, today's Real Engagement Story perk things up for you a little!
Nashville Engagement Story - Marianne & Chris
Her Name: Marianne Callis
Her Hometown: Lebanon, TN
His Name: Chris Mandrell
His Hometown: Gallatin, TN
How did you meet?:
I honestly don’t remember the first time we met, it’s been so long ago. Chris’ brother started dating my best friend ten years ago when we were all in high school (they married in 2003), so Chris and I have known of each other for a long time. But we didn’t start dating until the summer of 2007. We actually went on what we call our “First First Date” in the spring of 2006, but the timing wasn’t right. Neither of us really lost interest, though. Then in late June 2007 Chris and I started talking again, and we decided to go see a movie together (“Live Free or Die Hard”), what we now call our “Second First Date.” We’ve been inseparable ever since
How did you know this was “it?” Did you talk about it a lot? Or was it just understood from day one?:
We first started talking about marriage towards the end of our first year together, when Chris had a job opportunity that would possibly mean moving a couple hours away. We knew we loved each other and wanted to stay together, but since we both come from very traditional, conservative families, simply living together wasn’t an option. The job opportunity fell through, but the conversations continued.
The Proposal:
Where?
My apartment.
When?
September 13, 2009, an ordinary Sunday night after he got home from work.
How?
I give Chris the utmost credit for making the ordinary “extraordinary.” He called me when he got off from work saying he was going to run through Taco Bell and pick up dinner before heading to my place. He asked if I wanted anything. I had eaten dinner not long before, so I turned down the offer. He gets to my place and sits down with me to watch TV, the small bag of food sitting between us.
After a couple of minutes he gets up with the food to go get a plate, but suddenly he stops in the doorway. “Uh oh, they forgot some of my order…” This is not unusual, unfortunately, so I simply responded, “What’d they forget this time? He turns around reaching into the bag, and in a swift motion I barely remember he’d pulled a small wooden box out of the bag, was down on one knee in front of me opening the box, smiling, and asking me to marry him.
The first words out of my mouth were, “Are you kidding me?” (in an exuberant tone, of course!). Yes, that’s really what I said! We’d been talking about marriage for a while, but hadn’t really discussed a time frame, so while I was really really really excited, I certainly wasn’t expecting a proposal! And then I looked at the ring… It was EXACTLY the one I wanted! I’d found a picture in a magazine a few weeks earlier, but it was too expensive. But here one just like it was presented before me. Again I said, “Are you kidding me??” (lol!) After that I believe I did say yes, finally! (The ring was wrapped around a Taco Bell sauce packet with the phrase “Will you marry me?” printed on it.)
Turns out he’d taken the picture to a local jeweler, and traded in the gold on his Dad’s wedding band (his dad passed away a few years ago; Chris’ mother insisted he use his dad’s rings towards mine) for a gold band just like I’d wanted, and used the diamond from his dad’s ring as my diamond. I’m so honored to wear it!
Did you enjoy your engagement picture session? Why? Is there anything of significance you could share with us about the session?
We had a blast during our engagement session! Mark & Noelle McCoy are an absolute joy to be around! They made Chris and I feel super-comfortable during the whole process, and it shows in the pictures. We’re pretty contemporary people, and Mark & Noelle did a fabulous job capturing that about us. J (I’m so excited to get to my bridal portraits and our wedding photos I can hardly stand it! Lol!)
I don’t know that there’s really anything of significance other than it was freezing cold. Our session was right after the HUGE snowstorm at the end of January. I remember worrying about whether the snow & ice would melt enough for us to make the trip from Gallatin to Franklin, but luckily it did. We’re going to use our pictures to make a guestbook, and it’ll be neat to have pictures with snow on the ground at our wedding in the summer.
What matters most as you plan your wedding? Your life together?
For our wedding, what’s most important is just being ourselves and sharing our love with our closest family & friends. We have a relatively small guest list so we could make the experience really awesome for those who are there. And it’s pretty much the same for planning our life together: we want to be ourselves, and share all of life’s experiences with each other.
What decision triggered a meltdown in your wedding planning process?
No meltdowns. J Some tough decisions, maybe, but no meltdowns.
Couples disagree. Let's keep it real and help other engaged couples not kill one another! What has been your major couple disagreement and what have you done to compromise?
Honestly, to this point we’ve not had any major disagreements or arguments. We’ve always worked well with each other, “not sweating the small stuff,” as they say. Our wedding planning has been no different. We decided what the most important things are, worked on those things together, and everything else isn’t worth stressing over.
What's the one must have for your wedding day (such as a particular service, product, vendor)? His? Hers?
I had to have stellar photography!! I had been researching local photographers for awhile, and had it narrowed down to a few choices. When Chris proposed, I quickly set up meetings with my top picks. All were excellent, but I clicked most with Mark & Noelle McCoy. (I say “I” because Chris wasn’t able to go to the meeting, but he trusted me.) They were just so easy to talk to! And I knew that’s what I wanted on our wedding day. And now after seeing our engagement pictures, there’s no doubt we made the right choice.
Chris’ one must-have is a Predators groom’s cake. So we’ve ordered him a cake shaped like the Predators logo (flavor TBA). When getting decorations ready, I decided to take it a step further and do an entire Predators-themed table. I don’t want to give away the details, ‘cause I have some surprises in store for him, but it’s going to be good!
Your wedding details (if you’ve gotten that far in planning)...
Style:
Inspired by our love of Affliction-style clothing & rock music, we’re putting a rock-and-roll edge on what’s otherwise a pretty traditional Christian wedding.
Colors
The ceremony will be black & white, and the reception red & black.
Venue:
Both our ceremony & reception will be at the Greenvale Community Center in southeast Wilson County. The community center used to be a 1-room schoolhouse, and my Grandmother attended school there growing up. On the hill behind the schoolhouse stood the house where my Grandmother and Great-Grandfather (her father) were born. Lots of sentimental value!
Vendors we've hired to date
Photographers: Mark & Noelle McCoy, McCoy Made
Wedding Planner: Kristin Kaplan, Simply Stunning Events
Catering: Pam Hogancamp, Ribbons of Chocolate
Tables & Chairs: Party Providers (in Lebanon)
Jewelry: Thomas Jewelers (in Gallatin)
Cakes & cupcakes: Melanie Williams, Creative Cakes by Melanie (Groom’s Cake)
Angela Boone, Simply Sweet Treats (Cupcakes)
Dress alterations: Oakwood Cleaners
Invitations: Me!
…and a host of other things bought through Etsy, eBay, Hobby Lobby, & Michael’s! (I’m a big do-it-yourself-er)
What do you most look forward to after marriage?
Immediately after? Our honeymoon! We’re both itching for a week’s vacation. But in the long term we’re looking forward to experiencing life & building a home together.
Any words of wisdom for newly-engaged couples?
1 - Enjoy being engaged for a little while before diving into planning!
2 - Decide on a feasible budget, then pick 2 or 3 things that matter most. For us it was photography & food. Hire the best vendors you can afford for those 2 or 3 priorities, and then do the best you can with the rest of your budget to fill in the rest.
3 - Hire a professional wedding planner, even if it’s just to help run things during the wedding! I’m really enjoying doing the planning myself, but there is absolutely no way I’ll be able to take care of things on the big day, nor am I going to ask a family member to “work” that day, either. Kristin Kaplan is exactly who I need! She’s super-organized, and is going to take over everything I’ve planned a month before the wedding and make it come to life. Unless you’re getting married at the courthouse, I don’t see how anyone can enjoy their day without a wedding planner!
Congratulations Marianne and Chris, here's wishing you both all the best and a lifetime full of love together!
Thank you to McCoy Made for the pictures.
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Posted by Tabitha |
Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Photography, Real Nashville Brides
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