The Wedding Scoop | Ashley's Bride Guide

African American Culture Meets New Orleans Fun at this Romantic, Gaylord Springs Wedding

2012-02-03T06:24:55+00:00

Nashville is full of so many venues, and here we are sharing a venue we have yet to feature - the Gaylord Springs Golf Course. Yes, even with the Southern charm of Nashville, you can still have a lovely wedding on an award-winning golf course.

James and Shannon sent us their outdoor wedding to view and we were all too happy! They chose a more modern, but very classy venue for a very timless feel. Even with a vintage, classic edge, the couple still showed their personality and fun side by giving a nod to Shannon's hometown, New Orleans, at the reception.

All of the photos were captured (and so graciously sent to us) by Becca Yager Photography.

Eco-Friendly Ideas for Your Green Nashville Wedding: The Green Wedding Checklist

2012-02-02T06:08:34+00:00

Happy February!

Ashley with iHospitality, here to give you a monthly dose of all things green in Nashville. As I began making a checklist for my own upcoming wedding, I thought it would be cool to share some green tips that can easily be incorporated into your big day..

Why Brides and Grooms Love and Selected Front Porch Farms for Their Nashville Wedding Location

2012-02-01T12:18:06+00:00

When we feature a certain wedding vendor or venue, we base much of our information on our visit to the venue and what we loved at the location. It's one thing to appreciate a venue on a visit or even enjoy the pretty pictures featured on their blog but what do brides like you think about the venue? Why did they select it from all of the other options for their big day? And, what was their opinion after their wedding took place?

Every few weeks, we're going to delve a little deeper and ask brides and wedding venues WHY brides booked their location. There is so much to consider and maybe their decision making process will help you.

Today we ask Kathy Best, owner of Front Porch Farms why, exactly, brides have selected her beautiful farm venue for their wedding day.

Picture by Erin - The Collection

Advice From Rhonda Patton Weddings: Choosing White vs. Ivory Gowns, Accent Color

2012-01-31T05:38:29+00:00

Everyone has an opinion when it comes to wedding gowns and what you should wear. "No, no, white will wash you out, go with ivory" or "Ivory is too (whatever) go with a really, really white dress!" How do you pick? Where do you start and what is the difference between white, diamond white, winter white, cream, or ivory?

Event designers, surprisingly, get the "ivory vs white" question a lot as brides try to decide whether their dress color will impact their wedding design. My wedding dress was ivory and I felt compelled to use ivory everywhere instead of white. I found that ivory accessories were harder to find and often cost more. So, I was elated to see that Rhonda Patton of Rhonda Patton Weddings and Event Design tackled the whole ivory and white quandry via her very helpful wedding blog. Here's what she shared...

Image: The Collection

Meet Betsy {Our New Intern} + Learn About Wish Upon a Wedding’s Rubies + Ruffles Fundraiser

2012-01-30T06:07:28+00:00

I am super excited to introduce the Nashville bridal community to our newest blogger, our Spring intern, Betsy. According to Betsy, "My love for weddings began as a child while watching my mom tie loopy bows, arrange elegant flowers, encourage nervous brides, and comfort happy-teared mothers. Holding her hand, I walked many aisles with my mom, enchanted by the weddings she had planned and the princesses of brides she had befriended. Each time I entered a new fairy land. Though these days are long past, few things make my heart do somersaults like a wedding. As a junior at Belmont University, majoring in English Writing, I couldn't devise an internship more perfect than writing for Ashley's Bride Guide. Truly, it's a joy to share in the magic of the wedding world!"

Betsy is a delight; she's super spunky and the sweetest girl you will meet. If you see her at Sunday's bridal show or out and about, please say hello. Until then, enjoy her first interview with Sarah of Noah Liff Opera Center...

Betsy - ABG writing intern!

We Love This Wedding: Rachel + Brett Wed With Local + Vintage Style

2012-01-27T06:32:43+00:00

We love when photographer friends share unique and Nashville stamped weddings with us. What says Nashville more than a local indie roots band and a historic, southern venue? This wedding has both! Plus, the bride, Rachel is a photographer herself! She photographed Cali Ashton's wedding and Cali returned the favor. These two gals did great justice to each other's special days. We are just too happy to share Rachel's day. Thanks to Nyk, Cali's husband, for emailing everything over. Nyk had some great things to say about the wedding...

Finally…Professional Wedding Planning Package for D.I.Y. Brides, From Regalo Design!!!

2012-01-26T06:50:40+00:00

If you are a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) bride, you probably come from one of two camps - either you are the next Martha Stewart and craft like no other and want to ensure your wedding has your personal stamp all over it OR you have a limited budget. Either way - you're smart enough to know you will need a wedding planner in some capacity, especially when it comes to insight on your budget and wedding day-of timeline.

The truth is, some wedding planners are wiling to help DIY brides, others aren't. Regalo Design is one of wedding planning company that is wiling to help the DIY bride. They have years of experience with DIY brides and have added an affordable new service just for you...

Signature Cakes Debuts Their Luxury, Renaissance Cake Line!

2012-01-25T06:04:22+00:00

"People are starting to want something different," mused Vicki Nelson, owner behind Signature Cakes By Vicki. We were talking about her newest cake styles that take cakes beyond just "beautiful." Signature Cakes' Renaissance Cakes are, for lack of a better word, amazing. They aren't cakes that fall in the "budget" realm because the work that goes into one is worthy of the cost. They're not the most expensive cakes ever imagined, but they are serious cakes for brides whose priority is their cake, the couple that wants seriously mind-blowing, spectacular cakes.

And oh yes, they are still delicious.

About the Renaissance Cake Line:

The cultural movement that was the Renaissance is the inspiration for these cakes. Cities in which the Reneissance movement began and spread through are the same ones that conjure images of rolling countryside in France and Italy and impressive historical buildings like the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Florence, Italy.

Hand shaped sugar flowers that look real shouldn't come as much of a surprise where Signature Cakes is concerned. But the hard work doesn't stop at the teeny stamen or veins in the leaves. Look at each tier of these cakes and you'll see tiny dots, lace details, rosettes - everything was painstakingly made and laid on each layer by hand. Enjoy the Renaissance Line in photos and if enjoy what you see, contact Vicki to schedule your tasting.

Cakes: Under the Tuscan Sun + Provencial Landscape

To the left is Under the Tuscan Sun. Vicki explains "the pink is indicative of the soft rose and mauves of the stucco estates and country homes that dot the countryside. The greens represent the lush fields and rolling hills." The cake on the right is called Provencial Landscape. "The flowers on the cake are reminescient of the warm colors of Provence France. The soft Ivory fondant is like the sky at sunset. The brick work, urns, vines, and columns are representative of the architecture in the villages."

Need a a Nashville Wedding Caterer? Meet Down South Delights

2012-01-24T06:43:07+00:00

Food is an important part of every wedding reception. It helps keep your guests happy and can also help set the tone and feeling of your event. Down South Delights can help you achieve whatever menu you want for your big day. If you are searching for a Nashville wedding caterer, take a few minutes to learn more about Down South Delights via our interview below.

A Delightful Day: What You Missed at The Inspired Bride Show by StudioWed at Houston Station!

2012-01-23T11:33:30+00:00

My wedding was almost a year ago (how can that be true?), and even though I did all of the planning, I had only been to one bridal show as a bride-to-be. When I was given the opportunity to go to a show for ABG, I jumped at the chance! And I was even more excited to be able to go to the Inspired Bride show at Houston Station, hosted by Studio Wed. I’ve put together some of my favorite finds at the show, along with the favorites of Betsy, our wonderful new intern, who came along with me!

All images, except where noted, courtesy of Justin Wright Photography.