Friday, April 30, 2010

Give it away!

Brides Kristen from Kristen Steel Photography has a great giveaway for you!!!

Brides who stop her Launch Party can register for a free Lifestyle Session & photo guestbook for their wedding. If they wasn't enough you can pick from an Engagement Session, a Bridal Session, or a Boudoir Session {would be a GREAT wedding day gift!} or a Day After Session. DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS See the FLYER for details...

Also don't forget Monday is the last day to vote for "100 days to plan a Wedding @ Ashley's Bride Guide!!!!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

"they're real and they spectacular"

Who cares if they are real or not if it saves you $$$$ I say go for it!!!

Many Cake Bakers and Makers are now renting their over the top cake "displays" for you wedding! How does this work you ask? They rent you a beautiful cake made of Styrofoam and wrap it in fondant for all your picture needs, while in the back you have several sheet cakes to cut up and cram in each others faces!

VIOLA an Optical Illusion they never saw coming, and you get off for a FRACTION of the price! Don't feel dirty about making this decision, and fooling your guest, be glad your saving $$$$!

Here are some local bakers who offer this service:

http://www.cakesbyshara.net/
http://www.cakerental.com/inthemedia.html


Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Ain't no party like a Nashville party.....

Who wants to go to a party? You do? Me too!

A few post ago I mentioned the Ultimate Girls Night out, and now you can win a free ticket! How you ask? VOTE FOR ME!!!!

Ashley's Bride Guide is hosting a contest to see who has Nashville Best Bridal Blog! If yours truly wins then I will receive 4 Tickets to the SOLD OUT Sex and the City Girls night out, to give away to my 4 most devoted readers!

How to Vote/Win?

Follow THIS LINK and leave a comment on ABG stating why you love 100 Days to plan a Wedding!! If I win I will pick 4 readers at random to join me, and my friends at the slammin' Party on May 27th!!!!


Thank you for all your love and support on this Blog it has truly been the best ride!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Photo Booth!

Want a new way to capture the character and imagination of your wedding guest? Try setting up your own photo booth. Don't rent one, have fun with it, buy some fun fabric, rummage through a thrift shop for hats, jackets, glasses, frames, etc.

Don't these folks look like they are having fun?


Monday, April 26, 2010

Save $60 Bucks!

on your marriage License. In Tennessee you get $60 off your $90 license if you complete a pre-marital counseling class. Take a look at the Marriage Studio's upcoming dates!

May 15th at Wedding 101
(Early registration is before May 1st, Regular registration is between May 2-12)

July 17th at Wedding 101
(Early registration is before July 1st, Regular registration is between July 2-14)

September 11th at Wedding 101
(Early registration is before September 1st, Regular registration is between September 2-8)

November 13th at Wedding 101
(Early registration is before November 1st, Regular registration is between November 2-10)

Bound Together is designed for couples who are engaged OR thinking about getting engaged. This workshop will introduce you to ideas, information and skills that will help you design a great relationship.

This is a one-day workshop that lasts for 5 hours. We will meet on Saturday from 10am to 3pm. During the course of the workshop you will learn more about how your personality differences, love languages, financial differences, sex life and communication patterns will impact the success of your relationship.

Registration Fee – Early registration is $100/couple. Regular registration is $150/couple

Register here!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Rain, rain, go away!

Tomorrow officially kicks off my wedding whirlwind, I have a wedding every weekend for the next 5 weekends, all but 1 are outside. How do you plan a beautiful outside wedding when you have not control of mother nature? Use the ol' tried and true farmers almanac!!!


Best Wishes to Stephanie and Terry who will get married tomorrow rain or shine!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

STEAL VERA!!!

Have you always dreamed of walking down the aisle in Vera Wang, but you are planning your wedding on a budget? Now you CAN for only $800 BUCKS! You read that right, Vera has made an exclusive deal with Davids Bridal to design a 20 dress collection of Bridal Gowns, and then Bridesmaid dresses, and eventually Children's attire.

Read the article on their Website HERE!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Floral Tributes

When a bride and groom face a wedding day without a loved one, such as a parent, grandparent, sibling or friend who has passed away, it’s a lovely tradition to create a floral tribute arrangement in their memory. In the past, brides and grooms have handled the tribute by printing in their programs that all of the floral arrangements are in memory of (departed loved ones), but now they’re taking the time to arrange for a separate, unmistakable floral tribute arrangement.

Most often, it’s a big arrangement of beautiful white flowers on a white pedestal or other platform, but now we’re seeing more couples choose a color that meant a lot to the departed. At one wedding, the couple chose to include orange flowers as a tribute to the departed father’s love of his alma mater. At another, the couple chose gardenias, the departed grandmother’s favorite flowers, plus maroon for the departed grandfather’s favorite football team. Using color favorites provides a bit of personalization that guests will recognize immediately.

Floral experts say to make this a beautiful arrangement, not any variation of the funeral arrangement with a banner on it. Heart-shaped floral bunches are popular, as are free-flowing arrangements, and monogram arrangements of all-white flowers with an initial of colored flowers in the middle.

For presentation, it’s become a beautiful trend to scatter rose petals on the pedestal and on the ground around the tribute pedestal, and a larger pedestal or tribute table may offer the perfect opportunity for flickering candles and a cherished, framed photo of the departed loved one, either alone or with the bridal couple, with the family, or with a spouse and kids. A beautifully printed, framed message from you might read, “This floral arrangement in memory of (name), who is always in our hearts and joins us today in spirit.”

Some couples worry that a tribute arrangement might make guests sad, and some tears may flow from the emotion of the day. But when you design a pretty arrangement of meaningful flowers and word your framed note with lovely elegance, it’s a touching tribute that honors the memory of your departed loved ones by making them a center-stage part of the day.

Monday, April 19, 2010

on a jet plane....

I am out of town for work this week, I will try to post if/when I can.

Wishing you all a great week!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Bump-It for Flowers!


One of the most important wow factors you can use on your wedding day are your centerpieces. They can be minimal to OVER THE TOP! We had a very large room to fill and needed to add some arrangements with height to fill the room. Here is a neat variation using bamboo grass for outside tented weddings, that need a little "bump-it" to the arrangement!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

If you say Weddings one more time!


How many of you have wedding planning burn out? Need a break? A girls night out? One that has NOTHING to do with your up coming wedding? YOU GOT IT!

WHAT: Discounted Tickets to Ultimate Girls Night Party!!!!!!!!!!11

WHEN: Thursday May 27, 2010

WHERE: A Loft Hotel, Franklin, TN

HOW: Tickets

Tickets are selling very fast. If you are a bride, get your tickets asap. After all, this party is primarily for you - to relax, to chill, to meet great vendors with your friends! You DO NOT want to miss this party. I can't share all of the details yet but the giveaways, swag and party elements are bananas!

Tomorrow is the last day to get your $8.50 early bird tickets at sexandthecitynashville.eventbrite.com (using code ABGFRIENDS). The few remaining tickets will increase to $15. Do not wait if you plan to attend this incredible affair.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

BBQ!


Everyone loves BBQ, well here in the south we do! If you are looking for a laid back rehearsal dinner, a different twist on your reception, or just hosting a gaggle of friends, check out my good friend David Martin of Martin's Catering.

David catered our Rehearsal dinner for 50 people for only $300!!! Now I did get the "friend of the family discount" but David is extremely easy to work with if you are on a budget!

Give him a buzz, and tell him I sent you!
615-566-3479

He does it all:
Pulled Pork
Chicken
Ribs
Mac-n-Cheese
Green Beans
Corn Bread
Cherry Cobbler
The list goes on...

Monday, April 12, 2010

Pick ME! Pick ME!

So you are engaged, overwhelmed, and not sure where to start?!??!?! Sound about right? Let Martha help with her handy Color Palette Quiz!

www.marthastewartweddings.com

I would love to know if any of you former brides to be hit your color right on???

I was dead on with BOLD, that is why we used LIME GREEN and a funky Damask Pattern to center our theme on!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Wrapping Paper Runner

Here's a quick and inexpensive way to add style to your reception space: Use gift-wrap runners. Trim paper to any width; it should hang 18 inches over table ends. Cover tops of favor boxes with the same paper. Wrap ribbon around box, and secure ends beneath place cards. Attach cards and ribbon to box lid with double-sided tape.


Thursday, April 8, 2010

Save the Date DIY!

Open this card, and the details (literally) come spilling out.

Cut date from card stock using number punches; pierce tops with a hole punch. Slide onto 1/4-inch ribbon, tying bows before and after each pair. Cut two slits in a note card; thread ribbon through, and tie a bow.

Use a word-processing program to cut and paste words in different colors all over a page; Cut to size (use unfolded envelope as template); affix with glue stick.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Not to Shabby!

I haven't posted an inspiration board in a while, so I thought I would share this one for a nice Spring Bride. I love the soft pinks, lace, crystals, this list goes on!


Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Discount Favors, decor and MORE!

A friend turned me onto this web site and I LOVE IT! I just ordered something off this site very special and PERSONALIZED for my Brother and his bride-to-be.

Check out their great selection of Faux Pedals, Bubbles, Personalized Koozies, Candles, candy, etc.


Happy Planning!
www.orientaltrading.com

Friday, April 2, 2010

Today's focus

I try to not get preachy or political on here but today is different. It is good Friday and today

"...Christ died on this day not to preserve our greed, selfishness, and ego, but to save the best part of us. Christ died to save the container within us that holds His love, His grace, His mercy, and His passion."

Read More here on the Reflections of Good Friday.

Wishing you a blessed weekend.

A

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Frugal Tip for the Day!


Frugal wedding tip:

Find an intimate venue. All the components that make up a wedding reception can be incredibly expensive. With the average price to rent a wedding venue now at $1,200+, the bride on a strict budget could be in a financial bind. Usually, the cheapest places to have your guests mingle are at small restaurants or gathering places outside the city limits, as well as at Foreign Legion halls, and city, county, and state park sites.

The perks? With a smaller wedding you save big bucks on food, alcohol, cake, flowers, and decor in your total budget. Or you can splurge on Steak and Lobster for 50 instead of 200! In return the settings are often much more intimate, and you get more bang for your buck so to speak.

Wedding budget impact: you save $1,200 and up on your budget!