Famous Donna

I work in Cube (a 10 x 10 haven of sorts, it sucks)!!! Anyway, we have a long table behind our cubes and this sweet lady "Famous Donna" shows up every once and a while, and caters lunches for the Big Wigs. Who then feel the need ohhh and all like they have never seen BBQ before.......end rant.

So I googled this "Famous Donna" (new to me) and seems she has been at this for quite sometime. I don't know what her prices are like, but she works like this. Say you LOVE Maggianos, Amerigos, Slick Pig BBQ, Jason's Deli, etc. Donna would take your order, pick it up, and drop it off, set it up, make sure it looks great, and then clean up when she is done. She will even cook from scratch. So if you are looking for another catering alternative check out Donna, I hear she is Famous?

You drink, let someone else Drive!

Sounds like a plan to me. I mean no one wants to end up like this, or this, or even this (yikes). Next time you are planning your Bachlorette, Bachelor, or 30th Birthday celebration remeber to let someone else do the driving.

Here are few links:
Free at last Party Bus
Metro Livery (my personal fave!)
F.A.D.D.S.


CHEERS!

Summer Time!

When I hear the word summer one word comes to mind.... L-A-K-E! Here in Tennessee we are land locked, but as you may have noticed from our recent 1,000 year flood we have LOTS of Lakes, and Rivers to make up for our Land Lover status. For all you 'waterbugs' like me, here is a gem I found on the internets for a Lakeside Wedding just outside of the Nashville area on Center Hill Lake.

Lakeside Resort:
>The have a whole slew (Southern for A LOT) of Cabins on site for your guest, they are SO CHEAP, ranging from $75-$550 for the ENTIRE weekend.

>They also provide a spot for a on-site reception with a Caterer.

>So if you want a destination without the 8 hour car ride, take the 1 hour drive to Centerhill!

Save the Dates/Rehearsal Invites!

Want a quick DIY solution to your Save the Dates, Shower Invitations, or Rehearsal Invites? I have one. Try many online card printing services to save $$$ for Rehearsal Dinner invites, thank you notes, and shower invites.  You can find them for as low as $9 (for 40) WIN, WIN!!!


You can add photo's, fun things, directions, etc. (front and back sided)

Thought Provoking

I read this today on A Practial Wedding and it got the cogs turning. If you are married, engaged, in love etc. I hope you'll take it in.

"Wife"
So. Wife. Being a wife. There are loaded words, and then there are *loaded* words, and I think wife falls into the second category. I first started thinking about this concept when I got this comment from Cindy right before the wedding:

"Meg, I love being a wife. So far in life, it's been my most satisfying and challenging role. So here's to the rest of yours and David's life. Cheers."

David was reading my comments over my shoulder (as he does) and he stopped at that one. "Wife?" He said, "That's sort of a surprising comment. It's something I feel like you don't hear very much these days. People don't say 'I love being a wife' unless they are talking about how they love being a stay-at-home soccer mom, and I'm pretty positive she doesn't mean that."

"I'm going to be a wife THIS WEEK," I screeched. "I better love it. I better not become a stay at-home-soccer-mom-with-a-minivan. I better not lose myself. Certainly! Not!"

Read the rest HERE

Seeing Stars!

Ok, So I have to brag on my Friend Whitney McClure, not only is she a lovely and talented Bride to be, but the girl is creative. Look what she came up with for her fall wedding. She hopes to hang one of these two looks from the ceiling.

Those are spray painted coffee and paint cans, can't you just see these on a low ceiling, or hanging from trees at an out door reception?!?!? STUNNING


What are those? Those are Coffee filters!!! Yep you read that right, COFFEE FILTER FLOWER PUFFS!!!!




Isn't Whitney smart? I think so.

Tis the Season!

I know you have heard (or maybe not) that to save $$ on your big day, you need to buy flowers that are in season. So here is a list that takes out the guest work, you're welcome ;)

List by Big Wedding, Tiny Budget

Spring Wedding Flowers
East
Cherry blossom, dogwood, gerbera daisy, hyacinth, iris, lilac, lily of the valley, mophead hydrangea, pansy, peony, snapdragon, Stars of Bethlehem, statice, tulip, virburnum


Midwest Cherry blossom, crab-apple blossom, daffodil, forsythia, lilac, lily of the valley, peony, tulip, viburnum


West Freesia, lily of the valley, pansy, poppy, ranunculus, rose, tulip, violet


South Dogwood, forsythia, foxglove, larkspur, magnolia, rose, spirea, sweet pea, tulip, viburnum, wisteria


Summer Wedding Flowers
East Asiatic lily, cosmos, dahlia, delphinium, gerbera daisy, larkspur, pee gee hydrangea, rose, sunflower, tuberose, zinnia


Midwest Clematis, cosmos, gerbera daisy, garden roses, hydrangea, sunflower, viburnum, zinnia


West Begonia, delphinium, gardenia, hydrangea, pansy, poppy, rose, violet


South Aster, cosmos, hydrangea, rose, rosemary, sunflower, zinnia


Fall Wedding Flowers
East Amaryllis, hydrangea, ornamental berries, rose, sunflower


Midwest Autumn foliage, dahlia, rose


West Chrysanthemum, coreopsis, cosmos, Gerbera daisy, hydrangea, lisianthius, pomegranate, rose


South Galax, hydrangea, rose, salvia, sassafras


Winter Wedding Flowers
East Evergreens


Midwest Evergreens


West Acacia, evergreens, forsythia, fruit blossoms, paper-whites, seeded eucalyptus, tulip


South Evergreens, hydrangea, rose


Seasonless (All Regions)
Anemone, Arianrose, baby’s breath, calla lily, carnation, Casablanca lily, Champagne rose, freesia, gardenia, ivies, lily of the valley, Message rose, ranunculus, Stargazer lily, stephanotis, vines, Virginia rose, white dendrobium orchid


Now that you have an idea of wedding flowers by season for the US, take note of the flowers that tend to be the most expensive no matter what time of year it is:
Casablanca Lilys, gardenias, hydrangeas, lilies of the valley, lisianthus. Orchids, peonies, stephanotis, tulips.

Some wedding flowers that tend to be the least expensive are:
Alstromeria lilies, baby’s breath, carnations, mums, daisies, freesia, gladiolus, sunflowers and sweet william.

Hazel, not just for the eyes!

Need a venue? Need a dry venue? I stumbled upon Hazelpath Mansion in Hendersonville (20min N of Nashvegas), this package friendly venue provides a ceremony and reception site all in one! Think Riverwood, Cedarwood, Two Rivers Mansion, etc. This site just may be logistically or economically more your speed.

Here are the deets:
-Built in 1837 by Daniel Smith Donelson
-Rental with a premise monitor and cleanup is $1,250.00 per six hour event
-Inclusive packages start at $7,800 (Dutchess) up to $11,000 (Queen)
-Smaller intimate venue accommodates up to 150 guest.
-Packages can be modified to fit your budget.
-Dates still available for June and July!
-Contact Vickie by email at hazelpathmansion@comcast.net

Trend Alert.

Cathedral length veils are so over! Shorter, sassier, head pieces are IN! I rocked a slammin' birdcage veil and many other brides have in the past year or so. Now another new trend in bridal accessories are Hats, did you say hat? I said HAT! And they are FUN, FUN, FUN!!! Ch, ch, check em' out!


First up From MonoloBrides




Next a personal Fav from Etsy.com


Lastly (a little over the top) Touch of Bliss

I know people...

I am one of those lucky people who have married into a very loving, caring, and talented family. I am in Tampa, FL for work this week, and I popped over to visit my husbands aunt and uncle who have relocated to this beautiful area. While visiting I discovered that D's cousin Travis not only has a B.A. Penny Farthing, but he also has 4 Antique Letter presses (OLD SCHOOL YA'LL). His work is amazing, and truly unique. You can't buy hand crafted paper off the web like this, I swear!

Check out Travis Staton's work at www.BonATirer.us you will be amazed!!!

Dude Looks like a lady!

So you have a Boy, he's a good friend, and you want him YOUR wedding party is that ok? Heck yes, it's your wedding, but how do you approach it? Let me see if I can help.

1. Make sure the "Man of Honor" wears the same formal wear as the groomsmen
2. Call them 'Masters of Honor' no Brides'man'
3. List your program as Wedding Party instead of Brides Maids and Groomsmen
4. Reach out to the Mother of the Bride or Grooms Mother to throw showers if the Friend is to uncomfortable. This is no longer a faux paw.
5. Try not to single him out, let him be included, and don't make a spectacle out of him.
6. These rules also apply for a 'Best Woman' scenario.

THANK YOU ,THANK YOU!

I didn't win Nashville's Best Bridal Blog, but I did get an Honorable Mention and 1 extra Free ticket to the SOLD OUT Girls Night Out. If you are free on May 27th @ 6:30pm, and would like to go email me and I will give you the free ticket. Thank you all again for your votes, it means a lot to share this fun commentary with you each day!

Much Love and Respect to Louise at 30 Something Blog for her big win!

Lots of Love,
Mrs. DeForest!

Cheap Fix

Need a quick, budget friendly Wedding, Mother's, or Bridesmaid dress? I stumbled upon this site that sells some great looking gowns from $79-$500!

I don't know anyone who personally purchased a gown from them, but its worth an investigation. Check them out at RomanticGowns.com

Just Heavenly...

NOTE: THIS VENUE IS CLOSED FOR BUSINESS!!!


My little brother was married this weekend at Heavely Hitch in Portland, TN. I thought I would share a few pictures of this country home, with a beautiful Gatlinburg feel, at a great bargain.

Images Courtesy of Cherished Memories Photography

Nashville is flooded...

How can you help? I am afraid Weddings are going to have to take a back seat, my thoughts and prayers are so consumed with sadness for friends and family in Nashville it doesn't seem quite right to conjure up Wedding creativeness.

Are you a Tennessean? Want to help your fellow Tennesseans? Here is how.

did the Flood impact your big day?

Ashley from Ashley's Bride Guide has some helpful info.

Help for Flood-Impacted Nashville Brides
Monday, May 3, 2010

UPDATE: Schermerhorn: 8-10 feet of water and rising, closed for at least a month; Gaylord Opryland Hotel under 10 feet of water and rising
Many wedding venues have been ruined or significantly effected. Kathy of Front Porch Farms has contacted me and let me know that her venue has availability. The farm is offering 50% off & free 40x100 tent. (I assume it's for those with May/June weddings who can show a contract with an impacted venue.) If you or your bride has been impacted and needs a new venue, please contact Front Porch Farms asap.
Here's what Kathy has told me, we have "availability to help accommodate weddings asap during this flooding situation... We also have overnight accommodations here plus I own a 3 bedroom town home in West Nashville to right next to I-40 and 30 minutes from our venue."

Contact: Kathy Best
Telephone: 615-394-1838
Email: kathy@frontporchfarmstn.com
Drive: 40 minutes from downtown Nashville




If your wedding took place this weekend and your dress got wet/muddy - be sure to take it asap to Oakwood Cleaners, a bridal gown specialist, who can clean it and prevent further ruin.
If you have an emergency need, please let me know how I can help or how I can get help from our wonderful bridal community.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP:
Txt 90999 on your mobile phone to donate $10 to Red Cross & help Nashville area flood victims. http://tinyurl.com/2e2op8l

High and Dry!

I hope all of you reading this are A. Dry B. Your family and friends are safe and dry as well. I know many of you with upcoming weddings are waiting to see how things pan out, and I will gladly help any way I can.

On a happier dry note: How to Save $$ on your hair and make up, I know I have posted similar info before, but it never hurts to hear it again.



Try to hire one person or company that does both hair and makeup.
*
Only the bride needs a trial.
*
You can expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $100 for hair and $30 to $85 for makeup. Know that the more women you have that need these services, the cheaper the cost per person.
*
If hair accessories are going to be put in anyone's hair, make sure you buy them yourself. If you leave this up to the hair stylist it'll cost more.
*
If you have sensitive skin, we suggest that you do not go for a facial the week before your wedding. You don't want to be all broke out for the big day.
*
Please get your nails done and make sure the groom's hands are also manicured. More than likely you'll be getting a picture that shows your hands and the wedding bands. People will be constantly asking to see your rings.
*
Lastly, try to find a makeup and hair vendor that will do a trial a few months before the wedding. It gives you time to work out any areas you are not happy with and makes the wedding day process much quicker


Don't forget today is the last day to vote for the Best Bridal Blog in Nashville on ABG!!!!