FORE!

I am working with a close friend and Bride to Be on her November nuptials.  She and the Groom have decided on a very intimate 100 person wedding to celebrate their big day.  The Hermitage Golf Course just a quick hop from Nashville looks to be the perfect place for them.

Here are some quick facts about the Hermitage Golf Course:

• The indoor banquet room will seat 150 people. (Included in the rental are 18 60" tables and 150 black and gold chairs. Also included are 6' banquet tables for cake tables, gift tables, etc.).
• The outdoor covered pavilion will seat up to 200 people. (Included in this rental are 18 60" tables and 150 brown wooden folding chairs as well as 6' banquet tables for buffets, gifts, DJ's, etc. This area also comes with a wood burning stone fireplace).
• The Rose Garden is a fully landscaped 40X40 area designed for wedding ceremonies. (It comes with 150 white chairs. A tent is available for rental).
• Also included with your rental; use of the house PA system, Bridal party and groomsmen changing area, access to areas of the golf course for photos. 

For pricing and more detailed information contact: Kara Torphy 615-847-4001 ext. 101

Summer Time!

Its cold outside, lets talk Summer Weddings and the trends for 2011.

2011 is full of flirtatious, feminine energy. Dresses feature layers of tulle over other fabrics, creating a softer look and toning down the luster of glossy materials such as satin and silk. Dresses with one-shoulder necklines and shorter lengths are hot, especially when combined with wrapped styles and origami details.

Wedding Gown Trends:
Eco-friendly wedding dresses are increasing in popularity. Pick up a used wedding dress from a thrift store or an online source such as Craigslist.com, and add your own unique touch. Turn a strapless dress into a one-shouldered style in a few simple steps. Add a layer of tulle, or embellish your dress with your favorite beads, rhinestones, or charms.

Colors Trends for Summer 2011 are:
Icy Blue
Grey
Lilac
Pale Yellow

Bridesmaid Trends:
Flower motifs Rose embellishments (ranging from petal accents to large, flowered skirts.)

Spring Awakening

Do you have pending Spring Nuptials? Think you are all set? I have several friends with upcoming April weddings, here is where they should be this close to the big day, and where you should be if your wedding falls in this time line.

2-4 Months Before

• Find out what your state's requirements are for obtaining a marriage license and get blood tests done, if required
• Order tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen
• Meet with your caterer to discuss the menu and your bar/liquor needs
• Meet with your officiant to discuss ceremony details, wording and wedding vows
• Select wedding readings
• Order your wedding cake
• Buy thank-you gifts for your attendants, flower girl and ring bearer
• Shop for a gift for your new spouse-to-be
• Select and purchase your wedding rings, and have them engraved if desired
• Coordinate and choose a location for the rehearsal dinner
• Contact vendors for tents, tables, arches, etc. if necessary
• Book any other specialty services – ice sculptures, photo booths, etc.
• Purchase luggage and other travel necessities and attire for your honeymoon
• Order/renew passports if necessary, leaving ample time for them to be sent back to you
• Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you'd like to have your teeth whitened or cleaned before the wedding

Did this list leave you in a tizzy? Don't panic, one item, one day at a time!

Do I save the date?

Are Save the Date Cards Necessary?

While they are not necessary in all situations, they are a wonderful way to generate excitement and, most importantly, allow your loved ones plenty of time to make arrangements to share in your special day. Especially important for friends and family who will be traveling to your wedding location, Save the Dates encourage travelers to take advantage of travel deals, book flights, and make any other necessary plans sooner than later.

If your wedding date falls on or around any holidays, or if it's taking place at a popular vacation or destination spot, you should consider sending out your Save the Dates at least five months in advance. In these situations, your guests will likely be thinking of your event as a vacation and will appreciate having the time and information to plan accordingly.

When should Save the Dates be sent?

Think of your Save the Date cards as a preliminary invitation to your wedding. They should be sent at least four months before the wedding date. Formal invitations should follow about two months later.

If you are asking guests to travel a great distance, take time off work, or travel during peak seasons, the sooner you can let them know the better! In these circumstances, it's not uncommon to send Save the Date announcements as much as twelve months in advance.

Do I need to send a Save the Date to all my guests?

No, you are not required to send a Save the Date to everyone on your guest list. Many brides cut costs here by sending Save the Dates only to those guests who will be traveling or who will likely need to make arrangements far in advance. Of course the benefit of sending a Save the Date card to every person you are hoping will attend is that you are increasing the likelihood that they will reserve that date and will, in fact, be able to attend your special day. If, for whatever reason, you do choose to send Save the Dates only to a select number of guests, there is just one rule to follow. Make sure they are sent to all people who have any reason to interact with each other. Imagine how hurt your cousin Sally would be if she visited your aunt May and saw your beautiful Save the Date hanging on her refrigerator, only to realize she had not been sent one and have no idea why.

It should be noted that a Save the Date is just that. It's doesn't do double duty as an engagement announcement to everyone you know...and therefore should only be sent to those people you will absolutely be inviting to your big day!

Totally Cheating!

This has been a helluva week at work, so I am falling behind on the blogging. I want to "re-blog" this post about finding the perfect florist. I promise new brides it is HELPFUL!


How to Pick the perfect Florist:

Word of mouth is always your safest bet. If the florist's service and work comes highly recommended, chances are they will do a good job for you. Do your research by going to bridal shows and looking at online pictures from your store's website. Make appointments to visit at least 3 different florists.

When you visit each florist, look at pictures of their previous work and look around their shop.

* Do you like the arrangements that you see in the shop's displays?
* Do the flowers in the pictures look fresh or are the petal edges brown?
* Are the pictures dated or are they following the current trends?
* Is the designer willing to work with you or are they telling you that your idea won't work?
* Make sure you speak to the florist that will do your arrangements.
* Do you feel comfortable with your florist?
* Is your florist paying attention to you while you're talking and does he/she seem interested?

When To Book Your Florist

6 months before your wedding is a good time to start your search. Book your florist approximately 4 months before your wedding date.

What To Bring To An Appointment

* Pictures of flowers and arrangements that you like (magazine clippings or websites)
* Picture of your wedding gown - swatches of material from your bridesmaids gowns - if available, a picture of your reception room
* If you are supplying the containers for arrangements, bring those too.
* Bring quotes you've gotten from other florists.
* Bring a list of all the flowers and arrangements you need and who they are for, so that the florist can label corsages, boutonnieres and bouquets, with names or titles. Example: on a bouquet a stapled piece of paper reads "maid of honour". This way everyone gets the right flowers.

Questions To Ask The Florist

* When viewing photos of past work, ask if the flowers where arranged by the same person that is doing your arrangements.
* After giving your florist your ideas, ask for their opinion or ideas. You don't have to take their advice but at least take the time to listen. You never know, you might like their ideas better then your own.
* Is there a delivery charge?
* Is there a setup fee?
* Do they have rental supplies?
* Do they need a map for the different delivery locations?
* Can you change your order if you have another idea? What's the cut off date for new ideas?
* What times will the flowers be delivered to each location? This question can be asked 1 month before your wedding.
* Will the florist transport ceremony decorations to the reception location? Is there a fee?
* Can they make a sample of your bouquet and centrepiece? Some florists will, some won't.
* Will they write you up an itemized quote? Some won't in fear that you will bring it to other florists for a better deal.
* Are the flowers you've chosen in season? What flowers are in season for your date?
* You're on a tight budget, can the florist work with a mixture of silk and fresh flowers?
* Are there any additional or hidden costs?
* Is the florist familiar with your reception and ceremony locations?
* 1 month before your wedding date, call the florist and ask them if they can get the type and color of flower you wanted?


Things To Keep In Mind

If your wedding date is around the time of a flower giving holiday (mother's day, valentine's,etc) you're going to pay more for your flowers. The florist will also be very busy during this time and you can't expect to be the centre of attention. Meet and speak to the person that will be making your flower arrangements.

If you choose flowers that are not in season and have to be shipped, you're looking at a bigger expense and you don't know what effect the shipping will cause on your flowers.

Not just here to hold your flowers!

I have blogged about choosing attendants before (read here), but I just want to share that with the newly engaged.

Choosing Your Attendants
Your attendants do a lot more than just stand next to you on the day of the wedding, now is the time to get them involved. You may opt to have 0 attendants at all, especially if you're having a casual event, most choose between 2 and 12 members of the bridal party.

Look over these lists of responsibilities for bridesmaids and groomsmen before you make your final choices. If they live nearby, its nice to ask someone in person, but a phone call is fine for those who live far away.

Now get to plannin'

Budget this in!

Who is paying?

It used to be that the bride’s father pretty much paid for everything. These days it’s far more likely to be a family affair with the bride, groom and both sets of parents chipping in to create one wedding fund.

Will you need to compromise your ideas?

Taking a cue from either set of parents is great. Just be sure they don’t think this means they have a much bigger say in your wedding plans than you want. It’s hard to say you want workmates rather than relatives on the guest list if it’s your parents’ cash you are spending.

Is going it alone an option?

It’s becoming increasingly common for couples to pay for their own wedding, using their own money – and it’s the only way to ensure complete freedom of choice. If the cash isn’t readily available, seek advice about saving and cost-effective borrowing.

Budget planning

Lots of couples do pay for their own wedding and it’s perfectly possible to have an amazing wedding on just about any budget. You simply need to start organizing from the word go.

Start saving

Saving 10-20% of every pay check during your engagement should be your aim. Try a few cost-cutting measures every month like taking a packed lunch to work, staying in with friends rather than eating out, and delaying major purchases or expensive outings until after the wedding.

A wedding account

Whether or not you are receiving parental contributions, a separate wedding account is a good idea since it will make tracking what comes in, what goes out and what’s left to play with much simpler. Agree at the outset how much you will each contribute to the fund, taking into account your differing salaries and any other debts you may have.

Get financial advice

If you need help with the wedding fund and are thinking about a loan, get advice on the best way of borrowing. A small loan may be worthwhile, providing you can pay it back without being in debt for years to come – not even your wedding is worth that! And forget putting wedding expenses on a credit card; it’s expensive and is usually a recipe for financial misery.

Do it yourself

Think carefully about whether you can do some things yourself rather than employing others to do them: check out craigslist for wedding bargains – new and ‘once-loved’; look out for sample sales at your local wedding dress shop; get on to your PC and design your own invitations, thank-you cards or seating plan.

How will you spend the cash?

50% - Venue and catering: food, beverages and tips
3% - Ceremony officiant
10% - Music
10% - Photographer
10% - Flowers
10% - Bridal gown and groom’s attire
3% - Invitations
4% - Transportation

Venue for you!

Probably the first thing you should reserve is your wedding venue, or venues. Here is a list of some of my favorite venues in Middle Tennessee, and a few that I have found along the way that may fit your individual wedding needs!

Venue Type: Rustic, exposed brick walls and a blank canvas:

• Marathon Village-Capacity: 225 Cost: $1250 (note lots of stairs NO elevator)
  
• Cannery Ballroom-Capacity: 300 (for banquet style) Cost: $2,500+
• Houston Station-Capacity: Banquet - up to 340, Cocktails - 450, Cost: call for pricing
• Aerial- Capacity seated dinner: 150. Cocktail reception/buffet: 200

Venue Type: Chic skyline views

• Events @ 1418- Capacity standing reception: 120 seated dinner parties: 100 roof top: 50
• Nashville Event Space- This includes all 7 of their venues- aVenue, Cellar One, Market Street Emporium, Riverside Flat, Terrazzo, Craft Studio, e/spaces
• One Eleven- Capacity: 300 ppl Cost: $2500 (including rental)
• DUREGO- Very large space, blank canvas! Call for more details
  

Venue Type: Down on the Farm

• Front Porch Farms-Capacity for 250 guest, please call for pricing
• Cajun Farms-Capacity is large, call for more info
• The Barber House- Capacity for 200 rental starts at $1,000-$1,350

Venue Type: Home sweet Home

• The Red House-Capacity for 100 seated, 150 cocktail style rental prices start at $1,500
• Rose Mont Mansion- Capacity for 200, rental start at $600!!!!!

Does this make me look fat?

How many times have you asked this question in a fitting room to a sweet friend who said "no, you look great" LIAR, LIAR pants on FIRE! I had the self esteem booster of a life time this weekend, I went and tried on a Bridesmaid Dress for a my BFF's wedding that is in April (2 weeks after my due date). Ladies, let me tell you NEVER, NEVER try on a dress for a wedding when you are 27 weeks pregnant, it is not the uplifting experience your emotions need. The dress is beautiful, me in it, well that is another story. Since I was there by myself, I had to wait 5 minutes or so for the lady to zip me up each time I tried on a dress. While I stood there bewildered by my figure, I couldn't help but notice how many BRIDES were trying on dresses that were NOT right for their shape, but had family or friends saying "NO YOU LOOK GREAT", again LIAR, LIAR pants on FIRE!

Ladies if there is one time in your life you need to GET REAL with the REAL YOU, it is when you try on a wedding dress. We are all unique in size and shape, and for that there are 1,000's of dresses for just your shape alone!

Here are some tips to help you find the right dress for YOU, and YOU ONLY!

• Ball Gowns
  

  Ball gowns work for:

  Thin and tall brides, triangle or rectangle figures, slight pear shaped figure, slim hourglass figures.

  If you are tall and slim with a well balanced shape, a classic ball gown can work great. If your figure is less than perfect, try a less defined waist or a less full skirt with perhaps some ruching to soften the look
  

  Ball gowns won't work for:

  Petite figure, pronounced pear-shaped figure or larger hourglasses.

  While often recommended to disguise a pear shape, this is only true of the hips are just slightly wider than the shoulders, those with larger hips will find it disguises nothing but emphasizes the hips instead. These are statement dresses and can overwhelm small brides.

• A-Lines (most popular style)
  
  

  A-Line will work for:

  Petite or full-figured brides, short waists

  The simple lines of an a-line dress can make a small bride look taller and a full figured brides one slimmer. It is also flattering for the pear-shaped, especially with a lower waistline.

  A-Line won't work for:

  Thick waists, hourglass figures.

  If your waistline is large, the dress will end up looking straight - effectively losing the a-line that gives it it's name, and will emphasize your waist. While hourglass figures can wear a-line dresses, they will not be making the most of their curves if they do.

• Empire Waist Line
  
  

  Empire line works for:

  Petite figures, larger waist, small bust

  Brides who don't want a figure-hugging dress should consider an empire line. It is good to conceal a larger waist. Tends to elongate the body, giving an appearance of being taller.

  Empire line won't work for:

  Curvy, pear-shaped or full figures.

  Tends not to work with a larger bust, and the line of the skirt emphasizes larger hips.

• Column or Sheath Dresses
  

  Column dresses work for:

  Slim, tall brides, rectangle and triangle body shapes

  Column dresses have a very sleek modern look and can be stunning.

  Column dresses won't work for:

  Curvy, pear-shaped or full figures. Short brides.

  A column dress hides nothing - it follows the body contours, wherever they are! They can make a short slim bride seem insignificant, especially if the groom is tall.

• Mermaid or Trumpet Dresses
  
  

  Mermaid dresses work for:

  Slim but curvy or hourglass figures

  Very good on an hourglass figure, showing off the curves of the body to perfection.

  Mermaid dresses won't work for:

  Pear-shaped or full figures. Curves need to be in proportion and a waist which is noticeably smaller than the hips or shoulders is essential for this style.

Bottom Line ladies, take your overly honest mother, your blunt friends, and the people who's option you trust and admire. Also BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF, you know what your body looks like better than anyone else.

Congratulations on your Engagement! Now what?

Now what you ask? Well here are a few helpful links to get you started on the road to Marital BLISS!

Set that Date:

Before you take one step towards a bridal shop, bridal show, or "dream location" set a date. You can be flexiable, but have a date "range" in mind before you leave the house. You want to get married on 11-11-11? Good luck, those date have long been booked up. Why set the date before you leave? Easy, you are going to need LOTS of vendors, and their availability, and venue availability will differ from place to place.

Bridal Shows:

1. Wedding Planning Boot Camp by Ashley at Ashley's Bride Guide.
2. Nashville Woman's Magazine is champagne social featuring heavy hors d'oeuvres and a fashion show introducing you to the best in the business
3. Studio Wed is that one stop shop in Franklin It houses an exclusive collection of Nashville’s finest wedding professionals available to you in a fun and modern studio. They are having an open house January 11th.
   
4. Enchanted Brides semi-annual show Thursday January 6th @ Hutton Hotel.
5. Weddings the Bridal show (this is the biggie) will take place January 16th at the Nashville Convention Center.
   

Trunk Shows:

1. Lazaro Bridal Trunk Show Fri, Jan 14 - Sat, Jan 15 , 2011 10-4pm @ Faccio Bridal
2. Jim Hijelm Trunk Show Thu, Jan 14 - Sat, Jan 15 , 2011 11-6pm @ Faccio Bridal
3. Bridal Warehouse is having a ton of trunk shows in the upcoming weeks, check them out HERE

Helpful Link's I love:

1. Jessica always has WONDERFUL tips and tricks at The Budget Savvy Bride
2. Louise will always make you laugh even when you feel defeated by the planning process. Check her out at the 30-something Bride
3. You need a photographer? Of course you do. Then you need to check our Joe Hendricks, he is a not only SUPER talented, but he and his wife Rhonda are a pleasure to work with.
4. Honeymoon deals? Check out my list of killer deals here
   

Happy Planning! If it all becomes to much, take a break, this is suppose to be fun!!!! I am always available to help or answer any of your wedding questions, or give a vendor reference.