First, thank you for the great job last night. I must admit, the room looked marvelous, high marks to you. I got an email from a donor congratulating us on the event and saying he was going to “steal” your vignette idea because he liked the room so much. VERY classy and well done.

Founder, Wake Up Nashville

Thank you again, for ALL that you did!!! It was a wonderful, unforgettable, weekend!!!!
Please give my name as a reference, from the grooms family perspective! I could not have done it
without you!!! You allowed ME, to really be able to enjoy every moment!

Hope your life is good and that you are continuing to BLESS many more family’s!
Mother of Groom

Regardless of where you are in your planning process, this 1-day educational seminar will provide you with the essential information to assist you in this sometimes daunting process. Bring your planner, mother, father, maid of honor, or even fiancé. Get answers to your questions from experts in the industry.  Vendors welcome.

The comprehensive overview will include live and interactive topics, such as:  Budget, Cake Design, Logistics, Lighting, Time line  and so much more!

Speakers Include:

*Blake Chaffin: Lighting Professional, Owner-Nashville Event Lighting

*Jay Qualls: Celebrity Cake Designer & Reality TV Star, Owner-Maples Wedding Cakes & Jay Qualls Holdings

*Angela Young Proffitt: Wedding & Event Planner, Owner-Elegant Wedding by Angela & Events by AP

For more information visit EliteEventEducators.com

Registration open now: October 2, 2011
Email: Connect@AngelaProffitt.com

Events by AP had a blast planning this Bar Mitzvah at the Noah Liff Opera Center!  The basketball themed decor was decked out with walls covered in large-as-life pro basketball player fatheads, and gobo images that projected the famous Air Jordan and gaming scoreboard.  Flanking the 7 ft. baksetball hanging in mid air above the dance floor, were mesh nets for a true arena feeling.

The scoreboard on the wall and perimeter up-lighting electrified the backdrop, creating a prominent glow throughout the space.  Soft seating flanked the dance floor where the stage and truss took the focus of the room where the DJ and dancers got the kids involved in dancing throughout the night.

Dinner was served station style with the theme in mind; custom cones and round decadent cream puffs were arranged alongside a chocolate fountain with all the fixings; a huge hit and mess with the kids!  A mere few feet away, the Opera Center’s glass lobby was transformed into a candlelit romantic getaway to provide the adults with a place to dine and mingle. Dinner and lounge seating was separated by beautiful sheer draping, while outside on the terrace soft seating and bistro tables were available. Overall a big success!

Beautiful images captured by Dove Photography.

Recently, dance lessons are becoming increasingly popular with our couples. Couples share with us that performing in front of hundreds of guests can be uncomfortable, thus it is easier to focus on steps learned through a dance instructor and not the gazed eyes from the crowd.

Dance lessons are great for establishing the base of working together as a team, which can be used throughout the rest of your life together.  Surprisingly, the groom’s are the ones who appreciate the lessons the most – when they were the least enthusiastic about them in the first place. A professional dance instructor can help you and your partner communicate, in life and in dance.

The average couple typically requires 5 to 10 lessons in order to be comfortable with their first dance.  However, if you do not have the time to spend every week learning a dance for your wedding it is okay.  We had a couple from Poland who came in a week before their wedding and practiced every day for six days straight and performed the most amazing dance to a live band that kept their 500 plus guest in awe!  When considering a song for your first dance, if it is going to be choreographed, discuss having the song played from an iPod versus performing to a live band. We recommend certain instructors based on availability and personality to fit our clients’ needs.

Photographs provided by: Chuck Arlund, Divine Images, Dove Wedding Photography, Hudson Photography, Krista Lee, McLellan Studio, Meishach Moore Photography, Silent Light, Zamana Photography

Castleton Farms is situated on 108 acres of rolling hillside with lovely mountain views.  The Manor offers 4 beautifully, decorated guest rooms, 2 parlors and the family great room all of which is at the disposal of their guest use during their events. Scattered about the property you can find pavilions, sculptures and flowers, which emit a feeling of grandeur that all Castleton’s guest enjoy. The gardens are lit at night with white party lights that make it feel as if you are dancing amongst the stars.  Located just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee (about two and a half hours from Nashville) Castleton Farms provides a beautiful backdrop of any special event!

Photos by Waldorf Photographic Art

These two lovebirds celebrate their love for each other by renewing their vows every year. And now, they want to help a couple in need showcase their love and give them the wedding of their dreams that was derailed by a natural disaster. If you were a victim of the Tennessee flood or a First Responder who had to give up your wedding plans, Heidi and Seal want to talk to you!

So, if you and your special someone fall into this category, please contact Jaclyn at Jaclyn.Lenz@RRStaff.com! The deadline is March 13th so get your story in to the casting department today!

In honor of this Carnival season, from Brazil to New Orleans, let’s focus on entertainment. We recently met magician Jason Michaels and witnessed a preview of his new show. Not only is he a big hit at corporate events, he’s making his way into the wedding industry one amazing card trick at a time.

It would be so unexpected to have a magician walking around during cocktail hour, engaging your guests to break the ice.  His mysterious mingling with your guests will have them so anxious to see what’s behind the next set of doors.

Magicians have evolved into way more than just pulling a rabbit out of a hat. So, check out this contemporary illusionist at JasonMichaelsMagic.com! He takes time out of entertaining on a cruise ship in the Caribbean to write a blog and he’s kind of a comedian too!

When planning for your big day one of the biggest decision hiccups is what kind of cake you are going to have.  If you look down at your guest list and see that you have 350 guests attending, you are probably thinking how on earth am I going to choose a cake that accommodates the taste buds of that many people! Who says you have to?! Cakes are such a beautiful and intricate tradition for all weddings around the world, but you’ll be happy to hear the fashions are changing.  It’s becoming increasingly popular to give your guests an array of dessert options!  In addition to the elaborate tiered cakes we have all become accustomed to seeing on display tables, also consider the liking of pies, cupcakes, candy bars, cheesecake pops, and candies, all of which are all “in” for 2011.

Delectable desserts provided by Maples Wedding Cakes and Chef’s Market.

We are especially excited about the new venue Legacy Farms located in Lebanon, Tennessee.  Being from Mt. Juliet, it is always a pleasure to display and plan events that are close to home, and Legacy Farms provides that feeling.  This comfortable, intimate, and all encompassing venue provides several individual options, ranging from the remarkable manor to the courtyard and event center.  This new venue is sure to be blossoming for the spring!  Visit their website to browse their beautiful options as well as pictures extracted from their blog.

Check out this video highlight from ANR Productions that was captured at Scarritt Bennett and Maggiano’s Little Italy! Beautiful!!

Whether you’re having your ceremony in a church or outdoors, regardless of what your beliefs may be, we want to highlight the importance of putting some thought into planning your ceremony. In this video clip, captured by ANR Productions, a family friend incorporated a special reading during the unity candle ceremony, uniting their families on the most special day of Emily Head and Jeremy Donegan’s life.

There are many different styles when it comes to choosing a wedding videographer. Be sure to do your research online as most videographers have samples readily available on their websites and blogs. This will ensure that you and your videographer share the same vision for the style and feel of the final product. Our blog post yesterday featured a unique proposal from Marcel Chagnon, who is also a talented artist when it comes to capturing video himself! Click here to view a recent wedding he captured at the Governor’s Club in Brentwood, Tennessee.

With Valentine’s Day upon us, I’m sure many of you are searching for a unique way to propose to your special someone. In this video, we love how this groom, Marcel Chagnon, incorporated his profession as a musician to propose to his girlfriend, country artist, Jessica Andrews.

When doing a tasting with your caterer, be sure to inquire about food presentation. Not only do you want your food to taste good, you want it to look good too. Even by adding a small garnish, the detail factor makes your guests appreciate the delicious menu you have selected for them. In the pictures above (*Descriptions below), we wanted to share with you a few items we have recently tasted and they make one bite appetizers and desserts look exquisite.

In addition to your traditional wedding cakes, dessert bars have become very popular. When displaying your sweet treats, remember the little touches make the biggest impact.

Picture Details:

*Ceviche served in a mini glass tumbler with tropical leaf garnish

*Lemon meringue bar embellished with fresh lemon wheel, sprig of mint, dusted with powdered sugar

*Strawberry &  blueberry atop a puff pastry with vanilla creme

*Coconut cream cake decorated with pineapple, kiwi, & tropical leaf garnish

*Mini chocolate teacups filled with an assortment of tropical fruit featuring a delightful surprise (chocolate mousse in the bottom)

*Milk & white chocolate floral cup filled with chocolate mousse, candied toffee, served with strawberry adornment sprinkled with cocoa powder

Since we are here to educate brides on the in’s and out’s of Wedding World, we thought this article was very helpful and it’s straight off the press from Preston Bailey himself!

He states, “I empathize with most clients who aren’t sure about the difference between what planners do and what designers do. These two services have become so interchangeable that most of the time, it’s difficult to tell them apart. Not to mention the local banquet managers from hotels and venues who do not hesitate to tell clients they don’t need a planner. It’s no wonder our clients are confused about who does what.

In today’s post, I’ll attempt to answer the 10 most controversial questions on this issue:

1. Should a planner suggest what kind of flowers to use at an event?Absolutely not. Even if this is their event, that is not their job. It’s the designer or florist’s job.

2. Should a planner bring the clients to more than one floral designer and let the client decide who they prefer best?I think it depends. If a planner understands their client’s needs, they might more readily know who they should use as a designer or florist.

3. Should a designer have direct contact with a client without their planner’s knowledge? No, they should not. This could potentially create confusion with the project, not to mention undermining the planner’s authority.

4. Is a florist responsible for creating floor plans? That’s easy, no. This should be the responsibility of the planner.

5. If there is a planner and a designer/florist involved, should you bill the clients directly? This depends on the agreement you made with the planner. Personally, I prefer billing directly.

6. If a planner gets a designer a job, or a designer gets a planner a job, should they expect a commission? I know this might be common practice in many areas, but I’ll say a big NO.Ultimately the clients pay, one way or another.

7. Can banquet managers in hotels and venues plan an event? Absolutely not. However, most of them are terrific the day of.

8. Should a florist or designer go to a food tasting? No, it’s up to the the planner to manage all food and beverages.

9. Is it essential for the florist or designer to remain at the event all night after finishing their installation? Only if it’s requested by the planner or client. And also if they are concerned that something might fall. (At times I cannot sleep while the event is happening because of this concern.)

10. Last but not least, is it better to have one person doing both planning and designing? Doing both planning and designing takes a lot of effort and experience. You better know what you are doing, otherwise forget it.”

Check out more from Preston Bailey by clicking here!

If you’re looking for top-notch service with breathtaking backdrops, Jumby Bay is the destination for you! Our new favorite romantic honeymoon location is second to none, the recent site of Kellie Pickler and Kyle Jacob’s intimate wedding ceremony, captured by Joe Buissink (Check out People.com). Here is a little excerpt about heaven:

“Set on a 300-acre private Caribbean island, Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort casts a spell of serene enchantment. Nestled two miles off the coast of Antigua, the exclusive resort is a naturalist’s haven noted for its lush landscape, stately palm trees and three superb, white sand beaches. A secluded hideaway accessible only by boat, the luxury resort is known worldwide for providing discerning travelers with world-class service and distinguished amenities.”

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Elegant Weddings by Angela has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for wedding planning!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Elegant Weddings stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Angela and her team for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Elegant Weddings is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

We have all heard the saying, “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue,” but many of us have no idea where this tradition originated from?  In today’s modern world, brides adhere to this rich tradition but the origin and meaning a far from our grasp.  This tradition originated out of the Victorian era and was designed to bring the best of luck to the bride on her wedding day!  Here’s a peek into the meanings behind the traditions that make up a part of your special day!

*Something old: refers to an item that is worn in order to retain the connections with your family after your wedding day, as in continuing the past into the future.  Old items have become accustomed to being antique, family heirlooms, or sentimental pieces.

*Something new: represents optimism for the future and the bride and husband creating a new unity and vision. Be creative ladies, your wedding dress can be the “new” item but why not opt for a unique headpiece that’s so trendy right now.

*Something borrowed: is an item on your wedding day that is used to symbolize your love and happiness for the person from whom you borrowed it from.

*Something blue: is to symbolize a couple’s fidelity, love, and good fortune to each other.  One of the most popular “blue” items that brides wear is a blue garter.

Let’s not forget about the last something, for which you may or may not have heard of, which is the sixpence in your shoe!  Typically the coin is placed in the bride’s left shoe, but can also be carried in the bride’s purse!

Now that we have all the facts down it is time to shop for your fabulous “Something’s” that will truly make your special day even more meaningful!  Click here if you are in need of a little help gathering your “something’s” for your special day! You’ll find some of the cutest garters you’ve ever seen in your life!

Don’t forget to visit and “like” our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter!

At Elegant Weddings, we love creating something that is going to wow your guests and are we constantly finding new ways to keep them guessing. In the Spring 2011 Enchanted Brides magazine, the article –  ”Unveiling Your Vision,” is a behind the scenes view of how we worked with this bride and groom to transform their venue into something no one had ever seen before.

Images captured by Kevin Wimpy Photography.

Check out one of our feature weddings, “Southern Bride, Modern Twist,” in the 2011 Spring Enchanted Brides Magazine! Beautiful pictures captured by Lesli and Bill Emmetts of Divine Images.

We just wanted to share these kind words from the Father and Mother of the bride -

Angela,

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed Erin’s wedding- my family had sooooo much fun. We have had many comments about the wedding from our out of town friends-”first class”, “couldn’t have done anything else to make it more perfect”, “so much fun”, “we had a blast”, “everything was beautiful” “food was great”. So much more- but I just had to let you know. To the finest detail- the most perfect day- (thanks for your prayers for great weather as well!)  Seriously- we could not have done it without you. I know that Erin and Kyle had the time of their lives.  You and all of the vendors worked with us so well.  Thank you for allowing Erin to have her dream wedding, and helping us stick to a budget, but yet have a very elegant perfect day!  Thanks again for a fabulous wedding- I will be happy to tell any bride or her family that you would be the ONLY choice in Nashville for a wedding planner!!

To Our Vendors:

Thank you each and every one of you for making Erin and Kyle’s wedding day such a success. It was the perfect day. You all were so very accommodating as well as working within our budget. Our out of town guests just had wonderful things to say. Chase, Blake, and Angela- you transformed a stable and carriage house into the most beautiful wedding venue I have seen. It was magical- and exactly what Erin envisioned (only better). The music was fabulous- the dance floor was always full- I know people would have stayed until dawn if they could- Shannon- so many compliments in regards to the food- it was wonderful!!!  Thank you again for a perfect day and night-Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you ever need us for referrals!  All of our best to each of you.

All my best,
TJ & Bob-Mother & Father of Bride

A gorgeous summer wedding that we planned was featured in Style Me Pretty’s Best Weddings of 2010! Check out the beautiful publication here! From the East Coast to the West, all the way to here in the South, there are ideas galore! Enjoy!

Hi Angela,

I just wanted to send a note and let you know how incredible Jacki Wishersham was during my friend Liz’s wedding. She was so great – on top of everything and became more than just a wedding planner to us all. She was so special and she made the day even more special than it already was. I just wanted you to know that.

Jaclyn

A glimpse into the Watters Trunk Show:

Brides, time to get out your suitcases and go shopping! Bridal trunk shows are in full swing all around the country with prestigious designers showcasing some of their most inspiring pieces in their collection! Some of you have probably been to a trunk show before, but most of you reading this are probably asking yourself, “What is a trunk show?” Trunk shows showcase a specific designer’s full collection for the upcoming season. Bridal boutiques and salons may not actually order every dress so it’s a chance for you as a bride to see it first!

Just this past week the Watters trunk show has been featured in many bridal stores around the southeast region to display their high fashion couture spring collection. Vatana Watters is a world famous bridal designer and has been designing for over 20 years. Any traditional or trendy bride can wear this couture bridal gown collection, accented with unique beading and flowers that have been hand done! From vintage lace to a simple silk flower, this couture designer pushes the envelope with her chic and innovative ideas.  Featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, the Watters 2011 romantic spring collection is surely one all brides should try on this year!

Ladies, if you are looking for a dress that no one else has, then be sure to check your area for the latest trunk show news! Be sure to visit the Watters website at www.watters.com to take a peek at their new spring 2011 collection! Pictured here are a few of our favorite dresses, complimentary from Watters.com

Here are some kind words from a bride’s mother:

Angela,

The ceremony at Scarritt Bennett was lovely.  Everyone thinks it was fabulous.  Their songs, readings, pastor John, Nana and Pops, the chapel/alter and flowers/petals by Jimm Wright.  The reception:  Levy’s really looked great, and a lot of positive comments on the food.  Everyone loved the band, The Respectables, and they really did try to “party “. It was just plain FUN.  The  Maples Wedding cake- the amaretto was to die for.  It was a real hit.  Lots of compliments.  The house party was a big hit.   John said he isn’t easily impressed, but we impressed him.  Had numerous people ask me to plan their weddings?  Ha, no thanks.  I’ll send them your way.  Thank you for everything.  I loved working with you.  If I can ever do anything for you, you just let me know.

With much admiration and appreciation,

Marianne, Mother of Bride

Photos Captured by Ann Wade Parrish

We would like to share with you that Street Tuxedo has a SPECIAL for February grooms!  They are now offering ANY IN STOCK TUXEDO for $99.95 COMPLETE!

Coat-Pant-Shirt-Vest-Tie-Shoes

This deal is unheard of and will only be for new February brides!  Stop by one of thier 3 locations and book your wedding by February 1st to receive this special price! And don’t forget if rent 5 tuxedos the 6th is FREE! Happy planning!

Contact Rachael Street at Street Tuxedo in Green Hills at 615.386.0500!

That’s right! We just got the news from Josie, the owner, that launching January 1st, PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is giving away a $2,000 wedding dress!  What better way to welcome the New Year and all of the new brides than by giving one lucky bride her wedding dress (and saving her all of that money!)

The contest will run from January 1st – January 31st, and the winner will be selected February 4th. Brides can enter here, and can also get bonus entries on PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com Facebook page.

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com currently has more than 6400 new, sample and used gowns for sale from over 150 different designers.  And they have a ton of search features like by designer, size, price, silhouette – even by local zip code.

Check out their website and take advantage of this contest! Good luck!

Here are some tips that fitness experts recommend:

*Start early! Like we said before, we want to lose weight the healthy way and not by eating one grape a day. Pace yourself so you can reach your goal weight before your last dress fitting.

*Eat breakfast. Novel idea, right? Even if you’re not hungry, at least have a protein shake or fruit to get your metabolism going.

*Cut out fast food – those fries aren’t helping your arteries..

*Try not to eat at least 3 hours before going to bed.

*Always remember: The goal of all of this is not to be a size zero. It is to be happy and healthy, you and your groom, in embarking on your new life together.

Happy New Year!!!