Welcome Holly Ann!

Welcome to our newest ClarksvilleBrides.com member, Holly Ann Photography! Holly has a beautiful new website that you MUST go check out! You can view samples of her work, find out all about Holly and her photographic style, and check out her blog, where she not only talks about photography, but also all kinds of super-helpful wedding tips. Click here to visit hollyannphoto.com.

We're so excited for all of our new members this month! If you're interested in becoming a member of the ClarksvilleBrides.com community, contact beth@clarksvillebrides.com today!

Holly Ann Photography
Website: hollyannphoto.com
Phone: 607-280-3107
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Holly-Ann-Photography/380854387834

BaLaNcE Cakes!

Being willing to learn is a true sign of a great wedding vendor. Wedding trends are constantly changing and it's important that you choose vendors who are willing to take the time and effort to learn and master new trends. Heather Noble of Covered with Icing is definitely one of those vendors! She recently took a class with award winning cake artist Kaysie Lackey of The People's Cake, located in Seattle, Washington. Kaysie has many awards under her belt, including:
*2010 Best in Show, People's Choice and Best Use of Color at the Washington State Sugar Art Show
*2010 Food Network Challenge: Extreme Villain Cakes
*2010 Food Network Challenge: Paranormal Cakes
and more!

Heather attended Kaysie's 3 day class, which "focused on sculpting, hand painting, and stacking the balance cake. Everything is edible, including the plates, save for the very top of the teapot which is styrofoam. Balance cakes, like most sculpted cakes, are only done with fondant and with a cake that is more dense like my Five Flavor Pound Cake which took top honors at the TN State Fair or my Margarita Pound Cake." -Heather Noble, Covered with Icing

Want more info on balance cakes? Heather is able to do several tiers (see photo), growing smaller on each tier. The cake must be taken apart to be sliced and served, and the cake in the photos includes approximately 120 cake servings and took 26 hours of time. Because of the time, technique, and tools involved, balance cakes are more expensive than your average cake. For a Covered with Icing balance cake, depending on the design, the price starts at $8 per serving.

Contact Covered with Icing today for more information!

Covered with Icing
Website:www.coveredwithicing.com
Phone: 615-338-0466
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/coveredwithicing

WIN $500!!

Hey Brides! Don't forget to check out the online version of the second issue of Clarksville & Hopkinsville Weddings Magazine. When you're done reading it, be sure to complete the quick online survey to be automatically entered into a drawing to win $500 in wedding services from your choice of any advertiser in the issue.

Some of the advertisers include:
Makeup by Rockelle
Covered with Icing
C&K Catering & Personal Chef Services
Visions by Debra
Sango Village Florist
Something Blue Bridal Shoppe
Special Occasions Plus Bridal
The Bride's Boutique
McKenzie & Smiley Jewelers
Stella & Dot from Michele Gayler, Independent Stylist
Photography by Shea
Bethany Ann Photography
Joan of Art Photography
Laura Kay Photography
Hilton Garden Inn
James E. Bruce Convention Center
Turning Point Productions

To be eligible to win the $500 in wedding services, your survey must be submitted by 6:00pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011. The drawing will be held on April 1, 2011 so get your read on! Click here to check it out!

25% Off Special

This beauty to my left (the big, bold, fabulous one) is the Carnival Necklace from Stella & Dot. You can snag this fab piece of jewelry from our very own Stella & Dot Independent Stylist, Michele Gayler! "You can get the Carnival at 25% off in March with a $50 Trunk Show order!!" -Stella & Dot by Michele Gayler, Independent Stylist

Can't beat that ladies! This 25% off special runs through the end of this month so contact Michele today for more info!



Stella & Dot by Michele Gayler, Independent Stylist:
Phone: 931.338.2309
Website: www.stelladot.com/gaylergirls
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Stella-Dot-by-Michele-Gayler-Independent-Stylist/136963459669300?v=wall

Congrats River Teen!

Congratulations to Clarksville's new 2011 Miss River Teen, Sarah Gross! Sarah is a veteran model for The Bride's Boutique and has modeled gowns in several ClarksvilleBrides.com Featured Gown Shoots. She's also rocked the runway at the Clarksville Brides Wedding & Event Showcase for the past couple years.
(photo to right by Joan of Art Photography)

To the left is a sneak peak of Sarah from the newest soon-to-be released ClarksvilleBrides.com Featured Gown Shoot, highlighting gowns from The Bride's Boutique, photos by Laura Kay Photography, decor by Elements Event Planning & Design, and video by Turning Point Productions Videography.

2011 Miss River Teen Sarah Gross, along with the 2011 Miss River Queen, will reside over Rivers & Spires, which takes place April 14-16. Congratulations Sarah!!!

Ch-Ch-Changes

We've got some new "stuff" (for lack of a better word) goin' down on the ClarksvilleBrides.com site! Venues have been split into 2 categories: Tennessee and Kentucky. For all you brides-to-be out there, be sure to check out both sections of the site. We have SO many amazing bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception venue options, so don't let state lines be your boundaries. :)

Cakes and Catering have also parted ways (no hard feelings). :) One of our newest website members, Ms. Ann's Restaurant and TeaHouse, not only offers delicious catering at their venue, but will also deliver to your venue!

We've also posted a new featured wedding - click here to check it out - Ryan & Joann had a ClarksvilleBrides.com member-packed wedding last fall and we'll be blogging about all of the details next month.

We gained 3 fantastic new website members this month, Simply Timeless Events, Twilight Photography, and Katie Wright Photography. If you haven't had a chance to check out their sites, definitely take the time to do so. They are all fabulous new additions to the ClarksvilleBrides.com community!

And one of our old members (that came out wrong...sorry Bethany!) Bethany Ann Photography has a brand spankin new ad on the site. Click here to check it out!

That's all the changes for now! But there's more to come, so stay tuned...

Special Occasions PLUS Bridal

Special Occasions Plus Bridal isn't just the place to go for wedding gowns. They also offer a variety of other wedding items and services:

*Accessories - jewelry, shoes, purses, slips, tiaras, veils, and plenty of bling!
*Floral - bouquets, centerpieces, wreaths
*Formal Wear - bridesmaids dresses, flower girl dresses, tuxedo rental, prom/pageant dresses
*Rentals - candelabras, arch, columns, wicker baskets, urns

How great it that?? While you're shopping for your wedding gown, you can also start the wedding planning process by learning about rentals & floral from Special Occasions Plus Bridal!

Special Occasions Plus Bridal
1204 Liberty Street
Hopkinsville,KY 42240
Phone:(270) 885-1730
Website: www.specialoccasionsplusbridal.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=404886325030&ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=404886325030&v=wall

NEW Cake Photos

I LOVE checking out new photos of wedding cakes - they're perfect for finding wedding inspiration and really, they're just pretty to look at! :) We have a couple new cakes from Gayle Howard of Yaya's Cake Shoppe.

This first photo (to the left) features a 4 tier square cake, consisting of yellow cake with white butter cream Icing. Yaya's decorated the cake with white swiss dots and kelly green scroll work around the bottom of each tier. The topper was made from fresh flowers supplied by the bride.

Photo number two (to the right) is of a round 3 tiered cake, each tier composed of a different flavor. The bottom tier was a white cake with raspberry filling, the middle tier was a lemon cake with lemon filling, and the top tier was a coconut cake with a coconut sour cream filling. Yaya's iced the cake with butter cream icing and decorated it with edible pearls and handmade fuchsia gum paste flowers.

Lovin these new cakes via Yaya's Cake Shoppe! You can view more cake photos in the Cake Gallery on ClarksvilleBrides.com.

Yaya's Cake Shoppe
Website: http://yayascakeshoppe.com
Phone: 615-382-7707
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yayas-Cake-Shoppe/108165182548917?ref=ts
Email: yayascakestn@yahoo.com

Help from the Hilton

So, I just recently (like yesterday) discovered how awesome the Hilton Garden Inn website is! The wedding section of the site is totally wedding planning friendly, including a Wedding Checklist and all the information you need to plan your perfect Hilton Garden Inn wedding!


My favorite part of the site has to be their room layout software. You can download the software from their site and create the seating arrangement for your event. This is SO great, because it gives you the exact layout and dimensions of the room that you'll be using at your specific Hilton Garden Inn. You then create your custom room layout and you can email the design to the hotel, so they know exactly how the room should be arranged. I LOVE it!! Click here to check it out!

For my budget brides, HGI offers wedding planning assistance and on-site banquet facilities, providing delicious food and top-notch service! "Hilton Garden Inn is proof positive that it's possible to plan an exquisite wedding for a modest price." -hiltongardeninn.hilton.com

"Garden Inns also are equipped with an array of common-sense conveniences, including:
In-room microwave & refrigerator
Complimentary high-speed Internet access
24-hour complimentary business center
Pavilion Pantry® convenience mart
Fitness center & Stay-fit Kit™
Swimming pool and whirlpool
Get more value out of your Hilton wedding with Hilton Garden Inn."
-hiltongardeninn.hilton.com

Contact our local Hilton Garden Inn at 931-647-1096 for more info about their wedding services!

Photos courtesy of Bethany Ann Photography; Gowns courtesy of Something Blue Bridal Shoppe

Hilton Garden Inn
290 Alfred Thun Road (at Exit 4)
Clarksville, TN
Phone: 931-647-1096
Email: tara.craig@hilton.com

Country Chic Wedding: The Planner

Blog segment submitted by Carly Rager, Carly Rager Event Design & Coordinating

I must say that this couple just stole my heart. From the first meeting with Jac & Houston I knew that without a doubt they were completely in love and meant to be... My first contact with Jac was simply through a few email exchanges...a few days later Jac wanted to set up a meeting to interview me...I must say the meeting went amazing, we hit it off and I think I may have had more ideas about their "country chic rustic wedding" than she expected. I get very excited about new and different ideas...

My number one goal in any wedding is to make sure the bride's vision comes to life. When she said country chic but also rustic my mind immediately thought of burlap and milk glass. She absolutely loved hydrangea and brought me a picture of her ideal bouquet. I had no doubt in my mind that Sango Village Florist would be able to handle the job for her simple, understated yet beautiful floral idea. Jac had been trying to work out arrangements with a photographer and was having trouble getting calls back and definite answers. After a few weeks of this I suggested that she and Houston just go and have a meeting with Joanie @ Joan of Art Photography. I knew she would wow them with her amazing personality and awesome pictures. So that was 2 things off the list.

...We booked The Cumberland Room for March 12, 2011 and were on our way to getting everything in place. Jac had asked me if I knew of any churches that were close to the reception. I told her about this cute little country church that sat on top of a hill just right down the road. She and Houston took a drive out there and instantly knew that Antioch United Methodist Church was the place where the two of them would be married.

When it came to cakes, this was easy. One tasting with Heather of Covered with Icing, Jac booked her on the spot. Now on to finding a caterer. When trying to find a caterer I always like to call ahead and get prices, because while some may have amazing food sometimes it comes with out of budget prices. Budget is the second most important thing to me when planning a wedding. I had heard that Relish was getting into special event catering so I gave them a call...I set up a tasting for that same week...We tasted baked chicken breast with an option of 4 dipping sauces, loaded mashed potatoes, home style green beans and mac~n~cheese. Leisa also whipped up some flavored teas and spritzers. We left that night and the two were going to talk it over. First thing the next morning Jac called me to ask if I could get the contract and get them locked in for the date.

Now that we have come to the end of 2010 and were heading in to 2011, I sat Jac up a meeting with Jenifer Shaffer of You're Invited Invitations. We were just about 3 months away and the time to get invitations out was quickly coming. Jenifer was able to create a very personal invitation for Jac and Houston as well as address and mail the invites for them. This was such a relief for Jac. She did not have to worry one bit with any of it. Jac and I met up at the Clarksville Brides Bridal show in January and I introduced her to a few of my favorite vendors. First on the list was Danielle and Marshall of Clarksville Linen Rental. We sat at their booth and picked out the linen colors that would suit our overall idea. Next stop was to see DJ Folley of Big Fish Entertainment for DJ service and lighting. Last stop was to show Jac the new photo booth that Party Station Rentals had just received the week before the show...

Who would have thought that 7 months ago when we picked March 12, 2011 as THE day, it would be 74 degrees and the sun would be shining, I mean technically it was still winter! It was an absolute perfect day for a perfect couple. Congratulations Jac and Houston. Thank you for letting me have such a large part in planning your amazing wedding day. The two of you and your families were a blessing to work with.
-Carly Rager

Click here to read the full posts on Carly Rager's Blog.

Carly Rager Event Design & Coordinating
Website: carlyrager.com
Phone: 615-417-1283
Email: carlyragerevents@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000527623713&ref=ts

Magnolia House Weddings

If you haven't been to Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast, it's totally worth a ride downtown to check it out! With wedding packages starting at $200, and a venue for indoor and outdoor weddings up to 50 people, it's a great location for an intimate ceremony and reception.

(photo by Digital Diamonds Photography)

Magnolia House Wedding Packages:

Ultimate Package
Our Ultimate Package includes use of the house and gardens for 4 hours, white garden chairs, officiant, fresh flower wedding bouquet and boutonniere with your choice of color, floral centerpiece, reception with hot appetizer meatballs or chicken fingers in chafing dish, vegetable tray, quiche tray, meat/cheese/grape tray, mixed nuts, sliced French bread, chips, two-tier wedding cake, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and your choice of either our king room with bath or our two-room queen suite with bath, and a two-course breakfast. We will be happy to play special music provided by you, if desired.

For up to 35 persons: 1,899 plus tax
For up to 25 persons: 1,699 plus tax
Additional guests up to 50 are $30 per person

We offer a selection of other entrees for a more complete meal at an additional cost of $5.00 per person.You may choose two entrees from the following:
Fresh shrimp, BBQ with cornbread, chicken alfredo or roast beef.
You may provide champagne or wine.

Intimate Package
Our Intimate Package is available for those who desire a very small, intimate wedding with up to 10 persons. We provide our home and garden for one hour for your exclusive use, an officiant, bridal bouquet and boutonniere, reception with wedding cake and tea, suite for one night with a complete breakfast.

For up to 10 persons: $550 plus tax
You may provide your own champagne or wine. Deduct $120 if accommodations are not desired.

Elopement Package
We provide a beautiful setting indoors or out with our officiant and a witness.
Price is $200, plus tax. Call us to reserve a time for your romantic wedding.

Package info via magnoliabb.com

Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast
1231 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN
Phone: 931-801-6992
Website: magnoliabb.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Magnolia-House-Bed-Breakfast-Inn/125331937531925

WELCOME Katie Wright!!

Welcome to our newest ClarksvilleBrides.com member Katie Wright Photography! You might already know Katie from her booth at the Bridal Expo last month. She's a super talented, super creative, super nice photographer who LOVES shooting weddings and strives to help make the wedding day special and fun for her brides & grooms!

I was absolutely blown away the first time I saw Katie's photos! I had heard that she was crazy nice and to be so crazy talented was just a double whammy! :) Sprinkled throughout this post are some of the first photos that I viewed from Katie Wright Photography. They're from Alex & Lauren's wedding day at the James E. Bruce Convention Center. (click on photos to enlarge)

You can click here to see more of Alex & Lauren's wedding photos on Katie Wright Photography's site.

Katie Wright Photography
Website: www.katiewrightphotography.org
Phone: 270-881-2543
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Wright-Photography/120122731356896?ref=ts

Riverview Inn Coupon

Make sure you grab a copy of the most recent Coupon Mint magazine for a sweet deal from the Riverview Inn: Book a Wedding/Reception Banquet Room and Receive the Rehearsal Dinner Banquet Rental FREE!!
(click on image to enlarge)

The Riverview Inn has special wedding packages ranging from $2000 to $6000, including room rental, catering, linens, decor, set-up and clean-up services, Honeymoon suites, hotel rooms for your guests, and more! Click here for a list of their wedding packages and don't forget to take advantage of the Riverview Inn's FREE Rehearsal Dinner Banquet Rental! This offer expires June 9, 2011 - click here to check out the coupon.

Riverview Inn
Website: www.theriverviewinn.com/rvstie/
Address: 50 College Street, Clarksville, TN
Phone: 931-552-3331
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theriverviewinn
Email: renee@theriverviewinn.com

Country Chic Wedding: The Photos

So, RECAP: Over the past few days we've posted about the super awesome "Country Chic" ClarksvilleBrides.com member-packed wedding from this past weekend. We've covered the flowers, we've covered the cake, we've covered the linens...but there's no point in having all these fabulous details if you don't have fabulous photos to remember them. That's where Joan of Art Photography stepped in! Joan took some seriously amazing photos last weekend and she already has a photo slide show up for your viewing pleasure! Here are a couple photos from the wedding day to get you started. And don't forget to click here to check out the slide show!

Joan of Art Photography
Website: www.joanofartphotography.com
Phone: 931.216.2464
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joan-of-Art-Photography/10249418911?ref=ts
Email: peacherevans@aol.com

Country Chic Wedding: The Linens

Continuing on with details from this past weekends' Country Chic wedding, we have the linens! Jac & Houston's wedding planner Carly Rager, of Carly Rager Event Design and Coordinating, contacted Clarksville Linen Rental with a request for tea green linens. "I LOVE color at a reception so I was super excited to be able to provide that for them." -Danielle Lear, Clarksville Linen Rental

Along with the 120" Round Poly Tea Green Tablecloths, CLR also provided White Poly Banquet Chair Covers. Jac purchased the burlap and cut in into runners and overlays for the reception tables. Topped with vintage mason jars and milk glass vases filled with floral arrangements from Sango Village Florist, the tea green tablecloths were the perfect foundation for the "country chic" look that the couple desired.

(photos courtesy of Carly Rager Event Design & Coordinating)

"We're having a March Special this month for the same tea green linens that Jac & Houston used. THIS MONTH ONLY, reserve 120" Round Tea Green Poly Tablecloths for any 2011 or 2012 date and receive 25% off the selected linens. This special is only good through the end of the month, so contact us today to reserve your linens!" -Danielle Lear, Clarksville Linen Rental

Clarksville Linen Rental
Phone: 931-920-4220
Website: www.clarksvillelinenrental.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/clarksvillelinenrental
Email:info@clarksvillelinenrental.com

Country Chic Wedding: The Cake

We're still featuring details from our local "Country Chic" wedding this past weekend. Today is all about the cake! (yay!) Jac chose Heather Noble of Covered with Icing to create her wedding cake. The "flavors were Strawberry and Spice cake with Cheesecake filling/buttercream. The pattern was a modified Paisley print that matched the invitations." -Heather Noble, Covered with Icing
Heather hand-piped on the paisley print in purple (P.S. the print matched the groom's tie as well...it's all about the details!). Jac picked out the topper. The birds were originally on a heavy wooden bottom that Jac wasn't fond of, but she didn't know how to remove it. When Heather got to the venue to deliver the cake, she used dowel cutting shears to remove the base. There's nothing better than a handy vendor!!

If you'd like to sample some of Heather's delicious cakes, Covered with Icing will be at Wedding 101, in Franklin, TN, from 11-5 TODAY (and every second Tuesday of the month). Heather will be there with cake samples and other treats! She also does free consultations on Mondays and Tuesdays every week and will work out schedule conflicts beyond that.

(photos courtesy of Carly Rager Event Design & Coordinating)

Covered with Icing
Website:www.coveredwithicing.com
Phone: 615-338-0466
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/coveredwithicing

Country Chic Wedding: The Flowers

So, we had a seriously ClarksvilleBrides.com member-packed wedding this past weekend. Jac & Houston got married this past Saturday at Antioch United Methodist Church. Jac & Houston had the definition of a "Country Chic" wedding, and I LOVED it! Their planner, Carly Rager of Carly Rager Event Design and Coordinating, helped them create the Southern Chic wedding that they ever-so desired! There are SO many details that I can't wait to share, and today, we'll start with the flowers. I'm pretty sure only photos can express how perfect the floral arrangements were for a southern wedding.

Simple and GORGEOUS! Sango Village Florist did an amazing job making TONS of tiny arrangements for the delicate centerpieces, composed of milk glass vases and vintage mason jars. Seriously, big round of applause to SVF for this one! (and special thanks to Carly Rager for the centerpiece photos; click on photos to enlarge)




The centerpieces weren't the only amazing creations from Sango Village Florist that day - Jac & her bridesmaids carried beautiful bouquets photographed here by Joan of Art Photography.(see photos to left)


Courtney Berlyak, owner of SVF, expressed to me what a joy Jac was to work with and I think it really shows in the final product. Jac trusted her vendors to create something wonderful and Sango Village Florist did not disappoint!


Sango Village Florist
3381 Hwy 41A South Clarksville, TN 37043
Phone: (931)358-3300
Website: www.sangovillageflorist.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Sango-Village-Florist/42268424838

Manager's Special

Manager's Special Discount from C&K Catering & Personal Chef Services: Book a catering consultation with C&K this week, and you'll be eligible to receive an additional $100 OFF your wedding meal (this would be on top of the 15% discount that Chef Corey already offers to bridal show attendees).

You have to book your appointment by TODAY, Sunday, March 13 and you will receive the discount when you attend the consultation and reserve C&K for your wedding day. Just to clarify, you don't have to have the consultation by today, you just have to book it by today! Here's some FAQ about catering consultations from C&K Catering & Personal Chef Services Business Manager, Kristie L. Sibley:

What Can You Expect At A Consultation Appointment?

At the consultation we will assist you with menu planning and selection. We also provide estimates for the cost of services. In addition, we will be happy to discuss other services that we offer such as Event Planning, Décor & Design, Linen & Dinnerware Rentals, Wedding Cakes, Wait Staffing & Bartending & Entertainment Services.

So What Do I Do Next?

Book Your Appointment!!! You do not have to have an appointment this week, you just have to book it! We highly recommend a consultation appointment where we can answer any of your questions. Please email sales@chefcorey.com with your preferred consultation appointment date & time or you can fill out the event questionnaire on our website at www.chefcorey.com at the "contact us" page. Our consultation hours are Mon - Thurs between 5pm -7pm central time. We book appointments at 5 pm and 6:30pm.

Where Will the Consultation Take Place?

Good Question! The consultation will take place at our sales office - Cummins Station 209 10th Ave South Suite 332 Nashville TN 37203 OR at our Clarksville location Emmanuel Family Life Center Dining Facility 303 Fairview Lane Clarksville, TN.

You can view all of Chef Corey's 6 featured menus on their recently renovated website, www.chefcorey.com (just click on the menus tab). Don't forget to contact C&K TODAY for your consultation, and you'll be on your way to your $100 discount!

C&K Soul Foods Catering & Personal Chef Services
Website: www.chefcorey.com
Phone: 888-484-5111
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ckcatering
Email: catering@chefcorey.com

Angel Wings

Alright Army Brides, I have a treat for you! McKenzie and Smiley Jewelers is now offering Red, White & Blue Angel Wings! The entire line of Angel Wings has arrived at their store - the 14k white gold angel wing is diamond, genuine ruby and sapphire for $995.00, and the silver version of the same pendant is $799.00. McKenzie & Smiley has Angel Wings starting at $149.00 so visit the store today to check them out!
McKenzie and Smiley Jewelers
2794 Wilma Rudolph Blvd, Clarksville, TN
931-553-0555
2321 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN (Next to Sango Walmart)
931-553-8790
Website: www.mckenziesmiley.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/McKenzie-and-Smiley-Jewelers/64849864657?ref=ts#!/pages/McKenzie-and-Smiley-Jewelers/64849864657

Brides Giving Back

With everything going on in Japan right now, I'm going to pause from our normal posting to blog about giving back. There are so many less fortunate people out there who need help - your wedding day is special, so why not use that special day to help others. Charity is contagious - if your guests see you giving back, they will be more encouraged to do the same. There are many ways for you to help, and I've listed a few below:

Brides Against Breast Cancer - you can purchase a wedding gown & proceeds are donated to Making Memories or you can donate your used gown

I Do Foundation - create a charity registry, create an online registry where 10% of purchases are donated to your favorite charity, etc

Charity Wedding Favors

Charity Gift Cards

-Ask your wedding vendors if they ever donate a portion of their proceeds to charity. For example, last October, several ClarksvilleBrides.com members recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month by donating a portion of their proceeds to a local breast cancer awareness group

There are TONS of charity wedding ideas out there online - take some time to look around and see what works for you!

WIN $500!!

Hey Brides! Don't forget to check out the online version of the second issue of Clarksville & Hopkinsville Weddings Magazine. Like the cover photo? It was taken by the super fun, always fabulous Joan of Art Photography! Joan is one of my favorite wedding vendors - she's always happy, always fun, and always a pleasure to work with! You can see more of Joan's photos inside the magazine, and when you're done reading it, complete the quick online survey to be automatically entered into a drawing to win $500 in wedding services from your choice of any advertiser in the issue. The drawing will be held on April 1, 2011 so get your read on!

Click here to check it out!

Joan of Art Photography
Website: www.joanofartphotography.com
Phone: 931.216.2464
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joan-of-Art-Photography/10249418911?ref=ts
Email: peacherevans@aol.com

A Sugar Grove Wedding

Blog submitted by Danielle Lear, Turning Point Productions

Forever ago (September), I shot my first HD wedding at Sugar Grove Carriage House in Oak Grove, Kentucky. We had just made the switch from standard to HD and I was looking for a nice, happy couple to help me try out the new high def equipment. A photog friend of mine, we'll call her "Bethany", had the PERFECT couple! She was already capturing their wedding day - photo style - and thought they'd be the perfect couple for a free HD video. Not only were they fun and nice, but I also happen to share a last name with the groom, so I'm pretty sure it was fate!

The couple's ceremony and reception venue was Sugar Grove Carriage House. "Present day 'Sugar Grove', nestled in the beautiful rolling open fields of southern Kentucky, offers a unique blend of rustic charm and elegance for your special event. The Carriage House, Pergola Garden and fireplace, the tiny Guest house, walking trails, horses and carriages, and the farmhouse residence with large open grassy lawn offers all the options needed for your...weddings and receptions..." -sugargrovecarriagehouse.com

Their website blurb (above) does not lie! The ride up Sugar Grove's driveway to the venue is gorgeous! Ponds, horses, and acres upon acres of beautiful farmland surround the location, and I loved every bit of it. I met Bethany Ann Photography at Sugar Grove that afternoon and we had such a great time capturing James & Andrea's wedding day at such a perfect venue. You can check out their highlight's film below and click here to see their spectacular wedding photos via Bethany Ann Photography.



Sugar Grove Carriage House
9650 Palmyra Rd, Oak Grove, Ky. 42262
Phone: 270-886-2871
Website: sugargrovecarriagehouse.com

Cover Worthy

Peaked at this month's Clarksville Family Magazine yet?? The cover photo was taken by our very own ClarksvilleBrides.com member, Laura Kay Photography!

I, capital "L", Love Laura Kay's photos! She's an amazing wedding photographer and she's even been featured in Houston Brides Magazine. (click here to read more)

Beyond being a fabulous photographer, she's also crazy nice and would be the perfect addition to any lucky bride's wedding day.

Laura Kay Photography
Website: www.laurakayphoto.com
Phone: (931) 320-9395
Email: laura@laurakayphoto.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Kay-Photography/136770952552?v=wall

Fav Flav

I LOVE CAKE! But really, who doesn't, right? Asking me what my favorite flavor is, is like asking me what my favorite Led Zeppelin song is...I just can't choose! If any of you brides out there have the same issue (with cake, not classic rock), no worries! Your wedding cake doesn't have to be just one flavor! Last fall, Verna Chlupsa, The Cake Artist, created a beautiful cake for Andrea & James, each layer composed of a different favorite flavor. There was an orange tier, a lime tier, and a vanilla with raspberry filling tier.

I think a great benefit of having different flavors is the ability to appeal to more of your guests taste buds. As each tier was sliced and served, guests were excited to see what flavor came next! And if, for example, your Aunt Sally doesn't like lime, that's okay! She can enjoy a nice slice of orange cake instead. :)

To find out your favorite flavors, contact The Cake Artist today for a tasting!

(photos by Bethany Ann Photography)

The Cake Artist
Phone: 270.522.8901
Website: thecakeartistonline.com

Tea Time

Interested in checking out our newest ClarksvilleBrides.com venue, Ms. Ann's Restaurant and TeaHouse? Well, good news! Ms. Ann's offers unique public special event opportunities all throughout the year. 10 days from now (March 16), Ms Ann's is hosting an Irish Tea at 3:30PM. They're also celebrating St Patrick's Day with their St Patrick's Luncheon on March 17. This is the PERFECT opportunity to go check out the new venue - Ms. Ann's has table seating for 50, which makes it the ideal location for parties, bridal showers, receptions, bridal luncheons, etc.

"Like" Ms. Ann's on Facebook to keep up with their special events all throughout the year. Look for Easter Brunch and Tea in April, Mother's Day Luncheon and Mother's Day Tea in May, etc. All special event teas are Full Afternoon Teas, so take advantage of these opportunities to scope out Ms. Ann's for your next event.

Ms. Ann's Restaurant and TeaHouse
1507 South Main Street, Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Hours: Wed – Sat 11AM-2PM | Sundays 12:15 | Other Hours by Appointment
Phone: (270) 874 2922
Website: www.msanns.com
Email: ms.anns@yahoo.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/MsAnns/149766611730788

Here Come the Brides

Stella & Dot Independent Stylist Michele Gayler and Covered with Icing will be at the Here Come the Brides Bridal Show tomorrow! The show is at The Factory in Franklin on Sunday, March 6 from 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Tickets are $8 at the door and $3 off with a canned good.

Be sure to stop by Covered with Icing's booth (grab a cake truffle for me!). "I will have incredible samples, cake truffles, and a miniature edible sculpture of myself, along with a drawing for a $50 gift certificate for wedding cake or favors when you sign in at my booth!" -Heather Noble, Covered with Icing

Michele's Stella & Dot booth is always one of my fav's to visit (see photo from the Bridal Expo). Bursting with gorgeous jewelry, perfect for not only the wedding, but also the honeymoon and beyond, you MUST stop by her booth for the latest and greatest that Stella & Dot has to offer!

Stella & Dot by Michele Gayler, Independent Stylist:
Phone: 931.338.2309
Website: www.stelladot.com/gaylergirls
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Stella-Dot-by-Michele-Gayler-Independent-Stylist/136963459669300?v=wall

Covered with Icing
Website:www.coveredwithicing.com
Phone: 615-338-0466
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/coveredwithicing

Welcome Simply Timeless Events!

Welcome to our newest ClarksvilleBrides.com member, Simply Timeless Events! Weddings - Showers - Birthdays - Honeymoon Planning - no event is too big or too small! Owner & Consultant Kristin M. Snyder is here to help you create the special event of your dreams!

Simply Timeless Events
Phone: 931-216-5331
Email: kristin@simplytimelessevents.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Simply-Timeless-Events/158430414210376

FREE Massage/Facial!

We have a seriously AMAZING deal from Tummy Solutions this month - they are offering a FREE "30 minute massage or facial to those brides/family who come in for a Lypossage consult." -Lorna Lewis, Tummy Solutions

Let me repeat that...it's FREE!! So contact Tummy Solutions today for your FREE massage or FREE facial! (I'm just a little excited about this) :)

Tummy Solutions
Phone: 931-906-8083
Website: tummysolutions.com

*March Special*

Click on photo to enlarge
Clarksville Linen Rental
Phone: 931-920-4220
Website: Clarksville Linen Rental
Facebook: www.facebook.com/clarksvillelinenrental
Email:info@clarksvillelinenrental.com