If you have dined around Nashville you may have seen this adorable logo on the menu:

This amazing company creates gourmet popsicles in delicious and unique flavors such as hibiscus, avocado, prune, and chai.  Of course, they also serve more traditional flavors such as chocolate and multiple fruits.  I love dessert anything so of course I adore these.  They have creamy style which is more like ice cream and fruit flavors that are like an Italian ice.

I have served many of these at summer weddings during the cocktail hour as a fun treat for guests. Look at how beautiful and colorful these delights are.  (And they taste even better)

Source: Experience Nash

If you can't find these treats near you, visit their store at 2907 12th Ave S, Nashville.

This fun wedding took place at Loveless Barn. I can't wait to share photos with you soon. Here is a quick timelapse of their day.

#benandkym2014

Many of us grew up with childhood memories and camping in the backyard or maybe a weekend trip.  But as I got older I realized that while I still love the outdoors, I'm not such a fan of traditional camping.

My family still takes frequent trips to go hiking, fly fishing or just to get away.  However, I have upgraded us to glamping. Instead of an air mattress and sleeping bag, I sleep on a bed with eucalyptus luxury sheets and a down comforter.  Because being in the outdoors doesn't have to mean "roughing it"

"Glamping" = Glamorous Camping. A luxury camping experience without sacrificing comfort

If you want a romantic getaway, a family reunion or a corporate retreat, contact me about creating the perfect glamping experience for you.

From gourmet catering and luxury linens to family style dinners there is an option available to suit your needs.  Want something around a theme such as vintage picnics or western campfires?  I can help make that happen.  Details can be customized to fit your preferences.

This service is available around the United States.

Why Glamping?

• Not everyone owns the equipment required to go camping
• Setting up campsights, tents and equipment takes time, knowledge and can be frustrating
• Allows you to enjoy and connect with nature with less "getting your hands dirty"

Contact me to plan your adventure

I had so much fun creating my tables and designs for this show.  Here is a little peek:

Casey and Steve knew they wanted a simple wedding for 200 of their close friend and family.

But the best part of their story is how they met:

They were each in the Peace Corps on a trip to Africa.  After a few false starts, they finally connected and started talking.  They discovered that they lived only a few hours apart; one in Tennessee, the other in Alabama.  But they had to travel halfway around the world to find each other.

Awww.....

(This fabric came from their trip)

A fun exit with pom poms and foam fingers. 

Vendors:

Photographer:  Hosey Photography

Venue: Marathon Music Works

Catering: Flavor Caters

Cupcakes: Dulce Desserts

Rentals: Music City Tents

When it comes to thinking about a DIY weddings, Martha Stewart has set the standard very high.  Basically you should grow your own flowers and food.

Then you should sew your own dress and bake your own cake.  (don't feel bad if you are an under achiever; I am too)

When it comes to being a crafty bride there is a right way and a wrong way to approach it.   My artsy and crafty brides have been some of my favorite weddings because I love working with their creativity.

1. Know why you want to do it. Most of my brides are DIY not because of price or saving money but because they want to create their own vision and express who they are.  For others, it is because they want something they haven't seen before.

2. Choose what is important.  While Martha can accomplish everything and still look polished, the rest of us tend to be.... well, less super human.  Pick the one area that is important to you and that matters.  Don't try to do it all.

3. Know your strengths and weaknesses.  What are your skills?  What are you good at?  If you are great at unique favors, then get that hot gun plugged in and start crafting.  But don't create the favors and feel successful and then decide to do the decor and then the flowers.  If you know that colors or design are your weakness, then find someone to fill that gap.

4. DIY doesn't mean do it alone or without vendors.  The most successful handcrafted weddings are the ones that make use of vendors.  I work well with DIY brides because I understand the need to express and create.  However, I can also make sure that the projects complement each other, the colors work well and we stay on a timeline.  Making amazing decor? How does that work with the florists designs?

5. Have a plan.  Know how the projects will get to the venue, how they will get assembled, and how they will get back to your home.  There is nothing worse than building a large project and realizing that you don't have a vehicle large enough to haul it.

This fall wedding was filled with beautiful autumn colors and a really great party.  And look at this stunning bride....

Watch the highlight reel:

Nashville TN Wedding Highlight Video --Ashley & Randy from Bruce B. Karcher on Vimeo.

Vendors:

Venue: Houston Station

Catering: A Ribbon of Chocolate

Florist: The Enchanted Florist

Photography: Affordable Wedding Photography

Videographer: Beyond the Still Image

Rentals: Southern Events

Draping & Lighting: Blue Nova Designs

I was recently contacted by Hannah Elaine Photography  (great middle name) and invited to participate on a styled shoot for The Not Wedding.  And, of course, I said YES!

The concept was a simple, backyard dinner party with close friends after the wedding is over.  Every couple needs a great reason to break out all the fun gifts they received.

I had so much fun connecting with some very talented people who helped create this shoot.

Oh and we had chickens!  I mean how could I resist...

My part was to design the table and help with product staging throughout the shoot.   Now on to some prettiness.

Love these "marital bliss" dinner invites.  And the green and gold envelope liners are perfect. 

Who wouldn't want to receive one of these favor boxes?  Chocolate, caramel and cookies...

(After a little rain delay we moved everything outside for dinner alfresco)

I said we had chickens.  And they color coordinated. 

Gold cake pops and a white two tier cake with gold decorations.  

We even had a custom cocktail created just for the shoot.

Peace in the Valley Cocktail

1.5 oz Belle Meade Bourbon (local)

.5 oz Yellow Chartreuse

.75 oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

.75 oz Honey Syrup (1:1 Honey:H2O)

Shake and strain into coupe

Garnish with Local Peach Twist

Here is a little peek from behind the scenes while we were dodging some rain drops. 

The Amazing Talent:

Photography:  Hannah Elaine Photography

Product Staging + Table Design:  Events by Elaine

Hair + Makeup: Hayley Bidez Makeup Artistry

Guest Party Favors:  Batch Nashville

Invitations, Name Cards + Favor Labels: Green Bean Paper Co.

Floral Arrangements: Rosemary & Finch

Dresses: The Bride Room

Linen + Tableware:  Southern Events

Cake + Cake Pops: The Frosted Affair

“Peace in the Valley” Signature Cocktail: Reuben Victor

I want to share some info about an amazing bridal show that I am participating in. But unlike typical shows, there are no endless rows of booths or a sea of vendors that all blur together.  The Not Wedding is instead a "fake" wedding where a real couple renews their vows.  And the vendors have to apply and a limited number are selected in each area.

The 2nd Nashville Not Wedding will take place on June 18th at 7:00 pm at Cannery Ballroom.

Get your tickets now. (Tickets usually sell out)  

I can't wait to meet you at the show.  

Well I guess it's a dirty acronym....bad acronym (sounds like a rock band....)

My crafty and DIY brides are some of my favorite.  I love seeing what they create.  However, make sure you do it right.

DIY sometimes get a bad name and here is why:

1. Bride's try to do things they aren't really talented at.  I have helped many brides by doing their bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces at the last minute when they realize that it is harder than it looks or they don't have the time or space.

Note: If you have never arranged flowers or baked a cake, doing it for the first time for your wedding it probably not a good idea.

2. They make everyone else work harder, kinda like the DIY version of a bridezilla.  Large projects might sound good, but will making your best friends work until 3am assembling full size cherry blossom trees help your friendship?

Note: Don't assume your friends or family wants to help with your crafty dreams

Creative commons Salicia 

3. They underestimate the time it will take. Working away the night before your wedding to finish projects is just a big NO!

Note: Start early and finish well before the wedding day.

Don't make these big mistakes and become a DIY bridezilla.  Trust me...your friends, family and wedding vendors will thank you.