New Wedding Blog Feature! Announcing REAL NASHVILLE WEDDINGS at Embassy Suites!

If you're a regular to the world of wedding blogs, you know that lots of bloggers occasionally feature "real weddings" to give brides and planners alike some inspiration and ideas about what's popular for weddings. While I enjoy reading these and looking at the pictures as much as the next gal, I do sometimes find it frustrating because I wonder how "real" some of the features are. Too often there is little explanation about the people themselves or all of the work that went into their event. Or it is quite apparent that their "budget" is limitless, which is not something to which most of us can relate.

I decided today that OUR brides should get some internet love and attention, so I'm going to start a new blog feature for REAL NASHVILLE WEDDINGS at Embassy Suites! I have the great pleasure of working with some wonderful couples on real weddings all throughout the year, so it's time you met them too! Check back soon for the first installment, and keep an eye on our Facebook page and Twitter for updates. We're looking forward to showing you how Weddings Are Sweet at Embassy Suites!

Lovely Bridal Show Pics!

We recently participated in the Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show at the Frist on Sunday, February 21. Did you attend? If not, you missed a very nice boutique show with lots of information, lots of cupcakes, and lots of people ready to help with every aspect of your wedding planning!

Here is a snapshot of our exhibit, which was designed with a retro 1940s-1950s theme to introduce our new Hollywood Glamour upgrade for wedding receptions! If you are a Glamour Girl and you're looking for a reception venue that will help you infuse this kind of style into your event, give us a call!

We call these Mar-teenys! They were filled with lemonade for the show, but how fun would it be to have real martinis or your signature cocktail passed in these miniature glasses during your cocktail hour? The possibilities are endless...

Special thanks to Connie Duglin Linen for providing the linen for the show! =)

May Showers Can't Dampen Our Beautiful Weddings!

This month has certainly been a damp one outside, but weddings are still cozy and sweet at the Embassy Suites! I wanted to share with everyone the latest events since it has been a while since I've posted new pictures.

We were fortunate enough this month to work with Wendy and her amazing staff at One Source Weddings when they created one of the most beautiful events we've EVER had here. Our Grand Ballroom was the location for both the wedding ceremony AND reception, which is not our norm, but everything flowed well and looked incredible.

The walls and ceiling of the ballroom were draped with white fabric, lights were added to match the wedding color palette of blue and fuschia, dramatic and gorgeous centerpieces created by One Source Weddings provided a real "WOW" factor, and beautiful silver and white linens from our friend Liz at Connie Duglin Linen added a special touch of elegance. The lovely wedding cake was created by Signature Cakes by Vicki.

Spring and Summer Weddings!

Spring will be here soon (hopefully -- fingers crossed) and we are getting ready for a wonderful Spring and Summer wedding season!! I have spoken with a lot of brides recently who have always wanted a Spring or Summer wedding, but they are on the verge of making a decision to wait until later in the year or even next year because they think 1) everything is more expensive in the Spring / Summer and

2) the economy will get better. We all hope the economy

improves, and unfortunately, there isn't much I can do about that. However, what I can do is offer an incredible deal that might help those of you who would really like to move forward and HAVE that romantic Spring or Summer wedding you've always dreamed of!

We are going to offer an unprecedented 15 PERCENT off our package prices for any new wedding event booked to take place before August 31, 2009. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This could mean some serious savings for you. Why plan your wedding day at a location where you have to provide your own food, work with a ton of different vendors, and put all of your friends and family to work in order to make it all happen? Our professional, experienced staff is waiting to handle the details for you, and there has NEVER been a better time to take advantage of our award-winning service! Call us today, and be sure to mention our SPRING & SUMMER SPECIAL -- now is your opportunity to see why Weddings Are Sweet at Embassy Suites!!

Raising the Bar

Imagine attending a special event that you've been invited to. You've dressed in your very best and you walk into a gorgeous venue where you are met with smiling and familiar faces. You make your way through the crowd, stopping a few times to mingle with friends, and find a place to sit as you take in the stunning decor. As you think to yourself how fantastic everything looks, you are greeted by a member of the serving team, offering you a Miniature Beef Wellington. Just as you oblige and pick up the small delight, the server informs you that they are $3.75 each. While this scenario is a bit extreme, it is definitely comparable to setting up a Cash Bar at a wedding. One of the most common misconceptions about Cash Bars at Wedding Receptions is that they are completely acceptable and offer equal accommodation to your unsuspecting guests. Aside from the fact that your guests are usually unprepared, with little or no cash on their person, they are certainly not expecting to have any out of pocket expenses at an event that you invited them to. It is, without a doubt, akin to asking them to pay for their own food. Whenever discussing bar options with brides and grooms to be, the budget usually plays a critical role in what type of beverage service they are planning to offer their guests. In fact, in my experience, open or hosted bars are usually one of the first elements to be revisited when the budget starts to balloon. Believe it or not, there are many feasible (and budget friendly) options for beverage service that won't leave your guests holding the check. Let's explore some of the alternatives:

Red, White & Beer
Instead of going for a full open bar, consider offering only wine and beer. Beer is usually less expensive and most of your guests will graciously accept complimentary red or white wine.

Butlered Beverages
During the cocktail hour, forgo a traditional bar and have the venue's serving team butler pass wine and beer. Have you ever noticed how most people only take one hors d' oeuvre when it is presented to them by a server? This is mostly attributed to them not wanting to feel improper or overindulgent. The same holds true with kindly taking one beverage at a time and will help you get more beer for your buck.

Table Side Wine Service
This option allows for elegant presentation and is the perfect companion to Butlered Beverages. Once your guests transition from the cocktail hour into the dinner reception, have the servers present them with a choice of red or white wine for each course. This continues to eliminate the presence (and price tag) of a traditional bar

What's Your Signature
Delight your guests with a a special drink selected by you! Novelty Martini? Your favorite concoction? Décor matching cocktail? These personalized beverages are awesome and the possibilities are endless! Opting for Signature Drinks rather than a full bar is a sure way to keep your beverage budget intact.

It is important to remember that no two weddings (or wedding budgets) are the same. For most couples, your wedding will be the largest and most detailed event that you will ever plan. There are the dresses and tuxedos, the colors and the cake, the entertainment and the transportation. It is all too easy to get overwhelmed with the mounting expenses and find yourself looking for different ways to keep your budget intact. Just keep in mind that food and beverage are two of the most pivotal areas that are directly related to making your dream day a reality. While selecting a Cash Bar for your special day may seem like a painless way to save a few grand, take a look at saving in ways that are not at the expense of your guests.

Raise the bar in 2009 and just say "no" to cash bars!!!

Written by Lauran Peoples, Embassy Suites Charlotte