Something New (Part Two)

It's no secret that one of the greatest joys of this work are the relationships that we make. We meet just the nicest people...and everyone loves to talk about a wedding! So we hear the most wonderful stories and celebrate the most amazing time in life!

Not only do we meet these dear brides and their families, but we also have the opportunity to work alongside some stellar vendors in town. Stellar as in...people-first, relationship-based, ethical, creative, savvy business people. The past couple of months we have been working with such folks on various photo shoots and marketing projects. It has been a wonderful time of creativity and it confirms what we already know - Nashville brides are so fortunate to have such wonderful resources!

As you all know, this is truly a small town...so when we finally get to meet photographers and florists and other vendors who we've heard so much about, it's like we've known them all along....only better! That is certainly the case with photographers Chris and Adrienne Scott. The Bride Room and Chris and Adrienne have had several mutual brides recently (you might remember Andrea in her gorgeous Priscilla of Boston?) and now we've collaborated on a photo shoot coordinated by Amy Lynn Larwig. Amy Lynn, make up artist extraordinaire, was putting together a promo video and invited us to be a part...Chris and Adrienne did the photography and voila! A most lovely set of images ensued.....

Gown: Amsale | Veil: PARIS

To see a more complete set of photos, and to get to know the photgraphers better, visit Chris and Adrienne's blog.

{Side note...girls, if you love a birdcage veil, consider something like this one with lace...it photographs so beautifully and gives a warm vintage touch. Love it!!!}

Surely this parallels your wedding planning process? The details have been labored over and meticulously decided, and they are important. But what you will remember most about your planning and your big day are the people who have walked beside you and made it all happen.

We celebrate our long-standing relationships and honor those people who have shared brides and created magnificent memories for years. Today we are so excited about our new friends and the promise of more fun and love in the life of The Bride Room!!

Cheers...Happy Monday :)

Something New (Part One)

Hello sweet friends! It has certainly been a season of change for us at The Bride Room ....some of it has been voluntary (dresses!!!), some of it not (floors!!!)...but you know, we are discovering that change can be a really good thing :) :)

Sometimes, when in the midst of activity and mile-long to-do lists and things that are out of your control, your schedule and work systems get a little crazy. {Can we get an amen?!} So please accept our apologies for being so quiet the past few weeks....but know that we are back and our heads and hearts are full of things we want to share!!!

Kicking off our Something New posts {there are a few :) :)}....here's what we've been up to....

For starters, those of you who follow our tweets and facebook know that our floors are new! If you walked in the store today, you might have no idea that anything ever happened, and for that we are thankful! We are also so very grateful that the turn around was quick, and we were still able to conduct business! A big thanks to the gals who joined us in the bridesmaids loft for what is sure to be a very memorable PARIS Accessories Trunk Show :)

Also new...what else??...dresses!! New dresses are arriving here and of course we are in L O V E!! Our newest collection, Reverie, is off to a strong start with this gorgeous piece called Paris. She is fresh and fun and a little unexpected but with a fantastic shape and structure.

We also received a Monique Lhuillier from the Fall 2010 collection that we've long been anticipating! The gorgeous Meringue bustier is nothing short of show-stopping...truly can't wait to get you girls in this piece...so stunning!

....on the runway.....

....and on a real bride with this stunning PARIS brooch....

Stay tuned for some more new things in the coming days. Hope you all are well...Can you *believe* it is mid-May? Where, oh where, has the year gone?? Oh wait...we don't need to tell our sweet brides how quickly the year is going!! :)

Store Hours Altered ::: New Floors!!!

Hello sweet friends!!!

Our apologies for being a touch MIA lately...as you can imagine, all of our energy is being shifted to maintaining regular operations around the store. We have been so fortunate with timely deliveries, understanding brides, and patient vendors. Many, many thanks for your kindness!!!

We've been thankful to be in the store this past week....but this week will be a little different! We know for sure that Wednesday, May 12 & Thursday, May 13 we will not be open. The pretty new floors are being installed and it is not an environment conducive to business-as-usual...We will be continually assessing progress and will update you about Friday as we know.

Please call or email us if you have questions - we will be checking email and voicemail periodically. It is our most primary intention to maintain continuity of care for each of you. We appreciate your patience as we manage under unusual circumstances.

We are taking appointments for this Saturday, and the schedule is filling quickly. Please understand that we are definitely appointment-only as we accommodate brides who have been so patient to wait their turn. :)

As with any construction, we are hoping that installation goes smoothly and without delay. Join us in keeping your pretty little fingers crossed! Believe it or not, we are more anxious than you are to be fully operating again :) :)

Stay tuned for updates/changes/news-of-opening-celebrations :):)

PARIS Trunk Show Update!

Ladies and friends! Thanks for all of your support and concern the last few days...we are carrying on, doing what we can, and counting our blessings along the way!! Thank you so much for all of your patience and understanding...we are so grateful!

We are especially happy that this weekend's PARIS Trunk Show will continue!! There will be a few modifications but the PARIS treasures you have been waiting for will be here!

Thank you for understanding that now more than ever, appointments are required for this accessories show. This will certainly help us manage the schedule, help you get the most of your appointment, and plan for the day's activity.

Brooches, veils, bracelets, earrings, oh my! Bridesmaids gifts, Mothers pieces, custom bridal goodies!! It will be a very lovely weekend....

615.297.9899 | thebrideroom@comcast.net

*Sadly, we still can not accommodate bridal gown appointments. Please email or call if you wish to be put on the waiting list! Thank you for your understanding!

Update | Flood 2010

We are recovering....but open, safe, and thankful...oh-so thankful...

As some of you know too well, Mother Nature was in full force this weekend in our beloved Music City. The Green Hills area was impacted, and unfortunately, we were not spared. The Bride Room experienced some flooding due to the record-breaking rain, and we are looking at the immediate future as days of recovering and restoring our precious store.

Please know that our dresses and merchandise are completely okay- we couldn't be more thankful or relieved to report that our brides' dresses and treasures as well as our samples, veiling, jewelry, furniture, electronics, etc. are completely fine. Perfect, in fact. We are thankful for the blessings (miracles?) around us.

Our floors, however, will have to be replaced. Inconvenient? Unfortunate? Yes. Tragic? Catastrophic? No. We are so grateful to say that the damage done is not permanent and not personally devastating. We are some of the survivors of this unexpected flood who can - and will - come out okay.

We will operate under normal business hours as much as the floor replacement permits. Please understand that there will be some adjusted hours along the way. We will communicate these changes as much and often as possible. (Do you keep up with this blog regularly? Check our twitter? Have you friended us on facebook? Now might be the best time to do that...:) )

Ultimately, we are still here to help. We want things to resume and carry on as normal - believe us! :) Normal bridal appointments simply can not be accommodated in our space at this time. We are glad to help with other details, though -- bridesmaids measurements, color palettes, anything else! Many thanks for your understanding and patience during a time of transition and unusual circumstances.

We believe that this is a unique crisis for this town. What we know for sure is that the people of Nashville are generous and the collective spirit is one of compassion and charity. It is difficult and humbling as a small business to see our own people struggle - this, the very same community that has supported us and allowed us a place to call home. To those of you calling and emailing us and checking in - the biggest, warmest thanks to you!!! Brides, friends, vendors, colleagues....your concern is so, so appreciated.

We gratefully look forward to sunnier days :)

Stay tuned for more information and updates...

Paris Accessories Trunk Show | May 7 + 8

It's time again for the always-anticipated Spring PARIS Trunk Show!

PARIS by Debra Moreland is a collection of accessories and veiling designed and loved by Debra and her team of artists in Cincinnati, Ohio. PARIS is known for their impeccable design, attention to detail, and heirloom quality.

We can't emphasize enough what a treat it is to be styled personally by one of PARIS' own...it is a special day to complete your look and find the perfect final touches for your gown....

And don't forget! There are some amazing pieces for mothers of the occasion and bridesmaids, too! Brooches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets...they can all be customized to size and color for your wedding!

{appreciative for Michael Howard always getting these detail shots!}

Our appointments are filling already so please call or email as soon as possible for your time...this show is always appointment-only, as the full collection will be here and we want you to have the best possible experience!

See you soon!!

Design Inspiration | Alice in Wonderland

It is always a thrill to be included on projects that local genius stylists-photographers-artists-planners-venues-{insert-your-favorite-vendor-category-here} are dreaming up...

So when Latrice of Opulent Couturier invited us to be a part of her dreamy Alice in Wonderland shoot, we were honored, excited, and immediately on board! Probably no one could have planned a more beautiful Saturday for the shoot at Centennial Park in downtown Nashville...the photos are a testimony to both the lovely spring weather and amazing styling! We were sad to miss it {we were at market, in case you missed all those tweets ;)} but super excited to see the images today featured on a very fab wedding & design blog.

The darling model is a new friend of The Bride Room...the devastatingly gorgeous and impossibly sweet Betsy. We met her through a recent fashion show (more on that later!) and fell in love instantly! :) It is *truly* an honor to have her in this Monique Lhuillier gown. Perfection! {Besty, you can model for us any time :) :)}

Many, many thanks to Latrice for thinking of us, Hillary for the amazing floral styling, and to photographer Kristyn Hogan for her incredible point of view on a relevant and current theme...the magical, whimsical, fantastic Alice in Wonderland...enjoy!

This Weekend!!

Hello, hello!

Just your friendly reminder that if you don't have your appointment for the Amsale Trunk Show this weekend, it's not too late...there are still a few appointments left for Saturday and there are dresses with your name on them. Yes, yours. And yours. And yours, too.

Fresh from seeing her new collection at market, it is so fun to have a Trunk Show. We are deep in new designs and ideas, so having a store of lovely gowns that aren't normally here is timely and welcome.

A look below at the gowns we have for the weekend- truly something for everyone. And if you are looking for a rehearsal or reception dress, the Little White Dress by Amsale is for you!! Don't miss the chance to see these dresses in person....they are so beautiful!!!

Little White Dresses:

*********

As if all that beauty isn't enough for one weekend...don't forget about Sunday! The Eye Candy Salon Bridal event + Fashion Show sponsored by yours truly. You can read more about it here....it's supposed to be 70* and sunny Sunday!! The perfect weather for a bridal show!! Can't wait to see you there!

Final Market Recap | Ann Frances + Monique Lhuillier

We do hope you'll excuse the delay on our final update from market :)

We are so thrilled for this post....we consider it our something old and something new from this particular market ;) ;)

We'll actually start with the something new! We were simply delighted to be invited to view the debut Ann Frances collection. Twin sisters Mary Frances and Elizabeth Ann are at the helm of the design and business and delivered an exquisite, immaculately-executed collection of couture gowns. Incredible lace, divine beading, amazing shapes...no detail was neglected.

Even more exciting...the girls are from Jackson! They are Middle Tennessee girls! We are so very excited for the future of Ann Frances and the hometown girls with mega-talent...It was so fun to connect and visit with the gowns...cheers, girls, and oh, oh - welcome to twitter :)

That was a new collection... and for the something old (though we submit it could just as easily be our something fabulous!)... Our final appointment was the dreamy and incredible Monique Lhuillier...need we say more? :) Never disappointing, this collection was very true to the Lhuillier aesthetic -- feminine and edgy, impeccable fit and design. Monique's continual ability to construct fashion-forward gowns that are wedding-day ready is truly part of her signature design. We were, once again, left breathless....and so, so happy :)

(oh if you could see the beadwork on this upclose! to. die. for.)

(this is two piece! you can have the skirt or bustier separate :) :))

(you can't see her up close, but the texture on the bottom are organza butterfly shapes)

Thank you so much for following along during market!! It is truly some of the most fun of the year and we are so glad to share with you! Only six more months, and we'll be doing it all again :) :) :) Until then.....

Monday at Market | Recap!

Checking in on our last morning here....looking forward to our morning appointment with Monique Lhuillier...from the press photos we've seen, we're in for a real treat!

Yesterday was a full and busy day - lots of meetings and appointments, but how wonderful when they are full of beautiful, wonderful, amazing dresses!!

Watters & Watters presented a beautiful collection of both bridal and bridesmaids. They are always so gracious and wonderful and had a gorgeous showing...here's a look:::

We have *so much* more to share....an amazing meeting with Nashville-based designers Ann Frances....a fresh new selection of goodies from PARIS by Debra Moreland....and oh yes! Back in Nashville, our national television debut via What Not to Wear....stay tuned....we'll update as we can...

Until then - Monique Lhuillier!!! :)

Sunday at Market | Recap!

Maybe we're feeling extra ambitious...two posts in one day :) :) But while we're fresh from our day and before our evening excursions, we thought we'd fill you in on the fun stuff from today!!

We started our sunny, sunny Sunday with our meeting at Augusta Jones....we were thrilled to see some really gorgeous pieces...designer Charlotte presented gowns with simple details - rouching, folds, delicate details, the perfect sweetheart neck - and kept the silhouettes classic and wearable....Those of you who have worn or tried Augusta Jones know that her fit is impeccable and these new gowns certainly show off that craftsmanship....take a peek :)

{those bustles? are adjustable!!! seriously! tighter pick ups or looser, softer bustles...your custom look!! genius!}

Then we made our way to our one-on-one with Amsale to see the gowns from yesterday up close...and really and truly, the swoon worthy-ness is sort of off the charts....Amsale is so modern and architectural but she infuses that aesthetic into soft, feminine gowns. We. Die.

And the Little White Dress Collection by Amsale? Simply darling this season!!! Amazing fabrics and the perfect shapes and styles.....wouldn't you know that there was a style perfect for each of The Bride Room girls this season??? :) :) :) Introducing.....

...the Amy....

....the Stephanie....

... & the Charlotte.... :)

And while we are at Amsale, the girls from the Christos collection allowed us to see the collection....girls, this is the fun of market! See what is out there, what looks good...Christos was so beautiful!!! Such a treat to get to see such a beautiful collection up close and personal! Have a peek at some of our favorites:::

Tonight is dinner with a sweet Nashville friend.......and tomorrow the Priscilla group, PARIS by Debra Moreland, and Watters...and some more appointments to see what's-what....hoping to have lots more pictures and exciting updates. This....never gets old :) :) Thanks so much for following along!!!