FEATUREDWEDDINGSAN INSIDE LOOK AT A FEW OF OUR PROFESSIONALS’ WORK

C L A R K S V I L L E B R I D E S . C O M

BIG DAY ADVICEARTICLES TO HELP YOU PLAN

EVERY PART OF YOUR WEDDING

THE PROSINFO ABOUT THE VENDORS

WHO BRING YOUR DAY TO LIFE

2019 EDITION

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

We are very pleased that you have found this copy of the Annual

Magazine. Planning a wedding can be equal parts exciting and stressful for everyone involved. We hope the features in our magazine will provide inspiration, motivation, and connections during this process.

Our company believes in the area’s wedding professionals and works to create a connected culture in the Clarksville/Hopkinsville areas. We welcome new professionals and hold semi annual gatherings for networking.

From our team to you we wish you a wonderful 2019 full of all the planning without the stress!

-Michael and Ellen Emrick Clarksville Brides LLC Owners and Operators

The articles in this magazine are not original content from Clarksville Brides. We plan to produce locally sourced and locally specific resources in the future. All credit and rights to the material belongs to the source, which is credited within each article.

Cover photo credit: Sara Grace Photography

2

CLARKSVILLEBRIDES.COMYOUR WEDDING IN ONE PLACE

3 4

TABLE OF CONTENTSLetter From the Publisher 2

Featured Wedding: The Bruce 7

Wedding Checklist 10

Featured Wedding: The Silo 17

Who to Invite? 21

DDIY - Don’t Do it Yourself 25

Featured Wedding: Sara Grace Photography 29

Tips & Tricks 31

Featured Wedding: Liz Courtney Photography 39

VENDOR DIRECTORYJewelry McKenzie & Smiley 6 Entertainment We Bring the Party Events 9Venues Freedom Point Inside Cover James E. Bruce 13 The Silo 14 Naimoli Estates 15 Southern Springs 16 Wilma Rudolph Event Center Inside Back CoverBridal Boutiques Wedding Belles 19Real Estate Knight & Tenholder 20Travel AK Travel 16 Creation Vacation 17Catering North Meets South 27Hair & Makeup Flawless 28Wedding Design Total Package Events 22Photography Liz Courtney 37 Sara Grace 38 Melanie YC 41

WeddingMabry

Timeless, classic wedding with a combination of fresh flowers of

roses and hydrangeas accompanied by a splash of lily grass. Golden manzanita trees accented with hydrangeas were interspersed throughout the exhibit hall, surrounded by softly lit mercury votives. The walls were draped in flowing white sheer complemented by soft coral up lighting. Our culinary staff provided a sumptuous served meal starting with an arugula and apple salad followed by glazed pork tenderloin, grilled herb chicken, twice baked potatoes with a side of green bean bundles drizzled with butter and brown sugar. Dinner was served with light buttery dinner rolls. The bride surprised the groom with his favorite dessert; apple cobbler made by our pastry chef.

The wedding day went by perfectly due to the professional attention from The Bruce staff with the help of wedding coordinator, Visions by Debra Harris.

7 8

FORGETFUL?Not if we can help it! Check our year long checklist to make sure you’ve got everything covered for the big day!

10

10 - 12 MONTHS

3 - 5 MONTHS

1 - 2 MONTHS

WEDDING WEEK

Start a wedding binder

Order invitations

Book transportation

Book your honeymoon

Rehearsal dinner

Mail invitations

Confirm all vendors

Pick up your dress

Beautify

Relax

Rehearsal dinner invitations

Dress fitting

Wedding party attire

Ceremony & Reception Agenda

Bridal party gifts

Marriage license

Men’s formalwear

Select and order your cake

Make-up and hair trial run

Choose your music

Party rentals and linens

Wedding rings

Work out your budget

Make a preliminary guest list

Choose your wedding party

Reserve your date & venue(s)

Research/book vendors

Find a dress

Continue booking vendors

Create your gift registry

Save the Dates

Arrange hotel room blocks

Bridesmaid/Flower girl dresses

Think of it almost like a wedding scrapbook. Begin leafing through anything and everything for inspiration.

Depending on what kind you decide on, they can take time to come in. Order them now to give yourself plenty of time.

If you’re booking transportation for you and the groom or anyone else, now is a good time.

The beach? Europe? Maybe both? It’s time to decide where the honeymoon is going to be.

Any accommodations that need to be made should be booked within this time frame. Including the guest list.

Finalize your guest list and mail your invitations. About 6 weeks in advance is a good time.

Make sure all your vendors know the correct time and locations. Confirm the guest list with vendors who need it.

Now it’s getting real. You picked it, it’s fitted for you and now it’s in your hands.

Pamper yourself as needed. Hair, mani, pedi, massage, whatever. You’ve just planned a wedding. You deserve it.

You’re never going to feel like it’s 100% ready. At some point, you’ve gotta relax and let it flow. Enjoy this special time!

These need to be in the mail about a month in advance.

Make sure your dress fits perfectly, so that it’s not a worry on your wedding day.

Kindly check with your wedding party to be sure they’ve all ordered the proper attire.

Put together an agenda of how the entire day will play out. Include any specifics you want, e.g. specific photos

If you’re giving gifts to your bridal party, you need to start purchasing those.

Obtain a marriage license and fill out any name-change documents while you’re at it.

Shop for and reserve what the groom and his groomsmen will be wearing.

Try to find the right balance between what looks good and what tastes good.

You don’t want your wedding day to be the first time your make-up and hair are done. Practice makes perfect.

Are you going traditional? Modern? Decide what will play and when.

Tables, chairs, linens, etc. All these need to be reserved.

You’ll want to find the one that matches with your engagement ring, so take care of this ahead of time.

Know how much you have to spend. Also, prioritize where you want to save money and where you’re willing to splurge.

It doesn’t need to be final, but you should put together a list of potential attendees.

Who’s going to be by your side for the most important day of your life? Decide early, they need time to plan too.

Decide if there will be separate locations for the ceremony and reception. Consider the travel time between the two.

A bad vendor can cause problems on your day. Assemble an all star vendor team, and make sure everything is in writing.

Arguably the most important part of the planning, don’t wait to start looking!

Floral, entertainment, food, photography, etc. There’s plenty to book and the good ones don’t have many open dates.

There’s a good chance he’ll be excited to help with this one. Go to at least 3 retailers.

Even a save the date can be forgotten if it goes out too early. Magnets work well because people always use them.

Out of town guests will need a place to stay. If you plan to stay in a hotel on the wedding night, now is the time to book!

Shop for the other dresses, and be sure to give your attendants clear instructions on how to order.

6 - 9 MONTHS

Hire a planner, if desired If you’re going to hire a planner, doing it early can make everything go smooth.

11 12

14

Ten gorgeous acres are surrounded by rolling meadows and an idyllic tree-lined drive creat-ing a picturesque setting for every event. A stunning rustic event center is a unique backdrop for your once-in-a-lifetime wedding. A certified floral designer and wedding coordinator are available, and you have complete privacy since we book only one event at a time. Many packages are available, so call for details and let us make your wedding truly MEMORABLE!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.southernspringsevents.com • 270-206-5447835 LONG FORD BRIDGE ROAD • CADIZ, KY 42211

16

MR.MRS.PRIMASING

&

HOW LEVI + I MET:

Levi and I both grew up in Clarksville - I attended Clarksville High School and he attended North East High School. While we only went to school minutes from one another, ours paths did not cross until January of 2015 in statistics class at Austin Peay State University. After talking in class over the semester we ended up going on dates here and there and then on to dating not long after.

PROPOSAL:

Levi always knew I did not want a public proposal, and he made sure to follow that. On August 26th 2017 - we went on what I thought was a normal date night. I could tell something was off with Levi, but had no idea what was coming. After dinner we headed back to the house, and walking into the door I noticed our dog Nellie had something tied around her neck. Me not thinking anything went and took off what was a sign without reading it, and turned around to Levi on a knee. I then read the sign that was on Nellie’s neck which said “Will you marry my dad?”. To say I was in shock was an understatement, and after standing their for what Levi said “ was the longest moments of his life” I said yes! I then found my best friend and maid of honor Emily hidden behind a wall taking pictures. Emily had also decorated the house in wedding attire and moments later both our of families showed up and celebrated us. It was the most simple yet perfect proposal I could have dreamt of.

WEDDING HIGHLIGHT:

  The highlight of our wedding was how simple everything went throughout the day. I had always heard “something will go wrong on your wedding day, and that it will be alright” , but truly we had the most perfect and simple day. We can not thank everyone enough. From the Silo Event Center being the most beautiful location, J.Botanica for arranging the incredible flowers and decor, J. Photography for keeping everyone laughing and on schedule while taking photos, and our DJ Zek for keeping everyone on the dance floor and providing the best Photo Booth with our own personal signed photo booth book of all of our guest. Truly had the wedding of our dreams!17

19

Are they family?

Are they immediate family?

Are they friends?

Have you spoken in the last 6 months?

Do you talk to them regularly?

Can you imagine your wedding without them?

Would you be upset if they didn’t invite you

to their wedding?

Do you hang out outside of work?

Would they make your wedding more

fun?

Coworker?

Yes

YesYes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

YesNo

NoNo No

No No

No

No

No

No

Invite!

Don’tInvite!YES

NOWho gets invited to your wedding and who doesn’t is nerve-racking. Especially if you’re on a tight budget. Our flow chart makes the decisions easy.

OR

21 22

24

DDIYWedding DIY projects can be a joy and a really nice way to give your big day the personal touch we all want, but there are some things that even the most craft-loving bride should leave to the experts.

THE WEDDING CAKEIf you’re a good baker or even have a friend or member of the family who is, then there’s nothing to stop you having a home baked wedding cake. However, we would recommend getting your cake professionally decorated or decorated by someone who has done it before. While simple and rustic is all the rage right now, the final touches and execution of a wedding cake should be precise.

THE BRIDESMAID DRESSESA friend or relative offers to make your bridesmaid dresses for you. You’re tempted – they’re doing it for free and all you’ve got to buy is the material. So what happens if the dresses are a disaster? This means you’ll have to fork out for fabric and buy new bridesmaid dresses as well. You also have to face telling your friend or relative why your bridesmaids aren’t in her homemade creations.

YOUR WEDDING DRESSDon’t try it. This is such a major, important part of the day, there’s no point taking chances with it. Plus, this is the one time in your life where you’ll be able to visit a bridal boutique, try on lots of gowns and be treated like a princess. Who wouldn’t want to experience that?!

YOUR BRIDAL HAIREven if you’re a professional hairdresser, it might be better to hand over the responsibility of your crowning glory to a professional stylist on your big day. You’re probably going to feel a bit nervy on the morning of your wedding and fiddling around with straighteners, kirby grips and extensions might add to the stress.

THE WEDDING FLOWERSEven if you’re a dab hand at floral displays, the responsibility of creating bouquets on the morning of your wedding is going to be too much. Instead, hand over the responsibility over to a professional florist and talk to them about your big day ideas well in advance.

MUSICIt’s far better to spend a bit of money on a professional DJ to keep the music going all evening. Music plays a huge part of creating an atmosphere at your wedding reception that so many brides say they are glad they invested in it. Make your wedding entertainment a key element in your wedding budget. This way you can really make your day unique and have the grand finale to impress all of your guests.

PHOTOGRAPHYWe think one of the most important if not the most important element on the day that should be done by a professional is your photography. A professional photographer will be able to suggest in advance the best times during the day to take group shots, the best poses for you and your groom, the best locations…the list goes on!

Content from WeddingIdeasMag.comhttps://www.weddingideasmag.com/7-wedding-details-not-to-diy/

DON’T DO IT YOURSELF

25 26

Flawless Beauty is a company of talented hair and make-up artists that offer on-site and in salon services for

the bride and her bridal party! We look forward to making you look and

feel flawless on your wedding day!

www.flawlessbeautytn.com

Magnolias, love and lace make up this perfect October day. When a simple backyard wedding turned into magic

THEIR STORY

On August 19th the stars aligned for Hannah Rodgers 30 and Tyler Reeder 27 when they found each other by a chance encounter while visiting Nashville.

“I felt I had known him my whole life.”Little did they know the following June on Hannah’s 30th birthday, Tyler popped the question and she said YES!

Hannah, a stylist and owner of Tailored Hue Hair Co., is the ideal DIY bride.This couple and their family did everything from the tent to the tacos.

The perfect Wedding day must have a perfect timeline. Relaxing and romantic at every step.  From the first look to the sparkler spin. The love and laughter never

stopped.

“Sara Grace went above and beyond for us. Sara made us feel like we were her only clients. I can’t even begin to express how thankful I am to have found such a great photographer.”

Hannah & Tyler Reeder

29 30

30 E S S E N T I A L W E D D I N G PLANNING TIPS & TRICKS

When planning your wedding, there are things that are nice to know, and then there are things you need to know. If you’re wondering whether there’s something you may have missed (or even if you’ve got everything under control), check out our indispensable planning secrets.

1. Guests FirstGet a grip on the approximate number of guests you’ll invite before settling on a venue. This will ensure there’s ample space for your crew. As a rule of thumb, allow for 25 to 30 square feet per guest. That may seem like a lot, but it’s not if you count the space you’ll need for the tables, bustling waiters, the band and a dance floor.

2. Wedding Blackout DatesKnow ahead of time if your wedding date falls on the same day as a trade conference, charity walk, or other local event that could affect traffic and hotel room availability.

3. What is Mother Nature Telling You?Heed the weather and other potential annoyances. Guests have been known to skip out early from hotter-than-hot summer tent weddings and improperly heated winter loft receptions. Bugs (gnats, deer flies and mosquitos) also swarm in certain areas during certain seasons. Consider renting pest control tanks to alleviate the problem or including bug repellent in guests’ gift bags.

4. Earn While You SpendTake advantage of the high cost of weddings and sign up for a credit card with a rewards program. Whether it gives you airline miles or great shopping deals, consolidating all wedding-related purchases to this card will help you accumulate thousands of rewards points (which could be used for your honeymoon).

5. Listen to the ProsLet one vendor lead you to another. Your wedding photographer can tell you which florist’s blooms really pop, and your reception manager should know which band packs the dance floor.

6. Somone’s Gotta GoThe easiest way to trim your wedding budget? Cut your guest list. Remember, half of your wedding expenses go to wining and dining your guests. If it’s costing you $100 per person, eliminating one table of 10 can save you $1,000.

7. It Doesn’t Hurt to AskRequest an extra hour for cocktails or for your band to throw in that Frank Sinatra sound-alike before you sign on the dotted line. Most vendors would rather secure the reservation than nickel-and-dime you early on. Later on, though, they may be less inclined to meet you halfway.31 32

8. Know Who’s EatingAnother unforeseen expense? Feeding your wedding day crew. Before you sign the contracts, make sure you’re not required to serve the same meal to your vendors that guests will receive. Otherwise, you could be paying for 20 additional lobster tails. Choose a less expensive (but equally hearty) meal for them instead.

9. OrganizeIn a three-ring binder, compile all your correspondences with vendors, notes you make during meetings, and photos or tear sheets from magazines you want vendors to see. Set up a special email address dedicated to your wedding, and store important vendor numbers in your cell phone.

10. Tend Your BarTypically, you need one bartender per 50 guests to keep the line at a minimum. But if you’re serving a signature cocktail that cannot be made ahead of time (or in large quantities), consider adding an extra server designated to this task.

11. Budget, Budget, BudgetYour wedding budget should follow this formula: 48 to 50 percent of total budget to reception; 8 to 10 percent for flowers; 8 to 10 percent for attire; 8 to 10 percent for entertainment/music; 10 to 12 percent for photo/video; 2 to 3 percent for invites; 2 to 3 percent for gifts; and 8 percent for miscellaneous items like a wedding coordinator. It’s essential to allocate an extra 5 to 10 percent of your money for surprise expenses like printing extra invites because of mistakes, additional tailoring needs, umbrellas for a rainy day and ribbons for the wedding programs.

12. Don’t be Afraid to AskYour wedding vendors should be your go-to, most-trusted experts during the planning process. When working with them, you should feel free to really explore what it is you want—maybe it’s serving a late-night snack instead of a first course or doing a bridal portrait session rather than an engagement session. The bottom line is that you should feel like you can have an honest conversation with them about what it is you want

13. Wait for a DateSometimes, last-minute planning can work in your favor. The closer your date, the more bargaining power you have. Since most people book their wedding venues at least six months in advance, calling for open dates two months prior to your

desired time can save you up to 25 percent. And, Friday and Sunday weddings should cost about 30 percent less than Saturday weddings.

14. Mail ManagingOf course you want the perfect stamps for your wedding invitations. But not all stamps are widely available at every post office, especially in large quantities. Save yourself scouting time by ordering them online at USPS.com.

15. Prepare for RejectionKnow that as a rule, about 10 to 20 percent of the people you invite won’t attend. Naturally, this depends on the location of your wedding, how many out-of-towners are on your list, and the timing of the event.

16. What About the Kids?You have four choices: You can welcome children with open arms; you can decide to have an “adults only” wedding; you can include immediate family only; or, you can hire a child care service to provide day care either at the reception space, in a hotel room or at a family member’s home.

17. Prioritize Your PeoplePare down your guest list with the “tiers of priority” trick. Place immediate family, the bridal party and best friends on top of the list; follow with aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends you can’t imagine celebrating without. Under that, list your parents’ friends, neighbors, coworkers and so on. If you need to make some cuts, start from the bottom until you reach your ideal number.

18. Don’t Get Ahead of YourselfPut together a wedding planning schedule and do things one by one, in a logical order, so you don’t take on too much too fast and end up with everything snowballing around you. Don’t hire any vendors before you’ve confirmed your date; don’t design your cake before you’ve envisioned your flowers; and don’t book a band before you’ve settled on a space.

19. Single ScenarioIf your guest list is bursting at the seams, assess the plus-one scenario. Do a faux seating chart in your mind, and imagine whom your single pal would sit with. If it’s a table of singles that she knows pretty well, then you’re all set. If it’s a table of couples (making her the odd one out) or if it’s a table of singles where she won’t know anyone, consider bending the rules a little bit.

20. Don’t Keep Unused RoomsAs soon as you’ve picked a date, start to look for hotels in a wide variety of price points. Many hotels allow you to reserve rooms for guests under a special wedding block and a reduced rate. You can then release any unbooked rooms a month prior to your wedding.

21. Give Good DirectionsMake sure guests know where they’re going. As easy as GPSs are to use, sometimes the directions are wrong or there’s a quicker, less traffic-prone route to take. Ask your ceremony and reception sites for printouts or digital copies of recommended driving directions and even test out the routes yourself. Then include the best directions on your wedding website or email them to your guests to print out if they’d like.

22. Keep a Paper TrailGet any nonstandard changes to your agreements in writing or send the vendor a confirmation email saying, “Hello, just confirming that you’ll keep the venue open until 2 a.m. versus midnight.” Don’t just assume everything’s all set—sometimes, by the time the actual day rolls around, your contact for a certain may no longer be working there to vouch for you.

23. Schedule the SetupYou must make sure there’s ample time for setup. If you’re renting a venue and bringing in outside help, ask what time people can come in to start setting. See if they can do it the day before, or at the very least the entire wedding day, before the event starts.

24. How to Get a LicenseYou can check your state’s license requirements online, but confirm with a call to the county clerk’s office to see when they’re open. Even if it’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., they may issue marriage licenses only during slower times like, say, Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m

25. Know the RulesBe prepared—ask the manager of the house of worship or site where you’ll be married for the list of restrictions (if any). For instance, is flash photography or bare shoulders prohibited? Or, if you’re exchanging vows outdoors, are you allowed to plant tent stakes in the lawn (which is often not allowed)?

26. Classify Your CashWedding budgets are all about balance. Start your budget planning by making a checklist of the crucial details, like

the music, your wedding gown, the invitations, the flowers and the photographer, and assign a number to each—one being the most important and three being the least. Invest your money in all your number ones and cut corners on your number threes.

27. Help Guests Pay AttentionMake sure your guests can both see and hear from their seats. If people are seated farther than 15 rows back from your ceremony altar or podium, consider renting a mic and a riser. This could range anywhere from $50 to $100, depending on the equipment used. You’ll need to coordinate the delivery and setup with your ceremony space, so put your wedding planner or best man in charge of this task.

28. Vendors on Speed DialKeep an emergency contact sheet or phone with your vendor contacts on you on your wedding day—it may come in handy in case your limo driver gets lost or you decide you’d like your photographer to take some behind-the-scenes shots.

29. Call the Fashion PoliceDon’t go dress shopping on your own—all the gowns will start to look the same after a while and it will be harder to recall which style you really loved. But be careful about who you do bring. If your mom or sibling can’t make the trip, ask a friend who is truly honest. This is the time when you really need to know which dress looks best.

30. Be Realistic With Your TimeWhen it comes down to the last month of your planning (and when you’re particularly hurried) look at your mile long to-do list and cut three things. Yes, cut three things. Not crucial things that you just don’t feel like doing, such as picking a processional song or confirming final details with all of your vendors. Eliminate only the over-the-top tasks like hand-painting “Just Married” signs, or baking cookies for all of the welcome bags. Cross them off and make a pledge not to think about them again.

Content from TheKnot.comhttps://www.theknot.com/content/expert-wedding-planning-tips-and-tricks

35 36

40

THE JONESES

I met with Cristin and Shawn in December of 2017. We spent a lot of time talking about their big day, what they wanted in terms of photography and about my

business. I could immediately tell how in love they were and how excited they were for their big day. Cristin and I immediately connected. We parted ways and a couple weeks later I was officially their photographer. Over the next couple of months, as they planned all the details of their big day, I spent my time getting excited to photograph their wedding day at the stunning Ruby Cora. May 19th dawned a hot and muggy day with a chance of rain. I walked into the Ruby Cora to find Cristin in the bridal suite excitedly getting ready with her ladies and Shawn hanging out with his guys in the equally gorgeous groom’s suite. Excitement was in the air. The entire day was smooth sailing. The groomsmen and bridesmaids were so much fun and were clearly excited to celebrate with Cristin and Shawn. The ceremony came and went and not a drop of rain. Cristin’s mother walked her down the aisle as her father had passed away when Cristin was younger. Everyone there said that her dad kept the rain away so she could have the perfect wedding day. Shawn was so emotional and excited as he saw his bride walk down the aisle. Cristin and Shawn chose to do a first look and many people think that doing a first look will take away the emotions of seeing each other at the end of the aisle but I find that it isn’t usually the case. The moment you see your loved one at the altar is another feeling entirely and

Shawn’s face when he saw Cristin said it all. He couldn’t wait to marry her! The two partook in Holy Communion and after some beautiful words by their officiant,  Chad Rowland, the two exchanged rings and were officially husband and wife. The look on their faces said it all! They practically ran back up the aisle from excitement. After a few fun and formal wedding party portraits, we took some time just for the two of them. I let them get close and sink in the moments that were quickly slipping away. Weddings do go very fast and that’s why I love couple time. This time allows you to be with your spouse and take it all in. The photos I took of these two are some of my favorites. They were so easy to work with and an absolutely gorgeous couple! During this time, it got a little crazy as the rain did threaten and during the reception it did sprinkle but it never poured. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were welcomed into their reception with laughter, clapping and much joy. The two danced to Chris Stapleton’s Millionaire and after the cake cutting, the bouquet and garter toss and sweet toasts from Shawn’s best friend and Cristin’s sister, the party officially began. These guys can party. The dance floor was always packed and their music selection was on point. As the party wrapped up, everyone headed outside for their sparkler exit and let me tell you, this has to be my favorite sparkler exit. These two drove off from their wedding day in a Cadillac that Shawn has been working on restoring. It’s beautiful! What better way to leave one of the best days of your life then by a Cadillac!!    I can’t express how much fun and love was had on their big day. I asked Cristin to write a little bit about how she felt after her big day and this is what she had to say: “It was the most perfect day I could have ever imagined, my sweet Dad who is in heaven made sure his baby girl had the best day ever. Everyone who was a part of it made things so easy and carefree for me so I was able to soak in each moment without worry!”

42

See You Next Year!

January 26th, 2020C L A R K S V I L L E B R I DE S

WEDDING & EVENT SHOWCASEWilma Rudolph Event Center

SAV E T H E DAT E