Hi everyone! Today we're talking all about tips for rain plans and how to make sure to save your wedding day if it happens to rain. First and foremost, always plan for rain! That way, you can always be prepared no matter the circumstances. Instead of just hoping that it doesn't rain on your wedding day, act like it's going to and make sure that you are completely comfortable with the plan if it does. 

First, you want to make sure that your venue has a rain plan option. If they don't, that might not be the best venue to choose. It's possible to get a tent that can help cover your guests, but this is definitely going to be an added cost. There are some rental companies (here in Tennessee) that will allow you to do a deposit on a tent. They actually call it a rain plan tent and you let them know 48 hours in advance if they should deliver the tent or not. You're going to lose your deposit if you don't have the tent arrive, but you don't have to pay for the rest if you don't...

What To Rent And What To Buy For Your Wedding Day

Welcome to The Bride Link podcast, your home for expert wedding planning advice! Today we're talking all about what you should rent versus what you should buy when you're planning your wedding and how to save money while wedding planning. You can also score your FREE copy of our Ceremony Cheat Sheet! A great tool to help plan your dream ceremony from start to finish! Some items may seem a smart buy at first but in reality, they'll end up costing you more in the end. When renting for your wedding, keep in mind the price you pay includes services and preparation for those items you never see. When choosing to buy over renting, remember to consider not only the cost but also your time. Time for things like set-up, delivery & pick-up, storage, and clean-up! Use these handy tips to figure what's best for you!

What to rent:

Let's begin with the table and chairs you'll need! If it's not part of what comes with your wedding venue package...

It’s October and we are here for all the spooky ghost stories!  Who knew we have one of the oldest surviving opera houses in the United States right here in Tennessee with a myriad of reported hauntings? Antoinette Hall located in Pulaki, Tennessee may be one of the most haunted places in the state.  Reports show that groups and individuals have experienced cold spots, disembodied voices, shadow figures, equipment interaction, EVPs, footsteps, batteries being drained, people have been made physically sick to the point of vomiting, people have been scratched, black mist, a piano playing on its own, smells of flowers, the feeling of your energy being drained, feelings of being watched and being touched by unseen hands. Tess Mann, owner of Couture by Tess Bridal boutique in Cookeville, Tennessee, recently partnered with Tammy Pierchoski, Executive Director of STAAR Theatre at Antoinette Hall in a campaign to raise awareness about the restoration of the historical...

The Most Commonly Forgotten Items for Weddings

Welcome to the Bride Link podcast, your home for expert wedding planning advice! Today we're talking about commonly forgotten items for your wedding! This helpful list highlights what you may forget to pack for your wedding day. Take a few minutes to check it over the night before! Our wedding packing tips include items that are easy to overlook but essential! The best thing that can help you while you're planning and packing all of your items is our Wedding Day Emergency Kit List. Grab your FREE copy and have all your bases covered in case of a wedding day emergency!

So as you're packing all of your belongings to take to your wedding venue, double-check this list and just make sure you haven't forgotten anything. First, we can talk about printed items! You're going to want to be able to have your photographer take a picture of your save-the-dates. invitation, and the rest of your stationery. Stationery will include your...

 What You Need for A Backyard Wedding

Are you considering having a backyard wedding? Not sure what you'll need or what you might forget? Then this is the perfect podcast for you! We're giving away our top backyard wedding tips. Don't forget to grab your FREE copy of our Wedding Day Emergency Kit, a complete list of everything you may need on your wedding day!

Bathrooms:

The number one thing that might be missing if you're planning on having a wedding in your own space is the appropriate number of bathrooms! Start researching your available options before sending out your invitations. Your layout and the guest count will determine the number of bathrooms you need to accommodate your event. This is especially critical if you're home runs on a septic tank. If you plan on inviting more than a few people and you don't want them trafficking inside your home, you may have limited options. For example, if you only have one bathroom on the first floor, you might want to consider...

A Sleek Modern Boho Wedding

 Alyson and Wesley had a Sleek Modern Boho Wedding to kick off summer weddings here at the Wildflower Event Center in the Smoky Mountains. Their wedding day had predicted rain showers but thankfully passed early in the morning to finish out the day with sweet golden hour photos in our Smoky Mountain fields. 

Their wedding colors, florals, decor, and overall style, were perfectly complemented by the neutral tone interior of the wedding venue. With rain predicted in the forecast, they had an indoor ceremony and reception and were still able to beat the rain to enjoy an outdoor pizza food truck for their reception meal.

Alyson and Wesley started their mornings by waking up in our Farmhouse Airbnb on the property and slowly made their way to the venue to get ready. Alyson and Wesley were getting ready, and their family and friends were able to start setting up their ceremony and pre-setting up the table decor. Alyson decided to get ready in our new,...

How To Start Your Wedding Registry

Congratulations, you're engaged! The moment you announce your engagement to family and friends comes one common question: Where are you registered? Don't freak out! Starting your wedding registry is as easy as online shopping. Learn how and where to begin receiving wedding gifts from your loved ones, popular wedding registry sites, and other wedding registry ideas. Be sure to register at different stores and create an online wedding registry that offers unique wedding registry items.

Use these simple instructions to register for weddings at Walmart or Amazon, both online and in-store. Find out what you should register for and how to identify those items. Now you can start your wedding registry with ease! But first, don't forget to grab your FREE copy of our Ceremony Placement Cheat Sheet to help your planning process!

 Figure out what you need

Make a list. It will make building your registry experience a whole lot easier. If you don't...

Something fun just happened in Nashville and we must share the news! Tess Mann, fashion designer for the Couture by Tess and Tess Mann Haute Couture bridal gown labels, recently released her latest collections called Nostalgia and New Discovery at the Travel Through Fashion Time Fashion Show at OZARI inside L&L Marketplace in Nashville, Tennessee. Mann owns a couture bridal gown boutique in Cookeville, Tennessee where she carries her own labels as well as other luxury and international designers available for purchase. “My two latest collections were presented at our fashion show. The Nostalgia Collection is a new collection donning various fashion techniques from different eras while assimilating modern touches. New Discovery is a smaller collection that has utilized designs from previous Couture by Tess collections and re-imagined based on clients' feedback over the years,“ said Tess Mann.Nashville fashion and wedding industry professionals, editors, a select...

Choosing wedding flowers and a wedding florist is a big decision! When you meet with your wedding florist, it's critical to communicate essential details during your visit. Doing this ensures your wedding day flowers translate to how you envisioned them to be. Your wedding florist will work with you to find the best florals for your wedding day, along with planning the logistics. For even more help, download our free wedding Floral Cheat Sheet!

 For now, here are our top 3 tips when meeting with your florist and choosing flowers for your wedding!

 1. Budget

Sticking to your predetermined budget for wedding florals is essential! 

If you have a specific idea in mind for your bouquet, for example, but prefer a more simple centerpiece, make sure to ask your florist about what will work best according to your budget. Your florist knows which flowers are in season and where there is flexibility in creating your wedding day florals. 

 2. Examples

For specific ideas...