Last Wednesday, Ashley King of AshleysBrideGuide.com was on Channel 4′s Better Nashville TV show to talk with host Kacy Hagerty about Nashville wedding trends for 2011. Guess who’s bouquet was featured?! Yes, folks…see that lovely, encased burst of colors sitting on the table between Kacy and Ashley? That’s my bouquet!

Who would’ve known it was going to become such a hot item?! I’ll admit, I’m not always the most up-to-date, stylish person in the room…but I’m excited to hear I was on top of this trend! Want to hear what Ashley and Kacy had to say about Nashville weddings for 2011? Watch this clip!

Just look at these two beautiful new pieces for my vintage brooch bouquet! Aren’t they beautiful!? These two pins were given to me by a dear friend named Andrea who is in our small group through our church – Journey.

The four-leaf clover is from her personal collection and the other pearl-accented pin is from her mother – whom I had the pleasure to meet several months ago. How special?!

Andrea, thank you so very much for giving me these gorgeous pieces of jewelry for my wedding bouquet! Philip and I wholeheartedly treasure our relationship with you and Marq. We’re so thankful we’ve been placed in each other’s lives as a part of one another’ stories. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve been such a positive influence on us. We feel very blessed to walk on this journey with you. Thank you for sharing your lives with us and also for listening and providing insight for our relationship as a couple and also in other aspects of our lives.

Can’t wait until we’re neighbors!

More brooches, earrings, etc. coming soon!

For those of you who don’t know, I’m originally from Southern Illinois – home of Charlie Birger and smack dab in the middle of the Shawnee National Forest. My hometown is about 3.5 hours from Nashville.

Although I never really dreamed about or imagined my wedding as a little girl, I’d always figured I would get married  at one of the hometown churches from my childhood. (I church-hopped a few times while I was growing up.) Of course, I never imagined I’d grow up and move away to Nashville either.

As Philip and I began planning for our wedding here in Franklin, we realized we’d need to plan for a few events at home in Harrisburg too. My beautiful bridesmaids are planning a bridal shower for us at my Aunt and Uncle’s home there and we’re also planning a post-wedding celebration in Harrisburg shortly after we return from the honeymoon.

To help my hometown friends and family and show our support for two of my favorite local businesses, we created wedding registries at two places unique to Harrisburg – Durham’s Hardware and Dream Baskets.

Durham’s Hardware has been around for as long as I can remember. If you’re looking for something for your home, kitchen, garden, etc., they will help you find it. That place is chock full of great stuff. I’m serious. If you ever need anything regarding home improvement, repair, cookware, lawn/garden care, and so forth, you call Janet at (618) 253-4817. If they don’t have it, they’ll lead you in the right direction. Such good people. Not to mention, their wedding registry setup is pretty darn cool. If you’re looking to purchase something from our registry, you head over to Durham’s and look for the display rack with our names on it. They have everything conveniently assembled and on display for you to browse through. Perfect.

Dream Baskets is a long-time favorite gift store of mine. They carry beautiful home items and accessories including lovely things from TAG. We selected several items from the TAG whiteware, dinnerware and entertaining lines. Whether you’re a bride-to-be or an expectant mother, I highly recommend registering with Dream Baskets. The staff is friendly and helpful and Julie, the owner, always keeps the store well-stocked with the latest and greatest gift ideas and home trends. If you’re in the area, go by and check out our registry OR stop in for a tasty selection from their lunch menu. Click here to visit their website or here to visit the blog. (And thanks for the shoutout to Becoming Mrs. Dial last week!)

I wish I could say I took photos during our Adventures in Wedding Registry Land, but I did not. I do, however, have some photos of the latest pieces of jewelry I’ve received for my vintage brooch bouquet! Stay tuned!