Come see the newly refurbished Oaks Pioneer Church this Saturday at their Open House. Explore the freshly painted historic building with gorgeous stained windows and beautiful interior all located in a park-like setting overlooking the Willamette River. All this beauty provides wonderful photo opportunities on your special day.

Oaks Pioneer Church Open House
Saturday, Jan 28^th from 12 to 2
Oaks Pioneer Church - 8210 SE 13th Ave, Portland Oregon

Spring/Summer Dates Happily Available! Contact Lorraine at 503.234.3570 to schedule a tour

Discover the Social Media Content You Already Have.

Join fellow wedding specialists for a fun night at The Foundry at Oswego Pointe on Wednesday night, January 25th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Enjoy delicious appetizers and festive drinks provided by Gourmet Productions, experience creative room designs by Peter Corvallis Productions and chill to the beautiful music by Chad Lantz and Ryan Waniata.  Participate in an open discussion with marketing professional Jaime Gottlieb and discover the social media content you already have.  Jaime is a copywriter with 10 years experience, specializing in brand marketing for traditional & digital mediums, in the hospitality, design, food & beverage, entertainment, and luxury industries. She is the Principal and Founder of Mighty Specs.

Please call Debbie Martin at 503.387.5252 or click here to RSVP.

Event sponsored by…

The Northwest’s ONLY Wedding Cake and Tabletop Design Showcase

Vancouver, Washington (January 29th, 2012) – The Greater Vancouver Bridal Show, (the annual winter wedding event) announces its new name of Marry ME!. SUNDAY, January 29th at the Hilton Vancouver Washington’s Convention Center, beginning at 10:00am, the event opens with live music and an interactive marketplace where couples can “play with linens”, meet area wedding pros, see dozens of full size wedding cakes and learn the 1,2,3’s of how to plan for their big day!

Its a big wedding planning weekend in Portland with two fantastic bridal events –  Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Gown Sale and the Bravo! Wedding Affair.

Brides Against Breast Cancer: FIND THE GOWN OF YOUR DREAMS AND BRING SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND HOPE TO SOMEONE AFFECTED BY CANCER”

January 21st and 22nd at the DoubleTree Hotel Portland - 1000 NE Multnomah St, Portland.

“Brides Against Breast CancerTM” gown sales continue to be important fund-raising events for Brides Against Breast Cancer. Our more than 32 yearly shows provide brides-to-be with an opportunity to find their dream gown (at an incredible savings) while contributing to services that provide support, education and hope to people affected by breast cancer.

The 2012 Bravo! Wedding Affair, this Sunday, January 22nd at the Embassy Suites Portland Downtown, will offer big giveaways for its brides this year.

“The January Wedding Affair is a dynamic boutique event for the newly engaged bride. It showcases upcoming trends for weddings in an intimate setting. This is not their mother’s bridal show. Modern women are busy and this event allows for them to experience the products and interview for services they’ll need rather than having to sift through paperwork to discern which companies they want to interview,” said Mary Lou Burton CEO of Bravo.

This year, attendees will not only be able to save time by planning their entire wedding in one afternoon, but local vendors are investing more into big giveaways for the busy bride such as spa packages, bachellorette parties and honeymoon getaways.

Click here to purchase tickets! Please note that online ticket sales end Saturday at Noon. Tickets are always available at the show.

Bravo! January 2012 Wedding Affair Program

Anna’s Bridal Boutique Designer Wedding Gown Sample Sale – Extended!

Anna’s Bridal Boutique is excited to announce they have extended the Sample Sale at their Fremont location. 4819 NE Fremont St. Portland, Oregon 97213

Due to the inclement weather yesterday, Anna’s made the decision to extend the sale through Friday.

Hours: Thursday 2:00 to 7:00 and Friday 1:00 to 5:00

Anna’s still had many amazing gowns at deeply discounted prices.

Please call to schedule an appointment. 503-636-1474

Designers include: Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard, Reverie, Marisa, Casablanca, Pronovias, & more!

*  Designer gowns will be 40-70% off regular prices.

*  First come, first serve!

*  Discontinued as well as some of last year’s styles!

Please join Lewis River Golf Course for an Open House
Saturday, January 21^st, 2012 ~ 1:00pm – 5:00pm

• Tour the ceremony & reception sites
• Enjoy complimentary Hors d’ oeuvres
• Event staff will be available to  answer questions & check  availability

Contact Kari at (360) 225-8566 or kari@lewisrivergolf.com for more information or www.lewisrivergolf.com for directions

The Natural Choice

Just minutes North of the Portland/Vancouver Metro area tucked away along one of the most scenic stretches on the Lewis River, you will find an unmatched setting for your special event. The Lewis River Golf Course facilities are fashioned after a Rustic Northwest Lodge theme and offers a combination of indoor and outdoor event spaces. The North Fork Great Room features a wood burning fireplace, hardwood floor, open beam ceiling and offers panoramic views of the golf course and Lewis River. Surrounding the Great Room is a deck which cascades down to the riverside patio, providing a seamless transition between our indoor and outdoor spaces. For your event of up to 400 guests our close proximity to Portland/Vancouver and serene setting combine to make Lewis River Golf Course the ideal choice for your wedding, reception or rehearsal dinner.

Oregon Wedding Showcase produces four great bridal shows each year – 2 in Salem & 2 in Eugene. Don’t miss your opportunity to attend the upcoming January shows!

From the traditional to the unique, The Oregon Wedding Showcase has something for every bride. Talk with experts, see the latest wedding trends, and discover new ideas as well as take advantage of money-saving show specials. Over 25 years of experience putting on the best bridal shows in the Willamette Valley!

The Eugene show is this weekend, January 14th and 15th at the Lane Events Center 796 W. 13th Avenue Eugene Oregon. Hours are Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4:30pm. Over 100 vendors from cakes to formal wear to gowns to catering and venues. Two professional fashion shows each day featuring the latest gowns and formal wear.

The Salem Show is January 28th and 29th at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. NE in Salem Oregon. Hours are Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4:30pm. (Different exhibitors – same features as Eugene with over 100 vendors, fashion shows etc.)!

Oregon Wedding Showcase

Advance tickets can be purchased at www.oregonweddingshowcase.com for $7. Admission at the door is $9 and $1 off coupons are available through most show vendors.

Check out their Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/oregonweddingshowcase for for contests to win tickets to the shows!

Finally, Oregon Wedding Showcase offers a fully interactive website with planning tools, ability to ask multiple vendors questions on services, availability or any other types of questions in just one email.

Designer Wedding Gown Sample Sale – January January 16^th ~ 18^th,  2012

Anna’s Bridal has opened a new location for 3 days ONLY!

Sample Sale Location:
Anna’s Bridal Boutique
4819 NE Fremont St.
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 636-1474
www.annasbridal.com

Designers include:
Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard, Reverie, Marisa, Casablanca, Pronovias, & more!

*  Designer gowns will be 40-70% off regular prices.
*  First come, first serve!
*  Discontinued as well as some of last year’s styles!

Hours for this special event:
January 16th, 2012 – 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
January 17th, 2012 – 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
January 18th, 2012 – 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm

This event is by appointment only! 503-636-1474

Are you recently engaged? Come out to the country and visit wedding vendors from the Mt. Hood area. A First of its kind, “A Country Bridal Affair” will be held on January 14, 2012 at the classic Boring-Damascus Grange Hall in “The Most Exciting Place To Live”, Boring, Oregon off Hwy. 212 on Grange Street. Doors open at noon and stay open until 5:00pm. It’s FREE to enter!

Who: Show Organizers: Studio 623 Photography (Becky Nerpel), Pearl and Roses Wedding Planning (Donna Cole), Chariteas (Charity Chalmers)

What: A country bridal show featuring local vendors in the country

Where: The Boring/Damascus Grange – off of Grange Street in Boring, Oregon off of HWY 212

When: Saturday January 14^th, from 12:00-5:00; Admission is free!

Brides can win raffle prizes (Proceeds go to Wish Upon a Wedding foundation) such as $200 off wedding cake, $150 off wedding photography, custom thank you cards, vintage hair pieces and a clutch and more!

More info about the show: http://www.acountrybridalaffair.com/about-the-show/ & Show vendors: http://www.acountrybridalaffair.com/our-vendors/

Country Bridal Affair

Country Bridal Affair

Credits to the inspiration shoot are:
Photography: Becky Nerpel, Studio 623 Photography
Coordination/Styling and 1^st venue: Donna Cole, Pearl and Roses Wedding Planning
Venue: Knoll Crest Gardens
Hair/Makeup: ZoieK Designs

To Buffet or Plate…That is the Question
Guest Blog By Tavola Catering

For all of you embarking on the New Year with a wedding or big event in store for 2012, this topic is for you. One of the most common questions I get from my bride and grooms to-be is buffet or plated? Well, it’s really a matter of personal choice but I always recommend that you weigh out the pros and cons of each.

BUFFET: Pros
• guests eating at a buffet will have more choice in what they eat, since you can provide more dishes

• guests can determine their own portion sizes

• gives people the chance to get up and mingle with other tables

• more casual (depending on what you’re going for)

PLATED: Pros
• more formal (depending on what you’re going for)

• prettier presentation

• easier for children and elderly people who may need help with the buffet

• easy to calculate amount of food you’ll need, and less waste

BUFFET: Cons
• line-ups (having more than one buffet table can cut down on this)

• waiting for your table to be called

• no such thing as a “special order”

• requires more space

PLATED: Cons
• picky eaters or those with diet restrictions can’t be as picky

• collecting meal choices on RSVPs can be a pain!

You may have noticed that I made no comment on cost. While buffets may seem like the cheaper option, often they work out to be about the same (or more) as seated dinners because you end up providing more food. When people are seated, you require more wait staff. Price variations really just depend on your caterer- it’s worth having a chat with them and working it all out before you commit.

Still can’t decide? There are options to provide a combination of both…
• do a buffet but have someone serve the wedding party and parents – otherwise they’ll be too busy socializing to grab food

• mix it up by starting out with guests seated to a salad, and then provide a small buffet for the main

• seated dinner, dessert buffet

• family style dinner – no one waits, everyone choose what and how much they have

• avoid the issue altogether and do a cocktail and dessert reception

Tavola Catering has led the greater Portland catering and event industry with fresh ideas, innovative design and contemporary style to ensure each guest’s experience is distinctive and memorable. Contact Jason at 503-998-9736 or info@tavolapdx.com.