Twilite was started in 2008 by the original owners (Mick and Sanya) in McMinnville OR. They did a great job in creating awareness and
developing the website plus providing excellent customer service. In August of 2010, We purchased the website, name and our first limo a white 94 stretch limo from Sanya and Mick. Since those first days we have learned, learned and learned again and can only thank you our clients, guests and now many have become friends….Thank you so much for a great 1st year.

Since beginning with that first limo, which has now gone on to a private family in southern Oregon to enjoy, Twilite now currently operates a fleet of 9 vehicles. What a freshman year and the success is only because of you our friends, clients and guests. Adding the trolleys and now a H2 Hummer rounds out the fleet with the ability to truly provide a robust offering of transportation solutions
for just about any size group and event.
In our sophmore year you can expect even better service, the best rates, improved website with check out abilities, and some great new tours. An urban wine and artisan cheese tour, trolley holiday lights tour and a brew pub crawl to name just a few in the works…

Glenn, Dave, Ryan, Doug, Lori, Jonathan, Savenia, and myself Shawn

The Pacific Northwest has some of the most awe-inspiring sites on the west coast, from vast forests to rolling mountains and of course, the coast. Lewis and Clarke famously made their way to the Oregon coast, building Fort Clatstop where Astoria is now and it’s easy to see why they were transfixed by it. The Oregon coast spans more than 360 miles, looks like something from a postcard and is an extremely popular destination for weddings. Due to its broad range of terrains, the Oregon coast is divided into three sub sections- the North, Central and South, each uniquely different options for brides and grooms.

Cities near the coast are typically small and quaint yet still offer excellent resources for weddings. Tourism is a large part of the coastal economy and that includes weddings and ceremonies. For couples that choose the Oregon coast, here are some companies perfect for your big day by the ocean.

Located in Cannon Beach, Surfsand Resort Hotel has multiple options for the day of your wedding and more. Whether you’d like a barefoot wedding on the sand or an indoor ceremony in their Haystack Garden Retreat Center, Surfsand Resort Hotel has multiple luxury amenities to suit your needs and wants. Set against the world-famous Haystack Rock and Tillamook Lighthouse, the resort is blessed with a never-ending supply of sunsets. The resort’s roof top veranda is an excellent way to view said sunsets. Their staff can help you with everything else you need to get planned, from music, transportation, florists and photographers. The chefs and catering staff of Wayfarer Restaurant and Lounge can help you design the perfect menu, too.

Choosing Surfsand Resort comes with a view...or several

Debbie Nelson is a Cannon Beach local and owns Cannon Beach Florist. She offers complimentary floral consultation, giving the bride and groom the option of seeing her work before making any sort of commitment and her shop is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Cannon Beach.

One of the endless beautiful arrangements by Cannon Beach Florist

Pelican Brewpub is more than just a great place to grab a cold beer- in fact, it’s the perfect place to plan your wedding. It has three different lodging choices, an ocean front brewery and various floor plan arrangements to accommodate various sized parties. They have multiple catering options and of course, their own freshly brewed beer.

The Pelican Brew Pub overlooks sand, surf and sunsets

Central Oregon is geographically mesmerizing with the Cascade Range to the west and the Deschutes River flowing through it, making it a wildly popular destination for a wedding. Being centrally located also makes the region more arid than northern cities like Portland, giving a wider time frame for wedding season. Surrounded by lush forests, Central Oregon is a visually rich location and offers great amenities for a wedding.

Because of its vast flora, Central Oregon is home to several beautiful resorts that have become prime locations for weddings and events. Pronghorn Golf Club in Bend is especially fantastic for a larger wedding, boasting a 500-person capacity lawn, comfortable and luxurious lodging and free shuttle to Bend and RDM airport for any guests that may be flying in for your wedding. Although the Pronghorn Gold Club has exceptional spaces for larger weddings, it still offers intimate and cozy selections for smaller ceremonies. They also offer several wedding packages with an impressive selection of food and drink for a wide range of budgets.

A gentle sunset highlights how beautiful the Pronghorn Club & Resort is

Five Pines Spa and Resort is also a beautiful location for a bride and groom looking for something with in the heart of nature while still providing upscale amenities. Voted “Runner Up” for Best Conference Venue in Oregon by NW Meetings & Events, Five Pines offers 32 lodging and cabins as well as a number of rooms that offer an array of capacities. Surrounded by Ponderosa Pines, the facility itself resembles a beautiful log cabin and with its Shibui Spa, featuring services from massages to facials, a bride and groom can have complete relaxation before their big day.

Five Pines draws its name from the large pine forest its nestled in

Choosing a wedding venue can be daunting, even overwhelming but is there anything more crucial than the dress? Of course not. Just like your partner, choosing the perfect match takes thought and time. Bella Brides in Bend understands this and strives to make the experience personable and fun. The one-size-fits-all cliché is never present here instead they offer a wide selection of designs, fabrics and fits that allows a bride to feel unique and special. Not to be overlooked, the groomsman and bridesmaids also have plenty of options from top designers. Bella Brides also offers 10 percent off accessories, bridesmaids dresses and tuxedos when you purchase your wedding gown from them. Even better, if you buy all your bridesmaids dresses and rent tuxedos for your entire party you receive 10 percent off.

Bella Brides in Bend features affordable elegant designer gowns for every type of bride

So you’ve decided on the perfect location and wedding gown but what about a photographer? With so many out there, choosing a photographer can be an added stress if you’re not familiar with the area. Stotts Shots Photography widely recognized as a premiere choice for couples looking to capture one of the happiest days of their lives. They have been awarded Winning Image at the Wedding Portrait Photographers  Convention in Las Vegas as well  as having one of their weddings featured in Oregon Bride Magazine. Stotts Shots photography consists of a husband and wife who are inspired by love and dedicated to capturing all of its moments.

One of the many breathtaking pictures by Stotts Shots Photography

Lance Armstrong may have won the Tour de France seven consecutive times but we’re sure he’s never experienced the Tour d’Brides, a bridal event showcase from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. September 11 presented by Wine Country Wedding Professionals. The tour begins when brides register in Newberg where they’ll be whisked away to four different host venues including Hotel Oregon, Mansion at the Bayou, Navarra Gardens and Youngberg Hill Vineyards & Inn, all in the heart of Oregon wine country. Transportation will be provided by Double Decker PDX, The Trolley and Wine Country Car Service among others, allowing the brides to relax in style as they check out the beautiful options and meet a host of vendors.

During the day you’ll be able to preview various parts of a wedding at each vender, including a cocktail hour, ceremony, reception and more. The goal is to provide brides with a real-life experience of what their wedding could be like at each of the locations. Brides have the option of staying as long or as short in each location as they want since shuttles come every 15 to 30 minutes, allowing them to interact with vendors and each location.

What could be more fun that exploring wine country in a giant red double decker bus courtesy of Double Decker PDX?

Among the many great vendors like Beaverton Bakery, Francoise Weeks Florist and Sheer Bliss, there are also incredible deals for brides. Powers Photography Studios is offering free mini-engagement shoots and all you have to do is purchase tickets for Tour d’Bride and ‘Like’ the Tour d’Brides and the Powers Photography Studios Facebook pages. When you ‘Like’ the Powers Photography Studios Facebook page, RSVP to the event on the same page and you’re done! This is a perfect opportunity for brides to try out a photographer without making any commitment before they’re ready.

Winner of Best Photography Studio in 2009 and 2010 by Oregon Bridal Magazine, Powers Photography Studios will be offering free mini-engagement photos for brides who attend Tour d'Brides

This is sure to be an intimate and exciting event for brides and Wine Country Wedding Professionals are ready to answer any and all questions you may have. If you’re interested in going to this spectacular event you can buy tickets through Ticket Oregon and if you have a party of two or more you can enter the coupon code “Weddings” at checkout to receive 20 percent off.

If that isn’t enough incentive for you, browse the pictures below for a sneak preview of the gorgeous venues being toured.

Hotel Oregon, part of the McMenamins family, offers a beautiful and quaint brick building that was built in 1905

The Mansion at the Bayou overlooks a large pristine lawn and beautifully manicured garden

A panoramic view of the Youngberg Hill Vineyards & Inn during sunset

When it comes to wedding favors, being creative and unique can sometimes hurt your budget. You want both you and your guests to remember the day forever and with these simple and affordable wedding favor ideas you can. Wedding favors can be anything from a simple retro Polaroid picture to a succulent in a cool looking pot- the possibilities are endless.  Best of all you can totally do them yourself or with your bridesmaids as a fun bridal party, all you have to do is be creative!

We’re giving away a $50 gift certificate from Portland Spa & Boutique to the most creative bride-to-be who shares her wedding favor idea. All you have to do is post a picture or write a description of your idea on our Facebook page wall, tell your friends to ‘Like’ us and vote for you and the idea with the most likes win. The contest ends September 1 when we’ll announce the winner but in the meantime you can browse these simple ideas to help get you inspired.

Potted herbs can be both placeholders and useful favors for guests

These painted wish bones are unique, sweet and crafty

A small bag filled with tea leaves and a sugar stick for stirring is a delicious treat for guests

For the brides that aren’t so DIY-inclined or simply don’t have the time, there are some other fantastic options of companies that are an excellent wedding favor resource. A Yen For Chocolate makes beautiful and elegant chocolates with customized packaging and The Wedding Cottage is great for plantable gifts, candles and more.

A beautiful wooden cases holds one of A Yen For Chocolates sweet surprises

An abundance of beautiful options are available at The Wedding Cottage

Remember to be creative and have fun with wedding favors and who knows, you may find your perfect gift from other people’s ideas.

I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Cindy Rosen of Encore Events last week. She is a boutique-style wedding and event coordinator that specializes in creative and unique weddings. Cindy books one wedding per weekend so that the bride and groom have her undivided attention. She likes to take time to talk with the couple and find out what their dream wedding looks like. She will then helps them create the dream wedding image using cost-effective and creative elements.

Cindy provides a complimentary initial meeting to the bride and groom. She will also provide “full-service” coordination, “month-of” coordination or “snap-shot” sessions, which are 3 hour sessions to get the bride started on wedding planning. She has participated in the past Bravo! Wedding Affairs and you can see pictures of her work at bravowedding.com/weddingaffair.

Event Solutions magazine interviewed David Tutera on his top trends for 2012 and here is what he had to say.

1. Deep Colors- eggplant and red

2. Personalization- couples are using elements of their personality in their wedding planning

3. Sleeves- brides will be using more lace in their wedding dresses, think Kate Middleton

4. Costume Changes-

Sah-Hah-Lee features a beautiful pavillion to host your next special event or wedding. It is built in classic NW lodge style, with exposed beams and river rock pillars. The pavillion overlooks the putting course and golf course and driving range. Heated and enclosed, the space can accomodate up to 200 people, 100 banquet seating. There is room for an additional 72 guests on the back deck. 18 hole golf and mini-golf is available for guest. Sah-Hah-Lee uses Bistro Catering or outside caterers on approval. LaSalle Class of 1981, Mary Lou Kern-Burton had her 30th reunion at fellow classmate/ client- Steve Lisac’s Sah-Hah-Lee Golf Course and Venue. What a great location, with putt-putt golf for entertainment, great band and yummy food by Indudge Catering. This is the perfect spot for any event- many of the reunion guests were able to golf prior to the party! Thanks Tracy & Steve Lisac and all the entire planning committee for a unforgettable 30th reunion! It was nice to be a guest for once!

Located in the heart of Salem next door to the Salem Conference Center is the Grand Hotel Salem. They have over 193 guest rooms available. The Board Room offers 1200 sq. ft. available for up to 75 people theater style. The hotel also has the Marion room available after 12pm everyday for up to 75 people. The adjoining Salem Conference Center offers 29,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. They have 143 Deluxe rooms available with separate living and sleeping areas. The offer 10 Grand Suites, some with fireplaces and jacuzzis. There are also smaller suites available. Contact the hotel at 877.540.8700 to make your reservations or plan your next event.

Bentley’s Grill is the exclusive caterer for the hotel and also has private dining space for up to 80 people. They offer plated dinners, buffets or food for breaks.

Brix Tavern, a modern tavern offers both a dining and bar experience all in one. Serving a collection of enduring American comfort food, the menu is based around simple American cooking and features such favorites as turkey pot pie, chicken & dumplings, prime rib and baked mac & cheese. Enjoy modern amenities including flat screen TV’s, a pool table, dart boards, retro arcade games, and a juke box.

THE LOFT

Ask about the “loft”. This cozy spot comes complete with  couches, brown leather chairs, and a high definition flat screen T.V. tuned to the channel of your choice. To reserve the loft call 503.943.5995.

 LARGE PARTY

Host a party at Brix Tavern. Their back room can accommodate up to 75 people seated and 125 cocktail style. A  condensed version of the Brix Tavern menu is available or let them customize a menu to meet your needs and budget. Contact Annette at 503.943.5995 or Annette@brixtavern.com.