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.

Windrose Conference & Meeting Center prices will be going up on March 1, 2012.  Get in on a great opportunity right now to save some money!  Whether it be a wedding, event, corporate meeting/retreat, you can save some significant money by booking now, prior to March 1, and have the event anytime in the future.  Book as many meetings as you want, have that perfect, more intimate wedding you always wanted, and you will receive a sizeable discount, as long as you book the reservation prior to March 1, 2012.  Go to www.windrosecenter.com or call Lynn at 503-701-7273 for more information or to book your event.

Windrose Conference Center Building

Windrose Conference Center Patio

About Windrose Conference & Meeting Center

Located just 25 miles from Portland or Salem in the heart of Oregon wine country, Windrose has gorgeous facilities and would be a perfect setting for your business meeting or smaller and more intimate wedding. It has a European flair with a touch of wine country flavor.

Outside boasts a large brick courtyard surrounded by flowers that can seat 70 people and is perfect for weddings, receptions, wine and hors d’oeuvre functions. The smaller courtyard has a water fountain and can be used as the bar area or for socializing. The back lawn area overlooks the canyon and creek and the ceremony site has an arbor on Italian stamped concrete. Inside has the feel of an old English library, with 2 fireplaces, kitchenette, reception area, and meeting space for up to 50 people. Windrose has an exclusive use policy, which means they cater to only one group at a time and you have use of the entire facility and grounds.

Windrose is available for weddings any day of the week and bookings are confirmed with a deposit and signed agreement. Ample free parking is provided. Tours are encouraged so you can see all that Windrose has to offer.

Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards Event Center ” The Epitome of Beauty & Romance”

Enjoy Live music, food & wine paring Thursday, January 12th, 2012 6-9 pm in th tasting room. Enjoy Oregon Akaushi Beef raised by Deep Canyon Ranch of Redmond, Oregon and a featured wine pairing from Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards and  Winery of Terrabonne, Oregon.

A Vinter’s selection of Columbia Valley Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon will be showcased.

Admission $20 per person includes food and wine sample along with wonderful music provided by singer/songwriter Geoff Elvee.

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY, SPACE IS LIMITED!

Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards will have wine available to purchase by the glass or bottle while you enjoy the concert.

Contact Cindy Grossmann at 541.350.5384 or email at events@faithhopeandcharityevents.com

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards