The sun is finally out and the days are longer. Looking for something to do outside? Check out Portland Spirit River Cruises. They offer cruises on the Willamette River and the Columbia River departing from downtown Portland and you can do a lunch, dinner or brunch cruise with fresh Northwest cuisine. You can also step aboard the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler from Cascade Locks.

 Friday evenings are the perfect time to cruise on the river and listen to sounds from kink.fm. They have a summer concert series beginning in July. Check out the website for more information and to sign-up.

They have several different boats available for private events and weddings. You can see the options on the website or schedule a tour!

What a great way to spend a sunny day or evening.

Located in the heart of Hood River is the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel. The Benson Ballroom offers 4,000 sq. ft. of reception space with access to the outdoors and the 208′ waterfall. The Falls Room is at the end of the dining room and offers 660 sq. ft. of space for intimate dinners. The Pointe Lawn and West Lawn offer outdoor space for up to 200 people with beautiful views.

Next door to the hotel is Columbia Cliff Villas,  a 28 unit luxury hotel and condominium near Portland in Hood River, Oregon. The hotel is ideal for a wedding venue, meeting, event or conference space, or a romantic honeymoon. The hotel and condominium rooms range from 1 to 3 bedrooms with lockout doors, optimal for accommodating families and large groups. Each spacious villa combines old-world boutique hotel charm and craftsmanship with beautiful exquisite furnishings and gourmet kitchens.

 Have you always wanted to hold an event at a winery? Check out Cathedral Ridge Winery. Cathedral Ridge Winery is the perfect setting for your outdoor wedding and reception. Nestled in a beautiful vineyard with stunning views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, the winery offers the perfect weatherproof location for up to 200 guests. They will also provide wine for your event at another location!
  Maryhill Winery located in Goldendale, Washington offers breathtaking views as the backdrop for an event or wedding. They offer several spaces; the recreation and pavillion area, Columbia River Gorge Bluff Ceremony site, ampitheater and stage area, grape covered arbor or the large cement dance area.

Maryhill Winery also offers custom bottles of wine with personalized event labels.

 Wind River Cellars offers a magnificent view and charming facilities for your next wedding or event. They can can accommodate up to 200 guests and offer an area for ceremonies as well as a reception area for eating, dancing and enjoying the evening view. The Vineyard Garden is the wedding ceremony site, surrounded by twenty five-year-old vineyard with a spectacular view of the Columbia Gorge and Mt. Hood. They offer a reception site just a few yards from the vineyard site at the winery facility. A large deck and patio area serve as the perfect area for hors d’oeurves, wine, dinner and dancing.

 Gorge-ous Weddings at WindMountain Ranch has stunning views that can’t be beat. Located in Stevenson, Washington this private residence offers a spacious outdoor site or a large tent for indoor receptions.  Wind Mountain Ranch House offers scenic views of the Gorge and accommodates up to 10 guests, making it ideal for retreats and small groups.

Are you looking for place to hold your wedding or event that seems like it is out of city, but is not a far drive? Check out the Columbia River Gorge where there are venues that will fit any type of personality and event. On the North side of Mt Hood you will find Cooper Spur Resort. You can find intimate settings with beautiful views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainer. Cooper Spur offers onsite catering as part of their packages. Cabins, lodge rooms, condos and a log home are available for your choice of accomodations.

 Voted one of America’s top 100 day spas, Bonneville Hot Springs Resort offers open, airy meeting rooms filled with natural light and fully wired with high-speed Internet access. Their creative caterers can design tantalizing coffee breaks or banquet dinners. Arrange for team-building outings such as whitewater rafting, rock climbing, or a round of golf. Treat clients and colleagues to a long overdue escape from boring Portland meeting space. Bonneville Resort offers 1500 sq. ft. of meeting space and an outdoor terrace perfect for cocktail parties or dinners. 

 Bigfoot-Lodge is a one of a kind custom built hand crafted log lodge with million dollar    views of Mt.Hood and the Hood River Valley from every room. It is situated on 63 acres in the forest with all kinds of wildlife. Bigfoot-Lodge has become a preferred stay in the gorge by many executives/groups vacationing, sponsoring events, receptions, family reunions, retreats, business meetings, and more. It is close to the Hood River marina/beach, hatchery, stores, restaurants, lakes, golf, skiing, wineries, breweries, museums, sightseeing, and all the other fantastic fun in one of the worlds premiere playgrounds right hear in the Columbia River Gorge.

 The Gorge White House is an elegant casual setting in the heart of the Hood River Valley  with commanding views of Mt Hood, Mt Adams and the valley’s east hills. Located just 4 miles south of Hood River on the Mt Hood Scenic Byway, The Gorge White House is a historic home on a century old working farm. 

Their 100 year old home serves as the tasting room and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It is impeccably restored to its original grandeur. The patio gardens provide a beautiful, fragrant setting.  Guests will have use of all of the facilities including the farm stand, gardens, fields, patio and tasting room.

 Stonehedge Gardens offers beautiful terraces for weddings and events that are flexible for all sizes of events. The grotto offers a waterfall, 10,000 feet of grass, a wedding stage in stone with tuscan pillars and a reception terrace. The new bridal cottage tucked away in the wooded area offers a great place to relax before the ceremony. Stonehedge also offers full-service catering for any size of event.

Check out the Columbia River Gorge Visitors Association for more information on these venues and everything that the beautiful gorge has to offer visitors.

 Check back tomorrow to learn about more great venues in the Columbia Gorge Area!

Stunning river views in the heart of Lake Oswego. Located minutes from downtown Portland yet surrounded by nature, this newly renovated private riverfront site provides an elegant and unique venue for weddings and events, from intimate gatherings to large receptions. Featuring timeless architecture and dramatic vaulted ceilings, garden patios, riverside hardwood decks and unobstructed views of the Willamette River, The Foundry offers a variety of options for a spectacular event any time of year. 

They are currently offering $500 off any 2011 event booked by the end of June. Contact The Foundry at 503. 387.5250 or info@TheFoundryLakeOswego.com for more information.

Features:

• Up to 300 guests
• Flexible indoor/outdoor space
• Dance floor
• High-Fidelity PA System
• Off-street parking

Please join The Bridal Loft in a gala party as they celebrate 10 years in business together.

Old friends and new will gather together for an exciting evening of entertainment, music, food and drink.  Bring your dancing shoes, singing voice, appetite and be prepared to have a good time as we celebrate a decade of making bride’s beautiful and happy at The Bridal Loft.  There will be live music, dancers, Karaoke, food and drink, photo booth and more to help continue the festivities. You will be missed if you are not there!!

Friday, May 13th, 2011, 5pm – 11pm
The Bridal Loft, 2808 NE Martin Luther King Blvd Suite #3, Portland, OR 97212

The Bridal Loft 10 Year Anniversary Party