Joining BeckenRidge at their Open House:
NW Mobile DJ
Music Express
With This Ring Wedding
Distinctive Designs
Stalnaker Photo Studio
An Event to Remember
Red Pearl Designs
Myriad Cake Designs
Special Occasions Party Rentals
All Star Tents & Party Rentals
Capricorn Catering
Image Floral
Haute Cakes & Confections
The Bridal Gallery
Oregon Wedding Showcase

BeckenRidge Vineyard has availability in 2012 and are starting to book 2013.

BeckenRidge Vineyard was specifically designed for wedding, receptions, and special occasions. The panoramic view of the Willamette Valley and the Cascades provides the perfect backdrop fro your special day all year-round.  With 12 acres of vineyard wrapping itself around you and your guests, you can’t escape the romance. Whether you are on the patios, inside, in the vineyard or on the lawn your photos will create beautiful memories.

Since there is no public access to the property, you are assured your event will be private. Enjoy a leisurely pace, as you have the entire day to enjoy BeckenRidge.  The personal attention of the BeckenRidge staff will help you create a memorable event for you and your special guests. 

BeckenRidge Vineyard

Oaks Pioneer Church Bridal Open House: 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

Oregon Wedding Showcase: 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 Salem show is this Saturday & Sunday, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. NE in Salem 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.

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! Exhibitors will showcase the newest products, services, ideas and trends available to the market. There will be plenty of sampling and new ideas to see, from the well-recognized traditions to the hottest trends in the industry.

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…

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!

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

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.

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

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.

Also, please bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to a holiday toy drive. The Lounge Players look forward to celebrating a fun and festive evening with all of you brides and grooms to be, as well as those in the wedding industry! Please RSVP Here.

Wedding Lounge Holiday Open House

Le Cookie Monkey Pies... Yum!

This year Le Cookie Monkey is featuring a Traditional Pumpkin Pie, a Seasonal Local Apple pie, a Dutch Apple Cranberry pie, and last, but certainly not least… a magnificent Pumpkin Chiffon Pie! The great thing about ordering from Le Cookie Monkey is that you can have your pie and eat it too, without the hassle of making it yourself!

Come try some PIE & Give Thanks for yummy treats to share with your loved ones!!! Open on November 23rd until 5p.m. for pick-ups after you get off work!!

Order at: info@lecookiemonkey.com or call 503.232.3848

Pickup Orders at: 736 SE Powell Blvd. Portland, OR 97202 (off of SE 8th & Powell)