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

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.

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

Want to ring in the New Year with an experience you’ll never forget?!?! Join Pronghorn Club in Bend for Dinner, the Party and the Night!

~ Call 541-693-5300 to Book ~ $299 per couple for Dinner, Party & a Room!

Already have plans for dinner? Then join Pronghorn after for the best Party in town and stay the night! $199 per couple. Includes over night accommodations in a Junior Suite and 2 entrance tickets to the party.

6-9pm Dinner Service (reservations required), Prix Fixe Menu at $50 pp or Ala Cart If guests dine with us, $10 discount on party price – 9pm: last seating.

8:30-12:30am Party in the Clubhouse $60 per person Out of the Blue Band, Appetizers included, 2 drinks included, Party hats, noisemakers and streamers for everyone. If guests dine with Pronghorn, $10 discount on party price.

New Year's Eve Party at Pronghorn Club & Resort

We’re beyond amazed at the level of talent in the local Wedding & Event industry! This past Sunday was the most successful Wedding Affair Bravo! has seen. Brides, Grooms & Guests were captivated by the gorgeous rooms decorated to impress, tasted delicious food, drinks & desserts and much more.

Winners: One fun element of the Wedding Affair is voting by Guests for those who inspired them at the show. Typically there are 3 categories & 3 winners… however there were a few ties and many honorable mentions! Congratulations to all.

Best Room Theme & Décor:
Colonel Lindbergh Ballroom – Theme: Town & Country and Fireside Room – Theme: Urban Chic – a Winter Wedding

Best Caterer: Premiere Catering and Delilah’s Catering

People’s Choice/Lasting Impression: Le Cookie Monkey

People’s Choice Honorable Mentions: August Veils, Barclay Event Rentals, Charlotte’s Weddings & More, Delilah’s Catering, Embassy Suites Hotel, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Grand Papery, John Ross Music, Magnifique Boutique, Muse Wedding & Event Planning, Paparazzi Tonight, Premiere Catering, Seventy Seven Salon, Soiree – Special Event Planning, Star Productions, Stott Shots Photography, and Studio I Do.

The Bravo! Wedding Affair is easier to describe in photos as its truly awe-inspiring. For a complete list of all the amazing wedding & event professionals involved in the Wedding Affair, Click Here. To see more pictures from the show, click here.

Colonel Lindbergh Ballroom – Theme: Town & Country

Colonel Lindbergh Reception – Theme: Rustic Vineyard with a Touch of Tuscany

Fireside Room – Theme: Urban Chic – a Winter Wedding

Gevurtz Room – Theme: Decadence

Lobby & Destination Weddings – Central Oregon, Coast, Mt. Hood & Gorge, & Willamette Valley

Mezzanine – Theme: Tour of Elegance

Queen Marie Ballroom – Theme: Je t’Adore

Queen Marie Reception – Theme: So Now Vintage

* Thank you Andie Petkus Photography for capturing all the wonderful details!

We are so excited for the Bravo! Wedding Affair this Sunday! Every detail has been carefully thought out & meticulously taken care of – all to help simplify the task of planning your own wedding. Immerse yourself in a wealth of knowledge, get inspired with the latest bridal couture & savor delicious treats while fresh ideas will help you imagine your day.

Themes:
Decadence
Je t’Adore
Rustic Vineyard with a Touch of Tuscany
So Now Vintage
Town & Country
Tour of Elegance
Urban Chic – A Winter Wedding

Destination Weddings:
Central Oregon
Mt. Hood/Columbia River Gorge
Oregon Coast
Willamette Valley

Entertainment: Collage Trio & John Ross Music

Giveaways: Enter to win fantastic giveaways from, Columbia Cliff Villas, Martin’s Gorge Tours, Mt. Hood SkiBOWL, Star Productions DJ, The Party Scoop & more!

You don’t want to miss this show! Sunday, Nov. 6th, 2011 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Embassy Suites Hotel Downtown Portland. Click Here to Purchase Tickets.

Bridal Show Tip: Avoid filling out multiple entry forms by hand – bring address labels with all your contact info. Be sure to include your email address & wedding date. This will save you time & your hand!

Urban Green Sustainable Wedding - February 2011 Wedding Affair. Images by AJ's - Art of Joy & Embassy Suites

Russian Tea Room - February 2011 Wedding Affair - Images by AJ's - Art of Joy

This Sunday, September 25th Portland Bride & Groom Magazine presents the  “Very Engaging Bridal Show” at Bridgeport Village from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. where more than 30 stores and 80 wedding professionals will be on hand to show you the latest wedding trends and tips. Admission is free, however if you’d like a VIP ticket which includes a light brunch, fashion show and gift bags, they’re available for $20. There will be wedding planners, bridal jewelry, floral arrangements, beauty and spa, photography and much more.

This event is in conjunction with “Brides Against Cancer” where hundreds of discounted designer wedding gowns will be available to purchase. This event is part of the Making Memories- Breast Cancer Foundation and takes place on Saturday September 24th and 25th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free but for $10 you get first dips on the selection of gowns and can start browsing at 9 a.m. However, the $10 tickets are limited to the first 50 brides so buy yours now!

“Brides Against Breast Cancer” helps fund the Breast Cancer Foundation by selling donated designer wedding gowns for a fraction of their original price. More than half the wedding gowns for sale are brand new and directly from the designer, manufacturer and bridal retailers. These gowns will be anywhere from 25 to 75 percent off.

This is also a wonderful opportunity for women to donate their old wedding gowns for an amazing cause. Any wedding gown donations are tax-deductible, too!

For more information please see below:

Portland Bride & Groom Magazine presents “Very Engaging Bridal Show”

Sunday September 25th

Bridgeport Village

9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.

Tickets available here: http://veryengaging.eventbrite.com/

Portland Bride & Groom Magazine presents “Brides Against Breast Cancer”

Saturday September 24th & Sunday September 25th

11 a.m.-4 p.m. (both days)

9 a.m. (if you bought $10 early entrance ticket)

Bridgeport Village

Tickets available here: http://bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/

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

Everytime I head over the Santiam Pass from Portland to Central Oregon I always stop off at Black Butte Ranch and get out of the car and look out over the water. I feel a sense of peace  and my body starts to relax. The view is always stunning. Imagine planning your wedding or special event at Black Butte Ranch.  Black Butte Ranch offers expert wedding coordination, with special attention to the details.   They offer everything from extraordinary settings – located on their beautifully maintained grounds with breathtaking views of the Cascade mountain range – to an intimate, cozy setting in their uniquely designed Lodge. You can view pictures from past weddings here.

In addition to the wedding, professionals at Black Butte can help you coordinate additional activities for your guests, golf, spa, rafting, hiking, and much more. They have many types of vacation rentals available condos, homes and cabins; they have 5 swimming pools located throughout the ranch. They are currently undergoing a renovation on the Glaze Meadow Course that will be open Spring 2012. In the meantime you can still play on Big Meadow Course.  Black Butte Ranch has so much to offer for weddings and events or for a fantastic vacation.

Photos by Cascade Photography

Are you looking for a great place to have your wedding that feels like it is far away from the city, but really isn’t? Check out Alderbrook Resort & Spa located in Union, Washington. Alderbrook Resort has everything you need to make your wedding feel special.  A formal ceremony on the terrace or a casual beachfront event followed by a barbeque of fresh local seafood, they can make it happen. Wedding  packages include full tableware, buffet and table linens, skirting and napkins, a dance floor and hosted bar. Alderbrook also features elopement packages if you are looking for something simple and beautiful.

Alderbrook also offers many amenities available to guests, a full-service spa, golf, hiking trails, a marina, restaurant and bar, pool and so much more.  Check out their website at http://www.alderbrookresort.com to see everything available.

Dinner cruises are also available on Lady Alderbrook.  Accommodating up to 90 guests, and featuring a full bar, The Lady is a truly awesome way to explore the beauty of the glacier-carved Hood Canal while enjoying a leisurely dinner and drinks.