Bravo! Wedding Blog » Wedding Hints

101 Secrets Every Bride Needs to Know About Buying Wedding Attire – By Raquel Schuh

Bravo Publications — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:00:13 +0000

Working with brides on a daily basis I have recognized their confusion about picking the perfect wedding gown. With so many choices and differences between gown manufacturers, brides have difficulty understanding what all the hoopla (differences) is about. I choose to offer my knowledge and advice through this book in hopes of imparting my wisdom to brides worldwide on the subject of how to acquire the perfect wedding gown.

I worked with Rick Segel of Rick Segal & Associates to produce this book. Working with Rick, a national retail speaker and consultant, allowed me to narrow down my focus and write about what I feel is most important to bring out a brides beauty and allow her much success on her wedding day.

101 Secrets Every Bride Needs to Know About Buying Wedding Attire is available in-store at Bella Victoria Bridal Boutique and online at http://www.createspace.com/3758392

Raquel Schuh, Owner
Bella Victoria Bridal Boutique

Weekend Bridal Events – Oregon Wedding Showcase, Marry ME! & Oaks Pioneer Church Open House

Bravo Publications — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:30:09 +0000

It’s a busy wedding weekend in the Pacific Northwest with the Oregon Wedding Showcase in Salem, Marry ME! in Vancouver & Oaks Pioneer Church Open House in SE Portland. Lots of options for couples to continue planning their special day!

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.

Oregon Wedding Showcase – “Something for Every Bride” at Salem & Eugene’s Largest Bridal Shows

Bravo Publications — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:00:18 +0000

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.

A Country Bridal Affair ~ Inspiring Brides this Saturday

Bravo Publications — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:00:57 +0000

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

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

Wedding Lounge – Holiday Open House December 7th.

Bravo Publications — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:00:52 +0000

Please join the Wedding Lounge for their holiday open house on Wednesday, December 7th. The festive event will take place from 6:30- 8:30pm at the Wedding Lounge, located directly off of Martin Luther King Blvd. My Bartender will be serving holiday drinks, while Crave Catering will be providing delicious appetizers.

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

Get Inspired at The Bravo! Wedding Affair this Sunday

Bravo Publications — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:00:28 +0000

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

Committed! Portland’s Alternative Bridal Event

Bravo Publications — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:00:03 +0000

We’ve said this many times here at Bravo! but every bride is different and different is good. Committed! Portland’s Alternative Bridal Event is a fun and casual showcase of talented vendors for couples looking for something less along the lines of a traditional wedding. Curated by Luxe Event Productions, this bridal show is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday October 21st at The Ambridge Event Center and will feature innovative Style Scenes, cool, unique ideas and plenty of amazing vendors.

Hey, even biker dudes and mamas need love too!

Style Scenes will includes themes like Moonshine Southern Wedding, Day of the Dead Wedding, Eco Friendly Wedding, Punk Rock Wedding, 80s Vintage Wedding plus more. Additionally, there will be two fashion shows at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. which are sure to be nothing close to ordinary. This show is sponsored by Le Coookie Monkey, Black Label Films, Ambridge Events Center, Mosco Photo, Oregon Bride Magazine, yours truly (Bravo! Publications) and many more.

We’re excited to be part of this event and encourage brides-t0-be to attend if they’re looking for something original, fun and alternative. Oh, and every couple that attends gets a sweet gift bag chock-full of goodies! Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door (cash only).

Follow their Twitter account for more updates, tips and hints.

Check out their Facebook Page.

Guest Blog: Lora of Sophisticated Floral Design on how to save money on your wedding flowers

Bravo Publications — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:00:17 +0000

Lora suggests mixing and matching your florals to help you stay on budget.

I often get asked-”Why are wedding flowers so expensive?” The simple fact is that wedding flowers have to be in absolute tip top shape and premium quality which means they can get expensive.

When the flowers arrive from the wholesaler, they have to be properly cleaned, prepped and conditioned. An average wedding order can take anywhere from a several hours to a few days to prepare. Not including the time it takes to deliver, set up and collect any rental items after the wedding.

While you are enjoying your time with the family or getting pampered for your big day, your florist is working long hours to make sure your flowers look superb for your wedding.

Fresh flowers cannot be designed too far in advance, which means your florist may be working through the night to create your beautiful arrangements.

This being said, there are creative ways to save money without compromising your style and overall quality. Think outside the box with these helpful tips on getting the most out of your wedding flower budget.

1. {Set a Flower Budget.} When talking with a florist it’s really important to tell them what your price point is. They will suggest options that go along with your theme and colors and are more cost effective for you.

2. {Find a florist that will work with your budget.} I personally recommend looking for a florist that is flexible, works out of their home or studio and specializes primarily in weddings and events. This is what I do and I know there are others like me out there. We are able to offer lower prices because we do not have the expensive overhead of a traditional floral shop. You will always get much more personal attention with such a florist.

3. {Seasonal Availability.} Choose blooms that are in season, or are always available.
Using out of season flowers will drive the prices up significantly as well as compromise the flower quality.

4. {Don’t settle} for just roses, because that is the only flower you know. There are a multitude of flowers that come in many shapes, sizes and price points. Don’t be afraid to ask your florist questions to find out what flowers will work best within your budget.

5. {Be flexible with flower varieties.} If you have a very tight budget, have an open mind and be flexible on the type of flowers you want. Do tell your florist what your likes and dislikes are, while allowing them to be creative and do what they do best.
This gives your florist the flexibility to choose flower varieties that will look best and be the most cost efficient option for you.

6. {Avoid major Holidays.} {Valentine’s and Mother’s Day being the top two}
Supply and demand is what drives the flower prices up and the quality down during the holiday season.

7. {Limit exotic and premium flowers~ie. Orchids, Calla Lilies, Gardenias, Stephanotis, Oriental Lily, Peony, Tropical’s, etc} If your heart is set on using premium or exotic flowers, use them in moderation and limit them to bridal party flowers only.
Spend the bulk of your floral budget on the Bridal Party flowers, as they will be the most seen and most photographed arrangements at your wedding.

8. {Choose a “right” venue.} A venue that is already beautiful with lush manicured lawns or breathtaking views will not requires as much decor. It could be a park, garden or a golf course that will have these characteristics.

9. {Don’t overlook non-floral accents.} If you are getting married in the winter it may be a great money saving option to use pine cones, ornaments or Christmas greenery in your flower arrangements. In the fall there is an abundance of fall leaves, pumpkins, branches and pods. Summer season brings a lot of colorful fruits and vegetables. Don’t be afraid to be a little different and you will end up with the most gorgeous wedding décor without compromising your overall style.

10. {Dare to Mix and Match} If you have your heart set on tall elaborate centerpieces but are having trouble fitting them in your budget, its best to mix it up with short centerpieces. A good way to keep everything coordinated together is to stick with the same types of flowers or colors for both styles.

Depending on your overall style, you can also scope out your local Goodwill, flea market or garage sale to collect the unique containers and vases for your centerpieces.

Don’t worry if they are not identical, it can often add more charm to have a variety of styles all in the same color scheme.

11. {Recycle your arrangements.} Using the same arrangements more than once will undoubtedly save you money. This means depending on design and location logistics you can re-use your ceremony arrangements at your reception.

12. {Choose your Focal Points.} Larger/Taller displays will always command attention. You don’t need to have many elaborate arrangements on every corner. However, when positioned strategically at your venue, they will give you the best results by highlighting the most important areas. Smaller arrangements scattered throughout the venue seem to get overlooked by the most.
Ask your florist to use more economical blooms for your larger arrangements. For example; Carnations and baby’s breath are very affordable way to go. A lot of people, myself included, used to really dislike them. However, when used in abundance and styled properly, they can be quite striking and pack a punch while not breaking your budget.

13. {DIY] There are some aspects of your wedding décor where DIY projects are perfectly acceptable. If you are a crafty person, you can create beautiful paper cones that will be filled with rose petals for each guest to toss at the bride and groom. You could also attempt to create a beautiful flag banner or another piece of décor in your wedding colors to enhance your overall wedding theme, if you so choose.

DIY projects can be a great way to personalize your wedding day-but don’t get carried away where you are trying to do it all and have no time to enjoy your big day. This is where the professional vendors come in-we are here to help you be stress fee on the most important day of your life.

I hope those tips were helpful to you while planning your wedding.

~Lora

Check out Sophisticated Floral Design’s website/blog, Facebook, Twitter, and even her Etsy shop pages for more great tips on florals!

Choosing Central Oregon For Your Wedding- Tips & Hints

Bravo Publications — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:00:59 +0000

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

West Coast Event Productions

Bravo Publications — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:25:34 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to visit the new location of West Coast Event Productions. They have moved their location to the waterfront, 1466 NW Naito Parkway where they have a fantastic view! Their warehouse is filled with props, linens, dishware, tables & chairs and much more! They have a product catalog online to make selecting items easy.

West Coast has merged with Shaka-sound and will now be able to provide top quality sound at weddings and events. They are able to provide great sound for your event using professional equipment.

They will also be unveiling a new type of romantic/glittery style drape that is new to the area. The drape will be designed inhouse and will bring your event to the next level.

West Coast prides itself on its artists they have on staff. They can help clients build their dream event.

Contact them at here or at 503.294.0412 to get started planning your wedding or event.

Stay tuned for more information on the Grand Opening to be scheduled mid-August.