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

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.

The Northwest’s ONLY Wedding Cake and Tabletop Design Showcase

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!

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.

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.

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

Join Soiree Boutique this Sunday, November 13th from 12 noon to 4 pm for a party of beauty. Hosted by Soiree Boutique and Cypress Beauty & Wellness.

Sample a variety of relaxation and beauty services while enjoying music, food, drink, door prizes and a goody bag for all attendees. Plus check out the variety of great event professionals the boutique has to showcase.

The party will be at both locations ~ Soiree Boutique (7080 SE 16th Avenue, Portland) and Cypress Beauty & Wellness (1616 SE Bybee, Portland).

The boutique will be raffling off a Grand Prize at the end of the party. His/her hair and make-up services from Fada Salon and Event Cosmetics with a complimentary engagement portrait session from David A. Barss, Photographer.

You won’t want to miss this party. E-mail Soiree Boutique at contact@soireeboutique.com or call 503-230-9311 for more information.

The Bride - David A. Barss, Photographer

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