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

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

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

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.

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

The Wedding Lounge is hosting their monthly Open House Thursday, May 12th from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.  Join in the fun as they celebrate “Lounge Latin Love” with fabulous latin-influenced food from Crave Catering, music for weddings receptions, DJ & live band, and an overnight stay giveaway from Hotel deLuxe!

Lizzie O’Leary, Catering Sales Manager at Hotel deLuxe – this month’s featured venue –
will be will be there to answer questions and she will be giving away an overnight stay for a lucky couple. You have to be there to enter & to win.

All of the Wedding Lounge players will be in attendance to assist any and all couples with their wedding planning needs. A Yen for Chocolate, AJ’s Studio-The Art of Joy, All Wright Music, Barclay Event Rentals, Best Car In Town, Black Swan Events, Crave Catering, Encore Events, Flowers Exclusively by Wendy, Hybrid Moon Video Production, Jessica Belknap – Makeup artist, Kevan Inouye, Private Florist, Lasting Impressions Design & Floral, Le Cookie Monkey, Paparazzi Tonight, Portland Video Booth, Puddle Jumpin Cards, Swingline Cubs/Rendezvous Bands & Uncommon Invites.

This event is FREE, so if you’re interested in attending be sure to visit The Wedding Lounge to register online and RSVP.

Enjoy an evening of "Lounge Latin Love"

You’re engaged, you’re excited and you can FINALLY start attending bridal shows as a for real, legitimate bride.  Woo hoo!  Well, guess what? …  this fall Wine Country Wedding Professionals is presenting a bridal show that is all about you.  Yes, you!

Tour d’Brides is going to let you experience Oregon’s Wine Country through the eyes of a bride.  We are going to chauffer you in luxury vehicles to four of our most beautiful wedding venues:  Hotel Oregon, Mansion at the Bayou, Navarra Gardens and Youngberg Hill Vineyards & Inn.

At each of these venues, you will not only see a breathtaking set-up of a mock wedding ceremony or reception, but you will also meet with the very best wedding vendors Wine Country has to offer.  We will be there, not to sales pitch you to death, but to actually help you and to answer any and all questions you have about your own wedding.

And with Bravo!, Portland Bride & Groom, and No Ordinary Affair as our sponsors, how could this not be awesome?!

So on September 11th, grab your fiancé, your bridesmaids, your mother and your sister and let us treat you in style!  Tickets will go on sale this June.  In the meantime, “like” Tour d’Brides on Facebook and stay in the loop with all the special treats and surprises we have in store for you.

Can’t wait to see you there!

www.winecountryweddingprofessionals.com | http://tourdbrides.com

Visit Soiree Boutique tomorrow – Wednesday, April 20th from 5 to 8pm – for their monthly Party! Come browse the boutique and chat with top wedding & event vendors. Soiree, Special Event Planning, will be on-site to answer any event planning questions, East West Floral Arts will be providing gorgeous floral arrangements and West Coast Event Productions will be providing the rentals. Linens will be lavender and pale yellow damask, white chivari chairs. Think Spring! Think Inspiration!

A special Soiree Boutique gift bag of discounts & goodies from Soiree Boutique vendors will be given out to all who attend. Great savings for any special event!!!

• Soiree, Special Event Planning: $200 off any planning package.
• David A. Barss Photographer: Complimentary engagement session or equivalent credit.
• Bella Vida: Complimentary Thank You card design when purchasing the design of a Wedding Invitation or Suite Package.
• East West Floral Arts: Custom Treatment for free, a $200 value.
• Vibrant Table Catering & Events: Complimentary toss bouquet if you use them for your flowers and free decorative crinkle linens if you use them for your catering.
• West Coast Event Productions: 15% discount on linens.
• All Wright Music: 15% discount off DJ Services.
• Ambient Sky Couture Wedding Films: $400 off your Couture Wedding Film plus Same Day Edit Package.
• Artistique Photographie: Giving away a $800 Wedding Album.
• Celebration Music & Events: $50 off DJ services, $50 off live music booking OR a free dance lesson.
• Fitbride Northwest: 10% off the purchase of any 12 week Fitbride Northwest package.
• Francoise Weeks European Floral Design: Free bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, a $200 value upon booking a minimum floral order of $2,500.
• Hybrid Moon Video Productions: Four hours of wedding and reception coverage, “Assemble Edit” and “Short Film Edit” with one DVD in leather case for $1,999 OR single camera coverage for your wedding ceremony and “Assemble Edit” with four DVD’s in eco-friendly Hybrid Moon case for $475.
• Jamie Bosworth Photographer: An Engagement Session complimentary when you book a wedding package for 2011.
• Lavish Floral: 10% off your total wedding floral package.
• Papa Haydn Catering & Wedding Cakes: 10% off food for any event booked with Papa Haydn Catering.
• House of Cards: 10% off your entire contract when booking a ceremony & reception music combo.

7080 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

BeckenRidge Vineyard is hosting an Open House featuring professionals in the field of weddings and special events on April 3rd, 2011 from 11am to 3:30pm.

Participants include: Myraid Cake Design, Willaby’s Catering, NW Mobile DJ Service, Distinctive Designs Floral, The Bridal Gallery, Encore Photography, Guitarist Derek DeArment, Capricorn Catering, Lights in the Attic Videography, All Star Tents, SHE Designs, Focal Point Digital Media, Stalnakers Photo Studio, Image Floral, Special Occasions, Music Express, Haugen’s Photography, Johanna Respini Officiant and Stargazer Weddings.

BeckenRidge Vineyard will be offering a special discount for attendees.

Cost is free, and open to the public. For more information, map and directions go to www.beckenridge.com

BeckenRidge Vineyard Open House