Portland Wedding Coordinator

May 06, 2013

Wedding Wonderland Sneak Peek — Crafty Wonderland {Upcoming Wedding Planning Events in Portland}

Image via http://craftywonderland.com/2013/05/wedding-wonderland-sneak-peek/#

We just got a reminder about a really fun-sounding event this coming week! On Saturday, May 11, Crafty Wonderland is happening again at the Oregon Convention Center. And this time, there will be a special "Wedding Wonderland" area featuring handmade and vintage items from local Portland retailers, all carefully curated by the clever folks behind Crafty Wonderland. Definitely check it out!

"We are super excited to have a special Wedding Wonderland section in our Super Colossal Spring Sale this year! What is Wedding Wonderland, you ask?! Vendors with items we thought might be of interest to folks planning a wedding have been conveniently placed together in several rows! All of our vendors have amazing goods to show you, so please be sure to visit all of the booths whether you’re planning a wedding or not!"

via craftywonderland.com

Posted at 09:30 AM in Current Affairs, Events, In the News, Inspiration, Upcoming Events, Vendor spotlight, Vendors, Weddings | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

May 05, 2013

Let's toast to Cinco de Mayo! (with a Margarita and Mexican Martini recipe)

Even though Cinco de Mayo is a minor regional holiday in Mexico proper, its significance in the US is that of a major cultural celebration similar to St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, or Chinese Lunar New Year¹. Don't confuse Cinco de Mayo, May 5th, with Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16th), however. The 5th of May marks the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, where Mexican forces defeated French invaders seeking to install a French emperor of Mexico.

What does any of this have to do with Portland weddings? I just want to acknowledge the all-important Mexican-American contribution to the summer wedding menu: the Margarita. No matter what food is on the menu, a freshly-squeezed, hand-shaken Margarita lends an easy festivity to any wedding.

In honor of the holiday today, I thought I would share with you one of my favorite Margarita recipes from Texas, as well as one of my favorite variants, the Mexican Martini. For both recipes, all your juices should be fresh-squeezed, and the tequila should be light or Silver. (I recommend Herradura, Patrón, Yéyo, or 123 Tequilas.)

Continue reading "Let's toast to Cinco de Mayo! (with a Margarita and Mexican Martini recipe)" »

Posted at 08:38 AM in Catering, Colors and Themes, Culture, Current Affairs, Food and Drink, Liquor, Beer, and Wine, Products | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

May 04, 2013

{The Daily Reblog} Fun Wedding Reception Ideas via Bridal Guide Magazine

Canoeing during cocktail hour at Bridal Veil Lakes. Photo by Don Frank.

Today's reblog comes from Bridal Guide Magazine. I happened across this blog post as I was working with a couple who, when asked about any themes that appealed to them for planning their Portland wedding, simply said they wanted a fun reception!

We talked about lawn games, photobooths, and the usual suspects, but I found this article from Bridal Guide to be helpful in reminding us to dig deeper into our own experiences and favorite things to find those activities that guests are going to make the reception really fun and not stuffy or overly formal.

More ideas: wedding Mad Libs, flip books, crafting tables, board games at cocktail hour, and just generally setting up the layout of the space to include comfort both guests who want to dance and imbibe and also those who want to have cozy conversations. Also important: working out a timeline of events that minimizes guests waiting for the bride and groom to arrive; and also keeps the flow of events moving along.

Here's the link and hope you enjoy!

Fun Wedding Reception Ideas - Best Wedding Reception Tips | Wedding Planning, Ideas & Etiquette | Bridal Guide Magazine.

Posted at 06:43 PM in Colors and Themes, Entertainment, Fun and Games, Reception, Tips, Tricks, Ideas | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

March 27, 2013

{The Daily Reblog} Do I Mention Gifts/My Registry in My Invitation? - via Alesia Zorn

Today's reblog comes from invitation and calligraphy maven Alesia Zorn. She answers the question, "Do I mention gifts or registry in my invitation?" Head over to her blog and read the full post.

via alesiazorn.typepad.com

Posted at 06:38 PM in Printing, Paper, Invitations, Wedding Advice, Wedding Etiquette, Wedding Registry | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

March 21, 2013

Mad about Macarons

Book cover photo courtesy Les Petits Macarons website.

Macaron Day 2013 just passed, and it just reminded me how much I love these little cookies and how fun they are to offer at weddings. Whether they are used in a wedding cake, as wedding favors, or in guest welcome bags, macarons are a delightful little addition to a Portland wedding weekend. BONUS: Many versions of macarons are almond-based, and are often flourless or gluten-free. Check with your baker.

Wedding favor photo courtesy EllyB Events on Instagram

Macaron tower wedding cake photo courtesy Macarons by Mimi

Ladurée Storefront on Madison Avenue, NYC, photo courtesy Allan Zepeda

Paper-source-macaron-stationery Macaron stationery / Wedding thank you notes photo courtesy Paper Source

A few Portland, Oregon locations where you can find French macarons for your wedding:

- Nuvrei Bakery

- Papa Haydn

- Elephants Delicatessen

- Pix Patisserie

Are you using macarons in any way for your upcoming wedding? Please comment or share a photo with us! info@ejpevents.com

Posted at 05:59 PM in Cake and Desserts, Catering, Food and Drink, Gifts and Favors, In the News, Products, Roundup, Vendors, Wedding Trends | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

February 19, 2013

Favorite wedding gown picks for 2013

Designer: Badgley Mischka

I've really been loving the instantaneous, up-to-the-minute info about my favorite topics that I can get through Instagram. I combed through over 5,000 Instagram photos tagged "#bridalmarket" that covered the recent New York City Bridal Market fashion shows, so you wouldn't have to. Here are my favorite wedding gown designs and trends for the upcoming season, linked to the user who took them.

Designer: Claire Pettibone . Soft drapey ribbons, gorgeous!

Designer: Jenny Packham (I'm seeing a little Downton Abbey here, yes?)

Designer: Ines di Santo. Definitely not a boring ballgown.

Designer: Elizabeth Fillmore. Everyone was talking about the Art Deco-esque butterfly.

Designer: Elizabeth Fillmore

Designer: Claire Pettibone. Both this style and the last showed off the drapey, flowing embellishment trend.

Designer: Elizabeth Fillmore (Sorry, couldn't find the Instagrammer! If this is yours, please email me and I'll add your credit.)

What do you think? You love? Or is there a gown you are just dying over and want to share? Leave us links and info in the comments.

Want to look at all the #bridalmarket goodness? Hit this link on Statigram (a web viewer for Instagram photos). And here's my Statigram feed: http://statigr.am/ejpevents

Posted at 11:00 AM in Beach Weddings, Colors and Themes, Destination Weddings, Gowns, Attire, Formalwear, Fashion, In the News, Inspiration, Products, Tips, Tricks, Ideas, Wedding Design, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Trends | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

February 18, 2013

Print Not Dead! { Digital Magazine Giveaway - Offered by Zinio}

** Free digital magazine giveaway, see below! **

I admit, I am a bit of a clinger when it comes to technology. I cling to my rapidly-aging devices, refusing to let the latest new gadget woo me away from what is tried and true. (I'm typing this on a 2008 MacBook running Leopard, if you must know!) So, no, I do not yet have an iPad, for the above reasons, and also for fear of the havoc it will wreak on my children's minds if they get a hold of it and get too much screen time.

However. I was checking out the Zinio digital newstand recently, and oh! how pretty all the bridal magazines look. And how little office space they would take up! I love a good, glossy bridal or fashion mag - and now there are hundreds of titles available to me if I just break down and get that iPad that I secretly want. (Actually, the issues read just fine on a laptop as well.)

Tons of great bridal titles available, such as The Knot, Grace Ormonde
Wedding Style, and Indian Bride Lookbook.

We'll see. It's enough to break this technology-clinger out of her rut.

You, my readers, are probably not as Luddite as I, so Zinio is currently offering you "Sweet Deals", which means you can save 50% off many of their already-discounted titles. To get the deal, click through to http://bit.ly/ziniosweetdeals and have fun shopping! The promotion ends February 21.

** Oh! AND. I have also been given, by Zinio, ten free subscriptions to give away. To enter the drawing to win a free digital magazine subscription, simply comment anywhere on this blog, as many times as you like, and email me a link to your comment, as well as your real first and last name, and the title you would like, if you are drawn as a winner. Comments must make a reasonable level of sense. Each comment will count as an entry, and I will choose 10 names randomly from all the entries, on or before February 23, 2013. Winners will be notified and be sent redemption instructions by email.**

FTC Disclosure: I haven't been offered any monetary compensation to mention Zinio on my blog, but they have offered me one free subscription in return for posting the link to their deals page.

More fine print: Winners can:

choose any title Zinio carries
get the full subscription period as indicated on the site (some are 6 months, some are 1 year, etc.)
the 10 giveaways must go to 10 different people; thus only one prize per person
subscription winners can live anywhere in the world - as Zinio titles are all in digital format

Posted at 08:00 AM in Books, In the News, Products, Technology, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

February 16, 2013

Honeymoon Primer for 2013 { Guest Post by MoonRings Honeymoons }

Today's guest post was generously contributed by Miriam Geiser at MoonRings Honeymoons. On top of everything else you have to plan, can you believe that many of you brides and grooms are having to plan a honeymoon trip as well? Miriam provides a great primer to get you started thinking about it.

Image courtesy Rosewood Mayakoba

{ Read related articles from The Portland Wedding Coordinator on honeymoons
and destination weddings: In the US, in Mexico. }

Honeymoon Primer - by Miriam Geiser and the MoonRings Team

With 2013 well underway, no doubt you are diving headfirst into your wedding plans! It’s also time to get your honeymoon plans in place. To help, here is a simple “Honeymoon Primer” so you can begin thinking about the essential elements of planning your honeymoon.

Where: Great honeymoon destinations during peak wedding season (May – Oct) include Europe, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Africa, SE Asia (May – July) and Australia (Aug – Oct). Remember, the Caribbean and Mexico are in hurricane season from July - October, so you need to have proper expectations about weather risks.

When: Start now! Popular summer honeymoon destinations such as Europe, French Polynesia and Hawaii book up far in advance, and air fares aren’t likely to drop, so it’s best to book soon. The Caribbean and Mexico will be busy through April, but then availability will be more open. While some couples may wait for last-minute deals, this strategy can be risky.

Fit: When it comes to your wedding, you know how important it is that your arrangements reflect who you are. Same with a honeymoon – the destination, accommodations and available activities need to fit your interests, preferences and budget. Think carefully about fit before making plans – more than anything this makes a significant difference in your overall happiness on your honeymoon.

How: For budget-oriented couples, Internet travel agencies offer a range of lower-cost options, as long as you are willing to do your own research. If you are a “Do-It-Yourselfer”, you will likely feel comfortable contacting hotels directly, booking flights and researching activities. For those who are too busy or value guidance and creativity, a travel professional is the way to go. Such tailored recommendations and the possibility to find better value can definitely improve the quality of your honeymoon experience.

No matter what, the best advice is to start working on your honeymoon as far in advance as possible. This ensures best availability, best rates, and a stress-free planning process!

Posted at 11:00 AM in Beach Weddings, Destination Weddings, Honeymoon, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

January 11, 2013

Putting the local spirit in your wedding

Portland Oregon local liquor and spirits for weddings

The Portland Wedding Coordinator blog contains party and event planning content that discusses the legal and responsible use of alcoholic beverages for events. This blog is not intended for a minor audience. If you are under 21, please click away. Read our full policies here.

I had the opportunity to visit with a catering company owner and we started chatting about the popular requests for locally sourced food items on wedding menus.

So why not booze? I've noticed many wedding bars stocked with Grey Goose, Absolut, Maker's Mark, and the like... all very well and good, but with all the amazing distilleries we have right here in the Portland area, why miss this opportunity?

Here's a list of local distilleries just to get you started, I'm sure there are more. If you think of one that I haven't mentioned, please add it to the comments!

Eastside Distilling (co-owned by our friend Lenny Gotter at Studio 98, who has contributed many a photo to The Portland Wedding Coordinator)

Clear Creek Distillery

New Deal Vodka

House Spirits, makers of Aviator Gin and Medoyeff Vodka

Bendistillery

Rogue House of Spirits

Integrity Spirits

Indio Spirits

Subrosa Spirits

McMenamins Edgefield (and other McMenamins locations)

Updated for 2013. Incorrect info? Please email emee@ejpevents.co with any corrections. A version of this blog post appeared on The Portland Wedding Coordinator in November 2008.

via weddingcoordinator.typepad.com

Posted at 11:37 AM in Food and Drink, Products, Roundup, Vendor spotlight, Vendors | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

January 10, 2013

Avoid having invitations, save-the-dates, or RSVPs returned to you - Postal Rates Increase Jan 27th

via alesiazorn.typepad.com

This just in from our good friend Alesia at Alesia Zorn Calligraphy - US postal rates go up January 27th. Many of you are about to get to mailing your save-the-dates or wedding invitations, so head on over to Alesia's blog and read all the details.

My takeaway from all this: Always use the Forever stamps, so no matter when your guests mail back their RSVPs, the postage will be valid and the responses won't be returned to sender.

Whew - as if engaged couples didn't have enough to worry about already!