Portland Wedding Coordinator

Reminder - The Portland Wedding Coordinator Blog has moved!

How time flies! We've been doing some really fun things over on our own website, ejpevents.com

Photo: Evrim Icoz

Come check it out! This is also where The Portland Wedding Coordinator Blog has found a permanent home. It's hard to believe we've been writing this blog for *gasp* 12 years! We've seen technologies, venues, and vendors come and go, and it's been so interesting to document how people wed in our area, the beautiful Pacific Northwest. 

We decided to combine all of our blog interests into one place, and cover Weddings, Destination Event Travel, Corporate Events, How-Tos, and Advice to the Events Industry. Ambitious maybe, but when your company has been around for 20 years, it's time to look for more challenges, and never stagnate, only innovate. Happy 20th Anniversary to EJP Events!

We've planned special events from Portland to Boston, from Minneapolis to Texas, throughout this time. We added (back!) our conference and corporate event planning departments in 2009 -- Corporate is where our love of events started in 1997, so it only made sense to come full circle and serve our most loyal customers with our signature creative and inclusive style. 

So even though we haven't been super active here on Typepad, this site will remain as an archive -- feel free to browse our posts going back to 2007. And then roll with us into the future over on ejpevents.com.

With love,

Emee Pumarega
Founder, EJP Events LLC

{ Photo of the Day } McMenamins Edgefield April Wedding

Photo: Photobystinson.com

Congratulations to Cassie and Brad on #brassie17! This wedding is extra special to me, as it involves many people who I'm lucky to know personally. It's always fun to get to do a wedding with friends. Cassie and Brad were married in the Ballroom at McMenamins Edgefield on a lovely spring April day in the Troutdale/Columbia River Gorge area, Oregon. 

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{ Real Weddings } Erika and Lionel's Wedding at The Grotto and The Nines

 

Erika and Lionel came up to Portland from sunny LA to have a subtly-Hello Kitty-themed wedding at the The Grotto with reception at The Nines Hotel. As soon as she said "Hello Kitty" you know I was already SO THERE for everything. I was also super excited to help them combine Erika's Mexican cultural and family traditions with Lionel's Filipino heritage. Some of these traditions were expressed in the traditional Filipino Catholic ceremony, complete with veil, cord, and coins ceremonies; and in having a cumbia band at the reception. All in all, it was an exciting, whirlwind day with lots of love, great food, and dancing; and we were so lucky to be there to help with it.

 

Many thanks to Evrim Icoz Photography for sending these wonderful photos. For the full gallery on Facebook, please visit Evrim Icoz Photography.

 

View all the photos after the cut by clicking "Continue Reading" below.

 

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Other Real Weddings blog posts by Portland wedding planner EJP Events you may be interested in:

Jeanne and Korash at Zenith Vineyards

Curtis and Sarah at Mt. Tabor Park and the Ace Hotel

Thalia and Conor at World Forestry Center

Dormae and Brian at Bridal Veil Lakes

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Deals on Hello Kitty items from local Portland businesses

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{Destination Weddings 101} Traveling with a wedding gown

Photo by Ewen Roberts

Although the bulk of outdoor Oregon weddings have not yet begun, winter lovebirds are still heading out to beachy climates to get married. The question of how to pack your wedding gown comes up a lot!

Always check with your airline first for specific packing restrictions.  Here are some tips from one of our gown specialists: 

"You will not be able to use the standard length bridal gown bag as carry on luggage. It is too long, and too easily torn. Place your gown inside an FAA-approved garment bag instead. For instance, US Airways states that wedding gowns must be in garment bags no longer than 54" long. You are then expected to fold that bag in half to fit it into the overhead compartment. If you are lucky, the flight attendant might allow you to hang the garment bag in the first class closet (cross your fingers that your flight attendant has a soft spot for brides). But don't count on it.

It is not only your wedding gown that you should make plans for - your accessories are also very important. Pack your shoes, headpiece/veil/or tiara, and other accoutrements into a carry-on bag. With all the limitations these days, you may have to ask your partner to take your bag as their one carry-on item (remember, you also have the garment bag). Another option is to pack your gown and accessories together into one carry-on bag. I know it is terrible to think of cramming your beloved dress into a tiny bag, but you will need to have it professionally pressed when you arrive at your destination anyway. Be sure to keep your wedding jewelry in your purse."

If you have a wedding planner or coordinator, you could ask them to make arrangements to have your gown pressed or steamed (the seamstress will look at each item's fabric type, and decide the best way).  In Portland, we do this through our partners at The Bridal Loft. If you are heading straight to your wedding location from the airport, your destination wedding planner or coordinator should offer the service of meeting you on your arrival day at the airport and getting the bridal gown, bridesmaids gowns, tuxedos or suits from you at that time and taking them to be pressed or steamed.

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Wedding Blues: Blue Wedding Gowns and Bridesmaid Dresses

 

National Park Foundation's Romantic Getaways Guide Just Released!

Olympic National Park in Washington State is just one of the National Park Foundation's featured "Romantic Getaways". Crater Lake in Oregon is not listed but worth a look as well!

From nationalparks.org:

"What could be more romantic than looking out at the tranquil waves rolling onto the pristine beaches of Virgin Islands National Park? What could be more awe-inspiring than staring up at the brilliance of a clear, endless, starlit sky at Rocky Mountain National Park?

Get creative, get adventurous, and get a copy of the latest edition of our Owner’s Guide, “I Heart Parks!” The new FREE guide is filled with ideas and inspiration on what to do and see at 15 of the most picturesque parks across the country. “I Heart Parks” is chock-full of tips and advice for any type of trip you and your love hope to plan. Whether you prefer exploring a national park within city-limits, or venturing out to conquer trails in a more rustic setting, we’ve got some exciting ideas to spark your imagination.

Rekindle the romance by creating a new memory. Strengthen your bond by conquering a new challenge. Celebrate your love by reconnecting to each other within the natural and man-made wonders of this beautiful nation. 

You’ll be sure to impress your park lover with these fantastic getaway ideas! So what are you waiting for? Download the new guide today!"

via www.nationalparks.org

There are wonderful national parks close to the Portland, Oregon area that might be great for your proposal, elopement, wedding or honeymoon, or just a romantic getaway. Visit nps.gov and nationalparks.org for more information.

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{ Portland Wedding Venues } "Under the Radar" with the Portland Wedding Coordinator: Mazamas Lodge

Under the Radar is a blog series on Portland Wedding Coordinator, showcasing cool new or little-known Portland wedding venues that I've stumbled across recently. Many of our Under the Radar wedding ceremony and reception venues are ones you won't yet find in the popular wedding guides. If you use one of these sites, please let them know you heard it here first!

This week, we're pleased to present to you Mazamas Lodge. The lodge has a maximum capacity for 120 for indoor events, and a large outdoor space for additional seating, or for ceremonies. Located right in Government Camp, with convenient access to the main strip of shops and restaurants, as well as Ski Bowl, Timberline Lodge, and Collins Lake Resort. This lovely rustic lodge offers a wonderful level of privacy and seclusion, and a 24-hour rental period, rather than a typical 4-6 hour period at many event venues. They do have exclusive on-site, in-house catering, but with an exclusive-use contract weddings are welcome to bring their own alcohol. It's a lovely place for a summer mountain wedding. In winter, access is hike-in, so usage would be very limited. Finally, the upstairs sleeps 76 guests in (non-private) dormitory-style bunk beds, along with three private rooms.

Sounds great, doesn't it? Their office is only open Friday through Monday, so send an email or give them a call at 503-272-9214 if you're working on your Mt. Hood-area wedding this weekend!

Next up on Under the Radar: Villa Catalana at Rare Plant Research. This one is really great, so stay tuned!

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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

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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!

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Portland wedding venues that might be off your radar

This just in on the desk, a couple of Portland area wedding venues you may not have thought of:

Mt. Hood Ski Bowl

It's a great place to snowboard, but have you ever wondered what's up there in the summertime? From this picture on the Mt Hood Skibowl website, it looks like it would be a wonderfully scenic place for a wedding. Close by is lodging at Collins Lake Resort, so your out-of-towners could have a full weekend of outdoor activities at the mountain.

Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center

I've driven by so many times but have never been inside, I confess. After receiving a mailer from them, I'm going to rectify my oversight soon! There are few non-hotel venues in Portland that can handle over 300 guests, and NWNCC is one of them. They also allow outside caterers. Bonus: It's walking distance to several religious institutions such as Congregation Beth Israel, St. Mary's Cathedral, and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, so members of those congregations may find it helpful that an affordable reception facility is close by.

5 slipups that can spoil your reception, Part 1: "We didn't know where to go!" {Maps and directions to your wedding}

5 COMMON SLIP-UPS THAT CAN SPOIL YOUR RECEPTION

A Special Series from EJP Events and the Portland Wedding Coordinator blog

But first! Introducing Lauren, a not-so-new addition to the EJP Events Team:

Hello! I'm Lauren and I've been working with Emee of EJP Events since December 2009. I am thrilled to finally make my debut as her co-blogger. A few tidbits about myself:

My interest in event planning began to tug on my sleeve when I was in high school. My amateur event planning experiences drove me out of town in 2007 and into my first years of college, spent at the University of Oregon. There, I studied Public Relations which soon led me to new opportunities in Portland, OR.

This fall, I transfered to Portland State University and I am quickly wrapping up my college education career. Next March I will be receiving my Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, approximately 29 credits from now, but who's counting?

By the end of my time spent with Emee at EJP Events, I hope to have proficient knowledge and experience that will enable me to fulfill my future academic and career undertaking. I look forward to sharing my thoughts, advice and inspirations with you.

 

Now, on to 5 COMMON SLIP-UPS THAT CAN SPOIL YOUR RECEPTION:

You put so much time into your wedding planning, carefully considering every decision, from the invitations to the cake.  But many things don't show up anywhere on the online checklists, and if forgotten, can throw off the enjoyment of what should be a delightful day.

Every time we meet with a new client, we ask them, "What have you seen that you didn't like at wedding receptions you've attended"?  We compiled Top 5 reception mistakes from years of listening to real brides and grooms talk about what they didn't want to see at their own wedding, and we'll be covering one slip up each day this week.

Today's Common Slip-Up:  "We didn't know where to go"

Photo courtesy: Wes Peck

This is a basic no-no, but unfortunately lots of weddings get caught up in it. Online maps aren't always reliable, so it's best to have someone drive the route before you commit it to a printed invitation. In addition, create maps for other important wedding weekend locations, such as rehearsal and rehearsal dinner site, salons, getting-ready-hotel, and photography meeting spot.  All of these maps should go to wedding vendors as well. Also consider those coming from out of town. We suggest issuing maps showing return directions to each hotel to ensure your guests get back safely.

When creating a parking area for your guests, particularly at an unusual location such as a field or clearing in the woods, properly designate this area with some form of signage or markers. Make sure that finding the location is intuitive; if you're having your fête out in the country or a secluded spot, engineer an entrance through creative decor or lighting so that guests never feel lost.

Finally, some facilities are big enough that it makes sense to provide signage and/or attendants at the entrance to direct guests and vendors to your particular space. Consider this is your event is in a large hotel or event center with several events going on at the same time.

 

Tomorrow: Join us at Portland Wedding Coordinator for Slip Up Number 2: "The band/DJ sounded terrible!" (Planning the music and audio aspects of the wedding)

Did these tips help you? You may like our past advice on more wedding planning tips!