Portland Wedding Coordinator

{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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{ Local Love } Transport your out of towners Portland-style in a Tesla electric town car!

Wedding Blues: Blue Wedding Gowns and Bridesmaid Dresses

 

{ Local Love } Transport your out of towners Portland-style in a Tesla electric town car!

Transportation is always an issue when you have a wedding with any out-of-towners. Pick a popular Portland-area destination like Hood River, and things get even more complicated. Who picks people up at the airport? How do we get them to the hotel? I just stumbled across Tesla Trips, based out of Hood River, and it looks like we have another great option that is eco-friendly and super stylish!

Tesla Trips offers PDX Airport-to-Hood-River Shuttle, as well as special event and wedding town car tranpsortation. If you have guests who want to pop out for a little winery trip or Gorge Tour during the wedding weekend, they can handle that too.

Not in Hood River? Prestige Limousine, our neighbors right over on NE Broadway, also have a Tesla Model S Electric Luxury Sedan available to get you to the wedding in style.

Either way, whether your wedding is in Portland or Hood River, you have a fun, stylish, eco-friendly and luxurious option for wedding or guest transport.

As always, Local Love posts are fun spotlights of stuff we at Portland Wedding Coordinator think you, the reader, will enjoy. No compensation was received for this spotlight. If you know of something fun we should be blogging about, please let us know at [email protected].

 

{ Local Love } Pacific NW Honeymoon Destinations

If you are looking for great honeymoon destinations, then there is no need to look any further than the Pacific Northwest!  This area offers exciting attractions without venturing very far.

Whale watching, wine tasting, and wilderness are just a few of the things you can expect from Un-Cruise Adventures.  They offer options that include the route that Lewis & Clark took through the Columbia & Snake Rivers, as well as picturesque cruises starting in Seattle and exploring the San Juan Islands.  With all they have to offer, it wouldn't be hard to pick a perfect trip for you and your honey!

Un-Cruise Adventures - Costal Washington & British Columbia

Victoria, BC offeres the feel of a European vacation, but is only a short ferry trip from Seattle, WA.  You can stay in luxury at the Fairmont Empress Hotel which was built in 1908 and overlooks the Inner Harbour.  While there, make sure you don't miss Afternoon Tea, a time-honored tradition.  For a stunning day trip head to The Butchart Gardens.  Beautiful any time of the year, the gardens offer concerts, fireworks, flowers, and fountains.  Quite romantic!

Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC

The Butchart Gardens - Sunken Gardens

When planning your honeymoon make sure to keep these uniquely beautiful Pacific NW locations in mind!

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National Park Foundation's Romantic Getaways Guide Just Released!

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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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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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!

Love Mexico - Part 2: 5 important factors to consider when planning a destination wedding

We hope you enjoyed yesterday's post about our experiences at the LoveMexico destination wedding summit in Playa Del Carmen. Here are five important points we took away from the event:

1. A beach wedding doesn't have to be a casual, barefoot affair if you don't want it to be. The availability of vendors in Mexico beach destinations is such that you can create the wedding vision, theme and color story of your wishes, including ones with high style and custom designs.

Photo courtesy Westin Cancun

2. Mexico isn't just about beach weddings. The strong Spanish and European influence during colonial times means that old-world palaces and piazzas are just as available as palm trees and sand for a wedding backdrop -- and without the 15-hour flight or Euro exchange rate.

Photo: Elizabeth Medina Photography

3. Check to see how many weddings may be held at the resort of your choice. We talked to some in-house resort wedding planners who handle anywhere from 5 to 20 weddings per day. (Click here to read a great article about the difference between in-house catering managers and the wedding coordinator that you hire to work for you only.) If you have chosen a larger resort, consider bringing your own personal wedding coordinator along with you so that you can get personal service on this most important of days. Or, consider working with a personal wedding coordinator who is familiar with the area during site selection, who can direct you to smaller, more exclusive properties and venues that might be off the beaten path.

Photo: Rosewood Mayakoba

4. Find out if the site or beach you have selected is a private location. If you picture exchanging vows in a secluded setting, you don't want any surprises. Visit the location beforehand, or make sure you're working with a representative who has been there.

Photo: Las Mañanitas

5. A destination wedding can be just as affordable as a wedding you might plan in your home location.  Most couples we work with in Portland have a $300-600 per guest overall budget for a midsize wedding with ceremony/reception sites, catering and bar, music, flowers and decor, invitations, photographer/videographer, and coordinator. For the same budget, we've seen all-inclusive affairs in Mexico at excellent resorts such as Westin and Rosewood. If you're having a hard time finding a location you love at home, and most people are flying in anyway, consider a Mexico destination wedding for something totally different.

**From our sponsors:

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Love Mexico - Destination Wedding Planning

Images: EJP Events

Interest in destination weddings in Mexico is definitely up among our Portland clients. With that in mind, we recently attended the LoveMexico Destination Wedding Planning summit in Playa del Carmen, where hundreds of planners, travel agents, and travel suppliers came together to share the latest trends and knowledge about destination weddings all over Mexico. We returned full of information and can't wait to share!

Featured locations included Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende, Merida, Michoacan, Cuernavaca, Cozumel, Oaxaca, Cancun, and the Yucatan.

I thought I'd share with you some of the photos taken around the host resort, The Barcelo Maya Palace. Our lodging was sponsored by the resort and exhibitors. You can take a look at the exhibitor list here: http://www.lovemexicoweddings.com/a_directories.htm

A disclaimer: I took all of these photos myself, some with a phone camera at night. I am obviously not a professional photographer. For professional photos taken at LoveMexico, please see Trevor Dayley's website -- we were so happy to meet him at this event and were very impressed by his work.

OK, back to my informal snapshots: here's the Barcelo Maya Palace's French restaurant:

Images: EJP Events

A lunch entrée at the restaurant:

Images: EJP Events

The view from the restaurant's veranda:

Images: EJP Events

One of the starter courses, foie gras mousse:

Images: EJP Events

At one event, a tequila tasting was offered. Wouldn't this be fun for your Mexico destination wedding, or even for your Portland wedding?

Images: EJP Events

And another specialty bar -- Mexican coffees with flambéed anise liqueur and topped with whipped cream.

Images: EJP Events

A dessert buffet at one of the fiestas. Coconut-stuffed limes, assorted flans and cheesecakes, bunuelos, and dulce de leche tartes were only a few of the choices.

Images: EJP Events

Finally, La Confiteria presented a different, lovely, themed candy buffet each day of the conference. I've seen a lot of candy buffets and have honestly been a little ho-hum about them lately, but I loved the local authenic ceramicware and paper lace they used here.

Images: EJP Events

**From our sponsors:

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Ask me about destination weddings...

We're pleased to let you know that we at EJP Events have recently completed the training sponsored by The Association of Bridal Consultants and Ask Me about Destination Weddings.  We now have the ability to book land and air packages for over 1,800 honeymoon and destination wedding locations throughout Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, South America, the South Pacific and more.

Take a look at some of the destinations available, and also the special offers.  Through this program, we even have a dedicated travel concierge, Sarai Cairo, who can give detailed information about each property if it's one we haven't been to ourselves.

So, even if your wedding isn't in Portland, Oregon, or Washington State... ask us!  We probably have something great just for you!

Photo courtesy askmeaboutdestinationweddings.com