Today's EJP Events real wedding comes to you courtesy of Thalia and Conor, who we worked with last summer on their lovely wedding at the World Forestry Center. The WFC is such a great venue because there are so many choices for catering, and there are both outdoor and indoor wedding locations. For Thalia and Conor's wedding, they chose the tented outdoor plaza for the ceremony, followed by a cocktail hour inside Cheatham Hall. During this time, our team changed the tent setup from ceremony to reception. Finally, they and their almost 200 guests headed back to the tent for a seated buffet dinner with a dance area in the center.
While the guests went in for cocktails, the EJP Events team worked quickly to move ceremony decorations for reuse as reception centerpieces; remove tent dividers and bring out tables, move ceremony chairs around the dining tables; and set placesettings and favors.
From Emee: It's so very easy to blog about what's going on around town in the world of Portland weddings -- however, I'm making more of an effort to go back and blog our own weddings that we have coordinated and planned in the past, under the tagline { Real Weddings }. Some will be little snippets, some will be full features -- but my goal by the end of this year, is for our { Real Weddings } tag to be as helpful to Portland couples as possible, full of as many real venue and wedding ideas, and providing inspiration and information to all.
In honor of St. Patrick's day, today's little glimpse is one of our favorite weddings that we coordinated at Bridal Veil Lakes. This Columbia River Gorge wedding included a Celtic handfasting ceremony to reflect the groom's Irish heritage, AND Filipino traditions to reflect the bride's. TOO AWESOME.
In the Filipino tradition, the ceremony often involves many extended family members called sponsors, and three important rites are used:
An exchange of thirteen coins representing the promise of the couple to support and provide for one another and the family.
A veil, historically symbolizing being clothed in the love of Christ, but in non-denominational weddings, more often interpreted as a symbol of the couple's home and safe haven in each other.
A cord, wrapped around the couple's shoulders, to symbolize the strong bond between the married couple.
Today's installment of Local Love features the amazing Dayna McErlean's sister restaurants on NE Killingsworth - DOC and Yakuza. As different as different can be, DOC is an Italian kitchen with a changing set 4- or 5- course menu each night; while Yakuza is a Japanese-izakaya-influenced lounge.
What I love about each restaurant: DOC's homey, long-tables, family-style service that makes you feel as if you walked into your Italian grandmother's kitchen, even if you don't have an Italian grandmother. What the wedding planner in me loves is the reasonable, afforable rates for buying out the restaurant on a Friday night for a rehearsal dinner.
At Yakuza, I really enjoyed the Asian fusion menu items, including a Wasabi Martini and a Pear Jalapeno sushi roll, but what really wowed me was the secret hot tub in the backyard. I think it would be so fun to rent out the restaurant for an over-the-top bridesmaids luncheon or couples shower.
"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!"
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.
Welcome back to our regular Under the Radar feature on Portland Wedding Coordinator, showcasing a cool new Portland wedding venue. Each time, I'll be sharing a site with you that I've stumbled across recently. Most of our Under the Radar wedding ceremony and reception venues are ones you won't yet find in the glossy wedding guides. If you use one of these sites, please let them know you heard it here first! - See more at: http://weddingcoordinator.typepad.com/my_weblog/page/2/#sthash.ZEPUb00V.dpuf
Welcome back to our regular Under the Radar feature on Portland Wedding Coordinator, showcasing a cool new Portland wedding venue. Each time, I'll be sharing a site with you that I've stumbled across recently. Most of our Under the Radar wedding ceremony and reception venues are ones you won't yet find in the glossy wedding guides. If you use one of these sites, please let them know you heard it here first! - See more at: http://weddingcoordinator.typepad.com/my_weblog/page/2/#sthash.ZEPUb00V.dpuf
Welcome back to our regular Under the Radar feature on Portland Wedding Coordinator, showcasing a cool new Portland wedding venue. Each time, I'll be sharing a site with you that I've stumbled across recently. Most of our Under the Radar wedding ceremony and reception venues are ones you won't yet find in the glossy wedding guides. If you use one of these sites, please let them know you heard it here first! - See more at: http://weddingcoordinator.typepad.com/my_weblog/page/2/#sthash.ZEPUb00V.dpuf
Welcome back to our regular Under the Radar feature on Portland Wedding Coordinator, showcasing a cool new Portland wedding venue. Each time, I'll be sharing a site with you that I've stumbled across recently. Most of our Under the Radar wedding ceremony and reception venues are ones you won't yet find in the glossy wedding guides. If you use one of these sites, please let them know you heard it here first!
via Vibrant Table's Facebook page
We are SUPER EXCITED about this week's feature: The Exchange Ballroom and Cascade Rooftop located at the Eastside Exchange building, the much-trumpeted new development at the Burnside Bridgehead location. Eastsiders like myself have been waiting for YEARS to see what the development would turn out to be, and of course, with every new development, I kept my fingers crossed that there would be a cool new event venue to explore. The Eastside Exchange delivers.
The Exchange Ballroom has a capcacity of 450: holding 350 for banquets and 450 for standing receptions. Catering and bar are provided exclusively by Vibrant Table Group. Events can go as late as needed indoors, and 10 pm outdoors on the rooftop. The rooftop capacity is 125 seated/250 standing and can be tented.
Photo by Evrim Icoz via The Exchange Ballroom Facebook Page
Lots more details are available from the folks at Vibrant Table.
Welcome back to our regular Under the Radar feature on Portland Wedding Coordinator, showcasing a cool new Portland wedding venue. Each time, I'll be sharing a site with you that I've stumbled across recently. Most of our Under the Radar wedding ceremony and reception venues are ones you won't yet find in the glossy wedding guides. If you use one of these sites, please let them know you heard it here first!
Today we're featuring Villa Catalana at Rare Plant Research, a gorgeous outdoor garden venue located right in the middle of Oregon farmlands and vineyards. I was invited to tour last fall, and even in chilly November, the unique beauty of the site was undeniable. In addition to the many varieties of rare and tropical plants, olive trees and wine grapes are grown on the property.
The wedding sites begin with a terraced lawn area with a cupola as focal point, facing a pond and the backdrop of the Romanesque-inspired architecture of the main house.
While the main house interior is not available for the event, its lower terrace (shown in the first picture) can be used for mingling or cocktails. A smaller outbuilding can be used as a bar setup or bridal party room.
After ceremony and cocktails, the party can move to the grape arbor, which is covered for shade and makes most tenting unnecessary. (This photo from summer 2013 shows the location of the newly-installed grape arbor. Sorry we don't have a picture yet but soon!)
In addition to the beauty of the site, and its convenient location within 30 minutes of Portland, Villa Catalana currently allows you to use the caterer and rental company of your choice, so the potential for customization is unlimited.
At the end our of our tour, owner Burl Mostul hinted at the next project; Villa Catalana Cellars, whose wines would be ready in summer 2014 for release, and a new wine tasting facility at the rear of the main house that would be open on weekends.
As with most outdoor wedding facilities, available dates are limited. To request more information you may email Rare Plant Research at [email protected].
For so many couples, the food is the THE most important part of the wedding celebration. I often hear from them: "The food HAS to be good"..."We like the Portland food scene and want to integrate it into our wedding"..."We want to give our guests a taste of Portland and the Pacific Northwest". Often, they already have a caterer in mind when they start their venue search, and are challenged when they keep running into venues that have strict exclusive lists.
That got me to thinking. What Portland wedding and event venues allow outside catering? Here are just a few. Know any others? Please share in the comments below!
The Eliot Center - The Eliot Center is the "fellowship hall" aspect of the downtown First Unitarian Church. Not only are they able to seat up to 160 in their conference center for a reception, the adjoining Historic Eliot Chapel can seat up to 250 in a beautiful, elegant chapel setting for a wedding ceremony. They allow self-catering, outside caterers, and alcohol service in accordance with their policies.
Multnomah Arts Center - Located in SW Portland just a few minutes from downtown, the MAC is a Portland Parks and Recreation community center venue with a large auditorium and stage for indoor wedding ceremonies that can be changed over to a reception during a cocktail hour. Mingle areas include a dance studio and an outdoor plaza, which can also be used for ceremonies. All rental rooms, including the auditorium stage, and bathrooms are ADA-accessible and air-conditioned. In addition, most spaces have free Wi-Fi access.
The Glenn and Viola Walters Arts and Cultural Center is near and dear to our hearts, as one of our favorite recent weddings just took place there. The site features a large auditorium for ceremony and reception, downstairs classrooms to use as changing areas, a ground-floor lobby and an upstairs art gallery where guests can mingle during a room changeover. The kitchen facility is well-appointed and convenient for self-catering or your own caterer. The outdoor plaza can also be used for ceremonies.
The Laurelhurst Club - A 100-year-old property adjoining Laurelhurst park in SE Portland, this venue features an historic ballroom, mezzanine bar, kitchen facilities, bride's and grooms rooms, and outdoor ceremony lawn.
NW Events & Environments - By far the largest open catering venue we have seen, NW Events & Environments can accommodate 650 in a banquet setting and over 1000 if using multiple rooms in a reception-style flow. They do not allow outside alcohol, and kitchen facilities may have limitations.
Thanks for reading - if you found this post about Portland wedding and event venues helpful, you might also like:
Whether your wedding falls on the day of Halloween or any time around it, here are some ideas on how to incorporate a little bit (or a lot) of this holiday into your event!
The first idea is a rather simple one, but can add just the right touch and keep your guests talking. You can use these as drink toppers, dessert toppers, or anywhere that needs a bit of webbing!
Here are six Portland wedding venue locations that we love that allow you and your guests to have music and dance way past the typical 10pm venue deadline.
The first venue is Castaway Portland, a historic warehouse turned event spot in NW Portland that can hold up to 400 guests. Castaway has a great patio; if more outdoor space is needed, their neighbors Pomarius Nursery and Versailles Gardens can be rented. This venue allows for indoor music and dancing until late, depending on your preference and the 12-hour total event time limit. Both garden areas can remain open late as well, allowing guests to have cocktails and continue celebrating in these outside locations, though outdoor amplified music must conform to City of Portland ordinances.
Our second venue is the World Forestry Center, located in Washington Park. They offer many different indoor and outdoor combination options at this venue, which is only one of the many reasons we love them. You can choose to have their beautiful tent and enjoy the outdoor plaza, right next to Cheatham Hall, a great option for an indoor space. You and your guests can enjoy the outdoor area until midnight with amplified music, which makes for great late night dancing - a rarity in Portland. There is also the option of moving to one of their inside spaces.
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!