While many of you may be working on updating your wedding website or craving a date night, we put together a list of some of our favorite things to do, places to see and restaurants to eat to share with you! Add them to your wedding website to give your guests some ideas of where to explore while visiting Portland, Oregon or pick a place to try for your next date night! These are just a few of our favorite places! We would LOVE for you to leave a comment with your favorite things to do in Portland or restaurant to visit and a short blurb about why it is! We look forward to hearing your suggestions!

Enjoy!

Day Trips:

Oregon Coast: The Oregon Coast has much to offer from shopping and dining to camping and hiking.  Visttheoregoncoast.com is a really great resource to learn more about the different areas of the coast to decide where you would like to visit.
The coast is closer than you think- check out the minor travel times to some of the areas: (all based on time from city center to destination)

Astoria [97 miles, 1 hour 55 minutes]
Cannon Beach [80 miles, 1 hour 35 minutes]
Tillamook [73 miles, 1 hour 30 minutes]
Lincoln City [88 miles, 2 hours 10 minutes]
Depoe Bay [100 miles, 2 hours 30 minutes]
Newport [136 miles, 2 hours 45 minutes]

Multnomah Falls: A wonderful spot to view a spectacular waterfall, or take a modest hike and view the Columbia Gorge from the top of the waterfall.  Only a 40 minute drive from downtown Portland.

The Gorge: Along the Columbia Gorge there are many vistas, wineries, and other excellent places to visit. For someone craving some physical activity, it’s known as a perfect place for windsurfing

Wine Tasting:

Premier Tours: 503.244.4653
Oregon Wine Tours: 503.681.9463
Oregon Wine Tour: 503.282.5414
Wine Tour Oregon: 503.969.4370
Grand Cru Wine Tours: 877.98-PINOT


Mt. Hood:
Mt. Hood Meadows Information about the mountain and snow sport opportunities [503.337.2222]
Mt. Hood Winery [541.386.8333]
Mt Hood Bed & Breakfast [541.352.6885]
Timberline Lodge [800.547.1406]

Silver Falls About one hour drive from Portland, Silver Falls is located in Silverton and is a lovely state park with trails to hike/walk into the falls (10 different falls to see)

In and around the city:

Lan Su Chinese Garden This classic Chinese garden is right in the heart of the city, but feels ages and miles away. The landscape is always beautiful anytime of year, and the details are interesting and beautiful [NW 3rd & Everett, 503.228.8131]
Washington Park is an area that has multiple attractions within it, all located minutes from downtown Portland, the different attractions are:
Oregon Zoo Open all days, 8am-6pm Admission is $10.50 for adults. Receive a discount on your admission if you ride The Max to the zoo [503.226.1561]
International Rose Test Garden One of Portland’s main attractions, this Rose Garden sits atop the hills overlooking the city and has breathtaking views of Mt. Hood. When the roses are in bloom it is a sight that any person will love
Hoyt Arboretum The park spans across the West hills and has wonderful views and walking trails, but is best known for the collection of trees that consists of over 1,000 species from around the world [503.865.8733]
World Forestry Center Many hands-on exhibits, this learning center focuses on the Pacific NW and the habitat, as well as other habitats around the world and how the forests affect the lives of other people [503.228.1367]
Portland Children’s Museum [503.223.6500]
Portland Japanese Garden claimed one of the most authentic outside of Japan, this garden is peaceful, beautiful, and traditional. 5.5 acres of tranquility [503.223.1321]

Art Museums & History:

Portland Art Museum $12 adult admission, Closed Mondays, Open Tues/Wed/Sat 10-5, Thurs/Friday 10-8, Sunday 12-5 [1219 SW Park Avenue, 503.226.2811]
Oregon Historical Society $11 adult admission, Closed Mondays, Open Tues-Sat 10-5 and Sunday 12-5 [1200 SW Park Avenue, 503.222.1741]
Museum of Contemporary Craft [724 NW Davis, 503.223.2654]
Art Galleries This link leads to a list of art galleries in Portland

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden March through June is the best time to visit this garden as the rhododendrons and azaleas are all in bloom, however, it is a very nice park in general [503.771.8386]
Saturday Market Artisans, food, crafts, and entertainment abound at the Portland Saturday Market. Every Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-4:30, Near SW Ankeny and Naito Parkway close to the waterfront.

River Tours  Jetboats, Yachts with dinner service, and sternwheeler boats available through Portland Spirit. Call for schedules and reservations, or visit the website [503.224.3900]
Portland Walking Tours Award winning and nationally recognized as the best attraction in Portland. Choose from many different types of tours (Epicurean, Best of Portland, Pub Crawl, Underground, Beyond Bizzare, Walk through Time, Mother of Pearl District, etc…). Most tours are a couple hours long, and have two scheduled starting times each day. Call for reservations and availability [503.774.4522]

Transportation in Portland:

Streetcar Most areas in the immediate downtown Portland area are within the “Free Zone” however, it is only $2 for an all-day adult pass if you wish to ride anywhere further. Tickets are purchased at the stops. The streetcar times are posted on the stops as well, but the full schedule can be found on the website.
Max The Max has four lines (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow) and runs every 15 minutes everyday, with less frequent stops late at night and early morning.  You can buy tickets for anywhere from 2 hours, to one day, to a full year. However, like the Streetcar, there are also “free zones” so check out the map and ride for free if you’re within that area. The Max travels further than the Streetcar and has lines that extent to the PDX airport, Hillsboro, Clackamas, and other suburbs of Portland.
Taxi Yellow Cab [503.317.0667] Radio Cab [503.227.1212] Green Cab [503.234.1414]
Pedi Cab [503.828.9888]
Towncar & Limousines: English Classic [503.234.0010] Prestige [503.445.1676]

Dining in Portland:

NW Style Cuisine:
Portland City Grill Often referred to as PCG, this restaurant is located on the 30th floor of one of the tallest buildings in Portland, and has amazing views of the city and surrounding area, the cuisine is varied from steaks to seafood to Sushi and more [111 SW Fifth Ave, 503.450.0030]
Paragon Best grilled cheese and tomato soup in Portland.  Also has a vast drink menu, great food, and wonderful atmosphere. On warm summer evenings there are open bay doors and live music [1309 NW Hoyt, 503.833.5060]
Davis Street Tavern  Creative and fun menu [500 NW Davis, 503.505.5050]
Henry’s 12th Street Tavern Local brewing company, so enjoy great food (classy pub-style), a great beer selection as well as a great bar, and billiards upstairs [10 NW 12th, 503.227.5320]
The Heathman Restaurant Mostly European dishes prepared with a NW inspired touch [1001 SW Broadway, 503.790.7752]
23Hoyt An upscale feeling with down to earth food [529 NW 23rd, 503 445.7400]
ClarkLewis An open kitchen with a wood-burning stove is the central focus of this tasty restaurant [1001 SE Water Avenue, 503.235.2294]
50 Plates A trendy atmosphere and great food [333 NW 13th, 503.228.5050]
Gracie’s at Hotel Deluxe Glamorous Hollywood supper club feeling paired with great food and excellent service [729 SW 15th, 503.222.2171]
Lincoln Simple, delicious dishes [3808 N Williams, 503.288.6200]
The Farm Cafe [10 SE 7th Ave, 503.736.3276] Local, organic
Burnside Brewery [701 E. Burnside St, 503.946.8151]
Deschutes Brewery [210 NW 11th Ave, 503.296.4906]

Breakfast places:
Mother’s Bistro Yummy, home-style food. They also serve great lunches & dinners if you aren’t in the mood for breakfast food [212 SW Stark, 503.464.1122]
Isabel Delicious NW style (fresh, local, organic) breakfasts with a Latin flare. Their lunches and other meals are also exciting, but the breakfasts are to die for [330 NW 10th, 503.222.4333]
London Grill at The Benson Best Sunday brunch in town, prepare yourself for a gourmet feast [309 SW Broadway, 503.295.4110]
Bijou Cafe [132 SW 3rd Ave, 503.222.3187]
Besaw’s [2301 NW Savier St, 503.228.2619]

Cafés:

Ristretto Roasters [3808 N Williams, 503.288.8667]
Lovejoy Bakers [939 NW 10th, 503.208.3113]
Stumptown  [128 SW Third, 3356 SE Belmont, and 1026 SW Stark]
Vivace [2287 NW Pettygrove, 503.228.3667]
Café Umbria [303 NW 12th, 503.2441.5300]
Via Delizia [1105 NW Marshall]
Mr. Jolly’s [903 NW Everett, 503.206.6388]
Cloud Seven Cafe [901 Northwest 10th Avenue, 503.336.1335]
Sisters Coffee Company [1235 NW Marshall Street, 971.279.2957]
St. Honore [2335 NW Thurman St, 503.445.4342]

Steak Houses:

El Gaucho Fashioned after a gentleman’s club, this restaurant is five stars all the way and will impress you to no end with the steaks and food. El Gaucho also has a cigar room [310 SW Broadway, 503.227.8794]
Morton’s Everyone knows an amazing Morton’s steak, and if you haven’t tried one yet it’s definitely worth a try. The restaurant is very classy and traditional [213 SW Clay, 503.248.2100]
Ruth’s Chris A very well-known steak house chain, that never fails with amazing steaks and great seafood as well [309 SW 3rd, 503.221.4518]
The Ringside Traditional steakhouse with excellent service [838 SW Park, 971.244.8458]

French Cuisine:

Brasserie Montmartre Live music in the evenings, old Hollywood ambiance [626 SW Park, 503.505.7933]
Bluehour Very classy atmosphere and a fun happy hour [250 NW 13th, 503.226.3394]

Seafood:

Southpark Seafood Grill & Bar NW inspired cuisine, this restaurant utilizes the local farming and agricultural resources [901 SW Salmon, 503.326.1300]
Sinju great sushi! [1022 NW Johnson, 503.223.6535]
Jake’s Famous seafood house, is a chain in the McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant line [401 SW 12th, 503.226.1419]
Chart House Located in the West Hills overlooking the city, this is a popular restaurant for its view and amazing food [5700 SW Terwilliger Blvd, 503.246.6963]

Other cuisines:

Andina Peruvian food, ranked the #1 restaurant in Portland countless times [1314 NW Glisan, 503.228.9535]
Typhoon! Thai cuisine [410 SW Broadway, 503.224.8285 AND 2310 NW Everett, 503.243.7557]
Cha! Taqueria Mexican cuisine [305 NW 21st, 503.295.4077]
Saucebox Asian cuisine, really great drink list, and a happening spot at night [214 SW Broadway, 503.241.3393]
Russell Street Bar-B-Que Awesome down-home style bar-b-que with a fresh and local NW approach to food (local, organic, etc…) [325 NE Russell, 971.285.3132]
Kell’s Irish Pub Great food, great ambiance, and has live music on weekends. Kell’s also has one of the only cigar bars in town, it is downstairs in a cave-like room [112 SW Second, 503.227.4057]
Lauro Kitchen Really delicious Mediterranean cuisine [3377 SE Division, 503.239.7000]

Italian:

Caffé Mingo Really great food [807 NW 21st, 503.226.4646]
Serratto Tuscan style Italian [2112 NW Kearney, 503.221.1195]
Pazzo Very good food [627 SW Washington, 503.228.1515]
Mama Mia Trattoria Family style, somewhat Americanized version of Italian, but delicious nonetheless! [439 SW Second, 503.295.6464]
Piazza Italia From the setting to the wait staff to the food, everything about this restaurant is Italy, however it is small so expect a wait at peak dining times [1129 NW Johnson, 503.478.0619]

Bars, Pubs, Good Drinks:

Olive Or Twist [925 NW 11th, 503.546.2900]
Saucebox [214 SW Broadway, 503.241.3393]
Paragon [1309 NW Hoyt, 503.833.5060]
Mint [820 N Russell, 503.284.5518]
Vault [226 NW 12th, 503.224.4909]
Jinx [232 NW 12th, 503.224.0173]
Henry’s  [10 NW 12th, 503.227.5320]
Bartini [2108 NW Glisan, 503.224.7919]
Rock Bottom [206 SW Morrison, 503.796.2739]
Bridgeport Brewpub [1318 NW Marshall, 503.241.7179]
Kell’s Irish Pub Great whiskey selection [112 SW Second, 503.227.4057]
Blue Moon A McMenamin’s location [432 NW 21st, 503.223.3184]
On Deck Sports Bar [910 NW 14th, 503.227.7020]
Blitz Pearl Games and sports bar [110 NW 10th, 503.222.2229]

Desserts & Sweets:

Cool Moon Gelato [1105 NW Johnson, 503.224.2021]
Skinny Dip Frozen yogurt with a bevy of fresh fruit and other scrumptious toppings
Cupcake Jones Get your cravings for sweet treats fixed with a fun menu that changes daily, they even have cupcakes for dogs! [307 NW 10th, 503.222.4404]
Papa Haydn This restaurant serves all meals, but is best known for the dessert case that is always stacked with awesome cakes! [701 NW 23rd, 503.228.7317]

We can’t wait to hear what your favorites are!

Cheers,

The Champagne Team

A few months ago we were contacted by Oregon Home Magazine, who asked us if we would contribute to an article about how to plan a summer soiree! We were so excited when we received our copies of the magazine in the mail yesterday! Rachelle offered tips on setting the atmosphere, creating a theme, having good food and drinks and more!

Pick up your copy today to learn some helpful tips to planning your summer parties!

Happy Planning!

Cheers,

The Champagne team

It’s no secret we love Bend, Oregon and we are extremely excited when we get a chance to work out there! Today’s Real Wedding post is from last September 18th at Sunriver Resort! Central Oregon is filled with some of the most beautiful destinations to get married in the great northwest!

Evie and Brian’s intimately romantic wedding day! Enjoy!

Date: September 18th, 2010
Weather: Rain with a few sun breaks
Location: Bend, Oregon

The amazing team of vendors:
Coordination: Champagne Wedding & Event Coordination
Flowers: Singing Sparrow
Cake/cupcakes: Topping the Cake
Cake Topper: Etsy
Dress: The English Dept.
Venue: Sunriver Resort
DJ: Pro DJ’s Oregon
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Dove String Quartet
Photographer: Ryan Phillips
Officiant: Family Friend
Hair: Tangerine Salon

Photos by Ryan Phillips

Happy Planning!

Cheers,

The Champagne Team

How do you find the perfect gift for the man in your life? Sure, maybe he wants tools, a new guitar, a bbq, new computer, but what about something personal that he will keep forever? That’s where a boudoir session comes into play! Soul Mates Photo is now offering more boudoir session dates!! Feel beautiful, irresistible… be you!

Soul Mates Photo | 2011 Boudoir Dates

May 9-13 - Studio MINI Sessions - Mini sessions are 45% off price this week! I’ve got some new props I want to try. That makes mini sessions $70!!
June 16-17 - Hotel Deluxe, Downtown Portland. Full sessions only.
July 13-14 - Studio Sessions, SW Portland. Full and mini sessions available.
August 16-17 - The Ace Hotel, Downtown Portland. Full sessions only.
Sept 15-16 - Studio Sessions, SW Portland. Full and mini sessions available.
October 11-12 - Studio Session, SW Portland. Full and mini sessions available.
November 10-11 - Studio Sessions, SW Portland. Full and mini session available.

Hotel full 60 minute boudoir session | $200
Studio full 60 minute boudoir session | $175
Studio mini 20 minute boudoir session | $125

To book or learn more about the sessions please simply send a email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Blog: http://soulmatesphotoblog.com/boudoir/
Web: http://soulmatesphoto.com

Cheers,

The Champagne Team

A few weeks ago, we had the honor of doing a presentation at the Multnomah Athletic Club with the Paper Source about a few ideas to incorporate when planning your own party! Paul Rich Studio came to take some photographs for us and featured them on his blog today! Stop by and check them out! Paul also took photos of the How- to projects we did at the event, so we could share these steps with you!! Read on to learn how to line an envelope, make a flag name tag and a flower pom!

A huge thank you to the vendors who were a part of the event:
Multonomah Athletic Club for hosting the event, the food on the display tables and the delicious lunch the guests enjoyed!
Blum Design in Flowers for providing the gorgeous centerpieces for the display and guest tables!
Paul Rich Studio for photographing the event!
Paper Source for being a part of the presentation, the fabulous paper products,  the novelty items which were included on the display tables, and showing us how to line an envelope and make a flag name tag!
The Party Place for providing the wonderful rental items!

On to the How-to’s!!

How-to line an envelope

What you need:

Envelope, liner pattern [Can be found at Paper Source], scissors,  double sided tape, patterned paper or color of choice

Trace pattern on to back of patterned or colored paper

Cut along traced line

Slide the piece of paper into the envelope- pattern side up

One liner is inserted, fold envelope down

Make a crease along the fold of the envelope

Open up the envelope and put double sided table on the edge of the liner

Press liner to envelope

Voila! You have a gorgeously lined envelope! An easy way to spice up an invitation, note or thank you card!

How-to make a name flag

What you need:

Paper [pattern or color of choice- something that matches the invitations or other décor], scissors, double sided tape, straw [look for straws with patterns or other colors to match your event décor!], round stickers for name

Fold paper in half [The paper should be at least 8 in wide [4in when folded]]

Once you have your folded paper, you can cut the sheet into 1 1/2- 2in pieces so theres a fold on every piece—Then cut the end were the two loose ends come together into the shape you’d like your flag to be!

Open the paper up and put double sided tape onto the white side

Take the straw and place it in the center of the paper, making it so the two ends come together – you can put the paper at the top of the straw if you just want it to be a flag or if you’d like them to be able to use the straw, put the paper about an inch down from the top [as pictured]

Add the name sticker

You have a name flag! The perfect alternative to a wine charm for beverages not served in a stemmed glass!

How-to make a paper flower

What you need:

Tissue paper, scissors, pipe cleaner or wire

Take a package of tissue paper and unfold it so you have approximately 8 sheets of paper layered – packages of tissue paper vary in count. You will want about 6- 8 sheets think to make a flower, if you want to make a pom you need 8-10 sheets [based on how full you want it to look and what size you may add more]. You then cut the sheets to a rectangle about the size of flower you’d like.

You then fold the stack of sheets in half to make a crease

Accordion fold from the center to the end of one side and flip and fold the other

Once you’re done folding it, it should look like this

Then fold it in the center to make a crease

Take a pipe cleaner or wire and wrap it around tightly- securing the paper together

Cut the ends at an angle, point or leave them straight- each create a different look

You then take each sheet of paper and slowly pull it to the center – pulling too close to the edge may cause the paper to tear – some tissue paper is thiner than other

Once you’ve finished one side, do the same for the other – if you don’t put the pipe cleaner in the center, it will cause one side of the petals to be longer than the other

You have a paper flower! If you wanted to make it into a pom, you would do the same thing from the other side- pulling the other sheets to the center- until you have a round shaped pom!

Photos by Paul Rich Studio

Thank you to all who made it to the presentation! If you have any questions about any of the projects, please feel free to email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)! Head on over to see a few images from the event on Paul Rich Studio’s blog!!

Happy Planning!

Cheers,

Mandi, Rachelle & the Champagne Team