When I think of destination weddings the first places that come to mind are always tropical and then I begin to dream of the romantic cities in Italy, France, Spain… not to mention all of Europe!

Recent chick flicks have made me dream even more destinations, such as, Alaska in The Proposal, Scotland in Maid of Honor and Ireland in PS I Love You.

On Twitter, some how I started talking to a wonderful photographer from Ireland, Christina Brosnan with Brosnan Photographic. While we were talking I mentioned that I would waive part of the travel fee to do a wedding in Ireland. Christina mentioned that she and her husband had considered moving to Oregon… Perhaps you can talk them into making their way here for your wedding!

I just had to share some of their images with you! After all, maybe Ireland is the destination for you! Enjoy! : )

I don’t know Christina in person, but I can tell you that she is very sweet, talented and professional! You must check out her website for more images! There is one with a baby wrapped in a green blanket that just makes me melt!
Thank you Christina and Brosnan Photographic for sharing these wonderful images with us! Check out their blog as well!

What’s your dream destination? Tell us about it!

Cheers,

Mandi & Rachelle

Beautiful. Radiant. Fun. Energetic. Just a few words that come to mind when I think of Jennifer Rand Walker of Face Body Beauty. Jennifer loves what she does and it shows not only in her work, but in her personable customer service. Her smile is sure to light up the room and make you feel a sense of assurance. Without further ado, please join us in getting to know more about Jennifer Rand Walker and Face Body Beauty.

Mandi: When did you decide you wanted to me a makeup/hair artist?

Jennifer: I have always had a passion for makeup, even as a little girl! I am captivated by creativity and enjoy all the different kinds of art!
It was not until I was in college pursuing my bachelor’s degree in business that I realized I wanted to make a career out of makeup! I finished college, went to an esthetics college and started my business! I have been blessed with friends and family that have always been encouraging and supportive of my aspirations! I spent a lot of time in school, worked hard to build my business and I would not have it any other way! I absolutely love what I do!

Photography by Leah Harb Photography

Mandi: What’s your favorite part about your job?

Jennifer: There are many things I love about my job but nothing is better than knowing that I have helped a woman feel beautiful and confident about the way she looks. Watching someone stand a little taller and carry themselves more confidently is an amazing thing to witness and the main reason I do what I do.

Photography by Honeysuckle Photography

Mandi: A lot of clients would say, “I do my hair and makeup every day, why do I need it done professionally?” What would you say to them?

Jennifer: 
A professional artist will be able to help you complete the look you have worked for months or even years to create.  We have all seen pictures of brides with bad makeup and hair. No amount of retouching can get rid of this.  By hiring a professional artist you can be sure you will love the way you look on your wedding day and in your pictures, for years to come.
A bride must look flawless in person as well as in pictures which is yet another reason hiring a professional is a must. There are many factors that must be taken into consideration when doing bridal makeup.  Just a few of these include her unique features and style, color of her dress, lighting, and timing of the ceremony.

Photography by Jessica Hill Photography

Mandi: Another often comment, “I want to get my makeup done, but I don’t want to look like a clown.” What would be your response?

Jennifer: This is a very common concern. Unfortunately, many women have had bad experiences at a makeup counter and it makes them hesitant to have it done again. It is important to research and find an artist that suites your style and personality. This way you won’t have to worry about looking like a clown. I highly recommend doing a trial run with your chosen artist to make sure you are happy with your look.
As a professional artist, I have a website with many pictures of my work as well as a page dedicated to testimonials from past brides/clients. In addition to this, I have available a reference sheet of brides/clients and other vendors that are happy to talk with potential brides about their experience with me. 
I always listen closely to what my clients are telling me and ask questions to make sure we are on the same page.  I have had brides who wanted to wear only lipgloss and mascara and others who wanted a super smokey and dramatic look.  My goal is to help them create the vision they have for themselves not tell them what they should do with their makeup.

(Champagne’s Rachelle Bell. Gorgeous!) Photography by Jessica Hill Photography

Mandi: How would you explain your style?

Jennifer: My style is very “fresh faced”.  I love to draw attention to the eyes and create a natural glow on the face. 
My style is very fresh faced but I am a versatile artist capable of creating any look from the most subtle to dramatic and avant garde.

Mandi: A lot of girls are using bare minerals now, do you have anything that would compare?

Jennifer: Yes! I carry many different lines of mineral foundations and non mineral foundations. I work with a wide array of skin types and skin pigments so I have something for everyone! Some of the foundations I use are by MAC, Bare Minerals, Mineralogie, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown and others.

Photography by Jessica Hill Photography

Mandi: Tell us a few fun facts about you…

Jennifer:
[1] I am a newlywed!! I just got married June 12, 2009 at Bridal Veil Lakes!
[2] I LOVE candles…they make me happy and I will light them even on the hottest day. I especially love pumpkin candles. I stock up at the end of the Fall season so that I can enjoy them all year long!
[3] I have a big puppy named Cash….(I am a fan of Johnny Cash) He is adorable and I love him to pieces!
[4] Fall is my very favorite season. I love everything about it….trees, changing leaves, the crisp smell in the air, apple cider, baking, fire places, Halloween and even the rain!
Halloween and Thanksgiving are my favorite holidays! I love Halloween because I get to do crazy fun makeup/hair and Thanksgiving for the cooking/baking and getting together with family.

Mandi: I was lucky enough to be a part of Jennifer and Adam’s beautiful day and it was such a beautiful wedding! A couple truly in love!. I absolutely LOVE pumpkin scented candles! There’s something so great about being able to light a candle, snuggle up with a blanket and drink cider! Maybe until it gets cold enough, we can turn on the ac and pretend it’s cold! haha! Thank you, Jennifer, so much for taking time to tell us more about your company, Face Body Beauty! You do amazing work! We look forward to working with you soon!

NOTE: Jennifer Rand Walker has teamed up with Jessica Hill of Peek-a-boo Portland and Jessica Hill Photography to offer a fun halloween photo shoot… Check out details on Peek-a-boo Portland’s Blog or the Style Unveiled Lounge. Book now before they sell out!

Cheers!

Mandi & Rachelle

This year we had the honor of working with the FACES Foundation to put together their 2nd Annual Concert Under the Stars Benefit. The event was a huge success, bringing in over $27,500! Thank you to each of you who were a part in making this possible! My favorite part about the event was that it wasn’t just another fundraiser, but as Dr. Thomas Albert best put it, it was a “friendraiser”.  Featuring music by the amazingly talented Alfredo Muro, delicious Peruvian cuisine, a silent auction featuring many talented artists and some sweet cupcake dots from Cupcake Jones! Thank you to Terry and Jan for opening your home to us and hosting this event!

For those of you who are not familiar with the FACES Foundation, please check out their website. FACES Foundation offers expertise in providing surgical treatment of children with facial deformities. Examples would be children born with cleft lip and palate, deformed ears, or facial scarring from fires or hot liquids. As their foundation grows, services will extend into other health related areas dealing with dental, speech, hearing, nutrition, and immunization. FACES also works with third world clinics to earmark and provide support to specific projects for a family’s or child’s need.

I wanted to share just a few of the images that Bunn P. Salarzon Photography took of the event, as well as, mention all of the wonderful people that made this event possible!

FOOD DONATIONS—Absolutely DELICIOUS food!!! Thank you to each and every one of you for donating food! A special thank you to our food captain, Alex Lozano, for putting everything together and Andina!
Andina - 1314 NW Glisan, Portland, Oregon - 503.228.9535
Nasca - 4644 NE Sandy Boulevard - 503.493.4298
La Hacienda - 1900 Mcloughlin Blvd. - 503.656.2210
Cupcake Jones - 503.222.4404
Multnomah Athletic Club -  503.223.6251
Zupan’s Markets - 7221 SW Macadam, Portland, Oregon
Market of Choice - 8502 SW Terwilliger Boulevard,  Portland, Oregon
New Seasons Market - 1214 SE Tacoma Street, Portland, Oregon

WINE DONATIONS
J K Carriere Winery - Sherwood - 503.554.0721
Helvetia Winery - Hillsboro - 503.647.7596
Additional wine contributed by volunteers & sponsors

FLORAL DONATIONS
Aritstic Flowers & Home Decor - http://www.artisticflowers-decor.com
The Jealous Gardener

SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS
Artists: Michael Anderson, Bo Baumgartner, Jan Hardenburger,
Virgil Harper, Connie Heinze, Eve Holloran, Madeline Janovec,
Bev Jozwiak, Mark Larson, Barry Mack, Vickie Nelson, Gary Reddick, Lesley Reppeteaux, Frank Springer, Lisa Strout, Angela Torrez
and Holloran Winery.

RAFFLE DONATIONS
Francoise Weeks - Floral class
The View Point Inn - Lunch for two

MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS
Powers Oregon -  Rental items
Qualcomm - http://www.wirelessreach.com

MUSIC, PHOTOGRAPHY, & OTHER SPONSORS
Alfredo Muro - Incredibly gifted classical guitarist
Bunn P. Salarzon - Fabulous photographer
Champage Wedding & Event Coordination
Debbie Smith - Art & Graphic Design - Went above and beyond the call of duty and coordinated the wonderful silent auction!

OUR GENEROUS VOLUNTEERS- Thank you to each and every one of you!
Alex Lozano, Shawn Van Doren, Neil Revello, Emile Burley, Kimberly Kroker, Glennda & Jerry Cox, Paul, Myrtha Rife, Jan Bowersock, Kathy Albert,
Carol Hansen, Steve & Tammy Berks, Jackie Lindstrom, Sheree Sturman, Hannah Albert, Jeremy Israel, Alyssa Oziel, Elissa Larkin, Serena Larkin, Marius Dura, Jennifer Jordan, Megan Schwartz

BOARD MEMBERS
Jeffrey M. Israel, MD, Thomas Albert, MD, DMD,
Steve Griffith, JD, John Lasater, MD, MPH, Jerome List MD, DMD,
Rodney Norton JD, Kelly Jensen MBA

ADVISORY MEMBERS
Robert Blakeley, PhD, Mitch Brock, MD, Walter Guralnick, DMD, Sharon Higgins, MD Rebekah Jordan, BA Spanish, Alfredo Muro and Rosemarie Schild, Weiliu Qui, DDS, Jacob Reiss, MD, Harry Schwartz MD, DMD, Mai Ling Schwartz, Luis Solis, Garth Smith, Gay Smith

Thank you to each and every one of you who made it out to the event and your generous donations, as well as those who were unable to make it, but showed their support! We look forward to seeing you again next year!

Please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you would like more information about this wonderful organization and how you can be a part of future events!

Cheers,

Mandi

Who needs a wedding coordinator anyway? Intrigued?? I thought so!

Yesterday I was on Wedding Wire and found a forum post about David’s Bridal blog, where they had recently done a post on “No need to hire a planner anymore!” I had to know more. I went on to read the post and found that there was need for clarification on the importance of a wedding planner and online resources. In fact, the idea that this service they are offering is supposed to replace a professional planner is downright ignorant.

At Champagne we believe wedding coordinators are not a replacement for the online wedding resource guides, although we have some of the same benefits, we do completely different jobs. Did you know that your wedding planner can actually save you money, not to mention relieve stress and maintain sanity?

I posted a comment on David’s Bridal blog, but, as expected, my statement, nor any other, had been approved to be on the blog. David’s Bridal is looking to be a one stop shop for brides and we all know how great it is to get everything you need in one spot, but are you getting the quality of service you deserve? Will they be there when you need someone to box up your favors the day before your wedding or drop off out-of-town guest baskets? Will they be able to troubleshoot unexpected situations that may come up on your wedding day? Or will yours become just another cookie-cutter wedding?

Here’s what you’ll find on David’s Bridal Blog:
“Planning Your Wedding: No Need to Hire a Planner Anymore!
August 21st, 2009
Remember when it was a fantasy to be able to hire a wedding planner?  Well, savvy brides know that’s no longer necessary.  It is now fun, easy and all in your good hands.  Instead of spending a ton of money to have someone manage and plan the details of your special day, you can do it yourself (with a little help from some guides, which we will talk about) and have a blast doing it.  Wedding planning can now be a piece of cake (and you can even get help choosing that delicious cake, too!)
David’s Bridal has everything you need to get your party started.  From music selections for your DJ right on their website, to wedding planning books, to their own helpful staff who can offer great tips on everything from the perfect wedding dress for your frame to the just-right veil to go with that dress.  It is truly a one-stop-shop.
Sometimes, when we think of a one-stop-shop, we think we might have to sacrifice quality or exclusivity.  To the contrary, some of the amazing products offered at David’s Bridal (from invitations to wedding gowns to accents) are quite exclusive and can only be found there.  Check out their website exclusives and mix and match your favorite styles to create a look that’s like no other!
There is now a way to be unique, to stand out, and to take control over every last detail of your day — without having to consult an expensive wedding planner.  David’s Bridal offers a comprehensive website with expert tips and trends, including the celeb-inspired db Style Council, so you can easily plan all your wedding details and have fun doing it!”

One question I would ask is of the integrity of the relationship that David’s Bridal has with each of their preferred vendors. Or are they listing vendors that are willing to pay David’s Bridal to be listed? In the long run, isn’t it the client that pays for a relationship like that? A professional planner actually uses their relationships with these vendors to the clients benefit by passing discounts to them directly, rather than taking it as a commission and using that as an income to building a company that is attempting to monopolize the entire wedding community/industry. 

As a professional coordinator, we get to know a full spectrum of vendors personally, so we are able to match our clients to the right fit. By the right fit, I mean not only a quality vendor, but also, do they fit your budget and personality? At Champagne, we believe that online planning resources (i.e. Portland Style Unveiled, Myportlandwedding.com, Bravo!, Wedding Wire) are great places for brides to find information on vendors, the latest trends, and wedding etiquette, however online planning resources are not a substitute for the hands on, personal service that you receive from a professional wedding planner.

Professional wedding coordinators spend countless hours getting to know vendors, venues and building relationships that will save clients money and headaches. We know many brides question their need for a professional wedding coordinator.  Especially because not all brides need the full service planning that a professional wedding planner can provide, but the service that is provided the day of is irreplaceable. At Champagne, we feel that working with a professional is invaluable for many reasons – below we have outlined just a few of the areas in which your coordinator will assist you.  Your decision to hire a professional will be your first step on the path to a beautiful and stress-free wedding!
1)  Time - hiring a professional wedding coordinator will save you valuable time and will allow you to truly enjoy being engaged to the one you love! Your professional coordinator will do the  
time-consuming work for you, from researching venues that may suit your needs to scheduling appointments for you to addressing invitations to making sure your decorations are placed perfectly on the wedding day.  Hiring a coordinator allows you the luxury to enjoy your engagement!

2) Money - the professional coordinators at Champagne work hard to foster relationships with a wide range of vendors. These relationships result in special discounts and exclusive rates that your coordinator will then pass along to you. Your wedding coordinator can also help you determine your budget and will suggest creative ways to stay within it while still achieving the wedding of your dreams! Professional coordinators also help you navigate contracts and negotiate pricing—because of their extensive experience in the industry, they are essential in attaining the best possible value for your money from your vendors.

3) Knowledge - professional wedding planners at Champagne possess an incredible amount of knowledge and creativity. Your coordinator will assist you with difficult wedding etiquette questions and will offer valuable advice on countless issues that will come up in the course of planning your wedding.

4) Design - this is a very important element to a successful wedding. Champagne’s coordinators will assist you through this crucial process and will offer insight and creativity to either help you bring your vision to life or to help you build a unique and beautiful vision for your wedding day.

5) Navigating conflict - inevitably in the course of planning a wedding, conflicts arise and tensions can surface. Many times your wedding professional can act as a neutral party in these instances and can assist you in avoiding difficult or uncomfortable circumstances!

6) Stress reduction -  the best advice for your wedding day is to relax, to allow others to take over the details, and to simply enjoy your special day with your new spouse! When you work with a professional wedding coordinator, you not only give yourself the ability to de-stress, you also give your bridal party and family the ability to relax and to truly be guests at your wedding. Your wedding coordinator will take care of every last detail, freeing up your friends and family to celebrate with you!

7) Wedding day relaxation - one of the most priceless services a professional coordinator provides is to fulfill the role of the day-of problem solver and go-to person. From coordinating vendor schedules to dealing with behind-the-scenes crises, your coordinator will save you from needing to deal with, or even know about, any wedding day issues so that you can simply enjoy the day you have looked forward to and imagined
 
8) Realization of dreams- with the help of a professional wedding coordinator, your wedding day dreams will become a reality!
We are not asking for you to stop looking to online resources for your planning needs, but to not see them as a replacement for the services that a wedding coordinator can provide for you. Just as your iphone takes great pictures for a camera phone, it is not what you’d want to use to document your special day.

“Hiring a coordinator for our wedding day was one of the best decisions that my husband and I could have made. Mandi helped our entire event to run smoothly and assisted with any task that needed her attention. She was amazing! We were able to completely live in the moment and truly appreciate the beauty of our wedding day.” - Shannon & Ryan

“I hesitated in hiring a wedding coordinator.  I knew I was on a tight budget and thought a coordinator was an unnecessary expense.  I could not have been more wrong! My vision was an elegant backyard wedding.  Rachelle made my vision a reality.  She knew exactly what I needed and where I could financially cut corners without sacrificing quality or elegance.  She kept me within my budget and on time with deadlines, which are two things I know could not have happened without her.  I cannot begin to tell a person how important she was to me and my day.  Her experience and industry knowledge made the ‘unnecessary expense’ a must!” - Leann & Josh

“...Hiring a coordinator for your wedding isn’t a bonus, it’s a necessity!...” - Heather & Clint

Visit our toast section to view more testimonials from just a few of our past brides. Whether you’re a past bride, a vendor or an online resource tool, we’d like to encourage you to post your experiences with wedding coordinators here. Do you find having a professional wedding planner is key to a successful wedding?

Happy Planning!
Cheers,
Mandi & Rachelle

About a month ago, Rachelle and I went to Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum to meet with Kelly Reed. It was my first time there, so I had no idea what to expect. Rachelle and I were instantly enamored by the surroundings and possibilities of weddings and events in their venue. Whether you’d planning a wedding or event or just looking for something to do for the day, Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is a must see! There is truly something for all ages! Kelly took us on a full tour through all the museums and IMAX theater. We had such a great time and couldn’t help but ask Kelly to share, just a small fraction of what she did with us, with you.

Champagne: What is the inspiration behind Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum?

EASM: The inspiration behind Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum was the of Captain Michael King Smith.  Dreams of flight have captured the imaginations of children and adults alike for centuries. Captain Michael King Smith had a fascination with flight that began in childhood and continued throughout his short life. Captain Smith’s fierce dedication and passion for flying led to his dream of an aviation museum unlike any other – a living museum that celebrates aviation’s rich history, honors the patriotic service of our veterans and offers enlightening educational programs in aviation.

Champagne: What size events can you accommodate?

EASM: We have two museums that are each 120,000 sq feet.  Both can accommodate 1500 people seated and 3000 standing or an intimate setting of 25 or less or anything in between.  In addition to the museums we have meetings rooms for smaller engagements.  With your rental of the museum you also get tables, chairs, linens (black, white or ivory) for up to 350 people along with limited A/V equipment and our expert staff to assist and ensure your event runs smoothly.

Champagne: What sets your venue apart from the rest?

EASM: Definitely what sets us apart is the opportunity to be amongst 150 antique and re-built aircraft and artifacts including WWII Planes, trainers, and most important the only plane made out of wood in existence that is bigger than a 747. Non-aircraft lovers will be lured into the awe of workmanship and displays creating an ambiance .  Having your event under the enormous tail of the Spruce Goose or be in the Space Museum amongst the race for space, each puts your guests in an inspiring and fascinating atmosphere. 

Champagne: We heard Spruce Goose has a wine label. Do you have tasting rooms?

EASM: We have two beautiful tasting rooms located in each of the glass and steel structured museums.  Our award winning wines under the label of “Spruce Goose” are made by well-know winemaker, Laurent Montalieu. He’s been in the business for quite a while and is a pro at it.

Champagne : They are continuously making the museum bigger and better, are there any fun additions in the works?

EASM: The Evergreen Family of Companies is in the process of building an indoor water park.  The model of what the entire campus is located in our Aviation Museum.  It will be truly amazing!

Champagne: Rachelle and I had a chance to check out the model while we were there and it’s going to be spectacular! We can’t wait to come try it out! What is something you think people should know when picking their wedding/event venue at Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum?

EASM: Both museums are beautiful and unique in their own individual way.  When an event is underway and you are surrounded by such great history your guests will have a great time relaxing, participating, and enjoying themselves.  With our in-house caterer and our own line up of wines everything is taken care of, just come in and enjoy!  We’re professionals at events and want your experience here to be distinctive and memorable

Thank you, Kelly for taking the time to show us around and fill us in! We left amazed and excited about the possibilities for clients having events at Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum!

What’s Happening at Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum?

Cheers,
Mandi & Rachelle