Judy Reese with Dream Cakes won a place in my heart about 8 years ago when I began wedding planning. After trying hundreds of different cakes, we are still singing her great praises! These are truly cakes that you’ll dream about! You try it once and find yourself wishing, dreaming that you knew someone that was getting married tomorrow just so you could have some more! They won the Oregon Bride Magazine’s Best of 2008, 2010 and 2011! [ Just a few more days to vote for your favorite vendors for 2012’s Best Of!- You have to fill in at least 6 categories for your vote to count!] Without further ado, get to know Dream Cakes!
Champagne: How did Dream Cakes begin?
Dream Cakes: After college I started a retail bakery in Hood River and made wedding cakes for a few friends. I loved the process of getting to know the couple and designing a unique cake just for them. I moved back to Portland and opened Dream Cakes.
Champagne: What sets you apart from other bakeries?
Dream Cakes: I am a wedding cake only business. I was a pastry chef before opening Dream Cakes. I only use the highest quality ingredients, no Crisco, no imitation flavorings, and no mixes. I use imported chocolates, locally made butter, and local organic, whole berries in season.
Dream Cakes: Everything from fabrics, gardens, furniture, graphics, all of these things and many others give me creative inspiration.
Champagne: What cake flavors do you offer?
Dream Cakes: My 3 most popular are: Dark Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and whole raspberry filling, Carrot cake with homemade toffee crunch filling, and White Buttermilk cake with homemade lemon curd and fresh whole blueberries. I also do red velvet, coconut, banana, poppy seed, pumpkin, and countless others. The combinations are endless.
Champagne: What has been your most unique request for cake design?
Dream Cakes: I made a wedding cake that looked like Louis Vuitton luggage with sugar paste passports on the top, for a couple who are world travelers.
Champagne: To you, what is key to creating a successful event?
Dream Cakes: The bride should pick vendors that she is comfortable with, and then relax and trust them to do their job.
Champagne: What do you do, when you’re not doing, what you do?
Dream Cakes: I love to garden, cook for my husband, walk my dogs, read and travel.
Champagne: Thank you, Judy [Dream Cakes], for telling us more about your company! Head on over and “like” them on facebook and browse their website!
This particular contest is for anyone [Brides, Grooms, Vendors, Single, Married…etc] over the age of 18 years! We’ve partnered with Hotel deLuxe to giveaway a one night stay in a King Room at their stunning hotel!! We’ll be sharing more about their gorgeous venue later on in the month!
Here’s how to enter:
1. For each comment you leave on the 30 days of vendor blog posts, you get 1 entry. The more comments you leave, the more entries you get! [Limit 15 entries per person; one comment per post]
Champagne: How long has Catering At its Best been in business?
Catering At Its Best: 17 years
Champagne: What is Catering At its Best’s specialty?
Catering At Its Best: Our specialties are fabulous food and exceptional service. All of our menu items are made from scratch in our commercial kitchen, using only fresh ingredients and our own unique recipes. Our excellent service is the icing on the cake to a perfect event!
Champagne: What venues are you the preferred caterer?
Catering At Its Best:
Ainsworth House
Antonia Ballroom
Body Vox
Castaway
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Elk Cove Vineyards
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
Gallery 903
Jenkins Estate
Laurelhurst club
Left Bank Annex
Lolich Blueberry Farm
Marshall House
Mount Hood Bed & Breakfast
Mountain Park Recreation Center
Museum of the Oregon Territory
Norse Hail
North Star Ballroom
Overlook House
Pearson Air Museum
Pure Space
Scholls Valley Lodge
Scottish Rite Center
The Old Church
West End Theater
World Forestry Center
Champagne: What’s your favorite venue to work at?
Catering At Its Best: Every venue is unique in its own way. We them all!
Champagne: What do you think someone should look for when hiring a caterer for their wedding or event?
Catering At Its Best: Food quality and taste is the most important ingredient to a memorable wedding reception, Guests will remember the food long after the decor and China pattern is forgotten.
Make sure you’re getting good value for your expenditure, and include everything you want without adding unnecessary items.
A comfortable relationship with your event piaraner is key to a successful event. It is important that you work with an experienced professional from Start to finish, who will be there from the beginning to the end of your event.
Champagne: How would you describe your ideal client?
Catering At Its Best: An ideal client is one who knows what they Want, has a vision for their event, yet ls flexible enough to make changes if needed. We enjoy with creative people who will work with us to turn their vision into reality.
Champagne: Do you believe having a wedding coordinator is a luxury or essential?
Catering At Its Best: A wedding coordinator is a special, and one we would recommend if it fits your budget. A wedding coordinator can do a iot of leg work for you, and provide you with a smooth, carefree wedding.
Champgne: What do you do, when you’re not doing, what you do?
Catering At Its Best: In addition to our full-service catering, we now have Briskets, a new food cart in the Pearl District. We offer the same high quality food and service for your street food fix that we do for
your catered events, Both outdoor and indoor seating availabie. Find us at http://www.foodcartsportland.com/2011/10/18/briskets/
Our employees are a diverse bunch! When not at work, we’re involved with marathon runs, fashion design, traveling to exotic lands, teaching recycling classes, volunteering for non-profit organizations, and a variety of other pursuits.
Champagne: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
All of our events are handled with care and professionalism. We lend the same high quality of food and services to each event, large or small. We are a green company, dedicated to composting, recycling, and other sustainable practices.
Champagne: Thank you, Bob, for telling us more about Catering At Its Best! Make sure to head on over and “like” them on facebook and browse their website!
This particular contest is for anyone [Brides, Grooms, Vendors, Single, Married…etc] over the age of 18 years! We’ve partnered with Hotel deLuxe to giveaway a one night stay in a King Room at their stunning hotel!! We’ll be sharing more about their gorgeous venue later on in the month!
Here’s how to enter:
1. For each comment you leave on the 30 days of vendor blog posts, you get 1 entry. The more comments you leave, the more entries you get! [Limit 15 entries per person; one comment per post]
We can never stress enough how important it is to hire a great photographer and videographer to capture your wedding day! After the wedding day wraps up and you’re officially married to the person of your dreams, the music is turned off, the guests leave, the food is gone, the flowers wilt, the rentals are picked up… you want to be able to relive all of the magic of the day, how gorgeous everything looked, what guests were there, how much fun you had and what better way to do so, than with beautiful photos and a video you’ll want to watch at the very least every anniversary!! Get to know Ryan with Focal Point Digital Media!
Champagne: How would you describe your videography style?
Focal Point Digital Media: We try really hard to strike a balance between including the beautiful, cinematic shots of our brides and the details of their weddings while still telling the actual, emotional story well. There’s a huge trend right now with so many wedding films that are overly focused on the decor and details, trick shots, and overall “eye candy” which, granted, is undoubtably gorgeous but is often lacking in emotional connection and story. And at the opposite extreme, there are lots of wedding films that lean so heavily towards documentary style “real life” footage that a lot of the beauty and drama of the day are lost. So the trick as a filmmaker is finding the middle ground, and I think our style incorporates elements of both strongly. We’re certainly best known for our cinematic short form edits, but with every single package we offer we also include a full-length cut of the ceremony and reception as well, which is somewhat unique to our studio.
Video by Focal Point Digital Media - Getting Ready at The Nines/ Ceremony & Reception at The Abernethy Center
Champagne: How did you get into videography?
Focal Point Digital Media: One of my degrees was a Bachelor’s in Communication Arts at George Fox University so video has always been an interest on some level, but after college I had the opportunity to compete as a professional track athlete for 7 years so my “real job” was on hold during that time. I officially started Focal Point in the summer of 2004, after retiring from athletics. Initially our goal was to film 10-12 weddings the first year and hopefully transition into full time over the course of 3-4 years as the business grew, but instead we filmed about 40 weddings our first year and it just immediately became my full time career! Eight years, one retail studio, and 250+ weddings later I haven’t looked back and still absolutely love being a part of our clients’ wedding days!
Champagne: Often times we have people tell us, well my parents have never watched their wedding video, I doubt I would. What’s your response to this?
Focal Point Digital Media: If your video was like theirs you wouldn’t watch it either, haha! I can’t emphasize enough that your parents’ wedding tape is most definitely NOT today’s modern wedding film! Long gone are the days of the numbingly dull, unedited, 4-hour VHS tapes with terrible sound and even worse images. Our wedding films are just like the word implies: truly filmic, closer to what you’d see coming from a Hollywood movie studio than from a home camcorder! We shoot 100% digital HD footage using a variety of top DSLRs and professional camcorders, capture audio with super sensitive wireless mics, work all kinds of magical mojo in the editing suite afterwards, and then deliver on Blu-Ray and DVD. Literally dozens of our past brides have written to tell us how they’ve watched their wedding films over and over again, so I can assure you that just because your parents didn’t watch theirs doesn’t mean you won’t watch yours… more likely you’ll wear out your disc from overuse!! (Don’t worry, we keep backups! ; ))
Champagne: What sets you apart from other videographers?
Focal Point Digital Media: You know, at a certain price point in the market there are a lot of studios that are doing a great job and coming out with quality work. I think what sets us apart more than anything else are two things. First, it’s that we’re just genuinely interested in you and your story, and I’d like to think we’re nice guys. ; ) It sounds simplistic, but to be honest you’ll spend more time with your videographer (and photographer) than literally anyone else on your wedding day so having a great connection at the personal level is huge if you’re going to enjoy the experience. So we try very hard in that department to deliver great, responsive customer service and to make the whole process as fun and stress-free as possible. The second thing that sets us apart is that we specialize very exclusively in weddings, which is a pretty big deal when you consider how unpredictable and emotionally-charged live event filmmaking can be! We don’t solicit any other type of video work, so we’re not out running around on weekdays filming car dealership commercials or anything like that. From day one we’ve chosen to just stick to one thing and do it well rather than being the proverbial “Jack of all trades, master of none” and I think that this very narrow specialization has paid off in the long run. We’ve been named “Best Overall Wedding Vendor” and have been voted “Best Videographer” for the past three years in a row by the readers of Oregon Bride magazine, so something must be working right, haha!
Video by Focal Point Digital Media - Getting ready at The Heathman Hotel/ Ceremony & Reception at Pure Space
Champagne: One tip or advice for couples as they plan their wedding:
Focal Point Digital Media: Don’t stress the little things! The internet makes it very easy to get so wrapped up in a world of endless tiny details, and inspiration boards, and wedding blogs, and Pinterest, and… that you can quickly lose sight of the big picture. But by the time your wedding day rolls around try to let go of worry about the details and remember that what really matters most is the love between you and your fiancé, and the relationships with your family and friends who are there to support you at your wedding. Those are the things you remember afterwards, not the little things. And there is no richer way to remember–and “feel”–your biggest day than with a wedding film.
Champagne: To you, what is key to creating a successful event?
Focal Point Digital Media: Just have fun and be in love! On video it’s almost impossible to “fake” what you’re feeling. If you’re upset, you can’t just flash a quick smile like you can in photography and get away with it; video just has too much context. But the reverse effect is true too, so if you’re genuinely enjoying your wedding and are super in love your fiancé it absolutely comes through loud and clear in your wedding film… and my job gets much easier!
Video by Focal Point Digital Media - Getting ready at The Nines/ Ceremony & Reception at Gray Gables Estate
Champagne: What do you do, when you’re not doing, what you do?
Focal Point Digital Media: I’m the dad to three little boys (second grade, first grade, and 3 years old) which is the best part of my day, every day! I have a beautiful wife named Kristin who I’m crazy about, and when I’m not shooting video I love photography (imagine that!), running, hiking and backpacking, Oregon football, Olympic-level track & field, and all things Mac-related. I’m the biggest Apple fanboy ever.
Champagne: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Focal Point Digital Media: I really can’t emphasize enough just how important it is to have a well-done wedding film. It’s one of the best investments of your wedding budget that you’ll make, and its value only increases over time. Ironically, my wife and I didn’t get a professional video and we so regret it now in hindsight. Even if it’s not Focal Point Digital Media be sure to hire someone; you’ll only thank yourself in the years to come! As our tagline says, Why Live Your Wedding Only Once? The first person to book directly because they saw this blog post will get a free upgrade to Blu-Ray production and delivery ($495 value), and everyone else that mentions this is welcome to the same Blu-Ray upgrade for half price!
Champagne: Thank you, Ryan [Focal Point Digital Media], for telling us more about your company! Make sure to “like” them on facebook, visit their website and browse their blog!
Don’t forget about our blog contest:
This particular contest is for anyone [Brides, Grooms, Vendors, Single, Married…etc] over the age of 18 years! We’ve partnered with Hotel deLuxe to giveaway a one night stay in a King Room at their stunning hotel!! We’ll be sharing more about their gorgeous venue later on in the month!
Here’s how to enter:
1. For each comment you leave on the 30 days of vendor blog posts, you get 1 entry. The more comments you leave, the more entries you get! [Limit 15 entries per person; one comment per post]
2. Spread the word about the 30 days of vendors by posting it on Facebook and tagging Champagne Wedding & Event Coordination and Hotel deLuxe [Limit 1 entry per person via facebook]
At the end of the 30 days, we will be putting each entry into a “hat” and drawing the winner!!
Finding a venue you love. Somewhere that reflects your style as a couple and sets the tone for the feel of your wedding. One of the most important parts to the start of planning a wedding! Get to know more about Oregon Historical Society! Their in-house caterer is The Heathman Restaurant & Bar! Yum!!
Champagne: What do you love about working at the Oregon Historical Society?
Oregon Historical Society: I’ve always loved catering at other, historic venues…The Oregon Historical Society is just that! Its unique indoor and private outdoor event spaces become available in the evenings for rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions and engagement events. We offer floor to ceiling windows overlooking the SW Park Blocks and Oregon specific artifacts adorn the event areas. Catering for any size group is always a pleasure for us in such a fantastic event space in the heart of Downtown Portland.
Oregon Historical Society: Absolutely! The Miller Pavilion offers floor to ceiling windows overlooking the SW Park blocks, historic statues and rose beds
Champagne: What sets your venue apart from the rest?
Oregon Historical Society:
Versatile event space affords couples to have the ceremony, reception and dinner, all at one venue!
Uniquely wonderful indoor/outdoor event space in the heart of Downtown Portland. Rotating exhibits and museum artifacts adorn the event space. Guests may explore varying galleries, telling of Oregon’s rich history.
Outdoor event space sits above street level, overlooking the SW Park blocks and is watched over by a 1989 Lewis & Clark mural.
Champagne: What is something you think couples should know when picking their wedding/event venue?
Oregon Historical Society: It has to feel right…then consider the caterer and an event planner. Also, look at the venue flooring…carpeted floors versus cement. Cement floors tend to drain the energy of guests more quickly than carpeted ones. The Oregon Historical Society has carpeted event space in the Miller Pavilion.
Champagne: To you, what is key to creating a successful event?
Oregon Historical Society: Understanding the Wedding Couple’s vision. What is important to them? Knowing their hopes and fears will allow us to create and execute their most memorable day!
Champagne: What do you do, when you’re not doing, what you do?
Oregon Historical Society: I love to cook and dine around town, trying all cuisines, new and old. Keeping up with local events and staying current with wedding trends is key to my personal and work success.
Champagne: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Oregon Historical Society: The Heathman Restaurant & Bar has been the exclusive caterer for the Oregon Historical Society since 2010. We are a French/Northwest themed restaurant, lead by Culinary Director and French Master Chef Philippe Boulot. We are a James Beard award winning restaurant and have earned the Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator, three years running. Dedicated Culinary and Banquet staff provide your guests with excellent and attentive service.
Don’t forget about our blog contest:
This particular contest is for anyone [Brides, Grooms, Vendors, Single, Married…etc] over the age of 18 years! We’ve partnered with Hotel deLuxe to giveaway a one night stay in a King Room at their stunning hotel!! We’ll be sharing more about their gorgeous venue later on in the month!
Here’s how to enter:
1. For each comment you leave on the 30 days of vendor blog posts, you get 1 entry. The more comments you leave, the more entries you get! [Limit 15 entries per person; one comment per post]
2. Spread the word about the 30 days of vendors by posting it on Facebook and tagging Champagne Wedding & Event Coordination and Hotel deLuxe [Limit 1 entry per person via facebook]
At the end of the 30 days, we will be putting each entry into a “hat” and drawing the winner!!
What a gorgeous morning it is! While you’re enjoying your morning cup of coffee with the sun shining through the windows, get to know Sage with Sammy’s Flowers!
Champagne: When and why did you decide you wanted to be a florist?
Sammy’s Flowers: I have always been passionate about colors and textures and design. I went to school for photo and graphic design. During my summer breaks I worked on Morning Glory Farm back home on Marth’as Vineyard. I worked mostly out in the flower fields planting and weeding, and each morning picking and designing 100 plus fresh cut loose bouquets straight from the fields. My love for colors and design quickly transcended into flowers to the point that I decided to give a more formal flower class a try. I moved across country on a whim to Portland and enrolled in the Floral Design Institute. This sealed the deal. I fell in love with the city and the life as a florist. Shortly after I connected with Sammy’s Flowers and the rest is history.
Champagne: What is the favorite part of your job?
Sammy’s Flowers: I love getting to work with my hands, and get messy. I love getting to manipulate nature into beautiful arrangements that make people smile and getting to be part of so many significant moments in peoples lives. I love that there is alwasy new fresh flowers to rediscover and re fall in love with as the seasons change.
Champagne: What should brides know when looking for a florist?
Sammy’s Flowers: I think its so important to let the time of year you choose to get married in and mother nature do their work for you. Take the time to learn whats in season when you get married and utilize these blossoms rather then try to recreate something beautiful out of season. Also I think the relationship one makes with a florist is so important. I love when I can conncet with a bride to a point that they trust our combined vision and let me do what I do best.
Champagne: What’s your favorite flower?
Sammy’s Flowers: I dont know where to begin. I have favorite ones for each season. However I think my favorite season flower wise is spring, and my top three flowers for spring would have to be ranunculus, peonies, and parrot tulips
Champagne: How would you describe your style?
Sammy’s Flowers: clean, organic, earthy, romantic
Champagne: Do you believe having a wedding coordinator is a luxury or essential?
Sammy’s Flowers: I think it depends on the size and scale of ones wedding. Planning a wedding can be a full time job, learning about venues, caterers, photographers, flowers, cakes etc…it’s definitely an enjoyable luxury to have someone like a wedding coordinator help you and guide you.
Champagne: What do you do, when you’re not doing what you do?
Sammy’s Flowers: Exploring and enjoying Portland with my 5 year old son. We love to scooter around the Pearl, play at parks, and take full enjoyment of the sunshine when we have it!
Champagne: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Sammy’s Flowers: We offer free wedding consultations at Sammy’s Flowers and love to help make weddings of all sizes and budgets beautiful. Mention this blog and get a free toss bouquet or 20% of your bridal bouquet.
Champagne: Thank you, Sage for telling us more about Sammy’s Flowers! Head on over and “like” them on facebook, stop by their shops [2280 Northwest Glisan Street Portland, Oregon 97210 & 1128 Northwest Lovejoy Street Portland, Oregon 97209] and browse their website!
Don’t forget about our blog contest:
This particular contest is for anyone [Brides, Grooms, Vendors, Single, Married…etc] over the age of 18 years! We’ve partnered with Hotel deLuxe to giveaway a one night stay in a King Room at their stunning hotel!! We’ll be sharing more about their gorgeous venue later on in the month!
Here’s how to enter:
1. For each comment you leave on the 30 days of vendor blog posts, you get 1 entry. The more comments you leave, the more entries you get! [Limit 15 entries per person; one comment per post]
2. Spread the word about the 30 days of vendors by posting it on Facebook and tagging Champagne Wedding & Event Coordination and Hotel deLuxe [Limit 1 entry per person via facebook]
At the end of the 30 days, we will be putting each entry into a “hat” and drawing the winner!!
