Woo hoo… we made it 30 days! It was such a blast sharing these vendors with you!!

Thank you to everyone who followed along, the vendors that made it possible and all of the vendors we know and love!! We can’t wait to share with you the things we have in the works over the next few months! Check back tomorrow to enter in our “Week of Love” contest!

If you missed any of the “30 days of vendors” posts, make sure to check them out!

Day 30 of 30: Urban Studio
Day 29 of 30: Brandon Perron Photography
Day 28 of 30: Passionflower Floral Design
Day 27 of 30: Bakery Bar
Day 26 of 30: Solstice Video
Day 25 of 30: AJ’s Hair design & Makeup
Day 24 of 30: Honeysuckle Photography
Day 23 of 30: West Coast Event Productions
Day 22 of 30: Gorge-ous Weddings
Day 21 of 30: The Wedding Cottage
Day 20 of 30: The Photo Lounge
Day 19 of 30: Fioribella Floral Design
Day 18 of 30: Shields Films
Day 17 of 30: Yasmin Khajavi Photography
Day 16 of 30: Vista Hills & Red Ridge
Day 15 of 30: Lori Raines Calligraphy
Day 14 of 30: Peekaboo Portland
Day 13 of 30: Vibrant Table Catering & Events
Day 12 of 30: Joel Bock Photography
Day 11 of 30: True Love Sound
Day 10 of 30: Blum Floral Desgin
Day 9 of 30: Becerra Photography
Day 8 of 30: Black Butte Ranch
Day 7 of 30: Cupcake Jones
Day 6 of 30: Mosca Photo
Day 5 of 30: Vibrant Table Flowers
Day 4 of 30: Premiere Catering
Day 3 of 30: Paul Rich Studio
Day 2 of 30: Bon Moment Inivitations
Day 1 of 30: Bryan Hoybook Photography
See what the 30 days of vendors is all about!

Cheers,
Mandi & Rachelle

Thank you for stopping by our blog! We’d love to meet you! We offer free no obligation consultations so you’re able to see if you’re in need of a wedding coordinator and if we’re the right match! .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) us now to set up an appointment!

We are so excited for 2010 and all that is to come! We absolutely love what we do and feel so honored to be working with so many incredible couples and amazing vendors!

While we are taking it easy for a few weeks and spending time with our families for the holidays, we are starting out January by visiting some beautiful venues in wine country and then will be making our way over to Bend, Oregon to be a part of the Bravo! Central Oregon Wedding Showcase on Saturday, January 9th from 10am-5pm at Sunriver Resort. We hope to see you there!

Everyone loves gifts, so we wanted to give you a little something…
Receive 5% off any package you book between December 22nd, 2009 and January 30th, 2010*.
Don’t forget, we offer free consultations so you can learn if hiring a wedding planner would benefit you and if we’re the right match! We’d love to learn more about you, your fiance and your upcoming wedding plans!

We are looking forward to meeting you! Wishing you a very happy holiday season and a new year filled with love, laughter and happiness!

Photo by PDX Photo Lounge
Cheers,

Mandi & Rachelle

*Not valid on previously booked packages. Contract and deposit must be returned by January 30th, 2010.

Watch for upcoming contests on our blog in early 2010! We are teaming up with some fabulous vendors to giveaway some services and items you won’t want to miss!

Just over a month ago, Rachelle and I ventured to Sisters, Oregon to see some of the wedding/event venues in the area. We were blown away by not only the natural beauty, but the quality of customer service we received while visiting. With Sisters, Oregon being a little bit of a drive from Portland, we decided to stay the night at FivePine Lodge. Wow… that was my reaction when we walked in the doors. I had driven by FivePine Lodge on my way to Bend, Oregon numerous times the last few years and had always wanted to stop by. [I think Sisters, Oregon is one of the most beautiful places to get married in Oregon!] My expectations were reached and exceeded. [So much so that I’m taking my boyfriend back to visit and couldn’t be more excited!] Their onsite coordinator, Elena, is so sweet and helpful! We had so much fun getting to know her and learning all about the venue… and our favorite spot… the SPA! Aww, it’s absolutely a dream come true! After meeting Elena, we enjoyed a yummy happy hour at one of their onsite restaurants, Three Creeks Brewing Company, a glass of wine at their nightly lodge wine and beer reception and delicious dinner at their other onsite restaurant Chloe. Which was followed by complete relaxation back at our adorable luxurious cabin! So without further ado, here’s a little Q&A from Elena… who is newly engaged herself! [Congratulations, again, from Champagne Events! We are so happy for you and your husband to be!!] 

Mandi: How would you describe your ideal client?
Elena: I truly love working with brides- weddings are hands down my favorite part of my job. I don’t know if I have an ideal client because there are so many different types of brides and that’s what makes each experience fun and unique. It is so wonderful when the focus of the wedding for the bride and groom is the celebration of their love and sharing that with friends and family- because ultimately that is what’s most important. I do think it is ideal to have a wedding coordinator present on the wedding day [or at the very least a highly reliable friend or family member to take care of details] it just makes the day SO much better and more relaxed for the bride!

Lodge:

Mandi: Do you have weddings year round?
Elena: We do! Weddings are magical here in each season- the backdrop of the creek and wildflowers in the summer and early autumn are stunning, the snow outside and large crackling stone fireplaces inside in winter are majestic and fall and early spring are spectacular as well.

Event Spaces: [View their website for more pictures of their event space and make sure you always visit prospective venues in person before you make your decision. If live out of state and are unable to visit venues, make sure you enlist a coordinator, family or friend to scope out venues for you.]

Mandi: How many guests can your event venue accommodate? How many can you accommodate overnight?
Elena: We can accommodate up to 200 guests in the summer/early fall utilizing our creek side ceremony site, and 150 guests inside in the winter/spring. We have 32 rooms total at FivePine (24 Cabins and 8 Lodge Suites) At full capacity we can accommodate 44 couples.

Mandi: What amenities can you provide for the wedding guests?
Elena: All lodging guests receive a daily breakfast, nightly wine and beer reception, full use of the 19,000 sq. foot Sisters Athletic Club and in summer full use of our outdoor pool, lawn games and cruiser bikes. We also have ski passes to HooDoo in the winter and snowshoe excursions! On site we have a Movie House, Brew Pub, Fine Dining Restaurant, Athletic Club and gorgeous Spa…

Three Creeks Brewing Company:

Chloe Restaurant:

Mandi: Please tell us about your incredible spa!
Elena: Tranquil and restorative Shibui Spa is the ultimate spa experience! The moment you walk into the reception area and through the double doors to the treatment rooms the sight of Shibui’s beautiful water feature creates a feeling of instant relaxation. There is a full service menu of massage, facial, body and nail treatments, and bridal party packages are available. My favorite feature is the romantic and peaceful couple’s massage in the private room over the flowing water feature- it is just amazing… Shibui Spa

Mandi: Given your recent engagement, what’s your dream wedding?
Elena: I am having my dream wedding at FivePine next summer! I truly could not imagine having our wedding anywhere else. I was a bit nervous to hold our wedding at the venue where I work every day- I did not know if I can turn my brain off of ‘work mode’ the day of, but I truly feel that our ceremony and reception site is so romantic and incredible, so the choice was an easy one. Because our wedding is in summer I am excited to incorporate beautiful bright colors and gorgeous summer flowers. We have naturally growing wildflowers each summer season that look so gorgeous surrounding the creek… I just can’t wait!

Our Caboose Cottage:



The bath tub fills from the ceiling… Like something you’d see at Street of Dreams

Mandi: Is there anything else you’d like for our readers to know about your gorgeous venue?
Elena: One of the things we pride ourselves on at FivePine is that we only hold one wedding per day, so our brides and grooms have a feeling of complete intimacy and exclusivity on the property. The entire wedding venue is literally all theirs on their special day and we find that this means a lot to the couples who marry here. Everyone involved in the wedding process at FivePine is very committed and caring and we form a very close bond with our brides and grooms. Our team is so excited for each couple on their wedding day and the personal connection that is formed is one of the main reasons I love working here- and one of the main reasons I wanted to hold our wedding here as well.

Thank you, Elena for sharing more about FivePine Lodge! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Cheers,

Mandi & Rachelle

P.S. Have you heard about the Bravo! Central Oregon Wedding Show?? It is January 9th at Sunriver Resort from 10am- 5pm. We are so excited to be a part of the show and hope to see you there!

Today while I was waiting to receive more pictures from the First Annual Perfect Wedding Guide Wedding Show, I was browsing sites and stumbled upon one of my favorite blogs by Francoise Weeks. Francoise is one of the sweetest people I have ever met! Not to mention extremely talented! I am sure you remember my post about her a few months ago. If you didn’t see it, make sure to check it out here.
Not only is Francoise an amazing floral designer for Wedding and Events, but in her spare time [Not sure how she has any!!] she teaches floral design classes. This season she is teaching a wreath making class. Make sure to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) her soon before the classes are full.

Looking for something different to do for your holiday party this year? Get your friends together for a wreath making class! Visit Francoise’s website to learn more about her fun floral classes!

Making a wreath isn’t for you, but you love her design? Place an order for your holiday wreath now!  Only 23 days til Christmas!

Don’t forget to becoming a fan of Francoise Weeks on Facebook and follow her on Twitter!

Cheers,

Mandi & Rachelle

Have you check out Portland Style Unveiled giveaway’s today? Enter here!
Details regarding the First Annual Spring Perfect Wedding Guide Wedding Show coming soon!! You won’t want to miss the giveaways and the chance to meet Portland’s hottest vendors!

This August I had a great time working with Heather of Espana Photography for the first time. Her style of photography was perfect for the setting and the couple. While she is working she is quiet, unobtrusive, and always there when something is happening. I was really impressed by her professionalism, as well as the images once I saw them! I recently met up for coffee with her and found that she is truly one of the kindest people—I can’t wait to work with her again! Please read below to see some of the great images from Veronica and Jose’s wedding, as well as to get to know one of Oregon’s premier wedding photographers!

Rachelle: What made you decide to photograph weddings—what do you love about your profession?

Heather: When I first really got into photography, I honestly did not know how I would feel about shooting weddings.  I had heard so many people say how stressful they could be, so I went in as a second photographer with an open mind.  I told myself I would just see how things unfolded and decide where I wanted to go from there.

Looking back, I should have known I would fall head over heels for wedding photography.  New people, new locations. . . it’s always different and exciting.  You could say I’m addicted.

Rachelle: Are you a native Oregonian? What are some of your favorite things about Portland?

Heather:I am native Oregonian! Born and raised in the little town of Newberg, just south of Portland.  I think what I love most about Portland is its culture of nurturing individuality.  To me at least, it seems to be one of the most inviting places to just be yourself.  Everywhere you go in the city, people are expressing themselves freely through clothing, street performances, relationships, gardens, murals.  I go there so often, and always see something different.  As a photographer, that’s really exciting to me.

One time, my husband and I were just walking up Belmont and we saw a basket hanging down from a second story apartment.  It had a sign on it that said “Ring the bell for fresh peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”  We laughed, rang the bell, and a cheery face popped out of the window.

“Would you like white or whole wheat? Jelly, jam or honey?  OK. Would you like it toasted?”

It was the best toasted peanut butter and honey sandwich we’ve had to date. 

Rachelle: What do you think sets you apart from other wedding photographers?

Heather: JOY. 
I think both my joy in the work that I am doing, and the joy I see in people comes through in my work.

There are dozens of perfectly affordable high-quality cameras on the market, and there are thousands of excellent photographers.  The main thing that can set me apart is my personality.  I’m always saying photography is such a personal thing, I am grateful there are so many for people to choose from!  Each one of them will capture things differently.  That’s why it’s so important to find a photographer who’s way of seeing things really resonates with you.

I am in love with humanity.  The way you stroke her hair off her face, the way he holds his thumbs, the way she crinkles her nose when she laughs, his fascination with vintage hats, her love of dancing. . . I try to go into every situation with fresh eyes.  I never want to just go through a list of standard shots.  I don’t want to repeat something in the past just because it worked then.  Every couple, every relationship, every venue is completely different and I like to let all of those things inspire me in the moment and see what I can create that’s new and exciting.

Rachelle: How do you spend your free time?

Heather: My husband is chuckling at this question.  Honestly, I most often do the same thing in my free time that I do when I am working: I take photographs!  Besides that though, I’m a self-confessed thrift-shop and decorating fanatic, and I actually love living in a small space because it forces me to get really creative about how to use it.  A good “day off” to me could involve secondhand shopping, and reorganizing the kitchen and baking something.  Every now and then though, I’ll get into a good book and just curl up on the couch with my husband and some tea… or cocoa if I’m feeling saucy.

Rachelle: What would be your dream vacation?

Heather: Europe with my man.  We are fantasizing/planning a 5 year anniversary trip, hopefully involving Italy, my camera, and a lot of authentic Italian food ; ).  In a DREAM vacation though, there would also be a personal masseuse to travel along with us. 

Rachelle: Anything else you want brides to know?
Heather: Yes!  If you are planning a wedding, by all means plan one that has the two of you written all over it.  You can ignore the wedding dress trends, you can choose not to stress about having an even number of attendants on each side.  Be madly in love, hire a great coordinator, a photographer you’re ecstatic about, wear your personalities loud and proud,  and all will be well.

Rachelle: Heather, thank you so much for your outgoing and honest answers! It was so great getting to know you better! We, at Champagne Wedding & Event Coordination, look forward to working with you again soon!!

Cheers,
Mandi & Rachelle

PS Have you checked out the giveaways on Portland Style Unveiled lately? Make sure you stop by their blog and don’t forget to tell your friends! Another thing not to forget… The Perfect Wedding Guide Wedding Show at The Heathman Hotel—Downtown Portland this Saturday, November 21st at 12-4pm. AniA Collection fashion show starts at 12:30pm and David’s Bridal at 2:30pm. There will be multiple giveaways every half hour.. here’s the list of goodies up for grabs:

Grand prize: AniA Collection  Couture Bridal Boutique Giveaway:  Couture custom wedding gown $1,800 value Must be present to win—Drawing at 3:30 pm

Silpada Jewelry Giveaway: Breathlessly feminine and delicate, this Sterling Silver and Cubic Zirconia Necklace is a piece admirers will adore. 16” long with a 2” Extender and a Lobster Clasp.
Party with your friends and earn free Silpada Jewelry - what more could a girl ask for? Bring the Sterling boutique to your home today!

Heathman Hotel and Restaurant Giveaway: $100 gift certificate at The Heathman Restaurant

Joseph K Wedding Rings Giveaway: Three Tungsten Carbide groom’s wedding bands

So Many Moments Photography Giveaway: Free engagement photo session

Spa Above Giveaway: Facial and massage for the Bride and Mother of the Bride

Fiori Bella Giveaway: Floral arrangement $100 value

Flowers by Tommy Luke Giveaway:  Phalenopsis Orchid Plant in a beautiful bronze ceramic container $85.00 value

Le Cookie Monkey Giveaway: 50 Cupcakes for a wedding shower or event

1st Comes Love Custom Invitations Giveaway: $75 gift certificate towards wedding invitations

Under U 4 Men Giveaway: Gift certificate for designer underwear for your fiance

Champagne Wedding & Event Coordination Giveaway: Basket filled with ingredients to make two champagne drink recipes, 2 champagne flutes and a shaker

Nico Bella Giveaway: Gift Certificate for one Bridal up-do valued at $250, includes a trial run, onsite the day of and up to 20 mile radius of Bridal show

Mia with Panache Giveaway: Gift Certificate for one Bridal up-do valued at $250, includes a trial run, onsite the day of and up to 20 mile radius of Bridal show

AJ Hair Design & Make up Giveaway: One free makeup session good for any event, $65 value

William James Photography Giveaway: Engagement Session and Engagement Session Inspired 20x24 Signature Board

Event Team Entertainment Giveaway: $300.00 Gift Certificate off any DJ package booked with Event Team Entertainment.