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.

With the title “coordinator” used so often in the wedding and event industry, it’s no surprise that the duties of these different people can get a bit confusing. We were talking about this recently with other vendors, and it is clear that people have a lot of questions about the different types of coordinators that might work with them on their wedding day. We’ll unravel these different terms for you!

Catering Coordinator: This person works for your catering company or as a manager at a venue that offers catering.
Your catering coordinator will make sure:
      o your menu selections have been made
      o plans for your bar and beverages has been arranged
      o receive and maintain your payments for the catering
Many catering companies offer rental items such as dinnerware, linens, and glassware. Your catering coordinator may assist you in selecting those items. On the day of your wedding, the catering coordinator manages the timeline for food preparation and food service. The catering coordinator will also oversee the serving staff.

Venue Coordinator: This person is employed by the venue, and knows the inner-workings of the space. Your venue coordinator will most often do a walk-through with you and point out typical layouts for your floor plan.
Your venue coordinator will know answers to questions, such as:
      o “what time can our vendors start setting up?”
      o “Where are the power outlets in the building?”
      o “How many chairs and tables do you have, and do you provide linens?”
      o “Am I allowed to use candles?”
      o “Where can vendors park for loading and unloading?”
      o “When is our final payment due?”
Some venue coordinators are on-site during your wedding day for part of all of the day. Make sure you ask them what their role with be on the day of.

Church Coordinator: If you are marrying in a church, you might have a church coordinator.
Your church coordinator will:
      o schedule your rehearsal time
      o advise you on etiquette of that specific church as well as its rules
      o run your rehearsal (for example, tell you how you should line up/walk into the church)
      o refer cantors or musicians through the parish
      o your church coordinator will be there on your wedding day to guide you down the aisle

Wedding Coordinator: A wedding coordinator/consultant/planner is one and the same.  A wedding coordinator differs from the afore mentioned coordinators because he/she is hired directly by the bride/groom/family which means their first and foremost job description is to provide to you the services that you need to make your wedding planning experience enjoyable. He/she can not only answer questions about your venue, rentals, catering, and church customs, but can also aid you with subjects such as design, budgeting, vendor selection, timelines, and etiquette. A perk is that most wedding coordinators receive discounts with vendors that get passed on to the client as a savings, rather than marking them up and costing the client more money. This comes from the experience that a professional wedding coordinator has, as well as the extensive research and networking that he/she maintains on a regular basis to continue to learn about the vendors that are available to their clients.
Most wedding coordinators offer day-of coordination in their list of services. When hiring a Day-of Coordinator they manage the details of your wedding day for you.
This includes, but not limited to:
      o preparing a timeline and ceremony processional/recessional sheet
      o organizing day of information details
      o communicating details between all vendors making sure they are on the same page
      o running the rehearsal or assist officiant and church coordinator
      o set up and clean up
      o trouble-shooting any and all situations throughout the day
Many day-of coordinators offer packages that include meetings to prepare for the wedding day and more.

If you have a coordinator at your venue, church or catering company that uses the title wedding planner/ wedding coordinator/ wedding consultant please inquire about all of the different things that they plan to do for you on your wedding day, as well as throughout your planning timeframe, so you are not left disappointed on your wedding day. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Every company is different, so some coordinators may vary from the above description.

Happy planning!

Cheers,
Mandi and Rachelle