Feeling lucky?

A dream team with 18 of Portland’s most talented wedding professionals have banded together to create Lucky in Love – an exceptional giveaway valued at over $20,000! Only ten uniquely Portland couples will be selected from the submissions to participate in the promotion.  This means that each finalist will have a one in ten chance of winning!!!

If you, or someone deserving that you know, is engaged and interested in being considered for this once in a lifetime opportunity, please send an email to: luckyinlovepdx@gmail.com.

* A photo of the couple

* Answers to the following questions with as much detail as you’d like (one paragraph for each question):
1. What makes you, as a couple, unique?
2. What do you love most about Portland and why?
3. Describe your dream wedding and tell us whether your wedding date is already set or if the date is flexible.

Once the 10 finalist couples have been selected, it will be up to the general public to vote for the winning couple.

What might a Uniquely Portland wedding look like? Well, look no further.

The winning couple will receive a gift certificate valued at a minimum of $1000 from each of the following vendors, all whom made this inspirational photo shoot happen.

Photographer: Krissy Allori Photography
Floral: Swoon Floral Design
Vintage Rentals and Styling: Something Borrowed Vintage Rentals
Cake: Artisan Cake Company
Videography: Moving Picture Weddings
Venue: Gerding Theater at the Armory
Hotel: Hotel Deluxe
Bartending: Mint+Mirth
Caterer: Artemis Foods
Custom Designed Gown: Michelle DeCourcy
Hair and Makeup: Jein King Hair & Makeup
Wedding Planning: Bridal Bliss
Invitations and Graphic Design: Modern Moments Designs
Custom Laser Cut Wood Favors & Decor: Nimbi Design
Transportation: PDX Pedicab
Music: John Ross Music
Photobooth: Happymatic
Rentals: West Coast Event Productions

Email luckyinlovepdx@gmail.com and let us know if you’re feeling lucky in love!

This promotion is open to all engaged couples who reside in the greater Portland, Oregon area. Full details, terms and conditions will be shared with potential finalists. Once the final ten couples have been selected, the promotion will no longer consider additional entries, so please contact us immediately if you are interested.

There are so many great things to say about Julia & Marcus that I don’t even know where to begin.  As you may or may not know, Bridal Bliss began as a business plan entered into Gonzaga University‘s Business Plan Competition.  My business partner was our beautiful bride, Julia.  We ended up winning the competition (yay!) after which Julia decided to live in Seattle and I decided to move back to Portland and start up Bridal Bliss.  Regardless, we have remained good friends so I’m sure you can imagine how excited I was to receive her call telling me that she and Marcus were finally engaged! The two dated for years and years, so I knew it was bound to happen soon.  These two are salt-of-the-earth, good, fun people.  Let me tell you, they know how to party!

Soon after Julia shared the good news, I learned that they wanted a German themed wedding.  You heard right.  Elizabeth came on board to plan the big event and took the Bavarian theme to the next level.  With only a few months to plan, this wedding was one for the books.  So many awesome details to this event–take a peek!

The day began with an outdoor ceremony at Julia’s parents home in Bellevue, Washington.  Marcus’ is mostly known by his nickname “Saki,” short for his last name, Tsurusaki.

 Elizabeth making sure everything is perfect before guests arrive.

 In lieu of a wine ceremony…Julia & Marcus had a Saki ceremony! 

We enjoyed a Cocktail Hour at the home before heading over to the reception in downtown Seattle.

The reception, which took place at 415 Westlake, is where the Bavarian theme came to play.  As they entered, guests could choose their glass or stein for the evening.

The homemade ginger cookie favors.  

The benches were made by Julia’s father!

I was so impressed with how many people actually dressed up in traditional German garb.  With 200+ guests, it is pretty impressive to have a whole room into the theme!  

Das Boot!

The German band (and beer), kept the guests dancing all night.  

Photos by Cleary O’Farrell, Rentals by Grand Event Rentals, Catering by Seasoned in Seattle, Reception Music by S-Bahn

I love our team for many reasons.  One of which is the girls’ willingness and excitement to give back and donate their time helping our local community.

Meghan, Carrie, Nora, Kirsten, Katy and Elizabeth

Last week a few of us spent the afternoon at The Blanchet House serving lunch and touring their impressive facilities.  Blanchet House’s mission is “to feed, clothe and offer shelter and aid to those in need” and they do it in a very inspiring fashion.  The day was such a wonderful experience that we’ve decided to make it a regular event for our team.

In addition to The Blanchet House, our coordinators are involved in several local charities including Leve, Girls on the Run, Friends of Trees, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior League of Portland and Bradley Angle.

Big thanks to Fielding Films for sending over this recap from Sarah & JJay’s wedding day!

JJ & Sarah Highlight from Fielding Films LLC on Vimeo.

Katy worked with Sarah & JJay on this beautiful Temple & Private Residence wedding.  The charming outdoor reception boasted beautiful grounds, super fun lawn games and a s’mores bar enough to make your mouth water.  Everything from the guys’ attire, to the darling bridesmaids dresses to the going away dress is to die for!  Take a peek!

photos by Travis J Photography, video by Fielding Films, flowers by Bella Bloom, cake by Wilsonville Lamb’s, rentals by Party Place & Ohana Party Rentals

Megan & Andrew were married on a beautiful July day.  This event, coordinated by Katy, had so many great details and personality that I am going to let the photos speak for themselves!

photos by Heidi Hoffman Photography, catering by Pearl Catering, rentals by Ohana Party Rentals, 

Every once in a while we like to post up and coming wedding trends…some of which are more outrageous than others.  Take a peek at the newest yet, as seen on the Today Show last week.  I don’t know about you, but I would rather spend $3000 on decor rather than on some random person tweeting and instagraming my day!  What do you think?

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

If you loved Leslie & Devon’s wedding photos, you cannot miss this great highlight from Shields Films! 

There are some clients you connect with more than others, and I fell in love with Leslie the moment I met her.  She is carefree, beautiful and has an inner strength amid the trials that life has thrown her way.  The three of us had such a wonderful time planning their November wedding together and the end result couldn’t have been more beautiful.  The navy, blush and champagne color palette was drop dead gorgeous.  Quite frankly, I think everything about this Waverley wedding was drop dead gorgeous.  From the dreamy plexi and candle ceremony, to the elegant gold up-lighting to the amazing florals…there was nothing not to love.  Take a peek!

A gardenia adorned each place setting.  To say the room smelled amazing would be an understatement!

Once dancing got started, we set out pashminas with a note that read “to have and to hold, and keep you from the cold” with instructions to head outside at 9:30 PM where guests would be surprised with firework show!

We also arranged for a special lounge setup for the guys with high ends scotch and cigars.

In addition to gingerbread & pumpkin ice cream sandwiches from Ruby Jewel (my fave!!), guests were treated to warm cookies and shots of milk!

For those that over-imbibed…a hangover helper station was just the right touch.

Photographer: Altura Studio, Flowers: Geranium Lake, Lighting: Greenlight Creative, Cake: Dream Cakes, Paper Products: Grand Papery, Video: Shields Films, Transportation: Best Car in Town, Gown: Marcellas Le Boutique, Reception Dress: Anna’s Bridal

When you first become a parent, everyone warns you how fast time flies.  It is so cliche, but so true!  We celebrated my son Gavin’s first birthday last week and I’m still in denial that a whole year has already passed since we met him.  If you’ve been reading this blog for a while or following me on Facebook, you know that the little guy decided to come into the world two months early.  After spending a month in the NICU and watching Gavin grow this past year…we felt the need to really celebrate!  He is a healthy, hilarious and happy little boy.  If you ever want to make Gavin smile, all you have to do is sing “You are my sunshine” to him and he will immediately light up.   I decided to take that and run with a fun theme.  For everyone that keeps asking…here are a few photos from the festivities at our home!

I have the worst sweet tooth ever, so a dessert display was a given!  Did you know that Bridal Bliss now designs dessert tables for weddings??  We are launching next month and so excited about it.  More details to come soon!

My good friend, Judy Reese…owner of Dream Cakes, made this darling cake.  It was as delicious as it was beautiful, which is always the story with Judy’s amazing treats.  Thank you so much Judy!

The birthday boy!

Another good friend, Lisa from Crave Design, printed up all the signs, tags and labels.  They turned out so cute–thanks Lisa!

Gavin getting spoiled by his Grandmas…as usual.  It pays to be the first grandchild on both sides of the family!

The Grandpas were not to be outdone…

Loved having so many close friends celebrate with us.

In an effort to keep the kiddos entertained, we setup a coloring station to fit the theme.

Auntie Elizabeth getting Gavin ready for his big smash

He wasn’t quite sure what to do with the cake initially….

…then he got a taste and slowly dug right in!

I would say he enjoyed his first taste of sugar!

Sunglasses favors with a cute tag that read  “Thanks for brightening by day!

Gavin’s buddies!

This might be my favorite photo of the whole party…deliriously tired and opening presents with a sugar high from such a fun day.

Gavin got another shot at a cake smash the next day with a family party.  Can’t celebrate this guy enough!

It has been such a joy to watch this little guy grow up.  We are thankful beyond words to our “village” for all the love and support this last year.  We are truly blessed.