The talented folks at Focal Point created a wonderful recap video of Kelsey & Josh’s urban Leftbank Annex wedding–take a peek!

photo by Yasmin Khajavi

This last spring we launched a dessert display option for our clients as an exciting added service.  Several took us up on it and and we had the opportunity to provide tasty treats with different darling presentations throughout the summer!  What sets us apart besides the large range of options and unique display pieces?  The high end ingredients used in the delicious desserts all of which are procured from a local scratch bakery.  All baked goods are made in a licensed commercial kitchens, which is very important to us.

Photo by Jos Studios

Photo by Jos Studios

We have an extensive inventory of beautiful glassware, platters, linens, custom signage and decorative details that we utilize to build your dessert display. Our process is simple – you tell us about your wedding and choose your treats, and we will design the display, source all of the sweets and provide the supplies. On the day of your event, we will set-up, restock, and tear down after the party is over. It’s that easy!

photo by FS Photography

photo by FS Photography

Some decadent and delicious items our clients have chosen this past summer are fresh fruit tarts, red velvet and cream cheese cupcakes, dark chocolate edible cups with vanilla bean pudding, blonde brownies and chocolate with caramel and sea salt cake pops to name a few!  We have many tasty options and can work with you to create a display with all of your favorites.

photo by Yasmin Khajavi

Dessert displays are quickly gaining in popularity and we hope to bring styled sweets to several of our weddings this coming season!

photo by Ben Pigao Photography

photo by Ben Pigao Photography

photo by Powers Studios

photo by Powers Studios

We first met Julie when we coordinated her sisters wedding back in 2010. When Julie contacted us to plan her barn wedding, we were thrilled to get to work with the Clainos family again! Julie is a very talented designer and one of Meghan’s favorite parts of the wedding at Langdon Farms Golf Club was all the DIY details she created in the months leading up to the event. From the individual menu place cards to the mini chalk boards for the kids table to the make your own Photo Booth props to the hand painted turquoise vases and frames, she really created a celebration that captured their fun personalities. Once toasts were finished and guests were enjoying cake from Beaverton Bakery, Julie changed into a super cute reception dress from Anna’s Bridal with turquoise converse high tops for her first dance with Zack. The couple exited with a glow stick send off and then hopped on a school bus to make their way to a super fun after party. It was certainly an event to remember! 

First look!

How cute is the officiant’s coordinating step stool??

Hair/Makeup by Julie Senders, Music by Stylus 503, Photography by Stephanie Klein Photography, Photo Booth by Happymatic, Flowers by Deb Howe

Recently the crew at Portland Bride & Groom Magazine asked us to design an entire spread for the new issue that was released just this month. We pitched a few ideas and thankfully they chose my favorite…”Winter Wonderland” meets “Ralph Lauren Chic” which was shot at Cooper’s Hall.  Elizabeth Corr and I were able to put our minds together, get creative and really make the magazine feature beautiful and cozy.   We have several copies at our office so feel free to stop by and pick one up–it is a gorgeous issue!

The spread came together amazingly well, and we loved so many different aspects.  Our favorites were the chic chair coverings and the place settings.  The elegant china and silver chargers worked so well with creatively designed menus, geometric napkins and a charming bow.   The entire design had a masculine feel, but was softened up by textural elements such as the fur and the grosgrain ribbon.  Between the hot chocolate, the lush flowers,  the plush blanket favors and the delightful mac & cheese, the entire spread gave us a warm fuzzy feeling!

With a rock star team including Zest Floral, AK Cake Design, Royce Prop Shop, Paper Bloom, and BBJ Linen we couldn’t go wrong!

Thank you to Anna and everyone at Portland Bride & Groom for including us in this—we had a great time and always love working with you  We had to take a few  behind the scenes shots–such a fun crew! 

Every year Pantone releases its color of the year, a hue that influences fashion, art and design for the following 12 months.  Last year’s Radiant Orchid was one of my all time favorite tones (its in my wardrobe, my home, my own wedding…..) and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with another bold berry tone.

photo from mazelmoments.com

The color aficionados recently announced Marsala as their 2015 pick. In a company press release, Pantone described the color as “a naturally robust and earthy wine red.” While last year’s color of the year, Radiant Orchid, “encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

photo from weddingomania.com

“Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors,” Pantone announced.

photo from weddingomania.com

While it seems that this color hasn’t been getting the best reviews, I have to say…I love it and have my fingers crossed that an upcoming client will let me get creative with it!

photo from paperdivas.com

A new year means its time for me to get sentimental!  The holidays are always such a great time to take a step back, regroup, count my blessings and set goals for the coming year.  2014 was definitely a year to remember and there are so things to be thankful for.  Between moving into a beautiful new space with Anna’s Bridal smack dab in the middle of high season, executing our busiest year ever (99 events!) and keeping up our vendor relationships, there was certainly no lack of craziness!

The day before Thanksgiving we celebrated my dear friend and fellow Bridal Bliss team member, Katy Haley, being cancer free.  She fought breast cancer with such grace and composure it was truly inspiring.  Katy insisted on working through her treatments and never once complained.  Rather, she balanced surgery, radiation and chemo with work and being an amazing mama to two sweet kiddos.  Katy is a truly remarkable person (and planner!) and I am so lucky to have her as a part of my life.  Thanksgiving certainly brought with it special meaning this year.

This was my first full year running Bridal Bliss as a working mom.  I am beyond blessed to have amazing family support and my moms spending time with my son, Gavin, throughout the week when I am in the office.  While juggling my work life and home life has been a learning experience, it has made me much more efficient.  Early mornings and late nights are a pretty good trade off for spending time with my sweet little boy.  Gav is a few months shy of two years, running around, getting into everything, saying quite a few words, keeping us laughing and bringing so much joy to our lives.  I hope that 2015 will continue to bring our families health, happiness and good fortune.

Photo by Ben Pigao Photography

Bridal Bliss is thriving!  We have added new talent to our growing team and have been able to assist more clients than ever.  A highlight was being awarded with the honor of a top 150 ranking of national wedding professionals as well as being named Portland’s best wedding planner, best all around wedding vendor and best day-of coordinator by Oregon Bride Magazine yet again! We have had several events published on blogs, magazines in addition to professional advice printed in national publications.  The Portland wedding community has also been growing and it has been a pleasure to meet and work with new vendors, while also strengthening our relationships with the tried and true veterans.

Our clients this year have been nothing short of amazing.  So many fun personalities, creative minds, and wonderful families. I’m having a blast blogging all of the events and reliving the memorable events.  It is truly an honor to play a large role in such a special day in our client’s lives. We get to connect and know our clients very well throughout planning and many have become lifelong friends throughout the years.

photo by Lauren B Photography.  Click here for more images from one of my favorite events of the year!

A few weeks ago I treated our team to a celebratory weekend away at Black Butte Ranch.  These girls are not just talented, creative and resourceful, they are FUN!  I love that our team works so well together, but also plays so well together!  Regular happy hours, play dates, lunches, wine tasting trips and coffee pow wows are the norm outside of the office.  It is a very special thing to work with a group of women that all genuinely like and care about each other.  More exciting news?  Two of our coordinators have weddings on the horizon!!! Both Natalia & Elizabeth are planning their own nuptials …Natalia this April and Elizabeth in March 2016.  Can’t wait to see what unique elements they incorporate into their own events.

2014 has blown by and I am really looking forward to a new year, wonderful new clients and making many exciting new memories throughout the coming months. Wishing you are yours love, laughter and the happiest of new years. Words cannot express how much we all appreciate your continued support!!

Mike and Kelly’s wedding couldn’t have been more fun if they had tried!  These high school sweethearts were married in a lovely Catholic ceremony and then held their reception at The Foundry at Oswego Pointe, beautifully decorated with flowers by Bella Bloom Florals.  Stormy skies threatened rain but couldn’t dampen the party spirit, and provided a dramatic backdrop for photographs!  Guests were regaled with a lavish buffet by Food in Bloom, with Salt & Straw ice-cream in “his and her” flavors and creative cakes from Beaverton Bakery for dessert!  The groom’s cake was decorated as a true to Mike-size Nike athletic shoe, in a nod to Mike’s famous athletic prowess on the football field (recognize him from the Carolina Panthers??).  Heartfelt speeches from the bride and groom’s siblings and parents had everyone tearing up, but there was no shortage of silliness and smiles at the photo booth by Paparazzi Tonight!  DJ Hess had everyone on the dance floor having so much fun that we extended the party into the early hours of the morning!  Without doubt a fantastic night to remember.  Congratulations to The Remmers and to Kirsten for pulling off a perfect event!

Photo by Powers Studios, Ceremony at Holy Trinity Church, Cinematography by Moving Picture Weddings, Transportation Double Decker PDX, Makeup by Whitney Stassi, Hair by Jackie Griffith