Guest post today from Lizzy Funk of Ben Bridge Jewelers!

Ready to tie the knot but have an awfully lonely ring finger? On August 4th, Ben Bridge is coming to the rescue by hosting a real-world, mobile-phone-driven scavenger hunt for a $15,000 ArtCarved diamond ring!  Winners will be announced at Portland’s On Deck Sports Bar & Grill following the event, where participants will share laughs, beers, and (cross your fingers) a proposal!  Runners-up will receive a pair of Tissot watches and everyone who participates will go home with a swag bag provided by Ben Bridge.

Ben Bridge Jeweler is the first Portland jeweler to partner with the Google-backed mobile gaming company, SCVNGR. By developing a location-based game accessible via mobile phone, Ben Bridge Jeweler is giving couples the ability to solve challenges from their cell phones at locations all over the city to earn points for the chance to win a $15,000 ArtCarved diamond ring.

To sign up, couples are required to submit their love stories at www.BenBridgeDiamondDash.com.  The grand prize diamond ring is currently on display at Ben Bridge Jeweler along with details of how to play.  Ben Bridge Jeweler has locations in Downtown Portland at 5th & Yamhill, Washington Square Mall, Lloyd Center, and Clackamas Town Center.

Good luck!!

Shauna Nemelka has been involved in weddings in one way or another for the past 20 years. She began as a pianist and vocalist for weddings and other events, and quickly fell in love with the planning and coordinating process.  Being drawn to color and design, Shauna became a certified interior decorator in 2001 and managed her own business until 2008. Though she remained focused on both interior and wedding design, it wasn’t long before weddings dominated her time and she wanted to take her career to a new level.

Shauna joined the Bridal Bliss team in 2010 and enjoys working in Portland’s talented wedding industry. Shauna graduated from Portland State University with a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences and a minor in Psychology.  She loves playing sports and experiencing all the outdoor activities Oregon has to offer with her husband and three daughters.

A few fun questions and answers….

Favorite part of a wedding day:  Watching the Groom as he watches his Bride walk down the aisle!  So sweet!

Theme song of your life:  Walkin’ on Sunshine

Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some:  Bury?  Are you nuts?  I’d cash it in and go shopping!

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up:  A pilot

One interesting fact that not many people know about you:  I lived in a castle in England for a semester.  Coolest time of my life!

Photos by Evrim Icoz Photography , Makeup by Event Cosmetics , Hair by Powder, Inc., Venue The Nines Hotel

photo by Alicia Dickerson

Over the last few years, Candy Buffets have been a staple at fun weddings. While this started out as a unique element, it has been so overdone that bride’s today are shying away from it.  However, couples are still wanting to infuse unique elements and incorporating interactive “bars” is a great way to do this.

photo from Pintrest and www.iloveswagmag.com

Check out my segment on KPTV’s MORE Good Day Oregon show earlier today for some fun tips!
KPTV – FOX 12

This last weekend we coordinated a seriously stunning wedding in the Kriedel Grand Ballroom at Portland Art Museum.  I have so many fun details to share..but am going to wait until we get all the images back.  Until then…enjoy these AMAZING panoramic images courtesy of Ben Powers from Powers Studios.  Ben came to take these great three dimensional shots while Laurel & Sarah were shooting the ceremony at The Grotto!

click here for the Grand Ballroom, click here for an ipad friendly link

click here to see the ballroom from the stage, click here for an ipad friendly link

click here for the front of the building, and here for an ipad friendly link

Note…your computer may take a few seconds to load the images.

If you are a wedidng professional interested in a panoramic image for your venue or business, contact Ben Powers at ben@powersstudios.com or 503.478.0997

floral by An Affair to Remember Floral Design, dance floor by West Coast Event Productions, printed table items by Crave Design

I am totally gaga over Kaitlin & Peter’s engagement photos taken by the incredibly talented Krissy Allori.  We are coordinating their September 1st wedding at Waverley Country Club, and they are the sweetest couple ever.  Kaitlin & Peter live in California but will be in town this week for a monster wedding planning day–I can’t wait!

Click here to see more images from this fab shoot!  You have to read Krissy’s intro because her description is spot on….

Christina moved to Portland nearly 10 years ago, and fell in love with the city and the people.  After graduating from the University of Portland, she continued working at the Portland Rose Festival helping coordinate one of their largest events at Waterfront Park.

Soon thereafter, Christina found herself collaborating with several of the large-scale community events and festivals in Portland, many of which she is still heavily involved with.

The opportunity to coordinate weddings was enthusiastically welcomed, providing the perfect setting to blend her professionalism, attention to detail and customer service skills. Her ability to problem solve, stay calm and provide fun, unique ideas makes her a great addition to the Bridal Bliss team and to all of her clients.

A few fun questions and answers….

Favorite part of a wedding day:  I love catching the groom gaze in awe at his bride while she’s not looking.

Favorite quote: A couple current favorites: It’s a good day to have a good day — The harder you work, the luckier you get — Find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it–Julia Child.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up: A marine biologist or a pediatrician — I think I liked those professions because they sounded quite sophisticated coming from an eight-year old. 

One interesting fact that not many people know about you: I love the Food Network. I asked the cable company if they would give me just that one channel, but they made me get the whole package. Totally worth it.

Photos by Evrim Icoz Photography , Makeup by Event Cosmetics , Hair by Powder, Inc., Venue The Nines Hotel

Lucky us…a guest post by Marie Mckinney!

You chose Bridal Bliss Team because of their commitment to creating a wedding that is as unique as you are.  They are filled with ideas on how to make sure everything from your wedding registry to the ring ceremony unique and personalized to you. These ladies have skills.

I like to think that this uniqueness should extend to your entire marriage, not just your wedding day! Today I’m sharing three ways you can zig when other couples zag.

Decorate your bedroom together
Think of your bedroom as the physical representation of your marriage.  In your marriage and your bedroom you should feel safe, comfortable, and able to truly relax. More importantly, make this a project you both participate in.  As the woman, you may end up decorating every other inch of your home, but make a point to get your spouse’s feedback when it comes to the bedroom.  Many couples will decide to “just let the other one handle it” when it comes to projects because it’s easier that way.  Don’t settle for easy.  Be unique and make at least one area in your home a shared project.

Listen more than you talk
But how will they know what you’re thinking if you don’t talk?  Or complain?  Or nag?  Most couples insist on having the last word.  Instead, do things differently and insist on listening more than you speak.  Especially during an argument.

Say thank you everyday
Most couples quit saying thank you after the 3rd date.  We get used to our partner being around and begin to just expect them to meet our needs, instead of being thankful for having a loving and caring partner.  Be unique and take time every day to focus on the gift that your fiancee is.

Bio:
Marie McKinney Oates, M.M.F.T. is the founder of the Marriage Studio and a relationship coach in Nashville, TN.  She created the DIY Marriage Plan as a way to provide couples with in-depth marriage prep without having to talk to a stranger or even leave the couch!

Last week the Bridal Bliss team attended Oregon Bride Magazine‘s annual Best of Bride Awards Party.  This is a huge event that the magazine throws every year and it is always a huge turn out, and always a fun party.  This year, the event took place at Castaway, which also won “Best New Wedding Venue” of 2012.  We had a great time at the festivities and had a blast catching up with all of our wedding industry friends.

click here for a great video recap by Holland Studios!

We were THRILLED to be named “Best Wedding Planner” and “Best All Around Wedding Vendor” as well as being nominated for “Best Day-Of Planner.”  It was an exciting night to say the least and we are beyond excited and honored–certainly a team effort!

A HUGE thank you to each and every one of you that took the time to vote and support us.  I cannot even begin to express to you how much we appreciate you and how meaningful these awards are to our team!  Congrats to all of the other vendors that took home awards, Portland certainly does not have a shortage of talented wedding professionals!

I will post the video as soon as it is out…until then, take a peek at last year’s video by Hybrid Moon which took place at The Oregon Historical Society!