I am so happy to share with you that my mother’s bridal shop, Anna’s Bridal Boutique, has opened a second location!  As of this past week, you can check out some of their exclusive collections in Lake Oswego or in the NE Beaumont District.  Anna’s carries some amazing designer gowns from the likes of Modern Trousseau, Alyne by Rivini and Matthew Christopher which can only be found in the Northwest at one of these two shops.

I might be biased, but Anna’s is the absolute best in town and has the most stunning gowns I have ever laid eyes on.  They strive to give the best customer service and to provide each bride the best shopping experience possible.  Give Anna’s a call to setup an appointment at 503.636.1474.  Also check out their website and like them on Facebook!!

As I sit here on New Year’s Day reflecting on the past year, I am overwhelmed with all the wonderful blessings the last 365 days have brought along, both personally and professionally.

Personally, the year had a rough start as we mourned the loss of a dear friend.  However, Tyler and I celebrated five years together and shared some fun trips to locales like Hawaii, San Francisco, New York, Hawaii, St. John USVI, Bahamas, St. Martin and of course one of our favorite places, Black Butte Ranch. We recently bought a new house in Portland and have been busily working on renovations and making it feel like home. Most importantly, our amazing families are happy and healthy, we have the best friends in the world and life truly couldn’t be better.

Bridal Bliss had the busiest year ever with 59 events in 2011!  We were named Portland’s “Best Wedding Planner” and “Best All Around Wedding Vendor” by Oregon Bride Magazine and I was also featured in an amazing new book, Graduate & Go.   Our work was featured in several national publications and blogs including The Wall Street Journal, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style and Style Me Pretty to name a few.   I am continuously overwhelmed and thankful for the great feedback we receive on our events!

What has truly made Bridal Bliss thrive are the amazing women that put their hearts and souls into our events and go out of their way to ensure that every client is nothing less than thrilled. The Bridal Bliss Team is a truly exceptional and FUN group of girls.  Thank you for all your hard work this year ladies!

photo by Powers Studios 

We’ve had the opportunity to work with some of Portland’s most talented wedding professionals that never cease to amaze me.  From photographers to florists to printers to videographers, we could not be successful without a great group of vendors that treat our clients as their #1 priority and work as a team.  Thanks to all the wonderful wedding professionals out there that go above and beyond for us and for our treasured brides and grooms!

Our clients this year were out-of-this-world amazing, to say the least.  We worked with some of the most BEAUTIFUL girls you have ever seen that were not only sweet, but so fun to get to know.   I am thrilled to make a unique connection with clients that turns into a great friendship after the wedding.

photo by Holland Studios

2012 marks our TENTH (!!!) year in business. I still can’t quite believe it has been so long since my first wedding back in 2002!  Our calendar is quickly filling up for next summer and we have some really fabulous weddings on the horizon to look forward to.  I am beyond excited to see what this next year will bring.

Wishing YOU a very happy, healthful, successful and FUN new year!!!

 photo by Michelle Pearl Gee

“Fiesole” gown by Reverie 

Ladies–if you are on the hunt for your wedding gown make sure to head over to Anna’s Bridal Boutique this week! They have cleared their floors and re-filled them will hundreds (seriously, hundreds) of wedding dresses that have been marked down up to 60% off!

“Mila” gown by Melissa Sweet

The shop has extended their hours through Friday and the dresses are sold on a first come-first serve basis.  We’re talking DESIGNER gowns that are in tip top shape–many of which have barely been tried one from lines like Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston, Reverie, Platinum Collection, Vineyard Collection, Matthew Christopher, Pronovias and more.  Many have been discontinued, but there are also several on sale that have not.

“Eze” gown by Reverie

Anna’s Bridal is trying to clear out these gowns to make room for their new lines that they just picked up–Hayley Paige, Modern Trousseau, You Collection and Alyne by Rivini.  All GORGEOUS collections.

“Fern” gown by Melissa Sweet

Definitely call ahead for an appointment (503.636.1474) and try to get in sooner rather than later–before all the dresses sell out.  Tell them Bridal Bliss sent you and the girls at Anna’s Bridal will take excellent care of you.  Happy Shopping!!

In honor of the day…a few Halloween inspired wedding photos!  Happy Trick-or-Treating!

photo by The Sweet Life

photo by Nina Renee Designs

photo by The Knot

Photos by QC Weddings

Last week was Oregon Bride Magazine’s annual Best of Bride Party!  This is a fabulous event the magazine throws every year to celebrate the release of their Fall/Winter issue and to honor all of the “Best of Bride” award winners.

Not only did I have the pleasure of helping plan the event, I was thrilled to come home with TWO awards!! Bridal Bliss was named Portland’s Best Wedding Planner and Portland’s Best All Around Wedding Vendor of 2011! I still can’t quite believe it but am nothing less than honored, flattered, amazed, grateful and humbled. THANK YOU so much to everyone that took the time to vote for us and for the wonderful women who make Bridal Bliss great.

Click here to check out all the other talented wedding porfessionals that were named Best of Bride—Congrats to each and every one of you!

As soon as all the photos come out I will post several and fill you in on some of the fun details and entertainment we had going this year.

Every year Oregon Bride Magazine hosts a fabulous party to celebrate the release of their Fall/Winter issue.  Not only is the magazine stunningly gorgeous, this next issue will be a featuring a Bridal Bliss wedding as well as an “Unveiled” spread styled by yours truly.  Just as exciting—the 2011 winners of the Best of Bride Awards are announced at the event.  The winning companies are voted on by brides and wedding professionals so it is certainly an exciting award to receive.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help coordinate this year’s Best of Bride Party at The Oregon Historical Society!  We will be bringing elements of the magazine to life at the event and also feature an amazing runway show with real Oregon brides–definitely a fun, new twist!    In addition, you will have the opportunity to taste yummy appetizers and cocktails and enjoy some great music and entertainment.  Brides attending the event will receive a swanky grab bag  to take home. 

One of the perks of planning the event is that I have been given a limited number of free tickets to give out to YOU.  Leave a comment on this post if you would like to attend this event!

This last week we had the honor of putting together a spread for the next issue of Oregon Bride Magazine.  In every issue, the magazine has a feature that they call “Unveiled.”  The spread includes fun new wedding ideas all revolving around a specific theme.  The theme we chose is ”Early 90′s Prep”…think clean and tidy stripes, argyles, preppy accessories and wedding details all in rasberries and navies.    All the peices came together so well and I cannot hardly wait to see it all edited together in the magazine.  Below is a sneak peak of the FABULOUS cake made by the amazing Judy Reese from Dream Cakes.  This was taken by my phone…I’m obviously not a photographer!!

The magazine throws a big party every year releasing the Fall/Winter issue.  Stay tuned for details and an invitation to the party!!  Thanks so much to Oregon Bride Magazine for including us in the next issue—we are thrilled!!

We are thrilled to be planning one of The Foundry at Oswego Pointe’s Grand Opening Events on Thursday, March 10th from 4-8 PM!  This is an amazing new event space in Lake Oswego that will soon be a hot spot for brides and grooms.  The indoor space is gorgeous with vaulted ceilings, neutral colors, and large windows overlooking the Willamette River.  There are also a few stunning outdoor options for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and the like.    We already have a handful of weddings booked at The Foundry this summer and are so excited to work this new venue. 

We would love for you to join us for our Opening Event! Click here to RSVP and for more details on the Thursday event and two other fun parties.  Hope to see you there!

Pantone, the world renouned authority on color, has released its color of the year.  This year…the winner is “Honeysuckle!”

I have to be honest, I initially wasn’t a huge fan of this color, it was a little too “bubble gummy” for me.  But…when I started fulling photos I really began to feel it! What do you think?

Click here and then click on “Wedding Trends for 2011″ to watch a segment on colors and trends for 2011 weddings from KPTV’s MORE Good Day Oregon.

Its that time of year again–voting for Oregon Bride Magazine’s 2011 Best of Bride awards has begun!  Thanks to your votes, we have been so blessed to win several awards over the years, including “Best All Around Wedding Vendor” and “Best Wedding Planner ” of 2010. 

Please take a quick moment to vote for your favorite vendors in the industry.  Your vote for Wedding Vendor, Wedding Planner and Day-Of Planner would be MUCH appreciated! 

Remember, you must vote for at least six categories for your ballot to count.  If you need suggestions or a reminder of who your vendors were please don’t hesitate to ask!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!