If you plan on including children in your wedding reception, here are a few helpful ideas to have at the table to keep them entertained. Remember the dollar tree or any discount store is a great place to stock up on these supplies and not break the bank!

photo by Holland Studios

Coloring: Cover the table with butcher paper and in small buckets place markers and crayons. Let the kids go crazy with drawing all over the table.  Another fun ideas is to create little place mats for each kid.  Include various animals or shapes for them to color in.

photo by Daniel Stark Photography

Toys: Place buckets of various toys in the center of the table or at each place setting. These buckets can include color books, plastic toys, games, action figures, or anything kids would love.

photo by Riso Studio

Game: At each place setting have a book of games or a crossword (for older kids). The games could be group related or individual. Anther option is to include a list for a scavenger hunt at each place setting. Leave a disposable camera at the table and assign someone in charge of taking pictures of the findings. This will keep them occupied for hours and provide some laughs when the pictures are developed!

We came across this great proposal and had to share!

We were so thrilled to be a part of the second annual Rocked at the Nines bridal show sponsored by Portland Bride & Groom MagaziNE! While last year’s show was a blast, this year’s was even more of a smashing success.

photos courtesy of Jessica Hill Photography

Our area, appropriately named “Rocked with Style” came with this description…”Experience modern glam through a wedding styled with fashion forward patterns and shades of bold amethyst, chic lavender, and elegant silver.  Our fresh vibe is complete with a romantic ceremony, reception designed with an edge, sexy bar, over the top table settings and a trend setting ombre dessert display.”

What do you think?

The talented vendors in our space were Zest Floral, Peter Corvallis Productions, Blissfully Sweet, Anna’s Bridal Boutique, Crave Design, Artisan Cake Company and  Holland Studios

The world’s largest bridal magazine, Brides Magazine is the go-to source for all things wedding.  Flattering gowns, creative reception ideas, planning how-to’s, DIY stories, color palettes, amazing flowers, inspiration boards, gorgeous hairstyles, etiquette advice, fun honeymoon spots, Brides has it all.

We are BEYOND honored and thrilled to have been featured as an expert in the magazine’s December issue!  Take a peek at our take of a fabulous NW themed welcome bag…hope you like it!

I cannot even begin to express to you how much I LOVED working with Natasha and Huston.  This couple was as sweet and low-maintenance as they get.  Natasha gave me a few inspirational photos and basic guidelines and then let me take it from there.  This couple barely knew what to expect at their wedding…what a relief that they loved it!!

It ended up being a warm day, so we brought in water with custom labels at the last minute.

Michael Allen Harrison, Aaron Meyer  and Julianne Johnson performed the ceremony music…AMAZING.

If you’ve ever seen the benches at The Grotto, you know that they are not overly attractive.  So…we brought in custom damask pads to match the wedding’s design scheme.

Natasha was as calm as can be walking down the aisle

The girls…each one as gorgeous as the next!

The ombre cake designed by Judy Reese.  So pretty you don’t want to cut into it!

These photos do not do the decor justice…it was nothing less than stunning.

The bride wanted “purples” and “orchids.”  I think she got what she asked for!!

Huston surprised Natasha by learning “I Wont Give Up” by Jason Mraz and performed it at the reception.

First Dance—the dance floor gobo matched invitations and menus, and the hanging chandeliers were custom made.

As a nod to Natasha’s Lebanese heritage, we brought in belly dancers to perform!

Click here to view some AMAZING panoramic images from this wedding courtesy of Ben Powers from Powers Studios

ceremony venue: The Grotto, reception venue & lighting: Portland Art Museum, photography by Powers Studios, video by Moving Picture Wedding, photo booth by Paparazzi Tonight, floral by An Affair to Remember Floral Design, dance floor by West Coast Event Productions, printed table items by Crave Design, reception band by A Frontline Band, dj by Chad Dowling Productions, transportation by Lucky Limousine, VIP PDX and Best Car in Town,  valet by Premier Valet, cake by Dream Cakes, dessert buffet by One Divine Party, hair by Za Hair, makeup by Event Cosmetics,

Back in November we blogged about Ari + Jonathan’s unique wedding photos and video.  We are so excited that Oregon Bride Magazine loved the wedding as much as we did and decided to feature it in their newest issue!!

My husband and I returned from a fun vacation in Europe right before the holidays.  While we were traveling, I came across many fun weddings details I wanted to share!

In Switzerland, meringue cookies were everywhere.  There were several wedding cakes featured in bakery windows made completely out of meringues and gummy sweets!

In Paris we strolled the Champs-Elysées, and on a weekday afternoon this couple was taking wedding photos in the middle of the busy street.  There was a crew of about 8 photographers and videographers, it was a total production.  She is definitely on-trend with her lace sleeves!

There was a wedding taking place at our hotel in Munich one night.  This classic car was the getaway vehicle..the bride was donning a darling fur jacket over her gown!!  I love the hood decor–

In Salzburg, we fell upon this great venue all setup for a Christmas party.  It was dark and cozy and fabulously rustic.

Last, but certainly not least, could you imagine a more fabulous wedding venue than the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles?  I was completely in awe of the the sparkling chandeliers, and the grandeur of Versailles.  Totally over the top!

We had a great trip and I’m back relaxed and revived to take on 2013!

Michele & Daniel planned their July Portland wedding from Washington DC and couldn’t have been more laid back about the entire process.  The fuchsia, navy and champagne tones came together perfectly, and we even threw in some purples and turquoise for a unique cocktail hour.  We LOVE cultural weddings here at Bridal Bliss so it was a treat for us to research the traditional Korean Paebaek ceremony that Michele & Daniel included in their festivities.  Take a peek!

I’m a sucker for fuchsia peonies and phalaenopsis orchids!

The ceremony at First Presbyterian Church

Getting the bride ready for the Paebaek ceremony in the church courtyard. Michele is dressed in a pale pink and white Dangui Hanbok and red outer coat (or Wonsam), the traditional ceremonial dress for Korean nobility.  Both pieces are elaborately stitched and embellished with Geumbak (or gold-threaded flowers), which signify wealth and longevity.  the final touch is the beautiful ceremonial coronet called a Jokduri.

Daniel eyeing his beautiful bride.  He is wearing a blue Dalryeongpo, traditionally worn by Korean princes.

The Paebaek ceremony includes four parts…bowing, serving of tea, words of wisdom, date and chestnut toss and the piggyback.

Traditionally, the ceremony is held in a small room with immediate family only.  In this modernized Paebaek, Michele & Daniel wanted to show their respect and gratitude to both sides of the family, and invite friends the share the moment as well.

The cocktail hour

Sleek lounge area

The creative champagne bar featuring destinations the couple have visited together.

Escort cards…the color signified each guest’s entree choice.

The reception, held in the Library at The Governor Hotel.  As the lights went down, all the candles in the bookshelf flickered…it was gorgeous!

Photos by Powers Studios, Catering by Jake’s Catering, Flowers by Zest Floral, Rentals by Ohana Party Rentals, Printing by New & Blue, Cake by Dream Cakes, Lighting by Think AV, Ceremony Sound by Chad Dowling Productions, Reception Music by Duo Con Brio, Makeup by Event Cosmetics, Transportation by Lucky Limousine

Every other year, we throw a big New Year’s Eve party to benefit local charities. This year, we held the fab event at Bridgeport Brewery and our chosen charities were The American Cancer Society and Leve.  It was a huge success with lots of dancing, bubbly and a super fun group of people!

Bridal Bliss Planners Katy, Heather and Nora!

A huge hit at the party was the dessert buffet designed by our new sister company, Blissfully Sweet!

Blissfully Sweet is available to design dessert displays for weddings, showers, engagement parties, birthday parties or any private event!  Check out www.blissfullysweetpdx.com for more info!