Yesterday, Cathy Marshall (a reporter from KGW) called and wanted to come in within the hour to film an interview on wedding registries, which aired later that afternoon.  I LOVE when couples create unique wedding registries rather than the same old house-ware stores, so I was excited for the opportunity .  So many of our clients already have established homes and may even be living together…so there is no need for wine glasses and dinner china!  Why not register for wine, your honeymoon or even a charity instead?  Check out the interview that aired on the news yesterday for some more fun ideas and registry etiquette.

Thanks so much to everyone that entered into the Stella & Dot Earring Giveaway!  A winner was chosen….watch Patricia Carlile’s video below to see if it was you!!!

Nicole & Jay were married in November…which meant a rainy day was bound to happen.  The  couple had geared themselves up for this, and even bought a  big red umbrella to use in photos.  How gorgeous are these images?

photos by Powers Studios

Stay tuned for more photos from this gorgeous wedding in my next post!

Nothing is more beautiful than Portland on a summer day.  However, walking down a grassy aisle, wooden deck or gravel path to your wedding ceremony can be an issue when you are wearing a fabulous pair of heels!   

photo by Powers Studios

Not to worry…SoleMates comes to the rescue!  This genius clear piece attaches to the heel of your shoe and increases the surface area of the heel base.   It is a flexible material and does not damage your shoe one bit.  The piece easily comes on and off so it could easily be removed for later use.  Anna’s Bridal carries several pairs at their two locations–definitely think about purchasing a set for yourself and your bridesmaids if you are planning an outdoor wedding!

 It’s so refreshing to look outside and see the pastel pink of the cherry blossoms in bloom as well as the vibrant yellow daffodils and purple grape hyacinths popping up after a long grey and rainy winter.  So its no surprise that Pantone, “the authority on color,” has been inspired too with its dynamic selection of color for spring and summer!  I simply adore the range of vivid brights to soft muted tones that are brilliantly paired and are the perfect starting point when choosing the over all colors for your wedding all the way down to the perfect accessories for the wedding party.

Which leads me to our Stella & Dot GIVEAWAY! 

When you take these fabulous colors and combine them with the 2012 bridal trend of statement earrings both big and small…Stella & Dot delivers, and this is where you are in luck! Patricia Carlile, a local Independent Stella & Dot Stylist, is offering all Bridal Bliss blog readers the chance to win the statement earring of their choice!

Check out a small selection of Stella & Dot jewels below that follow the color trend, and then scroll down to find out how to enter.

 There are multiple ways to enter!

1. Leave a comment on this blog post telling us which statement earring you would like to win.  Once you have left your first comment, you may leave as many additional comments on this post as you like.  Be sure to go to Patricia’s Stella & Dot website to see the full collection of earrings!  Remember, you will win your choice of any statement earring so be sure to look at them all!
2. Extra entry if you “LIKE” Patricia’s Facebook Fan Page, Stella & Dot Style by Patricia Carlile  (be sure to leave an additional comment on blog post that you did this)
3. Extra entry if you share your favorite Stella & Dot piece from Patricia’s website on FACEBOOK (again be sure to leave an additional comment that you did this)
4. Extra entry when you pin your favorite Stella & Dot jewels on Pinterest 

The giveaway will remain open for 10 days only.

Everyone is eligible to enter and you can enter multiple ways, as stated above.  If you decide to take advantage of any of the extra entry options please be sure to leave an additional comment for each extra entry so we can keep track!  So for example, if you share your favorite Stella & Dot statement earring on Facebook be sure to leave an additional comment that you have done so on this blog post.  The more times you comment, the more times you will be entered to win.

Big thanks for photos to Style Me Pretty, Southern Afternoon, The Knot (forums), and of course Stella & Dot!

I went on More Good Day Oregon on Channel 12 earlier this week to do a live segment with tips on how to personalize your wedding.  Take a peek for some fun ideas!   I had a great time with our past bride, Steph Kralevech–

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!!

Recently on one of my KPTV segments, I mentioned that video save the dates are a growing trend.  Apparently…the writers at Saturday Night Live think so too! Check out the hilarious skit with Andy Samberg & Kristen Wiig on a recent episode, courtesy of Bride Finds.

When I meet new people and they ask what I do…one of their first questions (after asking if I have horror stories…) is “do you have a favorite wedding?”  I can’t say I have one wedding that is my absolute favorite (other than my own!!) but I can share that my most memorable weddings are those where unique elements are incorporated.  They way to an unforgettable wedding is through breaking traditional wedding rules!

Take a peek at my segment with Brooke Carlson on KPTV, Channel 12′s Better Portland about what traditional rules YOU should break!

Do you have a mother or mother-in-law that is a teeny bit overbearing and really just wants to be included in your wedding planning?  Need tips on how to deal with her?  Click on any of the three recently published articles below for a few ideas…

Chicago Wedding Resource

Kiss the Bride NW

VV Daily Press

photo by Leah Nash 

Happy Planning!