Perfect Planning

Our Inspiration Shoot was featured on StyleUnveiled.com!!!!  It was such exciting news to hear that Style Unveiled wanted to publish our inspiration shoot!  We are so honored that our ideas were recognized and can now be seen by many others who follow Style Unveiled!!!  To see the post go to: http://styleunveiled.com/blog/2012/4/25/woodland-inspired-wedding-styled-shoot.htm

Sometimes the art of finding inspiration is just stepping outside, breathing in fresh, cool air, and seeing how nature can lure in such beautiful and rich ideas.  For this inspiration shoot, we went with a woodland creature feel.  We wanted to convey a since of being one with nature and how the beauty created in our décor can play right off of the beauty found directly in our natural surroundings.   The colors of this shoot mimicked exactly what can be produced in nature as we stayed within the green, and warm gold color scheme. The inspiration can be described as fairytale, woodsy, historical, earthy, lakeside, and yet still have a contemporary flare.

The inspiration shoot was shot at Bridal Veil Lakes and was absolutely perfect for the scene were creating.  The natural beauty of the venue made it easy to find all sorts of nature shots with our bride and table scape.  The lush and warm colors of the venue were distinctly in line with the woodland creature inspiration.  What a fabulous venue!

Rebecca Dryer photography was able to capture these images from our inspiration.  Her art is incredible and she was fully in tune with the theme and feel we were going for with this inspiration.  Her eye for detail and perfect light was very apparent in this shoot.

The table scape was created through our ideas in combination with Helene from East West Floral.  The scene came alive with the products found at Barclay’s Event Rentals and Helene’s incredibly artistic eye in floral design.  Together we were able to craft such a stunning and breathtaking vision.

This shoot was so inspiring that we couldn’t use just one dress we had to utilize two gorgeous gowns that were both equally fitting to our inspiration.  The first one had a very modern antique and feathered appeal.  The one shoulder strap gown was enhanced with feathers, tool, and lace.  It had a very romantic and whimsical feel that really reflected the woodland creature fit.  The second gown was a much more simple and lose fitting feel.   With luxurious beading covering the top and a thin empire waist, the rest of the dress flows straight to the ground.  The gown is a beautiful essence of the fairytale and more historical feel to the shoot.  Both textures and styles of the gowns were perfect for the shoot and were provided by Bridal Exclusives.

Their wedding story took place at the Benson Hotel in downtown Portland.  The Bride was absolutely stunning and was accompanied by a striking Groom as well!  The couple said their “I do’s” in the Benson’s lovely Crystal Ballroom, where everything was so wonderfully put together with the help of The Benson staff and Geranium Lake Floral.  The details of this wedding were gorgeous and perfectly fit to the couple.  The event was smooth and most of all the Bride and Groom were able to enjoy the most important day of their new beginning as a married couple.  Congratulations Dan and Rachel!!!  Take a look at some of their beautiful photos by Gabriel Boone Photography!

One of the most important and difficult tasks in planning your wedding is making the final decision on which vendors you are going to choose.  There are many details that go into choosing vendors, but ultimately price, quality, and style are what you are looking to match your desires.

When choosing vendors, you will either pick a complete stranger, or someone you know.  There is nothing wrong with selecting vendors that you know, but there are definite precautions that need to be taken when there is a personal relationship in the background.

Don’t choose a vendor based on the fact that you know them.  Make sure they are at the professional level and style you are looking for.  You don’t want to get into a spot where you would feel bad or like your letting them down if you don’t give them your business.  It is your day, and you need to choose what is best for you.

Often friends or “friends of friends” are chosen as vendors because of the special price you are able to get.  Yes, the price is important, but many times the price is only low because of the lack of experience, business license/insurance, or the fact that their service is more of a hobby.

Another part of being a good vendor is being able to take the clients style and desires and really make your product or service personal and perfect for each couple.  A risk of choosing a friend as your vendor is a severed relationship.  A vendor you don’t know is a lot easier to let go of at the end of the event.  A friend however, will continue on after the event.  The tension that can sometimes be created in the stress of it all, can really cause problems in the future of the relationship.  You need to make sure you can trust your friend as a vendor and that they will be able to work on a professional level.

Another unfortunate risk you take when selecting a friend or “friend of a friend” is the money involved.  Sadly, I have seen many friends get taken advantage of.  We once had a couple who paid their friend of a friend vendor in full.  Unfortunately, the vendor took their money and then never showed up at the wedding and stopped communicating with the couple.  The vendor not having a professional business made it difficult to try and pursue any legal matters and the couple was just left in the dust.

All in all, it is totally okay to choose vendors you know, but making sure they are people you can trust as professional vendors and will ultimately provide the best product or service for your wedding must be carefully and seriously considered.

As one of the top designers in the world, Vera Wang has been a part of the wedding industry for quite a time.  After launching her own exclusive line through David’s Bridal, she has now decided to enter in the Groom’s world with her “Black by Vera Wang” line that will be exclusively provided by Men’s Warehouse.  The launch is planning to hit the stores in late spring, but an exact date has yet to be announced.

The men’s collection will be offered in two different styles, one style in gray and one in black.  These tuxes have a very modern, yet luxurious texture andfit.  The jacket is slightly shorter than your average tux and they have a narrow lapel.  These slight fit differences will make the tux look a lot more tailored and fit the form of his body.  The idea is very classic, modern, sophistication. 

The tux rentals start at $219.99 for a whole outfit and are offered in 3 different fits.  There is a standard fit, slim-fit, and “big & tall” sizes.  “For more than twenty years, I have shared my design vision with women around the world, so it is exciting to now have the opportunity to share that with men as well,” said Vera Wang.

Finally, there is an affordable and easily accessible option to a designer style tux for men.  Portland has really struggled with variety in menswear for weddings, so this should really boost our access into specialty, modern fitted tuxes in the area! 

Traditionally speaking, the Bride’s parents pay for the majority of the financial responsibilities of the wedding.  Groom’s parents do hold certain financial responsibilities, but the average wedding in this day and age will set its own rules for financial breakdowns.

According to traditionally wedding etiquette, the Groom’s family is typically in charge of paying for the rehearsal dinner.  This is an event that usually takes place the evening before the wedding directly after the wedding rehearsal.  The Groom’s parents usually will plan this event from start to finish, with input from the bride and groom, as a way to thank out-of-town guests and family for coming to be a part of their son’s biggest celebration.  The Groom’s parents are also responsible for their own wedding attire and a gift for the newlyweds. 

The Groom is traditionally in charge of paying for the officiant fees, the marriage license, and the honeymoon.  Depending on the financial status of the groom, many times the parents will also chip in and help their son with these costs as well.

So many couples break tradition, and don’t follow these guidelines to a T.  The financial responsibilities will vary for every couple.  The two families just have to sit down and discuss, who will be responsible for what and whether or not the bride and groom will contribute themselves as well.  There are no set rules on finances of a wedding, just do what works for you!