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April 4th, 2008
Our friend got married in a backyard ceremony and spent the day setting up tables and stringing lights. About an hour before the ceremony, the caterer arrived—so our bride found herself directing where hot plates should go as the clock ticked. Finally, at 20 minutes til, she shut herself in a walk-in closet and began to get dressed … not knowing that the groom had directed guests to put their coats and handbags in the bedroom. So while she was struggling into complicated underthings—surprise!—the closet door swung open and she found herself half-nekkid, staring at two girls from her office. And it gets worse. The groom blew out a candle during the ceremony and it exploded in his face, leaving him with what they later found out were second-degree burns. At some point the bartender (a friend of her brother’s) got drunk, so the guests had to make their own cocktails. And the next day, while surveying the giant mess in her kitchen, she realized the oven was on and found a $50 pan of moussaka inside. The icing on her wedding cake? One of her bridesmaids got lucky … with someone else’s date. Naturally, drama ensued. Don’t let this happen to you! Forward this issue to anyone you know who is getting married or knows someone who’s getting married. You’ll find the resources to ensure a perfect wedding—from the bachelorette party to the thank-you notes. We’ll make sure that nobody’s stuck with egg on their face (and overcooked moussaka in the oven!) Portland Picks Wedding Guide:
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| 1 | Step One: Eliminate the Guesswork Engaged? Congrats! Now start planning the event. Don’t worry if you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin—that’s totally normal. Take a deep breath and visit the Simply Chic Wedding Blog. Created by local wedding vendors to take the guesswork out of planning your wedding day; you’ll find fresh ideas and inspiration from folks who have created and experienced numerous weddings! From custom clothing to custom cupcakes, dresses, hair and makeup, event planning, photography, videography, flowers, a DJ, a chaplain—even artisan espresso!—every moment will be absolutely glorious. |
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| 2 |
Ladies used to hint and hope. Now it’s totally acceptable to bring your friends into Carl Greve to pick out the ring you always dreamed of, all the while sipping on champagne. You’ll find your perfect engagement ring, and he’ll be at ease knowing that when he’s ready, you’ll get exactly what you want. Carl Greve keeps your info on file so when he pops the question, he’ll know where to find your ring size and style preferences.
With exclusive bridal designers like Beaudry, Hearts on Fire, Judith Conway, Michael B. (pictured) and Steven Kretchmer you’re sure to find your bridal style.
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| 3 | Look Perfect—and Perfectly You It’s your wedding day, and you want to look your best. But perfection sometimes needs a little help, no matter how fantastic-looking you are. Get in touch with A Perfect You for their amazing permanent cosmetics applications! It has come a long way since Cleopatra, but she had the right idea. A Perfect You uses the most advanced technology to deposit hypoallergenic mineral pigments into the skin. It has no down time and excellent results. And let’s face it, getting ready for the wedding will be a whole lot easier! As will every day afterward. (Visa and MC accepted!) A Perfect You |
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| 4 |
Remember wedding photos from the 50s with everyone lined up perfectly? And wearing hats??? Modern life isn’t like that. You want to capture your wedding from all angles—the real moments when nobody is posed. Ashton Photography and Design is fabulous about bringing an artistic quality to your special day. There’s no stiffness—just natural, beautiful images that are completely unique. The bride and groom can even choose a fashion-shoot format as well as classic portraits. When you view the photographs from your wedding, you should experience the day all over again. Ashton Photography and Design can make that magic happen. Misha Ashton |
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| 5 | Get Dress-Ready Before Your Big Day If there’s a better way to instantly fit into a wedding dress than burning 1,200 calories in single, relaxing, 50-minute infrared bodywrap session, let us know about it. When you want to look and feel great, there’s nothing like Full Body Infrared Heat Therapy from Exhilarate Bodyworks! Now is the perfect time to purchase a wedding package—they’re celebrating new locations in Portland and West Linn. Visit their West Linn Open House on April 4 and save even more on your package, plus pay only $39 for each infrared session. (Sale ends April 13, but sessions do not expire.) Exhilarate Bodyworks |
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| 6 | Ban Boring Bachelorette Parties Taking the girls to a male strip club is so passé, and nobody over 22 wants to play party games. We suggest a jewelry making party! Make fabulous wire-wrapped rings to keep as pretty souvenirs—and learn a new skill with your girls. Allium Designs will come prepared with gold, silver, black and antique-brass colored wire, plus gorgeous semi-precious stones (ruby quartz, aquamarine, blue onyx, yellow jade, and more!) At $45 a person, including wine or other beverages, it’s a fabulous way celebrate the big day or say “thank you” to friends and family. Allium also offers sets of bridal designs and custom designs. |
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| 7 |
Invitations set the tone for your wedding. Whether you’re going for streamlined and simple or totally over the top, The Grand Papery has Portland’s largest (and best!) selection of invitations and announcements. They also have the perfect invites for bridal showers, plus wedding programs, menus, place cards, guest books and “thank you” cards. We’re also impressed by their letterpress and thermography options, as well as eco-friendly papers and inks. So you can go uptown Kate Spade, classic Crane, fab Wm Arthur, rectangle or square... With so many options, you’re sure to fall in love—with The Grand Papery. |
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| 8 |
We’ll admit that while we’re a good resource for weddings, we don’t dedicate our existence to them. Happily, Bravo! Publications does—their amazing Bravo! Wedding Resource Guide covers Oregon and southwest Washington, and has been called “The Bridal Bible” for almost 20 years. With more than 500 wedding-related experts listed side by side, their easy to read format will help you plan your dream day … and your honeymoon. Check out their website for wedding trends, tips, blogs, events, giveaways and more. Bonus: The first 25 people to email heather@bravoportland.com will receive a free copy of the guide (valued at $9.95). |
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Brides aren’t the only ones who fret over what to wear to weddings. The guests have it just as tough since we want to look pretty and feel ladylike. What better place than a wedding to feel romantic in a dress? Which is where Tumbleweed comes in. With an array of lovely dresses, you’re bound to find the right one for the reception and the wedding, plus you can choose from their fab accessories to pair perfectly. And look no further for spring and summer dresses … you’ll look so fetching that you might find a fiancé of your own! Tumbleweed |
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As little girls, we dreamed of a shipboard wedding, getting married by the captain and dancing cheek-to-cheek with the sunset behind us. Happily, that dream can come true … on The Portland Spirit. They have multiple cruises on the Willamette River and Columbia River Gorge, and their luxurious yachts (or an authentic Sternwheeler) provide a unique venue for ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners—even bridal luncheons. Get married by a uniformed captain, enjoy their fresh Northwest cuisine prepared on board (part of every package), and entertain 15-540 guests. You can even rent the private, three-acre Thunder Island! Dreams do come true! The Portland Spirit |
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A wedding on the beach is one of the world's most romantic things. Make surf and sand part of your nuptials by choosing The Pelican Pub & Brewery, in Pacific City at Cape Kiwanda. Its oceanfront banquet room provides the perfect atmosphere, can accommodate up to 150 people, and boasts a private stretch of beach, a fireplace, an outdoor patio, and breathtaking ocean views. The Pelican’s talented culinary team will help you create the perfect wedding menu—including its award-winning beers. In addition you can book a romantic room at the Cottages at Cape Kiwanda or the Inn at Cape Kiwanda …just steps away. The Pelican Pub & Brewery |
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| 12 | This Memory of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine You know that bottle of champagne you’re going to open on your wedding night? Don’t throw it away! Send it to Amphora Candles—they’ll turn it into a gorgeous keepsake soy candle that you can light again and again to rekindle your nuptial flames. Amphora Candles also make fab centerpieces—their selection of pre-made candles provide totally original table décor—and of course, they’re wonderful as guest favors or gifts for the wedding party. After all, a little ambience goes a long, long way… and the memory of the night will last even longer. |
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| 13 | Make Your First Impression as a Couple You will soon be a permanent pair, and your style should reflect your union—wedding invitations included. So why not have the most personalized experience possible? Meet with the Paper Gourmet for exquisite handmade paper goods customized just for you. As you determine your style, she’ll listen to what you want and translate that into decadent, divine designs. Each wedding is unique—and what you dream up while creating the cards may even jumpstart the rest of the wedding! From traditional to whimsical, every invitation is true to you, and since she makes them herself, total perfection. |
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Who needs a DJ? We much prefer the sounds of actual instruments, especially for a wedding. And the Melegari Chamber Players, led by Pink Martini violinist Paloma Griffin, can add elegance to your special day. Forget those old notions about chamber music—the Players bring a touch of cool to the concept of the string quartet. With an array of string ensembles (duos, trios and quartets), as well as brass and woodwind ensembles, they mix contemporary with classical. We would just have them play “Bittersweet Symphony” by the Verve over and over, but they can perform everything from Bach to the Beatles! |
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Enjoy a glass of wine, sit back, and be pampered to the nines with a foot, hand, chair or table massage. Let the stress, deadlines, tension and pressure of planning a wedding drift away as you dream about your future … Be Fit Body brings a custom massage party directly to you! Perfect for bridal showers and bachelorette events, and with more than 20 licensed massage therapists, you can relax with all of your friends. They create the ambience, and it’s less expensive than a day at the salon—so all you have to do is enjoy. Be Fit Body |
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| 16 |
We don’t mean the wedding night—we mean your hairdo! We can’t manage more than a ponytail on a regular day, yet we want the kind of updos we see in bridal magazines. And let’s face it, no matter how cute your groom is or how fab your location, you’re going to be looking at your hair in those photos for years… So call Mandy—co-owner of 77 salon, she’s the mobile hair guru to have on hand! Mandy can work with you to complement your gown and accessories, and express your personality while making you look J.P.G. (Just Plain Gorgeous!) |
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| 17 |
A luxury wedding means attention to detail. If you’re seeking the ultimate experience, of course you’re considering exceptional photography. Look to Portland-based destination wedding photographer Lisa Warninger. She has won several awards for her work—stunning images with incredible details—even the light is absolutely perfect. You’ll look like you stepped out of a magazine! She truly captures the moments in the most remarkable way. Lisa offers her clients the highest-quality products and personal service—everything is individually handcrafted, every step of the way. Each print, each photograph, every album goes through meticulous detailing. |
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| 18 |
We know how elating it can be to feel pretty—not just in photographs, but when people lean in to kiss you, or do double-takes when you walk in. And every bride, of course, wants all that magic to happen. We suggest a visit to Product. They not only do the most glorious bridal makeup, but the array of luxurious beauty products and accessories will make you so happy to be a girl! From gorgeous Kai perfume (so light, so perfect for a wedding day) to amazing Smashbox HD makeup that photographs like a dream, Product is your place for beautiful—on any day! Product |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Sale at Pin-Me It’s raining cuteness at Pin-Me. We were astounded upon the last visit—dresses and jackets in candy colors that we could not resist! Fetching bags and clothing from Orla Kiely, great summer styles from Gentle Fawn, Kitchen Orange and Hype—and everything is 15% for one day only! Ps: This summer they’re starting online shopping! What: 15% off all day at Pin-Me |
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| 3 | Save the Date for Tumbleweed’s Spring Fling You love Tumbleweed for their amazing selection of dresses and spot-on fashion. And they’ll be celebrating their 8th anniversary with a Spring Fling party! Enjoy a springtime fashion show featuring pretty new styles, special treats and sweet surprises … we don’t know if we can wait to shop, but we’ll just have to save the date! What: Spring Fling at Tumbleweed |
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| 5 | Botanicals For You at Space Design Space Design, creator of the swanky botanicals and fabulous terrariums at the Ace Hotel, is opening for one day only! Their studio is stocked with hundreds of Tillandsias, Orchids, terrarium succulents, spring mosses and glass vessels. Bring a little spring into your home—choose a pre-made orchid arrangement or terrarium—or design your own! What: Space Design’s Open Botanical Bar |
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| 6 | Photography Special at Moving Pictures! If you’re more drawn to “documentary-style’ photography than posed pictures, then Moving Pictures will make you the happiest bride ever. Their “wedding photojournalism” captures the special moments beautifully, and without pretense. This is a fabulous opportunity—don’t miss out! Mention Portland Picks and receive $250 off your package! What: $250 off a package at Moving Pictures Studio |
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| 7 | Healthy Bride "Bootcamp" Workouts Shape up before your nuptials! Sign up for the Healthy Bride Bootcamp! These outdoor workouts are on Wednesdays and Saturdays (see below for start dates) and have lots of variety so you won’t get bored, and plenty of resistance training to tone trouble spots. Instructor Megan Lee will have you looking (and feeling) gorgeous! What: Healthy Bride Bootcamp, 6-week sessions |
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Oh, don’t weddings make you all misty? |
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