Category: Brides

bridal fashion, Bridal Gowns, Brides, Helpful Hints, Inspiration, Repurpose, weddings

Trash the Dress Controversy

Jane Green

trash dressDestructive, insane, artistic – the “trash the dress” craze is a controversial trend that hasn’t gone away and continues to stir up arguments. Before you pick sides, here are a few facts:

  • It’s really all about photo ops. Always trying to offer brides something new, photographers stage these scenes days, weeks or even months after the wedding takes place.
  • Photos depict the bride actually destroying her gown in any number of ways: rolling in mud or sand; swimming in a pool; paint or wine assault … the more outlandish the better.
  • Photographers can also utilize CGI to create destructive results like fire consuming the gown. (Real fires can have tragic results like the 30-yr old Canadian bride who drowned near a waterfall in 2012 while trying to extinguish her burning dress.)
  • Some brides argue that it shows their true commitment to the groom, others say it’s an anti-establishment statement. Divorcees use it as a revenge fest.

Personally, I’m in the “this sends a negative message” camp. Letting your hair down and kicking your shoes off is one thing – this is something totally different.  Better idea: Share the goods and get a tax credit by donating the gown to a good cause like Adorned in Grace. Or repurpose the dress and use it as a costume.

Brides, Couples, Pinterest, Romance, wedding cards, Wedding Ceremony, wedding wishes, weddings

Wedding Greeting of the Week

Jane Green

cupidCupid sign lights up and plays “Going To The Chapel” … love the retro Vegas vibe!

Click to hear a sound clip. Inside greeting reads “You two have hit the jackpot! Congratulations on your wedding.”

The card is from PAPYRUS, known for their upscale flair and use of artistic papers and foils. The California based company was founded in 1950 by Mr. and Mrs. Schurman whose daughter now runs a retail empire that includes PAPYRUS, Carlton and American Greeting.

Brides, Couples, Green Weddings, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, weddings

Family Reunion Sweetens Wedding

Jane Green

courtney and nickFamily and guests from Indiana, New York and North Carolina gathered at Sellwood Park on Saturday to celebrate the long awaited wedding of Nick and Courtney. Sweethearts for ten years, the couple’s green wedding included Hawaiian leis, a tree planting ritual and a shower of lavender buds. The temperature was in the 90’s so everyone appreciated the canopy of fir and oak trees. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a happy hour picnic in the park. A reception followed at the SMILE Station before family returned to their Airbnb lodgings. The week was a double celebration for the bride who just graduated from the Oregon School of Oriental Medicine. She’ll be taking a well deserved break before prepping for her boards and opening her practice as a licensed Acupuncturist. Congratulations, Courtney! Best wishes to you both for a lifetime of love and laughter.

Brides, Events, Helpful Hints, Inspiration, Wedding Gifts, Wedding Invitations, wedding wishes, weddings

Wedding Greeting of the Week

Jane Green

wedding greetingInside sentiment: “Wishing you a happy marriage even longer than that.”

The card is from Hallmark. Made in the U.S.A. using 20% recycled fiber. Fun Fact: Next year marks a special 100 Year Anniversary for this iconic company. In 1915, the Hallmark brothers bought a printing press and started producing their own greeting cards. Today they have over 11k full time and 20k part time employees. Still family owned and operated out of Kansas City, MO; I’ve visited their headquarters and it’s an impressive blend of history and modern day innovation.

Brides, Couples, Inspiration, Love Stories, Proposals, Romance, Wedding Ceremony, weddings

Real Life Love Stories

Jane Green

love storyDid you meet the love of your life at a cafe? In an airport? How about a subway stop? I so enjoy hearing couples share how they met, what drew them to each other, where the proposal took place … the endearing quirks and little bumps that create tales of love from real life. Some of the accounts are borderline heroic, some surprising and others are just plain sweet. It’s important to tell our love stories. The more the world spins in woe, the more these stories sparkle and shine and warm our hearts. They are little jewels that remind us again and again that love truly is all we need. Here’s a story of modern love from Sunday’s New York Times that, I promise, will make you smile from head to toe. (Any tale that begins with “I met him on a bus” gets my vote.) Enjoy this little love story. Got a story to tell? Share it here.

bridal fashion, Bridal Gowns, Brides, Green Weddings, Helpful Hints, Recycled Weddiings, Repurpose

Putting on the Rit … Repurpose Fun

Jane Green

Rit dye wedding gownsTake a look at what a box of Rit Dye can do. These bridal gowns and trains went from tired white to costume pizzazz thanks to the creative efforts of volunteers from the Adorned In Grace bridal shop. Beads, lace, sequins, satin and taffeta each react to dye differently so it’s always interesting to see the final reveal.

Use your imagination and repurpose that old prom, bridesmaid or cocktail dress. Tulle petticoats and slinky lingerie work well, too. Halloween is right around the corner … a perfect time to grab your Rit of choice and color your world with fun. For tips on dyeing fabric and more, visit The Rit Studio.

Send me your result pics and I’ll post here.

bridal fashion, Bridal Gowns, Brides, Pinterest

Something Blue

Jane Green
Photo from my Here Comes The Bride Pinterest. Click gown for more inspirations.
Photo from my Here Comes The Bride Pinterest. Click gown for more inspirations.

Over forty years ago, I attended the wedding of my friend’s older sister. I’ll never forget the gasps when Marget walked down the aisle. Her custom gown was BLUE! The whispers flew around the church. What does blue mean? She must not be a virgin. What was she thinking? To me it was the most surprisingly gorgeous dress I had ever seen and I secretly envied her sophisticated glamor.

Blue, in all its shades, has long been a choice for bridesmaids dresses. And I am happy to see bridal gowns of color becoming more fashionable in the last few years. Blush and pink continue to be frontrunners but 2015 promises some new hues for the bride. Meanwhile, take a peek at the two Tiffany blue inspired gowns from the Nicole 2015 collection. Here’s to you, blue!

Brides, Event Venue, Events, Green Weddings, Reviews, Services, Wedding Ceremony, weddings

5 Star Review From Newlyweds

Jane Green

jessica and nathanNew 5 Star Wedding Review just in. Thanks, Jessica and Nathan!: “Jane is a wonderful officiant and we would definitely recommend her to others! She is kind, professional, knowledgeable, sincere, and spiritual. We were looking for someone who accepted both my husband and my different spiritual backgrounds and Jane was a great fit because she is accepting of all beliefs systems. She had great ideas and suggested several unity ritual ceremony options that were unique and we chose a tree planting ceremony that fit our personalities and venue making it a very personal and special ceremony. In addition, she offers life coaching classes as an option which was something we were looking for. She really helped us gain valuable insight about each other and our relationship. We were also able to get to know Jane better through those classes and it made having her officiate our ceremony feel that much more special. Jane we can’t thank you enough for filling such an important role at our wedding and excelling at it!” Click here to see review and read others on Wedding Wire.

Bridal Gowns, Brides, Event Venue, Events, Food, Services, Vendor, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, Wedding Vendors, weddings

Sunny Wedding for High School Sweeties

Jane Green

ceremonyBest friends for almost 15 years, Kris and Nicole exchanged vows this morning in the lovely Abigail’s Garden at the Abernethy Center in SE PDX. Yellow roses, clear skies and smiles from friends and family made for a sunny start for their big day. Nicole’s parents (in town from Gearhart) walked her down the aisle and readings were given by both the Mother of the Bride and the Mother of the Groom. The couple created a keepsake box for their unity ritual complete with love letters, champagne and a beloved Yankee’s baseball. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a delicious brunch, photo booth fun and dancing under the big top. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Saalfeld. All your efforts and planning came shining through and resulted in a wonderful celebration for all. Wishing you much joy in the years ahead. cake

Brides, Event Venue, Events, Green Weddings, Lodging, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Ceremony, weddings

Intimate Wedding by the Sea

Jane Green

A Festive Heart WeddingSunny skies and balmy ocean breezes provided the perfect backdrop for Saturday’s Solstice wedding at The Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach. The bride was barefoot and beaming as were her attendants: daughters Elena and Sophia and best friend, Nadine (who flew in from Chicago for the weekend). Two unexpected guests arrived just before the ceremony began – a pair of seagulls who perched on the rooftop of the Inn and remained until the vows had been exchanged. Champagne and chocolate mousse cake awaited guests in the library following the seashore nuptials. (An extra treat was provided when the groom and best man brought out their guitars for a family sing along.) Next on the agenda: a gourmet dinner in the Stephanie Inn Dining Room featuring wild caught Oregon salmon and Alaskan halibut. The festive day was crowned by a bonfire on the beach complete with guitar music, a blanket of stars and s’mores. A delicious brunch on Sunday allowed for more laughter and hugs before checkout time. The newlyweds will host a reception in Portland and honeymoon in Peru before returning to their home in Phoenix. Congratulations, Dianna and Peter. May the light and joy of your wedding day remain in your hearts always!