celebrations, Events, Food, Green Weddings, Helping Others, local business, PDX wedding, Portland, Reviews, Vendor, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Favors, Wedding Vendors

Cupcakes For A Cause

56806657_2261129590795829_1075094970626473984_nIntroducing THE perfect dessert treat for your celebration. Sarah Bellum’s Bakery & Workshop offers delectable sweet and savory cupcakes that look adorable and taste amazing. Even better, they do it with a purpose. Since opening in SW Portland six months ago, the not-for-profit bakery has provided return-to-work opportunities for adults with acquired brain injury. Small but mighty, the team at Sarah Bellum’s hopes to raise awareness about brain injury while delivering a scrumptious product. The ingenious name – a nod to the cerebellum in the brain – will give you some idea of the heart and humor at work here. With advance notice, the bakery can delivery a variety of mini or full sized cupcakes for your wedding shower, rehearsal dinner, celebration of life and receptions of all sizes. Check out the full range of flavors on their menu page. It’s hard to pick favorites but the cheddar chive savory is always a hit, as is the salted caramel. And the lemon-blueberry. And the chocolate-raspberry. And … okay you get the idea. Organic, bargain priced, delicious, gluten-free/vegan options and all for a fabulous cause. This is a love story that everyone can celebrate. TIP: You can also send guests home with a treat for fido – exclusive PUPcake gourmet dog treats.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Bellum’s Bakery & Workshop. 

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Wedding Day Shines True

PhotoGrid_1506296685759Love – pure and simple – was on display yesterday in all its beauty at the wedding of Midori and James. The Seattle couple exchanged vows in front of family and friends at a private lake house in Snohomish County. The bride’s parents flew in from Japan and the groom’s parents attended from Atlanta. The ceremony featured a traditional “red string of fate” unity ritual as well as a presentation of pink rose pendants to each of the Mom’s. The presentation and the exchange of vows was translated in both Japanese and PhotoGrid_1506296873308Korean by the couple’s friend, Kyoung hee. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and a lavish dinner featuring Northwest cuisine catered by A Grand Affaire. The menu included coconut shrimp and cedar plank salmon. The wedding cake was a traditional Japanese chestnut cream frosted sheet cake. After enjoying their weekend with family at Lake Goodwin, the newlyweds return to Seattle where James works in the tech industry and Midori enjoys a new admin job with a local seafood producer. Congratulations, Mrs. & Mrs. Bang! May the sweetness and sincerity of your commitment to each other fill your hearts with a love that remains pure and real and shining true. PhotoGrid_1506296436203

 

Brides, celebrations, ceremonies, Event Venue, La Conner weddings, local business, officiant, Skagit Valley weddings, wedding ceremonies, Wedding Reception, wedding venues

Married at MoNA – An Artful Choice

 

art museumImagine a private wedding ceremony held at a modern yet intimate and inviting art museum. Afterwards, you and your guests enjoy local wine and cuisine amidst the ambiance of contemporary art by Northwest masters. Introducing, MoNA, a small town treasure with big city pizazz. The Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, WA, provides a perfect venue for a classy wedding that’s easy on the budget as well as the eye. You can rent the entire facility (including rare underground parking) for a fraction of what urban museums charge. Special bonus features: The spiral staircase makes for easy photo styling, you can choose your own caterer, guests have access to the wonderful museum store and best of all – your rental fee helps support the nonprofit’s free admission and educational programs. Lots of lodging options in town from small B&B’s to waterfront rustic to a historic hotel on main street. All within walking distance. Good to know: The museum is open 7 days a week until 5 pm so rental is available for evenings only.

Brides, celebrations, custom wedding gifts, Helpful Hints, local wedding gifts, new products, Reviews, Romance, Vendor, Wedding Favors, weddings

It’s All About The Blend

lovers-leapMarriage is all about blending. Ideals, perspectives, personalities, lifestyles … leaning into each other and complimenting each other’s unique attributes. And speaking of blending, I’ve always loved the idea of using special tea blends as wedding favors. It’s easy to create an attractive gift package to place at each setting or display in a “take one home” basket. Caution: Be sure to gift a tea that’s trusted and not from an import warehouse. Lover’s Leap, from Portland favorite, Smith Tea, is a perfect choice. Fragrant rose petals in black Ceylon accented with chamomile and citrus. You get 15 sachets per box individually sealed in a large (4″ x 2.5″), decorative foil lined wrapper. Want to take your wedding tea to the next level? Read my post about having Smith do your packaging and/or custom blend your wedding day tea. Here’s to happy blends everywhere!

Brides, celebrations, ceremonies, custom wedding gifts, Event Venue, Flowers, garden wedding, local business, Lodging, officiant, outdoor weddings, PDX wedding, portland brides, wedding ceremonies, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Favors, Wedding Reception, weddings

Sweet Success for DYI Wedding

Jeromie 1From the invites to the centerpieces; from the gold painted signage to the 7 dozen chocolate chip, lemon and coconut biscotti she baked for guest favors; this bride’s attention to detail was a wonder to behold. The groom agreed citing her “magic touch” that made it all happen. And what fun for everyone! Nona and Jeromie chose McMenamins Edgefield Estate for their destination wedding held yesterday in Portland. Family and friends from HI, WI, TX and GA were on hand to enjoy the weekend celebration, many of them staying on site. The garden setting was perfect for the ‘Northwest country meets tropical isle’ theme. The palette carried out in straw fans; shades of peach, pink and coral for the bridesmaids and floral bouquets; and the men in tan linen suits. Vintage Hawaiian postcards were placed in a fishing basket after guests wrote their well wishes. Bubble guns and mini-bubbles for the guests added smiles to the ceremony as did the tree planting ritual. Guitarist and DJ, Michael Blake (a local favorite), provided the music for the event. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails and brews in the courtyard (along with a cigar bar) followed by a lavish buffet dinner featuring barbequed chicken and coffee barbequed brisket. Reception highlights included a serenade of At Last by the bride’s cousin and the newlyweds showing off their dance moves (those classes really do work). The couple will honeymoon in Maui before returning to their new home in Seattle where Nona starts nursing school in the fall and Jeromie is a surveyor for the State of Washington (squeezing in flying lessons when possible). Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Hunter. May the sweetness of your wedding day remain in your hearts forever. Mahalo!

Jeromie 2

Jeromie 3

Brides, celebrations, ceremonies, chapel wedding, Event Venue, Events, Flowers, PDX wedding, portland brides, wedding ceremonies, Wedding Ceremony, wedding chapel, Wedding Favors, Wedding Reception, weddings, winter wedding

Wedding Rings in the New Year

PhotoGrid_1451960874666Angela and Ryan planned on this New Year’s Eve being their most joyful one so far – and it was! The evening wedding ceremony was held at the McMenamin’s Old Church & Pub in Wilsonville which set a romantic yet fun atmosphere for the festivities. The color pallet of cobalt blue, purple and charcoal was showcased in bridal party attire as well as the decor. Satin rose bouquets were adorned with blue and white bling. Lighthearted touches included a trivia enhanced program and a take home s’mores kit for favors. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed happy hour followed by an elaborate appetizer buffet. The newlyweds, who met while working at Intel, are enjoying a tropical honeymoon before returning to their home in Beaverton. Congratulations & Happy New Year, Mr. & Mrs. Royce! May your marriage be sweetened by the memory of all the laughter shared on your wedding day.

celebrations, ceremonies, Couples, love, wedding alternatives

Celebrate Love – Not the Wedding

love storyI don’t celebrate wedding ceremonies. I celebrate the LOVE between two people. That is what lights my heart, the occasion and the world. Marriage is not the answer for everyone and can even be the wrong answer for some. If you are in a loving relationship and you and your partner choose not to get married, there are other ways to celebrate what is in your heart. An Affirmation of Love or a Commitment ceremony can be every bit as magical and meaningful as a wedding ceremony. The intention is the same – to bless your partnership and declare your love to each other and to everyone else. When your story is framed in love … marriage doesn’t have to be part of the picture. It’s empowering to make a decision that is right for you vs doing what is expected by others. Here’s a really good article about marriage as a cultural norm and the harm that norm can cause us.

certificateInterested in celebrating your love but don’t want a wedding? Contact me to find out about other options and how to create a celebration that fits your lifestyle. “Love is the tie that binds their two lives together in one accord before this company. Through their love this couple promises to share one another’s lives, materially, emotionally and spiritually.”