Category: Couples

Couples, Couples Art, Inspiration, love, Love Boards, Love Stories

Heart and Soul

Jane Green
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Heart and Soul by Jane Green

The Greek story of Eros and Psyche (heart and soul) written in 2nd Century AD is a complicated tale of love.  It weaves together jealousy, deception, marriage, sacrifice, feats of strength and moments of weakness. The original beauty and the beast, in the end love triumphs and Psyche and her lover Eros (also known as Cupid) are united for all time. In this collage, I kept the classic palette of the sculpture and included a few of my photos reflecting the beauty of nature. It was one of the first pieces I did without text. Sometimes the power of the image is all you need. Just like love. This is the 3rd in a series of featured collages. View the 2nd. View the 1st.

bride review, ceremonies, Couples, officiant review

5 Star Review

Jane Green

stars“Jane was a perfect officiant for our wedding! She helped figure out the little details of the ceremony. She exudes such a peaceful, loving, and joyful energy that made our ceremony perfect for us. Thank you again Jane!  Love, Greta and Neil”

I always appreciate it when newlyweds take the time to send in a review. It really helps other couples make an informed choice … and, of course, it’s a wonderful reminder of why I love this work! Read more reviews on WeddingWire.

Book Suggestions, coaching, Couples, Helpful Hints, Inspiration, Reviews

Finding A Change of Heart

Jane Green

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“A change of heart is the almost magical force that erases the distress in relationship and gives you a fresh start.” Whether you have been married for two years or twenty, this is a book you’ll want to put on your nightstand. Pransky offers a refreshing and surprisingly simple approach to understanding interpersonal dynamics. If you’re happily in love with your partner, this can take you to a deeper level. If you’ve hit some bumps, The Relationship Handbook can guide you in making the shift to a sweet resolution. If you want to refresh your thinking about people in general, this will do that, too!

Note: Also available in eBook format.

celebrations, ceremonies, Couples, love, wedding alternatives

Celebrate Love – Not the Wedding

Jane Green

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.”

Brides, ceremonies, Couples, Events, Flowers, Food, Green Weddings, outdoor weddings, PDX wedding, portland brides, summer wedding, Vendor, Wedding Cakes, wedding ceremonies, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Vendors, weddings

Relaxed Elegance at Garden Wedding

Jane Green

Yesterday’s wedding was the perfect blend of elements for sweethearts Danny and Shannon. Held at a private home in the Irvington area of Portland, the celebration combined a lush garden with lawn games, DIY flowers with jeweled dresses and catered cuisine with s’mores by the fire pit. A dining room table at Restoration Hardware brought the couple together (she was buying, he was selling) so it was fitting that they include a salt ritual during the ceremony. The blended salt will be used in their cooking as a reminder of the zest of their wedding day. The bride’s three sisters, two-year old niece and newborn nephew were in attendance as vows were exchanged under the backyard trellis. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and beverages on the patio. The chefs from Art de Cuisine worked their magic in the kitchen creating a lavish dinner that included cedar planked salmon, tri-tip beef and roasted market veggies. In lieu of wedding cake, the couple served triple blackberry cheesecake with a chocolate crust from Papa Haydn. Yum! After a honeymoon in Belize, the newlyweds return to their Sellwood home and life in PDX where Shannon works in marketing research and Danny is completing his masters in statistics at PSU. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Duncan! May your life be forever flavored with joy and laughter.

announcements, bridal fashion, Bridal Gowns, ceremonies, Couples, Downtown Portland Wedding, Event Venue, Honeymoon, Love Stories, PDX wedding, portland brides, wedding ceremonies, Wedding Ceremony, wedding news, Wedding Reception, Wedding Vendors, weddings

3 Continents Unite at Joyful PDX Wedding

Jane Green

Tony and MariaFamily members literally gathered from far and wide to celebrate the big day for Tony and Maria. The wedding was held yesterday at the luxurious Sentinel Hotel in downtown PDX. Tony’s African roots were well represented by loved ones who crossed the ocean for the big event including his Mom who lives in England and his Grandmother who traveled from Zimbabwe. Born in So. CA, Maria was happy to have her Grandmother attend from Los Angeles; as well as local family members and friends. The spirit of harmony was felt throughout the ceremony and reception … so much joy filled the room it was palpable. And you gotta love it when guests dance before, during and after dinner. That’s my kind of party. The newlyweds will honeymoon in Cancun before returning to PDX where the bride is an esthetician and the groom is a software engineer for Nike. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Tonderai Nemarundwe. May the love and harmony that graced your wedding day remain with you always!

announcements, awards, Couples, wedding news

Winner Couples Choice Award 2015

Jane Green

Award webThe WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® recognizes the top 5 percent of local Wedding Professionals throughout the United States, Canada and abroad that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Awards are determined by a combination of excellence in four factors: overall rating (quality), total number of reviews (quantity), review performance from 2014 (recency), and consistency of reviews from year to year (consistency). THANKS to all my lovely couples who made this happen. And here’s to all those on the road ahead. It’s a joy!

bridal fashion, Brides, ceremonies, Couples, Event Venue

Holiday Wedding at Historic Marshall House

Jane Green

Vancouver weddingThe Marshall House on Officer’s Row in Ft. Vancouver, WA provided an elegant venue for Brian and Elena’s holiday wedding held last Sunday. Friends and family gathered in the regal west parlor of this Queen Anne Victorian built in 1886. The ceremony included two unity rituals: a salt exchange to honor the bride’s Russian culture; and a Western Red Wood tree planting ritual in tribute to the groom being a 5th generation Vancouver resident with Native American heritage. Following the ceremony, guests were free to explore the rich history of the mansion before attending the reception at the Vancouver Hilton.  The couple will honeymoon in the Spring. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Smith! May your years together be blessed with laughter and harmony.  Of Interest: The Marshall House was once the home of Nobel Prize for Peace recipient and five star General George C. Marshall. Read more about the Marshall Plan Recovery Program.

bridal fashion, Bridal Gowns, Brides, ceremonies, Couples, Downtown Portland Wedding, Event Venue, Flowers, portland brides, wedding ceremonies, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, weddings

Best Day Ever for Jessica and Doug

Jane Green

Jessica and DougSeven year sweethearts, Jessica and Doug, exchanged vows yesterday at the West End Theater in downtown PDX. The bride walked down the aisle to Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years and the newlyweds marched out to One Republic’s Good Life.  Navy, tangerine and ivory were the colors of the day. Bridesmaids wore variations of gowns in navy satin and the groomsmen looked sharp in charcoal gray suits, dark blue shirts and navy ties. Following the candlelight ceremony, guests were invited to the upstairs ballroom for cocktail hour and dinner. Special touches for the reception included a large framed seating chart hung on the brick wall outside the ballroom and custom labeled wine bottles indicating table numbers.

After a honeymoon in the Dominican Republic next week, the couple returns to their Portland home on Hayden Island. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Smedley! May the spirit of your “Best Day Ever” remain in your hearts forever.

Brides, Couples, Event Venue, Events, Helpful Hints, Honeymoon, Lodging, portland brides, Romance, Vendor

Have a Haunted Honeymoon

Jane Green

It’s Halloween season – a perfect time to explore haunted digs for your honeymoon. Haunted Rooms.com provides a listing of the best in domestic creep options. Choose from castles, lighthouses, plantations, traditional hotels and a variety of asylums. Some of the facilities offer tours to enhance the chill factor. The Crescent Hotel (shown here) escorts you to the morgue of this former hospital where you might catch a glimpse of the infamous Dr. Baker who experimented on his patients. Lodging ghosts across the country range from scorned lovers in the lobby to monks in the attic. There’s even a “hand of mystery” in Chicago. If you book the bridal suite at Thornewood Castle in WA, be prepared to share it with the former lady of the house who has reportedly been seen looking lovingly out at the garden. The user friendly website allows you to search hotels by city or state. View if you dare!