Category: weddings

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.

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

Event Venue, Events, Green Weddings, Services, Uncategorized, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Favors, Wedding Reception, Wedding Vendors, weddings

A Grand Garden Wedding

Jane Green

garden weddingEverything about yesterday’s wedding at The Oregon Garden was heartfelt fun! Almost 200 guests watched as the bride descended the grand staircase and strolled down the grassy green aisle to her beaming groom. Other than a few sprinkles, the rain graciously subsided for the ceremony which included a rose presentation to both sets of moms and grandmothers; and a tree planting unity ritual. Dinner and dancing followed in the Grand Hall which was decked out in shades of blue and a thousand twinkle lights. Lawn games were provided by the groom’s dad who crafted wooden bean toss sets in green and yellow (bride and groom are both U of O grads). Sets were also gifted to the groomsmen in their team colors. The newlyweds are planning a honeymoon to the tropics in the Fall and meanwhile are enjoying being new homeowners in Tualatin. First on the “to do” list: plant their ceremony pine tree. Congratulations, Jessica and Nathan! May the smiles from your wedding day warm your hearts and bless your home for years and years.

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!

Bridal Gowns, Brides, Flowers, Food, Green Weddings, Services, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Favors, Wedding Reception, weddings

Barn Wedding is a Family Affair

Jane Green

scott and valTransforming a barn into a wedding wonderland is no small task. But Scott and Valerie pulled it off with flying colors thanks to family members rolling up their creative sleeves. Every inch of space was utilized with no detail unattended. Twinkle light rafters, ceremony riser, hanging flowers, DJ station, photo booth corner and even a golf cart shuttle service. After the ceremony, refreshments were served in the “saloon” while the tables were set up for dining. Heaters and porch seating kept guests dry and cozy while allowing for sweeping views of the Premore family farm in Eagle Creek. Jars of homemade preserves were provided as the “thank you” to attendees who also enjoyed music and dancing into the night. After a honeymoon in the tropics, the newlyweds return to their PDX home to continue growing their business in aquaphonics. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Wright – may the love that swelled our hearts yesterday be with you always. Fun: I was listed in the program as the “Premore Family Officiant” – I married the bride’s twin sister, Kim, last summer; and her brother, Owen, in 2010. No siblings left … maybe a cousin or two?