The sun came out on cue for Remy and Brittany as they exchanged vows on Sunday. The ceremony featured a Pink Velour Crepe Myrtle for the tree planting unity ritual and a favorite passage from The Princess Bride. Brittany showcased her peacock tattoo with a simple yet stunning backless lace and tulle gown. Attendants wore turquoise and gray. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed the Abernathy Center‘s winning appetizers including coconut shrimp and crab cakes. A full salmon buffet and a cupcake tower from St. Cupcake completed the event menu. Photographer, Kieran Morgan, captured beautiful moments in the garden setting and fun times on the dance floor. The newlyweds will honeymoon in Mexico before returning to their Portland home where Remy works as a commercial carpenter and Brit is a makeup artist. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Renwick! The world is enriched by your true love.
Tag: bridal gowns
Wedding Outshines the Rain at Reserve Vineyards
Rain delayed the start but not the smiles at yesterday’s wedding for longtime sweethearts, Ashley and Ryan. Vows were exchanged in front of friends and four generations of family in the Pavilion at the Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha, OR. The couple included a sand ritual in the celebration and presented gratitude roses to their moms and grandmas. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and the always popular sweets table. The newlyweds will honeymoon in Maui before returning back to work and their home in Beaverton. Ryan is in the field of microbiology and Ashley is an admin assistant at Nike. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Osborne. May the sun always shine in your hearts!
Color Fun for Bridesmaids Dresses
If you haven’t discovered it yet, here’s a fun and easy way to pick your gown colors. Try the customizing tool provided online by several design houses that lets you take a peek at both style and color. Choose from hundreds of gowns in both long and short designs and then pick your color by scrolling over the color chart (more than 60 shades on Alfred Angelo). Have fun! Click here for Alfred Angelo. Here for Watters.
Bridal Fashion Week
It’s always interesting to see what the NYT has to say about fashion. Sunday’s review on Bridal Fashion Week was especially fun. Click on the link at the end of this post to view a slide show featuring looks from Oleg Cassini, Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera and more. Spring 2015 doesn’t bring break out innovation but the overall looks are lovely and continue to showcase lace, flowing fabrics and soft draping. Take a peek. (photo courtesy of NYT)
Bridal Show Warms Hearts
Heartfelt thanks to all the lovely brides who modeled at the wedding showcase last Saturday at The Historic Old Church. Wonderful feedback from the folks in the audience who were blown away by the gorgeous gowns and bargain prices. And the surprise renewal of vows that closed the fashion show made the day all the more special. It was an honor to emcee this event and help raise awareness and support for the prevention of human trafficking in Portland. Missed the show? You can still get the formal or bridal dress of your dreams for a dreamy price. Click here for store hours and location: Adorned in Grace.
Connecting Brides to a Mission
A Festive Heart is proud to partner with Adorned in Grace and their new Grace Note$ program. Every bride that makes a wedding purchase at the shop receives a Grace Note$ card with exclusive discounts from select wedding vendors. There are 16 categories offering a wide range of services from beauty products to venues. Best of all, Grace Note$ supports the efforts to promote prevention and raise awareness of human trafficking in Portland and beyond. Did you know that human sex trafficking is the largest growing organized crime on the planet? And it’s happening in our neighborhoods. Adorned in Grace provides a simple yet powerful way to help the cause. The store is staffed and managed by volunteers. The lease is provided for by Fred Meyer. All the gowns are donated. (And we’re talking exquisite designs, sizes 2 to 22, starting at $100). All donations are accepted with gratitude and what can’t be sold goes to their Design Studio where at-risk teens are taught valuable repurposing skills. Gowns worn with love … donated with love … supporting a mission of love. Make it your first place to shop and make a difference! Click here for store information.
Donate Your Wedding Dress
Brides for a Cause raised $17,000 at their PDX sale last month. I saw so many stunning gowns in the arms of smiling brides going out the door. It’s a terrific way to find the dress of your dreams without a nightmare price tag – and support a great cause at the same time. Wonderful deals on veils and other accessories as well. If you want to be a part of the next batch of smiles, why not donate your dress? Wedding gown fashions from 2005 to current are now being accepted by this nationwide agency that helps fund Wish Upon a Wedding. Click here to download the donation form. You’ll also find details on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Here’s to sharing the love!
Brides For A Cause
I’ll be volunteering at Brides For A Cause this Saturday from 10 to 2pm at the Laurelhurst Club in SE PDX. The event is a wonderful way to snag a gorgeous gown at up to 75% off and benefit a great cause. 50% of proceeds goes to Wish Upon A Wedding, a national non-profit organization that provides weddings and vow renewals for individuals facing terminal illness and other serious life-altering situations. Admission is FREE. Click here for directions and details. Hope to see you there!
Vintage Love
Whether you are choosing your wedding gown, bridesmaid dresses or a wow outfit for the honeymoon, vintage is always in style. Fun, eco friendly and kind to the budget, vintage dresses offer plenty of eye and purse appeal. And sizing is usually generous which doesn’t hurt either. Shop your local resale and consignment stores for vintage finds or look online for some great deals. Etsy has a vintage category showcasing items from jewelry to gowns. Another favorite is Light in the box which offers vintage inspired dresses at bargain prices.
If you want to kick it up a notch, check out Rent the runway. Select your size, fabric color and the date of your event and shop from hundreds of celebrity designer fashions. I love that you can view the gowns from all angles AND they ship a backup size just in case. You have to provide your email address to get on the site but it’s worth it just to see the possibilities. A recent offering, for example, a Roaring 20’s blush silk gown by Narciso Rodriguez which retails for $2300 but rents for $300. Note: Sizes tend to be limited to smaller gals. LOTS of great jewelry and accessory options. Getting ready for the big day? How you say “I DO” does matter. Contact Jane Green for your perfect ceremony.
Bridal Gown Deals
Searching for a bridal gown? Mindful of your budget? Check out the super deal on NEW gowns at the Discovery Shop in Vancouver, WA. Over 100 gowns were donated to the little resale store that supports the big mission of the American Cancer Society. Sizes range from 6 to 18 and include styles from Jessica McClintock, Monique Luo and more. There are also some “worn once” gowns at terrific savings. Original retail prices starting at $800 into the thousands – yours for $100 to $150. The shop needs to clear floor space so get there soon. Find your dream gown and support a super cause. Now that’s a happy ending! The ACS Discovery Shop is located at 2011 Main St., Vancouver, WA. Open until 4:30 M-F and 4:00 on Sat. Closed Sun. 360-695-8215. You may want to call ahead to inquire about gowns as they have more off site. Click here for information on the American Cancer Society. 
A FESTIVE HEART 