He asked... and She said YES! Bridal Show is here

There are so many beautiful bridal shows on the west side of Portland. The work and dedication to put a show together is enormous. The teams of vendors that come together to bring you the latest trends is amazing. With that said,  She said YES! Bridal Show is actually on the East side in beautiful Troutdale and top notch wedding pros have come together to make this a fantastic show, and they are prepared to rock your blissful bridal world this coming Sunday, March 18.

We have put together a VIP Lounge, so when you come to the show, get whisked away, greeted with a glass of bubbly champagne and a little sugary delicious treat to tide you over until the caterers feed you delicious offerings and treat you to lunch. The VIP swag bags may have a prize hidden in there just for you! Who knows, your VIP swag bag could be a winner.

And don't forget the Style Tables, Lora of Sophisticated Flowers is working with Barclay Event Rentals, Sugar Cubed and other pros to create some swanky scenes to light your imagination. What will your wedding be like? They are here to help you figure that out. Take your time and really get to know these fantastic vendors. This boutique style show is not the biggest bridal show of the year, its just put together with extra care as we kept the bride in mind at all times. You don't get married everyday, but they live and breath the wedding scene. Premier Bride believes that you don't want a perfect stranger working on the most important day of your life.

And thinking of a Destination Wedding in Central Oregon? Boasting over 300 days of sunshine a year and the back drop of the high desert beauty, it's a beautiful place to say 'I Do!'  A few select CO wedding professionals have been invited to share their expertise! They can help you get started.

Get registered today by clicking on the post card above! See you at the show!

Bridal Shows are changing

I am so pleased  Misty Damico asked Premier Bride to be a part of her new show "Marry Me!" The trend of bridal shows has change recently and Misty is a leader in the Northwest market for these changes. The days of bridal shows being like any other trade show is coming to an end. The party-like atmosphere created at Marry Me will start with live music and interactive set ups so that brides can play with linens - mixing and matching colors, really talk with wedding pros and get the true ins and outs of planning a wedding.
It will really feel more like a fun wedding party than a trade show.

There will also be two seminars for the DIY Bride. The great thing about this is that a DIY bride is a budget savvy bride who knows exactly what she wants. With so many brides wanting a real hands on approach to their wedding, these seminars will be a great place to start.

I've seen this so many times. The bride shops and shops for a wedding cake. Her big day arrives, the cake arrives. But who's cake is that? It looks completely different from what the she had imagined. This can have such a strong impact on her day. DON'T BE THAT BRIDE! This show has a wedding cake showcase going on. Check out the full sized cakes set up for the wedding cake showcase.  The bakers are working day and night and you will love the cake displays. I have not been to a show that has had so many cakes and this year there will be even more!

I know I will see you there. After all we are handling registration and will print out those wonderful mailing labels that we do so well, as well as handing out magazines.  Now get registered early for $5, because its $10 at the door. Now look, I have even provided you with a link.

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e3xjw0tn34a4f040&llr=o4kh9odab

Now register and let them know Premier Bride sent you!

Let is Snow! For no particular reason, except my sons wedding!

I just have to talk about my sons wedding for a moment...

The holidays are over and I may have gained a pound or two. My youngest sons wedding is next week and I have been frantically shopping for a dress. The issue I have is that there is not a dress out there that will make me look like a size 6. Its too late to diet, and time is of essence. Finally after hours of searching I found the one! It was in my closet all this time. Deep in the back I had a wonderful cocktail dress I had yet to wear.  There was a reason I had bought that dress and now I know. So the next delima was a jacket to wear with it. Again with the shopping...nothing. I then decided to make my own. As I told my Mom this, she instilled a degree of confidence I have yet to overcome. "Are you sure you can do that? I'm not so sure, do you know about edges and lining up and...." Mmm. She must be thinking about my sister. Every time she gets near a fabric shop you can hear the material screaming, "Oh no! She's so close, why does she hate material so much!" You would have to see some of her projects to understand how understated this is. I was the one that took sewing class, so the jacket is beautiful (much to my Moms surprise) and no fabric suffered during the making of this blog.

Back to the wedding. January 14 is going to be an amazing day at Gray Gables Estate. My son (Chris) and daughter in law (Katie) to be are in the capable hands of Genevieve, who will be there for the day of, despite the fact she is on maternity leave. How is that for going above and beyond? I am sure everything will be wonderful, especially since I have my dress figured out. Except...

Next issue - a song for the Mother/Son dance. I looked at so many song lists, but could not find a meaningful song. And then it hit me! Mack the Knife from The Three Penny Opera. I used to sing that song to my boys when they were little, and, I have a whole dance routine, that I made up myself. It involves some hopping and jumping around and imitating a shark biting. They loved it up until they were teens. Not so appreciative of my song and dance skills in front of their friends at that point. I am sure when Chris hears that song it will make him laugh. And YES! I am sharpening up my dance routine just for him. I think it will be a nice way to welcome Katie to the family.

Trends, Trending, Trendy

Congratulations on your engagement. Did you know boutique style bridal shows are sweeping the country. One of the reasons for this is because you actually get to connect with vendors. Aah, not tweeting, texting, bleeting, hooting... real conversations with real people. Another reason is smaller crowds so you don't feel like cattle being herded off to a branding. Just one more... fun, layed back atmosphere.With that said. Premier Bride Magazine is so excited to sponsor She said 'YES!' at The Troutdale House. This is a fantastic chance to actually get to talk with vendors and create relationships. As we say...Do you want a perfect stranger working on the most important day of your life? I think not!

But now a little advice. With bridal show season before us, so many choices will lay at your feet, (wear comfortable shoes, this may be the one time comfort out does fashion). Don't get me wrong, many times I have hobbled and limped my way through a trade show as I love my heels. But I don't think I looked so cool by the end of the day doing a crab-like walk and a pained expression on my face. And I certainly could not concentrate on anything being said to me. I'm sure I missed alot of stuff.

Also, bring mailing labels with all your info, including wedding date. You don't want to get calloused hands with all the writing you will do for all the giveaways and sign ups. Look for Premier Bride at these shows and we will print your labels for you!

Central Oregon Wedding and Event Show    
Southern Oregon Wedding Showcase          
Marry Me! in Vancouver
Luxe Eugene Bridal Show
Luxe Portland Bridal Show
She said 'YES!' at the Troutdale House
Gone Coastal! at the beach

We are going to busy running around Oregon and SW Washington. When we say we know the best out there. Thats no joke. Have fun planning your wedding, and did we mention that you should wear comfortable shoes?

Bridal Show 101

The groom has proposed; you’ve accepted. Now the planning begins. The only problem is that you and your groom probably work full-time jobs and have hundreds of day-to-day errands and responsibilities. So where do you find the time to plan a wedding?

Chances are you’ll be among the thousands of couples each year who have discovered bridal shows.

A bridal show affords couples the opportunity to meet photographers, florists, caterers, bakery representatives, musicians, DJs and many other wedding professionals, all conveniently set up under one roof. These shows also provide the opportunity to sample wares, view vendor’s work and compare your level of comfort with other vendors you may already be considering.

Many bridal shows feature fashion shows, where the latest in men’s formalwear, bridesmaid’s dresses, and bridal gowns are presented. It is a good idea to bring a note pad and pencil, so you can take notes on your favorite dresses, tuxedos and the stores that offer them. Your copy of Premier Bride magazine has a handy wedding planner in back with room for notes!

Bridal shows range in size from 40 to 200 exhibitor booths. They normally take place on weekends during the months of January, February, March, August and September. In addition to fashion shows, food samples and entertainment are also featured. There are numerous door prizes and contests to enter so bring stick on labels with your name, address and wedding date to make registering for prizes easier. Local bridal shows generally advertise on the radio, in bridal magazines, and in the newspaper. Local merchants, especially bridal salons, have information on shows in your area as well.

With all of that said, did we tell you to wear comfortable shoes?

Register with Premier Bride at these two shows in October and we will print your mailing labels for you!


Committed Portland - October 21

COMMITTED! is an out-of-the-box bridal showcase with a savvy and party-like mood, more like a crazy fun wedding reception than a business card pushin' trade show!

The design of this party-like bridal event is to bring cool new ideas to the table for the nearly wed. Something completely current, unusual and environmentally savvy.

http://committedevent.com/

Albany Bridal Show -

Mark your calendars for the 11th Annual Albany Bridal Show! This year’s show has a lot of exciting things in store for everyone. If you are planning a wedding or are involved in any wedding related activities in the Willamette Valley, this show is where you need to be.

http://albanybridalshow.com/

Have fun planning your wedding!

This article is property of Premier Bride. Do not use or copy with out permission.

Little things that matter

I try to be very conscientious of our environment. Re-purpose, recycle, re-use, rei-nvent, I find myself purchasing things that I can multi-use. This is a trend that we hold to strongly in the Northwest. As we've been on a GREEN WEDDING kick lately, there are a number of things you can do that are clever and environmentally friendly for your wedding.

I love the idea of  http://www.weddings.myevent.com/1/accept_donations.htm On this site, you can set up your own wedding website, keep everyone informed and guests can give monetary wedding gifts. You can then donate a portion of your gifts to your favorite charity. Another great idea is to take canned food donations at your wedding for your local food bank. There are many ways to utilize your wedding as a way to give back.

I ran across a great idea for wedding favors on your tables. Instead of having cut flowers, try potting fresh herbs in little terracotta post for each of your guests and putting their name on a plastic pick (you can find bio-degradable plastic picks for gardening, so eco-friendly.)

                                         
Your guests will have a plantable favor to take home. You can also have little note cards on the table with the symbolism of each herb. Here are a few that are easy to come by.

Rosemary :  rememberance, fidelity, love, loyalty
Marjoram: joy happiness
Chamomile: energy in adversity, patience, long life, wisdom
Lavender: housewifely virtue, acknowledgement
Parsley: useful knowledge, feast, joy, victory
Thyme: activity, bravery, courage, strength
Sage: wisdom, long life, esteem immortality, esteem
Ivy: patience, fidelity, undying love, eternal life
Pansy: happy thoughts, meditation

You can also use a caterer that uses local products. Ask them if they use farmer markets and if they use organic products.

Offer your guests a non-alcoholic alternative such as an 'herbal cooler,' from a company in Eugene, http://www.herbaljunctionelixirs.com/junset.htm, these coolers are a naturally effervescent herbal beverage rich in enzymes and B vitamins.Give your guests an energy boost for all that dancing! A smoothie bar might also be a good alternative too.

Take a eco-honeymoon. You can find sustainable resorts locally, such as Sunriver Resort in Bend. Oregon is one of the most environmentally friendly states working hard to protect our natural resources. Discover what is in your own back yard!. My husband and I spent several weekends in Central Oregon rock hounding for thunder eggs, we went to the lava tunnels, the obsidian flow, hiking and fishing the Deschutes River and many reservoirs. The enjoyment we got out of being together and discovering the diversity in our state is a memory that stays with me and my husband. We are always looking for new things to discover in the Northwest.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle - I always make sure to have a recycling station set up for any event I am hosting. Make sure everything is labeled clearly!

Have fun incorporating some green ideas into your wedding. You will then be starting your new life creating a better healthier world for your future.

I cant' leave my dog to go to a wedding!

Our pets are such an important part of our lives. We spoil them terribly just like our children. What to do with our pets is often a delima when traveling. Planning ahead is important. If you are having out of town guests that travel with their pets, help them make travel plans by researching pet friendly options in your area.

When looking for lodging, ask about pet friendly policies. Find out if there is a weight or size limit, additional cost or deposits. Where the nearest dog park is located. The Northwest has may hotels that cater to pet owners, even offering doggy spas and nutritional snacks.

You will also want to find some doggy daycare options. I was at a wedding a couple of weeks ago and the brides mom had a hard time between helping her daughter and checking on her beloved pup that was patiently waiting out in the car. It is best to make reservations ahead of time with the facility and find out what records are required. Most facilites will require current shot records, and kennel cough vaccinations. Getting any forms filled out before traveling will make preparations much easier for your guests.

It may seem like extra work, but in the long run it will be worth it for your pet loving guests and the pets will be happier too.

Here are a few links to check out.

Daycare

http://www.bendpetresort.net/

http://www.noahsarf.com/about_pet_day_care.php

http://www.mthoodpetresort.com/

www.countrysidepetspa.com

Pet Friendly Hotels

http://www.vintageplaza.com/

http://www.jupiterhotel.com/

www.oxfordhotelbend.com/