Need a break from the craziness of wedding planning? Check out OMSI After Dark on May 26th from 6-10 PM. Enjoy a glass of wine or a pint of local beer as you shoot off water rockets, play with robots and enjoy all the things OMSI has to offer with NO KIDS IN SIGHT!!!!! Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. This event is for adults 21 and over only….ID is required. Head to http://www.omsi.edu/afterdark for all the details. Have fun!
Putting It All Together….Part 2 ~ A Vineyard Wedding
May 19, 2010 – 9:30 am
I love the idea of a vineyard wedding! The gorgeous scenery in late summer or autumn sets a romantic and comfortable feel. The warm, rich colors of a vineyard in the fall can inspire many of the details for your wedding and bring together the whole gorgeous day!
Of course the wedding gown is the next thing to set the tone for your big day…. I don’t know why, but I have always imagined a lace gown for a vineyard wedding. Maybe it’s the timeless, soft, romantic feel that a lace gown provides. My choice would be this gorgeous fit and flare lace gown by 2Be. It is a gown that will reflect the evening sunset with its soft and subtle sparkle.
The flowers I would chose would include the warm, deep and rich colors of the grapevine leaves. Some red roses, with orange lilies really pick up on the sunset in the evening reception! This bouquet really pulls all the colors of your wedding together.
The bridesmaid dress I envision for this wedding would be a cute and flirty taffeta dress with a one shoulder strap of flowers. It has an empire waist that is flattering for many body types and the shoulder strap will add just that little bit of support which some of your girls may want. The dark red color really pops and will make you and your girls stand out against the orange scenery.
Now for the guys…..many guys are laid back about what they wear, but that can put excess stress on the bride in having to choose their attire on her own. A perfect option for a vineyard wedding would be the Chocolate Parisian by Jims Formal Wear.
Your table settings are the final detail that pulls the whole event together. Your guests will feel comfortable with the soothing colors and simple centerpieces of vineyard leaves and red oak leaves!
There are many more fine details, but once you start doing the planning the ideas will start flowing! I love creating ideas and day dreaming about my wedding. Planning a wedding should be a fun and exciting time. Don’t forget the most important thing is looking forward to the moment you walk down that isle to say “I do” in front of all your friends and loved ones!
All the best ~ Vicky
Charlotte’s Renovation Update!
May 17, 2010 – 8:27 pm
As many of you know, Charlotte’s is undergoing expansion and renovation! Here are some of the progress photos of the addition, which is directly attached to Charlotte’s original location. Included in the expansion will be
new bridal suites, alterations lounge, and simply more space to play. Charlotte’s will also be installing new hardwood floors, lighting, and modern décor to compliment the rest that the shop has to offer. Project completion is right around the corner, so please feel free to come check us out and ask any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you!
Butt Busting Bridal Boot Camp
May 10, 2010 – 8:30 am
Looking for a great way to drop a dress size or two before your big day? Check out the Portland Adventure Boot Camp led by the fabulous fitness guru Daniel Iversen. I have personally completed three sessions of Boot Camp at various times over the last several years and I can say from experience that IT WORKS! Daniel is amazing to work with and he is truly committed to your weight loss success. He gives you all the tools you need to make the most of your 4 week session. 
Here’s a quote directly from the main man himself: “On your wedding day, you want to look your best. Portland Boot Camp is the fastest and, I believe, funnest way to get there. Why? Because you are surrounded by like-minded women who also like to have fun, you have a proven trainer, and the whole thing is all a no-brainer. Count on a minimum of 5 lbs lost per boot camp… but the average is 8, and some who really eat properly lose up to 12lbs per boot camp. I give you the instruction, the proven food plan, and the motivation. All you need to do is show up ready to sweat a little.” ~ Daniel Iversen
I hope Daniel’s Boot Camp program is as much of an amazing experience for you as it was for me! I promise….you won’t be disappointed!
Happy sweating! ~ Rachel
The Latest in Wedding Flowers
May 5, 2010 – 3:15 am
Flowers are my favorite part of a wedding (besides the gown of course J). Beautiful flowers help to set the mood for the event as well as bring nature, beauty, texture and (if you’re open to it) awesomely vibrant colors to any wedding. One of the most common misconceptions when it comes to picking flowers for your wedding is that there are rules. Well ladies I am here to say HAVE FUN with your floral motifs! Switch it up; throw in random texture, daring colors and most importantly your own personal flare to help these little works of art bring life to your event.
While writing this blog, I had the pleasure of picking the brains of local florists at Trinette’s Floral on SE Stark in Portland. Family owned by a mother and daughter team who are long time veterans of the floral industry, they are always my go to shop whenever I need floral décor. They shared some of the great emerging trends when it comes to wedding flowers which can also help your dollar go further, so of course I wanted to pass them along to
you!
Moving away from the “Martha Stewart Ball” – We’ve all seen this bouquet, the perfectly round ball. Although beautiful in its own right, this perfectly laid out bouquet is time consuming which in turn can be costly to make. More and more brides are moving away from this ball of perfection and going towards a looser style for a more gathered look. Because the gathered look has less structure and is therefore less labor intensive, this will definitely save you money.
The Natural Look – Instead of the traditional overpowering feel of excess flowers and filler, brides are trimming down on the waterfalls of floral and letting the flowers be a natural detail.
Daring/Bold Colors – Fuchsia, lime green, coral, yellows, etc…Pair these with neutral dark colors such as navy, chocolate, black, and gun metal charcoal. The combination of vibrant colors and neutral darks is a great use of color and contrast. Picture these bundles of vibrant fun held against your wedding gown! Wow! J
Fruits and Veggies – Other perishables are being used to add texture and interest in arrangements. These are great to use for centerpieces or large bouquets throughout the venue. This is another great way to cut back on costs.
Flower Grouping – Either grouping of colors and/or flowers. These arrangements can be used for centerpieces or décor around your venue.
Provide Your Own – A really great way to cut back on costs and to add your own personal touch is to provide your vases for the centerpieces. A common trend when brides provide their own vases is that each one is different.
As you can see when it comes to floral décor for your wedding, the possibilities are endless. The above are just some of the emerging trends Trinette’s is seeing for this wedding season. Of course, if you would like to really get your creative juices flowing call or go visit Trinette’s and talk with one of their amazing florists. Whether your wedding is in the summer or winter, large or small, formal or casual, they can work with you to help add the natural beauty of flowers to your special day!
Trinette’s Floral
www.trinettesfloral.com
8037 Se Stark St, Portland, OR 97215
Toll Free: 888-289-3644 Local: 503-252-6650
Happy Picking!
Carrie
Relax and Enjoy the Moment
May 4, 2010 – 10:42 am
Being new to the whole wedding industry, I don’t have many pearls of wisdom to impart. However, there is one thing I have noticed already….wedding dress shopping is SO fun! Everyone is happy to be here, and excited about the process, and who doesn’t love trying on beautiful gowns! I love listening to brides tell me what they are looking for in a gown, and what the feel of their wedding will be. It’s always an exciting challenge to take the information they have given me, and use it to find their “dream-gown”. My only tip would be to relax. Even if you are coming down to “crunch-time” there are always options for getting you into a wedding gown that will suit your style. Enjoy the moment and process! This will hopefully be the only time in your life to be planning a wedding and trying on gowns. Have fun with it! Try on gowns you never thought you’d like. Bring family and friends that will contribute a positive attitude. I love it when the bride and her entourage are laughing and having a blast. So, plan a girls’ day out, and I look forward to seeing you soon!
~Bethany
Okay Moms….let’s talk wedding attire!
May 1, 2010 – 8:35 am
Regardless of whether you’re the mother, grandmother or auntie of the bride or the groom, you want to look killer at the wedding too, right? Let’s face it; traditional “Mother-of” outfits can be pretty horrendous. Odd colors, unflattering jackets, stiff fabrics…..pretty much the least fun you’ve ever had shopping. Well, the bridal fashion world has finally heard your pain. Companies such as Cameron Blake and Jade have made huge strides at finding the fine balance between what’s age/occasion appropriate and what’s contemporary and beautiful. We’ve also heard from many Moms that they don’t want to look like a bridesmaid wearing the same shade of lilac, ruby, or espresso that the bride has chosen for her girls; yet they still want to “go” with 
the wedding party. If you don’t have a specific color that you really want to wear, look fabulous in, or are most comfortable with, always feel free to ask a consultant for recommendations. In many of the recent collections, we’re seeing some great variations of color. If the bridesmaids are wearing cobalt, maybe a gorgeous, rich navy for you? Or if they’re in black, maybe you’d want to check out some of the new platinum or silver tones? This way you’re in the same color family so the pictures will look vibrant, bu
t no one will lump you in the with girls who will shortly be wrestling over the bouquet! And maybe you’re not as comfortable with your arms or midsection as you used to be….that’s ok! Take advantage of styles that have wrap rouching across the front to camouflage any tummy you’d like to hide, or separate jackets or wraps that you can wear or not wear however you prefer. Always remember our rule of thumb for any bride, maid, or mum…….the “Wow Factor” comes from how you feel in the dress, so don’t get roped into something that feels frumpy, dumpy, or just not YOU. And absolutely always remember that the consultants at Charlotte’s are here to help!
~Corinne
The Columbia Cliff Villas~A Perfect Bridal Escape
April 27, 2010 – 3:24 pm
I had the utmost pleasure recently staying at the Columbia Cliff Villas in Hood River. They are located right on the Columbia River and next to the gorgeous Columbia Gorge Hotel. The villas are exquisite inside and out. Large windows giving you an amazing view of the river, a patio that block you from th
e wind and the noise. Large living room area with a floor to ceiling stone fireplace, wood floors and a comfy couch. The dining room table could easily fit 12 people and the kitchen was fully equipped with stainless steel appliances.
The master bedroom is full of surprises….fireplace, walk-in closet and a bathroom that doesn’t disappoint with a walk-in two headed shower and a separate Jacuzzi tub.
What’s so great about these villas is that you can get a one, two, or 
three bedroom villa with a kitchen or you can just get a one bedroom (just like staying at a hotel). There was even a rehearsal dinner in one of the three bedroom villa for 50 people going on while I was there. The groom even made a comment to say that he was worried about that many people but the space accommodated everyone. It’s a great place for a romantic weekend getaway, honeymoon, rehearsal dinner, or bridal suite.
There is so much to do as well around the Gorge…wine tasting, great restaurants, hiking, kite boarding, fishing, and shopping. So, next time you are looking for that little getaway or in need a wedding venue look at the Columbia Cliff Villas, you won’t be disappointed.
Krysta
May 8th – August Veils & BeadAlex Trunk Show
April 23, 2010 – 10:35 am
We are lucky enough to have two fantastic local designers for veil, headpieces, and jewelry in our store May 8th. Meet Andrea of August Veils. She creates custom headpieces, veils and hair accessories. She has been creating custom pieces for brides for over 10 years. She uses Swarovski crystals and fresh water pearls. Andrea’s designs have been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Wedding Dresses Magazine, and on the cover of Portland Bride and Groom.
After you are done with veils and hair accessories make your way to Alex of BeadAlex. She designs custom jewelry from necklaces, to earrings to bracelets. And she uses some of the same materials as Andrea so your pieces will coordinate with one another nicely. August Veils and BeadAlex are both located at the Bridal Loft.
Call to schedule an appointment but bring your dress so they can really put the finishing touches on your look for your wedding. If you don’t have your dress, bring a photo or use the sample dress if we have it in the store. We can’t wait to see you!!
Putting It All Together….Part 1
April 21, 2010 – 9:04 am
Getting engaged and preparing for a wedding is such an exciting time in a couple’s life! While the planning process can be stressful at times, it can (and should J) be an enjoyable experience for both the bride and groom. I have worked with so many brides that are stressed out about knowing what needs to be done and when. From my experience, I think that getting the big things done first is a good rule of thumb. Don’t worry about the small details until the overall foundation for the event has been set. Picking a venue should be the first thing to do. Choosing a venue at least a year ahead of time almost guarantees you will get the date you want. Then comes one of the best parts….picking out your dream wedding gown! Your gown can help you set the stage for the look and feel of your entire wedding day. Once you select the perfect dress, the complimentary colors will become much more apparent and the bridesmaid dresses, tuxedo styles and even flowers arrangements will naturally fall into place. Over the coming weeks, I will be blogging about different types of wedding venues with ideas for gowns, flowers, table settings & bridal party attire that compliment the setting and help set the tone for the overall event. I hope these help get your creativity flowing! — Vicky