The Art of Weddings. Portland Wedding Vendors & Blog

Unique Jewelry For Your Wedding Day by Grayling

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:00:52 +0000

When we first saw one of Grayling’s necklace’s we were instantly hooked! Her work is modern, vintage-inspired and stands out from the crowd. Katy, the owner and designer turns chunky cuts of stones into beautiful statement pieces to where with jeans, a night out on the town or your wedding day. The best thing about her work is that you can wear it again and again. Feel good supporting a local small business and be stylish while doing it! We were thrilled to just find out that Grayling now has a wedding line of jewelry but we think every piece she makes would look great on a bride.

We love this necklace! Please someone get married in it so we can see photos! $295

Pair the above necklace with these simple drop earrings. $79

Modern and lovely for $209.

Pair the necklace with this lovely bracelet that is going on our list of must-have’s!

Umm, yes please! Wouldn’t this be a great gift to receive from your husband the day of?! Hint, hint. $325

Then we found this on their website. Four in one!? How much more versatile can you get?! $219

Seriously, we want this bracelet to go with our modern, simple dress. $159.

Boudoir Photographs by Nina Sage: A Groom Gift He Will Love

alyssa — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:28:10 +0000

Looking for something to surprise the groom? How about boudoir photographs taken by a professional photographer? Boudoir photos are a groom gift that every man will be excited about. You can cherish the wedding day photos, but he will cherish the ones you took just for him.

Boudoir photography for wedding gifts is a new trend that is leaving men everywhere speechless. Ever wondered what your groom would say if you were a lingerie model? Having a boudoir photo shoot is one way to find out. The word “boudoir” can be translated to mean “a woman’s private dressing room, sitting room or bedroom.” You can get really creative or keep it simple. Some women like to choose another time period for their sexy shoot, while others know their man loves it when they wear his favorite jersey. You decide how you want to look sexy.

In Portland, at The Art of Weddings, we love Nina Sage to shoot boudoir photos for you. Having a female photographer really helps ease the fears and anxieties some women feel when trying to shoot boudoir for their groom. Nina has a natural calmness which helps brides feel at ease. Another added benefit is that Nina Sage lets you view what she is capturing as the shoot is happening. This is an added luxury that will really help your confidence as the shoot progresses.

A little word from Nina herself about her services, “My name is Nina Sage, I’ve had a camera in hand for well over 30 years. I began shooting boudoir about 6 or 7 years ago, at the urging of my clients. When we moved to our new studio in 2008, we built a dedicated boudoir room with Victorian furniture and lots of satin & sheer fabrics to create those special memories for you. I have an awesome network of stylists who, for an additional fee, will come to the studio and beautify you for your session, taking care of both your hair & makeup, or you may do your own hair & makeup. Ladies bring their favorite lingerie & props, music and ideas, and we have a fun, private & creative session to make images that will be treasured for a lifetime.”

Some more photographs by Nina Sage.

You choose what to wear. Jackets and underwear tend to always look sexy!

You can also choose what not to wear. However you feel comfortable is key for a successful boudoir session.

Tips from The Art of Weddings:

1. Bring a friend you feel comfortable enough in your underwear around.

2. Don’t forget to take some smiling. Men enjoy a women who enjoys seducing them.

3. Bring clothes you feel sexy in. Don’t forget shoes, your engagement ring, and maybe a distinctive necklace or earrings

Elegant Wedding Favors for a Traditional Wedding

alyssa — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:32:52 +0000

Are you traditional? Are you planning a traditional wedding? Part of a traditional wedding is wedding favors at your wedding reception. A great way to both carry on tradition and support a local shop is to have Theresa at Teuscher’s Chocolates in Portland prepare individual boxed chocolates for your guests. No one makes better chocolate than the Swiss, and this is a classic and elegant way to give your guests a wedding favor backed with tradition.

The Teuscher Chocolate company is overflowing with tradition. Teuscher Chocolates is family owned and operated by the Teuscher family in Switzerland for over 70 years. Mr. Teuscher is now over 70 years old but still visits the Portland store once a year. Teuscher Chocolates has traditions in high quality chocolate, truffles, handmade boxes, and decorations. Both the boxes and chocolates are shipped weekly and guaranteed to be the freshest available for your wedding guests.

They have a wide array of boxes and are all handmade in Switzerland. The selection is extensive, and there is something for any bride.

Only looking for a small gift? These new Swiss made chocolate boxes are adorable. You can mix and match hair color and looks.

The Champagne Truffle is world-famous and has been a secret recipe for over 70 years. This is my choice for the perfect wedding favor. The taste is indescribably amazing. With a Dom Perignon cream center, this is the perfect burst to keep your wedding guests continuing the celebration even after the wedding is over.

With enough notice (she needs to order the chocolate to be made and shipped from Switzerland) Theresa can accommodate as many wedding favors as you will need. If you want to keep it simple you can also order from their online website. These wedding favors will highlight any traditional wedding with a sense of elegance and decadence.

Day After Photo Session at The Hotel Nines

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:10:49 +0000

Day after photography sessions are a fun way to wear your wedding day clothes again. If you felt rushed or overwhelmed on your wedding day and didn’t get enough time to take a lot of photos with just the two of you then you may want to book a day after session. Typically they are one to two hours long depending on if you are doing a location change. It’s also a great time to try some different accessories or a hair style that you were thinking about doing but didn’t. Location is also key for your photography day after session. Ask your photographer for advice on where to shoot, they will have idea on good back drops and lighting. You really want to let them shine during this session, giving them creative control. You will get the best images this way and make your photographer very happy!

Pricing for a day after session will range from $250-$600 depending on what is included in the package, how long you will shoot for and the experience of your photographer. This day after session was shot at The Hotel Nines which photographs very well in their hotel lobby due to the beautiful decor and lovely natural light coming in from the sky lights. The bride in this shoot added a chunkier floral necklace and a fur wrap to her gown. She brought her brooch bouquet along as well which she made on her own. Enjoy the photos below taken by Jasmine Photography.

Intimate Wedding Ceremony at Lavender Tea House, Sherwood, OR

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:00:52 +0000

Small weddings are so much fun. They give everyone plenty of time to talk with one another during the event and are less stressful overall. The Lavender Tea House provided a lot of the things needed for an event, such as the venue, food, cake and favors. This took the stress out of their day. Paula and Scott decided to have their wedding in the community they live in, Sherwood, so they could support the local vendors. Here is what they said about their day;

“What I liked most about our wedding day was having our wedding and reception at the Lavender Tea House, in Sherwood, OR. The location was very beautiful and provided a level of intimacy that everyone enjoyed. The presentation of the High Tea Service was very elegant. The food was delicious and the staff was outstanding!”

Photography: Jasmine Photography / Ceremony Site: Lavender Tea House / Reception Site: Lavender Tea House / Wedding Gown: David’s Bridal / Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse / Hair: Omnia Salon & Day Spa/ Makeup: MAC/ Catering: Lavender Tea House (Jamie Yang & Holly Sander / Cake: Lavender Tea House/ Florist: It’s All Arranged Floral Design/ Favors: Lavender Tea House / Wedding Accessories: The Wedding Cottage /

Picturesque Oregon Wedding Site – Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast

alyssa — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:40:10 +0000

Oregon is lucky to have mountains, beach, rivers, desert, forest, really just about any type of natural setting you can imagine. Finding a way to include one of these natural elements into your wedding day can be difficult. Choosing a memorable location for your wedding site and wedding reception can surely help incorporate Mother Nature into your wedding day. I lost my breath when I saw the gorgeous views from the Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast. Located in upper Hood River Valley just above the Columbia River Gorge, there is awe inspiring views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Ranier to leave your guests amazed. The Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast website touts, “Surrounded by flower and vegetable gardens, lawns, orchards, ponds, gazebos, paths and fields of wildflowers, it is as though you are stepping into a Norman Rockwell picture. Our grounds are carefully kept by our staff to offer beauty and ease of use for your event.”

A picture is worth a thousand words, so a video must be worth even more. A real bride explains everything that Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast has to offer guests.

Mt. Hood Bed & Breakfast | Oregon Wedding Destination from Moving Picture Weddings on Vimeo.

Moving Picture Weddings did a great job showcasing this down to earth yet elegant wedding site.

Other details on their website include wedding and elopement packages. Packages include overnight accommodations, wedding site, indoor or outdoor reception site, tables, chairs, and much more. The hosts Mike and Jackie Rice will even supply a full country-style breakfast for the morning after wedding. If you are looking for a wedding site with a breathtaking view, you can’t beat Mt. Hood Bed And Breakfast.

Brooch Bouquets: A Creative and Fun Accent on Your Wedding

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:49:10 +0000

Looking for a bouquet which will really make heads turn? Brooch Bouquets add a modern feel to your wedding while creating a personal accent which will leave your guests talking. At Bloomsberry Floral, a local florist, Lisa creates brooch bouquets to fit her bride’s wants and needs.

Collect Brooches from those close to you to make your bouquet personal and fun! It is a uniquely wonderful way to involve those you care about in your wedding. Most of Lisa’s clients will supply her with 40-50 brooches for a bouquet.

Lisa began designing these bouquets three years ago for The Art of Weddings Event and since then, her gorgeous arrangements have been sent to brides throughout the country.

If you supply the Brooches the bouquet will cost $325. A small price to pay for such a special focal point of your wedding.

Not only will a Brooch Bouquet by Bloomsberry Floral shine on your wedding day, it also makes a fabulous keepsake filled with fun memories!

The Art of Flowers

alyssa — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:18:46 +0000

One way to give your wedding day another dash of personality is to make sure that the flowers in your bridal bouquets, centerpieces, boutonnieres and even pew end decorations support your individual artistic vision. The best way to ensure this is by choosing an excellent and experienced florist. All florists are not created equal and I am really excited about what EastWest Floral Arts right here in Portland has to offer. Helene does a fantastic job helping brides plan out exactly what flowers they will need and making sure nothing gets left out. She even has a planning guide right on her website which is free to download!

Some of the best advice in Helene’s planning guide is, “Start by trying to envision the “big picture” rather than all the details. Keep in mind that you want to have unity between all the elements, although the ceremony and the reception do not have to look alike, especially if they are in two separate places.” Important factors when considering flowers and flower arrangements are the colors, types of flowers, smell, feeling and meaning. Is there a certain mood you are trying to convey? Do certain flowers have a special meaning to you that you would like to incorporate into your special day?

A role model once told me that the difference between something good and something extraordinary is the 5,000th detail. Wedding and flower arrangements are full of details and Helene handles all the details to make sure your flowers showcase the most artistic piece of the wedding, you. Check out the pictures below to start gathering some inspiration for your bridal bouquets, centerpieces, and more.

This one is a great example of a dramatic bouquet that is great for an evening wedding.

This is a little burst of sunlight that ties in perfectly with the dress.

These centerpieces add just the right pop of color to the room.

A gorgeous table setting with fabulous fall colors.

This Asian inspired simplistic table setting is stunning. Sometimes less is more, even when it comes to adding flowers to your wedding or wedding reception.

If you like what you see, view more of Helene’s designs on her EastWest Floral Arts website.

Hand-made, Stunning Headpieces & Veils

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:30:47 +0000

We are in love with Twigs and Honey. How lucky are we to be living in Portland and surrounded by so much talent? Pretty darn lucky I think! Time to accessorize and add something special to your gown. I can’t wait to put together a look using one of her lovely pieces. How will you stand out on your wedding day? What is the look you want to portray? Modern, elegant, vintage or romantic? Adding a statement wedding headband or flower hair piece will surely make you the talk of the day, oh wait, you already will be!

Let’s start with this delicate and statement making double sheer silk flowers that are attached to a gold plated wire comb. Available in a ivory, beige or white for $120.00.

When it comes to wedding style we often find ourself gravitating toward a vintage look. Whether it’s a bracelet, hair do or lovely lace dress we are drawn to the romantic side of the era. Enter this flapper inspired bridal headband with flowers and we are smitten. With silk flowers and velvet flower accents and pearl beads this headband will have everyone talking about how lovely you look, $320.00.

An eyelash lace trim bridal cap will surely steal the show. I can hear your wedding guests now, “Where did you get that stunning head piece?” and you can calmly answer, “Oh, you noticed it? Twigs and Honey of course!” Add this to your look for $325.00

Need to see more? Visit Twigs and Honey online or see some of her work in person by visiting The English Dept on Sw Alder Street, Portland, Oregon.

Style For Your Man

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:06:51 +0000

As women we have a lot of ways to show our style and customize it. We can wear sparkly jewelry, high heels, change our make-up and hair style or accessorize with tights. One of the easiest ways to have your man stand out on your wedding day is with his neck tie or bow tie. Add a dash of color and fun with one of these neckties from Me and Matilda on Etsy. It’s an affordable way to customize your man’s look with bow ties and neckties ranging from $16-$25. Below are a few of our favorites from her collection.

Yellow and grey floral tie will be the talk of the day!

For a little over $20 you can have each of the groomsmen sport a tie in your wedding day colors but each will be unique.

We love, love this polka dot bow tie!

Perfect for a fall or winter wedding, gray wool bow tie and matching suspenders.

Damask is a pattern that will never get old, mix it with this lovely plum color and you have an instant winner.

You know we like to “put a bird on it” in Portland. Why not add one to your groom’s attire with this tie?!