Portland Wedding Week: Invitations

i love stumbling upon things while perusing the internet. and it's certainly amazing what you can find hiding in your very own city. Royal Steamline was one of those finds! this husband and wife duo specializes in retro, vintage, gothic, and steamline punk design, and gives such attention to detail you could easily mistake some of their creations for an authentic telegram ticket or a vintage poster! yes, let's be honest these can be somewhat dark and strange, but that is exactly what they love about their craft! and if you are all about these longtime, mysterious eras they offer personalized wedding decor and crafts (found here) to help bring everything together. so great!

thanks, to Aerin and her husband--great work, my dear!








{images: royal steamline}

Portland Wedding Week: Cakes

here's to a little edible eye candy. though the cake has taken a back seat to the non-traditionalist approach to the desert, with cupcakes and homemade pies and desert tables reigning king, i still believe a gorgeous cake, inside and out, has it's honored place in a wedding. the Bakery Bar in NE Portland are the creators of these delectable confections and has a way with fondant cut-outs like no other in town. they have been featured numerous times in our local wedding publications and was part of the cake shoot i attended while working with Oregon Bride Magazine. and can i tell you, those cake are serious works of art!





{images: white bird cake: Steve Scardina, red poppies: Steve Scardina; pale pink antique button cake: Hayley Young; yellow blossoms: bakery bar; fuchsia flowers/pewter birds: bakery bar}

Portland Wedding Week: Real Wedding

good morning! this week is dedicated to strictly Portland! i'm excited to share with you all the amazing vendors and wedding professionals here in Portland and show off our talent and unique design! to kick us off is Katie Anderson Photography with a real wedding at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. this beautiful couple, Brian and Alona was married June 12th on what must have been one of the only sunny days this month! and thank goodness because this is just gorgeous! everything from the jimmy choo sandals to the celebration at the end, this couple had a day to remember!

and i can't forget! katie is offering a brand new iPod Touch to the first couple to book her for their wedding in Dec 2010, as well as the first to book in Jan 2011, or the first in Feb 2011. here's the link to the announcement on her website. so ladies, get on it!!

thanks, katie!

Wedding Date: June 12, 2010

Ceremony and Reception Site: Tacoma Country and Golf Club

Photographer: Katie Anderson Photography

Flowers: Erin and Company

Cake: Ralph’s Bakery

Caterer: Tacoma Country and Golf Club & Wild West Seafood (owned by Brian Pernula)

Rings: Miller’s Custom Jewelry (Alona’s ring designed by Brian, Brian’s ring designed by Alona)

Gown and Designer: Maggie Sottero

Veil and Accessories: Nordstrom’s Nadri Jewelry, Jimmy Choo shoes

Formal Wear: Tuxedo’s by Ralph Lauren

Hair and Makeup: Hair by Studio 343 and Makeup by Danielle Brooke

Invitations: Designed by Alona, paper & envelopes bought from Envelopments

Honeymoon: Hawaii

Planner: Alona Schmelzer & Julie Guertin (sister of bride)

Gown Friday

good morning! hope you enjoy Douglas Hannant's spring 2011 collection as much as i do...definitely bohemian chic! have a great weekend...












{images: marthastewartweddings.com}

Loving...Flair

there has been some buzz around about this new entertaining book by decorator Joe Nye, Flair: Exquisite Invitations, Lush Flowers, and Gorgeous Table Settings (Rizzoli, $30). i have it in my shopping cart on amazon right now! this covers everything from sending your invitations to putting a scented candle in the bathroom. Joe truly gives an effortless approach to what can usually be a stressful event when you invite friends and neighbors into your home. simple elegance, ladies, isn't just about style, it's a way of life!

i do love to entertain! i wish i could do it more, but when i get the chance, i delight in looking for new fresh ideas on how to do so. it's not a competition but rather a chance to make my guests feel not simply comfortable but also enjoy a certain sense of thoughtful hospitality. i don't think most people today have such moments often. so yay for Flair and those who love to entertain well! i can't wait to get this!



{images: elle decor}