Apr 2, 2012

Monday Favs

Ok…so typically I do Friday Favs but I saved this one to kick off the week b/c it’s my favorite wedding yet of 2012.  Green Wedding Shoes featured this super fab wedding shot by the talented Ellie Grover last week and I can’t stop going back for more – this wedding is chalked full of inspiration.  This venue is a dream and the bride is about the cutest little boho bride I’ve ever seen.  Her dress reminds me so much of my own – that must be why I love it so much – or maybe it’s the add on of the braided belt. There really isn’t one thing about this wedding I’m not in love with.

Cutest bride ever
The natural tone dresses with the stocking and boot combo are fab

(more…)

Mar 30, 2012

Wedding Rainbows

For some reason lately I’m getting a lot of brides asking me “what is the best time to get married in the Gorge” – my answer is always, anytime you want to get married in the Gorge.  I think whatever season you fancy and that works for you will be perfect.  If you are looking for the most perdictable weather area than this might not be the area for you to get married.  BUT…every season has its beauty and charm here. Most folks want to get married in the summer but you never know if it will be a 70 MPH wind day.  Winter and Fall are both amazing times here as well – uniquely beautiful in their own way (I’ve been loving all the winter wedding inspiration I’ve been seeing lately).

Supposedly this time of year is the “rainy season” here in the Gorge but I prefer to call it the “rainbow season”.  I’ve never seen so many awe-mazing rainbows in one area – I swear there is almost one a day in the Spring.  Yesterday while I was walking the pup at the sandbar, I saw the most vibrant rainbow I’ve ever seen!

This iPhone photo does it no justice – it had people swerving off the highway for pics

And would having a rainbow on your wedding day really be that bad?!?  Usually that means the sun is peeking through and right around the corner.  So you might get a little rain but don’t they say rain on your wedding day is good luck?

Or make your own rainbow!
Actually I got married in the Gorge in May which is typically a rainy time and it did rain…in fact it rained most of the day but as the ceremony time rolled around the clouds were shifting and sun started to peek through.  It made for a really magical ceremony and as soon as we said “i do” the sun came out and Mt. Hood came out to play.
So if you are considering getting married in the Gorge don’t let the unpredictable weather stop you from having a wedding when you want to have a wedding – there is beauty in every season!

Mar 28, 2012

A Gorge-ous Birthday Weekend

I had a fabulous birthday weekend and took a few days off for myself so no blogging for me!  It was a really beautiful weekend out here in the Gorge.  It amazes me how each time we head out on an adventure we see something new that we have never seen before.  There are so many things to do and places to go in this area and unique venues for weddings and events.  I was able to visit two new gems over the weekend. Basically our day could be a perfect itinerary for your wedding guests!

We started with breakfast at the Best Western/Hood River Inn Riverside restaurant.  I know what you are thinking – the Best Western has good food – ummm…yes, they have the best breakfast in town (in my opinion) and the best happy hour.  I haven’t had a bad breakfast dish there and their bloody mary is about the best around as well.  If you are getting married in Hood River I’m sure you’ll have a wedding guest or two staying here – they will be in good hands.  Beautiful views of the Gorge and a fantastic breakfast.  This was my birthday cake – their famous cinnamon rolls (only available on Sunday though).

My birthday cake!
I’m doing a three day fruit fast right now so this is just torture.
Next we hopped over to the Washington side of the Gorge for some wine tasting – first stop was Jacob Willams new winery/vineyard.  Not only do they make some of my favorite wines in the Gorge region but the view from this place – wow!
Mt Hood and the Gorge view from Jacob Willams Winery
From there it was on to the famous Maryhill Winery – I can’t believe we’ve been here almost two years and haven’t yet been to Maryhill. Do you know anyone that has been or is getting married here?  If so, lucky folks…this is a gorgeous spot.  Not your typical Gorge winery definitely more like something you would find in the Napa Valley.  While I do really prefer the small boutique laid back wineries, I still love the gorgeous manicured ones too! I don’t discriminate. And…any winery that has bocce is high on my list.
Sip your wine on a large deck overlooking the Gorge and Mt. Hood
Enjoying some bocce (until the dog started chasing after the balls which I’m sure they frown on!)
But the real gem of this place is the amphitheatre – I’m not going to let another summer go by without seeing a concert here. I wonder if you could get married up on stage and have a cocktail reception in that lawn.  Hmmm, I must inquire!
Imagine lounging on that lawn, sipping wine, listening to good music and taking in that view
It was back over to the Oregon side for the trip home.  We stopped in The Dalles which often gets a bad rap but there are so many hidden gems here to enjoy. One of them and my favorite stop of the day was the Historic Sunshine Mill.  Sunset Magazine called it “the coolest place to drink wine” and they weren’t kidding.  This was once an old wheat mill with giant grain silos – so much of the original fixtures are still in tact and they have a mismatch of different historical, industrial and vintage decor pieces throughout the tasting room.  The main tasting room can be used as an event space or there is a wicked cool space inside the actual silos that would make for one hell of a party.  There is a great outdoor space with a patio and an area for live music during the warm weather months.  I kind of love this place!
How awesome is this space?!?!
Perfect place to hold your next event
Or you could do your event inside one of those silos – rad
I want this wine bottle tree
We ended our journey on a high note at the mill and ready for more adventures in the Gorge!

Mar 21, 2012

Wedding Day Hair – Vendor Alert!

So, hair is on my mind today b/c I’m finally going to get these roots covered up.  Although with all the “ombre” hair craze I might actually be in style!

I don’t know about you but my biggest concern on my wedding day was my hair!  I have a thing about my hair and b/c I was planning a wedding remotely and wasn’t going to have a trial run with a stylist I was freaking out.  Well…thanks to Jen at Salon Visio my wedding day hair turned out to be better than I even expected.  And b/c my dear friend Mary’s flight got cancelled the night before the wedding I didn’t have a makeup person either and in a pinch Jen saved the day for me and gave me the fresh face I was looking for.

For all you Hood River and Gorge area brides, I would highly recommend Jen and Salon Visio for your wedding day hair and makeup needs.  Last summer they opened “The Patio”, a really great outdoor oasis that would be perfect for bridal party mani’s and pedis and mimosas!

Here is a look at my wedding day hair:

Hmm, loved the hair and my skinny arms (where did those go?)

Some other my favorite wedding day looks:

{via here}
{via Style Me Pretty}
Natural waves – my favorite
Had I gone with an updo I still would have wanted loose and messy
What’s your favorite wedding day do?

Mar 19, 2012

70’s Inspired Wedding Shoot

I’ve been wanting to do a 70’s inspired wedding photoshoot b/c I have collected so many found items I could use to make it really cool.  The only thing I was missing was a dress and I just scored this one on Ebay.  I love it and think it will be perfect for the shoot I have dreamed up in my head.  I need to get an inspiration board going and then get to work.  What do you think?  Now I just need a skinny model to make this thing look good – any takers?