Handmade Favors Make Winter Weddings Warm and Fuzzy
Once the chill hits the air, we hit the kitchen. There’s something undeniably cozy about enjoying freshly baked treats or a steaming mug of cider or hot chocolate. And we love the idea of sharing that homey goodness with guests at a winter wedding. So we found some easy and adorable DIY recipes from the goddess of the kitchen herself, Martha Stewart. There’s spice bundles for hot cider, packages of hot chocolate mix, and sugar cookie ingredients all wrapped up with a bow. And of course, we’ve got a wide array of perfect winter-themed jars, tins, and boxes to dish out the goodies.
Putting the New in New and Blue
Wallpaper Printing
Recently, we’ve gotten insanely bored with our bright white walls. They just seem so blank, so lifeless, so dull. So now we’re in the mood to do something crazy, something completely opposite, something busy and vibrant and exciting. We’re thinking wallpaper, which in case you didn’t know, is all the rage again. The patterns, the colors, and the textures can turn any room into a statement-making piece of art.
If you’re not feeling quite that bold, you can get in on the trend with our new wallpaper printing, which creates a striking back to your invitations. After all, why should the front get all the attention? Choose from designs like bright green leaves, baby blue filigrees, pink roses, or sweeping aqua swirls. Much prettier than boring old white!
Other new features available in our Pearl Collection: square and long (4”x9”) sizes, rounded corners, and place cards. All the selections are made using wind-power and recycled paper.
Get Creative With Your Catering
Koi Fusion Catering
Food carts are all the rage in Portland right now—even getting national attention on MSNBC and in various magazine articles. How lucky are we to live in a city full of amazing food at even more amazing prices? One of our favorites is Koi Fusion, the infamous Korean tacos (and burritos and quesadillas and sliders and fries) that roam around town and tweet their location. Trust us, one bite of the short ribs or spicy pork topped with sprouts and kimchi and you will be hooked.
Even better, we recently learned that Koi is available to cater events—including your wedding reception! We just love the idea of hoarding all that coveted deliciousness for ourselves—ahem, we mean for you and your guests. They’ll even take special menu requests. We suggest classing it up a bit by replacing the paper dishes with some heart-shaped plates and personalized napkins. We offer a wide variety of colors, fonts, and styles from modern monograms to a cheeky “Cheers to a Marry Life!” People may be licking their fingers, but the napkins will still look great.
Vendor Highlight: Linda Smith's Notes of Celebration
Wedding Music
While planning your wedding, you’ve thought about every one of the five senses—what colors your guests will see, the way your flowers will smell, how the food will taste, what tunes the partygoers will hear (and get jiggy with), and of course, how everything will make you, your friends, and your family feel. In many ways, the music you choose may have the biggest influence on those all-important feelings—science can prove it, or you can just remember how happy your favorite song makes you. You can hire a DJ to pick songs that make people want to dance, but what about the music that will enhance the romance of your ceremony?
Since flying in Celine Dion to sing the Titanic theme is probably not in your budget, may we suggest pianist/organist Linda Smith’s Notes of Celebration? She’s as passionate about her music as you are about your honey, so whether it’s an epic score from Bach, a delicate tune by Debussy, or a more contemporary love song like “My Heart Will Go On,” you’ll hear nothing but love (hear some samples). After a complimentary consultation, Linda can either recommend selections for the kind of mood you’d like to create or will play favorites you’ve already picked out. We’re sure she’ll create the soundtrack of your dreams.
An Honorable Toast
Toasting Tips for the Maid of Honor
Last spring we shared tips for giving a successful Best Man speech. Ladies, now it’s your turn! We came across an article on lifestyle blog Lemondrop.com listing the five things you should leave out of your Maid of Honor toast. In short:
•Don't refer to the couple's sex life. No matter how much your best girlfriend has shared with you, this isn’t a Sex and the City-style brunch. Grandma’s frail heart can’t handle the shock of such language.
•Don't mention previous relationships. Even if the bride has walked down the aisle before, best to stick with the fairy tale mood of the day and pretend it’s the first time. No one wants to remember Husband #1. Or Husband #2. Third time’s a charm, right?
•Don't hint at how well you may "know" the groom. Maybe you met him first and had a dalliance before realizing he was soooo not right for you—but perfect for your friend! No one needs to know. The day is about how much they love each other. Give him a compliment but keep it PG.
•Don't diss the groom. No matter how much you may hate him. She’s made her choice, be supportive.
•Don't embarrass her. As the bride’s best friend, you’ve been privy to a lot. But the best BFF keeps those secrets with all her might, she doesn’t broadcast them. As Maid of Honor, your job is to make the bride look and feel her best. Telling her new in-laws about those body shots in Cancun? Not so hot.
And after the dazzling toast, the Mr. and Mrs. should have equally stunning champagne flutes to seal the deal. We’ve got a wide selection of styles to suit any tastes. Minimalists will love these sleek double-walled pillars inset with flutes. Sophisticates will love these sweeping curves. Princesses will love the crystals in these stems. And traditionalists will love these silver accents. There’s even a winter wonderland styled set!
We Do Holiday Cards Too!
Personalized Cards and Magnets
Is it your first official Christmas together? Then you simply must celebrate with a memorable holiday card that shows what a blissfully happy couple you are! Not only are there several holiday card options that allow you to send a smoochie snapshot, but our holiday-themed Save the Date magnets are a fun twist on the tradition—and ensure that your friends and family get to smile at your engaged mugs whenever they head to the freezer for some Ben & Jerry’s.
Bridal Show Season is Just Round the Corner
Save-the-Date
Kick off 2010 with The Art of Weddings on January 7th from 6-9 p.m. It’s an evening affair at the Gerding Theater, at the Armory, with some of Portland’s most creative, indie vendors (including us!), more of a cocktail hour where you get to talk about nothing but weddings (sounds like heaven, right?).Then mid-month is the Portland Bridal Show on January 16th & 17th from 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. This is the big mama of them all, featuring over 150 exhibitors over the course of two days. There are the usual suspects—cakes, veils, flowers, limos—but also everything you need for both before (makeup, tanning, fitness) and after (hotels, travel, lingerie) the big day. Pick one or go to both to get your wedding planning year started right.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read the latest info about N.W. Weddings. Please contact us if you have any questions!
