7.30.2010 Wedding ~ All You Need Is Love

My first phone conversation with Kristen was simply amazing. The conversation was easy, the laughs were plenty, and I immediately knew we had a great bride-coordinator connection. She was looking for full coordination as she was living in Nebraska, but her family was from Salem so she wanted the wedding close to home. I enjoyed working so closely with Kristen the whole time. It was more like hanging out with a close friend than it was "working."

First the location. She gave me some ideas on what she was looking for in a venue, and my mind instantly thought of Beckenridge Vineyard. When we went to tour it for the first time, her expression was priceless. It was written all over her face that this was the perfect place for them. They booked their date right away! I always love, I mean LOVE, working with the staff at Beckenridge. They are always so attentive to their clients and their guests and families. Not only that, but their venue has amazing views, a groom's room complete with a foosball table, and great options for a "plan B" should the weather decide to change - it is Oregon after all!

The wedding day started out by Kristen and her ladies having their hair and makeup done by the wonderfully talented team of Face Body Beauty. I can't say enough wonderful things

about Jennifer and her staff! They looked stunning! When they arrived at Beckenridge, Denice from Distinctive Designs was arriving with the flowers, and I have never seen a bride get so excited about their flowers before. And for good reason - look at these stunning colors! Denise consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, and I love working with her!

The ceremony was amazing thanks to Johanna of An Event to Remember. She was their officiant and made a custom ceremony to reflect Kristen and Brandon. She takes so much time to really learn about her couples and it shows! Sue Hamilton of SHE Designs provided all of the rental items needed, and I was beyond impressed with the great quality! Since Kristen and Brandon are both from the academic world, I thought their idea for centerpieces was too cute: a stack of books, each being a different stack based on a different topic or theme. They also had statistics on love placed around each table with a small vase and single flower. It looked great and it was very unique and creative!

Right after the ceremony the guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with appetizers from Reed Catering - YUM! I was thrilled with Cora from Reed Catering and the passion she has for food. I heard nothing but great things about all the food that was served that evening. Northwest Mobile DJ kept the mood going throughout the night and ensured a great party for the reception. The cake? There was enough to feed twice the amount of guests, but it was SO amazing that there were literally only about five slices left! People were coming back for thirds (maybe even fourths)! Marion of Myriad Cake Design is one of the best in the industry, as apparent by the "disappearing cake" as we called it.

I loved listening to the speeches given - they were both heart-felt and funny. The whole evening flowed and the guests had a great time. They had guests travel from all over so they had a map with stickers so people could show how far they had traveled that day to be there - another creative and unique idea! You could feel all the love the guests had for Kristen and Brandon and they enjoyed celebrating every second of their day with them. You could see how much it meant to Kristen and Brandon that their loved ones had come to celebrate with them!

Throughout the day I had the pleasure of working alongside Maalaea and Ian of I and M Photography. Wow - are they superb! They have such an amazing eye for details, as you can see in all of these pictures, and I felt like we had worked together numerous times before. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a photographer! The first time you meet with them it's obvious they love what they do!

Thank you to all the amazing vendors for helping Kristen and Brandon's wedding be so perfect and go so flawlessly. To Kristen and Brandon - thank you so much for your sweet message in your programs. It was my pleasure working for you and I wish you all the best that life has to offer! Congrats!