Winter Wonderland Styled Shoot

*Styled Shoot by Bailey & Bridget*

Just as the holiday season was coming to an end, Bridget and I were preparing to show off how pretty a winter wedding in Oregon can be. As the day arrived, the thick fog that rested in the air created the perfect backdrop for an Oregonian winter wonderland. The grounds at Yellow Gold Farm made the perfect setting for this styled wedding photo shoot. The wedding venue, located just outside of Albany, Oregon, has a beautiful outdoor space equipped with a white arch, gazebo, even a small pond.

 Not only is the outdoor space at Yellow Gold Farm, beautiful they also have an amazing building that can be used to host receptions for any season. What I especially loved about the reception hall on this brutally cold winter day was the large fireplace set against the back wall. Due to the January date, we went with a winter theme for this collaborative photo shoot and open house. From the beginning, Bridget and I decided royal blue and silver, with pops of red, were the perfect winter themed wedding colors. So we took this starting point and began to put together the details!

Jamie from Jamie Rae Photo was initially the person who inspired this whole endeavor. She requested that Stargazer Weddings help her put on a mock wedding photo shoot because she had done one with us in the past (the blog post to come soon) and loved the results. I wanted to make this mock wedding as much like a real wedding as possible, so I set out in hopes of finding other vendors that would be willing to provide their services for this collaborative project.

The search was successful and some amazing vendors hopped on board to make this day happen. Heather from Yellow Gold Farm was delightfully excited about taking part, so excited in fact that we decided to host an open house on top of the photo shoot. Special Occasions agreed to lend us elegant rental items including linens, table settings, and candles to make the winter theme come alive. Linda, owner of From the Heart Floral Design, created some beautiful floral arrangements helping with the pop of red (especially with the red bridal bouquet) and “real” wedding feel. To top it all off Ladybug Blue Cake Design provided a stunning cake adorned with royal blue roses and decadent shimmering frosting.

Janelle and Adam Muir were the lucky couple who posed as models for the photo shoot. The good news was that Janelle looked absolutely gorgeous all done up by Jennifer from Face Body Beauty! The bad news was she had to face freezing temperatures in her bridal gown. You never would have known just looking at the pictures but she fought a tough battle with the cold that afternoon – way to go Janelle!!

Once all the pieces came together, a beautiful picture was painted, thanks to the fabulous work of Jamie Rae Photo. She was able to capture and showcase what each vendor had to offer.

I want to send out a huge thank you to everyone involved in this wonderful day! Thank you, thank you, thank you for showing off your talents for us.  ~ Bailey

9.23.2012 - Country Chic

*Wedding by Tristin*

This past September, Brittany and Shane got married at the Green Villa Barn & Garden in Independence, Oregon.  After meeting Brittany only once before, I was really excited when she asked me to help with her wedding.  Throughout the entire planning process, she had a wonderful eye for what she wanted her big day to look like.  Shirleen, owner of Danner & Soli, provided "one of a kind" decorations - the perfect "country chic" look that Brittany was going for.  From mason jars with hand made burlap accents, to old doors and windows which set the backdrop for the ceremony, the entire venue was breathtaking.  Even more breathtaking was the bride herself!  Brittany chose to have a long time friend, Chrystal Koivisto, do both her hair and makeup, and her dress was from David's Bridal. 

Helping capture all of the special moments of the day was Kari from Kari Renee Photography and Ryan from Focal Point Digital Media.  Highlights of the ceremony included a family friend who performed a wonderful cover of Jason Mraz's "I Won't Give Up." It's so great that they'll also have a video, so they can really remember moments such as that song.  There was also a photobooth from Red Carpet Photobox brought fun and entertainment during the reception for family and friends.  Music for the reception was provided by Oregon SoundsGreat DJ.  For The Love of Pete Floral Artistry & Catering provided a wonderful meal of pulled pork sandwiches and other BBQ favorites, and Hearthbeat Florist provided the stunning flowers.  A personal cake was made for the bride and groom by family friend, Trisha Faber, while guests enjoyed a large array of treats such as cookies, brownies, and more! 

Brittany & Shane - your wedding was gorgeous!  Thank you so much for letting me be a part of such an amazing day! I wish you both many years of love, laughter, and happiness!  ~ Tristin

Tola & Emily's Review ~ 6.30.2012

"My husband and I had the pleasure of working with Bailey Moore of Stargazer Weddings during our entire wedding planning process and throughout our wedding weekend. From day one Bailey's enthusiasm when it came to the planning process helped us relax and enjoy the entire process of getting ready for our wedding day. Bailey's attention to detail and organization helped us make sure that we had everything ready well in advance. She helped us book all of our vendors for our wedding day, and on the day of the wedding she coordinated everything from working with the caterer to setting up the reception area (flowers, decorations, and all) to helping the wedding party with last-minute errands and preparation. Bailey did an outstanding job and at the end of our wedding weekend, everyone commented on the amazing job that she did. I wish that my husband and I could get married next summer, so we could work with Bailey through the planning process again. Perhaps we will need to find another excuse for a large celebration, so we can work with Bailey and Stargazer Weddings in the near future!"

Michael & Melissa's Review ~ 7.21.2012

"Ashley is amazing to work with. She goes above and beyond to make sure that you have the best day possible and that you get to sit back and enjoy your day knowing with full confidence that she has everything under control. She is so knowledgeable about the industry and has a ton of great contacts to put you in touch with. She is also full of great ideas to implement as part of your wedding day and thinks about details I had never even thought to consider, but I was so glad that she did. She is very prompt and professional and was so much fun to get to know. Hiring Stargazer Weddings was the best decision my husband and I made when planning our wedding."
 

Photo by 5th and 59th Photography

Andy and Amanda's Review ~ 8.4.2012

"Getting Ashley as our coordinator was the best and smartest thing we did for the wedding! My fiancé and mom were both a little apprehensive about hiring a coordinator, but after the wedding we all agreed that it was a great idea! She is such an awesome person to work with! I can't say enough great things about her!"

8.4.2012 ~ Tall Tiered Treats

*Wedding by Ashley*

Andy and Amanda got married at Beckenridge Vineyard in early August of last year.  Stargazer Weddings has always offered a military discount - and we were SO honored when this couple chose us for their big day (and got to use the discount)!  This couple was beyond sweet, and I always loved the meetings with them and their family.  Amanda's mom is a hair stylist, so her hair was done by Karen, one of the mom's friends/co-workers and her makeup was done by Tiffany McDonald of Couture Bride.  I couldn't wait for Andy to see her - she was breathtaking.  The dress was stunning, and fit her perfectly.  The guys were looking great in their suits from Mr. Formal in Salem.

Being from McMinnville, one of the first things they knew they wanted was RJ's Photography.  He had done Amanda's high school senior photos, and they loved his photography style.  He was never without a camera, and they also provided a fun photo-booth setup and the guests LOVED it!  The pictures were hilarious, and it was a great setting to add some fun to the party!  Also keeping the party going (as usual), was NW Mobile DJ Service.  We always love working with their team of professionals! 

The rental items came from Barclay Event Rentals (LOVE working with them), and those gorgeous flowers were actually by a family friend (she used to run a business, and she should start it up again)!  When Haute Cakes and Confections arrived, I knew the cake was going to be spectacular.  Tier by tier, the cake grew taller.  This was officially the tallest tiered cake I've personally seen, and it was gorgeous! Steve from Capricorn Catering (and his amazing staff) provided the dinner AND a delicious chocolate fountain.  You can never go wrong with a chocolate fountain - everyone loved it!  We've worked with Capricorn Catering numerous times, and they have the highest level of professionalism, and working with them is like working with friends! 

Andy and Amanda - I can't thank you enough for having us be a part of your wedding planning, and your amazing day.  You were both such a joy to work with, and I know you'll have a lifetime of wonderful memories!  Please stay in touch! 

9.22.2012 ~ Somethin' 'Bout A Truck

*Wedding by Tristin*

This last September Jami and Bryan were married at VR5 Ranch in the foothills just west of Junction City.  I have known Jami since I was a little girl when my mom would coach her softball team.  My husband has known Bryan for several years, so when I heard that they were getting married, I couldn't wait to help.  There were many unexpected changes along the way, but in the end, it made for a perfect country wedding.

The ladies got ready at VR5 Ranch, with Jami having her hair done by Jennifer Brazil, and make-up done by Jessica Persinger.  She looked STUNNING!  Bryan and Jami choose to go the traditional route and not see each other before the ceremony. That morning Jami was cleaning her ring when the diamond fell out! Arrangements were made for Bryan to pick up the ring and he was able, with the help of the jewelry store, to get it fixed in time for the ceremony.  Melissa Dominique of TwentyTwo7Photography did the photography, and was actually one of Jami's high school friends.  It was so great working with her - she did an excellent job of capturing all the special moments and little details.

All of the tables and chairs came from Action Rent-All and VR5 Ranch provided everything else.  Bryan and Jami spent many late nights making all the decorations and they turned out ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!  Bridgette at The Flower Market did an AMAZING job on the flowers, which matched their colorful theme perfectly. The venue looked the part for the relaxed country feeling they were looking for.  The ceremony was held outside, overlooking the fields and trees of the valley.  The weather cooperated, and Bryan and Jami were able to say I do with Jami’s brother Scott, an ordained minister, being the one to marry them.  After the ceremony, the Bride and Groom were off for pictures and all of the guests visited and enjoyed the smell of the barbeque cooking.

Matt and Brian of Knio Chefs provided pulled pork and barbequed chicken, while Joelle and Alisa of Hello Cupcake making all of the side dishes to go with it. Dinner was YUMMY! They both did an excellent job.

The talented team at Haute Cakes and Confections made the cake. One of my favorite parts of the whole day was the special "groom's cake" that Jami had made for Bryan, which was a 3D truck! Anyone who knows Bryan also knows the trucks he has built over the years. There was one truck in particular, a green Peterbuilt, that holds a lot of meaning to Bryan.  Jami remembered from a conversation that they once had it was his favorite truck. It was even more special because Bryan had NO idea about this... After they cut the cake, we announced that Jami had a surprise for Bryan.   Kenny Morris, the DJ for the evening, played "Somethin' 'Bout A Truck" by Kip Moore as the cake came out - it was almost too much for Bryan to handle.  He was so excited that he went and purchased a freezer just so they can save the cake for their first anniversary!

At the end of the day everything turned out beautifully.  I loved working with Jami and Bryan and both of their families throughout their wedding. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your day.  I wish you both a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness! 

Andrew & Lisa's Review ~ 6.8.2012

"Ashley and her team were great to work with. We hired Ashley as our day-of coordinator, but even from the beginning she was available to help us stay organized and made recommendations for vendors when we didn't know where to start. She took care of coordinating with the vendors as it got closer to the date of our wedding, freeing me from a lot of extra last minute stress. I loved that she helped my husband take care of planning our getaway that fit with our wedding theme (while keeping it a surprise from me) and wedding night accommodations. We only wish that we would have decided to hire a coordinator - and found Ashley - sooner."

 

Photo by Emily Hall Photography

7.21.2012 ~ Medicine Bottles & Mercury Glass

*Wedding by Ashley*

I'm really, really excited to finally have some time to sit down and write this blog post!  I've had a hard time thinking about how to start it...as there are SO many things I want to talk about...and I'm afraid my description of the wedding just won't do it justice.  However, thankfully Brittany of 5th and 59th Photography was there all day, and her pictures describe what my words can't. 

Melissa and Michael were beyond amazing to work with.  They had so many ideas, but were still receptive to suggestions.  Melissa recently graduated (focus on design), and Michael had quite good taste himself (I mean, he DID propose to Melissa, hahaha) - so this wedding was full of style - personal style.  When she told me about their venue, The Chatoe Rogue in Independence, I was SO excited to get a chance to work out there (I always love getting to see new venues).  I was even more excited after I met Natascha, who runs the place.  Her and her husband make an amazing team, and I hope I get to work with them again, and again, and again.  They have a great open field with wood fencing facing the river with large trees for a great ceremony spot, and a rustic old barn for the reception.  Plus, they have Rogue beer of course!  I loved this venue so much, that it was actually the spot were Stargazer Weddings did their inspiration shoot this year with the Click Chicks (I'll blog about this soon). 

Okay, back to the wedding details.  Before the wedding, M&M worked with Ashley of AEL Designs to create the perfect stationary set for their wedding.  Save the dates, invitations, menu cards, you name it.  They were gorgeous!  Melissa bought her dress at David's Bridal and (I know I say this often), but it couldn't have been more perfect.  Classy, sophisticated, with a little bit of sexy.  Plus, she had her hair and makeup done by the talented team at Face Body Beauty - she looked breathtaking.  Oh, and those shoes?  Yes - Vera Wang.  Michael actually bought his own suit for the day, and it was so stylish!  The colors, the fabric, everything about it complimented Melissa's dress and his personality so perfectly.  Before it was time for the "first look," Michael made sure to have a surprise present and letter delivered to Melissa by one of her bridesmaids.  I wasn't there for that moment...but Brittany was and captured it all!  Seeing the emotion on Melissa's face was proof that Michael had really surprised her (good job Michael)! 

Sandy Shipley of Sage Creative conducted a beautiful ceremony, which was decorated with stunning floral arrangements from Gina of Bohemian Bouquets.  You know the flowers are just what the bride was wanting when they get as excited the first time they seem them as Melissa was!  I was SO happy she loved her flowers - and I really loved the burlap and lace accents for the bouquets!

Now, to achieve the full look that M&M were wanting, we went to a few places to get some items.  SHE Designs, Special Occasions, and Something Borrowed.  Yes, that's Salem, Corvallis, and Portland!  We've worked with SHE Designs and Special Occasions numerous times before - and love their stuff (plus, Sue of SHE Designs has some amazing linens and fabrics).  This was our first time working with Something Borrowed and they have some ah-mazing things!!  Purple medicine bottles?!?  Yes, please!  I'm seriously in love with these!  Plus, adding them to the gray hues of the underlays, burlap runners, lace accents, blue mason jars, those stunning flowers...oh, and the mercury glass!  I love mercury glass!  I think the pictures speak for themselves! 

Now, it's tradition for M&M to take pictures in a photobooth.  I know photobooths are becoming more popular at weddings, but this has a special place in the hearts of M&M.  Every year, for TEN years, M&M would take pictures in a photobooth.  We decided to incorporate this into the wedding by putting years 1-5 and then 6-10 on each side of the head table, so all of the guests could see them.  We also put pictures around the whole room (they had 10 years worth of pictures, and I loved ALL the different kinds of frames).  It was so much fun to see all of their memories, and their guests to talk about "oh, I remember that day!"  Kevin from Mobile Moments Photo Booth had a great setup, lots of props, and really kept a good vibe going to get people to take lots of pictures.  They also turned the filmstrips into a wedding favor for the guests, and part of a photo album as a guest book for M&M!  Kirsten and I went through the photobooth as well, and had so much fun putting together a scrapbook page for their guest book. 

That gorgeous cake was made by Myriad Cake Design (LOVE working with her) and Mick from NW Mobile DJ Service kept the party going and flowing - and did a great job asking the questions for the "Shoe Game."  If you haven't heard of this...you should look it up!  M&M sat back to back (so they couldn't see each other), and then Mick would ask questions that they both had to answer at the same time.  They each held two shoes, one in each hand (one of Melissa's and one of Michael's).  They had to raise the shoe of the person they think would be the answer to the question.  It was hilarious!!  And the grand exit?  Sparklers of course! 

I could go on and on about how much I loved the details, how much I enjoyed working with M&M, and how many great memories and friendships were made this day - but I think you get the idea.  M&M, I'm so thankful that I was a part of your wedding and a part of your lives!