Sarah + Alan’s intimate garden ceremony
June 27th was a glorious day as Sarah and Alan exchanged vows surrounded by just 9 family members for a most intimate and sweet ceremony at Washington Park’s lovely Gold Medal Garden. 
As we all know June is one of the most unpredictable months in the Pacific Northwest, but this year we really lucked out and were blessed with sunshine for a great deal of the it…we were most grateful since this was a busier month than usual for us with weddings every weekend. 
Sarah and Alan had moved to Portland from Southern California just days before their wedding so in some ways it was like a destination wedding for them! Their celebration was by far our smallest yet but it was just as special as a wedding with 200 guests but instead was a very intimate day without a bridal party and only their immediate families who flew in from Hawaii to help them celebrate. 
There is so much love in this family and the closeness between Sarah and her parents was evident from the moment I saw them together. This was not only a wedding celebration but felt like a mini family reunion as well which made it extra sweet. We had the opportunity to work with great vendors too which always makes the day that much better! 
Dave Lula of Effesenden Music provided the inviting ceremony music (acoustic guitar) and the fabulous Roger Moore of Moore Creative Weddings officiated and helped create a ceremony that was both meaningful and lighthearted, as only he can do. 
The magnificent Erin of Erin Grace Photography captured the day perfectly from each intricate detail including the initials on the bottom of Sarah’s shoes to the butterfly that landed on a rose following their release. 
Erin is incredibly composed and has a way of making her clients feel calm and at ease, and her artistic eye shines through in her work. The gorgeous flowers were created by the gracious and very talented Kevan Inouye. 
We’ve had the opportunity to work with Kevan on several weddings and he continues to impress us with the diversity of his creations and he is always a joy to work with no matter how small the event!
Sarah & Alan got ready at one of our favorite boutique hotels in Portland…Hotel Vintage Plaza, which offers some of the most gracious customer service in the area and the most delectable Italian cuisine can be found at their very own Pazzo , making this a top pick of recommended hotels in our book. 
Sarah & Alan along with their families celebrated the evening at Salty’s on the Columbia with a scrumptious meal of steak and seafood followed by a mini wedding cake made in house. 
Dining at Salty’s is always a treat but when you have your own private room and those closest to you surrounding the table, it makes for a perfect experience. Congratulations Sarah & Alan on your most intimate and special day, you were a joy to work beside and we wish you all the best!
Laura + Oliver’s sassy celebration
Laura called me last fall after a dear friend of hers won 5 hours of consultation that I donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Food, Wine & Wishes fundraising auction last October. She and Oliver had only been engaged a short time but she came to me with several stylish and unique ideas of how she envisioned her wedding day…all she needed was some guidance finding the perfect venues and a team of professionals to pull the day together and bring their vision to life, and after just a few meetings we were well on our way to a fabulous celebration! 
They later decided to hire me for Month of Coordination to help them leading up to and on their big day. The pair chose the beautiful and intimate Victoriana Garden within the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden for a simple but meaningful ceremony. The grounds there are gorgeous and there are many ideal backdrops for couple’s photos including the bridge that guests walk across leading them to the ceremony site. Laura + Oliver first met at the Oregon Brew Fest a couple of summers prior and while it didn’t work out for them to celebrate their wedding over the same weekend this year, there was no shortage of local brews at their reception, which was held at the elegant yet relaxed Aquariva Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar overlooking the peaceful Willamette River. 
Leslie Klatt, Catering Manager, and her incredible staff were so on top of this event ensuring that every detail was attended to and that Laura, Oliver and their guests enjoyed their experience to the fullest. They even made sure all of the vendors were well fed and had a comfortable place to eat and enjoy a few moments of down time, something that is never expected but always appreciated! 
Jessica + Spencer of Jessica Watson Photography documented the day to perfection, capturing Laura + Oliver’s personalities flawlessly and making sure the smallest of details were highlighted from the feathers in Laura’s bouquet, to the intricacy of the bridesmaids purses, nothing was missed…I have three words for this: every coordinator’s dream. These two were so much fun to work with and we look forward to our next wedding together! Special shout out to Andrea Hoyt at August Veils for the gorgeous birdcage veil she designed for Laura…this is one talented woman with a killer personality and I cannot recommend her enough! 
A special thanks to Kevan Inouye Private Florist for providing the gorgeous bouquets, bouts, centerpieces and cake flowers that reflected Laura’s vision so well. I have worked with Kevan a number of times and he always takes the time to listen to a couple’s ideas and create artwork that is unique and fun. He also goes above and beyond for every client no matter what their budget may be. 
Kevin Venables of NW Mobile DJ Service was the mastermind behind the music at Aquariva and not only got people out dancing the moment the cake was cut, but kept them dancing late into the night. If you’re looking for an energetic yet professional DJ who will cater to your style, Kevin’s your guy…he was a blast and I’m excited to work with him again next month. Thank you to my fabulous assistant Jen for helping with all of the reception details and assisting our lovely couple at the end of the night…you rock! Congrats Laura + Oliver and enjoy your new life together!