Free event showcases affordable wedding solutions for today’s eco-conscious bride

Portland, Ore. — The 2010 Vintage Bridal Show: Beautiful and Sustainable will be held on February 27^th and 28^th at the historic Queen Anne Victorian Mansion in North Portland. Sponsored by Ava Hansen Millinery and AlexSandra’s Vintage Emporium, the free event will showcase vintage bridal fashions and other sustainable wedding choices and benefit the Oregon Food Bank.

This unique show will demonstrate ways for Portlanders to plan a beautiful wedding, without the tremendous waste often associated with the industry. Ava Hansen-Dyer and AlexSandra  conceived the concept for the event in response to inquiries from bridal customers. “We’ve noticed increased interest in vintage bridal gowns and veils here in Portland,” says AlexSandra. “Brides want to express their individual style while also considering their environmental footprint,” she adds. “Choosing a historic ensemble accomplishes both, offering quality and style.”

Vintage clothing is experiencing resurgence nationwide, as savvy shoppers recognize that garments of yesteryear offer high quality at an affordable price. According to AlexSandra, there’s an environmental benefit as well. “Vintage clothing has already survived someone else’s lifetime, and now there’s a chance for it to be recycled instead of sitting in an attic or going to the landfill,” she explains.

The bridal show will focus on additional ways to reduce a wedding’s environmental footprint. Local businesses specializing in vintage style and wedding services will be on hand to discuss their services and how to make smart, sustainable choices. In addition to vintage bridal gowns and vintage clothing for the bridal party, show visitors can see traditionally handcrafted historically-inspired veils, hats, and fascinators.  There will be models in vintage wedding attire walking the show throughout the day, and lots to see for upcoming bridal parties.  Entertainment will be provided  as well.  “This is one bridal show it will be fun to attend, and for a good cause too!”

The 2010 Vintage Bridal Show: Beautiful and Sustainable is open to the public from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, February 27^th and 28^th at the Queen Anne Victorian Mansion, located at 1441 N. McClellan Street, Portland, Ore. 97217, just three short blocks from the Interstate Max/yellow line. Admission is free with a suggested food donation for the Oregon Food Bank. For more information, contact Ava Hansen Millinery at 503-289-2397 or online.

Revealing Deep Dark Secrets about your Fiance??  Nope… just for fun!!!!

Dave Star of Star Productions to host the Nearly Wed Game!

The Bravo Wedding and Event Show will be held on Saturday January 9^th in Beautiful Sunriver Oregon from 10 til 5pm. We hope many of our nearly-weds will be on-site for the fun beginning on Friday Night at the Owls Nest, Sunriver’s cool night hangout, beginning at 730PM as Dave will kick off the wedding planning weekend with a fun night of interactive games, and dancing too!

The “Nearly Wed” game was coined from the Newlywed Game…a televised game show that was popular back in the 60’s and 70’s, hosted by Bob Eubanks.

“I am inviting a dozens of couples to have some fun, and get to know more about each other and their fiance’s in a fun, atmosphere” Said Dave, owner of www.starproductionsdjs.com.  I know that Everyone has had that experience – years after you thought you knew everything there is to know about your “other half”. Then, right there in public, something comes up and you say “Wow, I never knew that!” My wife and I have been married over 20 years and I am still finding out cool things I never knew…..

The Nearly Wed Game is intended to – lightheartedly – take a look at some things we often don’t know about one other. “What better weekend to do that than a wedding planning weekend?” Dave added.

The rules are simple We have dozens of questions set up in advance…first the gals ask their guys then in round two the guys ask their girls. There will be cool prizes for our couples that know the most answers as well as prizes for those that didn’t get so many answers quite right (it’s okay guys…like I mentioned I still don’t know everything about my wife) !

Join us for a social fun and interactive time in Sunriver! If you are newly engaged You don’t want to miss this event!

Dianna’s Formal Affair & Boutique is giving 24 local couples, who want to get married but can’t afford to, a chance to have their “big day” come true for only $100.  The Scappoose-based bridal shop has teamed up with KOHI Radio to hold an astounding “24 Weddings in 24 Hours” on Valentines Day – Sunday, February 14, 2010.  The weddings will take place at the Best Western in St. Helens, OR.  Proceeds from the event benefit Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation^™, a Portland-based non profit organization dedicated to granting wishes to stage VI breast cancer patients. 

Each couple will recieve:

• An officiant
• A room for an hour capable of holding 25 guests
• A brides bouquet and grooms boutonniere
• An 8 x 10 photo
• A cake and a champagne toast
• First dance
• There will be many raffles and giveaways

For more information contact Diannas Formal Affair 503.543.0291

We are delighted to announce the Pumpkin Ridge Bridal Open House on Thursday, September 24 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm in their Ghost Creek Sunset Room.  Please make plans to join them for this special evening featuring:

Preferred Vendors

Sampling of Hors d’oeuvres and other specialty food items

Display Tables 

Tours of our Beautiful Club

Raffle Prizes

 This can’t miss event is open to brides-to-be and their friends and family.  Wedding Planners are also welcome!  If you have any questions, or if we can provide additional information, please contact Nicole Bergin at catering@pumpkinridge.com or 503.647.2527.  

We look forward to welcoming you to Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club!

Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club – Ghost Creek

12930 NW Old Pumpkin Ridge Road, North Plains, OR 97133

Join Bay 13 Restaurant for a Bridal Open House featuring award winning Portland vendors and pick up your copy of the 2009 Bravo Wedding Resource Guide.

Divine Design, City Flowers, Geranium Lake, Sweet Cakes by Melissa, Cupcake Jones, Images by Floom,  Alesia Zorn Calligraphy,  West Coast Event Productions, All Wright Music, Focal Point Digital Media, Judith Arnell Jewelers, New & Blue Invitations, Uncommon Invites, VIP Pdx and more.

Stop by to meet the wedding specialists that are devoted to making sure your wedding day is everything you dreamed of…and then some. Register today for a chance to win raffle prizes from participating vendors!

After MONTHS of planning… many countless hours of adding, revising, looking at pictures, writing the newest trends and tips – we’ve come up with the “new and improved” BravoWedding.com!!

Check us out for amazing ideas to plan your wedding and/or reception in the Pacific Northwest!  There are client virtual tours (videos),  calendar of upcoming wedding events, “Bravo Bride” specials and so much more!

Let us know what you think!

Divine Designs is showcasing the 2009 spring bridal collection from REEM ACRA next week! Join them Friday or Saturday, March 13-14, 10am – 6pm. There will be representative present from REEM ACRA to assist you. “Reem Acra’s gowns appeal to women who are looking for glamour and sophistication on the most important day of their life”.

By appointment only – please call 503-827-0667 to reserve your space.

From the words of our exhibitors, like Cherie Ronning from Uncommon Invites (she worked with Linda from Barclay Events on those fabulous Tablescapes on Mezzanine) – “Thank you all for another fabulous Bravo Wedding Affair – it has to have been the biggest turn out ever! Great Brides, great set-ups, lots of new Vendors!” AND our brides, like Julia Thomas “This was by far the best show I have been to! You guys did a really good job putting it all together ” – the 6th Annual Bravo Wedding Affair at the Embassy Suites rocked!

There are tons of beautiful pictures coming in daily – so I’ll start with Emee from EJP Events – click here to see her pics from the Colonel Lindbergh Ballroom where their theme “Bling’s the Thing” looked absolutely beautiful.

Eric from Holland Studios sent us these beautiful pics from the Queen Marie Ballroom’s “Dusk Before Sunset” themed room – coordinated by Molli from Soiree Special Event Planning.

Also – check out Paparazzi Tonight’s photo booth pics by clicking here – very fun!  They took the pic above of our child models, Dominic, Ty, Jackson & Camryn.

Experience the most beautiful bridal event of the year!

The 6th Annual Bravo Wedding Affair, is THIS SUNDAY, February 22nd, 11am – 4pm

at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Portland.

We’ve transformed two floors into a variety of themed vignettes, such as “Bling’s The Thing”, “Renaissance Romance”, “Champagne de Noir”, “Dusk Before Sunset”, “Enchanted”, “Spring Garden” and “An Oregon Vineyard Wedding”. There’s live music, roaming models wearing the latest bridal fashions by Charlotte’s Weddings, A Beautiful Bride and A Formal Affair Tuxedos, photo booths, espresso, delicious cakes and desserts, hors d’ouerves, specialty beverages, giveaways, pampering by salons and spas, a fashion show presented by The Bridal Loft and August Veils, “Art of the Table” Tablescapes on the Mezzanine – featuring themed, decorated tables that are “inspired globally, designed locally”.

Gather the latest trends and tips in our expert seminars with topics ranging from All Wright Music’s “the Ins and Outs of a Perfect Reception” to Crave Catering’s “20 Great Cost Effective Tips for Weddings on Any Budget”.

Thinking of a destination wedding – perhaps central Oregon? Check out two rooms dedicated to this beautiful part of Oregon!

Need some reading materials? Every bride that attends receives a complimentary copy of the 2009 Bravo! Resource Guide – our 550 page resume-style, side-by-side comparison book – in our 20th year!

Whew! Bring your fiance and experience a bridal event like none other! There are two sessions, 11a-130p and 130p-4p. Click here for tickets.

Need another reason? Click here to see Nicolle Camaretta with KPTV-Better TV explain it further!

Sponsored by 105.1 the buzz, Barclay Events, the Embassy Suites Hotel, Hybrid Moon Video Productions and Uncommon Invites.

Saturday, January 31, 2009 – The sky was clear, the sun was out and the brides were heading to the Deschutes Country Fairgrounds for the Central Oregon Wedding Showcase.  Brides had the opportunity to visit 100 wedding vendors from Central Oregon. The show featured two fashion shows courtesy of Bella Brides and Flowers by Deanna.

Brides could sample food, cake and drinks while walking from booth to booth to see all that the wedding vendors had to offer. Photographers had beautiful displays of their work for brides to admire, while decor companies had beautiful table settings to please any bride.

Many thanks to our sponsors: Elegant Images, West Coast Event Productions, Rays Food Place and Bella Brides.

A big hit at at many weddings and events are the new crystal trees. They illuminated the back drop of the fashion and and can be found at West Coast Event Productions.  For more wedding planning resources visit our website.