My name is Elizabeth and I am a Crate & Barrel addict.  Since I was a little girl, my Mom and I have shopped the after Christmas sale in the early morning hours of December 26^th.  I love all of their products, from kitchen and bath to furniture and accessories.

When I engaged, I knew I would register at Crate &  Barrel. They have so many wonderful things, and the prices were reasonable for our guests.  Their quality is superb, as is the customer service.  After the wedding, we partook in the registry completion program where couples get 10% off anything they purchase in one big shopping spree.

Today I will profile my top registry suggestions from Crate & Barrel.

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Last week I had the privilege of meeting with Kathy Manning of The Party Place at their fabulous showroom on North Portland. Don’t be fooled by the industrial area where their building is located—the showroom welcomes you in with several lovely tables to inspire you.

Once inside, Kathy led me to the design room where brides can create their dream reception tables. In the center of the room is a round table covered with a simple white tablecloth. Along one wall are all the types of chairs available for rental, from basic folding to gold and silver Chiavari chairs. On the opposite wall were a multitude of fabric samples available for tablecloths. Another section held all the napkin colors—I was impressed!  Party Place has the most colors of linens in the area. The largest wall of the room held a stunning collection of flatware, crystal, and china. Kathy explained that brides use this room to design their own tables, and are welcome to bring photos for inspiration. The possibilities are infinite!

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I want to remind all Portland and Vancouver Brides about an incredible event put on every year by an organization called Brides Against Breast Cancer. At this event you can search through thousands of gowns. Gowns are priced between $99 and $799. There is also an enormous selection of veils, in all lengths. More importantly, the proceeds from this nationwide traveling dress sale benefit the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, which grants wishes to those battling metastatic breast cancer.

I can tell you from experience this is a fun event. I purchased my bridal gown in October of 2007 at this sale. It was a Christos gown made of ivory taffeta and there is no way I could have afforded it had I purchased it new from a bridal salon. I tried it on, loved it. I looked at the label, thought about how much it would cost full price, and sealed the deal. My gown cost $650. My mom and I selected the perfect veil for $35. However, I tried on equally wonderful gowns that were between $100-250 as well. This tells you, there is enormous selection!

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Evening Reception at Columbia Gorge Hotel

There are so many excellent venues in the Pacific Northwest region. Unless you have a specific site in mind, the process of selecting a ceremony and reception site can be quite daunting. So many choices, so little time!

May I suggest a hotel ceremony and reception? With a variety of hotels in the region, there are myriad options for couples and their families.

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Saving Money on Your Wedding

It may seem as though on this special day, no expense can be spared.  However, from big weddings to small, there are simple ways to trim the expenses and still keep things fabulous on your wedding day.

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Finding the perfect wedding gown can be an exciting and equally daunting task. You may have the complete vision in your mind, or you may be like many brides, having little or no idea what you want. Never fear—here are some tips and hints to get you started.

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