Wedding Design: Ins and Outs

It is no secret that designing anything is a lot of fun, but can also be overwhelming. Whether it is a house, a kitchen, a bathroom, or in our case events and weddings there are many options to explore. I remember when I was starting out, I would get excited about the overall theme but then anxious about the tiny details. I find breaking the design down and looking at it as a colorful but intricate puzzle allows the thought process of the plan to be molded and formed. The truth is, none of us are looking to recreate something we have already done, or copy someone else’s work. Where is the fun in that? What we are trying to do is figure out what the client loves, explore certain details that grab their attention, and turn that into something that is comprehensive, intended, and personal.

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Tipping Your Vendors

There are many details to think about when planning your wedding, or any event for that matter.  The biggest topic, and sometimes the elephant in the room, typically becomes about budget.   One important piece of the budget that tends to get overlooked until the very end are tips for your vendors.  I would love to discuss what is recommended so that you can factor it in from the start. 

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Sentinel Hotel Renaissance Inspired Wedding Shoot - Oregon Bride Feature

Check out our feature on Oregon Bride!

Done in early January, the theme for this photo shoot was a renaissance-styled wedding. Inspiration was taken from an oil painting, a circular structure, and Louis chairs that caught my eye. I had so much fun selecting the velvet linens and napkins, a nod to January’s frosty mornings, and pale ash-blue that conjures thoughts of a foggy evening as the sun sets in late winter. 

Although muted, colors that hint to somber pastel paintings add a vibrant ambiance to the day that brings warmth and joy. Regal yet bold and powerful, the crystal stemware, silver flatware, and gold-plated charters brought our vision to life. In the bride’s bouquet and the groom’s boutonnière, the oxblood and dark lavender flora added complimentary contrast to the main color palette. 

These colors were carried into the ceremony floral arrangements, which were hung on a circular pipe and drape and placed on wooden pedestals for an accent. The Louis chairs in the ceremony and lush couches in the reception complemented each other very well. To add a bit of ice to complete the winter elegance, a subtle spark, a diamond ring and a chain of pearls for the bride!

A huge thank you to all the vendors involved:

Coordination: Danielle, Danielle Caldwell Events; Venue: Sentinel Hotel & Jakes Catering; Photographer: Deyla Huss Photography; Flowers: Bella Bloom Florals; Rentals: Classic Vintage Rentals & The Party Place; Linens: Creative Coverings; Cake: Dreamcakes; Bridal Boutiques: The White Dress; Groom: Bonobos Downtown PDX; Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Portland Makeup and Hair; Jewelry: Alchemy; Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Crave Design; Wine: Cask and Crup NW

A perfect ceremony setup at the Sentinel Hotel in Portland, Oregon.

A perfect ceremony setup at the Sentinel Hotel in Portland, Oregon.