wedding shoes...

they are here! now all i have to figure out is the location...and the catering, the cake, the invitations, the band, dress alterations...you know, just the small things. xo

suits, anyone?

suits by H&M. $150

Jade Howe's 'Personal Jesus' suit. $250

suit by Paul Smith. found for under $200 at Simons. 

check out this blog for more info.

found...

I  just found these shoes...in my size...for 35 dollars.

variations...

Thank you to my search party...these shoes are a total pain in the #@*! But I do want them anyways...big surprise, I know. So after studying one of the lovely peacock feathers (courtesy of the lovely Sandra), I've decided it best to expand my options a bit by pulling the colors from the eye of the feathers. Not too sure about the gold, though. 

feathers and beads...

I spotted this funky peacock feather 'bouquet' this morning on the front porch of a little import shop on Hawthorne. Fun fun.

so beautiful...

After a beautiful day touring some Willamette Valley Vineyards with our friends Amelia & Oliver, we were guided to this beauty, Vista Hills Vineyards & Winery. The views from this place are breathtaking, the grounds are lush and dynamic, and the wine is fantastic. The building itself is a sort of modern rustic, and has all sorts of interesting features, like my favorite, an outdoor fireplace (seen in the top right hand photo). If everything works out, logistically, this will be where we have our wedding...

Vacation rentals discounts...

I spoke with Clare, the booking agent at Historic Hawthorne Rentals today. She informed me that if my guests choose to rent their properties, the security deposit will be reduced to $50, and if multiple properties are rented, she would give an all around discount on the nightly rate. 

She also reminded me to book them asap. They are being booked faster as we are getting closer to the date...most of these are already reserved through July and some of August. As of now, here are the 2+ bedroom rentals that are available

Hawthorne duplex

Hawthorne Ranch House 3 bedroom

Taylor House 3 bedroom

more portland rentals...

This 3 BR house is $125 per night...$42 per couple per night

This 3 BR house is $175 per night...$58 per couple per night

This 3 BR Townhouse is $125 per night...$42 per couple per night

This awesome 3 BR is $225 per night...$75 per couple per night

This 3 BR house is $150 per night...$50 per couple per night

oh so fun...

 jonathan kelsey

these are sold out and, most likely, through the roof expensive. if anyone comes across some wicked metallic aqua pumps like these, please give me a heads up....xo

save the date...

bridesmaid dresses online purchasing...

If you have decided to purchase your dress online, go here...it is the least expensive option. Here is a 'how to' to take your own dress measurements. Once you get your measurements, you can go here to see the sizing chart for the dress.

The color choice is Shadow/ Mink. Shadow is a grey color and is the color of the dress, and Mink is a brown that will be the color of the accent ribbon. The Designer is Bari Jay and the dress style number is 815.

In order to avoid any rush delivery fees, I would be sure to order the dress by the last week of April...delivery time is 10-14 weeks.

...you are all going to look so beautiful! 

so pretty...

.swan . nothing veil . flower .

fancy shoulders...

organza ruffle capelet...

silk shoulder wrap...

white orchid bolero...

current vacation rental listings...

Portland Craigslist Vacation Rental Listings

3 Bedroom House/ $150 per night

2 Bedroom Guesthouse/ $140 per night

1 Bedroom Cottage/ $95 per night

Portland Vacation Rental Companies

Civic 62

Historic Hawthorne Rentals

flights to seattle...

If you are starting to look for flights to Portland, I would suggest considering a flight into Seattle, which is 90 miles from Portland. The flights seem to be less expensive, and if you are planning to rent a car during your stay, you can just pick one up at the Seattle airport. The Seattle airport code is SEA.

fancy hair...

some neighborhoods...

pearl district...

alberta arts district...
hawthorne...
nob hill...

hawthorne rentals...

Here are some cool properties that will be good to split. Check out their website at  www.historichawthornerentals.com for availability. xo

here is a 2 Bedroom condo for $150 per night...

here is a 3 Bedroom Ranch House for $210 per night...

here is a 2 Bedroom for $150 per night...

bridesmaid dresses info...

This website has the bridesmaid dresses for a discounted price. Leave it to Alison to find the good deals. Thanks, love.

I'm not exactly sure how it works, but it would be nice to see the dresses and perhaps have you lovely ladies try them before purchasing them online. Maybe we can make a date to go check them out during the time when I will be home in March. From what I've read, the standard wait after the order date is 12-16 weeks, so I would say that they should be ordered before the first of May. xo

Here is the dress info:

Bari Jay Bridesmaid Dress, Style #815 in (color) Shadow/ Mink

Here are some shops local to you that carry the Bari Jay line:

Rochester, New York

Jane's Fashion & Bridal

563 Titus Avenue

585.467.5131

Peggy's Bridal

3025 Monroe Avenue Suite 200

585.241.8950

Syracuse, New York

Spy Baby Bridal

406 Franklin Street

315.471.1710

Honolulu, Hawaii

Bella Wedding

808 Sheridan Street

808.955.5115

feathers in your hair...

fashion design student...

So, after thinking so much about wedding gowns, I had the thought of finding a fashion student or beginning designer to create my gown based on my vision. This way, the dress would be a unique piece and it would give us a chance to support a beginning artist. I remember my experience in design school...how many students were so talented and ambitious. And I recall how exciting it was, and how grateful I was for commissions to do the work that I loved. I still feel that way.

If anyone has any suggestions on choosing a designer, send me a message or post. 

xo -jennifer

gowns....

priscilla of boston

dresses for my maidens....

...you will be expcted to stand in front of the O in magnificent poses.

http://www.barijay.com/style.php?coll=barijay&showid=351

craigslist vacation rentals...

Craigslist is always a wonderful resource for finding great vacation rental deals in fun neighborhoods. Here are a few listings that I found:

this is a 2 bedroom loft which, split between 2 couples for 3 nights..... $150 per couple

3 couples staying in this 3 bedroom house for 3 nights..... $150 per couple

hawthorne vacation rentals....

Historic Hawthorne Rentals offer some great options for your stay in Portland. They have a range of properties from small studios to 4 bedroom houses, and their places are unique, clean, and decently priced. Not to mention their proximity to interesting cafes & bars, shopping streets, and parks in Southeast Portland. Vesa, Ari, and I stayed with them during our visit...it was really nice.

http://www.historichawthornerentals.com

ari + tuxedo....

a beautiful gown...

designer Joan Shum, California. 

vision...

Willamette Valley.

please join us...

Vesa and I will be celebrating our marriage on the twelfth of September, 2009 in our soon-to-be new home of Portland, Oregon. We are planning for an outdoor ceremony and an evening reception at a vineyard in the Willamette Valley. I will post more details as they fall into place. Much Love.