Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Friday, 26 February 2010
The Sorrento Hotel is a Seattle landmark that is easily recognizable for its European charm. Anyone who has ever walked past the Sorrento can immediately sense that its feel comes from a different era, a time when elegant men and women were dropped off by shining black taxi cabs in front of lovely porticos.
Bailor Wedding Party at the Hotel Sorrento
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
(Photography: Caroline Tran)
A BIG THANK YOU TO CAROLINE TRAN AND JOEY NICOLE FOR SHARING THESE GORGEOUS IMAGES!!! I’m Inspired!!!Blissfully Yours -
Heidi
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Okay, I will fully admit that I went to over 6 different bridal boutiques from Seattle to Portland and the Wedding Bell off 6th Ave in Tacoma was by far the best experience I had. Prior to walking into their beautiful boutique I had unfortunately experienced some serious let downs… I’m pretty sure the worst moment was when a high end bridal consultant tried squeezing a size 6 silk sheath gown over my head as I continued to persist that I didn’t need to try it on and knew it wouldn’t fit. She of course insisted and the next thing I know…my arms are shooting straight up, the bridal consultant thinks she may need scissors and one of my bridesmaids is doing her best to help me laugh at the situation.
Thee wedding dress is definitely one of the most important decisions for a bride’s special day – and that often means hours upon hours spent flipping through bridal magazines, surfing the web, possible nightmares as I was beginning to have… and just a pure hope of finding something that makes you feel the most beautiful you have ever felt. Is that too much to ask???
Not for girls at The Wedding Bell!
I had a very serious injury and hurt my back pretty bad. With a herniated disc and three other torn discs…I lost my job, which ultimately affected our wedding budget. So, I walked in with just a glimpse of hope left and let the girls hear my wedding dress saga. They were incredible! I had the whole place to myself since it happened to be a quiet day and Danielle patiently and with great care helped me try on multiple dresses. She listened to my hopes: something soft and romantic, simple, structured well for an outdoor wedding…with each dress we got closer and closer. Then she told me to have an open mind with this and try just one more… ” Totally ignore the top of the dress we can alter that, but I think you’ll love the dress otherwise.” So we pulled it on and WOW – THIS WAS IT!!!!!!!!!!!! With some alterations to the top this dress was perfect! And I was able to get it on sale!!!! My eyes filled with tears – this was such an answered prayer!
My dress is ordered and will be here early June!!!
FEBRUARY IS PACKED WITH TRUNK SHOWS!!! So be sure to check out their events listed on their webpage here. Just this week they featured Mikaella Bridal Trunk Show – some of my favorite gowns (and almost purchased!)
“March 1, 2004 saw the launch of Paloma Blanca’s new bridal collection, Mikaella Bridal, designed to provide the bridal industry with a high quality product at an attractive price point, while keeping production in Canada. Following the same standards that has earned Paloma Blanca it’s reputation, Mikaella Bridal, provides the 21st century bride with classic styling coupled with a modern flair starting at $1000 (US).”(MikaellaBridal.com)
Source: MikaellaBridal.com
Blissfully Yours -
Heidi
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
It’s the beginning of February and yet it feels as though Spring has arrived! Is this for real? Or just a big tease? Regardless, it had me thinking of many-a-bride’s biggest wedding day fear: RAIN!
Well, fret not because brides have found a way to work… around or I should say with… the rain! My wedding is set for early August, but still…. I wonder if rain will make an appearance as she often does in the NW. So, I started searching ways to make rain a welcome guest instead of the unpleasant wedding crasher she tends to be. There are countless ways to feature adorable rain boots in your wedding! Whether Bride, Bridesmaids, Flower Girls or Groom – embrace the playfulness rain brings out in all of us!
This Bride featured on one of my favorite wedding blogs, Green Wedding Shoes, took rain boots and made them vintage chic in her wedding! How delightful is this!!! Now is the perfect time to go snatch up your “just in case it rains” boots – Nordstroms and DSW have quite a few options and many of them are on SALE RIGHT NOW! Many of you have realized that the most popular time to marry in the Pacific NW is during our gorgeous summer months – however, you also realize that prices for everything go up for summer weddings. So, for you brides still wondering if you want to be a SPRING BRIDE – don’t let the rain scare you or your budget away!!!
~Blissfully Yours
Heidi
Sources: veiltales.wordpress, Melissa Prosser Photography, eventdecorator.com, greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Meet Ken and Tania Sheppard of Azzura Photography. As I videographer I have had the honor of working side by side with these talented photographers a dozen or so times over the last 3 years. Every time I work with them I am amazed at the energy, fun, and professionalism they bring to “The Wedding Day.” Their many years of wedding experience and ability to quickly adapt to any situation allows them to produce some of the most stunning photographs you have ever seen; many times in seemingly ordinary environments.
We hope you enjoy this short promotional video that will give you an in-depth look at The Azzura Photography Team in action! To see more of their work please visit their blog and website.
Jeremy Almeda
Endlesslove Productions
Azzura Photography from Jeremy Almeda on Vimeo.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Hello, fellow NW Brides! I’m so excited to have the opportunity to share my adventure planning a wedding in the NW with you! And let me tell you, it’ll include all the ups and downs a bride AND groom go through! Already months into our engagement with August 7th speeding closer and closer I’ve spent substantial time researching how to design our dream wedding on a limited budget. Yup, I’m your “champagne taste on a beer budget” bride, well actually, it feels more like “champagne taste on an iced tea and lemonade budget”… regardless, I’m determined to create an incredibly special day to celebrate Jonnathan and my relationship with all those we love so much! And let me say I’ve discovered some pretty awesome ways to make an “iced tea lemonade budget” result in a “signature cocktail” wedding! I’ll feature local vendors we adore, DIY projects that are easy on the wallet and delightful accents for wedding décor, fashion focus, venue options, and much much more! I hope you’ll enjoy my candid experience planning a wedding and get giddy just like I do over some of the fabulous inspirations I’ve found! Here at NW Bride, we love to hear your ideas, feedback and suggestions – so feel free to leave comments!
"champaigne taste on an iced tea and lemonade budget"
Sources: (from upper left to right) JK Photography, World Market, Marty Mummert, Wedding Bee Miss Rainbow, La Dolce Vita Blog
How could you not love the shabby chic lemonade stand!? A variety of lemonades and iced teas are perfect for a summer wedding! Don’t stress if you aren’t able to afford alcohol for your guests – instead focus on a fun way to present your beverage of choice! There are countless places I have found beverage jars! ROSS, Costco, TJ Max, Target, Crate and Barrel are just some I’ve seen! Should you want to offer your guests a kick to their lemonade I suggest offering Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka! It’s delicious on a hot summer evening! A real thirst quencher!!!
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Our Newest Bride Blogger!
If Heidi could have her dream job, she would start her day enjoying a perfect cup of coffee and a morning walk with her fiance and two boxers, which usually includes a ridiculous adventure, a good story and lots of laughter. Then she’d hunker down, whether in her home office or favorite cafe to continue creating her blog Unabashed Bliss – Perfectly Inspired Wedding Design, featuring topics such as: Bride-On-A-Budget, DIY, “Green” approaches to wedding planning, favorite vendors, traditional vs. non-traditional details, fashion and more. What aspect of being a wedding blogger does she love most? With her unforgettable smile, she beams back, “I get to do what I love and am passionate about! I care tremendously about relationships. I strive to never lose sight of that and hope that the designs, ideas and suggestions I offer allows for every couple to have their dream wedding, while perfectly representing the relationship they share. Second, I love to be creative, especially if it saves me or other brides money and allows an event to have deeper meaning with the handmade touches created by friends and family, bride and groom, or creatives – like those I love on ETSY! And last, I love the incredible relationships I am forming with other wedding professionals, brides, and wedding bloggers. Oh, and did I mention I can blog in my PJs?”
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Looking for a great wedding venue on a tight budget? Maybe it’s time to get creative? Check out these pre-wedding ceremony highlights from the Mercer Island Community Center by EndlessLove Productions. The space is a photographer and videographers dream with beautiful light in the ceremony/reception area and waterfront access within 5 minutes.
Madden/Avery PreCeremony Highlights from Jeremy Almeda on Vimeo.
STUNNING VIEWS — CONVENIENTLY LOCATED PERFECTLY LOCATED AND DESIGNED FOR WEDDINGS & RECEPTIONS — RELIGIOUS & SOCIAL OCCASIONS Hold your special events in a beautiful hillside setting overlooking Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains. Surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty and featuring panoramic views from all rooms, the Community Center at Mercer View is the ideal choice for your next event. Centrally located just 5 minutes from Seattle and Bellevue, it is close to everything! Plus, it’s located adjacent to Luther Burbank Park – a perfect venue for an outdoor wedding!
Friday, 22 January 2010
Betsy's Wedding - The Wedding Hat That Topped Them All
While the veil has been iconic headware in Western-style weddings for the past century or so, it’s hardly anyone’s sole option for topping off a stylish wedding ensemble.
I’ve recently become completely enamored over hats, mostly due to some photos that a friend took on a recent trip to Ecuador. The traditional female garb among those of Inca descent (especially in the Otavalo region) often includes a neck full of gold or coral beads and a fedora perched atop the head.
