Meet the Bailors Series Premieres August 1st 2010! See the trailer here!

Led by elite wedding planners, Travis and Jesse of True Colors Events, Meet the Bailors follows Jonathan Bailor amd Angela Taggart though the complete wedding planning process here in the Seattle area. Follow along as we see their wedding dreams become reality!

Fern in the trees - by KaCey97007

We here in the Pacific Northwest live in a stunning physical environment. From mountains to meadows to beaches and deserts, we are blessed with an incredible variety of naturally beautiful locations – that’s probably why so many people travel from other parts of the world to get married here.

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~ ETSY Inspired Design Board ~

Hi NW Brides!!! As you all know… we don’t get to enjoy the warm sunshine enough around here, but when it does come out in all her glory!!! We soak up the sun as much as we can!  Especially during our beautiful NW summers! I grew up loving summer vacations at the beach, playing in the warm sand, jumping over the chilly waves and soaking up the sunshine (of course with gobs of sunscreen on since I seem to only burn…) Anyway, I’m all for beach themed weddings. They’re fun, laid back, and charming.  BUT….to be completely honest, I see all too often brides taking the theme a little too far and soon the charm is lost and well…tackiness sets in…and ohhhh so disappointing…
Don’t you agree???
So, this is my take on how to have a beach wedding while keeping it classy!

Set the tone of your wedding with classy vintage inspired wedding stationary, like this save the date postcard from ETSY shop Dolci Fini and classy invites from ETSY shop Kerri Spath. Embelish your hair, clutch or bridal bouquet with this “something blue” vintage pin from ETSY shop Stories Divinations. Find a cottage beach inspired sign letting your guests know the laid back tone of your wedding and encourage them to experience the warm sand in between their toes: ETSY shop Sweetest Moments. Vintage milk glass for your floral arrangements will remind you and your guests of crisp white linen and sheer drapery from a beachside bedroom: ETSY shop Harlow Monroe Vintage.Regardless of the warm sunshine, your groom and your guests will find themselves covered in giddy goosebumps when they see you in this flowing empire waist gown made with a hemp/silk charmeuse bust and a bamboo and organic cotton jersey from ETSY shop Natural Bridals. And how adorable would it be to wear this delightful gold sand dollar necklace from ETSY shop The Bumbling Bird! Ohhhh I want this necklace!!!! It’s only $18 too!!! And HELLO look at those HOT shoes fromETSY shop Melinda Milkshake!! The Sand toned ring bearer pillow is so simple and so sweet from ETSY shop Avenue C. Then take a page from an old book that fits your relationship, or your location OR perhaps a vintage map from your state (map from Stories Divinations) and frame it in a aqua filigree frame: ETSY shop Flea Market Trixie. Sprinkle engraved beach pebbles on your guest tables: ETSY shop sj Engraving. Pack your makeup, jewelry and emergency bridal kit in this adorable travel case from ETSY shop Room For Cake. And don’t forget when the weather’s hot, your guests will need a crisp cold refreshment. Why not serve some ice cold lemon water from these Anchor Hocking Milano Lido Glass Pitcher and Tumblers from ETSY shop Coming Around Again.

Blissfully Yours~

Heidi
UnabashedBliss.com

I’m starting to think of what I’ll wear for our engagement photos?

I know I want something innocently flirty, feminine, with texture, ability to layer and a vintage vibe.
Is that too much to ask?

I think these dresses from ModCloth are quite adorable. The trick is how they’ll actually look on me… Hmmmm…

What do you think NW Brides? Any suggestions?

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

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Where can I find round balloons like this in the Portland/Seattle Area????

(Photography: Caroline Tran)

It’s true…Jonnathan and I have been engaged since the end of July and still haven’t done our engagement photos… We’re both stubbornly determined not to get them done until we are both happier with our weight.  I know, sounds ridiculous, but we really want to feel our best!  Plus, we’re waiting for the trees to blossom and things to warm up a bit more.  Ryan and Joelle, our photographers from FS Photography have some awesome ideas (I promise I’ll let you in on the details!) Anyway…I have fallen in love with engagement photos that feature props, in particular BALLOONS! It’s perfect for Jonnathan and I!  We can feature our romantic side AND our playfulness!!!  How gorgeous are these images from two of my favorite photographers: Caroline Tran based out of CA and Joey Nicole a local photographer based out of Seattle!

(Photography Below: Joey Nicole)

Jackie and Zach you two are just adorable!!!!

A BIG THANK YOU TO CAROLINE TRAN AND JOEY NICOLE FOR SHARING THESE GORGEOUS IMAGES!!! I’m Inspired!!!

Did you use props for your engagement photo session or plan on using something fun? Vintage furniture? A classic car?  Maybe your beloved pets? We’d love to hear your ideas!!!

Blissfully Yours -

Heidi

Unabashed Bliss

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

UnabashedBliss.com

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

UnabashedBliss.com

Sources:  veiltales.wordpress, Melissa Prosser Photography, eventdecorator.com, greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com

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.