The Scoop is coming to the Willamette Valley!

Yes, the 2011 NW Wedding Scoop is just around the corner of the Willamette Valley, and our local Bridal Pros are very excited to use their expertise to help brides and grooms plan for their special day.

The best thing about the Scoop is that it is the first of its kind: no sales pitches are allowed. This way, the couple and their entourage can comfortably and informally ask questions and get tips from Bridal Pros. On top of that, there is a Man Cave for the grooms, so they can relax and enjoy the planning in their own way. There are also many bridal goodies that will be given away, as well as exclusive discount booklets for wedding services, not offered anywhere else.

This is certainly a bridal event that should not be missed. After all, making informed decisions when planning such an important event can save you a lot of time, stress and overspending. The Scoop is essentially like having a wedding consultant for a day — except the ticket to the Scoop is a considerable amount cheaper. The tickets for both Scoop shows (in the Willamette Valley and Portland) are going fast though, so make sure you get yours in time (you can find them here).

We will be there, and hope to see many of you there too!

Wedding Dresses to Fit Your Body Shape

Shopping for your wedding dress can be just as excruciating as it is exciting, but there are a couple of ways to avoid having a wedding dress-related meltdown. First, keep in mind that wedding dresses are notorious for being sized very small, so don’t panic when you don’t fit into your typical size. Second: knowing what looks good on your body saves you time and frustration when it comes to trying on dresses. So, break out your tape measure, to help you figure out your shape and the style that will look best on you.

Hourglass  Shape
You are an hourglass shape if your bust and hips are about the same measurement – there may be an inch or two’s difference – and your waist is at least four inches smaller than either of these two. Any style of dress usually works for hourglass-shaped women, but a mermaid style dress will accentuate curves in all the right places.

Pear  Shape
You’re pear shaped if your hips are larger than your bust. The pear shape is very common. An A-line dress is typically the most flattering, giving a balanced appearance.

Apple Shape
You have a round/square body type if your waist, bust, and hip measurements are all about the same. You can accentuate your waist with dresses that gather on the hips and bust or have other detailing in those areas.

Petite
5’4″ and under is usually considered petite. Before you visit a salon, make sure they carry petite sizes. An easy way to create length is to look for dresses with vertical seams or detailing. Avoid belts and sashes, and opt for details that draw the eye upward.

Tall
Women 5’9″ and up will want to look for dresses with wide bodices or sashes and large collars or other details. Flared skirts and low necklines are great on this frame.

Best of shopping gown shopping, and have fun!
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For more information on Muse – A Wedding & Event Planning company based out of Portland, Oregon, visit www.eventmuse.biz.   Thanks for stopping by!

Eco Chic Wedding Gowns

For many brides, finding that perfect dress is of utmost importance. . . as it should be. It sets the tone for your wedding day, often elements from the dress help create your style, and it places a bride in the mindset of her wedding day.  For many brides, however, the challenge they face is that constant battle of the perfect dress against the perfect pricetag.  Do I really need a designer dress?  Do I really want to pay that much for a dress I will only wear once? 

There are tons of ways to make your dress an financially-friendly and eco-friendly part of your wedding:

Gorgeous Eco Chic Grecian Wrap Dress

The eco chic dress:  You’ve tried on a dozen dresses, and nothing has screamed “that’s me!” yet, or you are simply not interested in walking into the high end shops that sell dozens of designers and try to pick one.  That style you love, take a look at designers online first – find designers who are doing an eco-chic style and start with shops that carry lines that you know are eco-friendly.

The recycled dress:
Getting a recycled dress is a great way to (1) save money and (2) go green. If you think about it, a recycled dress has really only been worn for about 8 hours, and they’re usually still like new! There are some awesome sites to find gently used gowns. Recycled Bride is a great resource for the eco-savvy bride. They’ve got resources for everything: grooms, bridesmaids, mother of the bride and shoes.

What to do with the dress after the wedding:
Although you may have the urge to save your dress for your hypothetical daughter, think about it carefully. More than likely, (a) the styles of today will not be the styles of your children’s generation, and (b) your daughter will probably give you grief about whatever style you wear.  So, what do you do with your dress? Donate it. The Brides Against Breast Cancer is a great organization for donating your dress. When you donate your dress you’re supporting a good cause and recycling!

Another option for recycling your dress is to style it into something new. I love the idea of creating a new classic dress that you can wear out on your anniversaries – adorable concept and wouldn’t you stun your guy into awe.

You can also sell your dress on recycling websites, and let another bride get as much happiness out of it as you did!

Whether you choose to implement one or all of these ideas, the slightest effort makes a big difference. Good luck!

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For more information on Muse – A Wedding & Event Planning company based out of Portland, Oregon, visit www.eventmuse.biz.   Thanks for stopping by!

Wedding Accessories

bridal_accessories1You have your wedding dress, now you need your accessories. Necklace, earrings, bracelets, tiaras, hair combs, veils, shoes, bags, the list goes on and on. Where and how do you purchase each of these items and make sure it looks good with the dress? And that doesn’t just apply to just your dress, but your bridesmaid’s dresses too!

You can certainly go online, but how do you know the quality? Jewelry stores can have astronomical prices. Although if you choose to go that path, you will certainly have a piece that will become an heirloom for generations to come. You can visit your local department store jewelry section, or your local teen shop at a mall, but you have another option as well.

Many in the industry agree that it is best to try on your accessories with your dress and veil so that you can truly see how the whole ensemble works together. Many bridal shops provide this service, but you can also use a vendor who comes to you. These vendors bring the jewelry to your house and you & your bridal party can try on as many items as you like. Some even offer you custom jewelry for a very basic price.

If you are located in the greater Portland, Oregon area, the Unique is a fun vendor with a lot of options that are very reasonably priced! She has a variety of necklaces, bracelets and tiaras. Take a look at her website: www.theunique1.com. Her prices are wonderful (in the range of $10-30 per piece) and the variety she offers means you will very likely find something you like! If you are in the Salem area, check out Butterflies out of Independence.

When you call to schedule a time that is convenient for you (and your bridesmaids) and for a time you will have your dress and veil available at your home for the vendor to come out. It is also helpful to give them an idea before they come out of whether you want gold or silver? Pearls? Long or short? Bracelets? Earrings? Tiara? If you are not sure, describe your dress’ neckline and style to them and they can recommend options for you.

We welcome you to come check us out at Muse
weddingsandeventsbymuse.com

www.weddingsandeventsbymuse.com