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!

Having trouble with your wedding vows?

Vows are an important tradition in weddings, but it can be tough to express what you want in the way want it. Having a difficult time with your vows?  Do you need help with them?  That’s why we’re here. :)

Vows do not have to be intimidating. Below are some good tips on the best content for writing your vows. Think about these questions/topics, pick which ones interest you the most and write a response about them. Leave it, and later on go back to it and edit, so you can find a good flow. Here we go:

1)      Think of what you would like to say to her more than anything else, and write it down.  It does not have to be fancy or poetic or rhyme, just write down what is in your heart and mind.
a.      Think of why you love her/him… write it down.
b.      Think of what you love about her/him… write it down.
c.       If you could tell her/him why she/he stole your heart, what would you say?  Guess what you do now? Write it down.
d.      If you could express how long you will love her/him, how would you put it in words?
e.      When you think of all of the things that break up couples, what would you tell her/him about your love for her/him?  Will it last?  Why?

2)      Ask yourself the following questions:
a.      What does marriage mean to us?
b.      Why are we marrying?
c.       What promises are most meaningful, and which ones are essential that we keep?
3)      Write a letter to your fiancé telling them why you love them. Do not make this short and sweet. Instead, elaborate, go in-depth, and be creative.
4)      Write 2-3 of your favorite times together – the times when you laughed so hard you cried, or when she/he was there for you, or an inside joke, or something that happened long ago that you haven’t thought about it in a long time.

To further help you out, most traditional vows go something like this:

a.      “In the name of God, I, Name take you, Name to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

Or if you are going along those lines, but want something more unique to the two of you, it might sound like…
b.      “From this moment, I, Name, take you, Name, as my best friend for life. I pledge to honor, encourage, and support you through our walk together. When our way becomes difficult, I promise to stand by you and uplift you, so that through our union we can accomplish more than we could alone. I promise to work at our love and always make you a priority in my life. With every beat of my heart, I will love you. This is my solemn vow.”

Or, you can forget the “traditional” completely and just say two or three sentences that explain why you love them and why you commit your heart to them.

It is about you two, and the celebration of your love and care for each other. Just remember that, and you will find the words to say what you want. ;)

A tip for the grooms for when planning gets stressful

Grooms, are you confused as to why your fiancé is freaking out about the wedding?  It’s okay, you are not alone.  We thought we’d offer a little assistance.  First you need to know what she might be concerned about (which may also be things on your mind).  The most common things have to do with:

  • Money and budgeting, while getting what she expected;
  • Guest list
  • Too much focus on little details, not looking at the big picture;
  • Feeling like she’s losing her personal identity by getting married;
  • Fears about what the marriage and lifetime commitment will entail (which I am sure you also share);
  • Stage fright (walking down the aisle, with a gorgeous wedding gown and being stared at by the man she is in love with…the butterflies are filling the stomach, so it can be anxiety provoking);
  • Body image – same as above.

Now, even though all these things may be common, there are still ways that you can make it easier on her, so that she can come back to that steady, loving fiancé that you know so well. After all, the little things are what matter the most.

Here’s some help for our wonderful grooms. A very simple list,  but trust us, it is helpful:

  1. Try your best to have an opinion about the wedding – When she comes up to you asking what you think, tell her what you really think, your ideas, fears and anything that comes to mind.
  2. Don’t run away if she gets a bit too grumpy and stressed – Take her out for a date, a night on the town, get her away for a weekend. Help relieve the stress – not intensify it.
  3. Don’t be a “yes” man- It can, and usually is interpreted as “I don’t care, just leave me alone.” It’s not hard to offer a reason why you have your opinion: “I like the red roses because they remind me of the flowers I bought you on our first date,” or “I like swing music and everyone will like dancing to it, so I think we should book that band.”
  4. If you offer help, follow through – If you don’t know how, ask!
  5. Help out with your relatives – If there are people in your family that may need some extra attention, give it to them, so that your bride doesn’t have to do it.
  6. Keep track of your groomsmen – Concerning their attire, directions, time of fittings, costs, return time/ dates, how to tie a tie, why they need to polish their shoes, and even on the day of.
  7. If you are living together, help a bit more around the house – but do not wait until you are asked to do so, for obvious reasons. Planning a wedding is not easy, it is a huge emotional and financial investment for both of you, and there is no better support system than one another.

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!

Eight Tips to a Fabulous House Party

Planning a party in your home?  Home parties can be an endeavor, but they are always a lot of fun. To ensure a successful and stress-free home party, we compiled some good tips for a fabulous home event:

1)       Make sure you request an RSVP and invite slightly more than the amount of guests you plan on attending, of course.

2) Purchase the ingredients for your food and drinks accordingly. There is a great online ‘Bar Calculator’ that calculates the amount of beer/ wine/ spirits that you will need to purchase based on the amount of guests. An easy way to eliminate overspending or frustrating ‘trips to the store’ in the middle of the party.

3)       If you are having a larger party in your home (more than 10 guests), it is wise to hire people to help you, so you can enjoy the party.

4)       Although it definitely is exciting to show off your home at the party, it is best to ensure the house is ‘party-safe.’ In other words, perhaps that antique Italian vase on living room should temporarily move to safer grounds.

5)       You should offer plenty of beverage options, but there is no need to serve the guests more other than for their first drink (unless you hired a server). After all, you should not be spending your entire party filling up guests’ drinks.

6)       If children are invited, make sure to have a spot designated for them to be entertained and have fun, as well as ‘child friendly’ snacks.

7)       If you are throwing a cocktail party, have a different range of appetizers for your guests. They do not need to be fancy nor expensive to be delicious. It is also polite to offer a veggie option, in case any guests are vegan/vegetarian.

8)        Do not wait until last minute to get things ready for the event. Make sure on the day of the party you have everything you need previously prepared, so you do not have to stress all day about getting it all done in time to also shower/get dressed, etc. It may seem obvious, but often hosts think that they can do it all in a few hours and it will be great, to only find themselves frustrated and in a rush all day long.

Remember, although you are the host, there is no reason why you should not assure that you have the privileges your guests will be having both prior and during your event.

Have a great time!

Above is a great example of a simple yet fabulous party theme from Party Perfect.

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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!

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

www.weddingsandeventsbymuse.com