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. ;)

Creative ways to say ‘thank you’ to party gifts

We know how hard it is to get your kids to do their thank you’s after a party or Christmas, so here are some fun, unique ways to say thanks!

1) Have kids do an “mad lib” thank you card – print up as many as you need and they (or you) can fill it in.  It’s creative and fun and will get the kids involved.

2) Take a picture of the little one(s) or you can include yourselves too – holding a sign that says ‘Thank You’ or get a bit creative and have one that says “very much” and they can sign the thank you!  Then get them printed and off you go with an easy thank you card.

3) Make a list.  It might be a bit off the wall, but make a list while presents are being opened, then make as many copies of it as presents that were received and circle one present on each copy.  Then, your kids can sign a big smiley face or heart with the word “thanks” and maybe why they love it and their name.  Fold them up and send them off as thank you’s.

4) When you have your party, have your thank you’s already purchased and make a game out of having everyone write their address on the envelopes – then you can pick one for a door prize and you’ll already have the hard part of the thank you’s done!

5) If your gift givers are local, make up a batch of cookies (or whatever your specialty is) and send them back a gift or just drop it off at their door.

6) Make phone calls instead of cards.  Picking up the phone or even Skype calls can be a truly special way to do your thank you’s. Of course, there are also e-cards if you’re crunched for extra time.

Most importantly, just use your creativity 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!

Bridal Showers: Think Outside of the Box

When you hear the words “bridal shower,” what do you think?

Old-fashioned games?  Embarrassment?  Matronly gifts?

A wedding shower is a long-standing tradition that comes from many, many cultures.  It is a way for those who’s lives the bride-to-be has touched to help her into her new life.  It should be full of well-wishes and gifts and laughter.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.  We hear many of our brides say they just wish they didn’t have to have a shower… don’t get me wrong, they appreciate it and certainly enjoy the gifts!  They just don’t like the stress, the family conflicts, and the ‘silly’ party games.

So, here are some ideas for all of you Maids & Matrons of Honor who are planning those showers….

1) Think out side the box! The most fun shower ideas come from the couple’s (or the bride’s) favorite holidays and occasions;

2) Although tradition maintains the idea that shower gifts need to be for the home, why not make the gifts for the bride? It can be themed, such as lingerie and pampering treats, or it could  be something that reflects the bride’s personality.

3) A bridal shower does not need to be girls only; in fact, there are also grooms showersl, although less common. Therefore, why not make it a couple’s shower, and make the event a larger celebration? If you are inspired, you can have a barbecue, and add a touch of tradition by serving cute dessert treats, or adding some delicate touches to the decor.

4) Games can be a great addition to the shower, as long as it is…well, fun. Although it is a matter of taste, some of the more traditional games can end up making your shower hear crickets. Instead of playing games such as “guessing which gifts are associated with each anniversary,” why not play a more lively game? A good one I recently came across consists of placing the guests by order of whom the guest of honor has known the longest, to the one she (and/or he) has known the least amount of time.  It helps loosen up the event, and allows for some interesting and fun memories that are about the bride and/or groom.

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

www.weddingsandeventsbymuse.com