Weekly Round-Up

Here's a quick picture re-cap of all my favorite wedding related things I've stumbled across this week.

Hope you enjoy!

{Be My Maid box from here}

{Bride+Groom Cupcakes from here}

{Color gradient cake from here}

{adorable linen napkins from here}

Happy Planning!

PG Experience

This week we are spotlighting our newest business WISH



WISH is owned by Rhea Schneider and boasts of adorable homegoods, unique gifts and clever cards and books. WISH is open Monday-Sunday from 10a-5p and is definitely worth checking out!

Testimonial

(on recommending Port Gamble Weddings)

"YES! Entire staff was very responsive and helpful and all the venues were beautiful"! -- Whitney, 2010 Bride

Q+A

Looking for your venue can be exciting, scary and overwhelming. To ease some stress here is a list I've compiled of important questions to ask when touring a venue.

The Basics:
            
       1. Pricing (package deals, military discounts, off-season rates)
       2. Is the date you want available?
       3. Occupancy (not only what the fire code mandates but what, in your experience, is most comfortable)

The Details:

       1. Is there handicap accessibility?
       2. How many bathrooms? And where they are located?
       3. Is there AC/Heat?
       4. Is there audio equipment available? Is there a usage fee?
       5. Where are the power sources?
       6. Are animals allowed on the premises? Inside the building?
       7. Does the officiant have to be a certain denomination? Can you use a justice of the peace?
       8. Is there a preferred caterer list? Are you allowed to bring an outside caterer? If so, is there a fee?
       9. What are your rules regarding alcohol? Hard alcohol or just beer/wine? Do you have to have 
            a bartender? Are kegs allowed? Is there a limit to the number of specialty cocktails you can have?

Decorating:

       1. Are there any preset hooks or nails where things can be hung?
       2. What is allowed to be used for attaching things to walls, pews, etc?
       3. Are there any rules regarding candle use? (pillars vs. tapers, enclosed, candleabras, etc)
       4. Are there any places that may not be decorated? (i.e. a church altar)
       4. Are you allowed to throw petals down the aisle?
       5. What are you allowed to use for the exit? (rice, birdseed, petals, lavendar buds, sparklers, doves)
       6. Do you provide tables/chairs? Is there a fee? How many are available? What do they look like?
       7. Are we able to add/remove the sides of the tent?
       8. Do you provide rentals for linens, flatware, plates, etc? Do you provide setup? What are the costs?
      
Day Of:

       1. What time are we allowed into the building? What time do we have to be out? Does that include
            vendors?
       2. Do you provide a rehearsal time? How long is it?
       3. Who will be available the day of?
       4. Regarding setup/breakdown, what is the vendors responsibility and what is our responsibility?
       5. Will there be someone available for prompting during the ceremony?
       6. How many garbage cans are available? Do we empty them or do you? Do you recycle?
       7. How much parking will be available? Will spots be held for VIP's? Is there handicap parking?
       8. Are cars allowed to be parked overnight? (in case someone is too drunk to drive, etc)

The Contract:

       1. What is the reservation deposit to hold a date? Is this refundable? Is this transferable to another date?
       2. When is the remaining balance due by? Can you pay it off in installments?
       3.  Is there a security deposit? How much? When is it returned?
       4. What are the main reasons you could lose a security deposit?
    
Hope this helps, Happy Planning!

Quote of the day

"There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage." -- Martin Luther

Wedding Picture of the Week

Guest Books

Lately I've been seeing an increase in the amount of thought being put into the guest book.

Rather than a last minute throw away item it has become a fantastic way of expressing the couple's style.

Here are some of my favorite ways the guest book has been done.

(an antique typewriter found here)

(instant picture guest book found here)

(address book guest book found here)

(framed sign in poster guest book found here)

Testimonial

"Thank you so much! You all were so accomodating! It is a beautiful and a perfect reception atmosphere. The evening there was my dream come true!" -- Christina, 2010 Bride

Eye Candy

I see alot of weddings. I love seeing the current trends and the introduction of new trends. Brides are fantastically creative.

Here are some pictures that inspired me this week.

{'Just Married' bunting you can purchase on Etsy}

{a gorgeous brooch bouquet found here}



{an awesome pie display found here}



Tell us what's inspiring you! We'd love to know!

Happy Planning!

Quote of the Week

"Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without" -- Dr. James C. Dobson

Photo of the Week

{courtesy of Laura Marchbanks}

Something

As you may, or may not, have figured out by now - there are endless amounts of wedding traditions and superstitions. Arguably one of the most recognized being the charming victorian era poem,

        "Something Old, Something New,

Something Borrowed,

Something Blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe."

{image taken by Sarah Maingot/Martha Stewart Weddings}

Most brides will comply to the requests of this poem, if for no other reason then to please their maids, mothers and grandmothers. So, for all the brides wondering why she simply must wear a blue ribbon in her hair, allow me to explain.

According to tradition, the something old was typically an old garter worn by a happily married woman. This ensured happiness throughout the new brides marriage.

Something new was to promise of future filled with health and success.

The something borrowed came from the brides family, to show their love and support. (The something borrowed must be returned in order to ensure good luck)

and finally something blue represents fidelity and constancy.

Many of today's brides disregard the true final line of "and a silver sixpence in her shoe", which was thought to bring wealth to the couple. However, there are still some brides who stash a penny in their shoe before heading down the aisle.

Happy Planning!

PG Experience

Come out to Port Gamble Saturday and Sunday for a canine filled weekend. The Muddy Paws Agility Club of Kitsap will be hosting a North American Dog Agility Council sanctioned agility trial. There will be dogs of all breeds and sizes out to compete in the fun event. Spectators are welcomed!

Testimonial

"The Staff was so helpful. The chapel was beautiful and reasonably priced. Erin was a big help on our wedding day. Our experience was perfect!" -- Bryan & Kira, 2011 wedding

DIY Inspiration

I love a good DIY and this is no exception. These beachy napkin rings would be perfect for a nautical inspired wedding! You could also mix it up with other elements that better fit your theme.
You can find the super helpful tutorial for making these completely adorable beachy napkin rings over at Design*Sponge. If you  haven't ever been to Design*Sponge it's a pretty incredible site that's filled to the brim with inspirational photos and DIY's.

Quote of the Day

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return" -- Eden Ahbez

Picture of the Week

{photo courtesy of Brad Camp Images}

Something Old, Something New

Here's a quick look at modern alternatives to some very traditional things:

Tradition: Headtable

{borrowed from Martha Stewart Weddings}

                                                       Modern: Sweetheart table

{borrowed from Steven Bruce Design}

                                                      Tradition: Matching satin bridesmaids

{borrowed from Davids Bridal}

Modern: patterned sundresses

{borrowed from Anthropologie}

                                                               Tradition: Throwing rice

{borrowed from The Knot}

                                                         Modern: waving streamer wands

{borrowed from Lovely and Gracious}

Tradition: Tiered cake

{borrowed from The Knot}

                                                                  Modern: dessert bar

{borrowed from Style Me Pretty}

                                                                                                                                  

Port Gamble Experience

Come join us this Sunday for the Timber Town 10k Run!! The foot race takes place through out the Port Gamble trails and is being put on by Roots Rock Run.

You can find out more information by checking out their website here

Testimonial

"I already have! It provides such an intimate, charming and reverant atmosphere. Like stepping back in time"
-- Wendy, 2011 bride, on whether or not she would recommend Port Gamble wedding venues.

item of the moment

I am currently obsessed with pinwheels.

Yes, those pinwheels.

They are versatile, affordable and completely adorable.

Pinwheels are great because they can be used in so many different ways.
Add them to centerpieces or the top of your cake for a fun, whimsical decoration.
Use mini pinwheels as boutonnieres
or use them in place of rice, flowers or sparklers for a fun getaway!
And the best part is you can make them in any color or pattern that you want!
HGTV has a great DIY tutorial here.
{photos were borrowed from HGTV's website}

Quoted

" A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the perogative of the brave" -- Mahatma Ghandi

Wedding Photo of the Week

Consider This

There is a whole slew of ways to cut costs at a wedding. One of the most popular has got to be DIY or HAFOFMDIT (have a friend or family member do it themselves) But before you try to replicate that twelve tiered cake covered in sugared butterflies, here are a few things you should consider.

Cake- a DIY cake seems like a great idea in theory. Just keep in mind that knowing how to bake a cake and knowing how to make a wedding cake are two entirely different things. Consider this: How elaborate of a cake do you want? Do you want fondant? Do you want a certain pattern in the frosting? Do you want it tiered? Keep in mind that frosting can melt (especially store bought) and boxed cake mixes aren’t often durable enough to hold the weight of other tiers. If you are going to DIY having several single tiered cakes or cupcakes will probably be the easiest for an amateur to execute.

{Courtesy of Laura Marchbanks Photography}

Self-Catering— Catering is arguably one of the most expensive elements of a wedding, which makes it an obvious starting point when looking to cut costs. Unlike with cake-making, a good cook is a good cook, so the thing to consider is this: Is the stress worth the savings? Not only is catering a lot of work, it’s a lot of work the day before/of the wedding. Here in Port Gamble we only allow self-catering at one of our venues and even then we charge an additional fee. As frustrating as this may be for brides, we aren’t trying to be malicious but rather save you from your budget conscious self. Consider this: A professional caterer has all the equipment, tools, staff, etc. necessary to execute everything from a dessert reception to a plated dinner for 200+ guests. They handle prep, transportation of foods, serving, clearing and clean up. There needs to be someone available to refill buffet platters, clear empty guest plates and tend bar. Of course family and friends want to help make your day perfect but do you really want them to be the ones scraping plates and scrubbing chaffing dishes while everyone else is enjoying the party?

Floral arrangements- In my humble opinion, this is a good place to start as far as DIY goes. It certainly seems a lot simpler to mimic a bouquet than a cake (although florists would probably disagree). Even still, when it comes to arranging your own centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, etc. there are some things to consider. Determining what you want, what’s in season, how much you need and when/where to purchase everything could require some serious research. Without access and knowledge base of a florist you may encounter some difficulties acquiring any obscure flora and fauna you have envisioned. Also, it is important not to disregard the amount of work required the day before and of the wedding. Given the fact that flowers cannot be assembled early, someone will need to be available to pick up and arrange all the floral elements the day before and morning of the wedding. If you have close family or friends that aren’t a part of the wedding party but would like to be involved this might be a good option. Just be prepared to accept that it may not turn out exactly as you imagined.

{Courtesy of Paul Dudley Photography}

DJ— With the widespread availability of iPods and iTunes, eliminating a DJ has become more and more common. And why not? The bride and groom can make a custom wedding playlist for practically no cost, plug the iPod into an available sound system and hit the dance floor. Consider this: DJ’s are the unsung heroes of the wedding reception. They can announce the arrival of the bridal party as well as any other details you want shared. They are in control of who gets access to the microphone, they are experts in knowing what gets people up and dancing, they take requests, amplify the energy and basically keep the entire party rolling. No matter how “bumping” the music, without a DJ, most guests will respond as though it were background music and very rarely will they bust it out on the dance floor. Often it isn’t the iPod that’s the problem with not having a DJ but the lack of an emcee. So if you do want to forgo the DJ see if you can recruit a particularly confident, theatrical friend that won’t mind hamming it up all night for you.

As always these are just suggestions based on personal experience and depending on your individual situation may or may not be helpful. Before I go consider this one last piece of advice: As backwards as it may sound, the more specific you are about how you want something, the more important it is to have a professional handle it. In your head you may feel that because you know exactly how you want it, it makes the most sense to DIY. The more specific an idea you have the more disappointed you will be if it doesn’t turn out the way you always imagined.