Bridal Veil Post Office

When I heard that the adorable TEENSY TINY post office in Bridal Veil Oregon still hand cancels their mail I knew we would make the special trip out for our invites. To celebrate finishing the invite assembly, Matt and I planned a day trip to Mt.Hood Meadows before the end of the season. We woke up early on a beautiful foggy morning, pulled on our ski gear, and drove up 84 to the Historic Hwy exit. There on the right hand side, you can't miss it, is the most adorable little USPS you may ever see.



You can choose from two wedding invite hand stamp themes (& of course they've got all the wedding stamps too!) We went with the cake stamps and the dove cancel.


The best part was the lady who worked there. She couldn't have been any more friendly. It was such a pleasant experience. We left over-the-moon excited about the invitations, each other, and the WHOLE WORLD for that matter! What a wonderful day.



Matt snapped this last shot on the way up the mountain through the Columbia River Gorge. It reminds us that some days are just ... perfect.

Holly & Scott

Holly & Scott's Portland Oregon wedding photos!




















For 100 more from this wedding, check out their album on Facebook.com/SoManyMoments

10 Happy Things in Spring

I haven't made one of these lists in a while, and seeing as May is such a super spectacular time of year, I figured I should share some of the things that I've loved about it thus far!

1.) The view of Portland from Pittock


2.) Using a Mercury Project stamp to mail my random pen pal


3.) Small dogs that like to hike large mountains


4.) Having enough quarters to do two loads of laundry


5.) Bluebird day snowboarding with friends


6.) Piggy Banks


7.) Being reminded of what's important in the mornings


8.) Cherry blossom trees blooming EVERYWHERE!


9.) So Many Moment's new custom DVD cases


10.) My adorable fiancé in the iPhone costume I made for Wired

Wheel Chart Wedding Invites!

The theme to our wedding is PLAYFUL, so I wanted to create an invite that was both heart-warming and fun, while still being affordable. My solution was a wheel chart. What's more FUN then a wheel chart?!

The top circle invites our guests to the wedding, while the bottom circle contains all of the information. There are two corresponding windows to show event details, that change as you spin the circle behind. I decorated the invite with a quick sketch of the treehouse we'll be staying in for the weekend at our wedding (complete with our names carved into the tree, as per a friend's brill suggestion!)



D.I.Y. Wheel Chart Invites

You will need:
Your invite graphics (two circles) printed to cardstock
Circle cutter (I used a compass style)
Cutting Board
Hammer
Snaps & Setter
Pencil
(optional: regular x-acto knife & scissors)


1.) Create the graphic of your invite on the computer as two circles the same size and be sure your windows match up to the information behind. I made both circles on the same layout as layers to be able to check this, but I'm sure many methods would work. TIP: be sure to make a small dot in the center of both circles, this will make placing the snap much easier!

2.) Print a mock-up on your home printer to be sure your design functions the way you'd like. This also prime time to have someone else go over all the text to be sure you haven't missed anything or made any typos.

3.) Have your invites printed. I choose HIP Printing to keep things local in NW Portland. 150 invites cost me $37.50 & the guys there are SUPER friendly! I also used the spare space on the 8.5x11" page to print up some cute little cards for other uses at the wedding with the same treehouse design & colors.

4.) Using your compass cutter & other tools, cut out the shapes and windows in your invites.

5.) Assemble the invite. I used the sharp end of my compass to make the center hole a bit bigger, and then pushed the tip of a pencil through until it was the desired size. Be sure to cut off some of the excess paper on the back. Then, place your snap through both pieces of paper. Turn it over and place it on your cutting mat. Hammer away using your setting tool, and TA-DAA! Invite! You did it! *high five*

I had never used snaps before, and I think I'm addicted to them now! They're so neat & come in a HUGE variety of colors too. I scored mine locally at Paper Source on NW 23rd Avenue.


I recommend inviting over a few friendly girlfriends when it comes time to put them all together. It was a lot of fun, but a BIT more time intensive then I was anticipating, even with all the help. I also ordered some cute stickers online with the same design and colors to seal the envelopes. I hope they're as fun for my guests to open as they were to make!

A Wedding Wedsite, err.... WEBsite

It's 2011 folks. We communicate via text and keep in touch via Facebook. So, of course, we share our wedding details via website. (And then blog about it!)


When it came time to chose a place to build and host my website, I found a plethora of options. But many of the free sites just didn't have the features or design quality I was seeking. So, after much research & a few trial runs, I finally settled comfortably into my new Wedsite account.

While I'm usually all game for FREE options, the website is the really the first impression of the celebration I'm planning and it's worth a little extra to make it perfect. Also, I'm using the RSVP feature to keep count of all of my guests & their contact information & this alone saved me $$$ in RSVP cards/more postage/more paper waste.


Beyond that I love these other features:
- Custom Domain. We set our up with a custom domain, SmattWedding.com as Smatt has been our nickname since we fell for one another during the Brangelina era. (Sam + Matt = Smatt)

- Ability to add LOTS and LOTS of photos. I put up a folder of photos for each of our bridal party & families!

- Ability to add video. This was fun, especially on the page we share information with travelers.

- Extremely customizable and attractive templates.

- All the classic must-have features: poll, countdown, and guest book.

Say YES to the DRESS(es)!

3 Events = 3 Great Excuses to Buy Adorable Dresses

Bachelorette Party:


I scored this hot number on sale at Express. Add on the bonus discount thanks to a girlfriend's extra coupon & it was a killer deal. It's a lightweight chiffon rouched color-block dress; sexy enough for an evening out with the girls, but still wearable for other future cocktail functions if I'm feeling particularly bold.


Rehearsal Dinner:


I went the 'ol "fall in love with a high-end dress and then buy a knock-off from China" route here. *fingers crossed* it shows up and works out! After a lot of Wedding Bee Forum research, I decided to take the risk. Apparently, with the lack of reproduction copyright laws in China, it's legal for them to make the exact same dress as someone else. So, when I fell in love with this fabulous Melissa Sweet designer garb, I found VogueBride on eBay. She offered the best price, the fastest turn around, and has near-perfect reviews. I also like the protection of eBay and Paypal as opposed to ordering directly via a random website. Not only is it being made in my size, but also in whatever color I want so I opted for a blue/teal color rather then the purple shown here.


Wedding:


After many trips to many bridal shops, meeting with a dress designer, and hours of browsing the interwebs I found a dress online that made my heart flutter. It's wildly perfect: super fresh, fun to wear, and playful! But, I don't want Matt to see it until the big d.a.y. so some things will have to remain behind the veil 'till August...

*bling bling* The RING!

Matt and I had dated more then 5 years before the momentous night he plopped down on one knee, so the concept of marriage may been previously mentioned before... Ok, a FEW times! So, I suppose it was no secret that I had thought about the ring I would be expected to wear each and every day for the rest of my life.

I sent photos of my favorite rings to my favorite neighbor, hoping Matt would turn to her in his time of need. But, what he ended up doing was even BETTER!

He proposed with THIS:


A ridiculously rad placeholder ring from my friend Andrea's adorable & affordable local accessories store Little Things! (18th and NW Lovejoy!)

He had narrowed it down to 3 "real ring" choices. My friends all had different opinions and he didn't feel quite right about any of them. In the end, he figured who would know better then ME, and gave me a budget to help him find my ring. I'm so happy he did.

After a lot of research, browsing online and in shops with his mom and finally with Matt, we found our winner via a close friend in Orlando at Jewelry Plus. Jeweler Shawn knew I was on the hunt for an antique ring, and he understood my style. The second ring he e-mailed me was the winner, and I'll never forget the moment Matt and I opened the package. We both said in unison "it's... beautiful." I was awe-struck and in love. I knew at once, THIS was MY ring.


It's simple from afar, but the intricate details in the setting and delicate engravings down the sides are so gorgeous up close, like it's sharing a secret you can only hear if you're near. It's originally from the 1940's, and I can't help but wonder about where it's been and who enjoyed this ring before it found it's way to me. I look forward to taking it on many more journeys for the years to come!

WPJA Q4 WIN!

I entered my first WPJA contest in their 4th quarter, and I am over the moon with the results announced!

"The 2010 Q4 Contest showcases the wedding photojournalism of WPJA members throughout the 2010 year in 18 categories. From 24,112 entries only 360 finalists were selected."

I landed spot with an engagement photo of Heidi and Rick! Thanks for having such a cute puppy guys! :)



http://www.WPJA.com

The big Venue/Date combo choice!

This was certainly the hardest choice thus far, but after this hurdle the rest is really just sort of falling into place!

From the beginning, we had a few things we knew would be important to us.
- Bringing in our own food and favorite beer/wine selection
- Enjoying the beautiful outdoor ambiance Oregon offers up in summer months
- Accommodations for the friends and family that will be traveling so far to stay near us

Here's a review of the process with our top contenders!

1.) Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast. After photographing more then 50 weddings, this was the first place I thought of when it came to having our own wedding. I ADORE THIS PLACE. Mt.Hood is so special to Matt and I, and the drive through the Gorge to get up there is spectacular. The property is lovely beyond words, and the staff all seemed extremely friendly. Unfortunately, the availability was severely limited, the price high, and rule list long... so our search had to march on.
http://www.mthoodbnb.com


PROS:
Incredible location on Mt.Hood; beautiful drive from Portland and incredible views.
Accommodations for up to 8 overnight guests included with wedding package
Able to bring in your own catering and drinks (not a winery)

CONS:
Event site is strictly available from 2pm until 10pm
Only accommodations for 8 guests
Over $6,000 bill for a Saturday wedding


2.) Next up, the magical discovery of Westwind! All I can say is WOW! After a friend suggested it and I did a bit of research online I began dreaming about it at night. I found some wedding photos from the few other weddings they've had out there, and I kept imagining and re-imagining how it could work out for our own. The sad reality, however, was that you have to take a barge to get out there, and the "accommodations" are bare roots summer-camp style. Not an issue for us, but how would our families fair? As it turned out, their only available 2011 dates we had previously booked other client's weddings. I finally decided, as beautiful as it seemed, I preferred to hunt on for a solution that didn't involve waiting 18 months to be married.
http://www.westwind.org



PROS:
The most beautiful place, perhaps EVER.
Completely private island, accommodations for more then 100, full weekend stay
Wood for a giant bonfire on the private beach included in the price!

CONS:
More then 2.5 hours drive from Portland
Then you have to take a barge, this means hoping everyone catches the ONE barge
Asking grandmas to camp



3.) Miller Farms Retreat. So, now I had the camping wedding bug. I was looking into other similar set-ups to Mt.Hood B&B and I kept finding wineries, farms, and hotels with strict time blocking, high cost, and rules, rules, rules. Eventually, I realized I just wanted a BACKYARD camping wedding! The only issue was, our one bedroom 5th floor apartment didn't offer much in terms of a backyard. This is when the great hunt on VRBO.com began! I realized for what it costs to have a winery for 8 hours you could rent a HUGE BEAUTIFUL place for a whole weekend! And not so many RULES! And thus, I discovered the gem that is Miller Farms Retreat!

When I met the farm owner, Bobbi, I just wanted to hug her immediately for building my dream venue come true! Miller Farms boasts 5 charming little rental homes amongst 3 acres of gardens surrounded by pear orchards on Mt. Hood. It ALSO has a heated pool, two hot tubs, fire pits, and a sauna!


PROS:
The most charming place I've ever been.
Treehouse, heated pool, fire pits, hot tubs
Really amazing owner who truly loves her property & wedding celebrations
Mt. Hood location, only 90 mins from Portland
Have I mentioned, it's PERFECT?

CONS:
We went a little beyond budget, but we think it will be worth every last penny!
The website is cumbersome, go see it in person to get the full effect!

Finding Bobbi and her gorgeous farm makes the wedding feel REAL! It has set the stage for everything else. I'm SO unbelievably excited, not only to get married there, but to spend a weekend with the family and friends who mean most to us. August will be here in no time!

I'll buy you an iPad 2!

To celebrate offering iPad Albums with all of our Album packages we are so excited to announce our limited time offer to receive a free Apple iPad 2! When you book the 'Killer Keepsake' collection for your wedding photography package from So Many Moments your wedding album will come pre-installed on an iPad 2 you get to keep, as a gift from us!


Be sure to tell your friends who are engaged, and as always please remember we love to photograph destination weddings everywhere! From Argentina to Canada, Tokyo to Barcelona, Miami to Portland, we'll be there camera in hand! That means, this offer is valid... WORLD-WIDE!

Ah, the "Other Side"

After more then 5 years of love, commitment, compromise, and more love Matt and I have decided it's time to make the LEAP.

At midnight Christmas Eve, Matt popped THE questions at the Palm Beach airport. I was shocked. And then I was happy. :)

But now, after 5 years of working as a wedding photographer, I will journey into life on the other side of the veil. The posts labeled "My Wedding" will document my journey as wedding photographer turned bride. I can't flippin' wait!

Flash Back on 2010!

2010 was such a stellar year!!! This is a big, huge thank you to all the fabulous people who let me take their photograph this past year. One last hoorah for 2010 with a few random, favorite moments, and onward we travel through 2011! *high five*