Plan the Perfect Wedding with Oregon's Best Photographers, Planners, Florists, DJs and more
June 7, 2018
We asked your fellow brides, grooms and wedding professionals to tell us who they think are Oregon’s most skilled and talented vendors, so that you can rest easy knowing you’ve found the best of the best to handle your big day.
Wedding Planners and Superstars
Best Wedding Coordinator and All-around Wedding Vendor
Outside Portland Winner AE Creative Bend Known for: An exceptionally capable team of event coordinators in Bend, complete with event rentals, paper goods and full-service planning. Finalists: (coordinator) Britt and Bixby Events (Bend), The Indigo Bride (Bend); (all-around) Face Body Beauty (Silverton), Bespoke Bride (Bend), Bella Brides (Bend)
Best Day-of Coordinator
Portland Winner Adornment Events Known for: Seamless service from a friendly team of coordinators ready to ensure that every detail of your day goes off without a hitch. Finalists:Bridal Bliss, CK Event,
Outside Portland Winner Bespoke Bride Bend Known for: A chic, one-stop shop for bridal attire and planning, where expert planners and designers work with couples to create unforgettable events. Finalists:The Indigo Bride (Bend), Addivia (Polk County)
Statewide Winner Elizabeth Dye Portland Known for: Locally designed romantic and ethereal wedding gowns, sold at The English Dept. in Northwest Portland, as well as at boutiques around the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Finalists:Claire La Faye (Portland), Lena Medoyeff (Portland)
Best Formal Wear
Portland Winner Marios Known for: High-end designer formal wear for the entire bridal party, featuring threads by unique and exclusive designers. Finalists: Men’s Wearhouse, Mr. Formal
Outside Portland Winner Blush Bridal & Tux Shop Eugene Known for: Its stylish setting in Eugene and for meeting all your sartorial needs, from elegant bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses to classic tuxedos for the gentlemen. Finalists:Cordially Invited Bridal Boutique (Bend), The Natty Dresser (Albany)
Best Hair and Makeup
Portland Winner Face Body Beauty Known for: Stunning, fresh-faced bridal makeup and hair services for brides and bridal parties, personalized to individual tastes and requirements. Finalists:Olivia Hawthorne Beauty, Portland Makeup and Hair
Portland Winner Kassab Jewelers Known for: Classic fine jewelry service in an upscale downtown showroom, offering an expansive selection of diamonds, designer rings and more. Finalists:Twist, Maloy’s Jewelry Workshop
Portland Winner Betsy & Iya Known for: Modern, geometric jewelry that’s handcrafted right in Portland. It’s a great place to find a one-of-a-kind piece to complete your wedding-day wardrobe. Finalists: Alchemy Jeweler,Kassab Jewelers
Photography from left, Deyla Huss Photography Hair piece by Tessa Kim; George Barberis; courtesy of Dosha Salon Spa From left, Face Body Beauty, Best Hair and Makeup, Portland and Silverton; Betsy & Iya, Best Local Jewelry Store, Portland; Dosha Salon Spa, Best Spa Services, Portland
Best Spa Services
Portland Winner Dosha Salon Spa Known for: Six locations in the Portland metro area, plus a full menu of spa and beauty services for destressing before the wedding and beautifying on the big day. Finalist:Rejuvenation Day Spa
Photography from left, Sweetlife Photography; Honeysuckle Photography; Courtesy of Foxtail Bakeshop From left, White Pepper, Best Caterer, Portland; Twist Cocktail Catering Co., Best Beverage Caterer, Bend; Foxtail Bakershop, Best Wedding Desserts & Custom Cakes, Bend
Best Beverage Caterer
Portland Winner Mint & Mirth Known for: Sophisticated and delectable drink menus, carefully crafted by award-winning bartender and owner Kate Bolton, who took over the business in December 2017. Finalists:My Bartender, White Pepper
Portland Winner Blum Floral Design Known for: Timeless, custom bouquets for all your wedding events, from simple arrangements for the rehearsal dinner to stunning arbor creations for the ceremony. Finalists:Bella Bloom Florals, Swoon Floral Design
Outside Portland Winner Summer Robbins Flowers Bend Known for: Bespoke floral arrangements inspired by the colors and textures found in nature. Bend florist Summer Robbins brings years of experience and a background in personal styling and fashion design to her one-of-kind botanical creations. Finalists:Distinctive Designs by Denice (Salem), Petals – Flowers by Katie (Bend)
Outside Portland Winner Danner and Soli Salem Known for: Vintage and one-of-a-kind rentals in the Willamette Valley, where you can rent everything from classic chalkboard signs to amazing vintage trunks and furniture. Finalists:Curated Event Rentals (Bend), Heirlooms & Co. (Bend)
Outside Portland Winner For the Love of Pete Event Rentals Salem Known for: Providing all of the essentials for the ceremony and reception, from cake stands and classic table linens to lawn games and signs. Finalists:O’Brien Events (Bend), Special Occasions (Corvallis)
Photography from left, Sweetlife Photography; Courtesy of Letters and Dust; Dawn Photography From left, Something Borrowed, Best Boutique Rentals, Portland; Letters and Dust, Best Invitations, Portland; Summer Robbins Flowers, Best Florist, Bend
Best Invitations
Portland Winner Letters and Dust Known for: Beautiful calligraphy and custom paper goods, from laser-cut table numbers to trendy acrylic invitations. Finalists:Crave Design, Wide Eyes Paper Co.
Outside Portland Winner Ely Roberts Wedding Photography Bend Known for: More than 10 years of experience photographing weddings throughout Oregon, specializing in photos inspired by outdoor settings and timeless memories. Finalists:Hazel Eye Photography (Grants Pass), Amanda Meg Photography (Eugene)
Best Photography (Team)
Portland Winner MoscaStudio Known for: A team of respected photographers who practice a “fly on the wall” approach to wedding photography, which yields wedding photos that are natural, classic, fun and spontaneous. Finalists:Powers Photography Studios, A Lovely Day Photography
Outside Portland Winner Byron Roe Photography Bend Known for: Distinctive, photojournalistic-style snapshots combining visual artistry with unforgettable memories, captured by a dedicated husband-and-wife photographer duo. Finalists:Gallivan Photo (Bend), JJ Weddings (Corvallis)
Best Videographer
Portland Winner Moving Pictures Known for: Artistic and atmospheric wedding videos with beautiful cinematography and editing. Finalists:Ambient Sky, Watertown Films
Outside Portland Winner Focal Point Digital Media Salem Known for: Award-winning wedding videographers who are experts at what they do: creating stunning video keepsakes so you can relive your wedding day whenever you wish. Finalists:Mike Hiatt Media (Bend), Ace of Hearts Films (Bend)
Best Photo Booth
Portland Winner Happymatic Photobooth Co. Known for: Iconic hipster style via a photo booth machine that allows you to customize your backdrop, props and more. Finalists:Smirk Photobooth Co., White Tower Photo Booth
Outside Portland Winner Bend VW Photo Bus Bend Known for: Bringing an abundance of eclectic charm to Bend-area receptions with an amazing 1971 VW van retrofitted with state-of-the-art photo booth technology. Finalists:Blue Bus Creatives (Eugene), Adventure Box Photo Booth (Bend)
Photography from left, Ely Roberts From left, Ely Roberts Wedding Photography, Best Photographer, Bend; Bend VW Photo Bus, Best Photo Booth, Bend
Outside Portland Winner Flip Flop Sounds Bend Known for: Keeping the party going with seamless music and entertainment. With this Bend-based DJ, all your favorite songs make the cut. Finalists: Apogee Events (Salem), Bend Event Sound (Bend)
Outside Portland Winner Precious Byrd Known for: Everything from modern hits to classic tunes, played by a funky, award-winning four-person band in dress shirts and ties. Finalists:Hit Machine (statewide), Honey Don’t (Bend)
Outside Portland Winner Flip Flop Sounds Bend Known for: Personalized event music and audio that stays on top of the latest trends, without all those outdated DJ tricks and cheesy voice-overs. Finalists:Apogee Events (Salem), Sights and Sounds Unlimited (Grants Pass)
Best Ceremony Musicians
Portland Winner John Ross Music and Production Known for: Personalized service from a roster of musicians who provide live acoustic ceremony music in a variety of styles, as well as DJ services and sound support. Finalists:Duo con Brio, Effesenden Music
Outside Portland Winner Bend Event Music Bend Known for: Amazing music and vocals in a range of styles, from traditional classical to relaxed “classy grass” music. Finalists:The Ashlings (Bend), The Brothers Reed (Ashland)
Photography from left, Natalie Puls Photography; Courtesy of Greenlight Creative From left, Precious Byrd, Best Reception Band, Outside Portland; Greenlight Creative, Best Audio and Visual Company, Portland
Outside Portland Winner The Reverend Chris Lewis, “The English Gentleman” Central Oregon; 541.504.7499 Known for: His classy yet down-to-earth vibe and ability to keep the ceremony running smoothly. Lewis creates a ceremony perfectly suited to each couple, charming couples and guests alike. Finalists:Wendy Duncan Ministries (Deschutes County), Mark Burton (Salem)
Photography from left, Courtesy of Oregon Garden Resort; Courtesy of Portland Art Museum; Courtesy of Brasada Ranch From left, The Oregon Garden Resort, Best Garden and Outdoor Venue, Silverton; Portland Art Museum, Best Museum or Arts Venue, Portland; Brasada Ranch, Best Country Club or Golf Venue, Powell Butte
Outside Portland Winner The Oregon Garden Resort Silverton Known for: An 80-acre garden near Silver Falls, where you can tie the knot underneath a classic gazebo surrounded by lush botanicals and a full-service resort. Finalists:Brasada Ranch (Powell Butte), Pronghorn Resort (Bend)
Best Historic Venue
Portland Winner Sentinel Hotel Known for: Formerly known as the Governor Hotel, this 1909 Portland mainstay offers historic architecture and an Old World setting that’s a great fit for a vintage-inspired wedding. Finalist:The Treasury Ballroom
Portland Winner Opal 28 Known for: Elegant style in a historic 1908 building in Northeast Portland. Opal 28 boasts a variety of intimate gathering spaces and architectural features that include exposed brick, cement accents and a charming outdoor terrace. Finalists: Blockhouse, Lan Su Chinese Garden
Outside Portland Winners (tie) FivePine Lodge Sisters Known for: Romantic cabins and a scenic lodge nestled in Sisters, where you can get married under the towering ponderosa pines of Deschutes National Forest. The Old Schoolhouse Newberg Known for: See Historic Venue category. Finalist:Pronghorn Resort (Bend)
Outside Portland Winner Spoken Moto Bend Known for: The industrial warehouse setting in Bend’s Old Mill/Box Factory Area, complete with vintage motorcycles, delicious craft brews and Crux Fermentation Project just steps away. Finalists:Vue Corvallis, Salem Convention Center
Outside Portland Winner Brasada Ranch Powell Butte Known for: A modern ranch setting with lodging, a scenic golf course, and a lovely spa—all with beautiful, panoramic views of nine mountain peaks. Finalists:Pronghorn Resort (Bend), Tetherow (Bend)
Best View Venue
Portland Winner Exchange Ballroom Known for: Sweeping views of the downtown Portland skyline (White Stag sign included!) from an expansive ballroom space in Northeast. Finalists:Chart House, Portland City Grill
Photography from left, Courtesy of Timberline Lodge; Courtesy of the Allison Inn & Spa From left, Timberline Lodge, Best Rustic Venue, Government Camp; The Allison Inn & Spa, Best Wedding-Night Hotel, Newberg
Outside Portland Winner Sunriver Resort Sunriver Known for: Rustic year-round luxury with an abundance of event spaces, from the historic great hall with its soaring wood beams to the intimate Caldera Springs Lake House. Finalists:Columbia Gorge Hotel (Hood River), The Allison Inn & Spa (Newberg), Pronghorn Resort (Bend)
Statewide Winner Zenith Vineyard Salem Known for: A beautiful rustic ballroom and an abundance of outdoor space for accommodating weddings small and large, from intimate events of 20 to grand affairs with as many as 500 guests. Finalists:Maysara Winery (McMinnville), Youngberg Hill (McMinnville)
Best Resort Venue
Statewide winner Brasada Ranch Powell Butte Known for: See Country Club or Golf Course Venue category. Finalists:Skamania Lodge (Stevenson, Washington), Sunriver Resort (Sunriver)
Best Wedding-night Hotel
Portland Winner The Nines Hotel Known for: Stylish, contemporary decor and luxury accommodations, complete with two award-winning restaurants offering delicious fare. Finalists:Sentinel Hotel, The Benson Hotel
Outside Portland Winner The Allison Inn & Spa Newberg Known for: Lush gardens and stone and wood architecture in the heart of Oregon wine country, where you can enjoy a view of the vineyards and your favorite varietals from the comfort of a luxurious hotel room. Finalists:Pronghorn Resort (Bend), The Oxford Hotel (Bend)
Best Transportation
Portland Winner Double Decker PDX Known for: Bringing vintage British style to the 21st century with a bright red, completely retrofitted double-decker bus for getting around in style. Finalists: Lucky Limousine and Towncar Service, VIP PDX
Outside Portland Winner The Bend Trolley Bend Known for: Offering San Francisco trolley–inspired bus service, perfect for adding vintage flair to your day-of transportation. Finalists: Lucky Limousine and Towncar Service (statewide), Central Oregon Breeze (Bend)
