Oregon Wedding Day's Best of 2023 Awards

The Nines Hotel, A Luxury Collection, Portland was the perfect setting for Oregon Wedding Day’s Best of 2023 gala with its artistic details, sleek ballrooms and array of spaces for mingling. The inspiration for this year's event was “summer glitz” inspired by summer festivals and designed by Your Perfect Bridesmaid. “Oregon loves their summer festivals and because wedding pros spend their summers with their hair on fire, we often miss all the fun," Katelyn Evans, Director of Operations at Your Perfect Bridesmaid said. “So, we wanted to plan a festival of sorts just for our fellow vendor partners so they can experience one of the true joys of summer.”

Lush, neutral florals by Amanda Karam Floral adorned tables and decorated the chic space as signage by Letters and Dust effortlessly played into the theme. Rentals from Lily and Cane and Arden Event Collective and drapery from Runestone Events added a feeling of luxe. Attendees were welcomed by marquee lighting from Alpha-Lit Portland as Maison de V Entertainment handed out bubbly. To adhere to the fun, festival-like atmosphere, guests could get their portrait drawn by Portraits by Karlee Patton, hear their fortune from Portlandia Fortune Tellers, be amazed by magic performed by The Magician’s Forum, or get tinsel added to their hair from Lucky Locks Co.

As guests mixed and mingled, music from Magnolia Rhapsody and John Ross Music played while lighting and disco balls from Greenlight Creative created a vibrant ambience and set a cinematic tone for the upcoming awards. Kaneri Films’ opening video was a hit before owner and CEO Sonja Babich started off the awards ceremony with an inspiring speech. Then publisher Alexis Sanabria gave opening remarks before editor in chief Lara Burnap presented the Editor's Choice awards honoring the best trends in design and photography from the wedding season. Finally, the Best of 2023 awards were handed out, based on votes from the public and the Oregon wedding industry. 

As a final surprise to the evening, the magazine reveled that they changed their name from Oregon Bride to Oregon Wedding Day! The wins and name change were a catalyst for celebration as everyone gathered to the dance floor where The Blue Wave Band gave an unforgettable performance. Delicious plates from The Nines were handed out as an impressive dessert display featuring bites from Lux Sucre added a sweet touch. Attendees could also satisfy their sweet tooth at Sugar Cloud’s cotton candy cart and The Mobile Scoop Shop’s ice cream cart. Memories were captured at Ready, Set, Pose’s 360-photo booth and The Vanity Portrait Studio’s setup surrounded by a grand balloon installation by Magic Balloons PDX. From start to finish the Oregon Wedding Day’s Best of 2023 gala recognized and reveled in the talent and energy of the Oregon wedding community.