Destination Weddings 2018 by Hood River News News

2018

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A gentle breeze dances throug h delicate lace tablecloths as sunlig ht drifts between the weathered barnwood. Crystal glassware and vintage china sparkle atop old wooden dining tables. The organic beauty of a Tin Roof Barn wedding is centuries in the making.

Magic loves it here...

www.atinroofbarn.com | 541.371.2276 | magic@atinroofbarn.com

Many thanks to Sweetlife Photography and Niki Rhodes Photo

Start your story in theheart of the Gorge Up to 200 Guests

Indoor Seating

Outdoor Seating

23,000 SQ Feet

Stevenson, WA

800.991.2338

Printing Sponsored By: City of Stevenson and Skamania County Lodge Taxes

B E L AT H Ã&#x2030; E P HO T O G R A P H Y

REAL WEDDINGS

6 Th e Dalles Country Club Allison Kortge and Isaac Bailey 10 Private Residence in Rowena Chelsea Fox and Chris Hemingway 14 Gorge Crest Vineyards Claire Harvey and Joseph Duvall 22 Wahclella Falls Jacqueline Delo and Ethan Howard 26 Mt. View Orchards Becca Allen and Ethan Moser

INTERVIEWS

4 A hi's Ohana Catering Mark Whitehead 30 The Perfect Pour Christie Clarke

PHOTO ESSAY

18 What's on the menu?

also in this issue 3 Introduction 32 Wedding Checklist

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I N T ROD U C T ION 2018

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I From t he E d itor

ELCOME to the 2018 annual edition of Destination Weddings —

Columbia River Gorge. Over the last decade, the Columbia Gorge has become a premier destination wedding location. It’s no wonder, with the stunning backdrops of the Columbia River, the Gorge and the Cascade Mountains. Along with all this beauty comes an outdoor

recreation mecca; a variety of unique and friendly small towns; a farm-to-table foodie scene; a wine region boasting three dozen wineries and tasting rooms and some 80 vineyards; a dozen

ABOUT THE COVER Allison Kortge and Isaac Bailey, Photo by Gorge-Us Photography, Jennifer Gulizia and Jim Semlor, 2017. (gorge-usphoto.com)

craft breweries; and a serious contingent of cideries and distilleries. Couples who get married in the Gorge can take advantage of all of it — making their wedding a celebration of their vows as well as a memorable vacation for themselves and their guests. Wedding venues in the Gorge range from pastoral farm settings to historic hotels to golf clubs — and everything in between. Furthermore, a long list of local wedding vendors have been practicing and perfecting their crafts — many of them for years — to ensure wedding

M A G A Z I N E S TA F F Publisher / Chelsea Marr Editor / Janet Cook

couples that their long-planned events are carried out just the way they dreamed and planned.

Graphic Design Creative Director / Lisa Becharas Andy Taylor

wedding venue Gorge Crest Vineyards in Underwood to relative newcomer to the wedding

Advertising Jody Thompson, Manager; Suzette Gehring, Megan Irish, Ginger Shepherd, Lydia Gildehaus PHOTOGRAPHERS Jennifer Gulizia, Jim Semlor, Michael Peterson, Shelly Peterson, Kelly Turso, David Hanson, Dorothée Brand

In this issue, we’ve featured real weddings at a variety of venues around the Columbia Gorge so you can get a feel for what it’s like to get married in this special place. From long-standing venue scene, Mt. View Orchards in the Hood River Valley, to a beloved trail in the heart of the Gorge, each venue offers its own take on saying “I do.” We’ve also included Q&As with two Hood River-based wedding vendors: Ahi’s Ohana Catering, whose owner-chef Mark Whitehead has been catering weddings in the Columbia Gorge for 15 years; and The Perfect Pour, which provides professional bartending services for weddings and rehearsal dinners. These friendly and helpful professionals are just two examples of the many quality vendors abundant in the Gorge. We hope you enjoy this edition, and find inspiration for your own destination wedding in the Columbia River Gorge.

Janet Cook, editor

GENERAL FEEDBACK jcook@thegorgemagazine.com cmarr@hoodrivernews.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES jthompson@hoodrivernews.com MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 390 • Hood River, Oregon 97031 PHONE 541-386-1234

Destination Weddings Columbia River Gorge is publication of Hood River News and The Gorge Magazine. Both are a subsidiary of Eagle Media NW, Inc., an affiliate of Eagle Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of Eagle Media NW, Inc. Articles and photographs appearing in Destination Weddings Columbia River Gorge may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Destination Weddings Columbia River Gorge, The Gorge Magazine, Eagle Media NW, Inc., Eagle Newspapers, Inc., or its employees, staff or management. All RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

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I N T E RV I E W

I A hi's Ohana C ater ing

AHI'S OHANA CATERING Chef Mark Whitehead and his team at Ahi’s Ohana Catering have been catering weddings in the Columbia River Gorge for 15 years. For information go to ahicatering.wixsite.com/mysite. Q: What should I look for in a caterer? A: We recommend using locally sourced vendors who support the Gorge businesses. I would also look for a caterer that provides all-inclusive wedding packages and has no hidden costs. Q: What are the trends in food at weddings? A: Ahi’s has found that a lot of the guests are from out-of-town and are looking to experience the bounty of food that the area has to offer. Also, one of our popular services is “family style,” because it brings a feeling of sitting down at home with your loved ones. Q: Do you specialize in certain foods or food themes? A: We personalize all of our menus and can create a certain style or theme according to the couple’s ideas. Our chefs offer a variety of

genres in food and have built a strong cooking relationship together. Q: How do you go about sourcing local food? A: We have spent years sourcing local food and creating relationships with our local farmers and growers. We gather lists the week prior to an event and purchase products that are fresh and in-season. Q: Do you have certain pre-set menu options, or do you personalize menus? A: We offer creative ideas that we use as a starting point to personalize each menu. We take our clients’ thoughts and ideas and transform them into a menu that makes their celebration everything they imagined. Ahi’s loves the challenge of cooking new foods and keeping the freshness alive in the kitchen. Q: What are the important functions a caterer serves, besides making the food? A: Ahi’s offers a full-service wedding package. This includes helping coordinate the day and making sure all of the guests’ needs are met. It’s important for a caterer to be flexible and work well with the other vendors.

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Q: How do you coordinate with the other vendors I’ll be using? A: Ahi’s has been catering in the Gorge and working with the local vendors for more than 15 years. We communicate with the other vendors, working as a team to ensure a smooth wedding day. Q: What are some important questions I should ask any potential caterer? A: Ask them if they cater to special dietary needs, allergies and food sensitivities. Ask what type of services they offer. Ask them if they use locally sourced vendors — and can you call them for references. Ask them if they can personalize a menu according to your budget. Q: What’s your favorite part about catering a wedding? A: Meeting and getting to know the wedding couple and their families, from the day we begin personalizing your menu to the day of the celebration. Ahi’s Ohana Catering builds a relationship with the family to make a meaningful experience for them for this special day. It’s all about the guests and seeing the happiness that a good meal brings to all.

GORGE-US PHOTOGRAPH.COM

• informalfl owers.com • (541) 386-3666 • 311 Oak Street • Hood River

urban paper

Weddings

INVITATIONS | SAVE THE DATE | NAME CARDS | MENUS | and MORE

415 E. 2nd St. THE DALLES

541-298-2767

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I The D a l les C ount r y C lub

Allison Kortge & Isaac Bailey MARRIED ON JUNE 17, 2017

Why they got married in the Gorge

Allison and Isaac both grew up in the Gorge — Allison’s father is a fourth-generation wheat farmer in The Dalles — and they wanted to get married at a venue that was close to family and friends. They wanted to meld country and farm elements with a classic and elegant setting, and The Dalles Country Club proved to be the perfect venue.

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DETAILS Wedding venue: The Dalles Country Club Where they live: Canandaigua, NY Occupations: Allison is a substitute teacher; Isaac is in residency to become a medical physicist How they met: They’ve known each other since 8th grade, but didn’t start talking until they were juniors in college. “We were both really shy and were way too nervous to talk to each other,” Allison said. Through mutual friends, they began hanging out together while they were home from college for Christmas break. “That’s how it all started!” she said. How they got engaged: Isaac proposed at the Japanese Garden in Portland. “It was a beautiful sunny day and I was completely surprised!” Allison said. Number of guests: 250 Favorite details: It’s hard to pick a favorite because “it was all so amazing,” said Allison. “From getting ready with my bridesmaids, the first look, ceremony, seeing friends and family, and dancing — I had the most perfect day.” Unexpected moment: The feeling of comfort as soon as the ceremony started. “The nerves started to go away and it felt as if we were the only people there,” Allison said. Advice for other couples: “Don’t expect everything to go exactly as planned because there will be things that don’t turn out as you may have thought,” Allison said. “The most important thing is getting married and most likely you won’t even notice if a few things are off.” The day, in a sentence: “It was absolutely amazing and better than I could have ever imagined,” Allison said. Honeymoon: Riviera Maya, Mexico

VENDORS Wedding Planner: Shae Kasinger (The Dalles) Ceremony & reception: The Dalles Country Club (thedallescountryclub.com) Music: DJ Randy Haines Catering: The Dalles Country Club Photography: Gorge-Us Photography — Jennifer Gulizia and Jim Semlor (gorge-usphoto.com) Hair/Make-up: Shear Bliss (make-up) and Christine Brandt (hair) (shearblisssalonhr.com) Flowers: Jamie Crouse Cake & Cake Pops: Lorri Collins and Jessica Cry

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Let us create a unique one-of-a-kind design for your special day that will last a lifetime. For more information: (541) 387-4367 www.sparklingcreationsonline.com 409 Oak Street / Hood River, Oregon

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Ahi’s Ohana Catering 541-399-1299 

ahi.catering@gmail.com

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R E A L W E DDI N G S

I Pr ivate R esidence in R owena

Chelsea Fox & Chris Hemingway MARRIED ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Why they got married in the Gorge

The couple has spent most of their summer weekends in the Gorge for the past 10 years — windsurfing, biking, hiking and enjoying the breweries, wineries and restaurants in the area. “It’s one of our favorite locations on earth,” Chelsea said. They got engaged in the Gorge and immediately knew they wanted to get married here, too. “Besides the significant spot the Gorge holds in our hearts,” she added, “how can you beat the backdrop? The Columbia River, surrounding hillsides and Mount Hood — it doesn’t get much better.”

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I Pr ivate R esidence in R owena

DETAILS Wedding venue: Private residence in Rowena Rehearsal dinner: Maryhill Museum of Art Where they live: Seattle Occupations: Chelsea is an interior designer; Chris is a portfolio manager at a Seattle-based investment firm How they met: During freshman year at the University of Washington How they got engaged: On top of Rowena Crest in the eastern Gorge while on a bike ride Number of guests: 285 Favorite detail: Chelsea and Chris saved about 75 wine bottles, cleaned off the labels and hung them from the branches of the tree they got married under, placing white flowers in each bottle. “We thought it gave the ceremony a unique and whimsical backdrop,” Chelsea said. Another favorite detail were four-foot-tall “C&C” metal letters fabricated and powder coated by Chelsea’s cousin, and installed and up-lit on top of a shed which could be seen from all around the wedding venue. “PARTY” marquee letters also hung from the ceiling of the tent, and the lights on the letters were synced with the beat of the music. “That really set the tone for the reception,” Chelsea said. “We wanted everyone to let loose, dance and party all night long!” Unexpected moment: The officiant (who was the groom’s uncle) arranged for family and friends to surprise the couple by standing up during the ceremony and offering marriage advice. “It was a mix of grandparents, family friends and college friends,” Chelsea said. “Some were serious and heartfelt while others were hilarious. It was such a fun and unexpected surprise!” Advice for other couples: “Focus on your partner, family and friends,” Chelsea said. “If anything goes wrong, let it be. No one else will notice. Your wedding day will likely be the one event in your life where you are surrounded by all the people you love. It would be a shame to waste that moment stressing about little things that don’t matter in the big scheme of things.” The day, in a sentence: “The best day ever!” said Chelsea. Honeymoon: Europe — Barcelona, the south of France and Munich for Oktoberfest.

VENDORS

Wedding Planner: Stephanie Solomon, Solomon Events (solomonevents.com) Rehearsal dinner: Maryhill Museum of Art (maryhillmuseum.org) Ceremony & reception: Private residence Music: Hit Machine (bartpro.com/hit-machine) Catering: Art of Catering (artofcatering.net) Photography: Belathée Photography (belathée.com) Flowers: Geranium Lake Flowers (geraniumlake.com) Late-night snack: Solstice Woodfire Pizza (solsticewoodfirecafe.com) Gelato: Cicci Gelato (Facebook/Cicci.Gelato)

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I G orge Crest Vine yards

Claire Harvey & Joseph Duvall M A R R I E D O N J U LY 8 , 2 0 1 7

Why they got married in the Gorge The couple is originally from the Portland area, and they love the scenery and general vibe of the Gorge. They first visited Gorge Crest Vineyards in the dead of winter and it was covered in snow. “But the moment we saw it, we knew it was the perfect place for us,” Claire said. They also liked the fact that many of their guests were able to turn the wedding weekend into a vacation, taking advantage of the many activities in the area. a l l i m a g e s b y K E L LY T U R S O k e l ly t u r s o. c o m © 2 0 1 7 14

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DETAILS

Wedding venue: Gorge Crest Vineyards Where they live: Santa Clara, CA Occupations: Claire is in supply chain administration; Joe is a tax accountant How they met: In 8th grade science class where, by chance, they sat next to each other on the first day of school. Joe pestered and annoyed Claire, who would scream for him to leave her alone “while dying for more attention,” Claire admits. They briefly dated at the end of the school year, but Claire soon broke it off as they headed to different high schools. They kept in touch and by the end of freshman year, they were dating again and they’ve been together ever since — through different colleges and a stint studying abroad for Claire. How they got engaged: Joe took Claire by surprise on her birthday. The couple spent the December day doing different activities with friends, with Joe secretly carrying an engagement ring around in his coat pocket all day. At one point, Claire asked to wear his coat when she was cold, but she didn’t discover the ring. He proposed as they walked among a row of decorated Christmas trees at San Jose’s renowned Christmas in the Park exhibit. Number of guests:140 Favorite detail: “The whole weekend was absolutely perfect from start to finish,” said Claire. Unexpected moment: “We didn’t expect to have as much fun as we did at our wedding!” Claire said. She credits their wedding planner, who “was absolutely amazing,” for making their wedding day stress-free. “Everything was taken care of, leaving us nothing to do but enjoy the absolutely breathtaking views and dance the night away!” Advice for other couples: Hire a wedding planner — you won’t regret it! Plan as much as you can and save as much as you can to avoid extra stress. On the day of, take a minute and let everything sink in. The day goes by so fast! The day, in a sentence: “Rustic, carefree, heartfelt, beautiful and more than anything we could have ever dreamed of,” Claire said. Honeymoon: (Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom)

VENDORS

Wedding planner: Heather Sullivan, Love Notes (weddinglovenotes.com) Ceremony & Reception: Gorge Crest Vineyards (gorgecrest.com) Music: DMoeFunk (Dan Moe) Catering: Celilo Restaurant (celilorestaurant.com) Flowers: Lucy’s Informal Flowers (informalflowers.com) Photographer: Kelly Turso (kellyturso.com) Cake: Dream Cakes (dreamcakesportland.com) Hair/make-up: Glamourise

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I What's on t he menu?

What do you want to serve at your wedding? CLOCKWISE at right Solstice Woodfire Pizza: (solsticewoodfirecafe.com) Chinese takeout snack: (artofcatering.net) Chocolate Dessert with ice cream: (artofcatering.net) Wedding Cake: (dreamcakesportland.com) Gelato: Cicci Gelato (Facebook/Cicci.Gelato) Spicy Shrimp: (artofcatering.net) Cake pops: Lorri Collins and Jessica Cry Fruit and cheese: (celilorestaurant.com) PHOTOGRAPHY kellyturso.com, gorge-usphoto.com, belathĂŠe.com

Kortge-Bailey Wedding, gorge-usphoto.com 18

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FOOD AND CAKE

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The areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier lifestyle publication

WEDDINGS & REHEARSALS Where friends meet, stories are shared, and memories are made.

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For more information, contact Janet Cook: jcook@thegorg

5DWHG %HVW )DQ )DYRULWH 'HVWLQDWLRQ LQ WKH For advertising, contact Jody Thompson: jthompson@theg (4 issues per year mailed Great plates for more than 30 years JRUJH RIIHULQJ ZRUOG FODVV KRVSLWDOLW\ DQG to your home) Read the magazine online, too! www.theg YLQWDJH FKDUP IRU \RXU XQLTXH GHVWLQDWLRQ (541) 386-5331 Order online at ZHGGLQJ &DOO RU HPDLO WRGD\ IRU D WRXU RU WR For more information, contact Janet Cook: thegorgemagazine.com www.chinagorge.com UHTXHVW RXU :HGGLQJ *XLGH jcook@thegorgemagazine.com or 541-399-6333 or call 541-399-6333 2680 Old Columbia River Drive For advertising, contact Jody Thompson: more information, or 541-399-6333 Hood River,For Oregon 97031 contact Janet Cook: jcook@thegorgemagazine.com jthompson@thegorgemagazine.com or 425-380-9582 :HGGLQJV#%DOFK+RWHO FRP For advertising, contact Jody Thompson: jthompson@thegorgemagazine.com or 425-380-9582 %DVHG RQ %DVHG RQ 7ULS$GYLVRU <HOS DQG *RRJOH UHYLHZV

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310 OAK STREET HOOD RIVER, OR 97031 www.chemistryjewelry.com

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I Wa hclel l a Fa l ls

Jacqueline Delo & Ethan Howard M A R R I E D O N M AY 1 9 , 2 0 1 7

Why they got married in the Gorge The couple frequently drives through the Gorge on their way to and from Idaho (Ethan is from Philomath, Ore., and Jacqueline is from Yakima, Wash.) and love its beauty. “We considered other locations, but none really compared,” Jacqueline said. “We found Wahclella Falls and knew immediately this was where we wanted to celebrate our special day.” It was close enough to both families so that everyone could attend. all images by MICHAEL PETERSON PHOTO GRAPHY m i c h a e l p e t e r s o n p h o t o g r a p h y. c o m © 2 0 1 7 22

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I Wa hclel l a Fa l ls

DETAILS Wedding venue: Wahclella Falls Where they live: Boise, ID Occupations: Jacqueline is a pharmacy technician; Ethan is an engineer at Micron Technology How they met: At Starbucks, where Jacqueline was working while attending Boise State University. Ethan stopped in frequently for coffee and for months they would chat briefly over the counter. Then one day, Ethan came in and was the only customer in the store. “I thought I would catch him on the way out to exchange numbers after he had finished his coffee,” Jacqueline said. “As it turns out, he was coming up to ask for mine at that same moment.” Jacqueline wrote her number on a piece of receipt paper, which Ethan still carries in his wallet. How they got engaged: On a snowboarding trip to Bogus Basin Ski Resort. Ethan proposed when they stopped to take a photo on the top of the mountain. “What I remember most was how the sun was out and the snow looked like glitter falling from the sky,” Jacqueline said. “It was magical. He proposed while both of us still had one foot clipped into our boards.” Number of guests: Immediate family Favorite details: How green the Gorge was! Also, they had a sign they had put at the trailhead that read: “Thanks for coming, now take a hike.” Another sign they placed along the trail was a John Muir quote: “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” Another favorite detail was signing their marriage certificate over a moss-covered boulder. After the ceremony, guests started to hike out and Jacqueline and Ethan stayed to explore near the waterfall’s pool, climbing down onto the wet rocks and feeling the cool mist. Unexpected moment: During dinner at 3 Rivers Grill with their guests after the wedding, people from another table bought the wedding party a bottle of wine. “It was a small gesture, but really was a sweet thing to do for complete strangers!” Jacqueline said. Advice for other couples: “Don’t feel pressured into anything on your wedding day,” Jacqueline said. “Remember who this day is for and do what makes you and your fiancé happy. Look for adventure! It’s okay to do something different and the day may just surprise you.” The day, in a sentence: “It was better than we could have imagined!” Jacqueline said.

VENDORS

Catering: 3 Rivers Grill (threeriversgrill.com) Photography: Michael Peterson Photography (michaelpetersonphotography.com) Rentals: Party Connection and Costume Transportation: Explore the Gorge (explorethegorge.com)

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Sigman’s FLOWERS & GIFTS

(541) 296-2171

200 E 2nd St, The Dalles, OR 97058 www.sigmansflorist.com

Solstice Wood Fire Café offers a unique Gorge catering experience. Our fiery, fun mobile kitchen travels to any venue and features whole animal roasting, local and seasonal pizzas, roasted chicken, salmon, full-bar, and more! Vegan and gluten-free menus available.

farm to table kitchen to farm REHEARSALS & WEDDINGS

SOLSTICE WOOD FIRE CAFE, BAR & CATERING 501 Portway Avenue • Hood River, Oregon • solsticewoodfirecafe.com /catering

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I Mt. Vie w Orchards

Becca Allen & Ethan Moser MARRIED ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2017

Why they got married in the Gorge

The couple wanted to get married in the Gorge because they love the outdoors, but most of the options seemed out of their price range. They were looking at other locations when they discovered a wedding package giveaway at Mt. View Orchards. They entered and won!

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I Mt. Vie w Orchards

fàÉÇx{xwzx GARDENS

Amazing Weddings Rehearsal Dinners Dinner at 5 p.m. www.StonehedgeWeddings.com

DETAILS Wedding venue: Mt. View Orchards

(541) 386-3940 3405 Wine Country Ave. Hood River

Where they live: Tualatin, OR Occupations: Becca is a physical therapy aide; Ethan is a structural engineer How they met: During college, while playing intramural floor hockey How they got engaged: Ethan took Becca showshoeing up Mount Tumelo in Bend, OR. At the top, with Mount Bachelor and Broken Top in the background, he got down on one knee and proposed. “I was super surprised at first and initially just responded with, ‘Seriously?’” Becca said. “But then I of course said yes!” Number of guests: 120 Favorite detail: The dessert table and the flowers Unexpected moment: Winning the wedding giveaway! Advice for other couples: “Delegate and plan beforehand so when the day of the wedding arrives you can just sit back and enjoy it!” said Becca. The day, in a sentence:“I got to marry my best friend surrounded by our friends and family,” Becca said. “It couldn’t have been more perfect.”

VENDORS

Wedding Planner: Samantha Struck (strucksured.com) Ceremony & reception: Mt. View Orchards (mtvieworchards.com) Rentals: Riverhood Rentals (riverhoodrentals.com) Photography: Marla Cyree (simply-splendid.com) Videography: David Hanson (cascadiastudios.com) Flowers: Molly Ryan Floral (mollyryanfloral.com) Pies: Mt. View Orchards (mtvieworchards.com)

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Bakitchen Bakery Angel’s Panaderia Donuts & Mexican Pastries Pies Cakes & Fresh Bread 216 Court Street, The Dalles 541-296-2145 Angel Isordia - Baker

Let us make your setting perfect.

Columbia Gorge

Limousine

Custom Shuttles & Tours for Weddings, Reunions, Corporate Events – or any occasion.

Bus/Van Services Also SERVING THE ENTIRE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE AREA.

541.386.2384 Toll Free 800.899.5676

WWW. EXPLORETHEGORGE . COM

Providing excellent service in the Gorge for over 15 years. Delivery, set-up and pick-up always included. Chairs • Tables • Linens • Glassware • Silverware • Dishware • Lighting • Punch Bowls • Coffee Urns • BBQ Grills Chafer Dishes • Stage • Canopy • Generators • Sound Systems • Dance Floors • Guest Beds • Design Consultations

DISCOVER Rentals (541) 296-2531 • 707 Walnut Street, The Dalles, OR • discover707td@gmail.com

For all your Catering Needs AUTHENTIC, FRESH, MEXICAN FOOD AND FULL BAR Daily lunch and dinner specials including Fresh Seafood and Vegetarian entries. Take out and catering available. HOURS SUN-THURS. 11AM - 9:30PM FRI. AND SAT. 11AM - 10:30PM THREE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU.

THE DALLES 810 Cherry Heights Rd. (541) 298-1265 HOOD RIVER 2920 W. Cascade Ave. Ste #4 (541) 386-1168 HERMISTON 115 E. Oregon Street (541) 564-0320

www.ixtapadelgorge.com Proudly serving the Gorge for over 11years!

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I N T E RV I E W

I The Per fe c t Pour

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THE PERFECT POUR Christie Clarke and her company The Perfect Pour provide professional bartending services at weddings and rehearsal dinners, as well as fundraising events and corporate and private parties in the Gorge. For information, go to perfectpourbartenders.com. Q: Why hire a bartender for my wedding — can’t the caterer or venue do it? A: Hiring a professional bartending company makes sense for many reasons. There are lots of details to consider for a wedding and the bar is a big one to factor in! I will often start talking with the bride and groom up to a year before their wedding day to get to know them and their story so we can add their personal touch. Also, it helps to know the big picture of their day so I can make helpful recommendations for things outside of just the bar portion. We have an amazing group of wedding-related vendors in the Gorge and it’s important to us all to try to refer each other. It also makes for a seamless day when you have already worked with the caterer, day-of coordinator, rental company, photographer, venue manager, DJ, and shuttle driver. Perfect Pour will handle liquor liability insurance, beverage selection and purchasing, glassware, signage, complete bar set-up and so much more. This way, the big day will flow smoothly and the wedding party can just relax and enjoy the festivities. Q: What are the current trends in wedding beverages? A: In the Gorge, serving local beer, wine, and spirits is always popular and hard ciders are a great way to add variety to the beverage list. Other creative ideas are to serve champagne or beer cocktails, and mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) as well. Brunch weddings starting earlier in the day with a fresh squeezed juice mimosa bar are a fun way to mix it up, too.

Q: What is a signature drink and how do we come up with one? A: A signature drink is normally a cocktail that is somehow representative of the bride and groom. I like to explore ideas of their family heritage and combine two components into the drink. I’ve also served a signature cocktail which was the drink the couple shared on their first date. I think the main point is to keep it simple, delicious, and fun.

venues already have a built-in bar, which makes things easier for set up. Some venues have a few different bar locations, so I’ll need to factor in extra service help. Typically I put in quite a few up-front hours for no cost. I’ll gladly meet a couple at a winery or brewery to pick out some selections and chat in person, or I will meet at their venue to walk through their vision of the set-up. I like to have it all planned out well before the big day.

Q: How do we come up with a bar budget for our wedding — are there certain rules of thumb? A: I have worked with a wide range of budgets and I’m happy to help couples come up with a realistic spending plan. I can work with people who lean to the more casual side — for example, a backyard party using plastic cups and the hosts providing their own alcohol — and I can also work with people who want a formal affair with black tie servers carrying trays of Champagne. I’ve found it’s helpful to be flexible because everybody has a different situation. For many of the weddings I’ve worked, somebody has an aunt who is gifting them wine from her winery, or a brother-in-law who works for a brewery and gets them free beer. We can always work with these factors in order to keep people within their budget.

Q: We want to serve local beer, wine and cider. How do we figure out what to serve from all the options? A: There is an incredible amount of local options and it’s fun for me to keep up on the market research. It’s entirely possible to get all the beer, wine, cider and even spirits, juices, and garnishes from right here in the lovely Gorge. Most people I talk to already have an idea of their preferences, but if not, we have a little homework to do! I also like to communicate with the caterer to ensure our drink selections will pair nicely with the food, appetizers, and desserts.

Q: How do we know how much alcohol we’ll need? A: One rule of thumb to use for an estimate is two drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person an hour for the rest of the evening. It depends on the starting time and ending time of the drink service at the wedding and what types of drinks are being offered. I always bring back-up alcohol in case we have an extra thirsty crowd and I discuss any possible extra costs up front. Q: Do you charge by a set fee per person or by the amount of alcohol consumed? A: I put together a custom proposal for each wedding. There are so many variables that it’s difficult to give a boilerplate quote. Some

Q: What are some important questions I should ask a potential wedding bartender? A: Make sure you know what time the bartender will arrive to set up, and that they know when they need to be finished setting up. This way you will avoid hearing glasses rattling and ice crashing into tubs during your ceremony! Also make sure their attire will be in line with the dress code of the event. Find out how they would handle a guest who has had one too many. Discretion and politeness are important, but all bartenders need to make sure nobody is over-served. Another important question is finding out their cancellation policy and deposit refund policy. There are many circumstances that can happen here — fires, snowstorms, road closures, etc. — and it’s good to know all this information ahead of time. Also, find out what questions a bartender might have for the couple. Communication is key and the goal at Perfect Pour is for every person to have an unforgettable time.

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W E DDI N G C H E C K L I S T

I Br id a l Pl anner

Wedding Checklist 16 to 9 Months  Think about the type of wedding you want. Formal or informal? Big or small?  Decide what time of year you want your wedding to take place. Summer weddings are popular in the Columbia Gorge, but spring and fall are equally beautiful, and there are plenty of venues perfect for winter weddings.

you’ll typically need three fittings. When buying, think about how you’ll transport the dress to your destination.

 Create a gift registry.

 Shop for the bridesmaids’ dresses. Allow at least six months for the gowns to be ordered and sized.

6 to 4 Months

C onfirm details of your ceremony.

B ook the welcome party or rehearsal dinner venue.

 Create a seating chart.

 Hire a planner. This is even more important if you’re not from the area.

 Book a photographer. Wedding photographers in the Columbia Gorge are in high demand, especially during the summer months. The farther ahead of time you book your photographer, the better.

 Scout venues, if possible, and meet with vendors and/or your local wedding planner.

 Book a block of hotel rooms or rent accommodations for your wedding party and guests.

 Determine your wedding party.

 Book your flight and accommodations.

 Settle on a head count.

 Hire a florist.

 Choose a date. Remember, many venues in the Columbia Gorge get booked well in advance.

 Choose your menu and dessert.

 Create a budget.

9 to 6 Months  Purchase a dress. Custom gowns can take months to make, and even if you’re buying off the rack,

 Book the entertainment.  Launch a wedding website that includes important links for guests (accommodations, activities in the area etc.).  Make arrangements for prewedding events and activities.

 Send save-the-date cards.

A ssemble welcome bags and prepare welcome letter.  Write your vows.

A rrange wedding day transportation for you and your guests.  Plan and order favors. A rrange hairdressers and make-up artists.  Choose songs.

3 to 2 Months

E nter RSVPs into the guest-list database. C onfirm flight and accommodations bookings.

Week of Wedding D elegate small wedding-day tasks.  S end a timeline to the bridal party.

C onfirm details with all your vendors.

B ook a spa treatment (manicure, pedicure, facial, spray tan) for the day before the wedding.

 Mail out invitations.

 Confirm final guest count.

R eview the song list with your band or DJ.

One Month  Get your marriage license. M ail the welcome party or rehearsal dinner invitations. P urchase gifts for your bridesmaids.

WEDDING SPECIALISTS HOME & GARDEN GIFTS

More information (509) 493-4844 www.TrellisFreshFlowers.net 114 East Steuben, Bingen, WA 98605 Find us on facebook PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL PETERSON

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. Stevenson . Stevenson . 240 SW Second Street tm Second Street . Stevenson

fine flowers. fresh style.

s.style. fresh style.

(509) 427-4444 / bloomsburyshop.com . 240 SW Second Street . Stevenson

Photo by Bl ai ne + B e t hany Photo g r aphy

509-427-4444 bloomsburyshop.com Hood River Stevenson White Salmon

Hood River’s Hidden Gem

westclifflodge.com 877.386.2992

Westcliff Lodge is nestled on 7+ acres of quiet wooded grounds overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. RESERVATIONS: reservations@westclifflodge.com

EVENTS & VENUE: events@westclifflodge.com

57 Guest Rooms and Suites

4070 Westcliff Drive, Hood River, OR 97031

Amenities in each room: Microwave/Refrigerator Coffer Maker/Iron/Ironing Board Outdoor Event Space Gorge Viewpoint Site Complimentary Wi-Fi

Interior photo by Michael Peterson

Pet Friendly Picnic and BBQ Area Children’s Playground Fireplace and Kitchen Suites

Visit on the web WestcliffLodge.com Tel: 541-386-2992 or 877-386-2992 4070 Westcliff Drive, Hood River, Oregon 97031

Photo s by Bl ai ne + B e t hany Photog r aphy