Brides Guide, February 4, 2012

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review, Sponsored by KissTheBrideNW.com, Saturday, February 4, 2012

BRIDE’S GUIDE sponsored by

KisstheBrideNW.com

CAKES

SIMPLE AND SLIGHTLY PERFECT SMART COUPLES

FINANCING THE WEDDING

PLUS GIVE YOUR EVENT A FRESH FEEL

February 2012

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review, Sponsored by KissTheBrideNW.com, Saturday, February 4, 2012

Kiss the Bride The interactive site created by and owned by The Spokesman-Review offers many tools for those planning their big day, including an easy way to publish your wedding or engagement announcements online and in the printed newspaper.

Visitors will find advice on everything from organizing the wedding party to finding the perfect location, the right dress and all the other ways to make one’s wedding memorable.

I

f your holidays were brighter and sparklier than usual with the arrival of an engagement ring, congratulations!

You’ve now entered a new world of weddings, which, depending on you, your fiancé, your finances, and your personal interests and organization can be as extravagant or frugal as you’d like.

Traditionally, most weddings followed a set pattern of dress, location and what to say and do. But these days, couples have much more latitude – this gives them the ability to come up with something unique and memorable just for them.

If you’re looking for help in getting started, or even just sharing your good news with the world, then you’ll love a new wedding resource called KissTheBrideNW.com.

Fiancées or newlyweds are invited to write blogs, discuss their upcoming nuptials, share their registries, and post on other bride’s pages.

We even have a suggested timeline and helpful advice from local wedding and event experts.

Getting set up is easy.We need basic info about you and your fiancé/groom, and a $24.99 fee, which guarantees rapid online publication of your announcement in your exact words.

It also makes you eligible for a couple of cool features: when you register, you can indicate if you’re interested in a member of the Kiss The BrideNW writing team putting together an interesting story about you or your wedding plans. Or, if your wedding has already taken place, we would also be happy to help chronicle how well everything went.

New brides or brides-to-be are also eligible to win various limited-edition gifts or enter various promotions or giveaways.

To keep track of these, continue visiting KissTheBrideNW.com or the official KissTheBrideNW Facebook page. Here, you can compare notes with others at various stages in their nuptial planning, and easily connect with many talented local vendors. It’s a great spot to see regional and national trends and even find ways to save money.

Even simply ‘liking’ the Facebook page can bear positive fruit: until mid-February, Kiss The Bride has a book of wedding strategies up for grabs, and the only way to win it is to like us.

Please feel free to contact the KissTheBrideNW.com team with any questions or if you’d like to know more about site and announcements.We can be reached at info@kissthebridenw.com or (509) 459-5117.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review, Sponsored by KissTheBrideNW.com, Saturday, February 4, 2012

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Simple and

Slightly Perfect These desserts eschew the showy details and put flavorful cake front and center

s

ure, towering tiers of woven fondant blooming with hand-formed sugar flowers and topped with a chocolate diorama of the city where you live make for quite a spectacle, but they can also take up a sizeable portion of your wedding budget. Instead, consider opting for a simple or “rustic chic” design and make the actual cake–what’s inside–the star of your big-day dessert. By focusing on fantastic flavor instead of over-the-top flair, not only will you save money, you’ll have a nice cake that you actually want to eat it, too.

Design Within Reach A simple design doesn’t mean you have to forfeit character or style–it just means making smart choices. If you want to make a bold statement, for example, pass on the expensive techniques like detailed piping or elaborate monograms and look to color.A brilliant orange cake with simple white stripes would be stunning.

But for a more rustic feel, fresh flowers are a perfect fit and will be less expensive than sugar, gum-paste or marzipan versions. Over-sized blossoms or branches with tiny buds look especially chic, but whatever you choose, ask your florist first to be sure your flora is nontoxic and pesticide-free. Other sweet decorative options include: fresh fruit, such as berries, champagne grapes, miniature pears, plums or apricots arranged around tiers enrobed in a softly-

rough cream cheese frosting that evokes tree bark; feathery ferns fanning up from the cake’s base; or, for a beach wedding, small (and thoroughly cleaned) pebbles or seashells arranged in a pattern on smooth, white buttercream.

Consider a spread of three single-tier cakes in your favorite flavors, a smaller two-tier cake paired with luscious fruit pies, or a simple three-tier cake that looks grand thanks to risers that augment the height.

Or you can just concentrate on decorating the table on which your simple cake sits. Teapots filled with flowers, mason jars filled with sparklers, mismatched vintage votive holders and slices of trees that serve as cake stands are all great options.

piping. Shop around and don’t order too much–you only need servings for about 80 percent of your guests, as some folks don’t eat cake and others will leave before it’s cut.The best thing you can do is tell a baker what your budget is and ask what they can do to help you stay within it.

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Impeccable Taste To prevent a flavor fiasco, ask bakers if they use “pre-weighed dry ingredients” (i.e. a cake mix) and if they make their own fillings and buttercream. Premade components are usually more chemical than natural, and the taste reflects that. In addition, by asking background questions, such as how many years of experience the baker has, if they went to culinary school for pastry and if they will bake and decorate the cake themselves or if a staff person will handle it.

Of course, tastings are a helpful (and fun!) way to find more interesting flavor profiles and the most delicious cake, but there may be a fee involved. As an alternative, select a bakery that you already love – chances are the cake will taste fantastic and since you’re going for a simple or rustic look anyway, it isn’t necessary that they be pros with a pastry bag.

Budget Basics If budget is a concern of yours, keep in mind that buttercream is typically less expensive than fondant because it requires less work. Just be sure the cake stays refrigerated until it’s time to cut it, as a melted cake isn’t a bargain at any price.

You’ll also want to note that while most bakers will charge more for liqueurs, additional fillings, fancy techniques and off-the-menu flavors, some will actually charge extra for every change to a yellow cake batter or anything other than basic border

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review, Sponsored by KissTheBrideNW.com, Saturday, February 4, 2012

Business Profile CenterPlace Regional Event Center How long have you been in business? Six years Number of employees? 9 What’s special about your product/services?

CenterPlace Regional Event Center is the top choice of many brides and grooms for their wedding and reception.

The Great Room can accommodate up to 500 people and our Fireside Lounge can accommodate up to 160 guests.

Many couples choose our west lawn for an outdoor wedding in the beautiful Mirabeau Point Park, with views of the waterfall.

We have two banquet rooms for indoor receptions.All of our rooms have view windows and there are over 380 free parking spaces. Plus, our award-winning, in-house caterer can provide food for almost any budget.

CenterPlace Regional Event Center is located 1/2 mile from the Spokane Valley Mall.

Any advice for people planning a wedding/event who are considering your particular product/service?

Come and take a tour of our facility and meet our friendly, knowledgeable staff!

Carol Carter CenterPlace Regional Event Center 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley (509) 688-0300 • www.spokanevalley.org

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Wedding Tech Do’s and Don’ts The virtual world is endless. Naturally, implementing virtual assistance into wedding planning is equally endless.

How do curious brides and grooms-tobe decide what fun Internet wizardry to utilize on the big day and what’s better left alone? Here are some wedding tech dos and don’ts.

DO:

Use online services to help plan a wedding.

Websites like Google Wedding,The Knot and Wedding Wire are great places for wedding planning and inspiration, with ideas for themes and lists of vendors and registries, says Jeff Kear, founder of My Wedding Workbook, another online planning resource.Websites can hold more information than phone apps, so the majority of the planning and organization can take place there.

Thanks to technology, planning a wedding has never been easier!

But before you go sending evites, here’s what you need to know about mixing technology with tradition.

DON’T:

Send evites instead of invites.

Breaking tradition might be tempting, but print invitations really are the only way to go. “You want your guests to take your wedding as seriously as you do,” says Anna Post, co-author of “Emily Post’s Etiquette” (William Morrow, 2011).

Not everyone uses the Internet, so evites threaten to seclude older guests and relatives that are less tech-savvy.

Also, the novelty of the printed invitation is something many guests will appreciate.

“A computer screen just doesn’t have the same gravitas,” Post says.

DON’T:

Use Twitter or Facebook to track RSVPs. When it comes to the RSVP, avoid social media. “I do not recommend a

situation when your wedding guest list is public,” Post says.

“Who are you showing it to?

All of the people who are not invited? It’s not even the traditional aspect – it could hurt someone’s feelings.”

Adds Kear:“If people are responding to you via Facebook, other Facebook friends might see messages and wonder why they weren’t invited, causing lots of unnecessary stress. It’s best to keep the RSVP process private so you can control it.”

DON’T:

Just use phone apps to help plan a wedding.

Tell them all about your engagement at

KisstheBrideNW.com

There are hundreds of apps available for use, ranging in price and in-depth features, but trying to fit every detail into a phone can be jarring and complicated. “Real planning requires a fair amount of data entry, and mobile phones are ill-fit for that,” Kear says.

DO:

Webcast your wedding.

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Services like Ustream make it possible for long-distance or disabled invitees to sit in on a wedding from home.

“I think it can be a really cool way to keep the day focused on the people you love,” Post says.

Kear agrees.“Although there’s no substitute for being there in person, the people who can’t make it will still appreciate the gesture.”

DON’T:

Let a webcam dictate the ceremony.

Post recalls a story she heard about a grandmother watching a wedding via webcam and complaining about the sound the whole time. It’s wise to think ahead so that the technology doesn’t threaten the peaceful mood of the ceremony.

“If you’re using a webcam, it needs to be planned, and it needs to be pretty discreet,” says Post, who suggests having someone assist with taking the video and worrying about the technical difficulties so the wedding party doesn’t have to.“Definitely have your rent-a-geek on standby.”

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review, Sponsored by KissTheBrideNW.com, Saturday, February 4, 2012

Seating Your

Wedding Guests W

eddings are filled with many emotions: happiness, excitement and anticipation, to name a few.With all of the positive emotions a wedding may drum up, in the mix there may be a few negative ones, including feelings of being overwhelmed at all the details that need to be completed on a deadline.

One aspect of wedding planning that tends to send people into panic is wedding reception seating arrangements.The thought of having 200 friends and family members together under one roof -- and then attempting to seat them next to an

acceptable group of people -- can cause some couples to hyperventilate.

Every family has its ups and downs, and there are certain people who get along well and a few who clash.

Ensuring that a wedding is memorable for all the right reasons (and not for the brawl at table 3) is why seating arrangements are so important. Many couples can use a little advice when seating guests, while others would love another person to handle the seating arrangements for them.

Here are some guidelines for setting up reception seating arrangements.

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• Place yourselves, as well as the bridal party, at a separate table that is in a prime location in the room. Be sure to allow the spouses or dates of bridal party members at the same table so couples remain together.

• Some couples choose to seat both sets of parents at one table together - the parents' table. Grandparents may also be seated at this table, depending on the number of people each table can accommodate.

• If children under the age of 7 are invited, they should be seated with their parents. Children between ages 7 and 14 can be seated at a separate kids' table.

• Be mindful of guests with disabilities or mobility issues. Seat them close to the door, bathrooms or food station.

• Instead of separating the bride and

the groom's family to separate sides, intermingle the tables to promote conversation.

• Consider arranging guests by common interests at each table, seating business associates or parents' friends together.

• Take into consideration people who have relationship rifts and try to seat them separately. But don't stress about this too much because it won't be possible to accommodate everyone.You'll have to hope that at your wedding a certain level of decorum will preside.

• It's not unheard of to let guests seat themselves.This takes the pressure of finding a seat for everyone off of you as a couple and enables you to think about the other tasks at hand.This can take place at a buffet wedding or a smaller affair.

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review, Sponsored by KissTheBrideNW.com, Saturday, February 4, 2012

How to find a limousine

The right vehicle also can make all the difference–and may help you narrow down your choices among companies. For instance, a business might not have the model you want or that vehicle isn't available the day of your wedding.Also, be sure there will be enough room and if there is trunk space for luggage for honeymoon essentials. Check whether there are certain add-ons, such as fuel surcharges or tolls that are not factored into the base price. Also, some companies include a driver tip in the cost, while others will leave that to your discretion. Here are some other things to keep in mind.

for your wedding

Every bride and groom will need his and her transportation from home to the wedding ceremony and reception.

Although there are several options to get couples to and fro, many choose a limousine or another fancy rental car as the preferred mode of travel.

It may seem like little work goes into renting a limo.Though transportation might be one of the more hands-off components of wedding planning, that

does not make it any less important.

After all, if something goes awry, you can be left stranded with no manner of getting to the wedding.

It is important for you to get the best service and the right vehicle for the occasion, which requires some comparison shopping.The car service also will need some information from you. Here's how to start.

Initially, seek word-of-mouth recommendations, which can be the best way to narrow down potential limo companies.Ask others which business they used for their special events–be it weddings, proms, Sweet 16 parties or other important events. If you work at a company that often relies on hired cars for business meetings or transportation to the airport, you may already be familiar with a reliable service -- and they might be familiar with you.

Not all limousine services are the same. Price should not be your only method of comparison. Much like a hotel room or a meal at a restaurant, there may be different levels of service among companies. It's important to compare apples to apples. Figure out a package that will work for you, including size of car, duration of time and any other special features, such as a stocked bar, and then compare this package among the different limo companies you're considering.

Book early Limos, like services from other vendors, will book fast, especially during peak wedding or other seasons.

Consider a package Most companies have put together a package for special events, like weddings.They may be the best value.

Check registration Limo companies need to have a license to operate and proper insurance.

Confirm the details Be sure that the duration of the service, how many people will be transported and all costs are spelled out in a contract for everyone's protection.

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review, Sponsored by KissTheBrideNW.com, Saturday, February 4, 2012

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Red Lion Hotels How long have you been in business?

Red Lion Hotels Corporation was founded in 1937 under the name Goodale & Barbieri Companies (G&B).

What kind of products or services do you offer for weddings/events?

Each offers a variety of options for unique and memorable celebrations and receptions. In addition, the staff can make other things special for the happy couple, such as room packages.

Standard wedding packages include tables, chairs and linens, place settings and glassware, centerpieces, cake table and cutting service, a dance floor and a champagne or cider toast. Couples also receive a guest room for a night.

The sky’s the limit for extra personalized touches, such as linens or other dÊcor that matches the wedding colors, customized menus from executive chefs, multimedia equipment for slideshows, or extra audio service for toasting or background music.

Any advice for people planning a wedding/event who are considering your particular product/service?

The sooner some of the details are picked out, such as the date, brides can access more options.The same with their guests – as longtime residents know, it can be a challenge to find a quality hotel some weekends of the year, such as during Bloomsday or Hoopfest.

If you want to see photos from past weddings and other gatherings at these locations, take a look at our Facebook pages.

How do we get started?

The Catering staff will meet with the couple, find out the planned date, the couple’s other dreams for the reception, and their estimated budget.

The staff will provide details about our bridal packages plus many extra elements and options which can be added to customize the occasion.

Red Lion Hotel Templin’s in Post Falls has some great scenery for outdoor weddings, especially a beach area. Free shuttle service is available in Spokane.

Brides are welcome to bring in any other vendors to make their day, such as a preferred DJ or florist.The only requirement is that the couple use our catering and bar service For couples planning destination weddings in the Spokane area, or those with out-of-town visitors coming for the occasion, we will share details about guest rooms.This could involve creating a guaranteed block or giving rate quotes based on availability.

Anything else you want people to know about you and what you do?

The staff at all three locations is more than happy to find or create solutions to make every bride-to-be’s vision a reality, whether this vision has been forming for years or you were recently proposed to and don’t know where to start.We take pride in following the bride every step of the process, offering high levels of service and attention, and awareness that every bride wants things to be extra perfect.

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Contact our catering office:

Business Profile

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Red Lion at the Park, and Red Lion River Inn • Spokane Red Lion Hotel Templin’s • Post Falls (509) 755-6611 (Sales/Catering departments in Spokane) (208) 777-1418 for Red Lion Templin’s http://redlion.rdln.com

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The Smart Couple’s Guide to

Financially Planning a Wedding Once you have that vision down, then you can begin financial planning.

Couples who have more time tend to spend more. Spend only three to six months planning.You have to make quicker decisions, and you don’t add as much of those bells and whistles.

all cost-saving options, a smart couple will know it’s time to amend their plans–opt for a longer engagement period to allow for saving more for the wedding.

Whatever you do, don’t go into debt. It’s a really tough way to start a relationship.

Cutting Costs All those shows that are on TV really get women thinking that they need to have this off-the-charts wedding.

Budget-friendly elegance is possible when a couple focuses on what’s important to them personally.

After finalizing their “values-based vision,” they can target areas where costs can really rack up–mainly the dress, flowers and food.

Thinking about not only the time of day but the day of the week and the time of year has always been a way to save money on a wedding. Offseason–late fall, winter or early spring–and weekday plans don’t put you in high competition for venues.

If there’s one lesson couples should take from the recent recession, it’s this: Get Real. Get real about the bottom line and what matters most for creating lifelong memories.

Here are some smart steps for starting your financial future together on the right foot.

Pre-Wedding Planning It’s important to get a “values-based vision” of your wedding first.This vision addresses all of the musthaves for the celebration rather than every whim.

Ask for help When couples have beaten the unconventional path down to dust and are still coming up short in funding their wedding. It’s time to turn to family and friends for help.

Couples are suggested to start with their parents.

They’ll be pleased to see that you’ve put together a budget and that you have a vision and that there’s a reason why you’re doing this.

If the bottom line still lies overhead after exploring

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review, Sponsored by KissTheBrideNW.com, Saturday, February 4, 2012

InThe Bag

10 things every bride should have with her on her wedding day – besides her fiancé prevent questionable footwear from Two pro planners weigh in on the all the required essentials for your Big Day becoming uncomfortable in the first place, Sheldon says. “emergency” bag.

6. Safety pins 1. Lip gloss It will keep your makeup looking fresh “They can be used for almost anything from I Do’s to photos and beyond, says in a pinch,” says Hroncich.“Get a variety pack of sizes.”

Wendi Hroncich, founder of Seattlebased Ethereal Events.“But avoid the 7. Scissors sticky kind – it will drive you nuts and Whether it’s taking the tag off a garter your groom will hate it too!” or snipping stray strings on clothing, Hroncich always finds that scissors 2. Breath mints They’re ideal for right before you walk come in handy. down the aisle. But if you want fresh 8. Pocket tissues breath that’s longer lasting, pack a Use them to blot everything from tears travel-size bottle of mouth wash, notes to makeup. Hroncich likes the weddingHroncich. themed variety.

3. Bobby pins 9. A protein-packed energy bar Get blonde-colored ones if you’re “Chocolate is notorious for getting on blonde, brown ones if you’re a everything, so opt for a Yogurt Honey brunette, and so on, says Brooke Peanut Balance Bar or Lemon CLIF Sheldon, owner of Lilybrooke Events in Builder’s bar,” says Hroncich Kennebunkport, Maine.

10. A helper 4. Stain remover “Of course, every bride should have a Hroncich loves Shout Wipes or the Tide wedding planner so they don’t have to Pen.“They both work great without carry a thing!” says Sheldon. Can’t leaving bleach marks or a circle on afford one? Ask someone responsible delicate fabrics.” (ideally not your mother or maid of honor) to ensure your essentials safely 5. A Band-Aid or Moleskin make it from ceremony to reception.

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11

Give Your Event a

Fresh Feel Just as a stunning piece of jewelry can really set off a wedding gown, beautiful blooms are like accessories for your big-day décor. But we’re not just talking decoration here–with countless colors, textures and options for arranging, your florals also are an easy way to create the vibe for your event.

Petal Planning If you’re a fan of flowers, booking the shop or event designer who will create your arrangements may be at the top of your to-do timeline.“But don’t hire the florist until after you’ve selected your venue and date, and secured your main vendors–band, catering, and photographer,” says Karen Bussen, author of the “Simple Stunning Wedding Organizer” (Stewart,Tabori & Chang, 2011).“Then you’ll have a better sense of what your décor budget is and what kind of ambience you want to create.” Six or seven months out should be a safe bet.

Before meeting with vendors, peruse magazines, books and websites for ideas.

Rachel Bowes, owner of Seattle-based Finch & Thistle Event Design, says that blogs are her primary source of wedding inspiration because they update daily.

As for the average bill, you can expect to pay out about 8 to 10 percent of your total budget for blooms. However, the actual number varies widely, depending on factors like your desired aesthetic (e.g. lush and glamorous versus minimalist and chic versus simple and rustic), the type of flowers (think seasonal and locally grown blooms to save money) and the size of the event. In addition to reception centerpieces, for a traditional wedding you’ll likely want bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids, boutonnieres for groom, groomsmen, ushers and dads, corsages or small posies for MOBs and MOGs, and possibly petals and head wreaths for flower girls. But you can use flowers anywhere, from chair-back garlands, alters and the cake, to windows and restrooms.

Once you have an idea of the approach, color palette and price-range you want, Bussen recommends meeting with a couple vendors who seem like a good fit

before making your choice.

Flower Forward While the over-the-top, romantic look still resonates with plenty of couples, more and more modern pairs are preferring a simple, clean and/or less formal aesthetic that’s still striking. For example, instead of one large, elaborate centerpiece, Bowes suggests using lots of small-bud vases and bottles in varying heights and shapes.

“That way your florist can showcase a few amazing blooms, such as peonies, garden roses and orchids, to their full potential, and use less expensive flowers and foliage as accents in the majority of the vases.”As an alternative, Bussen loves submerging exotic flowers.“One stem of bird of paradise or heliconia makes a great table accent when turned upside down in a glass vase,” she says.

For eco-friendly couples, Bowes recommends using a small potted tree (citrus, olive, cypress) in a lovely pot as a unique centerpiece, while Bussen is a fan of live phaelenopsis or dendrobium orchids interspersed with a few votive candles.

Banquets & Catering Rehearsal Dinners

Banquet Room has 50 Guest Capacity

(509) 315-8050

1314 South Grand Blvd.

SavorySpokane.com

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman−Review, Sponsored by KissTheBrideNW.com, Saturday, February 4, 2012

Business Profile The Davenport Hotel and Tower How long have you been in business? Since 1914 Number of employees? 550 What kind of products or services do you offer for weddings/events?

Since 1914 the Davenport Hotel has been Spokane’s most luxurious and only AAA 4 Diamond awarded hotel. Services offered include elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, historic locations for receptions, rehearsal dinners, a bridal registry at the Davenport Home store, full service flower shop, Day spa, and four award winning restaurants.The Davenport Hotel and Tower captures a spirit of timeless world travel and luxury in the finest of Davenport Traditions.

Any advice for people planning a wedding/event who are considering your particular product/service?

If you like the convenience of “one stop shopping”, then look no further than the Davenport Hotel. Our wedding services department can help arrange all aspects of your wedding from pre-planning, ceremony, gift registry, rehearsal dinners, receptions, floral design, spa and overnight accommodations.We are reasonably priced with wedding menu packages starting at $32 per person and overnight accommodations starting as low as $119 per night.

What’s the best wedding/event you’ve attended and why?

The Davenport Hotel provided an amazing setting for the ceremony in the Isabella Ballroom followed by a reception in the historic Marie Antoinette Ballroom. It was perfect in every sense, just like a fairy tale wedding should be.

Any plans for your business in 2012?

1. Davenport Home store has added a bridal registry 2. Davenport Flowers will beat any local flower quote for wedding ceremonies and receptions both on and off site 3. Davenport Wedding department has added a wedding consultation room just off the lobby of the historic hotel to better serve our brides and grooms.

Anything else you want people to know about you and what you do?

Think we’re expensive? Think Again.With wedding package menus starting at just $32 per person, you can afford to have your fairy tale wedding at the Davenport Hotel and Tower. Call for an appointment today!

Matt Jensen The Davenport Hotel and Tower 10 S. Post Street • Spokane 509-455-8888 www.thedavenporthotel.com info@thedavenporthotel.com