Love Story: Melissa & Michael

"Michael and I met in high school when I was a freshman and he was a junior. Our town was small and he was in the same grade as my sister who I shared many friends with. It was almost inevitable that we would eventually meet.

This moment came in February of 2002. I was the sound technician for our school production of Godspell. After every show, we had a cast party. This particular cast party happened to be held at Ryan’s house.  Ryan, also a junior, was one of the actors in the play. He not only invited cast and crew to the party but his personal friend as well. Michael and Ryan had been friends since they were ten years old. Michael had come to see the play that night, so of course he was at the cast party.

At the party, my friends and I played board games, snacked, and eventually made our way out to the hot tub. It was filled with rowdy high school students -- there were probably more people in it than should have been, but we didn’t want to miss out on the fun. Despite the overcrowding, I hopped in and just so happened to sit next to Michael! It was very loud and hard to hear what everyone else was saying so I struck up a conversation with him. He was very quiet at first but so attentive and sincere.  I instantly felt a connection to him. Our conversation lasted the rest of the night and essentially has never stopped. 

After that night, Michael came to every production of Godspell and attended every cast party. He had found something amazing in life that he just couldn’t stay away from - me. We spent the next few months talking on the phone together almost every night. I found Michael to be charming, peaceful, and playful.  He found me to be open-minded, creative, and adventurous. We intrigued each other very much. We started spending every waking moment together and quickly fell in love. 

Since the summer of 2002, Michael and I have been inseparable.  A lot can happen in 10 years and it certainly has! We have had many challenges but have been able to get through every single one of them because of our deep understanding of each other and of our commitment to one another. We have cared so much about one another and stand together so firmly in our beliefs in being accountable, trustworthy, supportive, and most of all playful that it has allowed us to create a strong foundation and a bright future together.  Perhaps it was fate that led me to meeting my best friend and future husband at such a young age, but I am so incredibly grateful that I did. "

Engagement Pictures by 5th and 59th Photography

Meet Kirsten

I recently graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in Hospitality Management. My background has been in hotels, food and beverage, and event management but my favorite by far has been by working with brides to plan their perfect wedding. I love coordinating all of the unique details specific to every wedding and developing relationships with the engaged couple. I truly believe is it important to have someone there during your wedding who oversees all those details to ensure the event flows smoothly and you are able to enjoy every moment of the event that you spend so much time planning. I love to see them enjoying their first dance with nothing on their minds besides each other.

I grew up in Portland and am looking forward to being back in the Rose City close to family and friends! When I am not planning weddings I love to travel, take my dogs to the park, explore the outdoors and all that Oregon has to offer, including checking out new restaurants. I am so happy to have joined the Stargazer Weddings team and look forward to making your day special!

503.330.2176

kirsten@stargazerweddings.com

Photo by Emily Hall Photography

Meet Bailey

My friends often joke that I spend more time watching weddings shows and browsing wedding websites than anyone they know!  And I have to admit, they might be right.  I am so passionate about weddings, I love everything about them!  I have always loved all sorts of social gatherings, everything from school dances to family get-togethers, to girl's night out.  I have also enjoyed designing these events, from initial brainstorming stages to executing a flawless final production.  After much thought exploring the question, "what do I want to do when I grow up?" I have come to realize that I want to use my love of events as a foundation upon which to build a career.  Mix that career goal with my love of weddings and, ta-dah!  You have a wedding coordinator!  I'm so excited to be working with the team at Stargazer Weddings as a "coordinator in training!" 

I first became interested in becoming a wedding coordinator long before discovering Stargazer Weddings, but after meeting Ashley (the owner of Stargazer Weddings), I knew it was the perfect fit!  My first meeting with Ashley was so relaxed and easy.  It wasn't as if she was a stiff corporate coordinator, but rather a colleague who was excited to share her story - which made her feel more like a friend and co-worker than a future boss.  Ashley very generously brought me onto the team and is willing to teach me her inside secrets and allow me to gain experience in the field we both love.  I am very excited about being a part of the Stargazer Weddings Team, and can't wait to provide brides with a friendly, personable, and memorable experience! 

970.819.7655

bailey@stargazerweddings.com

Photo by Emily Hall Photography

Meet Tristin

Weddings are absolutely one of my favorite events! Whether in attendance or behind the scenes, every little moment always seems to touch my heart. My initial experience came from planning and organizing my own wedding in 2005. Now, seven years later, I continue to help other brides coordinate and plan their special day. From the intricate details to the happiness that comes with celebrating the union of two families, I love it all.

In Spring of 2012 I began working for Stargazer Weddings, which has been such an amazing experience.  I love taking care of all the little details, making the day run smoothly, and allowing friends and family to relax and enjoy watching their loved one walk down the aisle.

I'm a mommy of two beautiful girls, and family is a big part of my life.  One of my favorite aspects of being a coordinator, planner, and consultant is that I get to become a part of our clients' lives and get to know their families.  I love creating friendships - and I look forward to helping you, your fiance, and all of your guests enjoy your wedding!

541.520.1895

tristin@stargazerweddings.com

Photo by Emily Hall Photography

7.16.2011 ~ Vineyard Vows

Back in July, Chelsea and Eric got married at Beckenridge Vineyard in Dallas - one of my all time favorite venues!  I love working with the staff there, and their venue is gorgeous.  Plus, this was one of my favorite weddings of the year!  I LOVED their colors - original, subtle, and perfect.

The weather was being a little tricky (true Oregon style), so they had a tent setup "just in case" - but no rain during the ceremony or afterwards - yay!  The ladies got ready in the bride's room, while the guys hung out and got ready in the amazing Belvedere Room.  This is an amazing "groom's room" full with Foosball, a beer fridge, fireplace, and couch! 

Chelsea looked absolutely stunning.  Her dress couldn't have been more perfect (she got it from The Bridal Gallery).  It was one of my favorite dresses of the year too!  I loved that she had a cascading bouquet - it was gorgeous!  All of the floral was provided by Denice of Distinctive Designs.  She did the centerpieces as well (which we'll get to in a minute - they are superb)! 

They had fans as guests entered, which had their name and table number on it.  These fans were colorful, fun, and elegant with their wooden handles.  Each person had a seat inside, with their name and a certain color flower to let the caterer know if the guest had RSVP'd for steak or fish.  It worked beautifully! 

They had a great ceremony, including a hilarious reading about wedding gifts.  So unique, and it totally fit the humor of the bride and groom.  Ryan from Focal Point Digital Media was there the whole day to document everything - and it's so great to be able to have a video to remember the words of the ceremony, to hear the laughter of the guests, to watch the event flow throughout the day.  I definitely think that having a wedding video is priceless - and then you can relive your wedding again and again! 

After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed passed appetizers and "mock" mojitos from Reed Catering, as well as wine from Chelsea's family winery!  BJ the DJ provided the music, and he was great to work with!  Okay, now for some details! All of the tableware was from A to Z Party Rentals, and the table linens were from Crossroads Fine Linens.  Chelsea and Eric wanted to incorporate vegetables into their table arrangements, and Denice did such an amazing job.  Just look at these photos!  It was fun to hear all of the guests walk around, trying to decide which was their favorite, as they were ALL different!  The best part?  The bride and groom had me donate all of the food to the local food bank the next day.  I LOVED this idea - and the food bank was SO appreciative!
 

Maalaea and Ian of I and M Photography took all of these amazing pictures, and I LOVE working with them!  To end the day they had a classic car to drive off in - and I loved it!  The bridal party got to it first and decorated it with love!  Chelsea and Eric - I wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness!  Thank you for allowing us to share in your day with you! 

07.09.2011 ~ Bliss on the Beach

Last July, Brian and Monica were married on the Oregon Coast near the Heceta Head Lighthouse.  They rented an ocean-front home and had the ceremony on their own private beach area.  They both lived in St. Louis, Missouri - but loved the Oregon Coast.  So...they decided to have a very intimate destination wedding with 30 of their closest friends and family members.  The bridal party consisted of each of their 7-year old daughters.  Brian walked down the aisle with his daughter, and Monica walked with hers, it was so sweet! Melissa was the lead coordinator for this wedding, and this is what she had to say:

"This was one of the most enjoyable weddings of the summer. Monica and Brian were so intentional to make their guests feel appreciated for coming all the way to the Oregon Coast from various parts of the country. It was an intimate feel set in a coastal house that held roughly 30 people and had a beautiful deck in the back where the guests could be seated. The day was extremely windy but right around 6 in the evening when dinner began, the wind died down and the guests were able to enjoy being outside in the sun, dancing, and eating the amazing hors d’vours provided by A Posto Chefs. They were great to work with and gave the bride and groom exactly what they were looking for: comfort food that was elegant but kid-friendly. They had an array of cheeses, homemade breads, vegetables, and salad to begin everyone off at their meet and greet with each other. As this wrapped up, the bride and groom began their ceremony by the cliff overlooking the ocean. The scenery was made perfect by the wildflower bouquets and garlands that Denice with Distinctive Designs created. The theme of that wildflower went up on to the patios and in through the house. All of the photos were captured perfectly by Cardas Photography who was there to get every detail and put it together for Brian and Monica. She was even able to show them sneak peeks as the reception was in session.

The best memory from this wedding was the bride and groom’s love and generosity they had for everyone there, whether it was family, friends, or those they’d hired to make their day. It was a beautiful wedding and I wish them the best as they continue their journey in the Midwest."

Angela from Cardas Photogtraphy also had some things to say about this amazing wedding:

"The one thing that struck me about Brian and Monica's special day was the guest list. So many weddings include so many people who are just "guests." Co-workers of the couple's parents, third cousins twice removed, and maybe even a few that no on really knows who they belong to, hahaha. You could tell that every person in attendance was there for a reason. And since we all know getting to the Oregon Coast from pretty much anywhere is no easy task, they all felt the same way. They were all an integral part of the couple and their future together. It was wonderful to be a part of this special group - if only for a few hours.

Brian and Monica's day was beautiful! But it was WINDY - even for Oregon Coast standards! Luckily the house was beautiful and cozy, and it definitely warmed up as the sun made it's way over the sky and into the West. The dance party on the porch was the highlight of the afternoon!"

 

Thank you Melissa and Angela for your recaps of the day!  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed going through all of the pictures from their wedding.  I loved the wine box, where they wrote love letters to each other to read in 10 years (and enjoy the bottle of wine)!  It looked like a truly amazing day, with an amazing couple, and amazing guests!  Congrats Monica and Brian! 

Photos by Cardas Photography

7.8.2011 ~ Perfectly Purple

I had the pleasure of meeting Jessi early on in the planning process for their July 2011 wedding. She knew exactly what she wanted, and I had so much fun helping her accomplish her vision. The wedding was held at the beautiful Log House Gardens in Keizer. She had a LOT of people who lovingly helped with numerous aspects of the wedding. Her aunt did an amazing job with the flowers, her uncle did the music and DJ'ing (Bret - and he was SO talented and SO hilarious), a family friend did the photography (Dan Belderrain), and an acquaintance (who just happened to be a judge) was their officiant! She got her dress from The Bridal Gallery in Salem, and I can never say enough great things about Angie and her team there!

I loved the whole day - from setting up all the tables and decor, to helping Jessi and Matt with their "first look," to the hilarious toasts (including the bride playing the harmonica)! One of my favorite things about this job is when the groom gets to see his bride for the very first time...so much anticipation, excitement, and butterflies. I remember asking Jessi, "are you ready, are you ready?!?!" (in a fun, you're about ready to see your HUSBAND kind of a way) and I LOVED seeing her light up - she WAS ready and she did NOT want to wait anymore to see him. They took full advantage of getting pictures taken all around the venue - and then it was time for the ceremony and reception!

Everyone loved the food from Pig Out BBQ (and the groom of course was happy to have BBQ) - and that gorgeous cake was from Haute Cakes and Confections. I really liked the added detail to the cake table of elevating the cake with clear "bricks" and laying a piece of glass on top, and adding some fun, colored fabric under the glass as well. One of the most important parts of the whole wedding to Jessi was the invitations. She couldn't find what she was looking for anywhere online for her "custom" invitations - so I put her in touch with Ashley of AEL Design to get true custom, one-of-a-kind invitations. After a few drafts, the perfect inviation and stationary theme was created! She even made individual menus for each place setting. They were gorgeous! The fun, clear, square plates (and other tableware) were from A to Z Party Rentals. And those stunning linens will all those colors and textures? Those came from Sue of SHE Designs. Jessi LOVED the color combination, and LOVED the various textures - and they worked SO well together for what Jessi had been dreaming of.

One of my favorite parts of this wedding was the custom handcuff cookies that Jessi had made (also by Haute Cakes) for each guest. If you know Jessi and Matt, you'll know how "fitting" these party favors were for them! The guests agreed - and I heard great things about those cookies all day! Another fun memory was during the reception, when the bride surprised us all with her serious harmonica skills! Jessi and Matt - thank you so much for welcoming us into your lives and letting us share in such a special day with you!

*I have a few assistants that work with me throughout the year - and for this particular wedding I had the pleasure of working with Brittany (my step-sister) who also owns 5th and 59th Photography. She snapped a few detail shots for me, and I LOVE them! Thank you!

The photo below is of Jessi and her sweet grandpa. Sadly, he fell ill on October 30th and passed away on November 6th. They were extremely close, and I'm so happy that he was able to share in Jessi and Matt's wedding in July. I remember "hanging out with grandpa" the day of the wedding, and he was one of the sweetest men I've met, and I could tell how much he loved Jessi. I'm happy that Jessi has this picture to remember this day, and her grandpa sharing it with her!


Photos of Jessi: Dan Belderrain Photography

Detail Shots: 5th and 59th Photography

6.25.2011 ~ A DIY Wedding To DIE For!

In late June, Bibiana and Nate got married on an absolutely gorgeous day. I have known Bibiana for a few years (we went to college together) and I was SO thrilled when she contacted me to help her with her wedding. She is honestly one of the sweetest people that I know, and Nate is one lucky guy. Her and Nate have been together forever! She had most of the details already set - she was a true DIY bride and made almost every detail of the wedding by herself. She got her dress from The Cat's Meow and of course wore her cowgirl boots! Beautiful doesn't even begin to describe how amazing she looked.

The wedding was held at her parent's house is Sandy, and it was an amazing setup for this country wedding! The ceremony was set in a little orchard, which provided shade for the guests, and gave a very intimate feel to the wedding, even with about 200 guests. The aisle was lined with shepard hooks, mason jars, and flowers. The groom rode in on horseback (ah-mazing) and was accompanied by his "best man," their dog, Pard. I loved so many parts of this wedding, but the thing I loved the most was how every part of the wedding was "them," which is how it should be!

After a very sweet ceremony, the guests headed over to the reception area. Bibiana had made ALL of the linen accents, and they were perfect! We added a few flowers to empty "Wrangler" bottles and it looked great! The candles added a romantic vibe and a small candy station offered some sweet treats for the guests. Catering was provided by Gary's BBQ - yum! She rented a few items from Barclay Event Rentals, but all the little details were ALL her! The flowers? She did them! The cake? She made it! Just look at these pictures - needless to say, I was BEYOND amazed at all the time, effort, and love she put into the wedding.





Family members also brought their pies, which were displayed beautifully around the cake. For an outside wedding, you need to be aware of bugs, wind blowing debris on the cake, etc...so our solution? Use a mesh "net," like the fun ones you put up over a little girl's bed. It showcased the desserts perfectly! Brittany of 5th and 59th Photography captured all the moments and details throughout the day (and there was a LOT of details)! I always love working with Brittany and I LOVE her work!





One of my favorite details from the day (okay, so I have a few favorites) was the display of family quilts, complete with pictures of parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. It was such a meaningful touch (and I LOVE sentimental things). The reception was a total blast, and full of sincere (and funny) toasts during the open mic. The dancing went late, late into the night and everyone had the best time. Bibs and Nate - thank you SO much for sharing your day with me, it's truly one of my favorite DIY weddings ever. I wish you all the best!

Photos by 5th and 59th Photography