You’ve had to have seen them by now: guestbooks and wedding albums that have photos taken in a photo booth… at the event! Lucky for us, www.PortlandPhotobooth.com rocks, and is right in our area. Trying to decide how to use the photos? Make a scrapbook of all your guests after the event. Let people take them home as favors. Have people tape them into a blank book and sign next to them for an awesome guestbook. Always a bonus: you’ll get those oh-so-funny pictures that aren’t posed by a photographer, but that are super fun!

Not really an invitation per-se. It’s a Save the Date card and a holiday greeting card - all in one! Get ready for the holidays a little early this year by sending a Save the Date as your holiday greeting to all your family and friends! This card, called Cozy Holiday, just became available this past weekend! You can customize the wording and fonts as you’d like, and provide your favorite picture of the two of you! Not getting hitched? Just customize the wording to make a darling holiday card with your family picturem a picture of you and your pet, or any other picture you’d like! Matching white envelopes are included in the prices listed. These cards are most easily ordered on our website, www.Save-the-Date-cards.com or you are welcome to come into the store if you would like some assistance. And our awesome web department girls are always available to take your questions: 877.268.7117 or locally at 503.222.2355.

Be sure to check out our other holiday cards by clicking here.

Company: New and Blue

Availability: online, over the phone, or in-store

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, boutonnieres are pretty much a necessity at the wedding. I saw this cool photo gallery for a few new ideas on the classic item - some don’t even use flowers! Rosenow Floral Design in the San Francisco area makes these fun boutonnieres and ties in seashells, fake mushrooms, and pretty leaves.

There are also many websites that tell you how to make your own, so you could potentially incorporate anything you want! Put your own style and flair on it - that’s the kind of thing that will make your wedding unique!

Hopefully you’ve had a chance to check out our other great websites: www.SavetheDateMagnet.com and www.Save-the-Date-Cards.com. You may have noticed that all the designs aren’t available in both magnet and card form. Good news - in the next coming days, many of our designs will be updated so that you can order your favorite design in either form! You will still have to visit the sites separately, but the selection on each will be much bigger. We are always adding brand new designs as well, so check back often.

We at New and Blue typically try to avoid desserts. Ok, so we don’t try that hard. While reading a national wedding blog I came across a post about Bakery Bar in Portland, Oregon. I have to say - haven’t been here yet. But from all the buzz, both from blogs and other sources, I would say it is definitely a great place for you to start your search for the perfect wedding cake. Just cruising their site I couldn’t help but daydream about frosting! Their flavors sound absolutely amazing, and the pictures I have seen speak for themselves. The cakes look absolutely amazing and their cupcake weddings are a huge success. Make sure you look through the picture galleries! Feeling a little overwhelmed by all things wedding? Head on over to check out their everyday menu as well - YUM!

Bakery Bar  .  1028 SE Water Ave. (Water & Taylor) - Portland, Oregon 

Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00a-5:00p | Sat 8:00a-2:00p | Sun closed  .  503.546.8110

Leave it to Brides.com to offer something as cool as this! This tool allows you to view hundreds of wedding color ideas with the click of a button! You can also search by color to find accent colors, and narrow options by shade or hue. I clicked the button quite a few times, just to see what combos came up, and I was pleasantly surprised. Seems they have thought about this quite a lot! Whether you are just starting to consider color options, or are trying to complement your favorite hue, this little find is super helpful!

Click here to try out the color-pick tool.

This week’s wedding invitation pick comes from a very different album that New and Blue carried called Wiley Valentine. This album uses digital (flat) printing and lots of graphic elements, like the flower in this stationery collection. All the collections shown in the album are available in every stationery piece available, making it very easy to carry one motif throughout your whole day. There are TONS of available ink colors, so you’re sure to find one that matches your wedding colors. The designs range from very modern and simple to very intricate and bold. Some of the sets include a tiny Swarovski crystal in the design, or you have the option to add a crystal to the design of your choice. Wiley Valentine also features colored envelopes - which can be quite the task to find. The paper itself can be white or ecru, and is a very sturdy weight. There are many great designs in the album! We also have a Wiley Valentine baby album with birth announcements or party invitations that are absolutely to die for - if you know anyone who may be expecting.

Company: Wiley Valentine

Availability: In store or over the phone only!

Colors Used: papaya and hot chocolate

Did you know that the Japanese origami paper crane symbolizes peace and longevity in Asian cultures? The bird also mates for life, which is one reason brides find it fitting to use the crane in their wedding decor. It is believed that if a bride folds 1,000 paper cranes prior to the big day she will have a prosperous marriage - so get folding! Just kidding about the folding - but you can find authentic origami paper cranes pre-folded on the Etsy website. Check out this seller who makes them in all colors! Use them as favors, placecard holders, or centerpiece and bouquet accents.

You know that diamond necklace you have been eyeing for months? The one that you drool over in the window of the store that you just can’t bear to go in, for fear that you might go temporarily insane and buy it?

Now you can have it!

Well, temporarily at least. With the help of this company, Bag Borrow or Steal, you can rent designer accessories for a short time! Did we mention they have bridal jewelry? Go ahead and wear the gorgeous necklace and earring set for you wedding, then return it! No need to spend big bucks on something you probably won’t wear again, right?

In the current issue of Modern Bride, there is a delightful little article about fun and whimsical cake toppers. Two that are featured can be found at New and Blue! The first one is a whimsical rendition of a newlywed escape, featuring a very detailed car with bride and groom. To add to the cuteness, small tin cans cascade down the top tier of the cake! 

The second shown is a western inspired couple - complete with the groom in a cowboy hat and bride in her cowboy boots. Yee-haw!

These, along with many other fun and modern cake toppers can be found by clicking here. Visit out site for more details, options, and prices.