Ira + Lucy Featured In Oregon Bride Magazine

IRA + LUCY FEATURED IN OREGON BRIDE MAGAZINE!

Featured

Oregon Bride Magazine

We can finally let the cat out of the bag! We are so happy to be featured in Oregon Bride Magazine's Best of 2017 Issue! This feature means a lot as it's been so important to me and our brand that we are recognized as a PNW Wedding and Event Planner. 

Hope you enjoy the images from our shoot and be sure to check out the magazine, out now on shelves! Thank you to the awesome team of Creatives (listed below).

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PORTLAND INSPIRED

We were drawn to Portland’s beautiful architecture as it truly speaks for itself. This styled shoot at Adored Vintage focused on bringing out the truly imaginative, creative and natural talent that we love about the Portland scene. Keeping to neutral tones to accent Portland’s unique structure. The Oatmeal tone velvet with natural Tuscany linen napkins accented the ceramic pottery details and romantic gold elements. 

Textures were the focus for this tablescape with simple two tone vases, soft romantic hues and lush local floral elements. A tablescape is an experience for your guests. Run your fingertips over the soft velvet linen, the rough and smooth ceramics, the glassware, brass candlesticks and acrylic chairs. A tactile dream!

Acrylic chairs are a beautiful modern take on special event seating. Modern or classic and even with old world design style, they work! Showcase that beautiful linen and table design with a chair that only enhances the experience.

The brides dress, a stunning design from Alexandra Grecco,  reflects simple elegance with contemporary lines and movement. The silhouette while simple in design; mimics the dramatic architecture surrounding St. John’s bridge with a mirrored deep V neckline and stunning mid-thigh slit. Complementing the modern design is a delicate golden maple leaf crown from Melinda Rose Designs.

The cake was kept simple to compliment the signature cocktail and focus on texture mimicking the ceramic details and adorned with natural floral elements

We adore simple elegant design. Timeless. Classic. Unforgettable.

"SLOW AND STEADY"
SIGNATURE DRINK FROM ARCHIVE BAR

“As a nod to Portland’s unique history and innovation we created a customized botanical cocktail. “Slow and Steady” is a fortified wine based cocktail that is infused with Rosemary, Dry Vermouth, Apple Brandy, Lavender, Lemon and Sea Salt. The result hits you in waves – rosemary in the nose, herbaceous up front, followed by sweet apple, with a lightly salted effervescent finish.”

— Archive Coffee and Bar

VENDORS

Ira + Lucy Creative Director, Designer, Stylist + Decor Items
Film SLF
Film Photography | Kendra Elise Photography
Digital Photography | Peyton Lind Photography
Models | Jessica and Jonnathan
Hair & Makeup | Kirstie Wight
Floral Design | Dear House Collective
Dream Cakes
Archive Coffee and Bar
Rachel Jacobson Calligraphy
Adored Vintage Studio
La Tavola Linens
Gown | Alexandra Grecco
Veil and Crown | Melinda Rose Design
Ring By Angeline
Acrylic Chairs | The Party Place

Featured in Oregon Bride Magazine, Best of 2017

Merry Christmas

REAL COUPLE WHITNEY + TIM
TAMARACK RESORT | ARLING CENTER

IRA + LUCY COORDINATION, DESIGN + RENTALS

Yesterday we needed to focus on some much needed family time, so I avoided the computer and instead baked up a storm, gained 15 pounds, played Star Wars video game with the hubs, played Transformers on the floor with Jagger and then had friends over for a fun evening. Like many of you I have a hard time resisting the urge to hop on Instagram and indulge in some visual eye candy and to my surprise saw Two Bird Studio announced the debut of one of our couples, Whitney and Tim's, Tamarack Mountain Wedding. Merry Christmas! I'm so excited to share with you! Stay tuned for the images coming soon! I can't wait for you to see more of the details.

TIPS for DIY Brides working with Wedding Coordinators

We recently wrote an article for Sound Wave Music and Lighting about the DIY bride with some tips! Head on over for the full article. Since writing that guest blog post I have continued thinking about the DIY couples and how as designers and coordinators we can help our Do It Yourself Couples with some helpful tips! So, get your notepad out and start taking notes! Here are some tips for DIY Brides working with wedding coordinators and designers!

Some Background

SAVING MONEY! From experience talking with DIY couples, many assume they can't afford a professional Coordinator or Designer. DIY, usually lends to a couple being serious about having their wedding on a strict budget , so they are opting to tackle the details as much on their own as possible to save money. They immediately write off any option of having a Coordinator OR they hope to use a family friend or relative to help with coordination. Sometimes this works great and other times not so much... In our own wedding, many years ago and pre-wedding industry professional, I was in the same boat. I felt that $10k was a lot of money and had no clue what weddings cost and thought it would stretch far. I made the mistake of blowing through a decent amount of that buying decor, as there weren't vintage rental businesses back then. I certainly thought hiring a coordinator was out of the question!

Questions to ask yourself:

• Budget - have you actually figured out an itemized budget? Not just an overall budget, but how it is broken down? Usually DIY brides are reaching into the unknown trying to estimate price range for services: venue rentals, catering, DJ, flowers, attire etc. Often the answer is... "I had no idea how much that costs!" A professional coordinator can help you navigate the budget with a clear idea of what the different services cost and how to best guide you to reputable vendors that fit your budget.
• How much of your budget went out the window on those spontaneous shopping sprees at Hobby Lobby? You know exactly what I'm talking about. I know how tempting it is! That $75 here and $50 there and another $130 last month... Those add up! Instead, that money could have been saved up to go toward catering vs your family having to prep all the food. Or that dream floral arch for your ceremony! Those details will last in photos and give you the real bang for your buck vs. all those cute chalkboard signs. Really go through and ask yourself what you definitely need. Return the extras before you get any further into planning.

• Prioritize needs: (some of the main things to consider)
  • Venue
  • Officiant/Ceremony
  • Catering
  • Photography
  • Rentals (chairs, linen, tables etc)
  • DJ
  • Attire
  • Floral + Decor
  • Lodging
  • Travel
  • Hair + Makeup
• Coordinator fees. We highly encourage you reach out to local coordinators and ask lots of questions! Each of us offers different packages and services and all share the belief that each couple will find the coordinator that fits their personality and needs. It's okay if you meet and find that it isn't a good fit. It's all part of the process. Ask about coordination and design services - YES, there is a difference. Let the coordinator know your budget up front. Talk about it. See if you can figure something out that works for both of you. Maybe you need to pick between having a designer/decorator or a coordinator - what do you need most? ASK why they are beneficial to your particular needs. *side note! As with all industries there are always businesses that want to get into the industry and therefore do research on the market and then underprice the competition in hopes of getting experience and business starting out. Beware. As a couple with budget on the mind, that doesn't mean the cheapest coordinator is quality.
• Utilize PINTEREST. Pinterest can be a bride's AND coordinator's best friend or worst enemy! Autumn is a perfect example of how awesome Pinterest can be utilized for DIY couples!
  • Set your Pinterest Wedding Board to SECRET! You don't need the opinions and input of everyone AND you want to keep some elements a surprise right?
  • Start pinning things that catch your and your fiance's eye.
  • EDIT and DELETE pins that no longer fit the vision (or move them to a different board if you are attached to them)
  • Once you have narrowed down your board make sure to put in the comments the specific description:

With Autumn giving us all the details we knew EXACTLY what she wanted! This is perfect for the DIY bride who really wants to make sure her hard work comes together at the end; how SHE envisioned it. Autumn functioned as the designer until the last three months and then handed the reins off to our incredible team.

My husband and I both so grateful for Heidi's and her team's part in making our wedding day truly memorable and amazing. It was more than we dreamed about, and it was surreal to walk into the space with all the little details I'd been planning and working so hard on fully executed beyond my wildest dreams. It was beautiful, and I wouldn't change a single thing about any of it. The Ira & Lucy team was truly incredible - so kind, thoughtful, and hard working, and their dedication means the world to us. Because of all their hard work, we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves from the first second to the last, and focus on our vows, our guests, and most importantly, each other. My husband even made a point of telling me the next day how happy he was that we found Ira & Lucy - we couldn't have pulled it all off if we hadn't! Special thanks to Arielle for her attention to detail - she had lots of questions in the days and weeks leading up to our big day, and it really showed that she was thinking through everything to make sure it was just how we pictured. You know you've had a successful event when there isn't a single thing you'd change when you look back! - Autumn

We work with DIY couples often and don't want you to shy away from contacting us to inquire about our services. Hopefully these tips will help you in your planning! Certainly, we could give many more tips, but this post is already long enough! After you take a look at your budget with realistic expectations and think you may benefit from hiring a coordinator or designer/day of decorating team - shoot us an email and let's chat! You can see our packages here. Now put the car in reverse and pull out of that Hobby Lobby parking lot!!!

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Ira & Lucy Featured on Oregon Bride Magazine!

We are so honored to be featured today on Oregon Bride Magazine! 

"Though I love the brightly colored, sunny mood of summer in the Pacific Northwest, fall and winter tend to bring out a sumptuous richness of design in our local vendors’ creative efforts that I find simply irresistible. This equal parts Ralph Lauren and equestrian inspired styled shoot embodies that cold-weather decadence. From the gorgeous reclaimed wood table, to the dramatic black wedding gown, to the striking blue chaise lounge, rustic luxury with a glam touch abounds.

Pretty details aside, I’m even more excited to share this shoot than usual, given that it features a dream team of Western Idaho vendors never before featured on Oregon Bride. After writing the Eastern Oregon destination story in the current print issue of our magazine, I’m keenly aware that Eastern Oregon brides don’t have half the luxury of picky-ness that their Willamette Valley counterparts do. Though all of the vendors featured in this shoot are Idaho-based, most are located within 45 minutes of the Oregon border, and creative mastermind behind the whole shoot, Heidi Wight’s event coordination team Ira & Lucy, specializes in Northwest destination weddings. Keep scrolling to see it all, and scroll all the way to the bottom to read more about Wight's inspiration behind the shoot—Eastern Oregon brides, take note!" - Taylor Ellsworth, Oregon Bride Magazine

Read the [button url="http://orbridemag.com/vintage-equestrian-ralph-lauren-inspired-styled-shoot"]FULL ARTICLE HERE[/button]