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7 Reasons to Have Your Wedding (or Event) at Lan Su

March 5, 2014 Filed Under: Bridal Boutique, Spectacular Spaces

Lan Su Discount 2014

1---Natural-Beauty

Natural Beauty

Translated, Lan Su Chinese Garden means ‘Garden of Awakening Orchids’. Changing with the seasons, their lush gardens are simply breathtaking. Winding pathways, a graceful pond (and occasional fowl), pavilions and outdoor patios create a stunning backdrop for weddings and other special events. Another advantage: it’s impossible to take a bad picture in such paradise so you’ll have plenty of mementos of your celebration.

2_Unique-Experience

Unique Experience

Not only is Lan Su a city landmark, it truly is a one-of-a-kind venue. Lovingly constructed with traditional materials and practices by Chinese artisans, Lan Su is the most authentic Chinese garden outside of China. In comparison, ballrooms seem boring. So why not get hitched in a venue as unique as you are?

Portland Wedding Venue - Lan Su Chinese Garden

Heart of the City

Lan Su provides that delicate balance of urban and landscape. The Garden is located in the middle of downtown Portland. Towering modern buildings colored by the setting sun remind you that the bustling city is just beyond the protective walls. Lan Su is easily accessible from many of Portland’s top hotels, making it a convenient choice for out-of-town guests.

Tranquil Lan Su encourages peaceful reflection - a good luck blessing for newlyweds.

Reflective Oasis

Lan Su was built following a 2,000-year-old tradition melding art, philosophy and nature. It is a sanctuary that encourages both literal and figurative reflection. ‘Lake Zither’ reflects the garden’s bounty, the architecture and the city’s tall buildings. Couples can easily find a private moment in one of Lan Su’s many pavilions or peaceful nooks to meditate on their love, their past, and their future together — a spiritual blessing as they embark on one of life’s most rewarding and challenging journeys.

5_Effortless-Details

Effortless Details

The Garden’s innate beauty requires little extra adornment to ‘dress’ it for weddings and events. Rich details like the scrolling on a pavilion, moss-covered stones, peonies in bloom, and a cascading waterfall create all the mood you need. One essential extra, however, is lanterns for evening events in the courtyards and patios.  Lanterns are affordable lighting options that complement Lan Su’s ambiance and offer pops of color.

6_Timeless

timeless

Designed to change with the seasons, the Garden is beautiful year round. Although an outdoor venue, 70% is covered and further areas can be tented. Of course, party size and other event features will have to be considered when renting during cooler months, but Lan Su is available for weddings and special events any any time of the year.

7_Catering-&-Planning-Support

catering & planning support

Vibrant Table is honored to be an exclusive caterer at Lan Su Chinese Garden. Voted ‘Best Caterer’ seven times (Oregon Bride Magazine 2006-2010, 2012, 2013), we help you personalize your menu, create an event plan, manage vendors and rentals. Our services include tailored menus, event planning*, floral and decor. On the day-of, an onsite Event Manager is there from start to finish.  In short, you’ll have a team of event professionals to ensure your wedding runs seamlessly — allowing you to focus on what matters.

*Although Vibrant Table provides event planning, we do not offer wedding coordination. We work with many amazing local wedding coordinators and will gladly provide references upon request.

8_Things-to-Know

Things to Know

For good measure, we’ve added ‘Things to Know’ when renting Lan Su Chinese Garden for weddings and special events because eight is the luckiest number in China. Firstly, Lan Su is a popular tourist destination and can be rented for private events only after public operating hours. That means a modest start time of 7:00 p.m. during the summer months. Secondly, expect to rent all event equipment, including reception tables and chairs, and expect increased delivery charges as equipment needs to be hand carried over the delicate stone and tiled. Lastly, alcohol selections are limited to white wine, champagne, and sake cocktails — or saketinis — because red wine and liquor can cause irreparable damage to the Garden. Similarly, only acrylic or plastic serviceware can be used.

THE GOOD NEWS: Vibrant Table has catered hundreds of events at Lan Su and we will help you maneuver these conditions and realize your vision. For example, there are countless saketini recipes to provide festive options for the cocktail inclined. Likewise, there are so many elegant and creative alternatives to glassware you won’t even miss it.

To Learn More about Lan Su

  • Visit Lan Su’s website
  • Email their Site Manager for a tour
  • Download a map showing capacities by pavilion

Photo Shout Out

Vibrant Table is indebted to the photographers who share their work. A huge thank you to these Portland photographers whose images in this post show you just how beautiful Lan Su is: Evrim Icoz Photography (image 1, 4-right, 8-right), Jessica Hill Photography (header image,  2-left, 6-left, 8-left), Peter Noebels Photography (2-right), Benjamin DiCaprio (3-right), One Bloom Photography (4-left), Derrek Becker Designs (6-right), and Sara Gray (7).

Personalizing your Wedding Flowers

June 23, 2010 Filed Under: Bridal Boutique, Brilliant Blooms

When you get dressed in the morning, when you accessorize, when you define your space at the office, do you strive to make it “you”?  Chances are, you do.  There are some accoutrements you would never want to associate with your personal space, there are accessories you would never think to wear. And of course, there is that signature piece or color you can’t do without; all are elements of a style that is truly your own. You wouldn’t think of being someone who you aren’t, so why should your wedding be any different?

[Read more…]

Real Weddings: Betsy and Alex

May 17, 2010 Filed Under: Bridal Boutique, Brilliant Blooms, Setting the Stage, Spectacular Spaces

Betsy + Alex 4/24/10

Betsy and Alex were married on April 24th in the Fields Sunken Ballroom at the Portland Art Museum, a venue that was perfect for them in its elegance and simplicity.  Their dream team included Vibrant Table (catering and flowers), Molli Barrs of Soiree Special Event Planning, DJ Eric Wright of All Wright Music, and gorgeous photography by Jamie Bosworth of Bosworth Studio (thanks for the photos, Jamie!).

The details were a reflection of Betsy and Alex’s personalities: synchronized sports watches for the Bride and Groom (Betsy tucked hers in the pocket of her dress- practical and awesome, in our opinion), brownies from Fat Witch Bakery in NYC as a very tasty favor, and beautiful linens and chair covers designed to complement the room perfectly.  The flowers were a mix of French, parrot and local tulips, highlighted by a few orchids here and there. The aisle was illuminated with different sized cylinder vases filled with submerged tulips, which created a glowing path to the ceremony space.  Drape from West Coast Drape and lighting by the Portland Art Museum transformed the ballroom into a glowing backdrop for both ceremony and reception.

The couple and their guests sampled lamb chop lollipops, samosas, cranikopita, and potato cakes with smoked salmon as their hors d’oeuvres while sipping on Marionberry Martinis. Dinner included New York strip and cider-glazed salmon with roasted rosemary potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The newlyweds then danced the perfect Spring evening away with their friends as a beautiful beginning to their new life together.

Congratulations, Betsy and Alex!

*   *   *

Want to see more? Read the photographer’s take on the wedding and view more photos on Jamie Bosworth’s blog.

Venue Feature: Portland Center Stage @ The Armory

April 29, 2010 Filed Under: Bridal Boutique, Soiree Spotlights, Spectacular Spaces

A Portland landmark since 1891, The Armory is currently home to Portland Center Stage. Artfully blending historical significance and modern aesthetics, PCS is a dramatic gem of an event facility. Features include rustic brick, graceful stair case, and cascading lights that give your celebration a celestial quality. With a Platinum LEED Certification, you can be sure your celebration has a light environmental impact and VIBRANT TABLE, a PCS preferred Caterer, will help you plan your event with ease.

PCS boasts seven rentable event spaces, including two theaters, a rehearsal hall and four lobbies. Availability is  contingent upon show hours, but PCS staff are well-practiced schedulers — and the ability to host your event at such a unique facility is well worth some creative flexibility. With top of the line in-house AV capabilities,  PCS is ideal for conferences, award ceremonies, and auctions. The naturally dramatic backdrop also makes it perfect for weddings, holiday parties and corporate celebrations.

Stats at a Glance

CAPACITY: 375 seated on two main lobbies
LOCATION: 128 NW 11 Avenue
PHONE: 503.445.3824
WEBSITE: www.pcs.org

Credit

As always, thank you to our photographer partners for generously allowing us to share their awesome skill and talent. You are the best!

Powers Studios: bridal party & reception setting from Mezzanine
Evrim Icoz Photography: “Historiscope” & header image
Andrea Lorimor Photography: select Vibrant Table hors d’oeuvres
Uncommon Muse Photography: GIANT rose composite by Vibrant Flowers

Visit our venue gallery for more images of Portland Center Stage.

Vendor Profile: Mandi Downs, Champagne NW

February 25, 2010 Filed Under: Bridal Boutique, Vibrant Vendors

Remember Vibrant Table’s and Vibrant Flowers’s interviews with Mandi Downs from Champagne Wedding and Event Coordination? We sat down with Mandi, one of our favorite coordinators, to get her take on events in the Pacific Northwest, find out how she got her start, and pick her brain about the wedding industry.  Here’s what she had to say: [Read more…]

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