Venues

6 Essential Wedding Party Gifts

October 23, 2018 Filed Under: Bridal Boutique, Events, Festive Fare, Inspiring Ideas, Venues, Weddings

From visiting venues, tasting cakes, dress shopping, all the way to picking out thank you cards, your wedding party has been a lucrative part of your special day. Here are six practical, yet fun wedding party gift ideas to say thank you!

For the Whole Gang

Sunglasses: Taking the time of year and the type of venue into account, gifting cute quality sunglasses is a great option! They’re a great addition to your wedding party photos, and a helpful item to have on hand throughout your big day. Whether it’s an outdoor ceremony, or perhaps a venue like The Exchange Ballroom & Cascade Rooftop that is equipped with a rooftop option, providing your bridesmaids and groomsmen with stylish shades is a thoughtful and practical gift. Plus, your group will look uniformly chic during the day’s festivities and in photos. There is even a bulk ordering option that makes ordering frames easy. They’ll thank you as you are moving from location to location taking pictures and chasing the golden hour!

Warby Parker Sunglasses

Novelty Glassware: The greatest gift to give is one that can be used again and again. This doesn’t mean gifting something boring, it just means thinking originally and thoughtfully. Consider special ordering your bridesmaids customized wine glasses and your groomsmen personalized liquor glasses to use at the reception. These gifts are not only an eclectic addition to your table settings, but they can also add a modern touch of class to your wedding theme. Unique, yet useful gifts are always the way to go!

Bridesmaids-getting-ready-novelty-glassware-Portland

Bridal Party Getting Ready / Portland, Oregon / Photo: Sweet Life Photography

For the bridesmaids

Delicate Jewelry: There is something special about a gift that can be worn daily. Giving your girls a piece of jewelry that matches their bridesmaids’ dresses, but can also match a pair of jeans is something for which they will truly thank you. Love knot bracelets are a popular gift choice for their simplicity and meaning. You’ve asked your favorite friends to help you “tie the knot,” and this bracelet is the perfect symbol of the bond they’ve helped you solidify. Giving your bridesmaids a subtle gift like this may be understated, but it’s definitely a detail your guests are sure to notice as they’re walking down the aisle. It can also easily become a piece they incorporate into their everyday look.

Tote Bags: What is better than a practical present? What about one that can be personalized and still be used daily?! A monogrammed tote bag is a great gift to give your gals. Not only can you fill it with wedding day essentials like tissues and toiletries, but it is a gift they can use long after your wedding day is over. Whether it be used as a gym bag, a grocery bag or an overnight bag, it will surely get a lot of compliments and serve as a reminder of your special day.

For the groomsmen

Cufflinks: Gifting a sentimental token of thanks is easy. Gifting an item that’s practical can be a bit more challenging. Win the day and gift your groomsmen cufflinks, tie clip and a money clip. All in one convenient case, your guys can use these accessories on the day of your wedding, and on many important days to come. It’s remarkable how much the small details like cufflinks or a tie clip can pull an entire look together.

Dopp Kit: Practicality wins the day. Gifting your guys a personalized leather Dopp kit is a great investment. It is packed with wedding day essentials to make sure everyone’s grooming is up to par. And, conveniently, this tote can be used for travel or even just to store your products in your bathroom.

There you have it! A list of practical and essential gifts to give your wedding party! Have any other suggestions? Be sure to share!

Wedding-reception-Exchange-Ballroom-Portland-Oregon

Wedding Reception on the Cascade Rooftop at The Exchange Ballroom / Photo: JOS studios

WHY CHOOSE A CENTRALLY LOCATED VENUE FOR YOUR WEDDING

February 28, 2018 Filed Under: Catering, Events, Inspiring Ideas, Venues, Weddings

If you live in a sizable city, choosing a wedding venue can be daunting. For example, within a two-hour radius of Portland, Oregon, there are hundreds of venue options. How does one choose amongst the beautiful coast, the stunning gorge, the rustic mountains or the rolling hills of wine country?

We suggest a centrally located wedding venue; meaning a venue close to Portland, serving as an epicenter for your wedding celebration, complete with transportation and accommodations to fit your needs. Think of Portland as a home-base, and the nearby 7 wonders of Oregon are easily within reach.

What are the benefits of having a wedding in the center of it all?

Close to Accommodations

Having your ceremony and reception within the city allows your guests to easily choose accommodations close to your venue including hotels and housing rentals. You and your fiancé can reserve room blocks nearby that fit your needs. In more remote locations, it can sometimes be difficult to secure adequate nearby lodging.

Convenient Transportation

A centrally located wedding will ease the burden of travel for you and your guests. Many cities, like Portland, have a good public transportation system. In addition to inexpensive light rail, streetcar and bus options, Lyft, Uber, PDX Pedi-cab and Double Decker PDX can accommodate guests quickly and easily. Your guests won’t have to rent a car and park to get to and from the airport, wedding events and attractions around the city. A central location also alleviates the cost of shuttling guests to and from venues outside the city.

Treasury Ballroom | Photo: Evirm Icoz

Reduces Vendor Costs

Consider the cost of vendor travel and accommodations before booking an out-of-town venue. Photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists, etc. may charge for travel. These charges can be avoided if booking within city limits.

Minimizes Packing Stress

Unless arranged with a planner, there will be some items that you, your bridal party or family will need to bring to the wedding reception site. For example, you may need to bring client-provided alcohol, décor items, wedding attire, bridal party gifts to the ceremony and reception site. Depending on what your venue can accommodate, you may be able to bring some items the day prior, freeing more of your time the day of your wedding. If you forget something, you can rest easy knowing you have nearby resources to pick up that last minute item.

Close Rehearsal

Keep in mind that your bridal party and family will need to travel to your ceremony walk-through and rehearsal. A centrally located venue will allow your friends and family to settle in to their accommodations and get to these events in a timely manner. Additionally, being within the city opens up a world of fantastic rehearsal dinner options.

Tasting Room at The Loft at 8th Avenue

Lets Your Guests Have Fun

A centrally located wedding destination will allow guests to enjoy your city. It can be difficult to pack in a relaxing and fun trip when most of that time is spent traveling. Easily accessible bars, restaurants, tourist attractions near accommodations and venue make for an easy and fun getaway. Guests can enjoy your reception without worrying about driving home after a night of celebrating.

Cascade Rooftop at The Exchange Ballroom | Photo: Donny Mays

Start your Honeymoon!

If you’re that couple that prefers to keep the party going after the wedding reception, choosing a downtown venue will allow you and your guests easy access to nearby attractions and Portland’s nightlife. If you’re that couple who is exhausted after a long day of celebrating, if you’re centrally located, your hotel is nearby. Start relaxing as soon as possible!

At VT Group, we are proud to manage four of Portland’s most beautiful and diverse wedding venues. All venues can accommodate both ceremony and reception on-site. As one of Oregon’s premier hospitality purveyors, VT Group also provides casual to high-end, full-service catering, event production and facility management.

Our exclusive venues include:

The Loft at 8^th Avenue

Portland’s newest wedding venue!

The Loft at 8th Avenue is a modern, wedding venue located in Portland’s Central Eastside Industrial District. The versatile spaces within the Loft are a perfect fit for your wedding events. Our unique tasting rooms can host your intimate rehearsal dinner or cocktail hour while our larger Annex and Outdoor Space allow for a seamless flow from ceremony to reception.

The Loft at 8^th Avenue is ideally located in Portland’s newest bustling neighborhood, the Central Eastside, providing your guests easy access to the amazing accommodations and attractions Portland has to offer.

The Exchange Ballroom

The Exchange Ballroom is a perfect blend of contemporary design with historic character and boasts amazing views of downtown Portland.

This wedding venue embodies the Portland vibe with a clean and modern aesthetic; a perfect blank canvas to do what you want in terms of décor, color, lighting and theme to create a stunning event.

The gorgeous Cascade Rooftop can host your ceremony overlooking the city and is perfect for cocktail hour. Located in the Central Eastside Industrial district, the Exchange Ballroom is centrally located with easy access for both driving and/or public transport.

The Treasury Ballroom

The Treasury Ballroom is Portland’s best downtown wedding venue. Boasting iconic architectural details and located within the 100-year-old U.S. Bank Building, the ballroom is a piece of Portland’s history. With a fresh and bold color palette, the Treasury Ballroom is perfect for elegant and sophisticated weddings.

Located in the heart of downtown Portland, the Treasury Ballroom is steps away from a plethora of incredible food, beverage and cultural attractions the city has to offer.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Lan Su Chinese Garden stands alone as a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind venue. Exquisite pavilions and lush gardens provide a beautiful backdrop for sharing your special day.

The natural, calm beauty of the Garden is surrounded by the bustling city of Portland.

Portland Showcase at the Armory

June 9, 2017 Filed Under: Catering, Events, News, Spectacular Spaces, Uncategorized, Venues, Vibrant Vendors

Vibrant Table showcased Portland’s bounty to the nation’s elite organization for American theaters, the Theater Communications Group, on Thursday, June 8, 2017.

Portland Center Stage hosted the annual TCG conference in early June, and invited their preferred Portland catering vendors to participate, offering prime exposure to impress upon the masses, Portland’s amazing culinary talent. The Armory’s space was transformed into a Portland Wonderland with entertainment lined up by the Ukeladies, break dancers, Oregon’s iconic Unipiper, and more.

Beverages were provided by Artslandia and Deschutes, and on the Mezzanine level, Vibrant Table was accompanied by fellow Portland based catering companies including Artemis, Art of Catering, Devil’s Food and Hunt & Gather.

Our Oregon-centric hors d’oeuvres were the crowd favorite Beet Napoleon with chevre, orange-honey and toasted hazelnuts, and our Spicy Port-Poached Figs wrapped in prosciutto.

Take a bow for a job well done, Portland Center Stage. Thank you for inviting us to participate.

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As one of Oregon’s premier hospitality purveyors, VT Group provides casual to high-end, full-service catering, event production and facility management. VT Group’s flagship brands include Vibrant Table Catering & Events, Food in Bloom Catering, f&b cafe and catering, and Vibrant Flowers. VT Group also manages several of the city’s most beautiful and diverse spaces including five event venues and three cafe locations in the Portland Metro area.

Our mission is to foster exemplary relationships within our community, developing and maintaining quality connections with partners who share our same ambition, drive and values.

The Loft at 8th Ave.

February 10, 2016 Filed Under: News, Venues

VT Group, the company behind two of Portland’s largest and most successful catering businesses, today announced it is fully operational at its new location at 2010 SE 8th Avenue in Portland. The freshly renovated 43,000-square-foot facility is home to Food in Bloom Catering, Vibrant Table Catering & Events, Vibrant Flowers and the administrative portion of f&b cafe. It features a beautifully decorated client reception area and tasting rooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a floral and décor design area and ample space to house and stage the equipment allowing Food in Bloom and Vibrant Table to produce the unique culinary experiences for which they are known. There are also several areas throughout the building slated for event space.

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