Save-the-date

Please mark your calendars for 2 p.m. Sunday 2/2/25. I’ll be doing a book reading and Q&A at Bold Coffee & Books in southwest Portland with moderator, professional officiant, and friend Emily Sterling of Rooted & Wild.

“Book reading???” you ask. That’s right: I wrote a book! It’s about how to plan a wedding that’s in-line with your values.

The book came out in October 2021 so, for pandemic reasons, I didn’t have a launch party or ever do a reading. But now I can! Hope you can make it. Open to clients, vendors, anyone who’s interested.

More details to come in the new year.

Cool wedding planning resources I made

Drum roll, please!

My most-read wedding planning resources for 2024 are…

More of my clients are asking how their images will be used after the wedding.

Which yeah, fair. Use this language to ask for yourself in interviews.

Related: As I recently learned from wedding planner Cindy Savage of Aisle Less Traveled, privacy — particularly for LGBTQ+ clients — has a new importance as we face a second Trump administration.

Continued question I’m asking myself: Do I have consent before I share?

If you’re planning on a Portland public park for your 2025 wedding, circle January 6, 2025.

Here’s how to get a reservation, what it’ll cost, and how to decide if a public park is the right fit at all. (Vendors, did you know they’ve got some FREE spots for you, too?)

Tip: A Portland park wedding pairs well with these 20th anniversary posters from the Portland Parks Foundation. One way you can use the poster: Have your guests sign the poster or matting around the poster as a guest book.

Just me or does everyone want live music next year?

And seven other trends I’m noticing for 2025.

If you’re hiring, I’ve got a referral list.

Plus, a code of conduct to go alongside it so you know that nobody’s paying me to tell you to hire them.

“This is probably the best money I’ve spent for my wedding.”

Said a recent one-hour consulting client. Learn more about renting my brain.

Cool wedding planning resources other people made

Two discounts!

• If you book a 2025 event with The WaitStaff before Tuesday 12/31/24, you’ll get $50 off if you mention this newsletter. Great for weddings where you need support staff to do bartending or bussing!
  

• Chad Dowling is offering $500 off his DJ services for Saturday weddings in 2025. Just mention me. (If you’re also thinking of a photo booth, Chad offers an excellent one that his wife Gretchen runs like a freakin’ champion.)

Psst — Per my code of conduct, I don’t take kickbacks or other things of value for my referrals.

Some folks are booking a venue before they’re getting engaged.

I mentioned this phenomenon to a reporter at The New York Times, who’d seen it too. Here’s the resulting article. (I’m not in it but obviously, still a good read!)

Here’s a recent interview I did about my work as a wedding planner.

Apologies for how big my face is when you click through.

Portland, two upcoming wedding shows of note:

• PDX Alternative Wedding Fair — Saturday 3/8/25 and Sunday 3/9/25 in northeast Portland
  

• SMOOCH — Saturday 4/5/25 in Oregon City
  

• Vendors, last I heard both were still accepting applications for booths. Information at the links above.

I won’t be at either of these shows, which I only mention so you’re not looking for me. If you go, consider reading this to make the most of your time and money.

Live near Victoria, BC?

There’s a truly excellent-sounding conference coming up about having a sustainable wedding. Early bird pricing ends on Tuesday 12/31/24.

Wedding vendors, this is for you

Next month, I’m hosting a second pay-what-you-can educational Q&A (talking to a lawyer!) and an in-person vendor meet-up in Portland, Oregon.

Weddings take a lot of work! For a little extra help, consider:

• asking me a question for free

• using this gallery of free resources

• reading these articles

• reading my book

• renting my brain for an hour

• hiring me to coordinate