It was a difficult process in some respects, since the tiny area forced Ivar to get creative with shooting and where to stand.  So, a huge thank you to Ivar for working in such small and difficult conditions (which was totally our fault), and not falling in the fountain!

Regarding the new Portland pad, things are nearly there, since I left a few things at my dad’s back in Eugene which I won’t get until next week.  Meanwhile, I picked up a clothing rack for my space at Antique Alley, thanks to Saks who is going out of business and selling all of their fixtures.  Additionally, Friday, I am joining my brother and his car club for Billetproof, a weekend long car show up in Centralia, Washington.  Not sure yet if our hotel has internet, so I may be blogging from the Evergreen state or afterward once I’ve returned to PDX.

We’re all making plans on going to Billetproof up in Washington this summer, should be good fun.

This weekend was also the flea market, where I picked up thirteen fantastic ’60s/’70s romance comics.  I love cheesy comics like this, since the make for great pop art.  With the right scanner and printer, comic book art can make for fantastic home decor akin to Lichtenstein.  I picked up these, which range in years from ‘63 to ‘78 for $10.00 for the lot.

Notorious at the flea market (though not always there) are the “Suitcase Guys” who are your A-typical estate buyers who show up with suitcases full of the most random stuff, everything from pinbacks to postcards to photographs to playbills.

This time they had loads of paper, and I spent over a half hour digging through their stuff and came out with some old Las Vegas postcards, a piece of sheet music from the Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly movie, Cover Girl, a ticketbook from Disneyland, and an old photo album full of 1940s wedding cards.  I bought the lot of stuff for $8.00.  Not yet sure what I’m going to do with the 30+ cards, may do some sort of craft thing with them for shower decor, but they were too cool and too cheap to pass up!

When asked what are the advantages to going vintage, Ava said there are many advantages, “being unique, getting an more authentic look.  It’s more glamorous, and brides can kick their wedding up a notch.”  AlexSandra agreed and pressed that shopping for a vintage wedding gown is a much more pleasant experience and results in a better product,  “when you buy a vintage dress, you’re getting a dress that is made with better material than what dresses are made of today, plus you’re supporting the local economy…when you shop vintage, you are buying something that has generally been union made, made in the USA, and not with slave labor,” says AlexSandra.

Vintage Dresses: The Dos and Don’ts

So, you’ve decided to become a vintage bride…where to start?  “The dress,” says Ava, “The dress sets the theme and era of the wedding.” Which is where I started.   I didn’t know if I wanted to go 40s glam or 50s kitch, and the dress decided it for me.  “AlexSandra’s Vintage Emporium, of course!” cries AlexSandra, and suggests shopping in person, not the internet, “If you don’t have any idea what you want, the internet is a place to get ideas, but not a dress, unless you’re really, and I mean really good at taking your measurements…Look for places that offer good customer service, places that allow you to take photos,” AlexSandra continued, “Also your mom’s or grandma’s closet is also a good place to start.  Even if the dress doesn’t fit or isn’t exactly what you want, we can refashion it and make it something special.”  As for concerns, have no fear, “A lot of brides fear sizing, they think vintage means a 24-inch waist,” says AlexSandra, “Body image is a big issue, but you just need to manage your expectations and find the look you feel good in.  Don’t be afraid of your measurements!”  Even if you find that perfect dress and it’s too small or too big, AlexSandra is the woman to go to to get that fixed.  Self-taught, AlexSandra is a wiz at the sewing machine, “Leave your preconceived notions at home.  You don’t know until you try it on!”

More dresses awaited upstairs, where The Vintage Bride, Rose Crossen offers true blue vintage gowns that are beautiful.  The Vintage Bride just launched in January and it began out of a career shift for Rose, “My husband said I needed to collect something…I kept finding myself drawn to the vintage gowns at shops, and it seemed like the natural thing to do.  My husband made a loft for me to work in” complete with pink walls. Rose’s dresses are gorgeous and in wonderful condition, plus, she’s a real doll to talk to, “I love the history a wedding dress has.  I buy veils that still have rice stuck in them, or see dresses where she spilled something, and think ‘Oh, she must have had a fun reception!’ Each dress has it’s own little romantic tale to tell.”  If you plan on buying from Rose, make sure you get your measurements correct, “Especially your ribcage.  Your waist is squishy, but your ribcage is solid.”

Vintage Hair Styling

In addition to Ava’s lovely vintage and custom made hats and veils, and AlexSandra’s  and Rose’s beautiful dresses and accessories, the show boasted Kristen Behlings and her hands that make hair miracles a reality.  Kristen has been doing hair since she was asked to do the hair of the models at one of AlexSandra’s vintage fashion shows about three years ago.  If you want anything from the 20s through the 60s, Kristen is your go-to girl.  “I mostly get asked to do what I call the ‘Kristen Classic’ which is a simple set of victory rolls,” she says while showing me some sketches she has come up with and images of actresses boasting the WWII-era do.  When asked where she gets her inspiration and ideas, she laughed and pointed to a stack of books on a table across from where she was performing sample hair styles, “Yearbooks actually.  I’m addicted to them.  And vintage magazines, and of course movies.” At the show, Kristen offered free sample hair-dos so brides-to-be could get a sense of what they may look like on their big day if they decide to go all out vintage.  She did me up, what do ya think?

The show also offered a few photographers, make-up and DJ vendors.  The event continues tomorrow, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Queen Anne Victorian Mansion, located at 1441 N. McClellan in Portland.  The event is free, but a donation of canned food for the Oregon Food Bank is suggested.  If you’re within a hundred miles of Portland and getting married soon, you need to go!  You won’t be sorry!

The book mainly focuses on the 1930s through the 1970s, and especially on celebrities – on and off screen – and the movies they starred in, such as the classic screw-ball comedies of the 40s.  There are also quotes from various vintage wedding advice books.  It’s a very interesting collection of ideas and images about marriage through the 20th century.  It’s also filled with a great selection of vintage images and perfect for the vintage lover who is getting hitched.

In addition to going vintage, the show is also focusing on going green, and how the happy couple an reduce the environmental footprint of their wedding.  There will be loads of local businesses in attendance, ranging in dresses and accessories services to hair, floral and photography services as well.

This looks like it’s going to be the place to be find vintage dresses and accessories!  I’ll be there and have lined up an interview with Ava from Ava Hansen Millinery, which I’m greatly looking forward to, so look for a full interview and show review afterward.  Be there, or be square, Oregon Brides!

2010 Vintage Bridal Show: Beautiful and Sustainable
Saturday February 27th
Sunday February 28th
11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Queen Anne Victorian Mansion
1441 N. McClellan St.
Portland, OR

Making your own wedding stationary is certainly a money saver, it also gives you more freedom and control, not to mention a totally unique design.  Since we’re a couple with more computer skills than money, the DIY option was obvious for us.  So over the course of a week, Patrick and I fought over lay-out designs and fonts and settled on this design:

The image is of course the proposal moment that took place in the photobooth located at the Ace Hotel.  The font we purchased from Font Diner, a fabulous retro font site.  As for the back…

We’re planning on ordering cardstock from a shop on-line that Patrick has used before, and we will be printing them at home.  The total cost of purchasing the all of the paper (including the postage for the invitations) will be under $200, including postage.  Not bad at all, considering the average cost is about $800.  Of course, we have to then do all of the labor, but it’s fun, and we have the time.

For the couples who may have their credit cards encased in ice in their freezers or that their wallets are looking a little slim, the DIY option is great, fun and, of course, costs a fraction of what it would be to go pro.

Sunday, my mom, Patrick, and I headed up to Portland where Monday, my mom, my maid of honor, Megan and I set forth dress hunting.  The first place we checked out was Xtabay along Clinton street.  A fabulous, high quality vintage clothing shop, Xtabay has extended to offer up vintage wedding dresses as well. While I didn’t find my wedding dress there, I found a wonderful “going away” dress, which had the original store tags on it!  Cost? $98, more than I am used to spending (okay, my mom actually paid for it), but worth every single cent since it’s so perfect and in such glorious condition!  I also found a great pair of vintage screw-on earrings and broach to match for $10.  Sadly, I didn’t snap any pictures of me in the dress, but here is (sorta) a picture of the dress, it’s the turquoise one in the background.  The dress can also be seen here with a stunning coat, which I would have bought, had it not already been sold!  But let me tell you, if you’re searching for high quality (we’re talkin’ like new quality) vintage Xtabay is the place to be! Liz, the owner, carries only womens clothing, shoes and accessories, and is very, very cordial and an absolute delight to talk with. And if she doesn’t have what you want at that moment, sign her book with your contact info and what you have in mind, and she’ll get back to you if something comes in!

Tuesday, Patrick and I hit up the Kennedy School and Edgefield McMenamins as possible wedding venues.  We are both keen on the Kennedy School, and have crossed Edgefield off our list, mainly due to its remote location.  We’re going to be looking at more locations in January.

Also that day we visited Terry Schrunk Plaza, which is the park located across the street from Portland’s City Hall.  Why did we stop there?  Because Schrunk was a key player in my Vice in the Rose City  research essay (working on some final touches before posting it).  He was sheriff for a long while, and then became mayor, despite his suspected involvement in the corrupt pay-off system between Portland’s underworld figures and police and politicians. It was windy that day, so my hair is mussed up…oh well.

Wednesday I headed to my mom’s house in Salem and checked out a local bridal shop there where I found my dress! While it’s not vintage like I had hoped, it is in a very 40s Hollywood glam style.  Of course, no pictures will be posted until the big day next December!  The store carries a selection of dresses to try on and then order, along with a selection of clearance/discontinued dresses, which is where I found mine.  The cost? $398.  Not too bad, but of course still a lot.  But my major goal in this wedding is to go local;  venue, cake, attire, jewelry, etc. Which means getting all I need for my bridal ensemble without once stepping into a David’s Bridal, and so far I’ve done that.

As for today, it’s last minute shopping, wrapping and scouting for things we want to buy the day after Christmas.  I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Christmas!! Merry Christmas!