Columbia Gorge Wedding & Event Venues

Columbia Gorge Event Venues

Looking for a venue in the Columbia Rover Gorge for your wedding, retreat, or party? Vibrant Table explores what’s unique about five of our favorite event facilities ~ and what you need to know before booking.

VT Feedback: Erica & Alen

Vibrant Table Feedback

Erica and Alen recently tied the knot at the fabulous David Hill Winery. Vibrant Table provided floral, food, design consultation, and more. Here’s what she had to say…

Vendor Profile: Eric Wright

Eric Wright of All Wright Music DJs

Have YOU met Mister Wright??

We’ll keep this simple: when we want a party, we invite All Wright Music to keep things moving and shaking. Eric Wright (we like to call him Mister Wright) and his staff mix a seamless blend of music, suited perfectly to each client’s needs, so that from the first song to the last everyone is on the dance floor.

Recipe Feature: Strawberry Almond Shortcake

Strawberry Almond Shortcake Recipe

credit: cookeatshare.com

The rural area where I grew up was rather unremarkable except for two features: the alligator farm off exit 15, where you could watch barrel-chested lads wrestle the angry lizards, and acres upon acres of lush strawberry fields. Diving into a giant bowl of freshly-picked berries smothered over buscuity shortcake and topped with heavenly whipped cream was one of my greatest childhood delights. Chef Steve Brockman helps me elevate that simple pleasure with a shortcake infused with almond and orange zest – just in time for another favorite childhood celebration marked by sparklers and exploding fireworks. Mmmmmm… I know what I’ll be feasting on this Independence Day.

Tips and Tricks: Wedding Flowers

Tips & Tricks: Wedding Flowers

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?

Venue Feature: Pure Space

Venue Feature: Pure Space

Portland is buzzing about Pure Space, West Coast Event Production’s new event venue located in the Northwest industrial area.  A converted brewery, Pure Space provides a polished warehouse feel with contemporary, clean lines.  But it is by no means stark – on both the main floor and mezzanine, WCEP has arranged inviting lounge areas for guests. With access to WCEP’s massive inventory of decor and lighting equipment, you can create a signature look at a discounted price. Best of all are the two walls of MASSIVE 25-foot windows providing the allure of an outdoor celebration without the need for a back-up rain plan.

Reviews & Feedback: Tricia @ Lan Su

I cannot wait until photos Tricia’s wedding at Lan Su Chinese Garden are post-ready, but I can still share this effusive email Tricia sent Sales Manager/Event Coordinator Karen Rich. Vibrant Table provided catering, creative direction, floral and decor for this intimate wedding featuring a fusion of Pan-Asian cuisine and event design.

Garden Venues: Portland Metro and Surrounding Areas

Garden Venues: Portland Metro & Surrounding Areas

Nothing says Portland like a beautiful, lush garden and our brief Northwest summers are the most spectacular in the world. (Why else would we web-footers tolerate months of drizzle and gray?) So if you’re hosting an event in the next few months, why not take advantage of the sunshine with a garden party? Open landscapes provide natural gathering spots and scattered niches, such as benches and gazebos, encourage intimate conversation. Plus a garden’s scenic beauty requires little to no additional decor.

There are special considerations when planning any outdoor event, however. Many garden venues, for example, do not have kitchen facilities, so leave room in your budget for grills, hot boxes, ovens, and a kitchen tent. Depending on your menu, these can add an additional $200 to $1500 to your event costs. You might also consider tenting for your guests if there is no natural shade, and if there is, will your guest be comfortable with the stray leaf in the water? Wind + trees = natural debris!

VT on TV 2

What makes Vibrant Table unique?

Sales Manager Karen Rich joined KATU to talk about creating an unforgettable wedding. Along the way, she showcases what we do best: artfully blend food, decor, flowers & more in a way that represents our clients unique personalities.

Real Weddings: Betsy and Alex

Real Wedding @PAM – Betsy & Alex

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.