Portland Bride in the City: Mandi Downs
Monday, November 8, 2010 at 9:53AM Tweet 
Style Unveiled, as hard as we try, knows that sometimes it takes a woman who's walking in your same 'heels' to help with something like planning a day as big as a wedding. And while we will always be here to help with inspirational photos, real weddings, vendor suggestions, venue ideas, our Perfect 10 lists, and more ... we want to bring you something priceless ... Advice from brides who are doing the same as you (right now!!) ... PLANNING THEIR WEDDING :) Our blog addition, Bride in the City will give you inside info from other brides to help you along the way and make you feel like you're not the only one :) So ... get ready to bond with Bride in the City guest: Mandi Downs
When did you become engaged?
June 27, 2010
When is the big day?
November 20, 2010
Who are the wedding vendors that you have already decided to hire?
Ceremony and reception Venue: Pure Space
Rentals: West Coast Event Productions
Day of Coordination: Champagne Wedding & Event Coordination
Caterer: Crave Catering
Florist: Blum Design in Flowers
Photographer: Yasmin Khajavi Photography and Laura Marchbanks
Videographer: Focal Point Digital Media
DJ: Event Team Entertainment
Cake: Dream Cakes by Judy Reese
Hair and Make up: Nicole Wagner Makeup and Face Body Beauty
Accessories: The Wedding Cottage
What is your venue and why did you choose it?
We picked Pure Space, a new venue in the Pearl! We were looking for somewhere that had an urban feel. The number one requirement was no carpet, which eliminated over half of the venues. With getting married in November it had to be somewhere we could do the ceremony and reception inside. We also wanted just one venue for the ceremony and reception. I had fallen in love with the space long before it became a venue, so even though the choice was tough, after looking at a few other spaces we knew it was right for us!
What are you most excited about for your wedding day?
Besides becoming Mrs. Wiley? I'm really excited about the first look moment! It's been killing me to not show him the dress- I can't wait to see the look on his face! I'm also extremely excited to walk into the space and see everything we've planned come together!
Is there anything you are nervous about for your wedding day?
I'd say I'm most nervous about the ceremony. Not because I'm marrying my best friend, but because there will be over 200 people looking at us. I can't help, but feel a little overwhelmed by that. Though I have to say- getting to see 200 of our family and friends is also one of the things I'm most excited about!
What is your wedding theme or concept going to be? What inspired it?
We decided to put a country twist on the urban feel. We're from the suburbs, our family is from the country. We love the modern clean feel of the urban space and the fun shabby chic feel of the country twist. Our colors are white, a rich plum purple and dark navy blue. Though I'd love to share more details, I want it to be a surprise when our guests walk in the room!
Did you decide to hire a wedding coordinator? Why did you decide this?
Yes! Yes! Yes!! I've always told my clients that I would hire a day of coordinator for my wedding. Even the most organized person needs someone there to take care of all of the details they've put together! The thing I'm most concerned about is not being able to stop looking at the clock. It's something I do constantly and I hate being late! I'm trying to prepare myself for letting go of all of the details, which I think will be a little difficult, but I trust Danielle, our day of coordinator, completely and that'll definitely make it easier!
Where are you planning to go for your honeymoon?
We are spending the week after the wedding at home to enjoy being married and get settled and then in December we'll be going to Oahu for 8 days! We have our tickets and a place to stay, but as far as other plans- we'll think about that when we get there!
What are some of your favorite wedding planning blogs and tools?
We have a wedding website on Mywedding.com, so we used some of their resources and constantly check Style Unveiled for new trends and happenings! We, also, used a lot of my company, Champagne Wedding & Event Coordination's tools.
Is your husband-to-be helping with the planning? What are his jobs?
Darren has been amazing! Given that he proposed at the beginning of wedding season, it was so important for him to help with decisions. Wedding planning was a little different for us, since I know a lot of vendors personally. I'd show him a bunch of websites and he'd say yes or no, we'd narrow it down and we'd book the vendor! He's been helping with all of the little projects along the way and I couldn't be more grateful!
What is your best advice to brides who are currently planning their wedding?
Hire a wedding coordinator- not because I am a wedding coordinator, but because I seriously can't imagine how stressed I'd be thinking of all the things that need to be done on the wedding day and who would do it! You spend so much money and work so hard to put everything together that you want the people closest to you to enjoy it! I'm so glad that my mom and wedding party won't be running around like crazy on the wedding day!
Are you planning to see each other before the ceremony for photos? Why or why not?
Yes! Definitely! I couldn't stand the anticipation of not seeing him all day and I absolutely love the photographs that come from a first look moment that you just can't get during the ceremony!
What are 3 words that describe how you feel right now?
Anxious. Excited. Butterflies.
{DARLING} Eye-Candy Submitted to us by Yasmin Khajavi Photography
Update: Make sure you check out this post on engagement photo ideas.
Reader Comments (1)
the photo's are so pretty, and I am so happy for Mandy, she looks incredibly beautiful!