An Early Reveal from Our 2026 Bingo Card
Behind every business goal is a few personal ones. At Silk & Shadows, we've been quietly keeping a 2026 Bingo Card filled with milestones we'd love to achieve, and while we're not ready to reveal the whole thing just yet, we couldn't resist sharing one special square. Coordinating a wedding at Victorian Belle, where we got married ourselves, has been on that list from the very beginning, and this June, we finally got to cross it off.
The "We're Very Busy" Weekly Update
We've been a little quieter than usual, but for a good reason. Wedding season is in full swing, our days are packed with incredible couples, and this week alone we're heading to two beautiful weddings: one at Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach and another at Victorian Belle, where we got married ourselves. Here's a quick life update, a little business milestone we're excited about, and one of our favorite photos from Chelsea & Cam's magical wedding at Blockhouse PDX.
What We Do in the Shadows
We’ve been a little quiet lately, but for a very good reason. Wedding season arrived faster than we ever expected, and the limited number of 2026 dates we opened when launching Silk & Shadows has almost completely sold out. Between serving our couples, building better systems behind the scenes, planning for 2027, and working on a visual refresh for our brand, there has been a lot happening. Here’s a quick update on where we’ve been and what’s coming next.
Pelican Brewing: Another Exciting Partnership!
Silk & Shadows is excited to become a preferred planning and coordination team for Pelican Brewery and their Oregon coast wedding locations. With incredible staff, amazing food, and some of the best beach wedding settings on the shore, it’s a partnership we’re genuinely thrilled about. Planning a coastal wedding? We’d love to help bring it to life.
Airbnb Wedding vs Traditional Wedding Venue: Things couples don’t always realize until planning starts
Thinking about having an Airbnb wedding instead of booking a traditional venue? In this post, we break down the real pros and cons of private property weddings, from permissions, bathrooms, and parking to hidden costs and logistics couples often don’t think about until planning is already underway.
She’s a Full-On Monet
A nostalgic, slightly sarcastic deep dive into why attention to detail matters so much in weddings. Using the iconic “full-on Monet” quote from Clueless as a metaphor, this post explores the difference between something that looks beautiful at first glance and something that truly holds up when you look closer. A candid reflection from Silk & Shadows on presentation, intention, and why the little things matter more than people think.
Hilton Downtown Portland, Here We Come!
We’re excited to share that Silk & Shadows is now a preferred vendor at Hilton Downtown Portland. With an incredible team and a versatile ballroom that can transform to fit any vision, it’s a venue we’re truly excited to work in. We can’t wait to create some beautiful weddings there.
We are now friends with Surfsand!
We’re excited to share that Silk & Shadows is now a preferred vendor for planning and coordination at Surf Sand Resort in Cannon Beach. After an incredible wedding there, it quickly became one of our favorite spots for coastal celebrations, with ocean views, a magical hidden path to the beach ceremony, and the kind of atmosphere that makes weddings feel unforgettable.
Peace of Mind When Tying the Knot
Silk & Shadows has been selected to beta test The Knot’s new Peace of Mind program, designed to give couples extra reassurance when booking vendors. Here’s what it is, how it works, and why we’re excited to be part of it.
12 Things to Know About Your Wedding Day
There are so many little things about a wedding day that no one tells you until you’re in it. In this post, we share 12 honest, real life tips from a Portland wedding planner to help your day feel smoother, calmer, and actually enjoyable, from timeline buffers and golden hour to food, energy, and having the right support team in place.
Top 5 Things to Consider Before You Build Your Wedding Timeline
Your wedding timeline does so much more than keep the day on track. It shapes your photos, your energy, and how everything feels from start to finish. In this guide, we share five common timeline mistakes couples make and simple ways to avoid them, so your wedding day flows smoothly and you actually get to enjoy it.
We’re Partnering with Baker Building (and we’re very excited about it)
We’re so excited to officially partner with Baker Building, one of our favorite Portland wedding venues. With its rich history, beautiful character, and an incredible team behind it, it feels like a perfect fit for Silk & Shadows. If you’re getting married there, we would truly love to help bring your vision to life.
A Few Things That Annoy Your Wedding Planner (Said With Love)
A casual and honest look at a few things that occasionally annoy your Portland wedding planner, from scammers and ghosting to unrealistic Pinterest expectations and slow vendor replies. Just a little behind the scenes humor from the life of a Portland wedding vendor who still loves the job.
Working on Holidays
Some people dread working on holidays. We actually love it. In this short reflection, we share why holidays do not feel like work to us as Portland wedding planners, and why getting booked for an anniversary wedding, a Halloween celebration, and a New Year’s Eve wedding in Oregon City feels like the perfect way to start the year.
Tipping Your Vendors
Tipping your wedding vendors can feel confusing, especially with rising Portland wedding costs. In this honest, casual post, we break down who actually expects tips, what most self employed Portland wedding vendors prefer instead, and how to handle gratuity at your Oregon wedding without adding unnecessary stress to your budget.
2026 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award
Silk & Shadows is honored to receive the 2026 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award in our very first year on the platform. This award, based entirely on real client reviews, recognizes top Portland wedding planners and vendors who consistently deliver exceptional experiences. We’re grateful, proud, and excited to keep creating unique, non traditional weddings for couples who want something truly personal.
Portland Wedding Show recap from Silk & Shadows
We attended the Portland Wedding Show this year as observers, exploring the latest from Portland wedding vendors and connecting with creatives across the local wedding community. While the event felt a bit underwhelming in inspiration, it sparked meaningful conversations, new friendships, and clarity about how Silk & Shadows wants to show up in the Portland wedding industry next year. From surprise run-ins with our own couples to magical encounters and bold balloon installations, here is our honest recap.
Silk & Shadows on Zola!
We’re excited to share that Silk & Shadows is now on Zola. As a Portland-based wedding planning and event design studio, this gives us a new way to connect with local couples right at the start of their planning journey. We can’t wait to meet more couples, hear your stories, and help create weddings that feel thoughtful, personal, and stress-free.
Weddings & Magic
What do magic shows and weddings have in common? More than you might think. Drawing from two decades of performing grand illusion around the world, Sasha Mereu explores how meticulous preparation, storytelling, adaptability, and trust turn both a stage performance and a wedding day into something unforgettable. This essay pulls back the curtain on the parallels between magic and weddings, and why the real wonder is never accidental.
Just Got Engaged? A Few Gentle Things to Know Before You Do Anything Else
Getting engaged is exciting, emotional, and sometimes a little overwhelming. Before diving into venues, budgets, or timelines, take a moment to pause. This guide shares calm, practical advice to help newly engaged couples in Portland and beyond start wedding planning with clarity, intention, and confidence.