Emerge: Portland
As wedding season winds down each year, we often take the time to reflect and celebrate while kicking up our feet and connecting with the people who made it all happen. Community is such a big part of the wedding and event scene in Portland, and rarely do we get chances to fully come together for even a few hours and toast the accomplishments of our peers. I was first introduced to the Emerge networking system as Nora had become a member and attended an event, raving about the connections she made in a comfortable and low pressure environment. A premier wedding and event collective for luxury wedding and event professionals, Emerge’s mission is simple “have real conversations, meet some good humans, and enjoy a few hours away from the usual pace of our industry.”
When Emerge was planning its first ever Portland event, I jumped at the chance to bring a unique and fun design (that had sat in my brain unused for months) to life! The inspiration: a cozy Italian dinner filled with lush florals, tomato accents, reds, greens, classics patterns, and a step away from our overused black jumpsuits from wedding season. Our sponsor team came together with like an old school family owned operation, keeping in theme with the charm of a small town Italian restaurant. My favorite detail of the evening? The way Paige from Hey Halle brought my crazy idea of printing customized dinner menus onto sheets of uncooked pasta! The results were even better than I could have imagined and was the perfect surprise for a group of event creatives.
Guests spent time mingling and exploring the new digs of Venue 13, which had just recently opened its doors for events! A delicious Italian inspired dinner was served by the Pearl Catering team as conversations and connections continued throughout the evening. Higher Ground Entertainment kept the ambiance of a cozy fall evening while Lux Sucre dished up some sweet treats to close out the night.
It was an honor to plan the inaugural Emerge event in Portland and have the opportunity to bring so many event pros together for an evening of connection and celebrations. I can’t wait for the next event!
XOXO, Ari
Coordinator: Ari | Catering: Pearl Catering | Content Creation: Roaming Social | Desserts: Lux Sucre | DJ: Higher Ground Entertainment | Floral: Swoon Floral | Gifting: Rock Paper Coin | Host Partner: Emerge Event Collective | Live Music: Tracy Kim | Photographer: Deyla Huss Photography | Rentals: BBJ La Tavola, Forte Fine Rentals, Lily and Cane | Signage/Paper: Hey Halle | Videographer: Lauren Laskin