Posted By Suzanne Carvlin on January 26, 2012

FivePine Lodge – Your Wedding Weekend Getaway in Sisters, Oregon

Cultivate a spirit of community with a wedding weekend in Sisters, Oregon.

Sisters, Oregon

The town of Sisters makes the perfect place for a destination-wedding weekend.  Guests traveling from afar will truly be on a total vacation.

It's a Beautiful Day for a Wedding at FivePine Lodge in Sisters, Oregon! Photo by Kimberly Kay Photography.

One of the wonderful benefits to having your wedding in Sisters, Oregon is the sense of community you will experience even if you have never lived nor visited Sisters before.

With a population of about 2000 and about a mile long, Sisters is a cozy community that quickly embraces you and gives you a feeling of the familiar.

Invite two hundred of your closest family and friends and your guests will literally make up about 10% of the people in town.  So, everywhere you go on your wedding weekend, you will actually see faces you actually know!

Zip Around Town in Celebration of Your Wedding Day on Bicycles Borrowed from FivePine Lodge. Photo by Kelly Armijo Designs.

Even those whom you have never met shine a friendly face and greet you at the local coffee shops and stores in town:  Merchants helpfully show you their wares, and locals wave and say hello as you walk down the street.

Best of all, with your guests in such close quarters, they will really get the opportunity to meet new people, see soon-familiar faces and feel as if they are truly a part of a close-knit group on your wedding day.

FivePine Lodge

A beautiful woodsy retreat for weekend weddings in Sisters is the much-adored FivePine Lodge.  Rated AAA Four Diamond resort and a recipient of the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Award, FivePine Lodge is the perfect blend of rustic and elegant.

FivePine Lodge and Conference Center Nestled Among the Wildflowers. Photo courtesy of FivePine Lodge & Conference Center.

FivePine Makes the Most Beautiful Setting for a Wedding Whether the Season is Summer or Winter. Photo courtesy of FivePine Lodge & Conference Center.

Situated right at the end of Sisters, you can walk from the FivePine Campus (which includes FivePine Lodge, Three Creeks Brewery, Sisters Movie House, Sisters Athletic Club and Shibui Spa) to absolutely anywhere in town.

Your guests will stay in well-appointed, comfortable, stand-alone cabins or within the craftsman lodge rooms.  From here, they can walk a few steps to all of your wedding events and the town of Sisters itself.

Imagine a wedding weekend that lasted from Thursday through Sunday with a variety of things to do and ways to help your guests really get to know each other and feel at home.

Thursday

The friendly staff of FivePine and the team of Suzanne the Party Girl would greet your guests in their lovely craftsman front lobby.  Comfortable leather craftsman couches and gaming tables surround a double-sided stone fireplace.

You could surprise your guests with custom welcome bags created by Suzanne that we have filled with local treats.  Mitch & Julie of Sisters Olive and Nut Company have a wonderful assortment of local Oregon jams as well as delicious olives and pickled snacks.

Also, a gift certificate to BJ’s Homemade Ice Cream and Sisters Coffee create fun destination spots.  FivePine has seed packets of the local wildflowers and other wonderful gifts you can choose from in their gift shop and spa.

In addition to treats in welcome bags, Suzanne would include a special custom guide that coordinates with your wedding colors and theme.  Your guide would list the local hangouts and eateries in town as well as a list of organized events both the bride and groom would lead.

Get Ready For Your Big Day at FivePine Lodge and Conference Center. Photo courtesy of FivePine Lodge & Conference Center.

FivePine offers a complimentary wine reception for all lodge guests in their main lodge lobby.  On the evening of your guests’ arrival, you can mix and mingle with your guests over a glass of wine as they arrive.

You can also have the FivePine team check in your guests and direct them to a hosted private party with drinks and appetizers in FivePine’s Cozy Room in the Conference Center.   Serve wine, local cheeses from Tumalo Farms and small bites fixed for you by FivePine’s catering staff.

Wedding Receptions, Rehearsal Dinners, and Welcome Parties All Look Amazing in FivePine Lodge's Conference Center. Photo by Byron Roe Photography.

Come nightfall, guests will happily snuggle in their down comforter beds next to their in-room fireplaces and prepare for a weekend of surprises and fun!

Friday

Friday morning let the adventure begin!

Awake fresh and ready for an event-filled day.  FivePine offers complimentary deluxe coffee and tea service daily for all lodge guests.  They also offer bagels, scones, yogurt, fresh fruit, granola, oatmeal, hard-boiled eggs, juice, coffee and tea in the lodge.  It’s a fun time to meet and gather before the rest of the day’s events.

Enjoy the Rising Sun from the Patio of Your Cabin or Balcony of Your Room at FivePine Lodge. Photo courtesy of FivePine Lodge & Conference Center.

Suzanne will help arrange for a round of golf at nearby, beautiful Aspen Lakes Golf Course and lunch at Brand 33 Restaurant or organize a guided fly fishing tour from The Fly Fisher’s Place.  The nearby Metolius River is the perfect spot to hone your fly-fishing skills.

Other adventures can include a self-guided hike up into our National Forest along the Peterson Ridge Trail.  You can also borrow FivePine’s cruising bikes to ride around town and enjoy the sights.

FivePine Lodge Bicycles Make Great Local Transportation and Photo Opportunities for Your Wedding Party. Photo by Jay Eads.

Round out your day with wonderful, relaxing massages at Shibui, FivePine’s luxury spa.

Friday evening, your invited family and friends would gather on the grass and attend your wedding rehearsal at FivePine Lodge.  Suzanne would coordinate your wedding party and ceremony so every element of your wedding feels comfortable and prepared.

Set the Stage with Lovely Rustic Benches for Your Wedding Ceremony in the fields of FivePine Lodge. Photo by Kimberly Kay Photography.

Afterward, all of your guests would be invited to your casual rehearsal dinner at one of Sisters charming local restaurants.  Directions and details would be included in your guests’ welcome bags.

Show a slideshow to your gathered guests or small movie of your engagement and start sharing the story of your lives together.  We can help you arrange your photos and videos into a lovely presentation.

Saturday

Awake on your wedding day at FivePine Lodge surrounded by the woods and the crisp mountain aroma of Ponderosa Pines.

Suzanne can deliver baskets to your guests’ rooms of fresh baked goodies and doughnuts from Sisters Bakery or gluten-free, vegan treats from Angeline’s Bakery or Poppies to accompany their complimentary freshly ground Sisters Coffee.

Getting ready for your wedding couldn’t be easier.  Every modern convenience is available to you in Sisters.  Pamper yourself and your bridal party with manicures, pedicures and hair styling by the expert staff at Metamorphosis Salon, just blocks from FivePine.

FivePine has a spacious getting ready room for the bride and her party in the Boardroom within the reception lodge.  The groom and his party can get dressed and prepare in a nearby suite.

FivePine Lodge Transformed for Your Wedding Day. Photos courtesy of FivePine Lodge & Conference Center.

Your Wedding

Suzanne and the Party Girl team will greet your guests as they arrive and gather on the grass overlooking FivePine’s running brook and wildflower field.

Your outdoor wedding ceremony will be enveloped by the glow of the afternoon sun, which will surround you and your guests and form a memory that will last forever.

Outdoor Ceremony in the Grass at FivePine Lodge. Photo by Kubota Design.

FivePine Wedding Ceremony Reflecting in the Pond. Photo by Kimberly Kay Photography.

Celebrate your nuptials with a cocktail hour on the terrace of the Creekside Outdoor Patio overlooking the pond.  An outdoor bar will serve your guests cocktails while a small trio of musicians fills the air with jazz.  Tray pass cocktails of your choosing and appetizers such as mini crab cakes with chipotle remoulade or wontons filled with sausage, roasted tomato and mozzarella, among other scrumptious options.

Enjoy a Wedding Reception that is Outdoors or Indoors at FivePine Lodge. Photo by Kimberly Kay Photography.

Enjoy a delicious sit down dinner fireside inside FivePine’s reception space of the Middle and South Sister rooms.  Surrounded by flagstone and natural pine, you can enjoy carrot ginger soup, seared scallops with endive and roasted pears and lemon beurre blanc, filet of beef served with a merlot thyme sauce and tomato oregano coulis over potato gratin and broccolini.

Your guests can then dance the night away to one of our favorite local bands or the spinning of a talented DJ on the dance floor.  Guests can enjoy conversation in the adjacent North Sister/Cozy Room.

Even the Kids Will Dance the Night Away! Photo by Kimberly Kay Photography.

Enjoying a Quiet Moment as Husband and Wife. Photo courtesy of FivePine Lodge & Conference Center.

Spend your first night as husband and wife in FivePine’s Romance Cabin. You will be bathed in luxury with your pillow top king bed, down pillows, down comforter, gas fireplace, personalized climate control, sunken tile and rock soaking tub, plush bathrobes, dual head Italian tile shower, 42” plasma television, DVD player, complimentary wi-fi, mini fridge (among other amenities), and a patio where you can gaze at the stars in Adirondack chairs.

http://www.fivepinelodge.com/portfolios/romance-cabin/

Superb Amenities Await You as New Husband and Wife in FivePine's Romance Cabin. Photo courtesy of FivePine Lodge and Conference Center.

Have a Romance Basket delivered to your room that includes Domaine Ste Michelle Brut Sparkling Wine, champagne glasses, bubble bath, bath fizz, body lotion and gourmet chocolate bars.

Say goodnight to your guests with local homemade fudge or chocolate chip cookies and warm milk.

Sunday

Remember the weekend’s shared experiences and stories with a trip to Sisters Coffee followed by an open brunch at Three Creeks Brewing Company where you can say thank you to your guests and wish them a safe journey home.

Your destination-wedding weekend will be one that you and your guests will always remember and enjoy.  Truly, your wedding will be your dreams come to life.

Congratulations to the Happy Couple! Photo by Byron Roe Photography.

Congratulations on your engagement and cheers to a wonderful wedding and life together!

Suzanne

Check out FivePine’s Wedding Flipbook:

www.fivepinelodge.com/wedding-flipbook

FivePine Lodge

1021 Desperado Trail

Sisters, Oregon 97759

541.549.5900

www.FivePineLodge.com

For more information regarding special events and catering, particularly the seasonal menu, contact FivePine’s Events Coordinator at 541.585.2647.

Shibui Spa

720 Buckaroo Trail

Sisters, Oregon 97759

541.549.6164

email: info@ShibuiSpa.com

www.ShibuiSpa.com

Three Creeks Brewing Co.

721 Desperado Court

Sisters, OR 97759

541.549.1963

email: info@ThreeCreeksBrewing.com

www.ThreeCreeksBrewing.com

Sisters Athletic Club

1001 Desperado Trail

PO Box 1747

Sisters, Oregon 97759

541.549.6878

www.SistersAthleticClub.com

Receive complimentary use of the athletic club with your stay.

Sisters Movie House

720 Desperado Court

Sisters, Oregon 97759

541.549.8800

email: inquiries@SistersMovieHouse.com

www.SistersMovieHouse.com

Receive discounted movie tickets with your stay. Great for kids, too!

Metamorphosis Salon

161 North Elm Street

Sisters, Oregon 97759

541.549.1784

Sisters Bakery

251 East Cascade Avenue

Sisters, Oregon 97759

541.549.0361

Angeline’s Bakery

121 West Main Avenue

Sisters, Oregon 97759

mail:

Angeline Rhett

Angeline’s Bakery

PO Box 2171

Sisters, Oregon 97759

Email: YumYum@AngelinesBakery.com

541.549.9122

www.AngelinesBakery.com

gluten-free, vegan, agave sweetened bakery fare and creative soups, salads, and lunch entrees.

Poppies

221 W. Main St.

Sisters OR 97759

Email: PoppiesInSisters@gmail.com

541-549-1033

www.Facebook.com/PoppiesInSisters

Tumalo Farms

64515 Mock Road

Bend, Oregon 97701

541.350.3718

www.TumaloFarms.com

Tumalo Farms Cheeses, Pasteries, Sisters Coffee & Wedding Cakes are also available at Ray’s Food Place

Ray’s Food Place, Sisters

635 N. Arrowleaf Trail

Sisters, Oregon 97759

off of Cascade Hwy 20

541.549.2222

www.GoRays.com

Sisters Olive & Nut Company

271 West Cascade Avenue

PO Box 1113

Sisters, Oregon 97759

541.549.8047

Mitch & Julie Mansfield

email: SistersOlive@preferredld.com

www.SistersOlive.com

Aspen Lakes Golf Course

16900 Aspen Lakes Drive

Sisters, Oregon 97759

541.549.3019

www.AspenLakes.com

The Fly-Fisher’s Place

151 West Main Avenue

PO Box 1179

Sisters, Oregon 97759

541.549.FISH

www.FlyFishersPlace.com

Other local Sisters, Oregon businesses:

Sisters Chamber of Commerce

www.SistersCountry.com

The Nugget Newspaper Sisters Oregon Guide

www.SistersOregonGuide.com

The City of Sisters

www.ci.sisters.or.us

Photography by:

Armijo Designs

Kelly Armijo

www.kellyarmijo.com

Byron Roe Photography

Byron & Wendy Roe

www.studio-br.com

Jay Eads

www.jayeads.com

Kubota Photo Design

Kevin Kubota

www.kkphoto-design.com

Kimberly Kay Photography

Kimberly Kay

www.kkayphoto.com

Category: General, Hotels & Lodging, Meeting Spaces, Sisters, Oregon - Living the Life, Venues for Weddings & Parties | No Comments »
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Posted By Suzanne Carvlin on April 8, 2011

House on the Metolius is a beautiful retreat where the only noises you hear are the sounds of the river, the wind through the pines and birds chirping in delight.

Cows and elk roam the pastures in the meadow near the Metolius River. Photo courtesy of House on the Metolius.

Available as a wonderful indoor and outdoor venue for your wedding or event from May through October, House on the Metolius is truly a romantic, rustic paradise.

This charming hand forged sign greets guests as they enter The House on the Metolius and again on the deck overlooking the Metolius River.

Surrounded by breathtaking views, the private resort is set deep in the Ponderosa Pine Forest near Camp Sherman in Central Oregon.

The Metolius River meanders through 200 acres of private land that has been family owned for generations.  On a clear day, spectacular views showcase a snow-capped Mt. Jefferson and Three Finger Jack.

View of Mount Jefferson from the resort's property. Photo courtesy of House on the Metolius.

Early mornings, elk are frequently seen languishing on the meadow and drinking from the clear, spring-fed river.

View of The New Lodge which has a view of the river's bend and the meadow below.

According to House on the Metolius’ Wedding & Event Coordinator, Pam Addington-White of Splash Events, “The setting is unbeatable for those who want to be in nature and be surrounded by beauty.  There is no other venue like it.”

“Large or intimate, simple or extravagant, the House on the Metolius is the perfect setting for any couple. Arriving by horse drawn carriage in the Meadow or by a Model-A with the mountains in the background.  Standing next to the Metolius River for your ceremony. The options are as big as your imagination.”

The serene beauty of The Old Lodge. Photo courtesy of House on the Metolius.

The two locations available on-site for weddings and events are The Old Lodge and the Meadow on the Metolius River.

The Great Room in the Old Lodge. You can imagine your guests dining in the rustic beauty of the 1926 Old Lodge with a view of the Metolius River. Photo courtesy of House on the Metolius.

Pathway to The Old Lodge leading to the catering kitchen and the wrap around deck.

The Old Lodge is equipped with a large full-sized kitchen and it would be easy for catering to set up. Catering can even drive their vehicles right up to the kitchen to unload and set up.

The full-sized kitchen in The Old Lodge is perfect for catering to your guests. Photo courtesy of House on the Metolius.

“A small, intimate wedding could be held inside with a long family style table and the fireplace glowing or a ceremony outside on the lawn and a reception on the deck, or the ceremony on the deck for either a large (100 people) or small wedding.”

View of the winding river from the deck of The Old Lodge.

You could begin your wedding by greeting guests in the Old Lodge for a cocktail hour and tray-passed appetizers. Then, you could have your guests circle around you with the fireplace framing your ceremony.

The original 1926 fireplace in The Old Lodge would make a lovely backdrop for a ceremony with some added flowers and greenery.

The Great Room in The Old Lodge has a long bank of windows with a view of The Meadow and The Metolius River. Photo couretsy of House on the Metolius.

You could have your guests walk down the path toward the river’s edge for your ceremony. Chairs can be set up on the meadow.

Path from the entrance through the meadow where elk enjoy grazing in the early morning hours.

Following your ceremony, you could either have your cocktail hour (while you take your wedding photos) or your reception in The Old Lodge or in a custom tent that can be enclosed and heated on The Meadow next to the river.

For guest counts over 100, you can tent and heat an area in The Meadow right next to the Metolius River.

Imagine this as the view from your wedding ceremony location. Photo courtesy of House on the Metolius.

Pam shares, “The Meadow can accommodate 300 people either under a big tent or out in the open.  Ceremonies can be held in a number of desirable locations and a reception with dance floor, beautifully decorated tables and catered food for a buffet or sit down dinner reception.  The grounds are so expansive that there are a lot of options to make a bride and groom’s wedding tailored to fulfill their dream.”

A dance floor can be set up and music and dancing can go into the night until 9:30 pm with events ending at 10 pm.  With prior approval, your event could continue later for an additional fee of $150 per hour.

You can also book a cabin for your wedding night or honeymoon.  House on the Metolius has five cabins which can each accommodate 2-4 people.  All cabins include bathrooms with showers, complete kitchens, sitting rooms, fireplaces, decks and BBQ grills.  Restaurants and supplies are nearby in Camp Sherman, Suttle Lake, Black Butte and Sisters.

Entry into the main cabin of The New Lodge from the foyer and sun room.

The Great Room at The New Lodge. Photo courtesy of House on the Metolius.

Detail on the window hinge showing the pine cone and fish which are part of the rustic motifs.

The master bedroom in The New Lodge. Photo courtesy of House on the Metolius.

Click here for rooms and accommodations:  House on the Metolius Accommodations

For your wedding guests, there are also several lovely accommodations and rentals in neighboring Camp Sherman, which is less than 2 miles away.

Pam invites you to, “Come out for a tour and experience the magic of the House on the Metolius.  It will take your breath away.”

House on the Metolius
10475 Road 1420
Camp Sherman, Oregon 97730

www.metolius.com

For weddings and special events, contact:
Pam Addington-White of Splash-Events
Call: 541-728-0772
Cell: 541-410-0033
Email: events@metolius.com or pam@spalsh-events.com
Website: www.splash-events.com

For resort information and fly-fishing tours, contact:
Reidun Lundgren of House on the Metolius
Call: 541-595-6620
Email: Reidun@metolius.com
Website: www.metolius.com

Directions: From Highway 20/126, turn onto road 1420 from the Camp Sherman Junction. Follow the road North 6.6 miles. (Pass the 4-way stop that directs you right to Camp Sherman and continue straight.) At 6.6 miles, you will see a small wood sign on the left side of the road. Opposite you will see a green gate. Turn right at the green gate, labeled 10475. Continue on the red dirt road until you see a small gate with the House on the Metolius iron forged sign and enter the pass code provided by Reidun or Pam. Then, follow the road to the parking area by the Old Lodge.

Tip: For guests on your wedding day, add a few directional signs: One at the Camp Sherman Junction; another at the 4-way intersection directing guests to continue straight; a third directing guests to turn right at the green gate at 10475.

Photo credits:  Photos that are provided by House on the Metolius were used with permission.  All other photos taken by Suzanne Carvlin.

Category: General, Meeting Spaces, Recreation & Adventure, Resorts, Venues for Weddings & Parties | 1 Comment »
Tags: bend wedding planner, black butte wedding planner, camp sherman, central oregon wedding planner, Ceremony, house on the metolius, la pine wedding planner, metolius river, Oregon, reception, redmond wedding planner, Sisters, sisters wedding planner, wedding planner, wedding venue

Posted By Suzanne Carvlin on April 6, 2011

Ever wonder where you and your furry dog buddy can go on vacation and stay in a chic hotel with all of the creature comforts?

Wonder no more!  The Oxford Hotel in downtown Bend, Oregon not only has a pet-friendly floor; they also provide a host of amenities that would make any dog feel right at home.

Our dogs would love a stay at The Oxford Hotel. They are a bit larger now (they are a lean, mean 80 lbs. each), but they would no longer chew on their dog beds. Photo taken by Suzanne Carvlin when Rocky and Jaco (as in base player Jaco Pastorius) were little pups growing up in Los Angeles.

The Oxford Hotel provides a pet-friendly stay in the heart of Downtown Bend, Oregon with access to the beautiful outdoors and many fun activities.

Tazlab’s unique dog collar stretches when you don’t have a leash attached to it.  That way, your dog won’t be in any danger if its collar becomes snared on a nefarious stray stick or by another dog’s chompers while romping around at Bend’s local dog park.

Tazlab's safety stretch dog collar expands and even breaks away to release your dog if its collar becomes stuck on any object.

Tazlab's dog leashes connect to their safety collar and keep the collar from expanding so your dog will stay at your side on a walk.

Tazlab also provides dog bowls to The Oxford. Tazlab’s patented silicone bowl is called the Aqua-Fur. (cute.) Made from FDA approved food grade silicone, the Aqua-Fur does not contain BPEs, nor have any areas where bacteria can take refuge.

Due to the unique nature of the silicone, you can fold the bowl into your backpack and hit the trails with your pooch, or you can bake a dog-cake in the bowl in your hotel kitchenette! And then wash the bowl in the dishwasher! That is so insanely cool.

The Oxford provides you with a Tazlab silicone dog bowl to keep upon your visit.

You can fold up Tazlab's silicone dog bowl for travel.

Not only will you have pet-friendly paw salve upon check-in, The Oxford has other beauty and fitness treats in store for Fido. Your pet can receive a massage, be groomed, or take advantage of their dog walking services.

Just have your dog dial “O” for the hotel concierge.

You will have one pampered pooch at The Oxford in Bend.  If it weren’t for their outstanding people amenities, you might even become a bit jealous!

A stay at The Oxford is no rough day of camping. You and your pooch can hit the slopes, the trails or the shops and return to the lap of luxury in your cozy hotel room. Fido gets his own pet bed, too! Photo courtesy of The Oxford Hotel.

The Oxford is also green and eco-friendly and makes a great modern event or wedding space.  Read all about their luxe wedding ameneties here: The Oxford Hotel-Your Modern Wedding Destination in Downtown Bend, Oregon.

Suzanne

Photo credits: Unless otherwise noted, photos are used with permission courtesy of Tazlab in Bend, Oregon

Category: Bar Tending Services, Catering, General, Hotels & Lodging, Pet Care, Rehearsal Dinners, Transportation, Venues for Weddings & Parties | No Comments »
Tags: central oregon hotel, dog and pet care, downtown bend, eco-friendly, Hotels & Lodging, Oregon, pets, tazlab, the oxford hotel, Venues for Weddings & Parties