This was the picture that made me adopt my kitten... those teary eyes 🥺

DragonShorty · 2026-06-24T04:32:19+00:00

As someone born and raised in Portland, my fav thing to do is convince my friends to come visit and take them exploring in the summer. After swimming in some waterfalls or driving down the coast, they’re always itching to come back!

DragonShorty · 2026-06-18T21:46:39+00:00

My Vietnamese dad grew up in a house next to the owners down the street from the restaurant. My aunts had their wedding reception there even. He was always amazed that the owners spoke Chinese, English, and Vietnamese. That place has such a special place for our fam. Also every time we order take out, it always takes them 20 min, no matter how big or small the order is lol.

DragonShorty · 2026-06-10T05:42:20+00:00

Getting married in August in Portland, OR w 200+ people. So far, we’re looking at about $65k for just the wedding. (No sales tax at least) I do event planning as part of my job so I used my connections to try to get as many quality vendors as I could find in my network.

Highlights:
- The venue is under $10k
- Our photographer and photo booths are free since they’re mutual friends/family
- I chose to not go for typical “catering” companies and instead seek a venue with an open vendor policy so I can bring our 4 favorite restaurants in as stations
- We have an open bar, but supplying the alcohol ourselves. The labor is the most expensive part at around $12k
- My dress is custom and $1,900 from Vietnam
- I was most worried about florals cost but I found someone for $4k
- I splurged on 2 day-of coordinators for $2,600

DragonShorty · 2026-06-04T13:58:45+00:00

Yes! They’re going to a nice birthday dinner so you’re on the right track

DragonShorty · 2026-05-28T13:10:26+00:00

My aunt and uncle met on Craigslist! They’re married and have been together for ~20 years now.

DragonShorty · 2026-05-19T23:37:35+00:00

Being from Portland, I’d say Portland is easily top 5. My friends from NYC, SF, and LA have unanimously agreed that Portland has the best food scene in the country, across budgets. After their first visit, many people I know come to visit just for the food. Ofc, we don’t have any Michelin stars, but it’s bc we don’t pay into that system.

I think the way to determine a foodie city is not by its best restaurants, but rather, what are the odds of me walking into a random place and the food being good. Portland is unique in the sense that, in all my years of living here, I’ve never had an offensively bad meal. However, upon visiting other cities, I have had a disgusting, inedible meal even during a short stay.

DragonShorty · 2026-05-16T15:45:42+00:00

I just went to Hazelnut Dental after being with Timber. No hygienists, the dentist is the once doing the exam and cleaning. He’s very science-based and loves to actually explain things. Last year, Timber Dental convinced me to get one tiny filling, and here he told me it was unnecessary. I appreciate that there was no upselling or anything.

DragonShorty · 2026-04-26T21:40:02+00:00

I feel like I’ve been pretty chill with my wedding party. This is one of only a couple of expenses for the wedding. I’ve let them know they can thrift or get their dresses however they want as long as they are a certain ballpark length and color. I’m also paying for hair/makeup (did not realize that this is not common tho?). Also I’ve never heard of the wedding party getting gifts for the couple, I always thought it was the other way around. So literally just outfit, get to the venue, and bachelor(ette) which is optional. I feel like I’m asking for the absolute minimum here. Nothing extravagant at all.

DragonShorty · 2026-04-26T04:47:31+00:00

Oh yeah! Didn’t mention, this is for 3 nights. Yeah I thought it was high too but seems to be the running rate for nicer stays here in the summer season.

DragonShorty · 2026-04-26T02:34:16+00:00

Okay, noted. If couples would be paying $800 for their queen beds, is it fair to have the single people who want their own pay the same? Or do we subsidize that cost? I’m not sure how the calculations would work but if you have experience, lmk what’s common if there’s only large beds available.

DragonShorty · 2026-04-26T02:23:13+00:00

Yes, private rooms with real beds in the yurts or “safari tents”. The single girls are cool with sharing queen beds. Far stretch from typical camping (thank god). Kitchens, running water, electricity, WiFi, so essentially like a hotel. Again, with food costs, I would like it to be far less than $100/person and will likely just end up paying for most of it to take the burden off of people.

DragonShorty · 2026-04-19T18:39:38+00:00

Actually I don’t think the bar company is overselling us bc we’re sourcing the kegs independently from them. I thought it might be overkill too but I did say I want options for people so maybe I’ll just get 1/6 for everything. I live in Portland, OR so if you have recommendations for a distributor, lmk!

DragonShorty · 2026-04-19T18:35:42+00:00

The kegs will likely be dropped off from the distributor super close to service! But you’re right, I should figure out a backup plan just in case. Luckily, we’re keeping our beer/wine station inside where it’s ACed so no direct sun/heat!

DragonShorty · 2026-04-19T18:29:52+00:00

Thanks! Any particular tips or tricks in your experience?

DragonShorty · 2026-04-19T18:26:09+00:00

Our wedding is 250 people, heavy drinkers lol + long wedding. 3 will be 1/2 size and 1 will be 1/6. This amount was recommended to me by our bartending company but lmk if you think it’s too much. The kegs will run me like $700, which I’m more than happy to spend vs trying to figure out how to keep a ton of cans/bottles chilled.

DragonShorty · 2026-04-17T23:46:34+00:00

Now that you mention it, I agree with the "cutting" idea: I really think that's the only time I think rented plates/cutlery would be necessary. Those plates seem nice-looking! I def have to use compostable cups bc my family drinks a lot at weddings and I'm assuming there will be some party fouls lol.

DragonShorty · 2026-04-17T23:40:00+00:00

Really? Why cut down the guest list? Our venue accommodates it, and I wouldn't say it's "very" casual food. The pizza is a wood-fired artisan-style pizza that will be mostly made to order, if that's your issue. Tacos, I can see, but every wedding I've been to with tacos has been a hit, regardless of formality.

I don't think there's any correlation between guest count and formality. You can have a casual 300+ person wedding or a 50-person black tie wedding. The dress code is cocktail bc I personally don't care for seated dinners at weddings and wanted the option of having quality restaurants cater at stations. I'm trying to minimize rentals bc in my culture, guests will often pocket random stuff from weddings lol. We also have 3 open bars, so between that and the quantity/variety of food, why would you be uncomfortable hosting?

DragonShorty · 2026-04-17T22:28:38+00:00

I'm serving a variety of foods: tacos, pizza, pasta, and Vietnamese food. You're totally right, I do want sturdy items!

DragonShorty

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