Howerton+Wooten Events Blog. The musings of a Maryland Wedding and Event Planner

Roadblocks

2012-05-26T08:30:00-04:00

After you announce your engagement to family and friends, take a moment to consider the roadblocks that might interfere with your wedding planning.

It might be money, your mom's crazy ideas, the rainy weather, or the amount of time you have available to focus on your wedding.

Whatever it might be, assume that hiccups may occur while you plan your wedding. And, know that these roadblocks could affect your wedding planning motivation.

Here is an example -- If you intend to create your own wedding invitations, order extra materials and set aside twice the amount of time you need to create them. Do your research and set realistic expectations. This plan will allow you the opportunity to create a first draft, make mistakes, get feedback and possibly start over.

Having options and creating fallback plans will allow you time to minimize setbacks and dissappointments.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Friday Happy Hour: A Michelada -- A Great Summer Cocktail

2012-05-25T13:00:00-04:00

As summer approaches, the smell of dinner on the grill is starting to permeate our evening smells.

If you are looking for a great cocktail to go with some of your grilled entrees, check out the Michelada.

The word, Michelada is Mexican and it means my "cold beer." It goes well with your grilled steak or grilled chicken, and I found the recipe on Epicurious.com.

Enjoy!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photo Source: Epicurious.com)

Holiday Wedding Planning Tips

2012-05-18T10:45:00-04:00

In a little over a year from now, we will be taking care of a couple as they get married Memorial Day weekend! I'm sure this wedding will be a blast -- this couple keeps me in stitches!

Holiday weddings are joyful, but they can bring their own set of challenges. Here are ten steps to help you cover your bases.

1. Save the Dates. Families tend to plan their vacations around holiday weekends. So, I recommend sending your "save-the-dates" twelve months in advance. If you can't sent them 12 months in advance, send them as soon as you are engaged. And, send your wedding invitations at least three months prior to your wedding day.

2. Wedding Party. Bridesmaids and groomsmen have lives too -- And, there is nothing more awkward than asking a close friend or family member to choose between your wedding and their vacation plans. Ask early - I am sure she or he will say yes!

3. Travel Expenses. As you get closer to a holiday, travel expenses increase. Book your hotel room block as early as possible, and share the reservation information with your guests. If you are able, include the hotel reservation information on your "Save the Dates." And, you should definitely add it to your wedding web site.

4. Flights. A wedding over a Thanksgiving weekend sounds like an excellent idea when booking a venue, but I don't always recommend it if most of your guests are flying to your wedding location. Air travel is brutal during that time, and many of your guests may avoid your wedding altogether because of the travel challengs.

5. Local Traffic. While driving to a wedding over the 2011 Independence Day weekend, our 90-minute trip took us 130 minutes. It was a drag. But, we knew the traffic would be heavy, so we left early. You can let your wedding guests know if they should leave early on your wedding web site, by word of mouth and on the driving directions card included with your wedding invitation.

6. Postage. If you are mailing your wedding invitations near the Christmas holiday or the US Tax Day (typically April 15), you will experience some post office competition. You want to ensure your guests receive their invitation at least 4 weeks prior to the RSVP deadline, so plan accordingly.

7. Tuxes. If your wedding day is in May or June, your groom and groomsmen might be competing for tuxedo rentals with proms, spring formals and other weddings. Encourage your groomsmen to rent their tuxedos at least 12 - 16 weeks prior to the wedding to ensure they are covered.

8. Flowers. If you love red roses, I can see why a Valentine's Day wedding would appeal to you. There is one little challenge, you are competing with the Valentine's Day arrangements that are delivered during your wedding week. Holiday competition affects the availability of flowers and the pricing of the flowers. Meet with your florist and talk about the holiday competition, the available flowers and the steps you can take to minimize these additional expenses.

9. Is It Really a Holiday? I know that some couples don't understand why their planning expenses should increase on New Year's Eve -- It isn't really a holiday, right? Unfortunately, that isn't true. The New Year's Eve parties force staff availability to decrease. As a result, some of your vendors may have to pay their staff holiday pay.

10. Competition. Holiday weekends, such as Memorial Day, Columbus Day and Veteran's Day, are very popular for engaged couples. If you have your eye on a particular photographer or planner, book them at least a year in advance. More than likely, those vendors will book early.

Next week, I will provide you with a list of the holidays and the challenges you might fact.

Best of luck!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: MAD Works Photography)

Wedding Day Love for Janel and Jamar (Part 2)

2012-05-16T09:57:14-04:00

Thank you for checking out Janel and Jamar's wedding at Newton White Mansion.

While we were setting up the wedding ceremony, we would check in on Jamar every now and then. It was so sweet to see him working so hard on his wedding vows.

Fuchsia and tangerine were the colors of the day at Janel and Jamar's Wedding -- It was pretty evident in the decor, the flowers and the attire. The bridesmaids looked hot in their dresses.

Two of the bridesmaids happened to be expecting. This was probably a special Mother's Day wedding for them too.

The wedding day flowers were perfect for a Mother's Day Wedding. The bouquets and centerpieces featured peonies, roses, ranunculus, and hydrangeas, and they were created by Baltimore's own My FlowerBox Events.

Here are the bouquets.

The bouts.

One of the centerpieces.

The reception.

The wedding reception meal was a Mother's Day brunch, so guests enjoyed mimosas, bellinis, belgian waffles, maple bacon, grits, and omelettes made to order. During the cocktail reception, they enjoyed the yummy breakfast parfaits in martini glasses.

Several wedding guests were able to fulfill their Sunday morning crossword puzzle habit. It was fun holding the answer key for some of those tricky questions.

Music played an important part in the couple's wedding day. The harpist Cheryl Roeske played contemporary music on her harp, and a popular Baltimore DJ kept the guests on the dance floor.

Here is one of the bride's twin sons kicking it up.

Here is the groom enjoying his time on the dance floor.

Thanks again Janel and Jamar for letting us be a part of your wedding day. We truly considered it an honor!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photos: Morningstar Photography)

Wedding Day Love for Janel and Jamar (Part 1)

2012-05-14T13:05:11-04:00

A year ago, our team took care of the wedding Janel and Jamar. Janel was a very fun bride to work with, and Jamar was the perfect gentleman.

I thought the jeweled piece on bride's wedding gown was so sweet.

Janel wore a pair of fuchsia shoes under her wedding gown. I am sure the groom found it to be a "nice surprise."

Their wedding was held on Mother's Day, so the Sunday hats were in full force. Everyone enjoyed the Mother of the groom's hat. Here she is with her son (the groom). She looked so regal in fuchsia.

We all thought the mother of the bride's hat was sexy!

And speaking of head pieces, don't you just love the bride's hair pin?

The men refused to be "out done" by the ladies. They looked dapper in their seersucker suits and saddle shoes. And, you have to love the bride's twin sons in their suits and sneakers! They are so handsome.

And, here is the entire wedding party in front of their Maryland wedding venue, Newton White Mansion.

Happy Anniversary Janel and Jamar!

May you enjoy many, many, many more happy years together.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photos: Morningstar Photography)

Happy Mother's Day

2012-05-13T07:12:00-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!

This is an old picture of my mom on her wedding day!

Of course, the groom is my beloved "Fat Daddy."

I'm sorry about the quality of the picture -- It was taken in 1966. They were young and in love!

Happy Mother's Day!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

A Reflection on the Sharing of Love

2012-05-07T08:53:16-04:00

Sharing of Love.

"Love cannot exist in isolation or autonomously because love shares itself with another. Love requires a lover and a beloved, a giver and a receiver. It is the receptivity of love that makes it gift."

— from The Humility of God

(Photo: Morningstar Photography)

Getting Married in Washington DC

2012-04-13T07:12:00-04:00

Are you planning a wedding in Washington, DC? Here are some helpful posts for planning your wedding in the District of Columbia!

** What you need to know about taking engagement and wedding photos near a DC Monument

** Engagement Photos Near the Washington DC Cherry Blossoms

** Getting Married in a National Park

** Step by Step Guide for Applying for a Marriage License in the District of Columbia

** Fun Fact: Inviting the President of the United States to Your Wedding

Enjoy your Washington DC Wedding!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: Michelle Lindsay Photography)

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

2012-04-05T07:12:00-04:00

Love these glittered eggs on Martha Stewart Weddings. It's a pretty alternative to dying them.

Enjoy!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photo Credit: Martha Stewart)

Little Details that Could Make a Difference to Your Wedding Day Experience

2012-03-30T07:12:00-04:00

Think about your physical discomforts in advance -- Break in your shoes, test run your undergarments, and don't wait until the week of your wedding to get contacts for the first time.

Test drive your wedding gown -- Before you purchase your wedding gown, make sure that you are able to dance, raise your arms, sit down, and hug in your wedding gown.

Plan a meal -- Oh, I get it. You don't want to eat because you are nervous. You have been sewn into your wedding gown, or you are afraid of having food stuck in your teeth. Well, I got news for you -- You don't want to spend your wedding day feeling dizzy, loopy or nauseous either. So, ask your MOH to keep a small mirror in her purse so you an check your teeth and enjoy a little protein beforehand. It will take you a long way.

Be mindful of the weight of your bouquet -- When I was planning my own wedding 15 years ago, I saw this beautiful bouquet in a Martha Stewart magazine, and I just had to have it. This bouquet was stunning -- It was a hand-tied bouquet of 40 white peonies and blush-colored roses. I considered this bouquet perfection until I picked it up. I spent the majority of my wedding day feeling like I was lifting weights, and I couldn't wait to get rid it.

Assign someone to hold on to your important stuff. There are certain mundane items you must have on hand during your wedding day. Your day will go a little smoother if a responsible friend or family member is holding onto these items for you. These items may include your marriage license, driver's license, your medication (if needed), your medical insurance and possibly your house and car keys.

Stay hydrated -- Being hydrated helps your skin, your breath, and it helps you avoid muscle cramps.

Don't sweat the small stuff -- Perfection is unattainable. Coming to terms with the fact that little things might happen will make your day perfect.

Enjoy your day!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: Tony Richards Photography)