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

Product Love: Wonderful Graffiti and Wall Words

Since I am a woman of many (many, many, many) words, I love the idea of the written word on the walls of my house!  -- It adds to the many ways that you can express yourself!  When my little guy was two, I spent an entire weekend painting the alphabet around the chair rail of his bedroom.  Oy!  My wrist took forever to recover!

 

So, you could only imagine how tickled I was when I came across vinyl lettering companies like Wall Words and Wonderful Graffiti.  No more stencils!

 

  

"Love & Soul Always" above the front door of the Wooten House

 

Imagine that same ability in an event or wedding venue?  You love a venue because of its size and location, but you hate its bare walls.  Removable vinyl transfers, such as Wonderful Graffiti Wedding, provide you with the capability to make an impersonal space feel like yours.  You can embellish the reception hall walls, the windows, the dance floors or even the get-away car!  <-- I haven't tried that yet, but it definitely sounds like a fun idea.

 

Embellishments on the Getaway Car!

 

One more thing -- Even though this vinyl lettering sounds like a great idea AND they are easy to remove AND they won't damage the wall, you should check with your vendor first to make sure you are allowed to use this technique.  I don't want you to get in trouble!

 

Have fun, party hard, and please let me know how your words turn out!

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay 

 

Jessica Claire Wedding Photography Contest

For the second year in a row, Jessica Claire is holding her free Wedding Photography Contest. 

Jessica Claire’s wedding photography is nationally renowned for being fresh, fun and stunning.  Nothing is overly traditional or stiff in her photos!

So what’s the contest?  One lucky couple (getting married anywhere in the continental U.S. in 2008) will get the following:

** 7-8 hours Wedding Day coverage

** An online posting of all images

** A 9”x12” album containing 30 photos

** A DVD of the images when the album is received

** All travel fees for Jessica Claire are covered, if applicable

The contest details are on her Blog.  Check it out and hurry – Entries must be received by no later than Saturday, January 12, 2008.

Good Luck!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Happy Holidays!

Season's Greetings from Howerton+Wooten Events!

Eat lots of sweets; kiss lots of cheeks (on the face, of course!); and give thanks for a year full of blessings, happiness and prosperity!

Laugh often, drive safely and drink responsibly.

Enjoy a fabulous Holiday Season and a Joyful New Year!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Blinging a little Bubbly!

Earlier this year, I received an e-mail from BFF Bridal.  I knew it was going to be fun and interesting, but I didn't have a chance to read it right away.

When I finally read it, I laughed out loud because I try to show up at holiday parties with fun and memorable hostess gifts and I couldn't think of a thing to give this year.  Well, that dilemma was solved after I read the e-mail from BFF Bridal!  In fact, I can't think of a more memorable gift for my Christmas and New Years hostesses than a bottle of Champagne personalized with Swarovski crystals!  Ha!  I am going to be the talk of the party!

You can have the champagne personalized with your initials or a special date or your name (if it is short enough).

Moet & Chandon has opened a temporary crystallization boutique in Soho (New York), where you can bring any pre-purchased 750mL or 15L bottle of Moet & Chandon to be personalized with Swarovski crystals.   The service costs $30, and takes about 24 hours.

The Boutique Moet is located at 455 West Broadway, between Prince and Houston Streets.  The boutique is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00am to 8:00pm, through December 30th.

If you are not in the New York area, you can have your personalized bottle delivered right to your doorstep!  Order the service on-line at Crush Wine & Spirits.  The on-line service costs about $80, and some states are restricted from receiving it. – Like Maryland!  Never fear!  DC accepts shipments of the champagne.

Enjoy a “blingalicious” holiday season!  And drink responsibly!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Product Love: The Beauty Diary

One of my favorite make-up artists, Bailey Orenia-Sessoms (owner of Bō Studios), recently launched a new book titled The Beauty Diary.

If you are anything like me, then this book is a little gem in your purse.  I cannot count the number of times that I have stood at the make-up counter looking a little goofy when I am asked “What shade do you need for your foundation?”  I can never remember that darn number, so I call out foundation color numbers like I am playing bingo – C14, C10, C12?

Anyhow, this book helps you to keep track of your beauty purchases and services, create color swatches, log in your most recent spa treatment and jot down your custom hair color.

The Beauty Diary is also a tongue-in-cheek reference to Bailey’s experiences as a make-up artist.  She shares her tips on managing beauty cravings and maintaining organization including:

• Makeup counter survival tips
• How to pick a hair stylist that’s right for you
• How to track down your favorite beauty products
• The lifespan of your makeup

I guess you can tell that I am fan – mostly because I am a little OCD – and this book is organized by services (just the way I like it!); it fits into my purse; and it includes a face chart that helps me re-create my new look at home.

Man, why didn’t I think of that!  Oh well, have a great week!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Be a Happy Holiday Host

My neighbor, Babette, is throwing a holiday party tonight.  She throws one every year and we always have a good time!  There will be great food, great drinks and a great mix of party guests (young and old).  In fact, I have to literally drag my little guy out of their house every year, and I am sure that this year will be no different.

During the holidays, dinner hostesses may find that coordinating the evening can be more stressful than cooking the meal. But you can pull off a successful holiday celebration, with minimal stress, if you keep the following tips in mind:

First and foremost – Plan Ahead.   Write a to-do list or a timeline with a grocery list.  Knowing what you need to do in advance will help you avoid numerous trips to the grocery store and give you time for that well-deserved manicure.  Consider setting the table the night before – this should include the serving dishes.  To ensure that I have enough serving dishes and utensils available, I set the dishes the evening before with a post-it note identifying the food that goes in it.  And, I try to cook and freeze as much as I can during the week prior to the dinner.  Thawing and reheating the day of the event is much easier than preparing the food from scratch.

Pay attention to the seating plan.  This could make or break the dinner.  To ensure entertainment symmetry, make sure that the social butterflies and the great storytellers are scattered around the table.  This will ensure that guests at one end of the table don’t feel left out when the other end is engaged in a lively discussion.  Also, consider separating best friends, siblings or couples – mixing up the seating arrangements is a great opportunity for interesting conversations and new relationships.

Get some help.  There is no need to take on everything yourself.  Prepare your side items and consider ordering the turkey from a local grocer or a mail order company, such as Harry & David.  If you have a family member that is known for fabulous desserts, ask her to bring the pumpkin pie.  And, forget the bartender duties – set up an area where dinner guests can fix their own drinks.

Music matters.  Playing background music will set the tone for the evening.  Upbeat music is great for lively pre-dinner discussions and jazzy instrumental music is great complement to dinner conversation.  If your collection of music is less than stellar, ask your invitees to bring a CD that they would love to hear.  It allows you to mix it up and you are able to please most of your dinner guests. Good times!

Relax.  Nothing ruins an evening more than a stressed out host.  If the host is running around frantically, the guests are wondering if they should chip in or leave you alone to spontaneously combust.  Relax!  There is no such thing as a perfect party; and I promise you that the evening will not be ruined if you forget to light your centerpiece candles.

Have a great time!  And let me know how your evening goes!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

A good reason for a party!

He was scheduled to arrive on the millennium.  To commemorate his arrival, I intended to give him the middle name “Mills” and throw a New Years Eve party like no other.

Instead of New Years Day, he arrived in early December.  He was in neonatal intensive care for a week, so I was a little too busy to throw a party.  But when he came home, my heart was so full that it threw its own party! My husband and I felt so incredibly blessed.

In 2000, he was still battling respiratory illnesses.  We decided that it was best to throw him a small party with family and friends to celebrate his first year on earth!  As a matter of fact, we threw a similar party for him in 2001 too.

When he turned four, he started to have opinions about his birthday party.  Trouble!  No matter how hard I fought it, I was forced to give in to his repeated pleas and throw his birthday party at – Chuck E Cheese!  Oy!  That place scares me.

After that, my event planning skills started to kick in!  Since he turned two, I have thrown him a Birthday Carnival at the Capitol Children’s Museum, two interactive (and educational) birthday parties at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum and the Baltimore Science Museum, and a Lego-themed party at the National Building Museum.  The party at the National Building Museum was a blast – as luck would have it, the dress rehearsal for Christmas in Washington was taking place.  We had the entire top half of the museum to ourselves, the music was wonderful and some of our party guests got a chance to meet Ciara and Carrie Underwood.  Wow!

This year, we threw him a martial arts themed birthday – complete with sandwiches in Chinese take-out boxes, a martial arts style obstacle course, and nunchucks in the goodie bags.  If you don’t know what Nunchucks are, ask any little boy.  They are very popular items in Bruce Lee movies.

Today is his 8^th birthday, and I am grateful to say that he is happy, healthy and the perfect little “smart ass.”  I wouldn’t want it any other way.

In fact, I couldn’t think of a better reason for a party because I am one proud mama!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Howerton+Wooten Events at Washington Bridal Showcase!

Howerton+Wooten Events, LLC is exhibiting at the Washington Bridal Showcase on Sunday, January 13^th!

The largest bridal show in Prince George's County, Washington Bridal Showcase has more fashions, more new ideas and more choices than you can imagine.

With aisle after aisle of displays from the area's most-trusted wedding professionals, brides will find everything to make their wedding day extraordinary.

Whether you are just starting your wedding planning, finishing up the details or anywhere in between, you will find exactly what you are looking for at the Washington Bridal Showcase.

Stop by Booth #39 to visit Howerton+Wooten Events. 

Interested in attending? 
Be the first bride to check out the H+W Events web site and shoot us an e-mail with a little feedback, and we will give you two Complimentary VIP Guest Passes.

Event Details

Martin's Crosswinds

7400 Greenway Center Drive, Greenbelt, Maryland

Date: Sunday, January 13, 2008

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Here is a picture of our my little guy and me at the Howerton+Wooten Events booth last September.  (Yes, he looks a little cranky.  That's what happens to little boys after a day of working at a wedding tradeshow.  Hey!  It's a family business, right?)

 

Product Love: Holiday Cards That I Love

If you are like so many of my extremely busy girlfriends, you don't think of sending Christmas cards until you receive approximately ten in your mailbox.  For those of you that intend to send cards, but you haven't gotten around to it yet, I have noted some of my favorites below.

My absolute favorite cards can be purchased on the stationery web site created by Erin Condren.  Erin's Reflections Cards allow you to tell your friends and family what your fabulous children have done over the year without worrying about the collective "eye rolling."  Your cards can be printed with or without a photo -- but who can avoid showing off their fabulous children!  Smile!

If you are newly engaged or newly married, I recommend ordering your holiday card from Tiny Prints.  Tiny Prints has many holiday card options, but my favorites are the cards for couples.  I love them!  -- They ooze romance.

Tiny Prints is a division of the Wedding Paper Divas -- one of my favorites for wedding and event stationery.

As a wedding consultant, I cannot avoid mentioning the new holiday cards designed by Vera Wang.  As you may know, Vera Wang is renowned for her modern, elegant, and luxurious designs. This set features the fabulous jolly old elf himself, wishing all your card recipients a very happy Christmas.

Finally, I cannot go without mentioning cards that give back to make our world a better place.  My new favorite are the Hallmark cards.  Hallmark is partnering with the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa through (PRODUCT) RED™.

Take care!  BTW: I went for the holiday cards that allow me to show off my cute kid, and yes, I write a note to go along with it.  I can't help myself.

Love & Soul Always, Kay