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

The Gratitude Journal Giveaway Winner is . . .

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments for an opportunity to win a copy of this eco-friendly Gratitude Journal from Etsy.

My congratulations go out to Amanda Freeman and Grace Garnett.  Thank you both for your comments and for sharing in my gratitude on my birthday.

Please e-mail your mailing address to me at howertonwootenevents {at} gmail dot com, and I will get them out to you right away.

Thanks again for your support.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

The Bachelor Ed Is My Kind of Guy

Okay, I have a guilty pleasure admission.

I watch the Bachelorette.

I am not a fan of the Bachelor (too many mean girls), but I love any story where guys fight for the heart of a single girl.

And I really enjoyed this year's season.  Jillian was so cute, but my favorite this year was the last man standing, Ed.

His personality, goofy smile, and "puppy dog" eyes remind me of my own guy.  Plus, I thought his proposal was very sweet -- especially the part when he tells her that he looks forward to her giving him a hard time when they are 80.  How sweet!

Best wishes on a happy engagement Jillian and Ed!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

The Groom's Tuxedo: Rat Pack Style

This post is for a very special groom, whom I almost ran off the road last week!  Oy!  So sorry about the crazy lady driving experience!

For grooms like you, who have truly mastered the "Frank Sinatra/Rat Pack" swagger, here are some really great looks that you can wear for your wedding attire.

 

I must admit that I am such a fan of dinner jackets.   They were very popular in the 50s and 60s, and they still have plenty of life today.

 

 

I also love the look of long ties with tuxedos.  Colorful ties are so fashionable, but this "all black" tuxedo look is timeless.

 

This midnight blue tuxedo is "working it" too.  If you can pull this look off (and your mama is okay with it), try this hip tuxedo without a tie.

 

 

Here are a couple of "updated" rat pack looks.

 

UK's Rat Pack Revival

 

Oh Jay-Z honey!  If Beyonce doesn't treat you right, call me! 

 

I love the 50s/60s ratpack style for a groom and his groomsmen.  Is it a good look for your groom?  Let me know.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

For the groom I almost ran off the road.  The well-known members of the rat pack are Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford.

Photo: James Bond Dinner Jacket, Long Tie Tuxedo Look, and Midnight Blue Tuxedo: Beaucoup

Photo: Rat Pack Revival against the Wall: Rat Pack Revival

Photo: The New Rat Pack Look with Kanye West, TI and Jay-Z: Giant Magazine 

Plus Size Dresses That Don't Make You Look Like An Old Lady

I don't know about all of you plus size divas out there, but my biggest challenge when shopping for event dresses is the "Old Lady" issue.

It will be a long, long time before I am the "mother of the groom," so I have no intention of looking like one now.

So, I am happy to share a few "Special Occasion" dresses I found on Nordstrom.com

Here are some options if you are going to a casual, afternoon wedding

Here are a couple of dress options for a much more formal event.

  

 

See!  No "old ladies" here!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photos: Nordstrom Plus Size Dress Shop)

Monday Morning Thoughts: Plan For More Than Just Your Wedding

 

Fat Daddy always tells me that you attract more bees with honey than you do with vinegar.

This is good advice given to so many of us by our parents and grandparents.

Lately, I find myself watching talk shows and reality shows that showcase beautiful brides insulting and demeaning their friends, family members (and grooms) into submission.

I was horrified to watch an episode of Tyra recently where a bride asked her sister to lose 100 pounds, get a tummy tuck and purchase $1,000 worth of Indian hair for a hair weave.  Her rationale: "She needs to lose it anyhow, why not do it before my wedding."

Wow.

Memories of how you treat your family, friends and wedding guests will outlast the memory of your wedding gown, the cake AND that fabulous band.

So be nice while planning your wedding.  Even when you are REALLY stressed out.

It will benefit you (and your special relationships) long after your wedding day.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

 

Who's On First? Wedding Processionals and Recessionals

Knowing where to stand for a wedding processional/recessional can be a little confusing and intimidating, so I've broken down the processional and recessional for a traditional Christian wedding in four easy steps.

 

I hope this is clear for everyone. (Hopefully not clear as mud!)

PROCESSIONAL

1. The Groom, Best Man and the Groomsmen will enter from the right of the ceremony location.  Standing from the left is the groom, then the best man and then the remaining groomsmen.  (Some grooms prefer to walk down the aisle too, so this step could be the groom, best man and officiant walking down the aisle with the groomsmen escorting the bridesmaids)

2. The Bridesmaids walk down the aisle one behind the other.  You start with the bridesmaid who will stand the farthest from the bride and groom -- And the maid (or matron) of honor will walk down the aisle last.

3. The Flower Girl(s) and the Ring Bearer can walk down the aisle together -- OR -- the flower girl(s) can walk in after the ring bearer walks down the aisle.

4. The Bride will walk down the aisle with her Father.  Her father will be on her right.  If her mother walks in with her, she should stand to her left.

RECESSIONAL

1. The Bride and Groom will exit first.  The groom will be on the bride’s left.

2. The flower girl(s) and the ring bearer will exit next.  Again, the ring bearer will be on the flower girl(s) left.  If there is more than one flower girl, the ring bearer can exit before them.

3. The Maid (or Matron) of Honor will exit with the Best Man on her left.  Then the Bridesmaids will follow the Maid (or Matron) of Honor. The bridesmaids will be escorted by the groomsmen (the groomsment will be standing to the bridesmaids left).

4. The Bride’s Parents will exit next. The Groom’s Parents will exit last. If you want to include the grandparents, you can add them too.  However, I find that grandparents prefer to take it slow and wait until everyone exits before they depart.

Please know that this is just a guideline for a traditional Christian ceremony.  Your wedding should be as unique as you are, so make your wedding ceremony (including your processional) your own.

 . . . Since my little guy and I are in the throes of enjoying Baltimore Orioles games right now, I couldn't resist the blog title. I also couldn't resist the video below.  It is crazy hilarious to me!

Enjoy!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

I Love This Dress: Victoria Rowell's Wedding Gown

Young & the Restless star, Victoria Rowell, got married last month in a pale yellow Jane Wilson-Marquis gown.

I recently read that her gown made her look like a dancer from the Degas painting -- which is pretty fitting since she is known for her ballet dancing skills.

According to the Celebrity Bride Guide, Wilson-Marquis gowns often use 2-3 layers of silk to complement each other. Many designs evolve into a deconstructed version where one, two or three layers can be worn together or separately.

Victoria’s dress includes layers of ivory and gold with a periwinkle sash.  Wow.  I bet she was absolutely gorgeous at her wedding.

What do you think?

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

Photo #1: Bob Lapree for The New York Times

Photo #2&3: Celebrity Bride Guide

Ideas for Making a Semi-Private Area Your Own

Last month, I had the pleasure of planning a VIP party for a Bride and Groom at the Pose Ultra Nightclub at the Gaylord National.

 

While the party was in a VIP section of the nightclub, it wasn’t in a private room.  So my team and I pulled out a few tricks to make the party special for the guests of honor.

 

If you are hosting an event (such as a rehearsal dinner or a VIP dinner or a birthday party) in a special area that is only semi-private, consider adding one of the special touches below –

1. Bring in your own chairs or cover the existing chairs.  So often we consider this option for receptions or banquets, but some restaurants may allow you to embellish their chairs with chair covers or hanging place cards or leis draped across the back.

 

2. Jazz up the tablescape.  Add colorful votives or centerpieces to the tablescape.  Consider bringing in unique napkins (and napkin rings) that represent your hip style.  A fabric store was going out of business in my neighborhood, so we purchased some gorgeous material and created our own placemats for the tables.  We complemented the color of the placements with colorful votives.

 

3. Add your own décor.  Embellish the lounge seating with some jeweled-tone throw pillows.  If you are really adventurous, consider bringing in your own throw rug.

 

4. Create striking place cards and menu cards that make the table pop.  You don’t always have to use white or ivory paper for your cards.  Consider using a bright color that pops off of the chargers.

5. Bring in your own bling.  Nothing adds class to a table like silver.  If the venue allows it, consider adding silver candelabras, silver bowls with mints or silver chop sticks for a hip sushi dinner.

 

Do you have any ideas for making a semi-private area uniquely yours?  We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

Wedding Day Sarees

I must admit that I always look forward to taking care of a wedding when most of the female guests are expected to wear sarees!

The color, the embellishments, the silk (and the ladies that wear them) make these gowns pure eye candy.

Sarees are dresses worn throughout India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They are also known as saris or podavis, depending on the spelling and/or the region. Sarees are basically long pieces of cloth (typically 6 meters or 19.5 feet) worn draped in a number of styles around the body.

They are typically worn over a blouse to cover the upper portion of the body.  A matching petticoat to tuck the saree into is typically necessary.  A petticoat also helps to keep the saree from sticking to the skin.

    

This saree reminds me of the wedding gowns created by Joy Houston.

I have a thing for pink and green, so I am typically partial to the bright pinks.

  

But you have to love the reds, greens, and golds that you enjoy with sarees.

 

Enjoy!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photos: Alibaba, Exotic India, Indian Shaadi, SubhamoyDas for About.com)

A New Addition to the Howerton+Wooten Events Family!

My very first wedding client, Rachel, just sent me a picture of her gorgeous child (born yesterday).

After I made sure that this precious baby, mom, big brother Alex and dad were all doing fine, I asked if I could share his adorable little picture with the world.  She happily said YES.

So here he is . . .

Quinn Blake

Cute as a button!

Love & Soul Always, Kay