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

Come See Us at the Washington Bridal Showcase!

Are you coming to the Washington Bridal Showcase this Sunday?  You should.  Every vendor you need to plan your wedding will be there.

We'll be there -- in Booth #42

If you do decide to come, please stop by our booth and say hi.  We would love to meet you.  Here are the details --

Washington Bridal Showcase
Sunday, October 4, 2009
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bethesda Marriott Hotel
5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, Maryland

You can purchase tickets here or you can leave us a comment for a complimentary pass to the bridal show.  We will select two winners by 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2009.

For tips on maximizing your time at the bridal show, check out my post from last week.

My colleagues and I will be on hand to showcase a few weddings that have received the Howerton+Wooten Events love, chat about our services, and give you some cool ideas for your own special day.

We look forward to seeing you on October 4th!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Don't Put Your Wedding Guests Through The Marshmallow Test

Have you ever been to a wedding reception where you are stuck in your seat waiting for the wedding party to be introduced?  You are famished, but you are forced to sit and "watch" that pre-set salad wilt before your eyes.  Some call this the Marshmallow Experiment.

It's painful, isn't it?

So keep this in mind when your wedding day rolls around.  Take as many wedding pictures as you can before the wedding ceremony.  Offer hors d' oeuvres (even if it is just a few) during your cocktail reception.  And work with your professional wedding vendors to prepare a wedding day schedule (or timeline) that everyone (vendors, venue, wedding party) should follow -- including you.

Your hungry guests will love you for it.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Love is More Than Just a Feeling

Love is more than just a feeling.  It's a process requiring continual attention. Loving well takes laughter, loyalty, and wanting more to be able to say, "I understand" than to hear, "You're right."

-- Molleen Matsumura

Steps to Maximize Your Time at a Bridal Show

 

Bridal Show season is in full force!  If you are planning your wedding, bridal shows can be an excellent resource for ideas, vendor shopping and cake tastings!

 

If you are planning to attend a bridal show, set up a bridal show strategy beforehand.  Knowing what you need to accomplish before, during and after the bridal show will help you to optimize your valuable wedding planning time.

Prior to the Bridal Show –

· Research the Bridal Show.  Check out the bridal show’s web site.  While you are on the site, check out the show’s list of the exhibitors.  Will the bridal show highlight the type of professional wedding vendors that you are interested in hiring?  If the answer is no, save your time for another bridal show.

· Pre-Register.  Sometimes, bridal shows have long lines of brides purchasing tickets on-site.  You can avoid those long lines by pre-registering.  Before you actually register, Google the bridal show – you may find links to free show tickets on the blog or web site of some of the bridal show exhibitors. 

· Have a Game Plan.  Before you go to the bridal show, have a goal of what you want to accomplish, such as the type of wedding vendors you would like to see, your wedding attire, and your wedding menu.  Write down your goals and refer to them when you are on-site.

· Create a New E-Mail Address.  After the bridal show, your e-mail in-box will be flooded with e-mail messages from the show’s wedding vendors.  To avoid overloading your personal in-box, consider creating an e-mail address specifically for your wedding e-mails and use that for all of your wedding planning correspondence.  After your wedding is over, you can delete your wedding e-mail account.

· Bring Contact Labels.  Most bridal show vendors will ask you to complete their contact sheet.  Instead of risking a "writer’s cramp" in your hand, consider printing labels with your name, your wedding date and your e-mail address.  Then you can just give out a label upon request.

· Dress for Success.  You will walk a lot, so wear comfortable shoes.  Bring your own tote bag to place your "must read" vendor literature and use the bridal show bag for the "so so" literature and tschotskes.  Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water!

 

· Bring a Camera.  Some vendors will allow you to take pictures of their table designs for future reference.

 

At the Show –

· Bring a Partner.  If the bridal show is large, consider bringing a bridesmaid or your mom with you.  Then you can split up the duties.  Plus, your partner’s input will be extremely helpful when you are going through all of the brochures and literature.

· Take Time to Ask Questions.  Ask a few questions about their company.  If they have their calendar available, find out if your wedding date is available.  Bring a pen and a notebook to take notes.

· Network with Other Brides.  Take an opportunity to chat with other brides while you are waiting in line to enter the bridal show or when you are waiting for the fashion show begin.  You may gain some valuable insight or ideas based on their wedding planning experience.

· Take a Break.  Bridal shows can be overwhelming, and it is tough to make good decisions when you exhausted.  So, take a moment to sit down (away from all of the vendors) and take it all in.

 

After the Show –

· Take advantage of the bridal show discounts.  Numerous vendors will offer a special rate or discount to the bridal show participants.  If you have a vendor that you would like to work with on your wedding, ask them if they offer a special rate for bridal show participants.

 

· Un-subscribe to the vendor e-mails that don’t interest you.  Don’t waste your time receiving e-mail messages from vendors that do not interest you.

How About an Armored Gown for Your Wedding Day?

I love the gown that January Jones wore to the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.  Her art deco-inspired Versace gown was so hot.

I could easily see a contemporary bride in this gown with it's "armor-like" bodice.  Not only is the detail on the gown's bodice stunning, it will definitely showcase the bride's flawless physique.

What do you think?  Is it wedding worthy?

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Trust

"We are never so vulnerable than when we trust someone -- but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love or joy"

-- Walter Anderson

 

There is absolutely no use in hiring professional wedding vendors if you don't trust them.  You might as well make the flowers, bake the cake, hum the processional and direct the entire show yourself.  Not a pretty picture, right?

Here are six basic steps that I believe will help you to kick start a positive relationship with your wedding vendors.

1. Come prepared to your consultation.  Even if you aren't sure about your wedding day plans, come prepared with a set of questions to ask during your consultation.  When you interview a planner, I recommend the list of questions Ohio wedding planner, Emilie Duncan prepared.  In addition to Emilie’s questions, consider asking about the wedding vendor’s experience in the following areas –

a. Your wedding venue

b.    Your culture (especially if your culture has numerous important wedding day traditions)

c. Your religion

d.    Your wedding guest size (this is crucial for planners, caterers, and videographers)

2. Perform a background check.  Check each of your vendor's reviews and references (the professionals will welcome references).  Chat with other brides and the coordinator at your wedding venue about their experience with your preferred wedding vendors before you hire them.  Do you get the sense that your wedding vendor is an ethical professional?  Run away if you don't.  Your vendors will be a representation of you, so you want to be sure that you are represented well.

3. Make sure that you share a little chemistry.  During your consultation, pay attention to the professional’s communication style, personality, and even the way s/he dresses.  A year of wedding planning can feel like "dog years" if you and your wedding vendor "butt heads" over the slightest little thing.  Also, consider bringing a friend along to the consultation.  They know you best and will be able to easily identify “chemistry red flags.”

4. Hire professionals.  As appealing as it is to ask your Uncle Marty to photograph your wedding, you will fair so much better if you hire a professional with experience photographing a wedding.  Plus you can’t really hold Uncle Marty accountable if all of your wedding pictures turn out a pretty shade of pink.  Know this – Professionals have spent years honing their skills; they know the wedding planning process; and they have the experience needed to carry out your wedding day wishes with ease.

5. Be honest and open (quick).  Every now and then, I can be the queen of “MSU.” ß (Making S#*t Up).  Instead of having a candid conversation with the other party, I would determine the conversation’s outcome in my head.  I finally learned that the conversations in my head were much more melodramatic than the actual conversation.  Don’t behave like me, and try the following: Discuss your wedding budget openly before and during the wedding planning process.  Have a candid conversation with your wedding vendor if you are not happy with the level of communication or the pre-wedding work.  If you hear feedback from a bridesmaid or another bride, share it with your wedding vendor – s/he will most likely be able to quickly ease your concerns.

6. Trust the wedding planning process.  Discuss the process with your wedding vendors (during the consultation and during the contract discussion).  If your life or work schedule doesn't fit with the schedule your wedding vendor provided you, let them know right away.  If their schedule doesn’t have any flexibility, consider a new vendor.  If you have questions regarding the process, ask.  Most of your professional wedding vendors’ processes are based on their past experiences, and they will be happy to explain the rationale for them.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Easy Black Forest Trifle for a Bridal Shower Luncheon

This trifle recipe is almost perfect for a bridal shower luncheon -- It has plenty of chocolate; it gives a pretty presentation, and it is incredibly easy to make!

Ingredients

1. One (1) standard box of chocolate cake mix

2. One (1) one-ounce box of chocolate instant pudding mix

3. Two (2) cups of milk

4. One (1) 21-ounce can of Lucky Leaf Cherry Pie Filling

5. Two (1) cups of frozen whipped topping, thawed

6. Chocolate curled shavings (optional)

Recipe

1. Prepare cake mix according to package directions in a 13” x 9” cake pan.

2. After you let the cake cool in the pan, remove it and cut it into cubes.

3. Prepare pudding mix according to the package instructions, using two (2) cups of milk.  Chill the pudding at least 30 minutes.

4. Place half of the cake cubes in a three-quart trifle bowl.

5. Spoon half of the cherries over the cake

6. Spread one (1) cup of the pudding over the cherries, and top with half of the whipped topping.

7. Repeat the layers.

8. Top with the chocolate curls, if desired

9. Cover and chill for at least eight (8) hours.

I found this recipe on the back of a can of Lucky Leaf Cherry Pie Filling.  The Lucky Leaf web site has a lite version of this recipe.  I am sure that it doesn't taste the same, so I would probably just reduce the size of my serving with the original instead.

Enjoy!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

An Etiquette Application for your iPhone

Need a quick reference for setting your dinner table?

How about thank you note tips?

Check out the iPhone application Etiquette Avenue.  This little app could definitely get you through a formal affair -- just don't use it during a conversation or the middle of dinner.  That's not cool.

Don't worry BlackBerry users!  I heard that a similar application is being created for BlackBerries too.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

A Teachable Moment

 

Every now and then wedding planning can be a little too much to handle.

Everyone is imposing their unsolicited thoughts and opinions on you.  Or you are not sure if your wedding vendors are on the “up and up.”  On top of that, you are not sure if all of your wedding tasks are going to get done before your wedding day, and you are afraid that your ideas are going to look like a “hot mess.”

With so much pressure, it’s understandable that you will experience some very stressful moments.

We’ve all been there.

You find yourself at your breaking point.  And the next thing you know, you have used some choice expletives at one of your girlfriends, your fiancé or even your wedding planner.  (Oy!)

Okay, so now the damage has been done.  Fortunately, you won’t have to pay a $10,000+ fine like Ms. Serena.  Unfortunately, you may have damaged a pretty important relationship.

Outbursts happen to the best of us.  What matters most is how you deal with the fallout of your outburst.

 

Here’s my recommendation:  Make a sincere apology (very soon after the incident) to the recipient and don’t do it again.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

 

 

(Photo: www.mirror.co.uk)

My Favorite Take-Away from Eventology 2009

(Photo: Jennifer Napier of OneWed, Me, Kasey Conyers of Bliss Weddings and Events, Quenetta Gordon of Something Blue, and Melissa Margarita-DiStefano of MasterPiece Weddings)

 

 

Earlier this year, I had the fortunate opportunity to attend Eventology 2009.  I took a lot away from this conference – networking with planners, thought-provoking presentations and Katasha’s special touches.

But, what I remember the most was the fact that I was among a group of total strangers yet somehow felt like I was in a special community of the most welcoming and most hilarious colleagues I might ever meet.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if your wedding guests felt that way?

Consider creating your own wedding guest community that makes your guests feel special and welcome.  Here are some ideas –

1. Highlight your wedding guests.  Use a section of your wedding web site to highlight a different wedding guest each month.  Provide a very small bio of the highlighted guest or share a fun tale that describes his or her relationship with the bride or groom.  And step outside of the "wedding guest box."  It's easy to highlight a bridesmaid or a family member on your wedding web site -- consider highlighting those family members and friends that might not know very many of your wedding guests.

2. Engage your guests prior to the big day.  If a number of your wedding guests are on Facebook or Twitter, consider engaging them.  A barrage of wedding details will bore them to tears -- instead share funny wedding planning anecdotes.  Use this opportunity to to ask for advice of your guests.  Many will be happy to share their words of wisdom.

3. Connect at the pre-wedding parties.  Take some time at your bridal shower or your engagement party to introduce and thank each guest.  Work with your bridal party and your family to connect shower/party guests who have similar interests and backgrounds.

4. Music matters.  Playing background music will set the tone for your wedding reception.  Nothing too loud -- People need to hear each other to engage.  Upbeat music is great for lively pre-dinner discussions and jazzy instrumental music is great complement to dinner conversation.  Try to include dance music that appeals to most of the wedding guests.

5. Create a small game for guests to play during your cocktail hour.  One option is to create a game that encourages your wedding guests to meet and chat with other wedding guests.  I've seen trivia contests and small scavenger hunts that were pretty fun and successful at receptions.

6. Pay attention to the seating plan.  You don’t have to seat all of the family members together (okay, the spouses should be together).  Consider the following seating options: similar interests, occupations, sororities, and alma maters.  Try to create wedding guest symmetry by placing the social butterflies and the great storytellers at different tables -- you don’t want your guests feeling left out because they aren’t engaged in a fun, lively discussion.

7. Pay attention to the table sizes.  I find that the tables with fewer guests have the best dinner conversations.  Instead of 10 or 11 guests at a larger 72" table, consider placing 8 guests at a 60" round table.

8. Encourage each table to work together.  Ask your guests to work together to write you a group note with their best marriage advice.  Allow your emcee to read all of the notes out loud, and give a fun prize to the guests at the table for best answer.  Everyone at the reception can vote on the best answer by applauding.

Do you have any ideas for creating a wedding guest community?

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

 

(Photo: World’s Largest Self Portrait Taken By Melissa Margarita DiStefano)