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

Let's Make 2010 a Great One!

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.  ~Benjamin Franklin

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: Big Stock) 

Champagne Cocktails

In approximately 36 hours, we will be toasting in a new year.  If you are on the hunt for a new Champagne Cocktail recipe, check out Food and Wine's web site.

They have a slideshow of Champagne Cocktails (along with the recipes).

I must mention that The Champagne Mojitos sound really good.

If you try one, let me know what you think.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: Food And Wine)

Glamour Magazine Launches a Wedding Section

Glamour Magazine has launched a new wedding section designed for (in their words) brides, guests, and every girl who’s ever had to wear taffeta.  Check it out!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Christmas Fun

 

Indulge in all things yummy.  Laugh a lot.  And enjoy a lot of kisses under the mistletoe!

Enjoy a wonderful Christmas.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

 

(Photo: Scoop This)

Upcoming January Bridal Events in Maryland

Mark your calendar Maryland brides!  January is packed with events that are sure to help you with your wedding planning.

 

Waterfront Bridal Show

The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club is hosting its annual bridal show in January!  The Howerton+Wooten Events team has planned a wedding at this venue before and loved it.  The team is great to work with, and the setting was just gorgeous! 

Sunday, January 3, 2010

12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
Stevensville, Maryland

$10 in advance, $15 at the door

 

A Bridal Open House Fit for a Queen

The Castle at Maryvale is hosting its annual open house.  If you are interested in a venue that offers a romantic, renaissance feel, check out the Castle.  This is another venue where the Howerton+Wooten Events team took good care of a bride.  Along with tours of the castle, you will be able to sample foods, meet vendors and have a chance to win prizes.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Castle at Maryvale

Brooklandville, MD
Complimentary

 

 

Washington Bridal Showcase

Come meet with the Howerton+Wooten Events team at Montgomery County's largest bridal show.  This bridal show has it all, so it is a virtual one-stop shop for Maryland brides.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bethesda Marriott North Hotel and Conference Center
North Bethesda, MD
$8 online, $10 at the door

 

 

Great Room at Historical Savage Mill Bridal Open House

With its juxtaposition of exposed pipes and elegant chandeliers, I have found the Great Room to be a lovely reception venue.  The Howerton+Wooten Events team really enjoyed taking great care of a bride and groom at this venue in 2008.  The grand prize is a 5-night trip to Aruba, Courtesy of Honeymoons by Tradewinds.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Great Room at Historic Savage Mill

Savage, Maryland

$5 in advance, $10 at the door

Force Majeure

While the children in my neighborhood enjoyed playing in this weekend’s snowstorm, I immediately thought of all of local planners that had to manage a wedding or event in all of this weather.

They either went through with the wedding or event or they sat down with the venue and vendors to discuss the Force Majeure clause in their agreement.

So what’s a Force Majeure clause?

A Force Majeure (French for Superior Force) clause is a standard contract clause found in wedding venue and many wedding vendor contracts.  It basically exempts both parties from being required to carry out the contract because of circumstances that could not be anticipated and/or are beyond their control.

The primary circumstance noted in a Force Majeure clause is an Act of God.  Acts of God are natural consequences such as Blizzards, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Tornadoes or Landslides.  Something to note: The Act of God should also include a “credible threat.”  As gut wrenching as it may be for a couple, most venues and vendors don’t typically want to wait until the very last minute to make a decision regarding a cancellation.

Now, here’s the deal, force majeure does not cover the “usual” natural consequences of external forces.  This means that you cannot cancel your outdoor wedding just because it rains.  You are expected to have a plan B.

Force Majeure clauses should be much bigger than an Act of God clause.  It should include a lot of the other occurrences that could affect your wedding day –

· Act of War – Including the term, "act of war" could be of great assistance if you have to revise your wedding date because the bride or groom is being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

· Act of Terrorism –Unfortunately, many brides were all too familiar with this section of a Force Majeure clause in 2001.  But, this didn’t just cover the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001.  I managed a children’s event that was canceled in 2002 because residents of DC were being terrorized by the Sniper.

· Act of Government – What if your destination wedding location suddenly fell on the Department of State’s list of locations with a Travel Warning.  For the safety of your guests (and you), you are inclined to cancel.  This clause would assist you if something like this should occur.

· Civil Disturbances – An example of this is a riot.  Unfortunately, they do happen.

· Work Stoppage – Employee strikes.  This could definitely affect the service you receive because adequate staff will not be available.  And, this could affect your guest count -- especially if most of your wedding guests won't cross a picket line. 

Read through your agreement before you sign to ensure that you are protected.  If you have already signed your agreements, have a conversation with your salesman to ensure that they share the same philosophy regarding Force Majeure.  Most likely they will since this agreement protects both parties.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Reporter Botches Wedding Proposal

I know this video is almost three years old, but it gets me everytime I watch it.  What was this guy thinking?!?

Guys, if you plan to propose to your girl, don't tell this reporter.  He will flub up your moment, and not even realize he did it.  Ugh!

Reporter Botches Wedding Proposal | Sports | SPIKE.com

Have a great weekend!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

True Love

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Giving The Gift of Alms to your Bridesmaid

During the time before the holidays, many families participate in the gift of giving alms to those less financially fortunate.

The act of "giving alms" is just as important to the giver as it is to the recipient because it endows the "giver" the gift of gratitude.

That's why this Alms Bowl is definitely a favorite for me this holiday -- But I can easily see it as an ideal present for a bridesmaid.  It's a perfect way of saying, "Thank you for standing by my side as I begin a new chapter in my life."  It's also a great way of saying, "I am grateful to have such a beautiful spirit be a part of my wedding party."

And the gift keeps on giving -- Eastern Serenity (the company that makes these bowls) shares a portion of each alms bowl sale with Thai Freedom House, a grass roots organization helping Burmese refugee children in Northern Thailand.

A Little Background: This Alms Bowl was used by practicing monks who rely on members of the community (near the temple) to provide daily nutrition.  Each morning, they visit the surrounding neighborhoods with an empty alms bowl that is filled with food for the day, by people wishing to gain merit from Buddha.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: Eastern Serenity)

Letterpress Coasters for Cocktails

These festive letterpress coasters (made by Cursive New York) would be great for a New Year's Eve soiree or a small "happy hour" with your bridal party.

Cheers!

Love & Soul Always, Kay 

(Photo: Cursive New York)