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

True Lovers Find Each Other

Without words, without even understanding,

lovers find each other.

... The moment of finding is always a surprise,

like meeting an old friend never before known.

 

-- Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

 

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Friday Happy Hour: Chai Toddy

Chai Tea is my favorite drink of the morning.  So, I was very intrigued when I found this Chai Toddy recipe on FineLiving.com.  I am happy to report that I find it an excellent option for a cold Friday evening.  (I think I will give it a try again tonight!)

 

Ingredients –

One (1) part Chai Tea concentrate
One (1) part Whole Milk  (I'd substitute Whole Milk for Soy Milk - Chai tastes so much better with Soy)

One (1) Star Anise

One (1) Ounce of Cognac/Brandy

One (1) Ounce of DeKuyper Buttershots Liqueur or Butterscotch Schnapps

½ Graham Cracker, crushed and powdered

Preparation –

Bring chai tea concentrate and milk to a simmer over medium-low heat.

Stir in star anise to flavor.

Remove from heat.

In a mug, add brandy and butterscotch liqueur.

Pour chai tea mixture into mug.

Stir slightly and dust with crushed graham cracker.

 

 

 

Enjoy!  If you decide to make one for yourself, let me know what you think.

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

 

(Photo: FineLiving)

Getting Married in a National Park

If you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding, consider one of the national parks.  You might have to make a few concessions to get married at a National Park, but rest assured that the view at your wedding ceremony will be breathtaking.

Fortunately, the Washington DC metropolitan area (Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia) is home to numerous national parks. 

A few of my favorites for outdoor weddings are –

· Great Falls Park in McLean, Virginia.  This park’s most popular location is near the falls overlooks.  It offers the wedding guests views of the waterfall and river.

· The Tidal Basin west of the Jefferson Memorial.  This is especially great if you get married in early April while the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom.

· The Netherlands Carillon, near the Iwo Jima Memorial.  This location has one of THE BEST views of Washington, DC.

You will be required to get permission from the Office of Park Programs/Permits.  Before you submit your application, work with the Office of Park Programs/Permits to ensure that your wedding ceremony doesn’t interfere with other scheduled events.

Give your permit to your wedding planner or a trusted friend or family member, because it has to be in your possession during the wedding ceremony.

For more information, please call (202) 619-7225 the Office of Park Programs/Permits, and ask them to fax you a Public Gathering Permit application.  All of the permit applications must be accompanied by a $50 payment for the initial processing.

One more piece of information – You will need to get a marriage license in the county where the national park is located.

So what do you think?  Do you see a National Park in your wedding day?

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

 

(Photo: National Park Service)

If Joan Holloway Were a . . .

If Joan Holloway (now Joan Harris) were a "Vixen Bridesmaid," she could wear this ruby-colored dress.  Of course, she would fill it out in all of the "fun" places.

If Betty Draper decided to divorce Don and marry that handsome political staffer, she would wear this vintage-style wedding gown very well.  Granted, Amsale wedding gowns weren't an option then, but she would "rock it" just the same. 

Have a great weekend!

Love and Soul Always, Kay 

 

 

Cocoa Wedding Color

Brown may not be the wedding color of choice anymore, but any bride would look absolutely gorgeous in these cocoa glass pearls available at Miriam Haskell.

Or how about these cocoa-colored Christian Louboutin Prestige Pumps.  The red and cocoa colors make a luscious wedding color combination.
 

I know this is a much darker cocoa color, but I just love this silk de chine A-line Jim Hjelm bridesmaid gown.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photos: Jim Hjelm, Christian Louboutin, and Miriam Haskell)

 

The Importance of Love

Love is more important than anything else.  It is what ties everything completely together.

Colossians 3:14

Stylish Bridesmaid Dresses made by Thread

Check out these bridesmaid dresses from the Thread spring 2010 bridal collection.  They are not too frilly, hot (your bridal party will need great legs to pull off these dresses), and stylish.

 
Orange Matte Silk Mini

Blake Mini 

Tyler Mini

Enjoy!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photos: Thread)

A Thoughtful Wedding Favor: Origami Hearts

Last year, I had the pleasure of taking care of a couple who held a private wedding ceremony at the Inn at 202 Dover in Easton, Maryland.

 

Since, so many of their wedding guests were coming from the Washington, DC metropolitan area, they had to pay a toll on their wedding to the ceremony.

As a thoughtful gesture, the bride and groom gave everyone an Origami Heart made in the dollar amount with a little note explaining that it was for their tolls.

Now, I would venture to guess that none of their wedding guests suffered financially because of the toll money paid.  But this favor was one of the many thoughtful ways they let their wedding guests know how much they appreciated them for coming to their wedding.

If you are ever at a loss for wedding design or favor ideas, think of ways to make your wedding guests feel welcome or comfortable, and the ideas will come from that.

 

If want to know how to make your own Origami Hearts, check out E-How for instructions.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photo of Inn at 202 Dover: What's Up Magazine)

(Photo of Origami Heart: E-How)
   

Soap Opera Wedding Album

During Thanksgiving week, I had the privilege of hosting the Howerton family in my home for a few days.  On the afternoon prior to Thanksgiving, my aunt was watching the Young and the Restless.  Before I knew it, I started thinking about all of those crazy soap opera weddings.

Bo and Hope's first wedding. (Days of Our Lives).  Sheesh!  Could they fit anymore flowers in that church?  Or better yet, could they fit a bigger veil on her head?

 

 
Victor and Nikki Neumann (Young and the Restless).  Exactly how many times did this couple marry and break up?  And, are these people still on this soap? 

 

 
All My Children aired the first Lesbian wedding for a Daytime Drama.  I am not particularly fond of the matching hairstyles, but their bouquets are sweet.

 

 
Now, all of you kids of the 80's cannot deny that you remember this?  Luke and Laura's wedding (General Hospital).  I don't know which one was bigger -- Laura's veil or Luke's hair.

Thanks for taking a trip down memory lane with me.  This was fun (and funny).

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Peacock-Inspired Blue and Green Wedding Decor

A couple of years ago, I had the privilege of planning a wedding for one of THE BEST couples.  I smile every time I think of them.

Their blue and green wedding design was inspired by the colors of a peacock.

This picture of the bridesmaids is one of my favorites.  The combination of their wedding day jewelry and their lovely saris made for pure eye candy.
 

 

Each table had its own design.  As you can see, this table's blue and green decor was accented by gold napkins and gold chairs.

Here is a closer look of the same table before the catering staff finished setting them for dinner.

 
Half of the tables were designed with lime green table linen with gold napkins.  The centerpieces for these tables were crystal trees.

The bride and groom had their peacock Cake Topper made by an artist on Etsy.  It was so cute, and it was such a fun way to showcase the inspiration for their wedding reception design.

Here is another picture of their wedding cake.

Here is a picture of the sweetheart table.  For those of you located in the DC area, you can easily tell that this wedding reception took place at the Galleria at Lafayette Centre.

Enjoy!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photos: Erin Marie Photography)