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

Washington Post's Wedding Video Series

The Washington Post has a video series that profiles Washington DC area couples getting ready to walk down the aisle -- from how they met to their first date to where they shared their first kiss.

Their premiere episode took place last June.  You can check out some of the videos here.

New couples are being featured every Thursday.  And, I must tell you -- some of the videos made me laugh and smil.  But, one video made me cry a little.  Can you guess which one?

If you are interested in submitting highlights of your own engagement romance, send a message to onlove@washpost.com

You never know!  You just might be featured in an upcoming video!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Some Strappy Sandals That Would Go Well Under a Wedding Gown

I think these sandals would go well underneath a wedding gown!

Jimmy Choo

  Kate Spade

Christian LouboutinJimmy Choo

 

Love and Soul Always, Kay 

Your Planner is a Fairy Godmother. And, Other Little Lies TV Tells You

 
I really enjoy watching wedding planning shows and movies.

Unfortunately, I find them frustrating too.

Why?  Because, wedding shows and wedding movies can distort a couples’ view of wedding planning.  Creating expectations that are a tad unrealistic.

Here are my truths –

• Your wedding planner is not your fairy godmother.  There is nothing more fun than seeing celebrity wedding planners take a bride’s wedding, and transform it into this extravagant production filled with flowers, fabric and bling.  But, one little question is never answered on some of these shows – Who is going to pay for all of this wedding goodness?  Many wedding designers have the expertise to transform just about any ballroom – But, the money to carry out the transformation doesn’t grow on a magical wedding planner tree.  It needs to be allocated into the budget.

 

• Wedding planning does not have to be dramatic.  By its very nature, weddings are emotional.  But, they don’t have to be dramatic.  Drama stems from conflict, over-reactions, and unrealistic expectations.  If you get those three little issues in check, you will minimize your drama.  Side note – Wedding shows edit the wedding planning episodes to ensure that the dramatic scenes are showcased.  Why?  Because, those dramatic wedding planning scenes are good for TV ratings.

 

• Wedding Planners are not Caricatures found on Sitcoms.  Wedding planners like Franck in the movie, “Father of the Bride,” make for great entertainment.  But, in reality, “Franck” stunk at wedding planning.  So, did Candice Bergen’s wedding planning character on “Bride Wars.”  Jennifer Lopez’s character on the movie, “Wedding Planner” was pretty good until she started getting involved with the bride’s man!  What is up with that!?!  I can assure you that your professional wedding planner will be focused on your wedding planning and not your man.

 

• A bride’s (or a groom) bad behavior is not okay.  If you watch a popular bride TV show, you have probably seen vendors standing by while a bride has an adolescent meltdown.  Some wedding vendors may allow brides to get away with these shenanigans.  But, most of your vendors will have a conduct clause in their agreement that allows them to walk away from your wedding planning (and your wedding) if you behave in such an inappropriate manner. 

So, what is the bottom line here?  “Don’t believe everything you see on TV.”

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Wish Upon A Wedding's Blissful Wishes Ball

 
Wish Upon a Wedding is hosting the Blissful Wishes Ball! 

This "first ever" cross-country Gala, is scheduled to take place in November at 12 locations across the country.  Right now, balls are scheduled to take place in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., Houston, The Carolinas, Denver, Portland, St. Louis, Atlanta, and Orlando.  Additional locations may be announced very soon.

All of the Blissful Wishes Balls are open to the Public.  Tickets for this "one of a kind" event will go on sale tomorrow (August 15th) at www.wishuponawedding.eventbrite.com

Couples planning to be married can bid for wedding-related auction items online starting in October or at a Blissful Wishes Balls Nationwide in November, with all proceeds benefiting  Wish Upon a Wedding .  Wish Upon a Wedding is the world's first nonprofit that provides weddings for individuals facing life-threatening illness.

Wish Upon a Wedding is currently seeking donated products or services in 46 cities, ranging from wedding gowns to tuxedos, invitations to cakes, and limousine services to honeymoons. It only takes a moment to register and make a difference in someone's life!

So, check it out!  You will be making a positive difference in someone's life who truly deserves it!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

** Wish Upon a Wedding (tm), Blissful Wishes Ball (tm), and Bid Your Wish for Wedded Bliss (tm) are registered trademarks of Wish Upon a Wedding (tm).

Lilly Pulitzer for Bridesmaids

I think these three dresses would be great attire for your bridesmaids.  Couldn't you just see them wearing one of these dresses at a lovely destination wedding?  I could.

 
Lilly Pulitzer Printed Pink Silk Dress 

 

Lilly Pulitzer Printed Chiffon Dress with Rosettes
 

Lilly Pulitzer Printed Crinkle

Enjoy!  Love and Soul Always, Kay 

(Photos: Lilly Pulitzer)

Laughter

 
Laughter is the closest distance between two people.

-- Victor Borge

 

(Photo: Leo Hein Photography)

 

 

Chocolate Covered Strawberries for a Bride with Allergies

 
 
Later this month I am preparing chocolate covered strawberries to finish a very special dinner.  Two of the dinner guests have a milk allergy, so I am preparing the strawberries in a manner than everyone can enjoy.

 

Ingredients –  

· Sixteen (16) Ounces of Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

· Two (2) Tablespoons of Vegetable Shortening

· One (1) Pound of Fresh Strawberries with the Leaves and Stems Left On.  ß Please ensure that the strawberries are washed and dried.

 

 

 

Instructions –

 

1. Insert toothpicks or skewers into the top of each of the strawberries.

2. Melt the chocolate and shortening in a double boiler.  Stir it occasionally until it is smooth

3. Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, remove from the heat.

4. Holding the strawberries by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate, lift and twist just a little while the excess chocolate falls back into the saucepan.

5. Set the strawberries on the parchment paper

6. Repeat the process with the rest of the strawberries

7. Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets (this should take approximately 30 minutes) 

 

Note:  Since my dinner guests have milk allergies, I will stay away from the white chocolate option on the strawberries.  If you want to add white chocolate to your strawberries, include the following option to your recipe –

Use the instructions above to melt eight (8) Ounces of White Chocolate Chips.  After the strawberries are dipped into the chocolate, use a chopstick and to drizzle the white chocolate in a zig zag pattern over the dipped strawberries.

Enjoy!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Howerton Handbook: What is a Banquet Round?

 
A banquet round is bascially a round table that is typically used for your meal service (cocktails and/or the actual reception).

*****************************************************************************

A 36" banquet round is a good size for your wedding cake or your cocktail reception.  Other names that you might hear for a 36" banquet round is a cafe table or a cocktail round.

A 60" banquet round (aka five-footer) fits eight (8) people comfortably.

A 72" banquet round (aka six-footer) fits ten (10) people.

Side Note: Every now and then, your planner may refer to a six-foot table -- But s/he may not be speaking of a round table.  S/he may be speaking of a six-foot rectangle table (typically used for gifts, guest books, favors and occasionally the escort cards). Ask your planner or event manager to be specific to minimize confusion.

*****************************************************************************

Most venues have five-foot round tables or six-foot round tables.

Every now and then, you will find a venue that has 66" banquet rounds.  These tables fit 8 to 10 wedding guests.

Before you determine the number of wedding guests at each table, find out the size of the banquet tables first.

Because, there is nothing worse than being squished at a dinner table.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: Precious Moment Photography)

I Love This Dress: Alicia Keys in Vera Wang

 
So, I hear that Chelea Clinton AND Alicia Keys wore Vera Wang wedding gowns this past weekend!

Well, I cannot blame either bride.  Vera Wang gowns are literally "mouth watering."

I found Chelsea's gown to be quite lovely, but I must admit that I am partial to Alicia's gown.

Alicia's ivory silk georgette was an asymmetrical draped goddess gown with a jewel detail on the back shoulder,  She finished off the look with a jewel encrusted headband and sandals.

Her entire look was a complete fit for her Mediterranean style wedding day.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: Stephanie Pistel)