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Want to know where you can find Howerton+Wooten Events?
All of us on the Howerton+Wooten Events team can be reached at any of the following --
Meet Us. 15480 Annapolis Road, Suite 202, Bowie, MD 20715
Call Us. (800) 804-2172 or via Skype
Howerton+Wooten Events can be found on each of the fun sites below --
Howerton+Wooten Events can also be found on the following blog sites --
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Banquet Event Orders (also known as BEOs) are little agreements between you and the food/beverage vendor (i.e., caterer, restaurant, event venue or the hotel's banquet department).
This agreement outlines all of the logistics and instructions that your food and beverage vendor would need to successfully execute your wedding or event.
When you receive your banquet event order, review it carefully to ensure that all of the details are correct. Depending upon when you receive it, this could also be the time when you are expected to provide your final guest count guarantee to your food/beverage vendor.
Your banquet event order should list all of the details of your meal function. The details include the following --
1. Date of the Wedding or Event
2. Start Time, End Time and Possibly the Set-Up Time and Tear Down Time
3. Location (or the meeting/banquet room) of the Event or Function
4. The set-up of the banquet or function room. (How are the tables set in the room? What is on the table? Is there a stage? <-- How is that set?)
5. Your Menu Details. (This includes the food and beverage ordered, service timing, the type of food service and the special dietary requests)
6. Number of people expected to serve
7. Contact Information
8. And, possibly Audiovisual Requirements
Love and Soul Always, Kay
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I come from a fairly large family filled with siblings, my beloved Fat Daddy, my mom, aunts, uncles, cousins, "play cousins," godparents . . . you get the picture.
So, my version of parents included any "elder" in the family.
Since I started Howerton+Wooten Events, I've seen so many new versions of parents -- single moms, single dads, divorced parents, stepmoms, stepdads, grandparents, godparents, two moms, two dads, aunts, uncles.
Life doesn't always present us with the family dynamic that you see on The Brady Bunch or Leave it to Beaver.
But, I have found that this is okay with most brides and grooms. Why?
Because, how you define your parents doesn't matter nearly as much as the love, encouragement and support you receive from them throughout your life.
I know, I know. It sounds cheesy. But, you know I am speaking the truth!
Love and Soul Always, Kay
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Last month, I had the opportunity to check out the Silver Swan Bayside in Stevensville, Maryland with my July 2011 bride and groom, Sharon and Mark.
I visited this venue two years ago, and I drove away thinking "bleh." It was dark and dated.
As life would have it, they are completing the final stages of a renovation, and I am happy to report that this former restaurant feels much brighter, fresh, and just right for a small wedding on the bay. In fact, the venue feels very comfortable and relaxed -- I know my couple is going to have a fun night!
Your guests would have a great view of the Chesapeake Bay during your wedding ceremony.
I took this picture right before another planner started setting up. As you can see, you are permitted to use petals. In an effort to respect the bay, the venue asks that you use fresh petals instead of the synthetic ones.
If you ever visited the Silver Swan Bayside in the past, you know that this tented patio is new. This space allows ample space for a bar, a cocktail reception, and there is a permanent dance floor at the far end.
Here is a view of the tented patio if you were standing near the dance floor. The glass doors to the left of this patio lead into the venue's dining room.
This dining room definitely received a face-lift. If you have been here before, you will notice that the room is brighter, the big bar is gone, and the floors were replaced. The chiavari chairs are included -- and so is complimentary valet parking!
The Silver Swan Bayside is located at the Queen Anne Marina. I had the pleasure of traveling to (and from) this venue on my bride and groom's boat. (Wouldn't that make for a great send-off!)
If you are interested in checking this venue out, give Taylor a call at (410) 643-2021.
Tell her that Kay at Howerton+Wooten Events sent you!
Love and Soul Always, Kay
(Photo: My pitiful attempts at photography)
The dining room offers great views of the Chesapeake Bay.
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Since we are in the throes of bridal show season, I am reprising one of my most popular blog posts -- Steps for a Bridal Show Strategy.
If you decide to attend this weekend's bridalshowcase in Bethesda, Maryland, don't forget to check-in at the Howerton+Wooten Events booth on Foursquare!
Love and Soul Always, Kay
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If you are planning to attend the Washington Bridal Showcase this Sunday, be sure to check-in at the Howerton+Wooten Events booth on Foursquare!
We're thrilled to be utilizing this location-based social network during the Bridal Showcase in Bethesda, Maryland. We cannot wait to connect with you at the show!
Here's what you need to do!
If you unlock the Howerton+Wooten Events' Mayor badge at the conclusion of the Fashion Show, you will win a swag bag filled with Wedding Planning Goodness! We will award one bag to one mayor at the conclusion of each of the fashion shows.
Here are the Bridal Show details --
Washington Bridal Showcase
Sunday, September 19, 2010
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
5701 Marinelli Road, North Bethesda, MD
We look forward to "checking in" with you on September 19th!
Love & Soul Always, Kay
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I am such a fan of spiritual wedding readings. I found this lovely reading one evening while reading through Yoga blogs.
It is written by Krishan Singh.
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There comes a point in one's life, where we are drawn inward.
A unique experience to each of us.
A quest to understand who we truly are.
Along this journey inward, we discover new light upon ourselves.
Yet this light was always there.
Then we find that in order for this light to shine forth with more brilliance, we must share this light with another.
At just the proper moment the other will appear, but not until a certain amount of work on the self is complete.
And thus a point in one's life becomes two.
Discovery of who we are together becomes the journey.
Marriage is a foundational key.
It unlocks the hearts of two, and unifies.
Love permeates the foundation and builds the journey of togetherness.
By Krishan Singh
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Earlier this summer, I had the pleasure of visiting the Stone Manor Country Club located in Middletown, Maryland (near Frederick, Maryland).
The Stone Manor web site says that this venue is located approximately 50 minutes away from DC. I have driven to this venue twice from Bowie, Maryland and I have found that 50 minutes is pretty accurate.
Here is a side view of the venue. I neglected to take a front view picture of the venue, but you can easily tell from this picture why the venue is call Stone Manor Country Club.
This stone manor estate located on a 114 acres. The owner Brian told me that you can use just about any part of their grounds for your ceremony -- which means you can truly create a ceremony that feels just right for you.
Some of the pictures above show four of the ceremony options that I identified while I was there. Of course, there were a few more ceremony options available.
The venue also comes with a lighted tent outfitted with a dance floor, 60" round tables and gold chiavari chairs.
Here are some inside views of the tent. (sorry for the dark pictures!)
This patio could work very well for cocktails.
The patio wraps around the side of the manor. Here is a view of the patio on the side of the building.
This venue is surrounded by trees. I am a fan of this picture simply because I love the romance of Weeping Willow trees.
If you decide to stay at the Stone Manor Country Club on the night prior to your wedding, you can stay in a room like this.
And, when you check in to one of their rooms -- You get cookies! Yum.
My thoughts -- The temperature is probably 5-10 degrees cooler than DC. Every time I drive there, I comment how good it feels. Also, the pricing is really good! You really do get a good value for your wedding dollars.
If you are interested in checking out the Stone Manor Country Club, give Brian a call at (301) 371-0099. And, let him know that Howerton+Wooten Events sent you!
Love and Soul Always, Kay
(Photos: My pitiful attempt at taking pictures!)
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We are shutting down our computers, firing up the grill and breaking out the music player for some nice relaxing tunes.
It's the last "un-official" weekend of Summer, and all of us at Howerton+Wooten Events are going to enjoy a team celebration of burgers, barbecue and sangria before we kick-off our fall weddings next weekend!
Enjoy a fabulous weekend! Travel safely.
Love and Soul Always, Kay
(Photo: FoodBuzz.com)
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When it comes to packing for your honeymoon, Murphy’s Law tends to step in. You know how it goes –“If you find that you need it, you didn’t pack it.”
Here is a list of items that you’ll want to remember packing for your honeymoon. Just in case.
· Band-Aids, Antacid and Pain Medication. All of these items are obvious, but I am amazed at the number of times I have forgotten to pack them for a vacation.
· Insect Repellent. It wouldn’t hurt to have a little travel size for the mosquitoes. Nothing is “less sexy” than your legs covered in mosquito bites.
· Allergy Medication. Okay, I was wrong. A swollen eye or a swollen lip because of an allergic reaction is “less sexy” than a leg covered in mosquito bites.
· The Storage Case and Solution for Your Contact Lenses. Those babies have to come out of your eyes sooner or later. You will be happier if you have a good place to store them.
· An Extra Set of Contact Lenses. Sure, you remembered the ones on your eyes. But, what are you going to do if you drop one of them in the hotel room toilet?
· Electrical Converter/Adapter. Check your travel guide to find out if you need an electrical converter/adapter for your hair dryer. Purchasing one in the hotel’s gift shop can be pretty pricey.
· Luggage Tag. Place one tag on the outside and one on the inside of your luggage before you reach the check-in counter.
· Cell Phone Charger. You are not supposed to use your phone while you are on vacation, but it will drive you “nuts,” if you unable to use it.
· Photocopies. Before you leave on your trip, make a photocopy of your airline ticket/e-mail confirmation, your driver’s license, passport, credit cards you intend to bring with you on your trip, traveler’s checks, and the contact information for your physician, house/pet/baby sitter, and credit card companies. Place the photocopies in your hotel room safe upon arrival. Just in case.
Okay, how about you? Do you have any recommendations for the Murphy’s Law packing list?
Love and Soul Always, Kay
(Photo: MagazinesUSA.com)
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