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

What "the Maids" could teach you about Wedding Planning

 
I have this "perfect" neighbor.

She looks fantastic every time I see her.

Not just the "I'm so pretty" fantastic.

Well, she looks "pretty" fantastic too, but she also looks "happy" fantastic.

You know what I am talking about?  She looks like everything is just great, and she got her full 8 hours of sleep on a comfy bed.

On top of that, she has a very nice lawn, and her house (even though she has a dog, cat and numerous children) is always clean.

I am ashamed to admit this, but I used to question my abilities when I compared myself to her.

Then, I started working from home, and I found out one of her secrets.

She had help. I took the "covert picture" above of the Maids car in her driveway.  Why?  Because I needed to remind myself to chill out.

So, what does this have to do with wedding planning?

The next time you find yourself comparing your wedding planning to another bride, think of this.

You have no idea what is going on behind closed doors.

She may have a very active fiance or an excellent (ahem) wedding planner or a very helpful mom.  Heck, she may have started planning that wedding WAY BEFORE her fiance gave her an engagement ring.

Whatever it is, stop comparing yourself, and stop worrying about what everyone has finished.  Focus on (and be grateful for) your own blessings.  (That's what I did.)

And, happily plan your wedding at your own pace.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: Yes, I took this shameful picture of my neighbor's driveway)

An Easy Hors d' Oeuvres Recipe - Perfect for a Bridal Shower

Check out Epicurious.com for this easy hors d' oeuvres recipe -- Cherry Tomatoes stuffed with Marinated Feta.

They are fairly easy to make and even easier to eat!

Enjoy!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

Planning Your Year While Planning Your Wedding

It's the new year and you just got engaged.

I bet you are eager to get started with your wedding planning, right?

Not so fast.

Before you get too deep in your wedding planning, consider taking care of some of your "real life" tasks first.

* Medical: Schedule your annual appointments with your primary care physician, your eye doctor, dentist and dermatologist.  Your appointments don't have to take place in January, but you should make sure that they are in your calendar.

* Money: Plan your monthly spending budget now.  I do this myself because it allows me to be financially prepared for each upcoming month.  This will not only give you a sense of your upcoming expenses, it will help you figure out what money you have available for your wedding.

* Work: Let your boss and your HR department know about your wedding date, and your planned honeymoon.  Use this time to make sure that your projects are completed and/or covered.  Your proactive actions will make you look like a super star

* Birthdays:  Purchase birthday, anniversary, and "thinking of you" cards now.  Some web sites allow you to order gifts ahead with a scheduled delivery.  Your loved ones will  be amazed that you had time to think of them in the midst of your wedding planning.l

* Beauty: Stress has been known to take its toll on our skin and hair.  Take some time now to book your weekly, monthly and quarterly salon and spa appointments.

* Home and Auto:  Schedule your home and auto repair and maintenance appointments now.  Many vendors get busy in the spring -- So, you will have a better chance of getting the appointment you want if you book it now.

* Pets:  I have seen more than my share of brides struggle with the care management plan for their pet(s) during the days prior to their wedding day.  Use this month to schedule grooming appointments, appointments with the vet, and your wedding day and honeymoon pet care.

* Your Fiance, Friends and Family:  Schedule some nights out with your friends, dinner with family, and dates with your fiance.  When all of your wedding planning is said and done, you will be a much happier person if you schedule some breaks every now and then.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

When It Comes to Weddings -- Time Really is Money

 
 
Oh believe me.  I get it.  The bride wants to make an entrance.

But understand that your "entrance" can cost you.

When it comes to a wedding, time truly is money.

Here are some scenarios --

Kathleen is 30 minutes late to her floral appointment.  Unfortunately, the florist could no longer meet with Kathleen because she had another appointment scheduled in 30 minutes.  As a result Kathleen will have to take another afternoon off from work to attend her make-up florist appointment -- not to mention the fact that she wasted gas money. As a result, Kathleen lost almost $300 because she was only 30 minutes late.

The Miller/Cox wedding is running 90 minutes late.  As a result, four couples must leave the reception before the wedding cake is served to avoid paying extra fees to their baby sitter.  The wedding cake costs the bride and groom approximately $9 a slice.  Therefore, the couple lost $72 plus tax and delivery fees because they were only 90 minutes late.

Sandy and Bill only had four hours for their afternoon wedding reception.  Unfortunately, Sandy was more than 60 minutes late because she lost track of time.  Sandy and Bill felt as if they barely had a reception, so they decided to extend their reception by one hour.  This required them to pay for that additional hour to the catering staff, the DJ, the photographer, the wedding planner and the venue.  Sandy and Bill paid an additional $2,500 in overtime fees because they were only 60 minutes late.

The bridal party for the Bradley/Smith wedding were already running 30 minutes late, when they realized they left the marriage license at the hotel.  The priest refused to start the ceremony until someone returned with this important document.  As a result the wedding ceremony was delayed almost two hours.  The church had another wedding taking place that day, so the priest had to condense the full mass ceremony into a simple wedding ceremony.  This change in plans cut out the hired soloist's performances. Therefore, the couple lost $250 in fees (plus parking) because they were less than 2 hours late.

The Williams/Good wedding started almost 45 minutes late.  As a result, the bride and groom couldn't take their post-ceremony pictures at the lake located across town.  Why?  The limousine company had another job to attend to, and they wouldn't get there in time if they remained with the couple for another 45 minutes.  This would not have been an issue if the couple was on time.  The couple made up for their lakeside pictures by booking a "rock the dress" session with their photographer the following week.  This new photo session wasn't included in their photography package so they had to pay for the photographer's new time and services.  They also needed to pay for the services of a new make-up artist and the fees for a hair stylist.  As a result, the couple paid almost $1,500 in new fees because they were 45 minutes late on their wedding day.

So, do you get the picture?  When it comes to a wedding day, time truly is money. 

Pad your timeline.  Be punctual.  And, enjoy every moment of your wedding day.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: Start Up Breaks)

Wedding Day Love for Carolyn and John

Today, I am showing some Wedding Day love to one of the loveliest couples I have every met! -- Carolyn and John.

 
Carolyn and John were married at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Washington, DC.  St. Augustine happens to be the first church I attended when I moved to the DC are.  It is definitely one of my favorites.  (I just wish they had better parking!)

  

 

This is probably my favorite ceremony picture.  Can't you just imagine what she was thinking at that moment?

 

Their wedding reception took place at National Geographic Society Museum.  If you know Carolyn and John, then you know that this is the perfect venue for them.

 
 

 

The DJ rocked the wedding reception.  And, you can definitely tell that they had a great time!

 

Stephen Bobb of Love Life Images took some excellent pictures of the wedding party throughout Washington, DC.

I must tell you that I have never noticed these bikes before.  Of course, I see them all of the time now! 

 

 

Some of my favorite wedding pictures were taken in the Dupont Street Metro Station.

 
 

This is such an awesome shot in the metro station.  Don't you just love how the escalator light illuminates the bottom of Carolyn's gown?
 

Thank you so much for allowing us to take care of your wedding day, Carolyn and John.  Your wedding day was awesome -- just like the two of you!  Like I said, Stephen Bobb at Love Life Images is awesome!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photos: Love Life Images)

Featured on Sage Wedding Pros!

If you are a business owner in the wedding planning industry, you already know about Sage Wedding Pros.

If not, you definitely need to check them out!  This site, created by Michelle Loretta and Kelly Simantis, is chock full of great information for business owners.

I love processes, so I definitely enjoy the site's numerous tools and downloads.

Last Friday, I was featured on Sage Wedding Pros.  Yay!  It is definitely an honor to be a part of this site's series, "Insider to Insider," and I must tell you that I am quite touched by Michelle Loretta's kind words.

 Thanks so much!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: Sage Wedding Pros)

We are in the Same Boat . . .

We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.

-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

 
Let us celebrate his legacy!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: Soul Brother)

2011 Elie Saab Ready to Wear Bridal Fashion

 

 

 

 
 

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photos: Elie Saab)

Customized Wedding Tree Guest Book Print

 
I came across this guest book print on Etsy, and I think it is so sweet.

This tree poster, made by VO Handmade, allows your wedding guests to stamp their thumb print and sign their name.  How unique!

 
Quite frankly, I find the color green to be just right for this print.  Don't worry if green is not your color.  A large selection of color options are available for your big day!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: VO HANDMADE, Etsy)

Happy Wedding Year

 

Oh Happy Day!  Your Wedding Year Has Arrived!  May Your Wedding Be Filled With Joyous Tears, Sunny Days and Unconditional Love.

Enjoy every minute!

Love and Soul Always, Kay