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

Monday Morning Thoughts: Wedding Perfection is in the Eye of the Beholder

There may be a moment in your wedding planning when you select a flower or an invitation or a dress that is absolutely perfect.

This selection is so perfect to you that you get butterflies in your stomach every time you think about it.

Now imagine that your mom, girlfriend or co-worker is not thrilled with your "perfect selection."

What do you do?

Do you change your mind?  or Cry?  or Fuss at your Planner for letting you think that your perfect decision was . . . well perfect.

 

No.  You don't do any of those things.

 

You keep on loving your perfect flower or your perfect dress or your perfect invitation.  And know that everyone isn't going to like the same things that you like.

And, that's okay.

Because this is your wedding.

 

Love and Soul Always, Kay

The Simplify Journey: Turning Off Technology

Last year, my household experienced a weather-related power outage.

We have a generator, so we were able to keep the necessaties up and running.  But, the fun stuff like TVs, laptops, and (gasp) game consoles had to be put on hold until the power was back on.

Once the initial shock was over, my family members and I realized that the lack of technology allowed us more time to do the things we truly love -- read a good book, go for a walk, and really enjoy each other's company.

The same can go for wedding planning -- consider taking this weekend to turn off all of your technology.  Spend some time with your fiance or your family or your friends.

That's what I am going to do this weekend.  Starting in 5, 4, 3, 2 . . .

 

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

Short Wedding Gowns by Amsale

I am only 5' 2" tall, so I can definitely see the value of wearing a short wedding gown.  The challenge with a short gown is making sure that you don't look like you are headed to a barbecue.

Amsale released some short wedding gowns last fall that are perfect for a wedding day.

 
Mimi

 

 Elsa

Martine

 
Josie

 

Ally

 Madge

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(photo: Amsale)

White House State Dinner Room Decor

 
I have been saving this picture because I love the look of the room decor at the White House State Dinner.

Happy President's Day!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: AP)

2011 Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Award

 
Last month, we found out that Howerton+Wooten Events is a recipient of the 2011 Bride’s Choice Award from WeddingWire, which is a great honor.

It's a great honor because this award is based on the review scores that professional wedding vendors receive from their clients.  And, as we all know, our clients' reviews matter most of all.

We are so grateful to our couples and their parents for their incredible reviews.  Several of their reviews literally brought tears to my eyes.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

The Simplify Journey: Simple Ways to Show Your Love

God painted a rainbow in the sky to assure us he would always love us without reserve. That simple visual aid teaches us about God's faithfulness and invites us to practice fidelity in return.

— from Staying Faithful Today

 

After my guy, Chris Wooten, and I married, I thought we had to show each other grand gestures of love.  Almost 15 years later, I now know that simple gestures go a long way.  Here are some of our favorites --

• Make Breakfast in Bed
• Pack a Surprise Lunch for a Tough Day at Work
• Pack an Impromptu Picnic (for the family room floor)
• Make Dinner (it doesn't have to be romantic)
• Bake a Cake (or Cupcakes or Cookies)
• Call to Say Hi
• Say, "Good Morning"
• Say, "I Love You"
• Say, "Good Night"
• Wash the Dishes
• Wash the Clothes
• Pick up the Dry Cleaning
• Pick up the Kids
• Take out the Trash
• Take your Vitamins
• Take Good Care of Yourself
• Watch an Action Movie
• Watch a Romantic Comedy
• Release the TV Remote
• Release your Anger
• Smile
• Send Flowers
• Send Chocolates
• Send a Card
• Send an E-Mail, a Text, or a Tweet
• Write a Letter
• Write a Poem
• Go to Work
• Go to School
• Go to Church
• Listen
• Laugh Out Loud
• Snicker
• Snuggle
• Provide a Shoulder
• Provide a Hand
• Provide Shelter
• Hold Hands
• Shut Your Mouth
• Shut the Toilet
• Eat crow
• Eat a "really bad" Meal
• Give a Compliment
• Be a Complement
• Give a Good Morning Kiss
• Give an Eskimo Kiss
• Give a Good Night Kiss
• Smile
• Dance
• Hug
• Pray

We all need to be reminded that we are loved.

What simple ways are you showing your love?

Happy Valentines Day

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

Photo via: adwrighty

A Chocolate Covered Cherry Cocktail is Perfect for a Valentine's Day

 
I have a thing for chocolate covered cherries, and nothing is better than chocolate for Valentine's Day.

So, I thought this recipe was perfect for a Valentine's Day Cocktail.

This cocktail was created by the Natalie Bovie-Nelson (The Liquid Muse), but I found it on the Liquor Snob's site last year.

I noted the recipe below, but you can find the original recipe here.

Ingredients -

1 part Pinky Vodka

1/2 part maraschino liqueur

3/4 ounce creme de cacao

1 tablespoon chocolate sauce

1 chocolate covered cherry

 

Directions -

Swirl chocolate sauce around the inside of a martini glass and set aside. Pour Pinky, maraschino liqueur, creme de cacao into a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake well and strain into chocolate swirled glass. Add a chocolate covered cherry, on a cocktail pick, for garnish.

 

Enjoy!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

The Simplify Journey: Removing Clutter

Last last month, my friend and former Chamber colleague, Cheryl Smith, asked me to join her Simplify Blog Journey.

Since 2010 was a great deal more dramatic than I care to admit, I thought this request was a perfect opportunity for me to learn and share tools for simplifying your (and my) life.

One of the steps so many of us need to take to reduce the drama in our daily lives is "removing clutter."  I

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

Well, instead of blowing through your engagement with a binder full of papers, stress and drama, consider following the advice given in some of my previous blog posts.  Hopefully, it will help you remove the mental and physical clutter from your life.

Ask For Help.  Being over-committed can definitely lead to mental clutter.  Embrace the fact that you are human and ask for help.

Blogs.  I love blogs!  But, I recommend taking a little time to select your favorite blogs. Pick the blogs that provide you with the best inspiration and information.  Cause, let's face it -- too much information (and inspiration) can be overwhelming.  And, it can affect your ability to make a decision.

Understand Wedding TV.  I know you have heard this a thousand times, but wedding planning TV can be fun AND misleading.  So, consider limiting what you watch and remove all of the dramatic clutter in your life.

Too Many Wedding Magazines?.  I get it.  I love wedding magazines (we all do)!  But, they can pile up before you know it.  Here is a reprise of a post that will help you dispose of your well-read magazines. 

So, there you have it -- Trim down your mental and physical clutter, and take a positive step toward simplifying your wedding planning life.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

Romance is Near

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I thought I'd share a list I found.  It's a list of the most romantic cities in the U.S.

For those of you in the Washington DC metro area, you will be very happy to see that romance is just a "metro stop" away!

The top 20 most romantic cities in the U.S. are:

1. Alexandria, Virginia
2. Miami, Florida
3. Cambridge, Massachusetts
4. Ann Arbor, Michigan
5. Berkeley, California
6. Gainesville, Florida
7. Arlington, Virginia
8. Salt Lake City, Utah
9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10. Orlando, Florida
11. Washington, D.C.
12. Bellevue, Washington
13. Seattle, Washington
14. Richmond, Virginia
15. Cincinnati, Ohio
16. Knoxville, Tennessee
17. Columbia, Missouri
18. Tallahassee, Florida
19. Columbia, South Carolina
20. Atlanta, Georgia

Enjoy!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

 

(Photo: Getty Images)

Wedding Day Love for Kate and Ben

I am excited to share a little wedding day love for Kate and Ben.  Kate is a fellow meeting planner with a heart of gold.  There were so many times when we chatted on the phone, and I simply thought we were kindred spirits.

 

Kate and Ben married last year on Saturday, September 11th.  It was one of those days where the weather was absolutely perfect.  I woke up that morning thinking, "this is going to be an excellent wedding day!"

It was such a nice day that Kate and her wedding party decided to walk to the church from the Mayflower Hotel. 

Their wedding ceremony took place in the St. Matthews Cathedral located in downtown Washington, DC.   

I must tell you that I attend mass in this church at least once every year, but I never noticed all of its glorious beauty until I saw a wedding take place in it. 

Here is the cathedral's amazing organ.  

Have you ever attended a wedding where everyone was simply gorgeous?!?  That was this wedding.  Here is a picture of Kate, her mom and her grandmom.  The best part -- They were just as pretty on the inside. 

And, aren't they completely precious? 

Their reception took place at the Top of the Town. 

This is a view of DC from Top of the Town.  This view of Washington, DC is my favorite part of this wedding reception venue. 

Their centerpieces, created by Da Vinci's Florist, and the linen truly transformed the look of the Top of the Town's dining room.  All of the wedding day paper was created by the talented Christina Barbour at paperzest. 
 
 

Can't you tell that pink is one of Kate's favorite colors?  And, she likes sweets too . . . 

 
 
The mini wedding cupcakes, created by Georgetown Cupcakes, were on a very large pink cupcake stand.  And, they were sooo good.  Especially those little coconut cupcakes.  Wow! 
Even the escort cards were pink candy bars. 

Kate and Ben's wedding guests had a ton of fun!  They laughed and danced all night!  And, that kind of fun made the wedding reception perfect.

 

At the end of the night, we were blessed with fireworks from the Nationals game nearby.  But, they happened just at the right time -- for a minute, I thought we planned them!  Thank you so much Kate and Ben!  We truly enjoyed taking care of you on your wedding day! 

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: Rodney Bailey Photography)