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

A Moving Wedding Ceremony Reading, "You Have Lit the Fire for Life"

This beautiful Navajo wedding blessing is so special to me.  Even though this blessing is very spiritual, it’s non-denominational.  Therefore, you can read it during any wedding ceremony.

 

 

 

 

"You Have Lit the Fire for Life"

 

"Now you have lit a fire and that fire should not go out.  The two of you now have a fire that represents love, understanding and a philosophy of life.  It will give you heat, food, warmth and happiness.  The new fire represents a new beginning—a new life and a new family.  The fire should keep burning; you should stay together.  You have lit the fire for life, until old age separates you."

Enjoy.  Love & Soul Always, Kay

My Favorite Take-Away from Eventology 2009

(Photo: Jennifer Napier of OneWed, Me, Kasey Conyers of Bliss Weddings and Events, Quenetta Gordon of Something Blue, and Melissa Margarita-DiStefano of MasterPiece Weddings)

 

 

Earlier this year, I had the fortunate opportunity to attend Eventology 2009.  I took a lot away from this conference – networking with planners, thought-provoking presentations and Katasha’s special touches.

But, what I remember the most was the fact that I was among a group of total strangers yet somehow felt like I was in a special community of the most welcoming and most hilarious colleagues I might ever meet.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if your wedding guests felt that way?

Consider creating your own wedding guest community that makes your guests feel special and welcome.  Here are some ideas –

1. Highlight your wedding guests.  Use a section of your wedding web site to highlight a different wedding guest each month.  Provide a very small bio of the highlighted guest or share a fun tale that describes his or her relationship with the bride or groom.  And step outside of the "wedding guest box."  It's easy to highlight a bridesmaid or a family member on your wedding web site -- consider highlighting those family members and friends that might not know very many of your wedding guests.

2. Engage your guests prior to the big day.  If a number of your wedding guests are on Facebook or Twitter, consider engaging them.  A barrage of wedding details will bore them to tears -- instead share funny wedding planning anecdotes.  Use this opportunity to to ask for advice of your guests.  Many will be happy to share their words of wisdom.

3. Connect at the pre-wedding parties.  Take some time at your bridal shower or your engagement party to introduce and thank each guest.  Work with your bridal party and your family to connect shower/party guests who have similar interests and backgrounds.

4. Music matters.  Playing background music will set the tone for your wedding reception.  Nothing too loud -- People need to hear each other to engage.  Upbeat music is great for lively pre-dinner discussions and jazzy instrumental music is great complement to dinner conversation.  Try to include dance music that appeals to most of the wedding guests.

5. Create a small game for guests to play during your cocktail hour.  One option is to create a game that encourages your wedding guests to meet and chat with other wedding guests.  I've seen trivia contests and small scavenger hunts that were pretty fun and successful at receptions.

6. Pay attention to the seating plan.  You don’t have to seat all of the family members together (okay, the spouses should be together).  Consider the following seating options: similar interests, occupations, sororities, and alma maters.  Try to create wedding guest symmetry by placing the social butterflies and the great storytellers at different tables -- you don’t want your guests feeling left out because they aren’t engaged in a fun, lively discussion.

7. Pay attention to the table sizes.  I find that the tables with fewer guests have the best dinner conversations.  Instead of 10 or 11 guests at a larger 72" table, consider placing 8 guests at a 60" round table.

8. Encourage each table to work together.  Ask your guests to work together to write you a group note with their best marriage advice.  Allow your emcee to read all of the notes out loud, and give a fun prize to the guests at the table for best answer.  Everyone at the reception can vote on the best answer by applauding.

Do you have any ideas for creating a wedding guest community?

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

 

(Photo: World’s Largest Self Portrait Taken By Melissa Margarita DiStefano)

 

A Special Wedding Reading from Blue Like Jazz

I love special poems and readings for wedding ceremonies.

I came across this passage a little while ago, and I am in love with it!  It would be such a perfect ceremony reading for a bride and groom in love.

 

From the book, Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller

“I will love you, as sure as He loved me.  I will discover what I can discover and though you remain a mystery, save God's own knowledge, what I disclose of you.

I will keep in the warmest chamber of my heart, the very chamber where God has stowed Himself in me.  And I will do this to my death, and to death it may bring me.

I will love you like God, because of God.  I will stop expecting your love, demanding your love, trading for your love, gaming for your love.  I will simply love.

I am giving myself to you, and tomorrow I will do it again.  I suppose the clock itself will wear thin its time before I am ended at this altar of dying and dying again.

God risked Himself on me.  I will risk myself on you.  And together, we will learn to love, and perhaps then, and only then, understand this gravity that drew Him, unto us."

 

Do you have a special wedding ceremony reading that best describes your relationship?

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: Book Cover Photo taken from Amazon.com)

Very Cute Save The Date Video

While catching up on wedding blogs, I came across the cutest "Save The Date" video I have ever seen.

Let me know what you think! 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Save the Date_9/26/09 from Jason Harmon on Vimeo.

Ideas for Making a Semi-Private Area Your Own

Last month, I had the pleasure of planning a VIP party for a Bride and Groom at the Pose Ultra Nightclub at the Gaylord National.

 

While the party was in a VIP section of the nightclub, it wasn’t in a private room.  So my team and I pulled out a few tricks to make the party special for the guests of honor.

 

If you are hosting an event (such as a rehearsal dinner or a VIP dinner or a birthday party) in a special area that is only semi-private, consider adding one of the special touches below –

1. Bring in your own chairs or cover the existing chairs.  So often we consider this option for receptions or banquets, but some restaurants may allow you to embellish their chairs with chair covers or hanging place cards or leis draped across the back.

 

2. Jazz up the tablescape.  Add colorful votives or centerpieces to the tablescape.  Consider bringing in unique napkins (and napkin rings) that represent your hip style.  A fabric store was going out of business in my neighborhood, so we purchased some gorgeous material and created our own placemats for the tables.  We complemented the color of the placements with colorful votives.

 

3. Add your own décor.  Embellish the lounge seating with some jeweled-tone throw pillows.  If you are really adventurous, consider bringing in your own throw rug.

 

4. Create striking place cards and menu cards that make the table pop.  You don’t always have to use white or ivory paper for your cards.  Consider using a bright color that pops off of the chargers.

5. Bring in your own bling.  Nothing adds class to a table like silver.  If the venue allows it, consider adding silver candelabras, silver bowls with mints or silver chop sticks for a hip sushi dinner.

 

Do you have any ideas for making a semi-private area uniquely yours?  We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

An extremely cool wedding ceremony reading for dog owners/lovers

As beautiful as 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is, you are not required to select this scripture as the reading for your wedding ceremony.

Consider selecting a ceremony reading that is a true reflection of the two of you -- Somethng the guests will say, "that reading had the bride and groom written all over it!"

One of my NYC brides selected the reading below because she and her groom were passionate about their dogs.  I am not a dog owner, but I fell in love with this reading and thought it was worth sharing.

 

Falling in love is like owning a dog
an epithalamion by Taylor Mali
www.taylormali.com

First of all, it’s a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security: 
when you’re walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain’t no one going to mess with you.
Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable.
Who knows what love could do in its own defense?

On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes
and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.
It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn’t like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time?  No!  No!
Love can be bad.  Bad, love, bad!  Very bad love.

Love makes messes.
Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after.
Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper
and swat love on the nose,
not so much to cause pain,
just to let love know Don’t you ever do that again!

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you’re all wound up and can’t move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

Not a dog lover?  Not an issue.  There are numerous places to find unique wedding readings -- a love letter, poetry, literature (Shakespeare offers plenty options), songs, wedding web sites (such as the Knot), and of course the Bible.

Where did you find something unique for your wedding?

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: www.vivapet.com)

Quirky Fun Wedding Details with "You" Written All Over Them

Thinking about something fun and quirky at your wedding?

Below are some of my favorite wedding ideas that are a little unexpected, yet they have "you" written all over them.

 

Mii Cake Toppers: Now I have to admit when I started playing on the Wii, I spent more than an hour trying to create the perfect Mii.  I wanted her to look just like me. **Vain, I know**  So, I thought these wedding cake toppers would be "uber cool" for Wii fanatics.

And admit it, just about everyone reading this blog loves their Wii.

Comic Book Wedding Program Cover: Earlier this year, I took care of a bride that worked for a well-known comic book company.  She wanted her love of her industry to shine through on her special day, so worked with an artist to draw her, her groom and their little dog as Super Heroes.  So cool!  I love details like this.

Illustrated Table Numbers That Feature You: I saw these table numbers on Kelly McWilliams' blog two years ago.  I thought the idea was such a fun idea.  And you have to admit that they are guaranteed to bring a smile to your guests' faces.  They are such a cool touch.  But I am not surprised -- Nobody does details like Kelly!

Simpsons Cartoon Guest Book Photo: Last year, I had the pleasure of taking care of a bride and groom that loves The Simpsons cartoon.  I found a very talented cartoonist, who was able to create a cartoon of the bride and groom as Simpsons characters.  Everyone loved it and it showed in their autographs!

Here's the deal.  You don't have to be quirky to be unique.  Think about what makes the two of you smile, and brainstorm fun ideas that fit your personalities.  I like to brainstorm over a couple of Coronas -- I get my BEST ideas that way.  Just kidding!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: Illustrated Table Numbers:  Weddings By Socialites Blog; Simpsons Cartoon Photo: Erin Marie Photography)

Creative Ceremony Set-Ups

Yesterday, I published a post about my field trip to Room Service Rental.

There are a ton of fun ways to use rental furniture throughout your wedding day, but the picture that Room Service Rental recently sent me is definitely one of my new favorites.

 

Using the ottomans in a format similar to the picture above allows you to create a ceremony setting that is hip, stylish and impactful for each wedding guest.  And, I love, love the petals -- it reminds me of the first "Yellow Brick Road" scene from the Wizard of Oz.  BTW: I would remiss if I didn't mention that this first photo comes from the Karen Tran Florals blog.  Check it out.  There is plenty of floral goodness!

 

 

Another ceremony set-up that I love is the "ceremony in the round."  It's so intimate and everyone is pretty much guaranteed a good seat.  Here is a picture of a "ceremony in the round" that I found on Green Orchid Events blog..

 

 

 

 

This small beach wedding offers guest seating on each side of the bride and groom.

 

 

 

If your wedding ceremony is taking place in an area that doesn't allow enough space for a traditional set-up.  You can break up the seating to create a modified "chevron-style" set-up.

 

 

How do you plan to set-up your wedding ceremony?

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

Farewell BFF Bridal

I must admit that I am a little sad to report that the ladies at BFF Bridal announced yesterday that they are dimming the lights on their web site.

I always found this site to be such a smart and hip resource for brides.

I must admit; however, that a few of their skincare product recommendations are the reasons that I kept checking them out!  I noted two of my favorites below:

1.    1. Fresh Sugar Blossom Hand Treatment.  My hands feel so good after using this stuff!  I swear I want to hold my own hands.

2.    2. Bag Balm.  This balm did wonders for my tootsies last summer, and I am happy to report that my feet are still feeling the love this winter. (I can look the other way when I hear that it was created for cow udders).

     If you were never a subscriber of BFF Bridal, you should catch up on their e-columns.  They are still available -- for a little while anyhow!

     Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Designer's Suit Sketches for Obama are Great for Wedding Day Wear

I love it when a groom wears a great suit on his wedding day. The stylish design, the supple material and the perfect fit can make his afternoon wedding wear complete.

Several designers submitted their proposed sketches to WWD for President-elect Barack Obama's daytime attire.  As much as they will work for our new president, I think they make great options for any groom's wedding day wear too.

I am sure that this Nautica charcoal grey pinstripe suit would be amazing on any groom's frame.

 

You cannot go wrong with a Brooks Brothers suit.

 

Now, I must admit that the black shirt on this Sean John suit is a bit of a stretch for my style.  But for some crazy reason, it speaks to me.

 

This Tommy Hilfiger suit is so preppy and conservative that I almost want to say, "Wrong Administration! But, I love it.

 

 

I must admit that I love all of these designer sketches, but the ever-classic Brooks Brothers suit wins in my book.  Which one is your favorite!

 

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

 

 

 

(Photos: Courtesy Photo)