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

More Links to Love . . .

 

There is just to much blog goodness going on right now.  I simply had to share more!

Social Media guru, Liene Stevens, is hosting a giveaway.  She is giving away a Kindle!  Wowsers!  Let me put it out there -- I hope I win.  To enter, you simply need to leave a comment on the post with the name of the book that has helped you in your business or life, along with a short note as to why the book was useful to you.

Tray 6 is an umbrella design company intent on combining fashion and function to create high-quality, high-design products.  The “Green Grass” umbrella seems to be a press favorite, but I am a fan of the bright yellow one.  Why?  Because we all need to feel a little sunshine when it rains.

Amie Otto Photography is hosting a boudoir marathon fundraiser called, Boudoir for Boobs next weekend! The marathon event will benefit the Step Sisters team who walks in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. So, gather a group of your best girlfriends, sign up for sessions, work it!  This would make an awesome Valentine's Day gift for your special significant other.  So, check it out!

Michelle Loretta (love her) of Sage Wedding Pros has a 3-part post on Goal Setting for 2010.  I found all three posts to be quite beneficial, so I wanted to share them with you.

1. Part One - Goal-setting for 2010, Part 1: Defining Your Goals

2. Part Two - Goal-setting for 2010, Part 2: SMART Strategies

3. Part Three - Goal-setting for 2010, Part 3: 10 Tips for Success

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of attending Eventology in Indianapolis.  This conference created by Katasha of K Sherrie + Company represented some of the best professional development dollars I spent all year.  Registration has opened for Eventology 2010, and I feel comfortable in saying that all event planners should attend.  Let me know if you are going, because I will definitely be there!

How about you?  Do you have any great links to share?

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Links to Love This Week

 

At the end of the year, I tend to be extremely thoughtful about my life and the occurrences of the year.  So, I feel quite comfortable in saying that this blog post (by Lara Casey) is just what the doctor ordered.

One of my most beloved colleagues (from my past life) got married recently.  She was stunning.  Her groom was handsome, and her wedding was just beautiful.  Here is the link to the pictures from her wedding photographer's blog.

Beautiful (inside and out) planner Eliana is hosting a fun giveaway to celebrate the launch of her new company EllyB Events (formerly By Your Side Events).  The giveaway is open to anyone that leaves a comment on her blog.  Click here to read all the giveaway details.  Hurry!  The giveaway ends on Sunday!

My little guy loves origami, so we are trying to make the origami cranes covered in glitter that I found on the Zakka Life blog.  I am sure our kitchen floor will be quite sparkly after this project.

One of my favorite Wedding Planning friends, Laura Auer, has a wedding planning quiz that reminds me of the old Glamour or Cosmo Magazine quizzes.  If you are a bride, check it out.

Do you have any good links to share this week?

Love and Soul Always, Kay

The Gratitude Journal Giveaway Winner is . . .

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments for an opportunity to win a copy of this eco-friendly Gratitude Journal from Etsy.

My congratulations go out to Amanda Freeman and Grace Garnett.  Thank you both for your comments and for sharing in my gratitude on my birthday.

Please e-mail your mailing address to me at howertonwootenevents {at} gmail dot com, and I will get them out to you right away.

Thanks again for your support.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

Brides Against Breast Cancer is coming to Arlington, Virginia

 

 

Brides Against Breast Cancer is holding one of its Gown Sale Events in the Washington, DC area!

The event is taking place at the Westin Arlington Gateway on Saturday, July 18^th and Sunday, July 19^th.

If you are on the hunt for a wedding gown, this is a fantastic opportunity to find a new or gently used designer gown with prices ranging from $99 - $799 in sizes 4-24.  (for up to 75% off!)

And best of all, the proceeds will benefit the Brides Against Breast Cancer and Making Memories organizations to grant wishes for stage four breast cancer patients.

If you are looking for a way to make a contribution to help Grant Wishes and Touch Lives for patients with (the fight against) breast cancer, wedding gown donations are also gladly accepted during sale hours.

Power Hours – If you are interested in getting a head start on the shopping competition, you can purchase tickets to the shopping Power Hours for $20.  Power Hours take place on Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.  Space is Limited. Order Your Tickets Here Today!

Saturday, July 18, 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m. – Free Admission

Sunday, July 19, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Free Admission

 

 

The Westin Arlington Gateway
801 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22203

Friday Happy Hour: Gratitude Give-Away

I typically have a special cocktail (always made with ice cream) to commemorate my special day.

However, I decided to take a different approach to my birthday cocktail this year.

You see, all of us at Howerton+Wooten Events are in the throes of our 4th wedding season.  Wow!

During this time, we have experienced aching backs and feet, a hotel power outage with the bridal party in the penthouse suite, and a cake delivery driver lost and stuck in traffic.  Oy!

But we also had the privilege of meeting some incredibly talented and generous wedding planners.  He have experienced special moments between moms and their daughters, savor the taste of a REALLY GOOD wedding cake, and the enjoy the satisfaction of seeing 12 months of hard work come together in a beautiful milestone event.

We feel so blessed.

We are extremely grateful for all of our experiences.  So, instead of enjoying an ice cream cocktail this weekend, I prefer to give some love back to the wonderful people that support us in so many ways.

We are giving away two eco-friendly Gratitude Journals that we found on Etsy.  Please leave us a comment and let us know why you are grateful.  We will pick a comment at random on Saturday, July 25, 2009.

Thank you so much for hanging out with us on this blog.  We consider it honor to write to you.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: Etsy)

Select Event Rentals Year of Savings

Select Event Rentals is offering a Year of Savings in 2009.

 

For those of you that do not know Select Event Rentals, they are an event rental company with offices serving Baltimore, Washington DC, McLean, Virginia, Philadelphia and South Jersey,  

 

According to Select Event Rentals, if you reserve a rental item during the months noted below, you will have an opportunity to save on your wedding or event all year long.

 

February 2009: Chair Covers include a Sash

 

March 2009: Free Base Linen with the Rental of a Boutique Overlay

 

April 2009: Complimentary Perimeter Lights on Tents

 

May 2009: All Specialty Stemware at $1.00

 

June 2009: 1/2 Price Linens 

 

July 2009: Napkins at No Charge When Rented with Guest Table Linens 

 

August 2009: 2 for 1 Base Plates

 

September 2009:  All China Priced at Classic White --Back to the Basics 

 

October 2009: 40 Years of Industry Service, Select is Rolling Back to 1969 Pricing on Linens.  All Specialty Linens and Sheers are $19.69

 

November 2009: 50% off Table Accessories

 

December 2009: Colored Stemware at AP Pricing

Happy shopping!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Wedding Give-Away Goodness!

 

 

Jaime of It's a Jaime Thing is offering her first ever Give-Away to four of her readers!  Readers and brides will have an opportunity to win a signed copy of the book, "Intimate Weddings" by author Christina Friedrichsen!  Check it out for more information!

 

Shanika Butts of SJB Weddings & Events is also offering a wedding giveaway for the first time!  Carolina Brides can enter to win a Weekend Wedding Coordination Package for a 2009 wedding by sharing their wedding proposal story.  Check out this post for more information.

 

 

 

A Disney Wedding is giving away the Nirvana Organizer compliments of Zen Class Travel.  This carry-on bag is perfect for air travel to that perfect honeymoon spot!  Check it out here!

 

 

 

 

Christy at Junebug Weddings is giving away an iPOD Nano to a randomly-selected reader that shares info about his or her wedding songs.  This give-away ends next Friday.

 

 

 

The ladies at Elizabeth Anne Designs is hosting a 16×20″ Canvas Print Giveaway to 3 lucky wedding parties!  These canvas prints are perfect for printing wedding photos or for displaying an elegant portrait of the bride and groom as part of your Wedding decorations!

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, Mark Ayoub Photography is giving away an entire wedding photography package!  To enter the contest, send them your proposal story or best date story to contest@itakememories.com.  Mark and Rose will read through each story and pick their favorite one!  I don’t recommend sitting on this one too long – The deadline is February 28, 2009 at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

 

Take care and good luck!

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

Rob Holley Photography Giveaway

Laura at Wish Special Events just announced that they are partnering with Rob Holley Photography to offer a free photo shoot to one of their readers!

Rob recently moved to the DC area from Los Angeles, and he brought his gorgeous photography talents with him.  Check out his fab photos.

Side note: I recently met Rob for coffee earlier this month, and I must tell you that he has the most wonderful spirit!  Any bride would be lucky to have him capture the special moments of her wedding day.

Wish Special Events is taking entries on their blog (so don't leave your comments here!) from now until 5pm on Wednesday, January 28th.  They intend to announce the winner on Sunday, February 1st, so check out the Wish Special Events blog for all of the details.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Two Incredible Give-Aways!

Couture Boudoir Contest

Critsey Rowe is having a contest to celebrate her new Couture Boudoir website.  Boudoir is the hottest photography trend for brides AND married ladies (like me!).

 

The winner will receive a luxurious Couture Boudoir session to include a Custom Designed Couture Boudoir Album with the session photos.  The session includes a fabulous Hair and Makeup Stylist to create different looks throughout the shoot and many wardrobe changes.  The winner will also receive a $100 lingerie gift card and a 4-day, 3-night stay for two at one of the Couture Boudoir tour locations: New York; Chicago; San Francisco; Puerto Rico; South Beach; Germany; Italy; London; and Paris.

 

To enter this contest, you must submit a short story about you and your guy, along with two photos of yourself (along with the necessary name, location and phone number) to Critsey Rowe at critsey {at} critseyrowe dot com.  The contest ends on December 15, 2008, and the winner will be announced on the Couture Boudoir website.

 

 

 

The Ultimate Wedding Giveaway

Janie Medley at The Bride's Cafe (and  Janie Medley Flora Design), Maria Cooke with Ritzy Bee Events, William Gaff of humanstory. Kristin Shortt of I Do Originals, Rene Maleski of Magnet Street Weddings and photographer, Elise Theuer, have teamed up to offer one very lucky bride some really amazing services – flowers, photography, documentary, a gorgeous aisle runner, custom invitations,  AND wedding day coordination – Oh my!

A give-away like that has to be called THE ultimate wedding giveaway!

 

Here are the rules.....if you are getting married in the Richmond, VA/Tidewater/DC/MD area between the months of April and December 2009, they would love to hear from you!  Simply e-mail the following information to Janie {at} jmflora dot com by midnight December 31, 2008.

1. Couple's Name.
2. Wedding Date.
3. Venue (are ceremony and reception at the same location).
4. Number of attendees in your bridal party.
5. Number of guests.
6. "Wedding Theme".
7. Tell Janie in 75 words or less why you think you should be chosen and please include a "couple photo" that they can feature when they announce the winner.

The couple will be announced on January 26, 2009 (my sister’s birthday, so it is definitely a great day for good news!)  For more information check out the Bride's Cafe.

 

Good luck and enjoy!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: Couture Boudoir Photography by Critsey Rowe)

Photo Book GiveAway at Sk*rt

In honor of Valentines Day, Sk*rt is partnering with Shutterfly to give away fun photo items.

Be sure to leave a comment on this post before midnight EST on Friday, February 15^th and you will be entered to win one of the items below!

Enjoy and Happy Valentines Day!  Love & Soul Always, Kay

Two 12-inch Valentine Day Photo Books

Two Love Books

One Valentine's Day Sterling Bracelet