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

A Couple of Misspelled and Misused Words in the Wedding World

Here are some of those tricky little words in the wedding industry.  Sometimes, they are not used correctly.  And, sometimes, they are just spelled incorrectly.

 

Fiance vs. Fiancee -- The word, "Fiance" refers to a male, who is engaged to be married, and the word, "Fiancee" refers to a female engaged to be married.  The two words are not interchangeable.

An easy way to remember this -- The lady gets an extra "e" in Fiancee because she gets an engagement ring.

Dessert vs. Desert -- Every now and then, I see this word misspelled on a menu card.  A "desert" describes a hot, sandy place.  It also means "barren and dull."  Desert is also a verb.  It means to abandon someone.  Dessert is the sweet meal that we get after lunch or dinner.

An easy way to remember this -- We use the second "s" to "save our appetite" for cake.

 

Prelude vs. Interlude -- The Prelude Music describes the music played prior to the start of the ceremony.  This music is played while the wedding guests arrive for the ceremony.  The Interlude Music is played during a non-speaking transition within the ceremony.  For example, interlude music is played during the unity candle ceremony.

An easy way to remember this -- Prelude is the "pre" ceremony music.

Stationery vs. Stationary -- The word, "Stationery" refers to paper, envelopes and/or writing materials.  Therefore, the word "stationery" should be used when referring to wedding invitations, thank you notes or menu cards.  The word, "Stationary" means immobile or remaining in one place.

An easy way to remember this -- Stationery has an "e" because it includes envelopes.

 

RSVP -- The acronym RSVP stands for a French phrase, "répondez, s'il vous plaît," which means "please reply."  So, your invitation response card probably shouldn't say, "Please RSVP" because it sounds repetitive (and it sounds like you are begging).

 

Can you think of some of the other tricky words in the wedding industry?

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Howerton Handbook: What is a Banquet Check?

What is a Banquet Check?

A Banquet Check is a standard document provided by the hotel's banquet department or the caterer.

This document breaks down the banquet charges for an event or function.

The charges typically includes --

* Food

* Beverages

* Labor Fees

* Service Charges

* If the banquet check comes from a hotel, it could include rental and audiovisual charges.

* And, of course taxes

 

When you are presented with a banquet check, make sure that you check it thoroughly before you sign it.

This is basically your preliminary invoice for your food and beverage charges.

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

Thanksgiving Tips and Tools

 
Over the last three years, I have had the privilege and pleasure of posting some great tips and tools for hosting a holiday dinner.

Since Thanksgiving is only two days away, I thought this would be the perfect time to recap of some of our reader favorites.

Party Beverage Calculator <-- An all time favorite for readers.

Dinner Table Place Setting Cheat Sheet <-- I just posted this yesterday, but I got a big response on Twitter and Facebook.

Thanksgiving Survival Tips for the First Time Hostess

Four Options for a Thanksgiving Turkey Carvey Greatness

And What To Do With All of Your Thanksgiving Turkey Leftovers

 

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo Credit: DIYLife)

Emergency Contact Sheet for Your Wedding Party

 
There is a scene in the first Sex and the City movie where Anthony (the wedding planner) lets Carrie know that Mr. Big has not shown up.

The wedding was already 25 minutes late, and Anthony is a little freaked out because he hasn't heard anything the groom's (Mr. Big) whereabouts.

Now, this scene always gets me because I wonder EVERY TIME -- "Why didn't Anthony call Mr. Big to find out where he was located?"

Why didn't Anthony (the planner) have an Emergency Contact List?

If you are using a professional planner for your wedding, I am sure that s/he will have an Emergency Contact List for the key members of your wedding day.

If you are not using a planner, consider creating your own.  Once it is complete, give it to a trusted family member of a member of your wedding party.  Tell them to save it in the notes section of their smart phone.

Here is the information that you should have for each person --

Name: _________________________________________________________________________________

Cell Phone: ____________________________________________________________________________

Name and Cell Number of Person Who Will Most Likely be With You Most of the Day: __________

Name and Cell Number of Person We Should Contact in Case of an Emergency: _______________

Where Are You Staying the Night Before the Wedding? _____________________________________

Where Are You Staying the Night of the Wedding? _________________________________________

Note: The "YOU" on the form refers to the person completing the form -- Not "you" the bride.

So, what do you think?  Do you have any questions you should add to the Wedding Party Emergency Contact Sheet?

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

Questions for Your Wedding Vendors Regarding Your Actual Wedding Day

When interviewing your potential wedding vendor(s), it makes sense to ask them questions about the wedding planning process.  However, it is just as important to ask your potential vendor(s) questions about their actions on your actual wedding day. 

1. Will you be the vendor working at my wedding?  If not, who will?

2. How many assistants will you have with you on-site?

3. Who is your back-up if something happens to you? What are his or her qualifications?

4. What time will you arrive?  What time will you depart?

5. How much time do you need for set-up?  How much time do you need for tear down?

6. What will you wear on my wedding day?

7. Do you require a vendor meal?  Does it need to be hot?  Are there any dietary restrictions that we should be aware of?

8. Will you be present at my rehearsal?

9. Do you intend to bring in potential clients to see your work on my wedding day?

10. If we decide to extend our reception an hour or two, will we have to pay you an overtime fee?  If so, what is it?

11. What is your policy when it comes to bad weather or natural disasters?

12. Are there any additional charges not mentioned? (i.e. "day of" parking)

13. Will you be able to provide proof of insurance if required?

14. Are you fluent in another language?  If yes, what language?

15. Will you have staff assigned to monitor the gift table?  Will you have staff assigned to monitor the children's table?

Good luck!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Howerton Handbook: What Is a Banquet Event Order?

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

 

Steps to Maximize Your Time at a Bridal Show! (The Reprise)

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

Howerton Handbook: What is a Banquet Round?

 
A banquet round is bascially a round table that is typically used for your meal service (cocktails and/or the actual reception).

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A 36" banquet round is a good size for your wedding cake or your cocktail reception.  Other names that you might hear for a 36" banquet round is a cafe table or a cocktail round.

A 60" banquet round (aka five-footer) fits eight (8) people comfortably.

A 72" banquet round (aka six-footer) fits ten (10) people.

Side Note: Every now and then, your planner may refer to a six-foot table -- But s/he may not be speaking of a round table.  S/he may be speaking of a six-foot rectangle table (typically used for gifts, guest books, favors and occasionally the escort cards). Ask your planner or event manager to be specific to minimize confusion.

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Most venues have five-foot round tables or six-foot round tables.

Every now and then, you will find a venue that has 66" banquet rounds.  These tables fit 8 to 10 wedding guests.

Before you determine the number of wedding guests at each table, find out the size of the banquet tables first.

Because, there is nothing worse than being squished at a dinner table.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: Precious Moment Photography)

How Many Bartenders Do I Need At My Wedding Reception?

Have you ever been to a wedding reception where the line to the bar was two miles long?  It's disconcerting, isn't it?

Your guests should be mingling and laughing it up.  Instead, they are waiting in a very long line -- thirsty -- annoyed.

I promise you, you don't want this to happen at your wedding.  Wedding guests talk.

So, here is the deal --

1. The industry standard is one bartender for every 75 wedding guests.  To be perfectly honest, I only recommend this number for beer and wine bars.

2. If you are planning to have a full, open bar, consider one bartender for every 50 wedding guests.

3. If you know that your wedding guests are big drinkers (and you will know if you are inviting drinkers to your wedding), definitely go with one bartender for every 50 wedding guests.  Another idea -- have a wait staff butler pass champagne, wine and sparkling water. 

4. If you can only manage one bartender for every 75 wedding guests, consider hiring an assistant (aka Bar Back or Bar Hand) to help the bartender maintain the stemware, bar condiments, and mixes.

Cheers!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: BigStock Photo)