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

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)

Warning! Wedding Blogs Can Make You Crazy!

 
Wedding blogs are great. (even if I say so myself).

But, wedding blogs can make you crazy if you let them.

Wedding blogs can be a great source of information.  But you should not let them cripple your decisions.  Do your wedding research, then get "out of your head."  Decide what feels right for you, your wedding day, and your wedding day budget.  Then, make your decision.

Wedding blogs showcase the latest trends.  But you should not worry that your ideas are "outdated."  We are wedding vendors.  We see wedding color combos, candy buffets, and first dances a ton of times each year.  So, some of these things are going to feel "dated" to us.  But, that should not stop you from selecting colors or dances that make you happy.  Your wedding should be a reflection of you -- not the latest trends.

Wedding Blogs are a great source of information.  But, you should not let a blog post make you feel like an idiot.  I know how it feels.  I remember reading a post that made me think, "I cannot do ANYTHING right!"  It's okay.  No one is perfect, and no one is expecting a perfect wedding.  More than likely, this is your first wedding -- so, no one is really expecting you to be an expert.

Wedding Blogs feature some of the MOST gorgeous weddings.  But, you should not feel like you need to spend all of your savings on your wedding day.  Blogs are meant to  inspire you.  So, take the beautiful pictures and the fantastic ideas from the blogs, and do your best to figure out a way to carry out the idea without breaking your bank.

Enjoy your wedding planning, check out your favorite blogs, but don't make the blog your wedding day voice.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Giving Others A Meal For Your Rehearsal Dinner

 
When we think of a rehearsal dinner, we typically think of enjoying a great meal, some great wine and great conversation.

Well, how about giving a meal to someone in need instead?

Here are some options for you and your wedding party to participate in after the conclusion of your wedding rehearsal --

1. Serve dinner at a local soup kitchen

2. Help a local food bank collect and organize food donations

3. If your wedding is right before Thanksgiving, you and your wedding party can help a local church deliver Thanksgiving meals to families in need.

4. Help a local charity deliver meals to the sick and shut-in.

5. Hold a bake sale to raise money for young children in need.  This option would take some pre-planning to ensure that you have the location secured and the baked goods ready.

 

If you want to add to the evening, give all of your wedding party members matching t-shirts to wear.  Commemorate the end of the evening with a group picture.  And follow up with a heartfelt thank you to them for their participation.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

 

(Photo: Lancaster United Methodist Church)

Wedding Dates that Numerologists Probably Love!

 
This weekend, my team and I will be taking good care of a wedding scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 10th.

October 10th was a very popular wedding date request for Howerton+Wooten Events.  Why?  Because the numbers that make up October 10, 2010 are 10-10-10.

So, what is up with that?

Numerology is pretty powerful to so many people (especially brides and grooms).

So, if you are interested in selecting a clever wedding date, plan early!

Wedding dates with unique or special numbers typically book early.  So, you might find yourself working harder than usual to book your wedding vendors if you wait too long.  (I still break out in a sweat thinking of all of the work my team and I put into a July 7, 2007 event.)

Here are some more wedding dates that may be of great interest to numerology lovers over the next year --

Saturday, December 11, 2010 is 12-11-10

Saturday, January 1, 2011 is 1-1-11

Saturday, September 10, 2011 is 9-10-11

Friday, November 11, 2011 is 11-11-11

 

So, what do you think?  Are any of these dates special to you?

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Fun Ways to Prop Up Your Escort Cards

Anyone that works with me on a wedding knows that I am a stickler for escort cards being pretty "close to perfect."  I know it is crazy, but it drives me bananas if these cards are not lined up properly.

This typically isn't a challenge if the escort cards are made of cardstock.  But when they are made of paper or another material, we need to come up with fun, creative ways to prop up the escort cards.

Here are some cool ideas I found throughout the internet.  Enjoy!  Love & Soul Always, Kay

Escort Cards in Sea Glass

 

Escort Cards in a Bed of Carnations  (Love and Splendor)

 

Escorts with Clothes Pins (Real Simple)

 

Escort Cards in Sand and Sea Shells (The Knot)   

Finally! A Blog That Caters to the Plus Sized Bride

Khris Cochran (author of the DIY Bride Blog and DIY Bride Books) has launched a fashion and beauty blog that caters to the plus sized bride.

It's called Plumage!

With the average American woman fitting into a size 12 or higher (me!), a wedding blog like this is long overdue.

And, I am so glad that Khris is the author.  I have no doubt that Khris will approach this blog with the classic good taste that a plus size bride deserves.

So, check it out!  A fabulous blog that caters to most of us ladies is finally here.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: Bridesmaid Blog)

A Spiritual Wedding Reading by Kahlil Gibran

As I have said so many times before, I love special poems and readings for wedding ceremonies.  This poem from the book, The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran, is perfect for a wedding ceremony reading.

 

"You Were Born Together"

"You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.  You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.  Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.  But let there be spades in your togetherness.  And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.  Love one another but make not a bond of love.  Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.  Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.  Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.  Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone, even as the strings of the lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.  Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.  For only the land of Life can contain your hearts.  And stand together, yet not too near together, for the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow."

Love & Soul Always, Kay

An Irish Blessing That's A Great Ceremony Reading

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you;

May you see your children's children.

May you be poor in misfortune,

Rich in blessings,

May you know nothing but happiness

From this day forward.

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home

And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,

May blue be the skies above you,

May pure be the joys that surround you,

May true be the hearts that love you.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Sweet Ring Bearer Pillow Options

Here are some ring bearer pillows that you cannot help but love.

This custom bird's nest ring bearer pillow (created by Courtney Allen Design) is so perfect for a spring wedding.

 

These ring bearer pillows (made by Sweet B Papers) have to be the nicest I have ever seen.  I especially like the pink one.  (But I must mention that most of the ring bearers I've had the pleasure of meeting might be a little reluctant to carry a pink pillow -- I don't care how great the bribe is.)

 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Ring Bearer Bowls created by Paloma's Nest.  They are still a favorite option for ring bearer's pillow (hands down.)

 

These felt pillows by Llubav have the cutest embellishments. The beautiful pillow photo was taken by Philip Ficks
  

 
The idea of using love letters (Style Me Pretty) as a ring pillow almost "poetic."  <-- Sorry, I couldn't help myself.  Check out the entire wedding on the photographer's blog.

 

This ring bearer pillow (made by Tux and Tulle) is made of vnitage handkerchiefs.  Wouldn't you love this idea if it could be made with the handkerchiefs owned by your favorite aunt or your grandma?

If Joan Holloway Were a . . .

If Joan Holloway (now Joan Harris) were a "Vixen Bridesmaid," she could wear this ruby-colored dress.  Of course, she would fill it out in all of the "fun" places.

If Betty Draper decided to divorce Don and marry that handsome political staffer, she would wear this vintage-style wedding gown very well.  Granted, Amsale wedding gowns weren't an option then, but she would "rock it" just the same. 

Have a great weekend!

Love and Soul Always, Kay