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

My Last "Girls Only" Dessert Party

Last month, I hosted my last "Girls Only" Dessert Party.

I have been hosting this annual party with my girlfriends for the last ten years -- I thought it was time retire it.

The talented Le'Trice Penn of LEPENN Designs created all of the party paper for us.  Everyone received an invitation with a fresh baked cookie inside.  (And, don't you love the ombre tissue in the invitation box?!?)

Here are some more pictures from the party.

The Menu Cards.  My little guy gave one to each guest as she arrived at the party.

Praline Crusted Cheesecake

 

Grown-Up Milk Shake Shooters (My words of advice for the evening -- "Sip slowly or I call you a cab.")

 

The BEST Chocolate Cake!

 

Cheese and Crackers

 

 

And, everyone went home with my famous homemade pound cake!  The pound cake had a warning -- "I use four sticks of butter in this cake recipe!"

 

 

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photos: MAD Works Photography)

What You May Get with the Cheapest Wedding Vendor

When you hire a wedding vendor because that company's services cost the least, here are some things you might get --

1. Slow Service.  To keep their expenses low, some wedding vendors trim the number of on-site staff.  How does this affect you?  Have you ever been to a wedding reception where the dinner service took forever?  More than likely, that painfully slow service was the result of too few staff members.

2. Liability.  Picture this -- "Your deejay's equipment causes an electrical fire at your wedding venue.  The wedding venue sues the deejay for damages, but he doesn't have the money and eventually goes out of business.  To keep his overhead low, the deejay got rid of his business insurance six months prior to your wedding.  With your deejay out of the picture, who do you think might be liable for the damages?  You.

3. A Lot of Fluff.  Read the packages thoroughly.  You want to ensure that the services you truly need for your wedding are included.

4. Hidden Fees.  To keep prices low, a vendor may break up the offered services and sell them a la carte.  Once again, the vendor's fees will seem low initially.  But, you will quickly find out that you are paying more in the long run.  Discuss the services (and the pricing) with the vendor before you sign an agreement.  It's a very different conversation if you discover the "hidden fees" after you signed the agreement.

5. "Guinea Pig" Service.  Typically, the vendors that cost the least have the least amount of experience.  Be sure to ask about the vendor's years of experience.  And, definitely ask about the number of weddings the vendor has managed in the past.

6. Paying for a Vendor Twice.  When you book a vendor based on their fee only, there is a strong chance you didn't pay attention to the cues that were sending you red flags.  After suffering through it for a while, you and the vendor may decide to part ways.  Then, you hire the vendor you should have hired in the first place. Thus, paying for two vendors to do one job.

 

When hiring your wedding vendors, you should consider many factors -- the vendor's price, service offerings, references from other wedding vendors, past client reviews and the chemistry you feel when you meet with them.  Paying attention to all of these aspects minimizes your time, your heartbreak and your money.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

A Mini Emergency Kit for a Stylish Bride

This mini-emergency kit is perfect for the bride who wants to showcase her style -- Even when there is a wedding day mishap!

This kit comes in seven metallic colors, so there is a chance it will fit your wedding colors.  It's contents include 20 wedding day must-haves --

1.) Hairspray

2.) Clear Nail Polish

3.) Nail Polish Remover

4.) Emery Board

5.) Lip Balm

6.) Earring Backs

7.) Clear Rubber Rands

8.) A Sewing Kit

9.) Double-Sided Tape

10.) Stain Remover

11.) Deodorant Towelette

12.) Pain Reliever

13.) Feminine Hygeine Products

14.) Breath Freshener

15.) Dental Floss

16.) Band-Aids

17.) Kleenex

18.) Blotting Paper/Tissue

19.) Bobby Pins

20.) Antacids

And, an extra pair of wedding bands!

Now, if only we can find an emergency kit for those pesky wedding crashers!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

(Photo Credit: Ms & Mrs.com)

Happy Spring!

It's a new season!

The sun is shining, the eggs are hatching and the flowers are blooming!

Happy First day of Spring!

 

(Photo Credit: Beauty Spot Handmade)

 

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

Mini Corned Beef and Cabbage

Since Corned Beef and Cabbage is a St. Patrick's Day tradition*, I thought this would be a fun appetizer option for a wedding held on St. Patrick's Day.

 

 

Ingredients --

** One (1) Box Athens Mini Fillo Shells

** One (1) 14.5 Ounce Can of Stewed Tomatoes

** Eight (8) Ounces of Chopped Cabbage

** 1/3 Cup of Corned Beef (cut into small pieces)

** 1/3 Cup of Cooked and Seasoned Rice

Recipe --

1. Drain the canned stewed tomatoes (Reserve about 3/4 cup of the liquid and some of the green pieces for the garnish).

2. In a saucepan, cook the cabbage in the reserved liquid until tender.

3. Drain and add the corned beef, rice and 1/2 cup of the chopped stewed tomatoes.  Make about 2 cups total adding more tomatoes if needed.

4. When ready to serve, fill the mini fillo shells and heat them in a 350 degree oven until heated through.

5. Garnish on top with the reserved celery and the green pepper pieces.

 

* Corned beef and cabbage has played a major part of the Irish-American culture since the 1800's.  In the US, many Irish Americans typically enjoy this dish on Saint Patrick's Day.  But, you will be interested to know that Corned Beef and Cabbage is NOT the dish of choice for a St. Patrick's Day meal in Ireland.

 

Enjoy!

Love and Soul Alway, Kay

(Photo Credit: Phyllo.com)

Absolut Vodka Apple Martini

Enjoy a Green Apple Martini for St. Patrick's Day!

 

We found this recipe on the Absolut Vodka web site, and it sounds quite yummy!

** Three (3) Parts of ABSOLUT VODKA

** Two (2) Parts of Apple Juice, Fresh Pressed

** Two (2) Parts of Apple Liqueur

** One (1) Part of Lemon Juice

** One (1) Splash of Simple Syrup

** One (1) Slice of a Granny Smith Apple

Once you get all of the ingredients together, fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all of the ingredients noted above. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with apple.

Enjoy!

Love and Soul Always,  Kay

 

 

How to Apply for a Washington DC Marriage License

 

As in any city/county, you have to have a valid marriage license before you can officially tie the knot.  Here are some step-by-step instructions for applying for a marriage license in Washington, DC.

 

Step #1 – Print a copy of the Marriage License Application and review it thoroughly.  You can find the Marriage License Application at www.dccourts.gov/dccourts/docs/family/marriage_license.pdf

 

Step #2 – Collect the necessary legal information for your Marriage License Application.  As you can see from the application, you will need to include your legal name, social security number, address, home telephone number, work telephone number, and your date of birth.  If you have been married before, you will need to include your previous marriage information – this includes the city, state, country of your previous marriage, along with the city and staff of your end-of-marriage (death or divorce).  You may have heard that the Superior Court of Washington DC requires applicants to provide blood tests to ensure that they don't have syphilis.  Yes, syphilis.  That requirement ended in 2008.*

 

Step #3 – Collect the proper name of your wedding ceremony officiant, and make sure that s/he is authorized, and registered by the Marriage Bureau to legally perform wedding ceremonies in Washington, DC.

 

Step #4 – Complete the Marriage License Application.  To ensure that you have everything you need before you depart for Moultrie Courthouse, I recommend you place the following in a large envelope –

    ** The Completed Marriage License Application

    ** Your Proof of Age.  You need to show proof of your age with a government-issued document, such as your driver’s license, a government-issued non-driver's license, a birth certificate or passport.  The minimum age for marriage in the District of Columbia is 18 years.  If you are between the ages of 16 and 18 years old, you will need the consent of a parent or guardian.

    ** $45 Payment (In cash or a money order made payable to the DC Superior Court).  If you are already registered in Washington DC as domestic partners, you should bring proof of this registration – It will save you the $35 application fee.  You will only be required to pay $10 for the actual license.

 

Step #5 – Take your completed marriage application, proof of your age, your payment, and if necessary, your domestic partner registration to the Moultrie Courthouse.  The Moultrie Courthouse is located at 500 Indiana Avenue, NW (Room 4485), Washington, DC.  If you need an accessible entrance, you may enter the Moultrie Courthouse in the center doors of 500 Indiana Avenue.  Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but I don’t recommend submitting your marriage license in the afternoon.  And, I don’t recommend submitting your marriage license application, or picking it up, on a Thursday and Friday.  You will have a lot of company, so your wait will be longer than their usual wait time. 

When you enter the courthouse, you have to clear security screening first, so give yourself plenty of time, and don’t arrive right before closing time.  

Note: The Moultrie Courthouse is located in a pretty busy area; so parking can be a challenge.  Consider taking the Metro to the courthouse.  The closest Metro Stop is Judiciary Square (located on the Red Line).  When you come out of the metro, walk

 

Step #6 – Place the Marriage Application payment receipt in a safe location.  When you submit your application and payment, you will be given a receipt.  Hold onto this receipt because you will need it to pick up your Marriage License.

 

Step #7 – Wait three business days to pick up your Marriage License.  You will not be given your marriage license on the day that you apply.  You will have to wait three full business days after your application date to pick it up at the Moultrie Courthouse.  Both of you will not need to be present to pick up the license, but you will definitely need your receipt – So, don’t forget it!  If you can, pick up your marriage license at least five business days prior to your wedding.  This allows time for them to correct ay errors.

 

* Pursuant to the Marriage Amendment Act of 2008, DC Law 17-222, effective September 11, 2008, a blood test is no longer a requirement to obtain a marriage license in the District of Columbia.

** Pursuant to the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, L18-110, effective March 3, 2010, same sex couples may apply for marriage licenses in the District of Columbia.

 

One more thing.  I am a wedding planner, not an attorney.  If you have any legal questions, I recommend consulting your attorney!

Best wishes on a beautiful wedding day!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Featured in the "Why You NEED a Wedding Planner" blog post

 

Check out the MyDeejay blog post titled, "Why You NEED A Planner."

If you ever had any questions about the value of a wedding planner, check out this post.  It's very informative and yours truly was included! 

Thanks so much to the folks at MyDeejay for a blog that consistently provides good, honest information.

Love & Soul Always, Kay 

 

This is a picture of me with a bride right before she headed down the aisle.

 

Octavia Spencer in Tidashi Shoji

When I saw Octavia Spencer in her Tidashi Shoji gown, I thought, "Octavia looks amazing!"  My second thought -- "Her designer definitely knows how to dress a curvy woman!"

 

Octavia's gown made her look like a movie star!  It flattered her curves, and it had the right amount of bling.

It was perfection!

 

Note to brides:  Because her gown was so heavy with its own bling, Octavia didn't need to wear a lot of accessories.  Her earrings and her gorgeous clutch were plenty. 

Love and Soul Always, Kay

 

(Photo: Getty Images)

Weekly Recap

Here are some helpful posts I came across this week.

** Snippet and Ink showcased some great font options this week.

 

** The Viral Mom blog gives you 7 Ways to Use Pinterest for Wedding Planning Ideas.

 

** If you are trying to figure out flowers that fit your color scheme, you can check out InStyle's Flowers by Color.

 

** The Gratuities Chart below was create for Meeting Planners, but I think it would be helpful if you are planning any type of event.  The full post is located here.

 

 

** Everyone is talking about Angelina's leg.  If you ask me, I think she and Brad were having fun with her black velvet Versace gown.  Ahh!!  A wife having fun with her husband -- That made her one of the prettiest girls in the room.

 

Have a great weekend!  Love and Soul Always, Kay