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

Featured in The Knot Magazine, Spring/Summer 2010 Issue

I’m happy to share that we were featured in The Knot’s current issue for Spring/Summer 2010.

When the folks at the Knot contacted me, they asked me for the inside scoop on a ton of wedding details in Washington DC, but they chose my thoughts about the W Hotel in DC and outdoor weddings in National Parks.

This is what the issue looks like in print – If you already have a copy, we are on page 34.  **smile**

 

 

 

Oh, by the way – The magazine says that I have 17 years of experience.  Well, that isn’t exactly right.  I have 17 years of meeting and event planning experience, and four years of wedding planning experience.

Thanks!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

Upcoming January Bridal Events in Maryland

Mark your calendar Maryland brides!  January is packed with events that are sure to help you with your wedding planning.

 

Waterfront Bridal Show

The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club is hosting its annual bridal show in January!  The Howerton+Wooten Events team has planned a wedding at this venue before and loved it.  The team is great to work with, and the setting was just gorgeous! 

Sunday, January 3, 2010

12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
Stevensville, Maryland

$10 in advance, $15 at the door

 

A Bridal Open House Fit for a Queen

The Castle at Maryvale is hosting its annual open house.  If you are interested in a venue that offers a romantic, renaissance feel, check out the Castle.  This is another venue where the Howerton+Wooten Events team took good care of a bride.  Along with tours of the castle, you will be able to sample foods, meet vendors and have a chance to win prizes.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Castle at Maryvale

Brooklandville, MD
Complimentary

 

 

Washington Bridal Showcase

Come meet with the Howerton+Wooten Events team at Montgomery County's largest bridal show.  This bridal show has it all, so it is a virtual one-stop shop for Maryland brides.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bethesda Marriott North Hotel and Conference Center
North Bethesda, MD
$8 online, $10 at the door

 

 

Great Room at Historical Savage Mill Bridal Open House

With its juxtaposition of exposed pipes and elegant chandeliers, I have found the Great Room to be a lovely reception venue.  The Howerton+Wooten Events team really enjoyed taking great care of a bride and groom at this venue in 2008.  The grand prize is a 5-night trip to Aruba, Courtesy of Honeymoons by Tradewinds.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Great Room at Historic Savage Mill

Savage, Maryland

$5 in advance, $10 at the door

Venue Love: Henley Park Hotel in Washington DC

Last month, I had the pleasure of visiting the Henley Park Hotel located in Northwest Washington DC(near the convention center).

This boutique hotel has been serving guests since 1918, but it doesn't feel old.  Sure, the rooms on the first floor are quaint and the gargoyles embody the hotel's historic charm, but the amenities are definitely sleek and up-to-date.

 

When you arrive in the hotel, you are greeted by a bright, yellow sitting room filled with warm furniture and a stone a fireplace.

This function room was one of my favorites -- simply because it gave you the courtyard feel with the glass ceilings and the exposed brick.  Your guests could feel as if they are sitting outside without having to brave the elements.

 

This room is perfect for a rehearsal dinner or for a bridesmaids luncheon.  Order plenty of food -- I've been told that red walls make your dinner guests hungry!

 

If you are interested in the Henley Park Hotel for your intimate wedding reception of approximately 45 guests or lower, check out their web site.  I found their catering sales manager, Megan Showers to be full of energy and as sweet as can be.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photos: Henley Park Hotel)

Venue Love: LaFerme Restaurant

 

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of coordinating a commitment ceremony at the LaFerme Restaurant located in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The restaurant can seat up to 150 people, but it will be incredibly cozy.  The main dining room is lovely, and it needs very little decor. The wrought iron lanterns, the wood detailing, and the large stone fireplace make you feel as if you are in a warm French Country home.

 

If you wanted to hold a wedding ceremony in LaFerme, I recommend placing the bride, groom and the officiant in front of the fireplace.  It provides for a very warm and intimate setting.

The main dining room has a semi-private alcove that would be great for a small bridal shower or rehearsal dinner.  This little area has one long table that seats up to 16 people.

The restaurant has two completely private rooms.  This first one is located on the second floor, and it is called the Attic Room.  The Attic Room seats from 30 to 65 people and overlooks the main dining room.  One important thing to note:  The only way to access this room is by stairs, so it is not ADA accessible. 

The other completely private room is called le Bar.  le Bar seats up to 26 guests in one long table or a combination of small round table.  It can also be used for a small cocktail reception of 30 people. 

Since our event took place in January, we didn't take advantage of their terrace.  But I wanted you to get a sense of the space, so I took a picture anyhow.

 

Here is another picture of the terrace taken by the restaurant's photographer.

 

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that the food is fabulous! Oh, my, my, my!

I have been back to the restaurant for two very good reasons: 1.) Their staff understands the meaning of good customer service; and 2.) The food is consistently good.

So, if you are on the hunt for a venue that provides you with great food and a warm environment, then strongly consider La Ferme Restaurant.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photos: LaFerme Restaurant and Leo Hein Photography.  The dark and blurry photos are my pitiful attempts at photography)

Venue Love: The Great Room at the Historic Savage Mill

Last November, we had the privilege of being the DOC for a lovely wedding that took place at the Great Room at the Historic Savage Mill (built in 1820) in Savage, Maryland.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic Savage Mill is a 19th century textile mill that has been restored and adapted to become the region’s most unique home design and arts/craft retail center.

The Great Room comes with vaulted ceilings, 14-foot windows, sky lights and a large dance floor.

 

 

Here is the front entrance of the Great Room.

The large windows allow plenty of sunlight and the green trees seen through the windows complement the vast white walls.

     

My favorite aspect of the room is the juxtaposition of the chandeliers and the large exposed vents.

If you decide to hold your ceremony at the Great Room, you could hold it on their deck that overlooks the little Patuxent River.

 

The red wood, bricks and lamp post give a different feel AND similar feel from the great room -- sort of a rustic elegance.  (Please excuse my photos.  It took the pics on a rainy Saturday morning.)

 

One of my favorite aspects of the Historic Savage Mill is its surroundings.  They would make a cool backdrop for engagement and wedding pictures.

I found this old bridge to be quite charming.  Can’t you imagine an engagement photo or a wedding photo taken on the tracks?

Before we took care of the bride and groom that got married at the Great Room, we had no idea where Savage, Maryland was located.  Savage is a historic town located in Howard County, Maryland, about 12 miles south of Baltimore and 20 miles north of Washington, D.C. It is situated close to Laurel and Columbia.

 

The Great Room can accommodate up to 300 wedding guests, and it is reasonably priced.  The rental fee for the Great Room on a Saturday evening is less than $3,000.  To book the room, you should call their caterer, Putting on the Ritz, at (301) 490-1668.

 

One little drawback -- I am not a fan of the fact that it is connected to a home design and arts/craft retail center (it does have the most adorable stores though).  If you can get past that, it's worth checking out.

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Venue Love: Art & Soul Restaurant

On my way to meet with a client last week, I decided to stop by the newly redesigned Liaison Capitol HIll.  The work they have done to the hotel is sweet, and I love the two large pictures in the lobby of Martin Luther King and Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Very modern and so "DC."

 

While I was in the hotel, I decided to check out their restaurant, Art & Soul, which is located on the hotel's lobby level.

I must admit that I have always been intrigued by this restaurant because the cuisine is a blend of my two favorites -- southern cooking and Chesapeake Bay fare (not to mention that the owner is a former chef of Oprah's).  I didn't get a chance to check out the food, but I did get a chance to check out the space.  It's so cool!

I love the booth chandeliers!

The restaurants's contemporary and airy decor infuses a lot of wood tones, with modern lighting and great colors -- red, browns, greens, and blues.   

If you are hosting a large rehearsal dinner or a small reception, this would fit perfectly at a capacity of approximately 75 people.

(Allergy Alert: All of the tables have a bowl of nuts on them.  Great way to start off a meal, but something to be mindful of you or any of your guests suffer from peanut or tree nut allergies). 

If you have already dined there, let me know what you think.  I am planning an event at the hotel across the street in February, and I want some ideas about the best things to order when I stop by for dinner!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Venue Love: Lake Presidential Golf Club

Earlier this month, I got an invitation to an inaugural party at the Lake Presidential Golf Club.  I never heard of this Upper Marlboro, Maryland venue, so I decided to check it out.

 

 

 

First things first, the venue is barely a couple of years old, and it is located in a 1,200 acre planned community called BeechTree.  I mention that because it gives you the heads up that everything is in pretty good shape.

 

There is ample parking, plenty of windows, and bathrooms that are set up to provide a bridal dressing room when needed.

 

 

 

Okay, my "picture-taking" skills are not the best, so don't judge this venue by my photographs.  If you were interested in having your wedding ceremony here, this lawn is the venue's recommended area for wedding ceremonies.

 

 

 

The reception room can seat approximately 85 people at banquet tables.

 

 

 

This brick patio is perfect for a cocktail reception.  While I was there, the venue was setting up a tent for the inaugural party that I mentioned earlier -- And given the DC weather at the time, I am sure that there was going to be plenty of heaters.  Brrr!

 

 

The golf club's award-winning golf course is the backdrop, so the views are going to be pretty good!  I checked out the venue in January, so I didn’t have the opportunity to see it with the trees in full bloom. 

 

This golf club has only been open for one wedding season, so they are still building their clientele. -- So what does that mean?  Right now, they aren't charging any facility fees.  I am not sure how long this is going to last, but that's a pretty good deal -- especially if you are looking to place more wedding dollars on another wedding item!

 

It's definitely worth checking out.

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

Wedding Venue Love!

On Monday morning, we are giving a little love to some of the wedding venues in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

This is a picture from one of our favorite 2008 venues, Chesapeake Bay Beach Club.  It's a beautiful venue and it is located just on the other side of the Bay Bridge.

Check back next week for more venue options. If you are anxious to see venue options today, check out the revisited venue lists at Wish Special Events or Event Accomplished.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

  

(Photo Chesapeake Bay Beach Club: James Roy Fine Art Photography)

Venue Love: The Treaty of Paris is a Nice Restaurant for Popping the Question

Not too long ago, my guy took me out for a nice evening (without the little guy of course) at a lovely restaurant in Annapolis, Maryland called the Treaty of Paris.

The restaurant's fireplace, toile drapes and subtle lighting provided the ambiance and the attentive service of the restaurant's staff helped my guy pour on the romance.

While dining there, I could easily envision a guy getting on his knee in front of one of their large fireplaces and popping that little box open.

History buffs will be pleased to know that this charming restaurant once hosted Founding Fathers, such as Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams,

The Treaty of Paris is located in the Maryland Inn (16 Church Circle), and its hours of operation and menu are located on the inn's web site.

Oh!  If you are a bread lover, you are going to love the basket of popovers.  Yum!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Venue Love: Curry Club fits Perfectly for a Large Rehearsal Dinner

 

If you love the smell and taste of really, good Indian food, then the Curry Club is a great option for your rehearsal dinner.

If you are hosting a large rehearsal dinner, then the restaurant is an even better fit because the entire restaurant seats 40 people for a sit down dinner.  As a result, the entire restaurant is available for a private party -- How fun!

If your rehearsal dinner is a little bit larger than 40 people, consider a rehearsal reception.  The Curry Club can accommodate approximately 75 people for cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres.

One more thing!  They sell their spices.  What a great favor idea.

The Curry Club is located at 1734 Wisconsin Avenue, NW in Washington, D.C.  Give them a buzz -- Their telephone number is (202) 625-9090.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: The Curry Club)