Real Engagement: Nakia & Kenny

Dancing and Music brought them together and music is what continues to keep their bond strong. Nakia and Kenny met by chance at Morgan State University at a Dance Concert. She was there with her students that were performing that evening and he kindly interrupted her conversation with a mutual friend of theirs. Nakia and Kenny have been inseparable ever since.

Kenny proposed to Nakia in 2014 after Thanksgiving dinner. Full of happy tears, Nakia undoubtedly said yes! The couple look forward to celebrating their nuptials in June with an elegant purple and silver themed wedding.

Congrats Nakia and Kenny! We look forward to being apart of the wedding of your dreams!!

Photo Credit: Renee Hollingshead

Real Engagements: Travis + Valisha

Once I saw this beautiful couple's engagement video on Facebook, I knew I HAD to get their love story for all of you to enjoy. I am team #GoBigOrGoHome and Travis did just that to ask the love of his life to marry him. To learn more about this couple and see the SUPER Cute engagement video, check after the break.

How did you meet?

• We met at Word of God Fellowship Church. Valisha saw me coming to church, but never knew my name. She inquired about me through her brother in a picture that she saw and he gave a general background profile and she expressed an interest. I introduced myself the following Sunday. I told her we should meet on a Thursday for coffee, but ended up meeting on that Tuesday and we've been seeing either other ever since.

What do you love about her?

• Everything.  Her spirit, mind,  her support,  her relationship with God, her relationship with her family, her relationship with my family, her love for helping other young woman find their relationship with Christ, her leadership abilities, her non-judgmental attitude, her humbleness, her strength, her ability to forgive, her cooking, her singing. Her!

What do you love about him?

• His relationship with God, his role in the ministry, his love for my family, his ambition, his spontaneous acts, how he balances my life, how he encourages me to want to achieve more, how he opens me up to new ideas, how he always compliments me, how we makes me smile, how he still sends me txt msgs every morning, how he's there for me without even asking. Its almost as if he knows exactly what I need.

Describe the Proposal:

• The proposal took place at an Anthony Hamilton concert Dec 3rd, 2014 on stage. It was arranged through a mutual contact between Anthony Hamilton's management team and myself.  During the concert Anthony Hamilton called my name and requested I came to the stage. He asked  for me to take the microphone and I commenced with my proposal

The Ring!:

• The engagement ring is a 2 CT. Quad Princess-Cut Diamond 14k White Gold from Zales

Photographer/Proposal Planner Credit:

• Im not sure who recorded the video but I [Travis] arranged and planned the proposal

We at Favored by Yodit Events, wish you both a lifetime of happiness and overwhelming blessings! Congratulations!!

#WeddingWednesday: Fall Outdoor Wedding Tips and Ideas!

Fall is just around the corner and that means bonfires, apple cider, pumpkins and yes...pie! Fall colors are gorgeous and make it a great season for an outdoor wedding. Here are some fun creative ways to incorporate some of your favorite fall festivities into your big day! I don't know about you but when I think Fall I think pumpkins and hayrides. Orange might not be your fist choice for decor so consider painting or even decorating pumpkins to add that fall feel to the scene. Switch things up a bit by getting rid of traditional ceremony seating and going instead with hay barrels. As beautiful as an outdoor wedding might be we all get a little chilly after a while. Help guest combat the cold by offering blankets to keep them warm. If you really want to heat things up bonfires are the way to go. They will get your guests warm in no time and can actually be quite romantic. And if you do choose to have a bonfire then its only right that you have s'mores! Pre-made kits make the cutest favors! If your venue doesn't allow open pits of fire or if you just don't have the extra space you can still have a s'mores bar. Just use small burners to roast the marshmallows. Its a great substitute for a sweets bar. Speaking of sweets; instead of going with the usual cake for dessert try offering up some fall flavored pumpkin and apple pie.  

Real Wedding: Helen and Dawit say "I Do!"

Favored Bride Helen and groom Dawit tied the knot last month in true elegance. The couple exchanged vows at the Vincent de Paul Church in Washington DC. The church's gorgeous painted ceilings created a warm and romantic ambiance. The wedding ceremony was followed by a candle lit reception at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria Virginia.The couple had a stunning mint and gold cake was baked by Swiss Bakery. The couple added a personal touch to the decor by having custom cocktail napkins made by Wedding Paper Divas The rest of the night was filled with music, dancing and love. The Favored team would like to once again congratulate the newlyweds on their union!   

HowAboutWe makes online dating fun again!

The online dating world is heating up, but a lot of the big love-finding websites like eHarmony and Match are smelling pretty stale. HowAboutWe has the right attitude and is making online dating fun again.

Located in Brooklyn, New York, HowAboutWe is “all about wonderful people (like you) going on awesome dates. Playful dates. Cultured dates. Magical dates. Surprising dates. You say, “How about we…” and fill in the dots with the dates you want to go on.”

HowAboutWe works like this: Members fill out a profile, upload a photo and propose an intriguing first date idea. Other users browse proposed dates, and if they like what they read, they can message their potential date. “Partakers can design both an elaborate or simple rendezvous, from meeting for coffee or sampling sushi to conducting a couples séance in hopes of connecting with childhood pets.”

The site includes the traditional features of dating websites, such as online chatting, emailing, and profile cruising but HowAboutWe puts the emphasis on stepping offline to encounter real-life camaraderie. One of the service’s best features is the Daily Dates email with date proposals selected to match your profile; it’s a gold mine of interesting things to do in New York City. And the locations are conveniently powered by Foursquare.

The site’s emphasis on friendship is unique; it asks if you’d like to pull in your contacts from Facebook, Gmail and Twitter. You can also answer a list of questions so users can know a bit more about you like “The movie I’ve watched the most times,” and “An awesome place I’ve visited.” It also asks you to pick which dates you like or don’t like to weed out potential football watching afternoons.

HowAboutWe’s co-founders Aaron Schildkrout and Brian Schechter grew up down the street from each other; they even threw a 4th grade dance party at their elementary school together. The two became teachers in their 20s, then turned 30 and decided they wanted to start a big, exciting business, something a bit more challenging. After traveling together, they arrived at the HowAboutWe concept in August 2009. “We were both single at the time. What would would be cool in the States? What if you had a stream of date ideas?” says Brian.

With little background in either tech or business, Aaron and Brian have been learning along the way. They incubated the idea in Boston, from August to December of 2009 and launched the site in February of 2010 in NYC.

“I’ve been thinking constantly about dating and the Internet. What it’s like for people to find love and meaning and having to engage in a digital culture, and how that translates into their real life. People have a hard time presenting who they are in a digital context and how they are in real life. HowAboutWe gets people off their computers and gets them together with likeminded folks who may want to protest at the UN together or explore Red Hook.” – Brian

Source: thenextweb.com

10 Romantic Ways To Propose For Under $100

It has been said, "when you know, you know." And if you're a man and reading this blog then that must mean you're ready to POP the question. However, there's a lot more to it then just dropping a whole lot of dough on a ring. You will need a proposal, and not just any proposal, one that will knock her socks off. One she'll be telling your grandchildren about like it was yesterday.  Have you been tossing and turning while thinking of the perfect way to propose? Don't fret.  There's certainly not a lack of information out there to assist you in planning and executing the task at hand. But if you're looking for a few ideas that won't break the bank here are some way to propose for under $100,

Proposing ideas for $100- $50

• Arrange a surprise proposal with a street caricaturist. Have him sketch a picture of you two with word bubbles. Yours will read, "Will you marry me?" and hers will say, "Yes!" This is a very cute idea and from the research I've done it would be roughly $75-100. And you'll have something to frame to commemorate this exciting event.

• Make the box holding her ring a selection on the dessert tray at your favorite restaurant. Well, I'm going to assume you're not taking her to a hole in the wall down the street but a fancy intimate place. I mean, if they have a dessert tray, you know it's going to be a little pricey, $75-$100 easy. Of course you'll have to order some champagne, which will add a few more dollars to the grand total.

• Gather your families together for a barbecue and make it a family affair. This proposal can range from $50 to $100 easy but it will be an event the whole family will be thinking about for years to come. A way to cut costs- make it a potluck and have family members bring a dish.

Proposing ideas for $50- $15

• Slip the ring on her finger while she's sleeping and wake her with champagne and strawberries. At first, the gesture will simply seem romantic -- the real surprise comes when she notices her new piece of jewelry. A nice bottle of champagne is about $12-23 and you can get chocolate covered strawberries at Publix or your local grocery store for about $2 each. $47ish

• Propose in a flower or botanical garden when everything is in bloom. Depending on where you live, a botanical garden roughly cost $12-20 dollars a ticket. If you take her there while everything is in bloom $40 will seem like a good value- make sure to bring your camera.

• Go out for a night of dancing and ask the DJ or bandleader to pass you the mic so you can dedicate a song and propose on the dance floor. Talk about shock and awe! You can expect to about $10 a person to get into any busy club, so about $20 total, but one unforgettable proposal!

• Spell your proposal out in glow-in-the-dark star stickers on your ceiling. Get into bed, turn the lights off and wait for the inevitable gasp. I took at look at Amazon and found these stars online for about $15 because I had no idea where you'd purchased them otherwise. Quick things to keep in mind however, make sure she's not there when the package is delivered. A girl always has to know what's in the box.

Free ideas for proposing:

• Play hangman and have the phrase be "Marry me." Pencil plus paper equals free.

• Go to the beach and casually build a sand castle  and place the ring on the highest turret. Then invite her to admire your handiwork. It doesn't cost anything to go to the beach, just remember to bring sunscreen. Free

• Scrape your proposal into the frost on her car's windshield (winter)- Free

Then be sure to contact us here at Favored by Yodit Events so we can help you plan the wedding of her dreams!

Source: fdleventconsultingblog.com

Valentine's Day Party Inspiration

Valentine's Day is only two weeks away and its time to start thinking of cute decor ideas and inexpensive gifts to give to lovers, friends, kids and coworkers. If you are stuck and don't want to raid your local store for unoriginal packaged candy, check out some cute ideas from The TomKat Studio.

Fondant Glitter Hearts for Valentine's Day

Tools and Materials:

For this sweet design, you will need cupcakes, tub of red fondant, mini heart cutter, edible glitter, paint brush, rolling pin, printable heart tag template, small tag paper punch, cupcake boxes and ribbon (optional)

Directions:

1. Take a small portion of fondant from the tub and roll into a small ball.

2. Use rolling pin to flatten fondant.

3. Use mini heart cutter to cut shape from rolled fondant.

4. Dip paintbrush in water and paint onto heart.

5. Sprinkle edible glitter onto heart and shake off excess. Repeat if necessary.

6. Place your glittered fondant heart on top of your cupcake, and enjoy!

Heart Balloon With Tissue Fringe Tassels

Tools and Materials:

For this sweet decoration, you will need a 36" heart balloon, tissue paper (or precut tissue tassels), Valentine's Day balloon tags, twine, satin ribbon, hot glue gun and scissors.

Directions:

1. Start by cutting tissue paper to 10" x 28". Fold in half. Cut strips about 1/2" wide on both ends, as shown in photo.

2. Unfold and tightly roll the tissue paper.

3. Take the rolled tissue paper and fold in half.

4. Twist the end of the folded tissue to create the tassel, keeping a small loop at the end for stringing.

5. Continue making tassels until desired number is achieved. String and secure the tassels to twine using a hot glue gun. Tie tassel filled twine to the end of the balloon.

6. Add a satin ribbon bow, if desired. Download and print our Valentine's Day balloon tags to attach at balloon knot

For more ideas check out http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/

Joel + Clarissa’s Engagement Photos: A #DMV Love Story

There's a saying "You know real love when you see it" and since the day I met Joel and Clarissa for the first time together at the Tasting Room at the National Harbor I knew they had something special.

A couple of months ago Clarissa reached out to me for wedding planning services and I immediately told her I would love to help! After our initial vision session, multiple phone and email conversations I knew she was a "Girl's Girl" like me and this was not only going to be a memorable experience for the bride-to-be, but for me too!

Since their wedding theme is a surprise to guest, I cant indulge in any details, but I can say it will be gorgeous!  And I'm very pleased to be able to share these amazing engagement photos taken by the renowned Rodney Bailey Photography! They are one of the finest wedding photographers in Washington D.C. with a pure passion for the art of photojournalism and I cant wait to work with them on the couple's wedding day.

Favored by Yodit Events is so happy to be assisting with the planning of their wedding which is scheduled for October 2013. Nothing makes our team happier than to work with people in love and being able to be apart of such a memorable time of their lives. Thank you Clarissa and Joel and continued blessings to you and yours!

#Favored Facts:

Clarissa adores her family, her soon-to-be hubby (Joel) and nice things!

Joel is laid back and will do anything to make Clarissa happy, a great quality to have in a partner.

Photo Credit: Rodney Bailey 

Every Day is a Chance to Share Love

Since February is the month of love, show your love to women fighting breast cancer by donating to help them win their battle. When you donate, spread your love even further by sending a special Love Note to a treasured person in your life.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is a great organization that was founded in love. They strive to share this love every day by helping provide research, education and life-saving treatment to women fighting their own personal battle with breast cancer.

Join in the fight to end breast cancer forever — and then send a special Love Note to a loved one in your life.

For more information click here

Welcome to the Favored Blog!

I hope this blog can give inspiration to future couples, event planners, designers and lovers of all things #eventplanning #diy #weddings #trends and much more! Were always looking for new, fresh ideas so make sure to connect with Favored by Yodit on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram.

Special thank you to my amazing best friend, Andy who pushes me to follow my dreams even when I did not think my dream could be REAL! You are truly the reason why I am able to give so much love to everything I do! And for that I am eternally grateful! Love you baby.

To my parents, Rebecca & Birhanu, who always make me feel like a superstar & that I can take over the world. What you have sacrificed for me in these past 27 years of my life brings me to tears. God couldn't have blessed me more than to be birthed by the two most loving people on earth. In this age you don't find many couples that still dance, hug, or show affection like you both! Thanks to you, I know what real love looks like and for that I love you more than life!

And to all of you who are taking the time to read this blog right now. I simply say Thank You! Thank you for your time, thank you for your support & thank you for your referrals. Thanks to you I am able to do work that I love!

So please comment on posts, submit entries and always be Favored!