Giveaway: Enter to Win 5 Custom Label Groomsmen Socks from CuteNCrafty

 

We love a good giveaway and were excited when local designer Kendra Barnes of CUTEnCRAFTY approached us about sharing her fun gift for groom-to-be's! CUTEnCRAFTY is giving away 5 pairs of Groomsmen socks on Instagram (@cutencraftyshop) and what better way to stay warm and save money!

Kendra first designed her Cold Feet Socks for her own groom, to ease any of those those pre-wedding jitters on their special day. Everyone loved it and since then, Kendra has offered her items on Etsy as fun day-of gifts. Check them out and get 20% off of your entire order when you purchase 5 or more Groomsmen Socks. Use the code GROOMSMAN at checkout and make sure to follow them for more details and tell them Favored by Yodit Events sent you!

#FavoredFriday Vendor Spotlight: Rusty Love - Vintage Rentals & Props for Special Event Decor

Rusty Love Vintage Rentals is a one stop shop for all of your vintage prop needs. From desks, couches, chairs, to bottles and phones, Rusty Love is sure to have something to perfectly accent your next special event.

"We love events that are unique and personal to your style. Whether you want a lounge set up, card display, altar, or dessert table, we have everything you'll need to bring your inspiration to life." - Rusty Love Vintage Rentals

Rusty Love has a full inventory including, "french sofas to farm tables, candelabras to chandeliers. Our collection is ever-growing, so check back each week to see our new finds.  If there is something you have your heart set that you don't see, we can find it."

For a full list of inventory and contact information, visit: http://www.rustylovevintagerentals.com

Valentine's Day Checklist

How to navigate through Valentine’s Day

Make a Card Bake Sweets Cook Dinner Give Gifts Dress Up Put it on Repeat Couple Dozen Red Roses & Candles

5 Tips for Picking the Perfect DC Wedding Venue

Finding the perfect wedding venue in DC can be a huge task. Whether you are interested in a beautiful garden wedding or city theme with gorgeous views, the options are limitless. The problem lies, with narrowing down the list to those that fit into your budget and meet your vision. Check out 5 tips for picking the perfect DC wedding venue below.

1. Monumental photographs?

Have your heart set on wedding day photographs in front of the monuments on or near the Mall? Then choose a venue for your wedding in a DC neighborhood near the monuments, preferably in Foggy Bottom, downtown or Capitol Hill. If you are not getting married nearby to the monuments, those photographs may not work with your wedding day schedule. You will need to plan at least double the amount of time you might expect for travel as traffic can be unpredictable. The last thing you want is the extra stress of possibly being late to your ceremony or reception. To avoid the hassle, I would suggest doing your engagement photos or scheduling a “day after shoot” if your wedding location is not conveniently located to these spots. If you do decide to do photographs on the National Mall don’t forget to request a permit through the National Park Police.

2. Consider the neighborhood

Because weddings in the DC area often include a big percentage of out of town guests, choose a location that is near the metro and includes lots to see and do during their free time – what we like to call “Guest Safaris”! A happening area such as Chinatown or Penn Quarter can include your ceremony, reception, and rehearsal dinner all within walking distance of multiple hotel options for guests. Include a metro map and a list of suggested restaurants, museums and other nearby places in your gift bags. For a nice little touch, add a prepaid metro card for each guest.

3. Speaking of hotel options for guests…

As soon as you book your wedding venue, secure room blocks at a few hotels at different price points. Don’t procrastinate, because a big conference, rally, or other major DC event could drive up hotel room prices and make options scarce. Most hotels will allow you to hold 10-15 rooms per night without requiring a guarantee, your host hotel will likely allow you to hold more. Be sure to read your hotel contract carefully, otherwise you might be stuck with the bill for unbooked rooms.

4. Pay attention to decor

If you are going for a modern wedding, a ballroom filled with presidential seals in the carpet, and navy and gold decor might not be the right fit. Work with the existing decor in your wedding venue, not against it. While touring potential venues take notes of some of the site’s included decor items that you like such as chairs, linens, and chargers. If you will not need to rent these items it could save you a chunk of change in the end. Include these items that you don’t need to rent into your “apples-to-apples: budget comparisons of your venues to get an idea of the total cost.

5. Sky’s the limit

Whatever type of location you envision for your day, you can likely find it right here in the DC area. Don’t be discouraged if the places friends suggest or your first few searches don’t yield the venues you are dreaming of. A local wedding planner is an excellent resource in this department (and many others)! They often know of locations that you may not find on your own and many times know of special deals at hotels that you might not have otherwise thought you could afford. Keep digging! From waterfront venues in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to vineyards in Loudoun County to gala-worthy ballrooms in the District…this area truly has it all.

Source: http://www.unitedwithlove.com/2012/05/01/tips-for-selecting-a-weddingvenue-in-dc/#/

Wedding Wednesday: Radiant Orchid + Red Inspiration!

Radiant Orchid is the color of the year for 2014. And we cant agree anymore with Pantone that this color is ‘a captivating, magical, enigmatic purple’ and we would also like to add – perfect for weddings! One of our Favored Brides asked us to create a Radiant Orchid & Red Inspiration board to showcase the rich, luxurious color that has been described as  “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones. Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”  and one that will be sure to inspire throughout the wedding color themes of 2014.

Wishing you a happy Wedding Wednesday to all of our newly engaged brides to be! Enjoy this time & some pretty Wedding Wednesday posts about Radiant Orchid wedding decor.

A blend of fuchsia, purple, and pink, brides can’t go wrong with this exotic, warm color. It’s bold, exudes confidence and will be vibrant against that white wedding dress.

How gorgeous are those bouquets!? Raspberry and Plum Bellini's are the perfect Signature Cocktail for a Radiant Orchid wedding theme! Raspberry & Plum Bellini's Anyone? Check out the Brides matching nails too!

Real Wedding: Sean + Jenae's Liriodendr​on Mansion Wedding

Sean Kingston Holcomb-Jones married the love of his life Jenae' Elizabeth Manns on July 5, 2013 at the Liriodendron Mansion located in Bel Air, Maryland. The vision of the wedding was to maintain Jenae and Sean's authentic identity of creativity, be classic, and ensure their guest didn't just witness a wedding, but had a meaningful experience. Meet the couple and see more pictures of their big day after the break.

The first thing Jenae' set her sights on was spiral seating. She felt that circles feel much warmer than rigid rows, so when it came to seating, the spiral did the trick of wrapping Sean and Jenae' in a circle of Love of their family and friends. As an added bonus, it ensured that everyone got a good clear view of the wedding party as they came down the aisle.

Jenae has never been a flowery kind of girl so she decided not to carry a flowers. Instead she decided to decorate her arm with a larger than life bouquet of flowers going up the arm. On the wedding day everyone loved it!! The look was superb!

Adding to the creative theme, after the ceremony, fun lawn games like Tumble Tower (life sized Jenga), corn hole, and photo stands were available for the guest to enjoy during cocktail hour.

Instead of a traditional first dance song, Sean and Jenae' chose to dance to Neyo's Sexy Love, which was and always will be the couples song.

To offset some of the more costly wedding expenses, Andrea Small of Asburn, Va, who is a close friend of the Bride, served as the weddings creative designer and did all the wedding decor as DIY projects.

The outdoor/indoor wedding went off without a hitch and a great time was had by all. "Sean and I have never been a public-public couple so we really wanted our wedding to reflect who we were as people. My advice to any couples planning is to stay true to your authentic self -- break all the rules -- enlist the help of friends to cut cost -- and have lots of FUN!!" - Jenae

Vendors:

• Photographer: Eyewonder photography
• Caterer: Dean & Brown
• Venue: Liriodendron Mansion
• Brides Hair & Make Up: Bridal Beauty Associates, LLC.
• Flowers: Purchased from the wholesale nursery in DC and from Wegmans.
• Music and Sound: Lil Mic
• Wedding Dress: Simone Carvalli Couture

You're Invited: A Chic Affair

Enjoy some of the best wedding vendors DC has to offer as well as an avant garde presentation of 2014 collections by Lovely Bride and a free ride credit code the day of the show courtesy of Uber.

All tickets include: Champagne, cocktails, cake tasting, mini-spa treatments hors d'oeuvres, conversations with experts, fashion show, exhibition, planning timeline tool and luxe gift bag.

VERY LIMITED VIB (thats Very Important Bride!)tickets available also include:

Early event access, premium seating during runway show, VIB gift upon arrival (including products from Uber and drybar!) and entry to win exclusive VIB giveaways !

For more information and to buy tickets visit: www.acawashingtondc.com

Don't leave the boys at home! Come hang out in our Gentlemen's Lounge!Snacks, spirits, and special gifts just for guys!

You're Invited: Carine's Bridal Atelier to host BLISS Monique Lhuillier & Monique Lhuillier Trunk Show This Month!

Brides-to-be! Carine's Bridal Atelier has two highly anticipated events coming up to help you find your perfect dress. Check out both invites below!

February 6-8 BLISS Monique Lhullier Trunk Show presented by Carine's Bridal Atelier

Brides-to-be will get a first look at the romantic Fall 2014 BLISS collection. Known, for her legendary designs, Monique Lhullier recently introduced the BLISS line as a reworking of some her most popular gowns at a lower price point.

February 13-15 Monique Lhuillier Trunk Show presented by Carine's Bridal Atelier

Just in time for Valentine's Day, brides-to-be can fall in love all over again with the Fall 2014 Monique Lhuillier bridal collection. Lhuillier is known for her ultra feminine designs, her special attention to intricate detail and her use of luxurious fabrics and this collection does not disappoint.

"The gowns had a romantic, heirloom quality, with floral, vine and lattice motifs worked in rich embroideries and delicate beadwork." - Women's Wear Daily

#WeddingWednesday Real Engagements: City Love- De'Shon and Alisha

How They Met:

Alisha and De’Shon first met in the summer of 2010 after a chance encounter with a mutual friend. Love did not spark then, but a year later, fate reunited the two and they began dating. Late last year, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Abigail into the world.

The Proposal:

During the Christmas break, Alisha and De’Shon decided to take their beautiful daughter to Chicago, where Alisha is from, to celebrate her first Christmas. After a chat with Alisha’s mom, about the Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, and some research De’Shon knew The Skydeck would be the perfect location for the proposal. “The Skydeck sits on the 103rd floor of the 1,450 foot building and it extends over the street in a glass box that allows you to see directly under you to the street. The view as the city lit up was simply amazing and I couldn't think of a better place to propose with a better view, overlooking the very place she was born and raised”, says De’Shon.

“Her family was unaware of the proposal, other than her father. So to pull it off we had to be very sneaky. From sliding past security at the bottom floor without her seeing the ring on the scanning screen, thanks to their help, to the photographers being prepared to catch the precious moment. Before we stepped in the glass box, I notified one of the photographers of my plan. We all got in the box to take a family photo with her parents and siblings, and then we took a family photo with just us and our daughter. I told her I wanted to take a photo with just me and her. So after she handed our daughter to her mother and I handed my phone to her father for him to record, I got down on one knee as we prepared to take our photo and pulled the ring out asking her to marry me. After tears from her, her family, and many of the tourists waiting to take their photos she said yes!”

The Ring:

The engagement ring was designed by GS Laboratories and features a natural diamond radiant cut surrounded by round brilliant cut diamonds. De’Shon chose this particular ring because, “I feel as if she's special, so she deserved something special and not common. I also don't know much about jewelry other than authenticity and appearance. The ring stuck out to me in the beginning and something about it just looked like it would be perfect on her finger. A wedding band wasn't created specifically for the ring, so when the jeweler showed me how it could be accented with a band on each side, giving it the look as if it was one ring with a custom design, I was sold.”

Congratulations to the happy couple! We at favored wish them a lifetime of love and blessings! If you need a wedding planner, we would love to assist you in planning your big day!!

Are You A Jewelry Fanatic? Host a Stella & Dot Trunk Show, You'll Earn Style Rewards!

 

Hi lovely ladies!

Since spring is around the corner what better way then to support a stylish business by hosting a style session! My good friend, Seble is a Stella & Dot, Independent Stylist and looking for some new hostess to partner up for sharing the style and ordering on several occasions. As you already know, Im a girls girl and love anything to help my fellow females!

The new spring collection of Stella & Dot launched on January 13th. This line is probably one of the best thus far and Seble can’t wait to find some fabulous ladies who’d like to host a Stella & Dot Style Session and see these gorgeous pieces in person!

If you have friends and/or family who are jewelry fanatics and fashionistas, please connect with her so they can benefit from hosting a style session! The average hostess gets over $200 in free jewels and more at 50%! It is simple, easy and fun!

Contact: Seble Alemayehu, Stella & Dot, Independent Stylist at 571.344.3848 (Cell) and tell her Favored by Yodit Events sent you :) Checkout the spring collections here: www.stelladot.com/seblealemayehu.

RECAP: ZAAF Launch Event at Barcelona Wine Bar on Superbowl Sunday!

Favored by Yodit Events had the pleasure of planning the Official Launch event for ZAAF™, a new collection of luxury apparel and leather accessories produced by highly skilled artisans in Ethiopia. The event was helped at the NEW! Barcelona Wine Bar in Washington, D.C. and guest enjoyed complimentary cocktails, food & Georgetown Cupcakes! Congrats to Founder & CEO Abai on the new venture and continued success!

Barcelona's brunch cocktails, bellini's & mimosas and yummy mini empanadas were some of the tasty items on the event menu!

Guests loved the handbags!

How cute were these Georgetown Cupcakes with the ZAAF Logo???

Abai & I (Yodit)  take a quick picture in front of the ZAAF Step and Repeat! Love her!

Abai gives the ZAAF story and why she started the company to guests!

Ethiopian Artist Wayna & friends take a photo with Abai!

The main goal of the event was to introduce fans to the brand, the founder and each piece which is made to exacting standards and showcases beautiful craftsmanship and natural resources unique to the region it draws its inspiration from. ZAAF™ is a word that means “tree” in the ancient and noble Amharic language. More information can be found on http://zaafcollection.com/.

Need help planning an event? Contact us at www.favoredbyyodit.com/contact. Let us take care of the details!

Photo credit: Malik Photography

You're Invited: Westin Tyson's Multicultu​ral Bridal Expo 2014

Attention Multicultural Brides!! The Westin in Tyson's Corner has a wedding expo coming up just for you on February 23, 2014 from 11:00am - 5:00pm. See the flyer above for more information.

Vendors, if you are interested in participating in this great event, contact contact Fatima Ayari at fayari@westintysonscorner.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/

The Knowles Masquerade Party

Sixty never looked so FIERCE.!!! As Tina Knowles, rang in her birthday on January 11th in a celeb filled New Orleans masquerade ball at Muriel’s Jackson Square restaurant. The night was filled with dancing, a live jazz band, and an enormous nine-tier golden cake topped with a feathered masquerade mask. Mardi Gras also known as The Feast before the Fast is one of New Orleans biggest celebration it is a time to celebrate and indulge in rich food before you give it all up for lent. Mardi Gras revelers dress up in masked costumes and take to the streets with food, drinks, music, and parades. The main colors are purple, gold, and green. You can take it from there with beads, flowers, balloons, and streamers. The motto "Why decorate when you can over decorate?" So how to throw the perfect Mardi Gras party just like The Knowles. Well with food, Live Band, Signature Cocktail drinks and a King Cake your guests will have an experience to remember.

Signature Cocktail Drinks Recipes

1 - Fat Tuesday

3 slices of radish 2 oz. New Amsterdam Gin 1 ½ oz. cranberry juice ½ oz. agave nectar 2 oz. ginger beer Dash of bitters Garnish: radish slice

Muddle radish in bottom of shaker. Add all other ingredients except the ginger beer, and shake vigorously. Strain over ice into a lowball or rocks glass. Top off with ginger beer, and garnish with a radish slice.

2 - Cajun Sensation

2 oz. Appleton Estate Reserve 1 oz. mango juice ¾ oz. Velvet Falernum ¾ oz. simple syrup 1 oz. lime juice Chili pepper Garnish: mint leaves

To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a sauce pan over low heat. Remove from heat and chill. Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice, shake, strain, and pour into a glass. Garnish with mint leaves.

3 - Chocolate Cherry Rosè

1 oz. Courvoisier Rosè 1 oz. Effen Black Cherry Vodka 1 oz. DeKuyper Crème de Cacao 2 oz. cream

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass that has been drizzled with chocolate.

4 - The French Quarter

2 oz. New Amsterdam Gin Dash of Absinthe 1 oz. orange juice ¼ oz. lemon juice 1 oz. thyme syrup Garnish: Lemon slice

To make thyme syrup blend 3 sprigs thyme with 1 cup hot water and 10 tsp. sugar and strain. Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a classic coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon slice.

Sweet tooth no problem just make a King Cake for your guests.King Cake is shaped into a ring and decorated with green, purple, and gold sprinkles-the colors of Mardi Gras.But there's more a tiny plastic baby is baked into the cake, and the guest who gets the piece containing the baby has to host the festivities the next year so the tradition continues.

Don’t forget the food; you can make Cajun Crawfish, Shrimp Etouffe, Jambalaya, Boudreaux’s Zydeco Stomp Gumbo and Bananas Foster dishes as a main course meal or simple finger foods.

You're Invited: Carine's Bridal Designer Bridal Sample Sale

January 29th & 30th Sample Sale

Carine's Bridal Atelier is parting with some of last season's couture gowns with their bi-annual sample sale. From designers like Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera, Marchesa, Rivini, Jenny Lee and more, brides can take advantage of discounts from 50-75% retails prices. The gems are first come, first serve!

You're Invited: Carine's Bridal Accessory Trunk Show

January 20-24th Accessories Trunk Show

It's all about the details! From necklaces to belts to headpieces and beyond, brides can accessorize their gowns with custom pieces from designers like Miami-based Maria Elena, Homa, Liancarlo, Cheryl King and more. Brides will receive 10% off one item, 12% of two items and 15% of three or more items.

Appointments are required. Please call 202-965-4696 or email info@carinesbridal.com to book yours!

2014 Zuhair Murad Bridal Collection

The Zuhair Murad bridal collection can be described in two words couture bridal. Murad brings to his bridal collection the same impeccable style and construction that he is already renowned for on the red carpet. Signature gowns include ultra romantic, voluminous skirts that can be shed to reveal light, sheer sheaths, and rich, lace overlays that are layered over ethereal and romantic strapless tulle gowns. The highly coveted designer wedding dresses are the epitome of feminine sophistication come to life in a bridal gown. Ultra chic and impeccably fitted, this collection is for the most discerning of brides.

 

 

DIY Hot Cocoa Favors & Hot Cocoa Bar Party Inspiration

For my 28th Birthday I wanted to do something "sweet" to celebrate with my closet friends and decided to host a brunch & ice skating soiree! Since my birthday is January 21st its always freezing so I wanted to give guest a favor that would keep them warm in the cold! Below are some photographs of the hot cocoa mix favors I made and the easy to do hot cocoa bar at the ice rink for my guest to indulge in at the event.

I recommend putting out a few different toppings as part of your hot chocolate bar, so that guests can mix and match their favorites. I also used hot cocoa flags to dress up my home made marshmallow and brownie bites which are great when you dip them in your hot cocoa!

The hot cocoa mix favors were also used as place cards for guest to find their seat :)

Brunch without a signature mimosa is not a fun brunch in my eyes so I was thankful to find that Sequoia Restaurant in DC had a great unlimited mimosa option for my guest to be happy!

See more photos on our Favored by Yodit Events (Yodit Gebreyes) facebook page here. Make sure to "Like Us"!

Photography by Our Story Photography | Printables by Tom Kat and Party Blog | Styling by Favored by Yodit Events 

Father Daughter Dance Video Inspiratio​n

Typically we only see videos of cute first dances and choreographed dance numbers from the bride to her unsuspecting groom circulating around the internet. Rarely do we see a father daughter dance that not only pulls on our heart strings but also makes us laugh from start to finish. This beautiful bride and her father wanted a dance that would leave a lasting impression on their guests and they definitely succeeded! Check out the video below!

A Pink Dress, An Upside Down Cake & A New Year's Eve Wedding Celebratio​n

Weddings around holidays are always a fun time, especially since you can combine the excitement of new nuptials with seasonal celebrations. A new trend that is starting to take the winter by storm are New Year’s Eve Wedding Celebrations. The most recent couple to jump on the bandwagon and set the bar high is Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco and Ryan Sweeting. The blushing bride married the love of her life in a fire and ice themed wedding at Hummingbird Nest Ranch in the Santa Susana Mountains. Tweets and posts took over the internet of the gorgeous wedding cake days after the wedding with photos of her pink dress, the chandelier cake and Ryan's grooms cake that Kaley designed.

 Cuoco wore a custom pink strapless Vera Wang ball gown with a sweetheart neckline and hand applique Chantilly lace accents. She also wore a nude tulle Vera Wang veil accompanied by a pink bouquet.

Tennis Pro Ryan Sweeting described his wedding as the “best night in history” and said his “cheeks hurt from smiling so hard”. How cute!

We feel in love with this upside down chandelier cake from The Butter End Cakery and so did everyone else on social media.