You're Invited: BizBash - Elevate DC 2014

Elevate is a one-day experience designed to connect event professionals around the power of live events, brought to you by BizBash and Eventbrite. Featuring workshops, and topic discussions on technologies that are changing the industry as we know it, Elevate is here to provide event organizers with the tools to improve events. Step outside of your everyday world, try something new, and be inspired at this one-day conference.

Explore all aspects of events, from sponsorships and budgeting to social media and technology, and discover ways to improve your business and work more effectively. Learn from industry leaders and entrepreneurs who have forged their own paths, taken risks, and achieved greatness.

Ronald Reagan Building

Washington, D.C.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Pricing

Admission to Elevate includes:

• Breakfast
• General Session with Keynote Speaker
• Morning Workshop
• Networking Luncheon with special guest, André Wells
• A choice of two afternoon Workshops
• Cocktail Hour

Ticket Pricing:

• Flash Sale for Event Organizers – First 50 tickets sold - $199
• Full Day Pass for Event Organizers- $225
• For special group rates, email jrivera@bizbash.com.

For more information and to register click HERE

Is It a Bad Idea to start a Business with my spouse?

STARTING A BUSINESS COMES WITH A LOT OF RISKS. BUT WHEN YOU STAND TO LOSE NOT ONLY YOUR LIVELIHOOD BUT YOUR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THE STAKES BECOME MUCH HIGHER. LEADERSHIP COACH LOLLY DASKAL IS HERE TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE WHAT COULD BE THE BEST OR WORST DECISION OF YOUR LIFE. "For better or worse, for richer or poorer," take on a whole new meaning when you consider all you have to gain and lose by starting a business with your spouse.

For the answer to this week's classic and potentially difficult reader question, we turned to leadership coach Lolly Daskal.

Hi, What are some considerations for starting a business with your spouse?

We know there are lots of successful couples with successful businesses. I'm guessing there are many that failed, along with the marriage, that we never hear about.

I once started a successful business with my best friend, which led to us splitting up after two years, never to speak to each other again. I don't want the same thing to happen with my wife.

We have a picture-perfect family: a great relationship and two kids--I feel there's a lot at stake if the business doesn't work out. Any advice?

Thanks, TC

Dear TC,

Everything in life is a gamble, although you’re correct that in this situation the stakes are quite high. The most important consideration at the outset is making sure you’re perfectly clear on your vision, values, roles, and purpose.

So begin by asking yourself these questions:

1. Do you share the same values?
2. Is your marriage more important than your business?
3. Will you continue to work on your personal relationship?
4. If you were not married, would you still want to go into business with this person?

If both of you can honestly answer “yes” to all four questions, you’re ready to work together on the next steps.

Lolly Daskal is a leadership development and CEO coach and consultant and founder of Lead From Within. Follow@LollyDaskal.

Creating a solid partnership in business involves many of the same areas as creating a solid marriage, just within a different context.

Create shared vision and values. Creating a shared vision based on shared values allows you to work together in a mutually agreed direction that minimizes conflict. When things go wrong--and they will--you’ll have a good foundation to keep you grounded.

Position strengths and skills. Know your personality types and position yourselves to take advantage of your strengths. Having an idea of what each of you is good at to maximize skill sets and avoid stepping on each others toes. Consider taking a personality assessment to figure out your individual strengths and how you can best work together.

Set roles and responsibilities. Write job descriptions for yourselves and set clear expectations about who will take on which tasks for the business.

CREATING A SOLID PARTNERSHIP IN BUSINESS INVOLVES MANY OF THE SAME AREAS AS CREATING A SOLID MARRIAGE, JUST WITHIN A DIFFERENT CONTEXT.

If you continue forward, there are other issues that you’ll need to be mindful of in your day-to-day lives at work and at home:

Be mindful of boundaries. Focus on your own responsibilities, and let your spouse handle theirs without interference. Of course you can collaborate, but in most situations the best thing you can do is stay out of each other’s way.

Refrain from telling your spouse how to do what they do best. Let each other have some room and flexibility to work independently.

Keep communication open. Open and honest communication keeps minor issues from developing into major problems. Problems must be communicated, recognized, and worked through in a mutually agreed way.

Handle conflict with care. How you handle conflict is critically important to any business, but even more so when the partners are in a personal relationship. Put a time limit on disagreements and arguments, speak about them, deal with them, and move on.

Reciprocate, respect, and reverence. Respect is another element that’s essential to both business and marriage. Cultivate a mindset that is appreciative of your spouse's talents, gifts, and insights, and then convey that respect by listening, by sharing, by appreciating.

Avoid second-guessing and micromanagement. The good news: working together allows you to achieve a higher level of trust, which in turn will strengthen your relationship. As it’s said, to be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.

Develop routines to keep your relationship and business separate. Keep a good balance by creating strategies for the transitions between work and home life. Make rituals to help you stay connected as a couple no matter what’s going on at work. As you spend more time with each other, business conversations tend to move to the dinner table and then into the bedroom. It is important to make time for your relationship.

Show appreciation and gratitude. Make a point to thank each other for a job well done, and be kind about how you approach constructive criticism. In a close relationship, it’s easy to forget these basic rules of business. Don’t take your partner or their contributions for granted.

At the end of the day, you are partners working together for something meaningful and purposeful. Remember you are in this together in business and in marriage.

Every marriage is already a partnership, one in which you work together, love together, create together, and support each other. With the right alignment and planning, and a commitment to making it work, sharing a business can be a meaningful extension of that partnership.

Good luck!

Source: Fastcompany.com

You're Invited to Attend The Coterie Retreat - Presented by MunaLuchi

We're excited to present our first annual business retreat in partnership with Salamander Hotels. The Coterie Retreat is a wedding and event industry conference where you can learn new business insights + network with like-minded entrepreneurs. It will be held on December 9-12, 2014. Featured speakers include Jacqueline Nwobu - Editor-in-Chief of Munaluchi Bride Magazine, Grace Ormonde of Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, and Celebrity Event Designer Diann Valentine.

The conference was created for members of The Coterie - Munaluchi's exclusive wedding collective, and their wedding and event industry peers. We encourage you to join the mailing list for an instant notification once registration opens + an Early Bird discount code.

We look forward to relaxing and unwinding with you in December!

Visit the website for more information: www.coterieretreat.com

You're Invited: Complimentary Tickets to Wedding Salon

The Knot, Premier Bride and Perfect Wedding Guide Invite You to

Discover the Best Resources for Your Wedding

Wedding Salon

Monday, September 8th, 2014

4PM-8PM

The Madison Hotel, Washington DC

Cake Tastings, Cocktails, Beauty Makeovers

Honeymoon Giveaways, Reception Tables, Goodie Bag

Complimentary Admission for You & One Guest

Use code WSDCC here

* Registrant must be engaged and is allowed one guest only. All parties must be 21+.

#TipTuesday: Five Tips You Need To Know About Choosing Wedding Music

So now you’re engaged. You’ve taken the first step toward one of life’s most fulfilling relationships. Congratulations! Now that the initial announcement has been made and you’ve celebrated your big decision with family and friends, it’s time to start making those wedding plans. Elements like date, location, food, invitations, guest list, where to register, dresses, tuxes; it can all seem overwhelming.

But think about it, how many of these items will your guests remember in 10 years? They might remember the location and your dress, right? For all of the time, effort, and yes, emotion that goes into choosing the elements of your wedding, very few end up being long-term memories of your special day.

Other than the bride and groom themselves, of all the elements of a wedding, the music (good or bad) is one of the most memorable aspects of the day. So, it is too bad that music is often an afterthought in the planning process, sometimes being left until just a couple of weeks before the wedding day.

While music isn’t the focus of your wedding day, it does set the atmosphere of the day. An inspirational soloist or a really cooking band playing tunes hand-picked for you and your family make everyone happy. At the same time, a band that isn’t experienced at doing weddings, isn’t very good, or can’t adapt to special requests can be a real downer.

So to help you make the best possible choices for your wedding music, here are five things to remember:

1. Start planning your music early. As plans take shape, your wedding day will take on a character of its own. Including music at the beginning of the planning process will ensure a good fit with your vision for the day. It will also make sure that your wedding budget includes enough dollars to get you what you want.

2. Decide what type of music you want for yourselves and your family. There are probably hundreds of options in your community for wedding music. As you go to the marketplace, knowing what will make you and your family members happy will save you time, money and regret after you’re married.

3. One stop shop. You will save money and time by working with a musician or booking agency that offers a wide range of options. You may want a classical singer for the ceremony, a swing band for the dinner and family dances, and a rock and roll band for late night festivities. Booking these three types of musicians separately will probably cost you hundreds of dollars more than if you work with someone that has access to all three styles.

4. Always hear the bands you are considering, preferably live. It is surprising how many brides and grooms choose wedding musicians without ever hearing them perform. Reputable musicians and agents will readily offer you samples of their work, or even better, dates when you can hear them live. Avoid choosing musicians based solely on the recommendation of a friend, family member or through social media.

5. Ask questions. One of the main reasons music planning gets put off is brides and grooms feel intimidated talking to musicians. They feel they don’t know enough about music to make good choices. Any reputable musician or agent will be happy to answer any questions you have about choosing music. Always look for people who take the philosophy that “there is no such thing as a bad question.”

There you are, five tips that will help you get you exactly what you want in your wedding music. A little bit of concentrated effort early on in the planning process can make the long term memories of your wedding day especially sweet.

Source: foreverbride.com

Great Cake Decor

This rainbow heart cake is too cute! The original design (above) was created by the fabulous cake designer, Erin of Wild Orchid Baking.I am so excited to report that Erin just published a book because she has so many amazing cake designs (be sure to check out her super popular Facebook page!) Her book, Great Cake Decorating is filled with instructions and ideas for fabulous cakes. I have never tried using fondant but with her book, I definitely feel much more equipped to give it a go! Erin starts with the basics and explains all of the best tools to have on hand for making beautiful cakes. She then gets into more specific designs, tips and tricks!

Here are a few of my favorite cakes from the book…

…and one that isn’t in the book, but is part of one her cake decorating classes on Craftsy!

Darling, right? 

What do you think? Are you ready to give cake decorating a try? This book will definitely help you get started!

Source: thetomkatstudio.com

Favored Friday Vendor Spotlight: Anthropologie Presents BHLDN

Checkout Anthropologie's new wedding dress line BHLDN! These gorgeous gowns can be found at store locations in Georgetown, New York, and Chicago to name a few. Cant make it to a store? Shop online at BHLDN.COM! These looks are perfect for an outdoor wedding. Simply elegant and timeless.

#WeddingWednesday: Brunch Wedding Sweet Bar Ideas

Trending this year in the world of weddings, are brunch receptions instead of the traditional sit down dinner. Brunches are a great alternative if a bride wants to do something different but still classy. A brunch can also save on costs to accompany a Sunday wedding.  For some sweet brunch bar inspiration, check out the pictures below.

Put a spin on a classic breakfast staple but providing fruity topping and several different syrup options.

Serve this childhood favorite treat in its miniture form on a stick to keep guests hands free from mess.

French Toast Dippers are a perfect pairing to a "cocktail hour" mimosa before the main course.

For the coffee lovers, add a sweet donut hole to accompany their drink.

Add a biscuit bar to your sweet table, and give you guests a few jams to choose from.

#TipTuesday: Surviving Wedding Season

Attending a wedding can get to be expensive. Here are some tips to make it through wedding season without going broke :

1. Start saving early. If you're close with a couple who gets engaged, begin putting cash away then.

2. Don't forget to budget for the extra events, such as wedding showers and bachelor or bachelorette parties.

3. Look beyond the hotel that has been selected for guests. Other hotels may be cheaper. Shop around.

4. For out of town weddings, ask the engaged couple if they know anyone with a spare bedroom who would be willing to host you.

5. Ask other guests if they would be willing to buy a group gift.

6. If you plan to attend more than one wedding, try wearing the same outfit more than once.

7. If shopping on a bridal registry, search for the item on another site. It may be less expensive.

Source: abcnews.com

A Picture Perfect Graduation Party!

Inspired by nostalgic moments & the promises of a bright future, Do Driver of Piggy Bank Parties styled this creative “Picture Your Future” Graduation Party with Polaroid & photo album decor! The adorable “yearbook” party favors and “Sweet Memories” photo garland are such great graduation party ideas… they get an A+!

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

– Cute Polaroid inspired banner + tissue “graduation tassel” garland – “Yearbook” favor boxes filled with the graduate’s favorite chocolate treats – “Sweet Memories” photo banner and graduation “photo album” guestbook – Varsity letter brownies & Chalkboard inspired printables

Graduation is often a time of reflection when photo albums and yearbooks from the past are reminisced over while dreams of what the future holds are ever present. This graduation party design was inspired by the magical Polaroid photographs of yesteryear and the slides you’d see projected on the white wall of your grandparents’ basement!

Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker Official Wedding Photo's Revealed!

Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker have officially been married for a month and now pictures of their big day have finally been revealed. Kandi walked down the aisle in a custom $20,000 Reco Chapple gown with a 12 foot train at the Atlanta Le Fais Do-Do event facility. For more details on how Kandi planned her Coming to America themed wedding, check out the latest issue of In Touch. I can’t wait to see the entire wedding planning process when it airs on Bravo this summer! For more pics, see below.

I guess Mama Joyce couldn't even fake a smile for the pictures...smh...

Moms Best Friend

Mothers Day is only five days away! I hope you have something special planned for all the mamas in your life. We are starting the celebration early here at Favored by Yodit Events. What did we get you you ask? Only every mothers wish, a babysitter! You may not have know this, but dogs make some of the best babysitters. Just checkout some of these pictures of the doggies on duty!  

#WeddingWednesday: National Hairstyle Day

In honor of National Hairstyle Day, today's post will feature wedding day hair dos from cultures around the world

#TipTuesday: A Perfect Southern Style Country Wedding: The Essentials

Cowboy boots? Check. Hanging mason jars? Check. Country barn with all the trimmings? Absolutely. Here's our guide to the essential bits and pieces you'll need for your country chic wedding. The country-themed wedding is by far one of the most novel-wedding aesthetics. It's down-to-earth, its simplicity is elegant and it is usually held in the great outdoors; what is there not to like? An outdoor country wedding is the perfect summer setting for a blooming romance.

Open woodland spaces and rustic barnyards can host an entire evening of drinking and dancing as the lovebirds usher in the latest chapter in their lives cloaked by warm summer evening air. To be sure that your country wedding goes off without a hitch, here are a few of the most important considerations that you should take when planning the wedding.

This is merely a suggested framework for your event, and you should expound, improvise and elaborate as much as you can until it fits your taste perfectly.

Location

The most important consideration for any wedding is going to be the location of both the service and the reception. Some people have to reserve a venue for their nuptials almost a year in advance, which sometimes postpones a wedding for longer than many couples would like. Being the country boy and girl however, you know that resourcefulness is one of your greatest qualities. You don't need to exchange your vows in a swanky venue. Your wedding is validated by the love of your family, friends and spouse-to-be. You want your wedding to simultaneously illustrate your lofty affections and your down-to-earth roots.

Image courtesy of http://www.robholley.net

An outdoor location for one or both of your wedding events is going to be a high priority. This means that weather considerations are very important, since you don't want your guests shivering in their seats and cursing your ill-advised winter wonderland wedding. Once you've decided on a date, you need to find an area that can host your estimated party attendance and give them room to roam about while enjoying the conversation and delicacies that will be had at your reception.

Barns are the ultimate symbolism for a country lifestyle, so if you can find a preserved one ready for such an occasion as a wedding, it will really boost the overall effectiveness of your country theme. For a daytime service in particular, slivers of sunlight peeking through the old barnyard walls and falling on the wedding couple can be romantic and, quite frankly, exciting for all of your guests to see. The bottom line is that your location is going to function as the canvas for your dream country wedding, so make sure that it will be something that will look good when accented with country-style decoration.

Image courtesy of http://www.carpenteroak.com

Attire

If you've been thinking about having a country wedding, chances are that you've already thought about walking down the aisle in your favorite pair of boots. This is a wonderful idea since boots are obligatory country footwear. Cowboy boots are the most iconic element of western culture heritage and they can't be neglected if you are taking a comprehensive approach to country-style nuptials. Although the bride will most likely still be wearing white, she doesn't have to adhere to tradition when it comes to her footwear. In fact, a straightforward pair of neutral Justin Boots may be the best way to bridge the gap between a white wedding gown and an earthy rustic wonderland. Bridesmaids can follow suit, or they can wear a brown slouch variation to complement their colorful bridesmaids' dresses. You should also decide whether or not you would enforce a dress code. An entire wedding party that participates in your down-south festivities can only enhance what will already be a pretty fabulous event. Let everyone know in the invitations if western-oriented styles of dress are suggested or encouraged.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Seating

Fortunately for you, a cowboy country wedding theme doesn't require that you have consistency in terms of furniture. Instead, the outdoor country wedding should be reminiscent of the days when a rural community would come together and the growing crowd of locals would have to improvise seating when they needed a rest from the activity. You're obviously excited to spend your reception dancing the night away with all of your loved ones, but the older invitees will want you to have ample seating at your event. One of the most ingenious ideas for seating that has been used is covering hay bales with burlap or lightly colored sheets secured by twine or thin rope. Hay bales are essentially building blocks that can be stacked and scattered in any way that you think would look best or be most convenient. They offer that quintessential country touch while still providing you with flexibility. A single bale can seat multiple guests like a farmhouse love seat, and they can be scattered throughout the reception space for easy access to everyone in attendance.

Image courtesy of http://www.indulgy.com

At the dinner tables wooden seating is a must, so don't worry about deploying an army of folding aluminum chairs to accommodate everyone. A hodgepodge of mismatched wooden seating, maybe even a bench or two gives your dining setting a lot of character, while adding to the underlying casualness of the event. It can also make your seating arrangement pop against the background, and can reflect the diversity of the newly-combined families coming together in celebration of a single event. Abundant seating should be an important consideration, so any surface that is relatively comfortable and thematically consistent can be used to help your guests take a load off. In fact, if you can somehow acquire a rusty old pickup, just pop down the tailgate to open up seating for about half a dozen of your guests: it will create conversation and be a prime picture location for the entire evening.

Image courtesy of http://www.homemydesign.com

Decor

The part of your country wedding that will really distinguish you from others is going to be how you decorate the landscape. If you wanted, you could go with the 'southern social elite' vibe, but the creative, more accessible 'rustic romance' approach will be much more interesting to your invitees and less alienating to your casual guests. The rustic aesthetic is really a beautiful juxtaposition between the antiquated southern lifestyle and modern-day country living. Your decoration will need to reflect the resourcefulness of the simple country folk, but be highlighted by the traditional trimmings of a romantic wedding. On paper this might sound odd, but anything that rusts or rots could make for some very rich thematic decoration for your wedding background. Think of how great the scenery would look with the occasional cartwheel leaning against a hay bale or a wheelbarrow used as a cooler.

Image courtesy of http://www.etsy.com

Table centerpieces are a great opportunity to really seize the country theme and make for an almost anachronistic dining experience. Old milk or cream cans can be used to contain a daisy arrangement at the center of each guest table. Smaller hors d'oeuvres stations around the area?s perimeter might be made of upright wine barrels with a single baby?s breath bouquet sitting in a polished aluminium soup can. Nametags or table assignments can be hanging from horseshoes or etched on circular wood slabs. The country wedding is all about taking easy-to-access items and refurbishing them for a simply elegant wedding event.

Image courtesy of http://www.robholley.net

One other suggestion would be to buy a ton of mason jars. Mason jars are the most versatile country wedding accessory, as they can be used for fancy drinks, floral arrangements, they can hold candles, or be used as gift containers. You can even hang them from a barn ceiling as decoration. When it comes to country weddings, you can never have too many mason jars.

Image courtesy of http://www.etsy.com

Themed weddings are becoming increasingly prominent in our culture, and reasonably so. Couples are not willing to spend their big day (and their money) going through the motions the way that their parents, and their grandparents probably did in the past. People today want their wedding day to be expressions of the unique personalities that are being united in marriage, and they want their guests to have a genuine impression of who they really are. Themed weddings allow couples to impart a statement about their romantic story on the people whom they share their big day with.

The key to a southern-themed wedding is to relax. After months (and maybe years) of planning, this is going to be the evening where everyone unwinds and enjoys the company of an enthusiastic couple taking their first steps on a lifelong journey together. Whether they?re on hay bales or rocking chairs, your guests will share in your excitement as they marvel at the wonderful wedding that they are now a part of. Use these suggestions to help you create the perfect country styled wedding.

Source: weddzilla.com

#FavoredFriday #YoureInvited: The Dandelion Patch in Georgetown

The Dandelion Patch is a fine stationery store that began in the heart of downtown Vienna, Virginia. Since 1994,  thdy have been part of the fabric of the community and through their invitations, stationery and announcements we have been privileged to share in the many births, weddings, anniversaries and parties of their growing list of loyal customers.  As Northern Virginia and their customer base have grown, they too have expanded.  You can now visit them at their flagship store in Vienna as well as at their locations in Reston and Georgetown. The Dandelion Patch is hosting a Tip Tuesday event Tuesday the 28th of April at their Georgetown location and you're invited! Source: thedandelionpatch.com

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

#TipTuesday: Five Tips That May Save Your Wedding (and Your Sanity)

1. Give in to the chaos

The ice swan may melt, the sound system could go on the fritz, it might rain toads -- you'll still be just as married as you would have been had everything gone according to plan.

2. Remember that they're all rooting for you

Say something does go off kilter -- you trip on your hem and faceplant into the cake, the wedding elephant has an accident on the floor or you fumble the name of your beloved. If people laugh, it's because it's all part of the grand story that's unfolding -- not because they're gleeful about a screw-up. They're there because they're on your side and are grateful to be part of this momentous occasion, and if they're not, why the heck are they at your wedding? Seriously, take a look at that guest list and snip, snip, snip.

3. Let your loved ones help -- but on your terms

My husband and I had a fairly DIY wedding -- both to cut down on costs and to put our own stamp on the ceremony that would mark the beginning of our married life. We also didn't have a wedding party, because it was a small-ish event and we didn't want people to feel left out.

So we asked people if they'd like to help in ways that didn't cost them anything, celebrated their talents in ways they were happy to share, and where we provided supplies and general guidelines. Two musician friends sang as we walked down the aisle, an artist friend carved pumpkins to decorate outside, my sister-in-law rallied willing guests to arrange the flowers we'd bought and picked, and some writers crafted a ritual that celebrated our communal love of food.

My best friend from college looked after our mutually-beloved whippet dog, another surprised me with a piece from my favorite poet (Frank O'Hara). My husband's best friend officiated the ceremony, and we let our musically-inclined friends pick the songs they'd most like to dance to. People were also free to simply eat, drink and be merry.

The upshot is that our loved ones felt like they had a stake in our wedding -- and in our marriage -- and that feeling continues to this very day.

4. Stay awake and pay attention

Ask just about any married person if they can remember every detail of their wedding and reception and chances are that it's riddled with big, blurry chunks. It's a joyous, often overwhelming day -- and it's only going to happen once.

5. There's a letdown -- and that's OK

After our post-wedding day brunch, I sat down in a walk-in closet and cried. This had nothing to do with regret, second-guessing or sadness; I'd just married my favorite man on Earth and I was happier in my life than I'd ever been before.

But we'd just spent the vast majority of our time over the previous months focusing our energy on planning the joyous event, and the last guests had just said their goodbyes. All those wedding guests we adore were never again going to be in the same place at the same time, the spotlight was off me, and I was no longer a single woman, girlfriend or bride-to-be. I was someone's wife -- a wonderful, but slightly scary new role. And it was time to step into it.

I cried a little more and spent a moment saying goodbye to the single self I'd always known. Then I took a deep breath, stood up, walked out of that closet and went to find my new husband.

Source: CNN.com By By Kat Kinsman

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

Real Engagement​: Tiffany & Keith

I absolutely love planning weddings and I get super excited for all of my clients…especially the week of the wedding; but I had no idea I would feel this overjoyed about getting asked to plan Tiffany & Keith's Stylish October Wedding. Its always special to be able to share this moment with all of my clients and the many lovely engaged couples that read our blog for inspiration. Learn more about their intimate engagement story.

Who: Randall Keith Benjamin II & Tiffany Blacknall

Ages: 27 & 28

Wedding Date: October 3rd, 2014

How Keith Popped the Question:

Keith told Tiffany they were doing a photo shoot for a couple’s profile with photographer Andrew Lee. She was to report to the Jefferson Hotel at 9am Saturday, February 8th with three changes of clothing. The Presidential Suite at the Jefferson Hotel was reserved for the shoot. While giving her a tour of the suite, Keith paused in front of the French doors that open to the terrace and said, “I know you thought that this was just a couple’s shoot, but this is actually our engagement shoot; but first, we have to be engaged.”

Why did you decide on using Favored by Yodit Events to assist with your wedding coordination?

We opted out of having family/friends assist with wedding coordination, because we really wanted our family/friends to enjoy being guests and treated like royalty for the night. After having conversations with three other wedding coordinators, we knew that Favored by Yodit would be the best fit. The initial consultation felt comfortable, yet professional. Favored by Yodit truly considered our budget and our needs and made us feel secure that we truly wouldn't have to worry about anything on our wedding day!

What are you most excited about for your wedding?

As a bride, I am most excited about my AMAZING dress and standing in front of Keith vowing the rest of my life to him and our journey together.

When did you know you would spend the rest of your life with your fiancé?

There wasn't an exact moment that I knew that Keith was the one. I reflected on a very challenging period for Keith that just so happened to occur during the first half of our relationship. I realized that even though he was being challenged in every area, he never changed his display of love and care for me. I knew that if I had to go through life (the good and the BAD) with someone that it had to be Keith. Keith is someone that I respect; and he is the only man that I'm willing to follow.

Source: Capitol Standard

#ThrowbackThursday: Wedding Trends Then and Now

The 1990′s The 1990′s was another decade of fashion change. The early 1990′s held onto some of the same styles, but as the years progressed, the styles became a little sexier and less traditional. Rock & Roll was the primary influence that changed this time period, slowly doing away with the big veil and long sleeved, modest wedding dress.

The early 2000′s

This is where personality prevails. The idea of making your wedding day your own has become more acceptable, and for good reason; it’s your day! As the years progress, creativity and using inspiration from years past, and future, has become more acceptable. Whether your invasion of the perfect wedding day is with all of the glitz and glamour or a casual picnic in the park, make it your own!

Here are some top trends shaping weddings now.

Dramatic Opulence

Professionals are predicting a return to formality and dramatic opulence. “Say goodbye to Mason jars and burlap, and say hello to caviar and elegance,” says South Florida-based party planner Sara Renee Lowell . “Wedding vendors are sick of couples bringing in the same rustic, vintage inspiration photos. Opulence is in.”

Which means the return of dramatic floral arrangements on pedestals, gleaming candelabras, and loads of professional lighting (translation: no more simple strands of café lights). For a recent wedding, New York event designer David Stark created a luxurious reception with a formal French garden theme: Sculpted hedges around the perimeter of the venue and structured dinner table centerpieces were juxtaposed against a lush, romantic canopy of flowers and glowing lanterns suspended overhead.

Pictured: David Stark created a formal French garden theme for a recent wedding reception.

Social Media Bans

With a smartphone in nearly every guest’s purse or pocket, wedding-day photos are almost guaranteed to appear in real time on social media sites. But more and more couples are politely restricting smartphone usage during the ceremony using cleverly worded signage (displayed at the venue’s entrance or printed in the ceremony program), as well as verbal reminders from the officiant.

“We’re going to see more and more ‘unplugged’ ceremonies in 2014,” says Renny Pedersen, Chicago wedding planner.. “Nothing is worse than seeing a beautiful photograph of the bride walking down the aisle marred by a bunch of cameras and iPhones. This way, the wedding photographer is able to get the most important shots, without any unobstructed views.” Bonus: Guests will also be more present during the ceremony. 

Pictured: A printed chalkboard sign by DesignSmithPaperArts asked guests to keep their smartphones and cameras in check. 

Tapas-Style Tasting Plates

Family-style dinners were a huge trend last year, but they’re actually quite expensive to pull off, and the platters of food require significant table real estate, says Calder Clark of South Carolina-based Calder Clark Designs. So, what’s next? Bar-height tasting stations, where guests receive artfully plated, fork-friendly miniature meals prepared on the spot by stationside chefs. Experts say guests love the variety.

“Today’s couples are serious foodies, and they come bearing recipes and resolute memories from their favorite restaurants,” Clark says. “They want to include them in the reception, and there’s no easier way to do that than with the tasting plate—it’s petite, going back for seconds is totally kosher, and guests are able to be more experimental with unfamiliar foods.”

Pictured: For a wedding designed by Calder Clark, chef Johannes Klapdohr created an elegant tasting plate of Southern fried tomatoes drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar and accented with edible nasturtiums.

Large Focal Points

Rather than decorating the reception with a slew of blink-and-you’ll-miss-’em D.I.Y. details, couples are more interested in decor that makes a statement. “The 2014 bride is ditching contrivances for oversize ‘wow’ factors like custom dance floors, vast patterned wall installations, and Versailles-worthy furnishings and lighting,” says Clark. “Our client is tired of littering seated tables with tchotchkes and is favoring the mantra ‘go big or go home’—in good taste, of course.”

As a result, couples are asking, “What will catch my guests’ attention when they walk in our tent?” Clark says. “Savvy couples realize that very few will remember custom-colored confetti packets at each place setting, but everyone will remember a nighttime ceremony lit only by 500 luminaries.”

Pictured: For recent wedding, Calder Clark designed an installation that served as a focal point: The 3-D wall was inlaid with boxwood topiaries arranged in a geometric pattern.

Source: Bizbash.com                                                                                                                                                                 Source: weddingsbylily.com