DMV Brides!! You are invited to premier bridal designer Julie Vino's trunk show held exclusively at Hannelore's in Olde Town Alexandria, VA. Her dresses are GORGEOUS and perfect for the non-traditional bride that wants elegance with a hint of edge. Check out the flyer below for more details!
You are brilliant and passionate and want so much to learn from some of your biggest inspirations in the wedding and event industry at the Coterie Retreat. But the reality is, for some of you, financial constraints may be holding you back.
As we are getting close to capacity, we are excited to announce that we will be giving out one full scholarship, and two partial scholarships to attend the inaugural Coterie Retreat. The scholarships will cover all or part of your registration.
Here are the application rules:
▪ Repost the image presented above on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter (can be one social media platform or all three) using the hashtag #myTCRetreat.
▪ Then apply by emailing us at info@coterieretreat.com telling us in 200 words or less why you are deserving of this scholarship, what your goals are for your company, and what you are looking forward to. In the email, provide your Name, Company Name, IG, Twitter or FB urls, and phone number.
Contest begins August 29, 2014 and ends on September 5, 2014. Our planning committee will review each entry and vote on the winners. Entrant with the most votes will win the full scholarship, then the 2nd and 3rd place entrants will be awarded the half and quarter scholarships.
Note: Travel and accommodations are not included.
* Scholarship does not apply to those already registered.
Good luck!
Source: Coterie Retreat
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! 
Are you planning a wedding but money is tight, have a love for burgers and French fries so great that you can't imagine having a reception without them? Well a popular fast food chain has the perfect package for you! CNBC revealed this week that McDonald’s wedding parties are so popular in Hong Kong that the fast food empire has a dedicated wedding service there, available in 15 venues.
Customers can choose from four different wedding packages, ranging from around HK$2,888 (£218) to HK$9,999 (£753). The most expensive offering include a pair of “McDonald's balloon wedding rings", “character gifts” for up to 50 guests and a McDonald's apple pie display (well, I suppose it saves choosing a wedding cake). McDonald's spokeswoman Jessica Lee said that the program, which started in 2011, had been launched "because many customers tell us that McDonald's is where they first started dating... McDonald's is where their love stories grew. “This connection is exactly why they want to hold their wedding parties and even anniversary parties at McDonald's—to relive sweet beginnings and bring their romantic story full circle." A spokesman for McDonald's said that it had no plans to roll out the service in other countries, but Hong Kong is not the only place that has witnessed nuptials among the chicken nuggets. Last year, a couple from Bristol made headlines when they held their wedding reception at a McDonald’s they ate in twice a week. It was certainly a brave decision: due to the firm’s alcohol ban, they had to make do with soft drinks instead of fizz.
You would probably raise a few eyebrows among friends and family if you announced you were holding your wedding reception at McDonald’s – but in these straitened times, you would certainly save a few pennies. And at least there would be no worries about running out of napkins.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/10970881/McDonalds-weddings-are-all-the-rage-in-Hong-Kong.html
Wedding season is in full swing and brides everywhere are taking advantage of bright summery color palettes. Pinks, purples, and blues are very popular and it seems the brighter the better. However, what if you are type of bride that wants to include colors, but doesn’t want them to overwhelm the setting? Or what if you are an artsy couple and want your personalities to be front and center for your guests to enjoy? No worries, we have the perfect trend for you…Watercolor Hues! Watercolors are the perfect way to include a lot (or a few) colors in a subtle but beautiful way. For inspiration and ideas on how to include this trend in your wedding, see below.
This month I had the pleasure of being asked to appear on EBS TV, an Ethiopian channel based in Silver Spring, Maryland that launched in 2008 with Arab Sat and Dish Network (www.ebstv.tv/). The Helen Show I was featured on alongside Hilina Kebede of Bliss Invite, spotlights successful African entrepreneurs, artists, and intellectuals in the Diaspora pursuing their dreams.
While on the show, I gave my insight on wedding trends, personal event details and what's most important when planning your big day! Special thanks to Favored Partner, Da Vinci Florals & Design for bringing the tablescape vision to life and allowing us to shoot in their beautiful showroom. Here are some close ups to the various table designs we featured on the segment.
July is a peak season for weddings and engagements so Im excited to share a new Real Engagement Story from two love birds that flew into my heart a couple of months ago. Being from the area I'm used to working with lots of friends from school, work and just seeing people around the area at events and today's featured couple is no different. I have known and worked with the soon to be groom, Kwame for many years through special events with his company J&K Productions and mine, TALK OF DC in the past and always admired how calm and collected he was under pressure. So I was elated when he asked to assist his fiance, Janira and him on planning their 2015 wedding here in the D.C. area.
Working with them has been similar to how I remember Kwame in the past, very easy going, fun and organized. They trully are a great team and have each others back no matter what which is so important in marriage and I couldnt be more happy to see a friend so truly in love. Since the couple is based in Texas, we have utilized lots of email and phone calls to go over much of the wedding details for decor, vendors, venues, etc. So I'm excited to have our first couples meeting in the next few months when they visit the area to meet with possible vendors.
Below is a snippet of the submission that Kwame sent to Amber Studios for an Engagement Photoshoot Contest, that the couple actually won thanks to all their friends and family voting on social media! His sweet words were definitely deserving for the picture contest. Enjoy!
Engagement Story:
Praise The Lord she said “YES!”
"My morning began after a restless night of tossing and turning in anticipation for the day to come. I couldn’t stop thinking about how my best friend, Janira Teague, is truly the love of my life. I was also very concerned about every detail of the proposal I was about to deliver later that day. I just wanted everything to be perfect. So, I went to the restaurant, CoCo Sala to put my plan in action. Coco Sala, is where we had our very first date and a where Janira mentioned she wanted to one day get married. Not in the restaurant of course, but up on their beautiful rooftop overlooking the Nation's Capital.
On that rooftop the restaurant’s manager helped me decorate the space with a single table, candle, 2 glasses of champagne, my sweethearts favorite sweet… a red velvet Georgetown Cupcake and 22 pink roses. The flowers represent her favorite color and the number of months we dated, 22. A few hours later, Janira and I enjoyed a wonderful date night at the Coco Sala Restaurant. She had no clue about the proposal, but after dinner she asked me if I thought the manager would let us check out there rooftop venue. Of course he said yes and I took her up to the stars to begin the rest of our life together.
Just thinking about that day makes me realize how lucky I am to have found my soul mate. God blessed me when he brought Janira into my life and he continues to strengthen our relationship every day. My beautiful fiancé brings out the best in me, helps me to be a better person.
Now I would love to show the world how wonderful her spirit shines from the inside out and I’m confident that “The Amber Studio” photography will beautifully capture that essence.
Gratefully,
The Happiest Man On Earth
-AKA- Kwame White
Check out Amber Knowles with The Amber Studios here.
OUTFITTED and the Nival Salon + Spa invite you to attend a private event next Saturday, July 26th from 6pm-10pm. In addition to an unparalleled shopping experience, we will be providing complimentary beauty treatments with professional stylists all night! Please join us for an evening of beauty and summer styling sessions and enjoy refreshments from our complimentary dessert bar and cocktail bar! This event is invite-only and you must RSVP to Briana@OutfittedShop.com. This invitation is good for you and one guest. Parking validation at The Collection will be provided for all guests.
Dreaming of a lavish wedding but don’t quite have the budget? You’re in luck: Arena Stage is giving one local couple the wedding of their dreams—currently valued at $80,000. The wedding package includes a ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception for up to 175 guests at the Mead Center for American Theater, plus free use of the venue, catering and a wedding cake by RSVP Catering, decor by Design Foundry, music and lighting by Bruce Pike Productions, floral design, valet parking by MJ Valet, a hotel bridal suite provided by the Mandarin Oriental, an engagement portrait session by Cameron Whitman Photography, wedding-day photography and videography, and a pair of tickets to the official opening night of Fiddler on the Roof—plus other surprises along the way.
The only catch: The wedding date is set for January 2, 2015.
For more information on the contest including how to enter, see here. Good Luck!!
Source: Washingtonian Bride and Groom
Love is in the details and this wedding had a ton! Not only were Myaa and John such a fun couple to work with, they also wanted the wedding to stay true to their personalities. Myaa is African American and John is Vietnamese.
Four words they described for their wedding day were fun, blended, family-oriented and unique! Some notable details from the wedding were their love of Maryland (check out the groomsmen fun Maryland flag socks), relaxed style (groom and groomsmen wore Vans shoes), to the bridal and bridesmaid paper bouquets! The selected color palette was red, black & white. It was the perfect fit for this beautifully blended new family. This day was a blast to coordinate with the assistance of Favored team, Carol, Helen & LaToya! Big thank you to all the great vendors we worked with for Myaa & John's Wedding!
See more photos in from this wedding our gallery here.
Tomorrow is the Fourth of July and you have everything you need for the perfect cookout. The meat is marinating, the drinks are cooling in the fridge, the grill is working perfectly, but you forgot one thing….the MUSIC!! What is a party without great music? Never fear we have you covered. Get ready for the 4th of July with the Baby You're a Friework Playlist below.
Firework- Katy Perry
I Knew You Were Trouble- Taylor Swift
Drunk In Love- Beyonce ft. Jay Z
West Coast- Lana Del Ray
For the full playlist and a spotify playlist check it here.
Source: Huffington Post
The man of your dreams just popped the question, and now it is time find the perfect dress. To ensure that the experience doesn't rival Kandi's on RHOA,
take a look at the tips Wedding Wire compiled below.
1. Go On A Weekend
Yes, you may think going on a weekday will be less busy, but on weekends, there are often designer trunk shows and discounts. Bonus!
2. Family First
Only bring your very nearest and dearest to your appointment: mom, grandmother, sister, cousin, or even dad. Keep it to a maximum of five people. Otherwise, there won’t be enough seats in the fitting room!
3. Wear Proper Support
Because after all, you will be changing in front of everyone, and wearing very, very little clothing at times. You’ll need a nude strapless bra (that’s not as old as mine from high school, oops!), shapewear to slim and smooth out any unwanted bumps, and shoes (preferably heels around the same height you might wear on your wedding day) so you can get an idea of an appropriate hemline.
4. Be Vocal
Tell your consultant up front what your budget is, pick out sample wedding dresses that you want to try on, and give your honest opinion. It’s okay to hear from family, but once you’ve tried on a dress, you should be the first to speak. Say out loud what you like and don’t like about each gown, and then rank them in order of your favorites. Also, ask to try on accessories, too. It becomes more real wearing a veil and sash.
5. Get Movin’
Don’t just stand on the pedestal! Walk around in each wedding dress—it’s not like you’ll be standing still on your wedding day. Try sitting, walking quickly, even dancing in the bridal salon! I found that some fabrics and silhouettes made me waddle like a duck! No thanks.
6. Eat Beforehand
Trying on wedding dresses is physically and emotionally draining. Since my appointment was a 1 p.m., I decided to eat breakfast but not lunch only because I knew I would go out to eat afterwards to celebrate. My stomach was growling the entire time.
7. Never Underestimate Your Consultant
I must admit that I was a little hesitant about my bridal salon consultant at first. She strangely resembled Edna from The Incredibles, complete with thick black-rimmed glasses. In a way, she was the perfect match though. Her enthusiasm was contagious, (the opposite of my reserved shyness), but not overbearing. She listened to what I wanted: lace, no strapless, fit ‘n’ flare, v-neckline and illusion back, and in the end, it was her pick that had it all. It was the one.
8. No Cameras
Many bridal salons won’t let you take pictures. I was only allowed to take a picture of the wedding dress I planned to purchase, not the ones I tried on. But that’s okay. If I did take a photo, I would have been secretly afraid my fiancé would find it.
9. Shop Sooner Rather Than Later
Even though my wedding is in late-September, my wedding dress doesn’t come in for another 22 weeks—that's approximately 5 months. I thought I was trying on wedding dresses too early. Wrong. Make sure you go at least 7 months or more before your big day. Otherwise, you may not have enough time to get alterations. Rush delivery, please?
For more great wedding tips, visit Wedding Wire
When planning a large scale event, it is imperative to secure sponsors. Whether you are looking to solicit small local businesses or large corporations, it is important to approach them professionally and with a strong presentation. Eventbrite compiled a great list of how to Craft the Perfect Pitch Deck. Check them out below.
1. Format matters. Be respectful of the inboxes you’re hitting, and don’t send a huge Powerpoint presentation. Turn that bad boy into a PDF, please, or better yet — send a link to where the deck lives on your website or a link to a Box.com file or other file-sharing service.
2. Include your logo. Include your website. Include your contact information (email address, social media profiles, etc.).
3. Do your homework first. Be smart about who you are approaching and research what type of organization is likely to be a fit for your event.
4. Be as specific as possible about your conference. What is the point? Where is it happening? What are the dates? Why are people coming? Who are your speakers? Why should you be considered credible?
5. Be as specific as possible about your attendees. How many people are you expecting? Age? Location? Income level? Interests? Really drill down — this information is really interesting and valuable to potential sponsors.
6. If there was an event last year, include photos from last year’s event.
7. If there was an event last year, include quotes from last year’s attendees or sponsors about how great it was.
8. If there was an event last year, include notable numbers. Number of attendees, number of speakers, the person who traveled the furthest to attend, if funds were raised, etc.
9. Include a glossary or a bulleted list of terms/facts that will be helpful to have on hand before reviewing the deck.
10. Offering different levels of sponsorship? Create a different deck for each level and determine which level you’re asking for. Only send that deck when you’re soliciting a company.
11. Offer category or level exclusivity. For example, make it clear that there can only be ONE silver level sponsor, or there can only be ONE breakfast sponsor.
12. Add tickets/hospitality benefits to each sponsorship level. Comped registration to your conference or a special sponsors dinner are great ideas to start with. You’d be shocked to see how many times people ask for money or donation, but offer nothing in return besides your logo on their marketing materials and a mention on social media!
13. Are there benefits to being a sponsor outside of the event itself? Many conferences now are offering many different types of benefits: marketing, hospitality, onsite, year round, etc. Think about the big picture!
14. Be precise. Keep things as short as possible — do you really think everyone has time to read a 20 page pitch deck? Nope!
15. Be humble. End with a THANK YOU! and be sure to include your contact information, how to follow up with you, and when you’ll be reaching back out to discuss.
Eventbrite also hosts amazing webinars and they are FREE! Be sure to subscribe to their blog to stay up to date on all of the great information.
With Fourth of July being two weeks away, it is time to get inspired for a big bash. Send out your invites, stock up on mason jars and buy everything red, white, and blue you can find. Whether you want to just have a party or a patriotic themed wedding, check out some inspiration below.
Can't have a party without snacks! Serve your guests up a healthy red, white, and blue kabob with blueberries, bananas, and strawberries.
Satisy their sweet tooth with strategically placed cakepops
Use mason jars and bandanas to make the flatware festive.
Table Setting
Pair a star studded table runner with a striped table cloth to dress up any table.
For all of your invation needs, take a look at all of your options at Paperless Post
For favor and decor, check out you local Party city
Please join us for an exclusive open house as Executive Chef Bertrand Chemel and team unveil the possibilities for beautiful weddings, bridal showers, and receptions. Meet and discuss creative ideas with our preferred vendors and take memorable photos in front of our waterfall.
Date | Saturday, June 28, 2014
Time | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Please RSVP by Monday, June 23, 2014 | privatedining@2941.com
2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, VA | 703.270.1511
One guest per invitee is welcome
This week's Real Engagement by Mike Stog Photography features Favored by Yodit Events clients, Myaa and John who are getting married this week and we cant wait! Since meeting this couple almost a year ago there has been an infectious connection to their love, humor and similarities! One thing that has still stuck with me was how "sweet" they are! After our first meeting, Myaa & John got me my first "Dulce de Leche Cookie" and I literally thought to myself "were gonna get along great!". 3 pounds later thanks to my addiction to these delicious cookies I can say that I have not only been lucky to have such a fun loving couple, I am genuinely excited to see the entire vision come to life this weekend and celebrate their love.
Take a look at their sweet engagement story and leave your comments below.
Who: Myaa Yeakey & John Vu
Wedding Date: June 13, 2014
Where they met: University of Maryland Baltimore County
How John Popped the Question:
In February 2013 they knew they were going to get engaged as they had picked out a ring to be made for Myaa. John secretly got permission from her dad and tried to hide it. They decided to have a small Super Bowl party since John is a huge Ravens fan, but it quickly turned into a 20 person get together. During half time, the game cuts out and the TV starts playing a DVD. On this DVD was a video montage of photos of Myaa and John over the years. After the montage, there was a video of John proposing to Myaa! Then while sitting next to Myaa on the couch, John pulled out the ring and popped the question!!! Everyone in the room knew what was going on but Myaa, so it was an amazing surprise!
Her story:
John and Myaa met her junior year at UMBC through mutual friends. After hours of chit-chatting they became fast friends and began hanging out. There was no romance in those days, just beer drinking and random trips out and about. Fast forward 3-4 years and they decided to start dating in 2009. By that time, he was one of Myaa's best friends. And they knew the good and bad about each other, and were fully aware of what they were getting themselves into.
His story (In his exact words):
I remember meeting Myaa during my last semester at UMBC. It was a bunch of us talking a lot of smack at lunch in the Commons. I thought she was really cute, but blew me away with how much trash she talked. For most guys, I think that would scare them away but that just intrigued me. I don’t know if you can call it love at first sight, and I didn’t think much of it at the time. I just thought “Hell yeah, I’d holla for a dolla.”
Somehow we would keep running into each other at parties or through friends, even after I had left UMBC. We kept in touch for no real reason except that we clicked and I thought she was a jerk, but I enjoyed talking to her. And she would get my underage-self alcohol! I know if you can’t really count this as our first date, but the first time we ever really kicked it by ourselves took place in the tattoo shop, Metro Ink, to be exact. It was followed up with some Jamaican food in DC and some other random moves for the night. I’m sure that it doesn’t surprise anyone that the start of our story revolves around tattoos, food and random moves. Maybe that’s just the night I really started crushing on her, at least silently.
Fast forward a few years, I got laid off. For some odd reason Myaa hung out with my-broke-self even more during that time. On one lovely night of beers and tequila for my best man, Phi-Tu’s birthday, she said she dug me, like really dug me and kissed me. I guess that was the magic that everyone speaks of, and where the romance started. Besides the added romance, nothing has changed. She’s still my best friend and we are just kicking it in our own little random world. And everything is all good in the hood.
They are so much fun and goofy! Cant wait for their crazy party that is their wedding this weekend!
Myaa and John love tattoos! And have some pretty cool ink between them.
I always say best friends make the best couples and these two are a perfect example!
Fathers Day is this Sunday and Co Co. Sala has got you covered! Check out their brunch menu and gift selections below!
|
|
Source: Cocosala.com |
Today I ran across this article on Daily Finance on 10 tough money questions you must ask your future spouse. Since finances are one of the top reasons marriages end in divorce, I thought this would be a great article to share with favored readers. Check out a few of the tips below...
1. What's Your Credit Score?
Your credit score can affect your ability to start a family, buy a house or replace a car. Once you've married, your partner's credit score can be your problem, too, and it's not one you want to find out about after you file a loan application. Hint: It's a bad sign if your intended can't or won't answer this question.
2. What's Your Income?
Most of us consider this to be a closely guarded secret, but you can't hide it from your soon-to-be spouse for long. Nor should you. As you plan a life together, you need to know that both of you have realistic hopes and expectations about the lifestyle you'll enjoy.
3. How Much Do You Have In Savings?
You should know whether the person you're about to marry is living paycheck-to-paycheck. Many young people just starting out haven't banked much, and can't. But together you can work out a plan to establish an emergency fund covering three to six months of expenses.
4. What Debts Do You Have?
A truly embarrassing question, but one that must be asked. Marrying someone makes their debt yours, too. And a substantial debt can wreck the lifestyle you want together. There is a worst-case scenario here: If the person you're planning to marry is skipping out on obligations like a student loan, credit card payments or child support, you might rethink your choice of partner. If your loved one just has poor spending habits, work it out together now.
View the full list here.
Souce : Daily Finance
This past Wednesday, Chrysis Entertainment hosted a Vendor Showcase in Washington D.C. The event took place at The Loft on 600F. The Loft at 600 F is a versatile space, available for whatever your event needs may be. The light-filled, modern space can be set in various layouts ranging from a comfy lounge to a formal conference table or from a engaging lecture to an inviting happy hour. Drinks were catered by Mixology. Mixology caters private parties, weddings, corporate events, and birthdays. Their available staff includes Bartenders, Banquet Servers, Buffet Servers, Wait Staff, Party Assistants and Coat Check Attendants. The frozen Pina Colada I had from them was delicious! The showcase decor was designed by N4 Weddings. The Chrysis Entertainments band got the party started its jazzy music complete with a live saxophone player!
Source: theloftat600f.com
