You're Invited: The Floral Experience at The Greenbrier

Hey #FavoredFamily! You are Invited to The Floral Experience by Karen Tran at The Greenbrier. See below for more information.

We are only one month away from welcoming Karen Tran and her exciting Floral Experience workshop to The Greenbrier! This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for floral designers and enthusiasts alike. Don’t miss the chance to secure your spot to learn from one of the industry’s leading experts!

This three day, hands-on workshop will offer participants the chance to fine-tune their business savvy, while experiencing and collaborating on the production of a high end event. The weekend will culminate in an extravagantly themed gala dinner where attendees can dine with new industry friends.

To learn more, please visit www.thefloralexperience.com and share this information with those on your team and within your professional circle! All are welcome to register! We hope to see you there!

You're Invited: Upcoming Bridal Shows

Future Brides! Bridal Shows are a great way to meet vendors and get ideas for your wedding. Be sure to check out bridalshowsandexpos.com for upcoming shows in the area and for more information.

You're Invited: The Malmaison Wedding Experience on April 3, 2016

Malmaison in Georgetown is a loft style event space located right on the Potomac. On April 3rd they are partnering with DC Modern Luxury Magazine for a Wedding Event like no other! This will be so much more than an open house, with champagne cocktails, delicious food, runway shows and music!

Just for being apart of the #FavoredFamily, Malmaison is offering you 25% off of the ticket price! Just use promo code PLANNERBRIDE at checkout. For more information and to buy tickets, check out the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wedding-experience-tickets-22467758671

Enjoy!

#WeddingWednesday Cake Trends 2016

 

Choosing your cake design is probably one of the most enjoyable tasks on your to do list. Probably because of the many cake tasting visits. As a caker, I would be shamed if I didn't share with you this year's cake trends! The world of cake has gone into new directions in cake design but has also gone back to a few classic traditions...a little something old and little something new! Here's a few of my top picks from The Knot's 15 Hot Wedding Cake Trends.

Metallic Cakes

The best part about metallics? They can adapt to any style; delicate embroidery in gold feels opulent while geometric shapes give off a fresh, modern feel. If an entire tier is too much glitz for you, consider adding a little sparkle all over. Fine edible glitter (think: pixie dust) can add a decorative sheen to your cake without overpowering the whole design. Gold leaf can also be added to give a touch of glam here and there on the cake.

Buttercream Cakes

Move over fondant, brides are starting to ask for more traditional cakes with a buttercream finish. "We get lots of requests for rustic iced buttercream layers with flecks of vanilla bean in the icing or textured piping that looks and tastes delicious, but isn't perfect," says Mary Maher of Cakegirls in Chicago. If you're going for a homespun, relaxed vibe, ask your baker to smother your wedding cake in delicious buttercream frosting. For the more polished version, opt for buttercream with a pleated, smooth finish.

Naked Cakes

Yep, you read that right. With the deconstructed cake, you get to show off the inside. For a summertime wedding, berries work well; in winter and fall, ask your baker to fill the layers with seasonal fruits, like apples, pears, persimmons or even blood oranges. Not only are these cakes simple and effortless but also practical if you aren't a fan of a lot of icing. Naked cakes are perfect for rustic styled weddings.

Wedding Cake Trio and Quintet Tables

Inspired by dessert tables; cake trios, quartets and quintet tables come with a couple big benefits. Having more than one cake also makes it very easy to choose multiple cake flavors (so you don't have to decide between traditional vanilla, decadent chocolate or carrot cake with cream-cheese frosting). "Guests love to have a mini-bite of lots of different desserts," says Melody Brandon of Sweet and Saucy Shop in Newport, California. Give guests choices, but don't overwhelm them. "I recommend between two to four mini-desserts per person," says Brandon. "Try not to choose more than eight options of desserts—too many choices can overwhelm your guests."

Painted Cakes

Marbleized cakes, stained-glass painted cakes, watercolor cakes and even Monet-inspired wedding cake designs. Pair those hand-painted tiers with solid-colored layers or even simple flower accents; like the one featured here. Quick tip: For a cake design that's so intricate, keep the tiers simple and stick to all one shape (either all classic round tiers or all square).

Illustrated Cakes

Did you know you can actually have anything you want printed onto your cake? It's true. Pick anything you like -- from the design on your invites to the quote from your first-dance song or even your wedding motif, like a bicycle, oak tree, or anemone flowers – to have showcased onto your cake tiers. First, the cake gets covered in fondant, then the design is hand-painted on the cake or printed on top sugar paper with edible ink.

More styles featured:

• Ruffled Cake
• Monogrammed Cake
• White on White Cake
• Lace Cake
• Woodland Whimsical Cake
• Geometric Shapes Cake
• Rosette Cake
• Sugar Flower Bouquet  Cake
• Ombre Wedding Cake

The Top Photography Trends for 2016

Your wedding photos are lasting memories of your wedding day. It's important that you put thought into who will capture your day and how you are going to do it. You want your photos to have not only a lasting impression but truly capture the emotion of every moment. If you aren't sure where to start, how about starting with this year's top photography trends! We’ve got you covered with Brides Magazine’s photography trends for 2016!

Aerial views are in!: Drones Photographer Manny Carabel of MTC Photography says that drones "gives you the vantage point of capturing images of things, people, and places you may not be able to get by standing in one spot". However, he does warn that the quality of the photos may not be as professional as handheld cameras.

10 Things You Should Know About Drone Wedding Photography

Back in time: Film Photography Remember when photos were developed instead of digitized on a computer? That’s the idea behind film photography. According to photographer Kristin La Voie, the "film renders light, color, and tones differently than digital images. Typically, they're softer, more flattering — and have a more painterly feel than the vivid, crisp digital photos." These images are achieved by developing the photos using analog cameras and negative film.

Fit for the stars!: Editorial Style Shots Who doesn’t want wedding photos that are fit for a spread in Vogue! As NewYork-based wedding photographer Amy Anaiz says, editorial shots "create portraits of the couple that have a visual impact because your eyes are drawn to their deep expressions and deliberate placement — similar to what you see in magazines." In order to accomplish these looks Amy says that the photos should capture beautiful and flattering light, pay close attention to detail, and be clean images.

Poof!: Smoke Bombs Smoke bombs are probably a new trend that you may not have heard of! According to photographer Jenevieve Purcell, who uses this cool photo effect, her clients are amazed with the process and its uniqueness.The cool effect is achieved by literally dropping colored smoke bombs in the shot! How cool is that!

Timeless: Black & White "With an increase in vintage-styled weddings over the last few years; black and white photos are predicted to increase alongside." Who doesn’t love the sleek and timeless appeal of a black and white photo? You cannot go wrong with incorporating a few black and white photos in your photo repertoire.

Oh so natural!: Less Filters “Thanks to Instagram, photography filters have been all the rage. However, in 2016, Brooklyn-based wedding, engagement, and family photographer Ben Deibert believes that brides will seek a more natural, real editing style of their photos, allowing their beauty to shine through with natural, simplistic editing and lighting.”

One last thing…. Well speaking of Instagram, while having filters for your photos may not be “in” this year; hashtags definitely are! Creating your own hashtag for your wedding events will allow your guests to further participate in your big day and it creates an online album of your wedding. You and your guests will be able to browse photos from the wedding simply by clicking on the hashtag. Be sure to come up with your own unique hashtag for your big day and encourage your guests to use it!

Source: Brides.com

Be Inspired: St. Patrick's Day Themed Wedding

  

Do you want to incorporate a theme into your wedding but have no idea how to fit it in? If you are having a March wedding, naturally a St. Patrick's Day theme will fit perfectly and you can execute the theme without your wedding looking cheesy. Selecting an appropriate color palate is the easiest way to get creative with your theme. Emerald is a very popular shade of green this year and would perfectly accent any venue or you could really make things pop with a more neon green like our #FavoredCouple Salai and Matt.

 

Another way to tie in the St. Patrick's Day Theme is by picking a signature cocktail. Guests can enjoy your delicious green or Irish inspired drink during Cocktail Hour or while dancing the night way at the Reception. Signature drinks are also a great way to save money on the bar. Offer guests beer, wine and a signature cocktail in lieu of a Full Bar to cut costs while still having a variety of drinks to chose from. Liquor.com has a great list of St. Patty's Day Drinks, but below are two of my favorites.

The Gin on Gin Julep

Ingredients:

• .5 oz Rich Simple Syrup (two parts sugar, one part water)
• 15 Large Mint Leaves
• 1 oz Bols Genever
• 1 oz Plymouth Gin
• 1 splash Club Soda
• Garnish: 1 Mint Sprig
• Glass: Julep

Directions:

• In a Julep cup, muddle the simple syrup and mint
• Fill with crushed or pellet ice and add the genever and gin
• Top with the club soda and stir until combined
• Garnish with a mint sprig

Hemingway Daiquiri Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 cp White Rum
• .75 cp Key Lime Juice
• .5 cp Grapefruit Juice
• .5 cp Maraschino Liqueur
• 2 tbsp. Simple Syrup
• Garnish: 1 Lime Wheel
• Glass: Wine

Directions:

• Add all ingredients to a blender and fill with ice
• Cover and pulse the blender until the drink has a slushy consistency
• Divide the contents of the blender between 8 wine glasses and garnish each with a lime wheel

#Cheers!

Wedding Wednesday: Cherelle + Donald

In honor of Wedding Wednesday, I had to share this fabulous slide show from our favored couple Cherelle & Donald who got married on 12/18/15!! 

 

Such a stunning couple! So blessed to celebrate love all year long. 

 

Special thanks to Nessa K Photography for capturing their love and all of our details so perfectly.

 

Watch their wedding slide show and see their full gallery here: http://www.nessakphotography.com/slideshows/cherelledonald/

Are you ready for Super Bowl Sunday??

Who's ready for Super Bowl Sunday?? Favored By Yodit Events Owner, Yodit (Gebreyes) Endale was recently interviewed by Insureon, the nation’s leading online provider of business insurance for small and micro businesses to lend her event planning tips for managing risk and reducing liquor liability on Super Bowl Sunday (or any day when patrons are likely to drink a lot and may become rowdy).

Whether your a venue owner, bartender or just getting ready to host your own Super Bowl Party at home this week check out "5 Ways to Reduce Liquor Liability Exposure at Your Bar or Restaurant on Super Bowl". Always plan ahead to make smart choices!

To read the full article go here: https://foodservices.insureon.com/news/5-ways-to-reduce-liquor-liability-exposure-at-your-bar-or-restaurant-on-super-bowl-sunday

No matter if you are #TeamPanthers or #TeamBroncos make sure you are safe on Sunday!

Congrats Your Engaged! Why it's the perfect time to hire a Wedding Planner?

 

Favored by Yodit Events has an Engagement Season Gift Just for You!

Did you know? 28% of proposals take place between December and February—making it the most popular time of year to get engaged. The winter holidays are filled with family and love, so it’s only natural that this time of year is among the most popular for engagements. If you’re a lucky couple who recently got engaged, congratulations! As an engagement gift to you, we’re going to share the first five steps you should take from here:

1. Let everyone know the big news. Don’t instantly announce your engagement on social media and let everyone find out that way. Instead, reach out personally to your friends and relatives to share the big news. This is also a great time to ask wedding attendants if they’ll stand up for you (if you already know who you want to ask). 2. Set the budget. The first big step of wedding planning is setting the budget. You can ask your parents if they intend to contribute anything to the wedding so you can include that money in the final amount. Once that number is set, don’t stray from it! 3. Finalize your guest list. Yes, we mean finalize. Before you know how much money you can afford to spend on any of your wedding services, you need to know how many guests you’ll have to feed. Pare that list down as much as possible to help stretch your budget. 4. Get a wedding planner. Whether you work with a professional planner or go the DIY route and hire a coordinator, stay organized and on a timeline to make the planning process as stress-free as possible. 5. Find a venue. It may seem more logical to set a date before selecting a venue, but being flexible on your wedding date can actually help you find the perfect venue because you’re willing to book your wedding when the venue is available. The venue may also offer discounts on certain days of the week or times of the day, so your flexibility can allow you to take advantage of those.

These five steps will kick-start your wedding planning. We hope that you enjoy this special time of being engaged. The big day will be here before you know it!

If you have questions about this or other wedding-related topics, please leave a comment or email yodit@favoredbyyodit.com so we can get back to you.

Source: Perfect Wedding Guide

Favored by Yodit Featured In Washingtonian Bride & Groom 2015 Best Wedding Vendor List

 

We are pleased to announce that Washingtonian Bride & Groom has named Favored by Yodit as "Best Wedding Vendor 2015" in the category of event planners and designers. There are no words to describe how thankful and blessed we feel to be recognized by the magazine and to be among such a distinguished group of talented event planners and designers.

We love what we do and will continue to provide multicultural couples & clients event design, event planning and coordination services to infuse ethnic traditions and customs for all their unique life occasions. Thank you for all of the continued support from our clients, vendor community & Favored team.

Favored by Yodit Events is a luxe boutique event management & design company serving the Atlantic East Coast and International Destinations.

#MCM Man Crush Monday - Tux Rentals from The Blk Tux

 

Men, today is your day! Gone are the days of spending hours in a tux rental store trying on a suit that you will literally only see for 24 hours. The Blk Tux has completely taken all of the guess-work out of tux shopping and made the process easy and seamless. Not only is this amazing for grooms, but now brides can take one more thing OFF of their checklist. When I was first introduced to this service, I thought it was a great idea but was expecting it to be expensive. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the pricing was comparable to what you would find in your local and chain rental stores, possibly even cheaper if you include the shoes.

The Blx Tux promises three things, Quality, Convenience, and Value.

Quality: We partnered directly with one of the world's finest suit-makers to create the greatest rental tux ever designed. The old tux shop is offering a worn out tux, with an outdated fit, at a higher cost.

Convenience: We ship anywhere in the continental US, and your order arrives a full week before your event date. Just send it back when you are done. Free shipping, both ways.

Value: We've cut out the middleman, and we're passing the savings to you. Their best $220 tux rental doesn't come close to our quality, and our prices start at $95.

Have you used The Blk Tux? How was your experience? Let us know in the comments below. For more information check out the website here: https://theblacktux.com/

Mother's Day Gift Idea: Give Her Own Parent BrideBox Wedding Album!

 

Surprise her with the gift of a lifetime - her very own parent wedding album!

BrideBox Wedding Albums aren't just for you - they make amazing gifts for your parents too. Celebrate your mom this weekend with a beautifully made, guaranteed-to-last-a-lifetime parent wedding album. You have 48 hours left to take advantage of this flash sale, so what are you waiting for?

Get 15% off all albums through Mother's Day this Sunday, May 10. Imagine her surprise when she trades that IOU for this unbelievable gift in just a few weeks. Enter code BBMOM15 upon checkout and get ready to make your mom smile.

Mother's Day Gift Guide

In case you forgot, Mother's Day happens to be coming up fast it's Sunday, May 10th this year. If you're still unsure about how you're going to spoil her, don't stress, you have time to figure it out. Just in case, here are our recommendations of the best gift ideas any mom would love. From a stylish watch that matches her busy life to a magazine subscription she can use wherever she goes, finding the gift that is just right for her interests is about to get a whole lot easier. Here are some easy and affordable ideas thanks to askmen.com

Source askmen.com

Hitched 8th Annual Princess for a Night Dress Donation Drive

Give back this Prom & Wedding season to our friends at Hitched's 8th Annual "Princess for a Night" Dress Donation Drive. Favored by Yodit Events loves to work with vendors who share our passion for giving back so we invite you to stop by the Hitched Salon to donate your gently worn formal dresses and bridesmaid dresses. Hitched is conveniently located in Georgetown at 1523 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007. Make sure to tell them we sent you and tag us to your post on social media so we can repost!

Spring Inspired Styled Shoot Model Call!

Looking for beautiful models {both male + female} for our Spring Inspired Style Shoot in VA! If interested, please send a link to your headshot, a full body photo, measurements and a little blurb about yourself toyodit@favoredbyyodit.com. P.s. If you reading this and aren't interested but know someone who might be, please tag them in a comment.

Wedding Wednesday: 14 Questions to Ask Photographers

When planning your wedding, one of the most important vendors you will hire (outside of your wedding planner) is your photographer. When your first kiss as husband and wife is over, the cake is gone, and the flowers have wilted all you will have left are the pictures. Make sure that you hire someone that understands your vision and will be able to capture all of your once in a lifetime moments. How do you do that? Well I am glad you asked! Check out “14 Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer” put together by WeddingWire.

How would you describe your style of photography and can I see examples?

You’ll likely hear words like “photojournalistic,” “traditional,” “formal,” “documentary,” or “creative” but frequently these mean different things to different people. Ask a photographer to walk you through his or her work to help illuminate a description.

Have you ever photographed a wedding in my venue before?

If the answer is yes, ask to see the images that were shot at your venue to make sure they mesh with your vision. If the answer is no, it’s certainly not a deal-breaker, but see if the photographer would be willing to “scout” or check out your location in advance of the wedding to pick backdrops, etc.

Will you be the one photographing my wedding?

If the photographer works solo, the answer would be an obvious yes. However, if you’re interviewing a photographer from a bigger company, make sure that the person you’re talking to will be the one who will show up on your wedding day.

What if you get sick or an emergency comes up and you can’t photographer my wedding?

A photographer who works alone should have a good back-up plan in case of emergency, one that makes you feel comfortable and secure.

Are you insured?

A professional photographer should have insurance in case their equipment breaks, is stolen, or an accident occurs.

Can I see the album from a full wedding?

Some photographers will just show you a collection of their best images, instead of the full set of images from a wedding, start to finish. You’ll want to see images from every part of a wedding – getting ready, the ceremony, first dance, etc. – not just the most creative or dreamy portraits.

For the full list check out:

http://mktg.weddingwire.com/Newsletter/14-Questions-Photographer/default.html?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=Photography+Lifecycle+Email

Source: WeddingWire.com

Blog Post: Top 10 Wedding Guest Complaints and How to Avoid Them

Do you remember that time you went to a wedding expecting a full three course meal so you skipped lunch to fit into your dress and you got there and they were only serving light hors d'oeuvres? Or when you wore your new suede pumps to that wedding last August only to get there and find out that the ceremony is outside in the grass. As you sat there googling, “how to remove grass stains from suede” or digging in your purse praying that one of the M&Ms from the bag you bought yesterday dropped in the bottom of your bag you VOWED *see what I did there* that you would communicate better when it was your turn to get married. While you are making notes of all of the things you would do different, take a look at the top wedding guest complaints by BrideBox.

1. A difficult date: Everyone knows Christmas is your favorite holiday and a winter wonderland wedding with red and green accents would be the PERFECT backdrop for your special day. However, a wedding on Christmas Day or any other holiday could prove to be very difficult for your guests to attend. Travel plans for big holidays are often made months in advance, so if your heart is set on that date give your guests plenty of time to plan.

2. An uncomfortable climate: Having your wedding at noon outside in July was a great idea until the day of the wedding and it is 200 degrees outside. You don’t want your guests spending more time trying to redirect the sweat dripping from their forehead than paying attention to the ceremony. For moments where weather could affect your guests, get creative. Make your programs dual purpose by making them fans, or provide your guests a pashmina or blanket for chilly nights.

3. Disregarded dietary restrictions: As a new pescetarian this complaint is close to my heart. When selecting your menu, be sure to keep in mind those that have dietary restrictions. There is nothing worse than getting to a venue and the only options are chicken and steak with no vegetarian options. Be sure to ask if your guests have any special needs on the RSVP card so that they can be properly taken care at the reception.

For the full list of Top Wedding Guest Complaints, be sure to visit bridebox.com!

Source: http://www.bridebox.com/blog/top-wedding-guest-complaints/

Are you Prepared for Clutch Season?

Whether you are getting married, attending a wedding or any kind of occasion clutch season is finally here. You can never go wrong with classic metallic or vibrant colors to pair with your outfit. Nordstrom, J.Crew, Zara, Bloomingdale and Neiman Marcus offer great styles at affordable prices.

RECAP 2015 Capital Bridal Affair - Photography by Rodney Bailey

On March 1, 2015 Favored Owner Yodit Gebreyes and one of our Favored Brides attended the Capital Bridal Affair (CBA) and Fashion Show at The Mayflower DC. If you have never been there, it is a beautiful hotel located downtown near the White House and the perfect venue for a luxury wedding. In October, we have the privilege of planning a wedding there and the CBA was the perfect event to get our brides creative juices flowing.

The official photographer was Rodney Bailey who has been voted the “Top Wedding Photojournalist” by Washingtonian Magazine since 1999. For more on Rodney Bailey and to see more of his amazing work, check out his website here: http://www.rodneybailey.com/index2.html#intro/home

Win a Wedding at The National Harbor!

Are you a bride that has always dreamed about having a wedding at the National Harbor but aren't quite sure how to pull it off? Well today is your lucky day! The National Harbor, the WeddingWire and 94.7 Fresh FM have an incredible contest going on where you can WIN your rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception.

Enter to win the romantic, waterfront wedding of your dreams at National Harbor. National Harbor is partnering with WeddingWire and 94.7 Fresh FM to bring one lucky couple from the greater Maryland, DC, and Virginia area an amazing spring wedding, right on the Potomac.

With help from our team of professionals, we’ll take care of the dress, rehearsal brunch cruise, wedding ceremony and reception.

After the winning couple is announced on April 16, they’ll meet with the National Harbor team to get ready for the big day, Sunday, April 26, 2015!

Contest ends on March 30^th.

Among many prizes, the package includes:

• Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties at Bobby McKey’s
• Rehearsal brunch cruise onboard the National Elite
• Wedding gown, jewelry, veil, and groom’s tuxedo provided by House of JonLei Atelier
• Professional photographs and album by WEPS
• Hair and makeup for the bride
• Wedding and cocktail reception at The Sunset Room by Wolfgang Puck
• Wedding reception on The Pier by several National Harbor restaurants
• One-night stay in the Suite at AC Hotels by Marriott at National Harbor

For more details and to enter: http://www.nationalharbor.com/destinationwedding/?utm_source=FacebookContent&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=DestinationWeddingEntryPeriod