About Our Blog

My blog is for those planning their events and for those who like to attend events. Whether your event is big (weddings, bar/bat mitzvah, anniversary parties, milestone birthdays, etc.) or small (dinner parties, cocktail affairs, etc.) we have something for you.

Come visit my blog for "everything events!" Need tips on how to save on your wedding? Want to know what DC-area galas, festivals, fundraisers are going on? Want to find out about Trunk shows, Bridal shows, Mitzvah shows, Expos, and Venue Open Houses? Need tips on planning your dinner party? Need a Diamond Ring Shopping 101? Want to learn about different DC-area vendors and venues? Recently engaged and need advice on how to get started? Want to get ideas from some Cristina Maria weddings and events? Want to view some inspirational pictures of our favorites things to possibly spark an idea for your event theme? You have come to the right place.

Come and visit often!

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Thursday, May 14, 2009

Outdoor Movies in the DC area

Take a break from the wedding planning or attending the wedding events (I know it is the season of bachelorette parties, showers, and weddings!). Enjoy your engagement with your fiance or time with close friends. Need a suggestion of a fun and inexpensive event to attend? Well I have a great one if you are looking for something fun to do outdoors in the DC area this summer. Check out one of the outdoor movies going on. They are a lot of fun. Grab a blanket and a picnic basket and enjoy the summer night with your loved ones.

Washington, DC


NoMa Summer Screen
When: Wednesdays, June 10 - July 29, 2009; 7:00 until 11:00 p.m.; Rain or shine.
Where: L Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets, NE, Washington, DC on the large grassy lot
Price: Free
Metro: The closest Metro station is New York Avenue (red line).
Parking: Parking is limited.
Info: Hosted by the NoMa (north of Massachusetts Avenue) Business Improvement District. The 2009 theme of NoMa Summer Screen is "Music in Pictures," featuring films about musicians and bands.
Bring: A blanket, a low lawnchair, and a picnic.
Music: Each film screening will be preceded by live DJs, special guests, barbeque, and surprises. Funk, soul, boogaloo, and other types of music will be provided by local DJ collective Fatback.
Website: http://www.nomasummerscreen.com/

2009 Schedule:
  • June 10 - No Direction Home: A chronicle of Bob Dylan's strange evolution between 1961 and 1966---Directed by Martin Scorsese
  • June 17 - Buena Vista Social Club: Rediscovery of a legendary, members-only club in 1940's Havana, Cuba, as documented through the music and lives of veteran performers
  • June 24 - Ray: Extraordinary life story of Ray Charles, a man who fought harder and went farther than anyone thought possible
  • July 1 - Lady Sings the Blues: Loosely based on her 1956 autobiography, the story of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday, as portrayed by Diana Ross
  • July 8 - I Am Trying To Break Your Heart: Documentary about the making and the conflicts of Wilco's fourth studio Album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
  • July 15 - Standing in the Shadows of Motown: History of the Funk Brothers, a group of Detroit musicians who backed up dozens of Motown artists
  • July 22 - Scratch: Documentary about hip-hop DJing, the birth of turntablism, the legends and the culture
  • July 29 - DIG!: Story of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, a band with critical acclaim but no commercial success, as told by arch-nemesis and biggest fan, The Dandy Warhols
Trust for the National Mall/HBO/Comcast Screen on the Green
When: As of 6/12/09 it is back!
Where: Screen is at 4th St. and crowd goes back to 7th St (near the National Gallery of Art), National Mall, Washington, DC
Price: Free
Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter, L'enfant Plaza, and Federal Center SW
Info: As you may know, Washington came dangerously close to losing Screen on the Green after funding for the activity fell through earlier this spring. The Trust is proud to join HBO and Comcast in this joint effort. Theirhope is that just as Washingtonians rallied to save Screen on the Green through social networking and other forums, all Americans will unite in a grassroots effort to help restore the National Mall.

2009 Schedule:
Check out their website for their upcoming movie schedule.

Maryland


Bethesda Outdoor Movies-Stars on the Avenue
When: July 28 - August 1, 2009; 9:00 p.m. (encouraged to arrive early)
Where: Woodmont Triangle, Bethesda, Maryland (the corner of Norfolk and Auburn Avenues)
Price: Free
Metro: Bethesda metro (red line)
Parking: Spaces are available in the Del Ray/Auburn Avenue garage which is adjacent to the event site.
Info: The Bethesda Urban Partnership will present five evenings of modern and classic cinema.
Bring: Your own lawn chairs. A limited number of chairs will be provided.

2009 Schedule:
Check out their website for their upcoming movie schedule.

Strathmore Comcast Outdoor Film Festival
When: August 14-21, 2009; Show beginning at 8:10 each evening; Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Where: The lawn of the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Maryland
Price: Free (Donations requested to benefiting NIH Children’s Charities)
Metro: Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro (red line).
Parking: Parking for the Film Festival is in the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro garage. Enter the garage on Tuckerman Lane. Detailed directions are available at www.strathmore.org under “Plan Your Visit,” click on Directions & Parking. Parking is $4.75, and a Metro SmarTrip card will be required to pay the $4.75 parking fare in order to exit the garage. Metro does not accept cash or any other form of payment.
Bring: A blanket or low beach chair.
Food: Food and snacks will be for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the NIH Children's Charities - Children's Inn, Camp Fantastic/Special Love, and Friends of the Clinical Center.
Websites: Film Festival & Strathmore Event/Movie Calendar.

2009 Schedule:
  • Friday, August 14 - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
  • Saturday, August 15 - "The Dark Knight"
  • Sunday, August 16 - "Kung Fu Panda"
  • Monday, August 17 - "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"
  • Tuesday, August 18 - "Singing in the Rain"
  • Wednesday, August 19 - "Twilight"
  • Thursday, August 20 - "Slumdog Millionaire"
  • Friday, August 21 - "Enchanted"

Outdoor Movies on Rockville Town Square
When: 2009 Dates to be Announced; Thursday nights beginning at 8:30pm (Dusk).
Where: On the Plaza at Rockville Town Square, Rockville, Maryland
Price: Free
Metro: Rockville metro (red line)
Parking: Parking garage and street parking available.
Bring: Seating is limited. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcomed.
Website: http://www.rockvilletownsquare.com/event_pop.php

2009 Schedule:
  • September 18 – Bee Movie
  • September 25 – The Golden Compass

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, Family Night at the Movies
When: August 14 – 22, 2009; Each evening at approx 8:00 p.m.
Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, Maryland (Perry Parkway and Route 355)
Price: Movie Night admission is free with your admission to the Fair.
Fair ticket price: $8 per person (ages 8 and up), $3 per child (ages 2-7) and children under 2 are free.
Parking: $5 per car. Free Shuttle Bus from Lakeforest Mall.
Info: The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is the largest county fair in the State of Maryland. Since 1949, the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair has been a showcase of farm life in Montgomery County, Maryland. The week-long county fair is a family event with lots of carnival rides, great entertainment, wonderful foods, and fun activities for all ages.

At the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, kids get to see all kinds of farm animals up close. See prize winning goats, sheep, pigs, dairy cattle, horses, etc. Live entertainment includes Monster Trucks, Demolition Derby, Hambone Express, Tyzen the Hypnotist, Arthur Atsma the Magician. Purchase quilting, clothing, canned goods, baked goods and vegetables from local farmers and enjoy arts and crafts exhibits of local youth.

2009 Schedule:
Check out their website for the upcoming summer schedule.

Columbia's Lakefront Summer Festival Movies
When: June 19 - September 19, 2009; Movies begin at dusk (about 8:30 pm); Rain Cancellation: 410-715-3154.
Where: On the lawn at the Columbia Town Center, 10320 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, Maryland
Price: Free
Parking: Free
Dance: Free dance instruction is offered from 6:30 to 8 p.m. before the Friday movies.
Website: http://www.lakefrontfestival.com/wordp/

2009 Schedule:

MONDAYS: A CELEBRATION OF GREAT FILMS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
  • June 22 - Kung Fu Panda
  • June 29 - Journey to the Center of the Earth
  • July 13 - Inkheart
  • July 20 - Babe - The Gallant Pig
  • July 27 - Curious George
  • August 3 - The Tale of Despereaux
  • August 10 - Coraline
  • August 17 - The Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian
  • August 24 - Hotel for Dogs
FRIDAYS: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
  • June 19 - Transformers
  • June 26 - Mamma Mia
  • July 3 - Ghost Town
  • July 10 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  • July 17 - Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home
  • July 24 - Get Smart
  • July 31 - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
  • August 7 - The Dark Knight
  • August 14 - Iron Man
  • August 21 - Pirates of the Caribbean - Curse of the Black Pearl
  • August 28- Bedtime Stories
SEPTEMBER FILM FEST
  • Saturday August 29 - Enchanted
  • Friday Sept 4 - Ratatouille
  • Saturday Sept 5 - Monsters, Inc.
  • Sunday Sept 6 - Wall-E
  • Friday Sept 11 - Madagascar
  • Saturday Sept 12 - Madagascar - Escape 2 Africa
  • Friday Sept 18 - 17 Again
  • Saturday Sept 19 - Monsters vs. Aliens


Virginia


Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival
When: May 1 - September 4, 2009; Every Friday at Dusk; Rain or shine.
Where: Gateway Park, Rosslyn, Virginia (Lee Highway near Key Bridge)
Price: Free
Metro: The screen is just two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro (orange/blue line).
Parking: Parking is available at the Atlantic Parking Garage for $3 off of N. Moore Street after 6 p.m.
Info: The film festival features 19 movies that celebrate the 1980s, including adventure, romance, comedy, science fiction and fantasy.
Bring: Moviegoers are encouraged to bring a picnic and a blanket.
Pre-show: Before the show, enjoy 80s-themed games and prizes.
Website: http://www.rosslynva.org/play/calendar/film-festival

2009 Schedule:
  • May 1 - Goonies
  • May 8 - Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
  • May 15 -Dirty Dancing
  • May 22 - 16 Candles
  • May 29 - Blues Brothers
  • June 5 - Weird Science
  • June 12 - Breakfast Club
  • June 19 - Labyrinth
  • June 26 - Footloose
  • July 3 - Top Gun
  • July 10 - Karate Kid
  • July 17 - Back to the Future
  • July 24 - Short Circuit
  • July 31 - E.T.
  • August 7 - Pretty in Pink
  • August 14 - Beetlejuice
  • August 21 - Ghostbusters
  • August 28 - Meatballs
  • September 4 - Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Alexandria Comcast Outdoor Film Festival
When: 2009 Dates to be Announced; Movies start at 8:30 p.m. Park gates open at 7 p.m. (encouraged to come early)
Where: Ben Brenman Park, 5000 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia
Price: Free
Metro: 30 minute walk or 5 minute drive from Van Dorn Street Metro (blue line).
Parking: Parking lot in park available.
Bring: A blanket.
Food: Enjoy food from vendors such as Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Cameron Perks Coffeehouse and Domino's Pizza. A portion of the food sales will benefit Hopkins House which is a non-profit organization in the City of Alexandria providing education programs and services to economically disadvantaged children and their families.

2009 Schedule:
Check out their website for their upcoming summer movie schedule.

Crystal Screen Outdoor Film Festival, 21 Weeks of Superheroes
When: Mondays, May 4 - September 21, 2009; Sundown; Rain or shine, except in cases of severe, inclement weather.
Where: 18th and South Bell Streets, Crystal City, Virginia (across from Marriott Hotel and the Crystal City Metro Station)
Price: Free
Metro: Across the street from the Crystal City Metro Station.
Parking: Free garage parking is available at designated Crystal City garages after 4:00 pm.
Info: Crystal City will hold an outdoor film festival, presenting 21-weeks of heroes, villains and super powers.
Bring: A picnic, a blanket, and low-backed chairs.
Repeat Showing for Kids: Since the movies run late in the evening, this year the Crystal City BID has partnered with the Crystal City Sports Pub to re-broadcast each movie at 3:30 p.m. every Wednesday following the outdoor showing. The Crystal City Sports Pub is located at 529 23rd St. South.
Website: http://www.crystalcity.org/events/412/Crystal-Screen---Superheroes

2009 Schedule:
  • May 4 - Spider Man (2002)
  • May 11 - Spider Man 2 (2004)
  • May 18 - Spider Man 3 (2007)
  • May 25 - The Hulk (2003)
  • June 1 - Hulk 2: The Incredible Hulk (2008)
  • June 8 - Superman: The Superman Movie (1978)
  • June 15 - Superman 2 (1980)
  • June 22 - Superman 3: Superman vs. Superman (1983)
  • June 29 - Superman 4: The Quest for Peace (1987)
  • July 6 - Superman 5: Superman Returns (2006)
  • July 13 - X-Men (2000)
  • July 20 - X2 (2003)
  • July 27 - X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
  • Aug 3 - Fantastic Four (2005)
  • Aug 10 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
  • Aug 17 - Batman (1989)
  • Aug 24 - Batman Returns (1992)
  • Aug 31 - Batman Forever (1995)
  • Sept 7 - Batman & Robin (1997)
  • Sept 14 - Batman Begins (2005)
  • Sept 21 - Batman: The Dark Knight (2008)

Have fun with the films!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Cristina Maria Unique Gift Ideas

Need a creative wedding, anniversary, or milestone birthday gift idea? If you have already heard about it, you have to check out Excitations for that perfect, unique gift.


Select Washington, DC or whatever the city is for your beloved and shop away for cool gifts. They have several nifty categories to choose from:

You can get a cooking class, wine tasting, fighter pilot ride (yep, that's what I said - fighter pilot), flying circus excursion, hot air balloon experience, scuba adventure, surfing lesson, spa treatment, private Pilate's lesson, Chesapeake Bay Summer Getaway, race car adventure, swim with sharks, dude ranch experience and so much more for your one and only. It is certainly a one and only gift they won't forget.

Check out How it Works for more information on how you give and redeem. It is so easy and so fabulous!

I absolutely love it and highly recommend it!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Wedding Saving Tips By Peter Brown


Check out Wedding Consultant Peter Brown's blog posting on ways to save on your wedding.

Article: Tips and Tricks to Help You Save Money on Your Wedding


Happy planning!

If you have any further questions please do not hestitate to contact Cristina Maria Special Events at info@cristinamariaevents.com. We are happy to help!

Shine in your moment!




Cristina Maria is online!

Big news! This weekend Cristina Maria Special Events' official company website was launched! Check out our webpage at cristinamariaevents.com!

More will be add to our site soon. For those in need of a highly professional and creative web designer and developer, I am happy to recommend the services of Jon Carey Lechliter. He is actually one of my former clients! Oh how the tables have turned. Once upon a time I was the calming voice who brought his and his bride-to-be's vision for a destination wedding to life (see "Real Weddings" label coming soon for more on their wedding) and now he is that voice for me. We have hired his excellent services so that we can leave it to the professional to do his job so we can do ours, helping you!

Finally after almost 2 years of freelance wedding and event planning, I'm online with my company! My company was launched in January 2009. It was a long time coming. After several years of social and corporate event planning experience, I'm proud to say I work for myself and I'm now online! My team and I are very excited about all the big, new and exciting changes that are coming!

As anyone who knows me would tell you, I'm a born connector. I enjoy helping others and connecting them to other people and resources. Whether by day connecting clients with the right vendors, venues, and products that fit their visions, desires, and budgets or by night connecting friends to different contacts, opportunities, or resources, I'm just out to help others. It makes me so happy to be able to help others with my knowledge, connections, and passion and to put good use to my extreme organizational skills. If I can't share it with others, what good is it? The best reward is to know I had some part in someone else's happiness. A smile is priceless!

I'm a local to the Washington, DC area who has had an interest in event planning long before I even graduated elementary school. I'm a born planner! I've been actively involved in executing large special events both in my professional and personal life for years; when I am not doing it for living, I am doing it for fun. It was only a matter of time before I started my own company so that I could help others execute their special events. Organization and planning have always coming so naturally to me. I guess that is why I have heard from so many clients, friends and former co-workers, "It's about time you started your own event planning company! You're meant to do it!" I do what I love and love what I do! Learn more about me, Cristina Curcio, and my services at the "About Me" posts coming soon to my blog.

My team are hand-picked professionals that bring their own unique event planning and professional experiences to each event. They are each creative women whose perfectionism matches my own. Together we execute events that are nothing less than perfect. We take a personal interest in our clients. Because of our attachment to our clients and our love of event planning we can't help but treat every event like it was our own.

Getting overwhelmed on where to start on your wedding and special event planning? Don't know what to do? Too busy with work to find the time to plan your special event? Need a professional to help show you the way to your perfect and successful event? Want to save money on your special event (yep, hiring an event planner actually saves you money!)? Contact us today at info@cristinamariaevents.com to help you with your wedding and event planning.

We provide full service, partial planning, day of coordination, and consultation services for social functions including weddings, bar/bat mitzvah celebrations, fundraisers, and private parties. Don't feel lost or stressed a second longer. We take all the hassle out of event planning so you can take your planning hats off and put your party hats on!

Stay tuned for the new elements coming to our webpage and for pictures on our blog of our real special events - weddings, b'nai mitzvah, fundraisers, and private parties!

Shine in your moment!