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!

Directory of Blog Items

In addition to the blog postings that can be found below, please find these items available in the right hand side column:

*Cristina Maria Special Events Specialities
*Contact us!
*About Me
*Cristina Maria Team
*You're invited to our Special Events
*Cristina Maria Online
*Twitter Updates
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*What are our clients saying about us?
*Kudos Online - feel free to read or add testimonials online
*Labels
*Blog Archive
*Washington Life Magazine Social Calendar
*Followers from Facebook
*Some of my Favorite Sites, Magazines, & Blogs
*Followers (users from Google, AOL aim, Yahoo!, Netlog, & OpenID)


Please feel free to search through this blog using the "Search Box" feature located at the bottom of our blog.

Thanks for visiting our blog!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Jewelry Rental Giveaway

From now until October 31, 2009 PreOwned Wedding Dresses is offering a great contest! You have a chance to win a $2,500 jewelry rental from Adorn Brides! The winner will be selected on November 2nd. Click here for more information and to enter.

You are not going to want to miss out on this. Adorn's jewelry is absolutely gorgeous. You can wear thousands of dollars worth of jewelry on your special day for a huge fraction of the price! Jewelry is such a great accessory for that perfect white dress. Feel like the million bucks that you are.

You should really look into PreOwned Wedding Dresses. It is such a great service! Whether you are selling your dress or buying one, you will want to check out their site. Go green! I am often asked by brides what can they do with their wedding dress when they are one. PreOwned Wedding Dresses is one of those great sites that allows you to recycle the dress to another bride.

Good luck, brides!

Cristina Maria featured in the Washington Life Magazine

Washington Life Magazine has listed Cristina Maria Special Events in their September issue's 2009 Balls & Galas The Hot List for Event Planners.

Washington Life is a wonderful publication which focuses on local DC-area events and vendors. It was established in 1991 and is the premier luxury-lifestyle magazine in the metropolitan area. They cover the area's most exclusive private parties, galas, fundraisers, art openings, fashion shows, and weddings. Being featured on their list of recommended event planners is quite the honor! Be sure to stay tuned for their wedding issue in May.

I have a few extra copies! Send me an email at info@cristinamariaevents.com if you’d like to pick up a free copy in my Tysons Corner office or Maryland office.

We are also featured on their list of Preferred Event Planners.

The Examiner Covers Our Diamonds & Chocolate Soiree


Feel free to check out The Examer's coverage of the Diamonds & Chocolate Soirée here.

Photo by McArthur Newell, II of BoldLifestyle Photography


It wouldn't have been possible without all my wonderful vendors involved. They did such an amazing job as always!

Caterer (Appetizers & Chocolate Desserts): MK Catering Inc., Joseph Choueike
Chocolate Fountain: The Chocolate Chick, Hilary Bradley
Diamonds & Jewelry: Mervis Diamond Importers
Bar Service & Signature Drink Designers: Professional Bartenders & Servers, Robert Gold
Invitation Design: Altronics Communications, Inc., Martin Posse
Photographer: Jason Weil Photography, Jason Weil
Rentals: MK Catering Inc., Joseph Choueike
Custom jewelry worn by Cristina Curcio: Meghan Rose Jewelry, Meghan Mullaney
Event Planner: Cristina Maria Special Events, Cristina Curcio

Monday, September 21, 2009

Bethesda Row's Restaurant Week

In case you haven't heard, 9 of Bethesda Row's restaurants are hosting their own Restaurant Week this week from Monday September 21st to Sunday, September 27th. They are offering two-course lunches for $12 and three-course dinners for $30.

For more information check out Washingtonian's article.


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Welcome you to vote for 'Cristina Maria Special Events' in Bethesda Magazine’s Best Of List

Hi Friends,

I greatly appreciated your support for and business with Cristina Maria Special Events. I would be so grateful if you could please take a moment to vote for 'Cristina Maria Special Events’ in Bethesda Magazine’s Best Of List as the 'Best Party Planner' (category #64) at www.bethesdamagazine.com.

I recently joined one of my preferred caterers, MK Catering Inc. to manage their social events and receptions. I would be grateful if you added ‘MK Catering Inc.’ as the ‘Best Caterer’ (category #63).

It just takes a few seconds to vote especially if you use the list of suggested names below.

To learn more about MK Catering at www.mkcatering.com or feel free to contact me at cristina@mkcatering.com. There are several reasons they have been at the top of my list. They have always offered high quality food, service, and products; affordable prices; and custom packages. Now being hands on I am fortunate enough to offer my clients and friends even more tailored service and prices. Anyone who has been to one of my events has witnessed how they truly are a one-stop shop for all event planning needs and offer absolutely beautiful and delicious food. Of course my event planning clients do not have to work exclusively with them but more often than not they do for all the same reasons MK Catering has been one of my preferred vendors. Check out some of the mouthwatering pictures from the Diamonds & Chocolate Soiree on my blog.

The deadline for voting is in a little more than 24 hours away on Friday, September 18th at 5:00 p.m.

For your vote to count for us, you need to answer a minimum of 25 Best Of’s. For those who are not local to Bethesda and the surrounding areas would like some suggestions, please view my list of 25 suggestions below.

To vote go to www.bethesdamagazine.com and then click on the blue bar towards the top of the page that reads “Take the ‘Best of Bethesda’ Readers’ Poll >.

Thank you for taking the time to support your #1 Party Planner and #1 Caterer!

Thank you to those who have all ready voted!


With Many Thanks,

Cristina


1. BEST New Restaurant (in Montgomery County): Nest

9. BEST Sushi Restaurant: Raku

11. BEST Outdoor Dining: Mia’s Pizza

14. BEST Frozen Yogurt/Gelato: Café Gelato

15. BEST Place to Buy Bread: Georgetown Bagelry

17. BEST Gourmet Store: River Falls

18. BEST Deli: The Market on the Boulevard

20. BEST Boutique: Lemon Twist

21. BEST Place to Buy Jeans: Denim Bar

24. BEST Place to Buy Bathing Suits: South Moon Under

25. BEST Consignment Shop: Second Chance

26. BEST Place to Buy an Engagement Ring: Mervis Diamond Importers

29. BEST Party Store: Paper Store

31. BEST Hospital: Shady Grove Adventist Hospital

35. BEST Pediatric Dentist: Dr. Catherine Dietrich Pulse

40. BEST Hair Salon: Thierry Axaopoulos of Virtu Studios

43. BEST Personal Trainer: Stacy Neal of Anytime Fitness

48. BEST Private School for Sports: Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

49. BEST Private School for Academics: Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

52. BEST Summer Camp (Day Camp): Summer CampUs of Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

59. BEST Amusement Park (within a 3-hour drive): Kings Dominion

63. BEST Caterer: MK CATERING INC.

64. BEST Party Planner: CRISTINA MARIA SPECIAL EVENTS

66. BEST Realtor: Cara Pearlman of Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc

79. BEST Financial Planner: Ben T. Jolly of John Hancock Financial Network