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!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Need Wedding Inspiration?

Check out our upcoming series on Uniquely You Inspiration blog posts.

In the meantime, check out out this great site sharing with you a series of different inspiration boards to help you determine your color scheme, theme, and great decorations.


CRISTINA MARIA SPECIAL EVENTS
Making Events Uniquely YOU!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

FREE Bridal & Event Magazines

Planning your wedding and realizing how much bridal magazines cost? It can really add up. I would know. For those I don't subscribe to I purchase at the book stores and grocery stores. Wowzers! When you own as many bridal and event magazines as I do you know how much they can cost. Luckily I get few of them for free. I am happy to share them with you so you can save that money for other areas of the wedding planning.

Please feel free to contact me at info@cristinamariaevents.com or 301.938.8383 for a FREE copy of




Also check out these links for a FREE copy of:

Exclusively Weddings catalog - great resource for ideas on decor, favors, gifts, and SO much more!

Washingtonian Bride & Groom - after you register they will send you a free issue


CRISTINA MARIA SPECIAL EVENTS
Making events uniquely YOU!


Wedding Discount Codes

Want extra savings for your wedding? Make sure to apply these discounts codes...

Wedding Tracker: Promo Code AFF25 to save 25%

Exclusively Weddings: Promo Code YZ110 (expires 6/30/10) to save 15% on purchases of $125 or more. This site is great! Your one stop shop for wedding invitations, favors, bridal party gifts, accessories, gifts for the newlywed couple, and SO much more!

DC-area wedding vendors: Click here (page 1) and here (page 2) for exclusive discounts offered by a variety of vendors on The Wedding Dance Specialists website. You are not going to want to miss check this out!

The Wedding Outlet: Promo Code 10DAYS to save $10 on orders over $75 between January 15-25.

Magnet Street Weddings: Save 15% off here on their top 10 Save-the-Date magnets between January 13-24.

Refer back to this page because more discounts will be added!

Shine in your moment!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Should you get Wedding Insurance?

Over the year I have been asked by clients and friends whether they should get wedding insurance. It is not mandatory but I strongly recommend it if you are spending a significant amount on your wedding. You wouldn't buy a car without car insurance. It is the same idea. A wedding planner or day of coordinator serves as insurance to make sure everything runs smoothly so you, your bridal party, and your family do not have to be a big ball of stress but rather can enjoy each and every moment of the day storing all the fabulous Kodak moments to memory. Wedding insurance protects you financially and covers you in case a something goes very wrong like a flood or a damage wedding gown.

Policies range from $100 to $1,300.

They can be purchased from sites such as:
I have yet to encounter this in my years of experience but I know this may be of help to some of you readers... There is even insurance and counseling for change-of-heart cancelled weddings.
Happy Wedding Planning!


Friday, January 15, 2010

2010 Bridal & Bar/Bat Mitzvah Showcases

Find a handy listing of the DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia showcase and expositions for brides-to-be and b'nai mitzvah-to-be.

Please refer back to this posting frequently for updates on showcases and expos for 2010. More and more will be added throughout the year.

Bridal

  • Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Hilton Alexandria at Mark Center (Alexandria, VA) 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (ticket price $7 online and $9 at door)

  • Sunday, January 17 at Martin's Corsswinds (Greenbelt, MD) 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (ticket price $8 online and $10 at door)
  • Sunday, January 24 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center (Bethesda, MD) 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (ticket price $8 online and $10 at door)
  • Sunday, January 31 at Dulles Expo Center (Chantilly, VA) 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (ticket price $8 online and $10 at door)
  • Sunday, April 18 at Patriot Center @ George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (ticket price $8 online and $10 at door)
TO GET FREE TICKETS: The Wedding Dance Specialists is giving away free tickets to the Washington Bridal Showcase. All you have to do is become a fan to their page on Facebook,then email (info@theweddingdancespecialists.com), call (703-626-7016), or send them a private Facebook message with your mailing address, indicate which Bridal Show date you plan to attend, and then they will send you a free ticket. Limit one per fan. You can find about a lot of DC-area events, savings, and more. For example, they just announced on the Fan page that they will be running a Valentine's Day Sale on dance lessons soon.

Creative Cakes Open House (Silver Spring, MD) 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (FREE admission just register online):
  • Sunday, January 17, 2010
  • Sunday, February 21, 2010
  • Sunday, March 21, 2010
  • Thursday, April 18, 2010
  • Sunday, May 16, 2010
  • Sunday, June 20, 2010
  • Sunday, July 18, 2010
  • Sunday, August 15, 2010
  • Sunday, September 19, 2010
  • Sunday, October 17, 2010
  • Sunday, November 21, 2010

  • Sunday, January 24, 2010 at Mandarin Oriental Washington DC (Washington, DC) 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (ticket price $55 online only)

  • Sunday, January 31 at Glenview Mansion at Rockville Civic Center Park (Rockville, MD) 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (ticket price $5 at door only)

  • Sunday, January 31 at Newton White Mansion (Mitchellville, MD) 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (ticket price $5 at door only)

Wedding Wednesdays (for vendors and brides):
  • First Wednesday of each month at Seasons Cards and Gifts at the Marketplace at Madison Crescent (Gainesville, VA) 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (no admission)
ADDRESS: 8014 Crescent Park Dr, Gainesville, VA 20155

  • Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Bethesda Marriott (Bethesda, MD) 6:45 p.m. (tickets are FREE just contact The Pros here for your ticket)
  • Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at Waterford at Fair Oaks (Fairfax, VA) 6:45 p.m. (tickets are FREE just contact The Pros here for your ticket)
  • Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at Martin's Crosswinds (Greenbelt, MD) 6:45 p.m. (tickets are FREE just contact The Pros here for your ticket)
  • Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at Waterford at Springfield (Springfield, VA) 6:45 p.m. (tickets are FREE just contact The Pros here for your ticket)
  • Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at Bethesda Marriott (Bethesda, MD) 6:45 p.m. (tickets are FREE just contact The Pros here for your ticket)
  • Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at Waterford at Fair Oaks (Fairfax, VA) 6:45 p.m. (tickets are FREE just contact The Pros here for your ticket)
  • Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at Martin's Crosswinds (Greenbelt, MD) 6:45 p.m. (tickets are FREE just contact The Pros here for your ticket)
  • Thursday, April 15, 2010 at Waterford at Springfield (Springfield, VA) 6:45 p.m. (tickets are FREE just contact The Pros here for your ticket)
  • Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Bethesda Marriott (Bethesda, MD) 6:45 p.m. (tickets are FREE just contact The Pros here for your ticket)
For a list of their showcases in the Baltimore and Annapolis area click here.

  • RESCHEDULE (because of Feb. '10 snowapocalypse) from Friday, February 5 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. to Sunday, March 28, 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at The Four Seasons Hotel, The Hay-Adams, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Hotel, and The Willard Intercontinental Hotel (Washington, DC) (ticket price $65 online only)

  • RESCHEDULE (because of Feb. '10 snowapocalypse) from Saturday, February 6 to Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at Stephen Decatur House Museum (Washington, DC) 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (ticket price $25 or $35 at door - 2 different prices listed online)

Northern Virginia Bridal Event at Stonewall Golf Club:
  • Sunday, February 3, 2010 at Stonewall Golf Club (Gainesville, VA) 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (FREE admission)

  • Sunday, February 21, 2010 at Hilton Washington DC North/Gaithersburg (Gaithersburg, MD) 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (ticket price FREE just need to register here)

Wedding Expo 2010:
  • Sunday, February 21, 2010 at Wyndham Garden Inn (Gaithersburg, MD)

Rock the Launch of Weddzilla (for vendors and brides):

Hosted by Weddzilla’s Sassiest Wedding Guru, Steve Kemble, a Red Carpet Correspondent for the American Music Awards and Golden Globes, star on TLC’s “Battle of the Wedding Planners”, and contributor to Us Weekly Magazine’s Fashion Police.

Cristina Maria Special Events is a Launch Partner! Stop by to enjoy with us some specialty cocktails, culinary creations, celebrity meet-and-greets, and a silent auction with all proceeds benefiting The Children’s National Medical Center.
  • Saturday, February 27, 2010 at Fort Belvoir Officers' Club (Fort Belvoir, VA) 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (ticket price $7 at door only)

  • Sunday, February 28, 2010 at Sheraton Crystal City Hotel (Arlington, VA) 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (FREE admission)

A Chic Affair Bridal Showcase (top DC event professionals) - includes a RUNWAY FASHION SHOW:
  • Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Long View Gallery (Washington, DC) 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (ticket price $30 online only and $35 online only if purchase after February 1st)



Cristina Maria Special Events will be there with one of my preferred caterers, MK Catering Inc.!!!!!! Make sure you come by to check out MK Catering's exquisite food and presentation!

Spring Bridal Showcase at Kentlands Mansion:
  • Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Kentlands Mansion (Gaithersburg, MD) 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (tickets $5 at door only)

  • Thursday, June 10, 2010 at Pier 5 Hotel/Harbor Magic (Baltimore, MD) 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Spring 2010 Preview Event (for brides, event planners, and vendors):
Come by to say hi as I will be there! Cristina Maria Special Events is co-hosting with Rooftop at Rockville Town Center and MK Catering Inc.! It is an opportunity for brides, event planners, vendors alike to check out some of newest and freshest services and products, view 2010-2011 hot trends, and meet the exclusive list of event planners and vendors that will be invited to this special event. All while enjoy drinks, a food tasting, and more!

  • TBD


Mitzvah Madness:

  • Sunday, February 21, 2010 at Hilton Washington DC North/Gaithersburg (Gaithersburg, MD) 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (ticket price FREE just need to register here)

Mitzvah Zone '10:

  • TBD

****TIP****

Don't know which vendors to work with? Not sure you will be able to see past the booths and promotional displays to see in fact who will provide you with the best quality for the best price? If you hired me you would not need to go to the expos. As we all know and have learned, referrals guarantee a level of excellence in service. Save money and the hassle by hiring an Event Planner.

Expos can feel overwhelming with the crowds and inundation of information. Because of the number of vendors at the expos, it may not afford you the time to really get to know all the vendors, their vartiety of products and services, their quality of service, and their pricing options.

Just let me know what you have in mind for your wedding, bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah, or special event and I can recommend the venues and vendors that are right for you. I am happy to be your Wedding Planner, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planner, or Day of Coordinator. Vendor Referrals are just one of the services I provide in my partial planning and full service planning packages. Let me help you by referring the right vendors and venues that fit your needs, style, and budget.

It helps to know a return customer (that's me!) that is familiar with the vendors out of the seemingly endless list that is available in the DC area. I can help narrow down that long list to the key vendors who would work best with you and your vision.

Contact me, Cristina Curcio of Cristina Maria Special Events, today at info@cristinamariaevents.com or 301-938-8383 for more information about what I can do for you to lessen the hassle and stress of wedding planning, bar/bat mitzvah planning, and day of coordination. I am a professional perfectionist and organizer so I am prepared to take on the burden for you. Enjoy your engagement or at the very least the last month before your special day!

Happy planning!

CRISTINA MARIA SPECIAL EVENTS
Making events uniquely YOU!

Monday, January 4, 2010

FREE $50,000 DC wedding

Don't miss out on winning a free wedding from my beloved MIX 107.3!!!!

Jan 4 to Jan 21: Registration Period

January 22: Top 5 finalists selected

January 22 to 28: Online Voting Period

January 29: Winning Couple Announced

Feb 1 to 5: Wedding Week

February 5: Wedding Day!

Register here.

Shine in your moment!