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:

• WedSafe
• Travelers

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.

• Fireman's Fund Insurance Company

Happy Wedding Planning!

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

The Great Bridal Expo:

• 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)

Washington Bridal Showcase:

• 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

Washingtonian Bride & Groom Unveiled - Ultimate Wedding Showcase:

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

Rockville's Glenview Mansion 11th Annual Bridal Expo:

• 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)

Prince George's County Annual Bridal Expo:

• 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

The Pros Bridal Showcase:

• 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.

Engaged! in Washington Bridal Show:

• 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)

The Washington DC Couture Wedding Consortium 2nd Annual Luxury Bridal Show:

• 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)

8th Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Jewish Wedding Simcha Showcase:

• 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):

• Thursday, February 25, 2010 at The National Museum for Women in the Arts (Washington, DC) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (FREE admission just need to register here to be added to guest list)

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.

Fort Belvoir Annual Bridal Fair:

• 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)

TIG Wedding Expo and Fashion Show 2010:

• 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)

SAVINGS: Buy your tickets before February 1st and save $5.

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)

Charm City Brides & Grooms Expo:

• 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):

• Sunday, April 25, 2010 at The Rooftop at Rockville Town Center (Rockville, MD) 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (must RSVP to attend event - RSVP site TBA)

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!

Wash Mystics Bridal Expo - Brides & Basketball:

• TBD

Jewish Health, Wealth, & Lifestyle Expo:

• TBD

B'nai Mitzvah

Mitzvah Madness:

• Monday, March 22, 2010 at B'nai Shalom of Olney (Olney, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (ticket price FREE just need to register here) hosted by my friends at Washington Talent, Photo, & Video Agency

8th Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Jewish Wedding Simcha Showcase:

• 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:

• Hosted by my friends at Electric Entertainment - date TBD

Jewish Health, Wealth, & Lifestyle Expo:

• 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!

What goes into the pricing of the vendors you hire?

For helpful tips on this subject check out the Scottsdale, Arizona event planning Blue Orchid Blog posting from last month. The Blue Orchid blog explains how the price you pay for your vendor is not their salary and what goes into the money you spend on your wedding.

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!

Upcoming 2009 Summer & Fall DC-area Bridal and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Showcases & Expos

Here is a handy listing of the DC, Maryland, Virginia showcase and expositions for brides-to-be and b'nai mitzvah-to-be:

Bridal

Washington Bridal Showcase:

• September 13, 2009 at the Dulles Expo Center (Chantilly, VA) 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• September 20, 2009 at the Martin's Crosswinds (Greenbelt, MD) 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• October 4, 2009 at the Bethesda Marriott Hotel (Bethesda, MD) 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Charm City Brides & Grooms Expo:

• June 4, 2009 at Pier 5 Hotel (Baltimore, MD) 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Jewish Health, Wealth, & Lifestyle Expo:

• August 23, 2009 at the William F. Bolger Center, A Dolce Conference Center (Potomac, MD) 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• November 15, 2009 at the Hilton Pikesville (Pikesville, MD) 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Jewish Wedding Simcha Showcase:

• October 18, 2009 at White Flint Mall (N. Bethesda, MD) 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

B'nai Mitzvah

Mitzvah Zone '09 hosted by my friends at Electric Entertainment:

• March 29, 2009 at the VisArts Center (2nd floor) and The Rooftop (6th floor) at the Rockville Town Center (Rockville, MD) 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• November 1, 2009 at Gaithersburg Hilton (Gaithersburg, MD) 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Jewish Health, Wealth, & Lifestyle Expo:

• August 23, 2009 at the William F. Bolger Center, A Dolce Conference Center (Potomac, MD) 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• November 15, 2009 at the Hilton Pikesville (Pikesville, MD) 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Jewish Wedding Simcha Showcase:

• October 18, 2009 at White Flint Mall (N. Bethesda, MD) 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

****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 are stronger than any advertisement. Save money and the hassle by hiring an Event Planner. I am happy to be your Wedding Planner, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planner, or Day of Coordinator.

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 and I can recommend the venues and vendors that are right for you. That is 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. 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 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!