Official After Party of Weddzilla's Rock the Launch Party TONIGHT!

As a friend and fan of Cristina Maria Special Events, you are invited to the after party for tonight's Weddzilla Rock the Launch part.

Check out the invitation on Facebook here.

CRISTINA MARIA SPECIAL EVENTS

Making Events Uniquely YOU!

Weddzilla Flash Mob Video

It's here! The flash mob video from yesterday promoting tonight's Weddzilla Rock the Launch Party where 100% of the proceeds from the silent auction are going to The Children's National Medical Center.

Check out the video....

See you tonight!

Cristina Maria Special Events

Making Events Uniquely YOU!

SPECIAL INVITATION: Weddzilla Rock the Launch Party

Cristina Maria Special Events, a Weddzilla Launch Partner, would like to extend a special invitation to you.

You are not going to want to miss out on Weddzilla's Rock the Launch Party taking place in our very own city of D.C. on Feb 25th! For more information on the event and to RSVP go to http://ow.ly/133li and officially be added to guest list.

Not only will you be able to network with brides and other top DC event professionals but the event will also include:

• Celebrity meet and greets with notable icons of the wedding industry

• Drinks & dining to enjoy

• Silent auction with 100% of the proceeds benefiting The Children's National Medical Center

• Amazing auction PRIZES including a one-night weekend stay at the Ritz Carlton in Tyson's Corner, a private tasting and group tour at Breaux Vineyards, and spa services courtesy of Salon Bleu.

• Diamond GIVEAWAY courtesy of Mervis Diamond Importers (every attendee will be presented with a Mervis "diamond" as they leave with a chance to wine the real Mervis diamond).

• Swag bag gifts for each guest

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Check out the event on FACEBOOK.

Did you hear about the FLASH MOB the day before the launch party? Already 300+ are planning on coming! The dance video is on You Tube. Secret location yet to be disclosed. 300+ people dancing in wedding dresses, veils, etc! Oh it will be a scene!!!!!! The Flash Mob will feature celebrity Steve Kemble, Weddzilla’s Sassiest Wedding Guru, 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.

Here are some Weddzilla blog posts if you want the 411...

• Event
• Gurus
• Silent Auction
• Launch Partners
• Request a song

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WHAT:
Weddzilla.com National “Rock the Launch” Event
Celebrity guests, wedding vendors and Nearlyweds will enjoy drinks and dining, celebrity meet-and-greets, and a silent auction with 100% of all proceeds benefiting The Children’s National Medical Center.

WHERE:
The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C.

WHEN:
February 25, 2010 from 6:00PM- 9:00PM,
with press availability from 4:00PM- 5:30PM

WHY:
Weddzilla.com’s Washington, DC “Rock the Launch” Event will kickoff their National Launch right in the heart of the Nation’s Capitol. Nearlyweds’ and vendors will have the opportunity to come together to celebrate the site launch and the simplifying of the wedding planning process.

HOSTED BY & SPECIAL GUESTS
The event will be 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.

Introduction to the star-studded Weddzilla Guru Panel. Come and meet all of our Guru's at the launch party!

CAKE GURU
Ron Ben-Israel, Celebrity cake artist and TV personality

FITNESS GURU
Sue Fleming, Celebrity fitness expert, Founder of Buff Fitness

ETIQUETTE GURU
Diane Forden, Editor-in-Chief of Bridal Guide Magazine

ADVICE GURU
Sharon Naylor, Nationally acclaimed author and columnist

INVITATION GURU
Lisa "Ceci" Johnson, Founder of Ceci New York, renowned graphic designer and Invitation Innovator

SASSIEST WEDDING GURU
Steve Kemble, National TV, Radio and Magazine personality

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Weddzilla.com, the first online social wedding platform to fully integrate the wedding planning process into popular social networks, allows Nearlyweds to collect, plan, shop, and connect with vendors Nationwide, at no cost. By leveraging proprietary technology and established online communities, Weddzilla ensures a more efficient, interactive and social wedding planning experience.

Cristina Maria Curcio, Owner/Wedding & Event Planner
www.cristinamariaevents.com

Making events Uniquely YOU!

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.

Inspiration Boards brought to you by Magnet Street Weddings

CRISTINA MARIA SPECIAL EVENTS

Making Events Uniquely YOU!

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

Brides & Weddings of Northern Virginia planning guide and

Washington Life Magazine.

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!

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!

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!

Fabulous Signature Drinks & Beverage Event Planning Tips

I'm so glad everyone had as much fun as I did at the Diamonds & Chocolate Soiree. That's what it was all about! Thank you to everyone for your emails and messages.

The signature drinks created for the Diamonds & Chocolate Soiree were a big hit! They were cleverly intertwined into the "diamonds & chocolate" theme with their special names, Diamond Chocolate martini, Ruby Red Peach martini, and the Emerald Apple martini. They were sparkling with color sugar rims to match the drink of choice. We think of everything!

Photo by Jason Weil Photography

Now let me share the recipes and event planning tips involving the signature cocktail. You will be excited to find out how you can actually save on your planning budget when it comes to your beverages.

There are several fun and creative signature drinks and specialty bars you can plan for a special event. You could have one or more of the following specialty bars: margarita bar, daiquiri bar, or wine bar. For non-alcoholic options you could have a coffee bar, hot chocolate bar, smoothie bar, or milkshake bar. There are signature drinks that are non-alcoholic too so that those guests who choose not to drink can be included in the fun such as flavored waters each in a different hue. for a special twist provide sparkling water as an option for the flavored waters. You can also provide carafes of specialty juices.

Of course, for our special event we went for the elegant option of a martini bar.

Oh delish those signature drinks were!

Invitation Designed by Altronics Communications, Inc.

Check out the yummy ingredients of our 3 signature martinis below. Have fun making them at your own special event. I highly recommend Professional Bartenders & Servers if you are interested in excellent and experienced bartending service at your event.

Photo by Jason Weil Photography

Bar Service provided by Professional Bartenders & Servers

Diamond Chocolate Martini
• White Crème de Cacao
• Vodka
• Optional: White sugar rimmed glass

Ruby Red Peach Martini
• Peach Schnapps
• Grenadine
• Sour Mix
• Vodka
• Optional: Red sugar rimmed glass

Emerald Apple Martini
• Sour Apple Pucker
• Sour Mix
• Vodka
• Optional: Green sugar rimmed glass

To tie into our blue color theme I selected this sleek blue lit glass bar from MK Catering Inc. It was the perfect size for this area of the Mervis Diamond Importers store. You always have to be thinking about the floor plan when designing an event. We selected a spot in the back of the store that was optimal for the flow of traffic of the guests.

Photo by Jason Weil Photography

Bar provide by MK Catering Inc.

It is so simple, easy, and inexpensive to dress up your own cocktail party by adding those little details that make it so special and impressive. Signature drinks are just one way to do that no matter what type of special event you are hosting or the number of guests who are attending. Creating a couture cocktail is one way to add to your event's theme and ambience, make a statement about your style, and to share something about yourself (or in the case of a wedding, about your love story). You can be creative in designing your drink with the bartending service or catering manager by infusing your color theme, a location (either of where the event is taking place or of where the hosts originate from), or adapt your favorite drink of choice.

At one of the weddings I planned I worked with the bride and groom to incorporate this element into their cocktail hour. Because it was a destination wedding that took place in Puerto Rico, we planned for carafes of red and white sangria as well as a mojito bar using the Puerto Rican rum Bacardi. At the mojito bar guests could get in the festive mood by selecting which flavored mojito they would like to enjoy. We also incorporated that into the party favors in several ways but that is a story for another post.

In addition to adding personality and style to a special event, signature drinks are a great way to cleverly curb your bar bill. Also not to mention it adds to that wow factor that makes it memorable.

I bet you didn't realize that helpful saving tip. The bar bill is one of the most expensive elements of an event. It is great when you know how to avoid that part of the budget from getting out of hand. I know several more ways to save on your bar bill. Feel free to contact me at info@cristinamariaevents.com for more helpful tips.

For more information check out the blog posts labeled 'Event Planning 101,' 'Event Style Ideas,' 'Real Weddings' (coming soon!), 'Themed Party Ideas,' 'Tips,' 'Ways to Save,' 'Weddings,' and there are so many more to choose from. Also feel free to contact Cristina Maria Special Events at info@cristinamariaevents.com with any questions.

Shine in your moment!

Most unique wedding processional to date!

Best video ever! A friend of mind shared this video with me yesterday and I have to admit I cried. I know, I know. I'm a sap but I just can't hold the tears back when it comes to weddings, especially with something as personalized and touching as this wedding processional. It is so easy and inexpensive to make each and every wedding a unique special event that exudes the personality and heart of the couple. Just ask any couple I have worked with.

Shine in your moment!