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 Rain on your wedding day is considered a gift of fortune.  Our Bloomington Indiana outdoor wedding marked fortune at the historic Sarkes Tarzan Estate, Deer Park.  Sarkes Tarzan, an Armenian immigrant,  owned and founded WTTV Channel 4 in Indianapolis plus manufactured and developed the FM broadcast thus making it popular. His estate is a landmark of rolling hillside, deer and gorgeous gardens- wonderful for a wedding!

Chicago residents, Lindsay and Joe, wanted to come “home” Indiana University, to celebrate their much anticipated wedding.  Deer Park Manor was the choice for their outdoor wedding. Outdoor weddings are always sunny and mild, right?  Nowhere had wedding plans been made for rain.

Their wedding day at the historic park like setting began sunny and warm until minutes before the guests began to arrive.
With the guests, came showers of rain and some would claim fortune.   Old wive’s tales claim that rain on your wedding day symbolizes blessings and fortune in your married life together.  At the momen,t our fortune was having enough umbrellas to protect guests as they scurried to their seats for the processional.  Hopes were high and smiles remained bright. A wedding was going to take place; and it couldn’t happen to anyone nicer.

Ivory rose petals tossed on the grassy aisle now filled their tiny cups with raindrops  as guests popped umbrellas and sat near the huge
sprawling branched maple, our altar site.   Nothing could have been sunnier than when our bride, Lindsay, walked
down the aisle with her father to the beaming groom, Joe. We will never forget the violinists playing their classical selections under the protection of several men with umbrellas and a mirage of rain coats.  The honorable John Gregg was the officiate and possibly next governor of Indiana.

After the ceremony, guests scurried into Deer Park’s atrium for cocktails and hors d oeuvres, while the couple posed for pictures amongst the rolling hills and gently blowing grasses of the estate, guests enjoyed the ambiance of this once former indoor pool room, now a special gathering area for event guests.

Soon our Chicago based band, Josh and the Empty Pockets, lured guests into the tented reception site for dinner and dancing.  Guests tables were creations of crisp white linens, gilded chivari chairs and soft pink flora all displayed in multitudes
of crystal vases, domes and bowls amongst mercury glassed votives which gave a warm glow to the evening affair.  The
tent captured more elegance with floral chandeliers of satin ribbon, orchids, hydrangea and roses that hung from the tent’s center; a stunning focal accent.  The couple’s Wish Tree, a creation our floral designer made, with its multitude of golden branches, offered guests the opportunity to author personal handwritten wishes for blessings and fortune to the couple.

As the evening ended the showers stopped too.  Nothing remained but a deep navy sky and the hand fulls of scattered starlight showering our couple and the gorgeous glow of the venue.

Thank you to:

Coordination: Kim King Smith Events www.kimkingsmithevents.com

Floral: Jim Sims,Kim King Smith Events Floral Divisions www.kimkingsmithevents.com

Venue:  Deer Park www.deerparkevents.com

Photography:  Wendi Chitwood, Inbloom Photo,  www.inbloomphoto.com

Video:  Smashed Productions www.smashedproductions.net

Catering:  Carla’s Catering  carlascateringandcreations.com/index.asp

Bar:  Big Red Liquor www.bigredliquors.com

Band:  Josh and the Empty Pockets www.joshandtheemptypockets.com

Violinists: IU School of Music   www.music.indiana.edu/

Tent and Rentals: Perfect Parties www.perfectparties-events.com

Chairs and Linens: AClassic Party Rentals www.aclassicpartyrental.com

Stationery: Lemonseed and Co www.lemonseedandco.com

Gourmet Chocolates:  Nate’s Candy Jar www.natescandyjar.com

Tents and Rentals: Perfect Parties www.perfectparties-events.com

This is the SWEETEST note.  It just makes my heart want to sing with jubilation!!

Read it and see what you think.  We love making these special moments happen. Casey and Ben were engaged while on vacation!!! Soooo romantic.   Sandals Honeymoons and Vacations are just the best.  We love helping you make it yours!

Dear Kim,

Ben and I just wanted to thank you again for helping us plan our amazing vacation to Jamaica. Little did I know it was going to be our engagement vacation!!!  What a wonderful surprise!!
We had the most amazing butler and we were upgraded to the Prime Ministers Villa!!  Kim, you helped us make this trip magical, thank you for helping us book a vacation that changed our lives!!!!  The amazing stories of our trip will be shared with our family and children for years to come!!!

Thank you!!!!

All our love,
Casey & Ben

http://www.sandals.com/

By Kim

Here’s a little advice that might help you make a wise decision, from expert Leila Khalil.

To those of us in the wedding industry, hiring a planner to help with a wedding seems to be common knowledge. It’s only when discussing the topic with family and friends that I realize people sometimes don’t fully grasp the importance of one.

Haven’t we all heard a story or two where something didn’t go right at a wedding? It happens all the time no matter who is in charge, but the key is how those problems are managed. When a planner is not involved, is there someone designated to solve the issue of the caterer setting up in the wrong area? Who is making sure the gifts and cards are being accounted for? Or how about someone to find the cake knife and server when they disappear just minutes before its time to cut the cake? Most of the time the answer is no. Friends and family are left scrambling to solve these mishaps while also trying to enjoy the wedding as guests.

Almost every couple these days is working within a budget, but everyone seems to think they can save on costs by “doing it themselves.” So they will invest in a great photographer to capture the moments and details, a floral designer is hired to make everything look pretty and money is spent on linens, favors and a dessert bar. However, when it comes to getting a professional wedding coordinator to pull together all those details, often times couples decide to skimp on that. A slew of money is spent in planning, but come wedding day, the execution of everything is pawned off on an aunt, family friend, catering manager, or bridesmaid. Paying to bring someone on board who knows what they are doing puts the day at ease no matter the scale of the wedding. Even if there are beautiful decor elements and photos to capture it all, if the bride and groom and their guests didn’t fully enjoy it, that’s what will be remembered.

Don’t forget “you get what you pay for,” and a wedding planner is no exception. Planners that actually service brides as a business and not as a hobby are indispensable and will typically charge a minimum of $2500 depending on wedding location, size, and tasks at hand. Anything less may indicate inexperience. Do the research; check out some of these blogs who have credible vendor directories and list wedding planners all across the US.

Not convinced? Below are accounts from actual brides who didn’t hire the right professionals! Don’t let this happen to someone you love.

1.  Transportation nightmare: The shuttle may forget to stop at one of the hotels and leave guests behind before the ceremony is about to start… so now what?

2. Stranded at the altar: The couple may forget to designate someone to cue the musicians to know when the wedding party and bride should walk down the aisle. The groom and guests wait while nothing happens, but the same song plays over and over again.

3. Family Feud: Family members, who are helping run the day, may have a different vision than the bride and groom. With no third party mediator offering an unbiased opinion, the disagreements may escalate leaving the couple less than enthused about their wedding day.

4.  Communication Meltdown: The bar tab may exceed the allotted budget, but no one checks in with the bartender so drinks are continuing to be served leaving the newlyweds with an unexpected bill at the end of the night.

5. Budget Blunders: Most couples overspend on their budget and waste a lot of time researching vendors within their price point. Planners are used to working within the confines of a budget, they do it every day. They already know which photographer is going to be in your price range and which caterer will give you the most for your money.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leila-khalil/hire-a-wedding-planner-or_b_1097889.html

This season, Mulberry, a UK fashion company has stolen the runways with its handbags and accessories.  Recently, at the New York Fashion Week, runway guests made remarks such as “interesting”, “playful”, “unitarian”, “kills it”, “lighthearted British”.  The remark the company likes best is “I’ll take it!”  We’ll take it too.  One of the MacBags, a handbag, a belt and a little doggy jumper for our puppy.

This month Mulberry is opening its first interior designed concept store in Hong Kong.  You’ll see all the accessory items Mulberry is famous for plus many interior design items to make your home”smashing”.  The new stores are called “The Vault”.  What a perfect place to pick up some “treasures”. Some sites to review are www.stylistmulberry.com and   www.mulberry.com  Thanks to my friend Hans Gehrke for enlightening me on these products.

by Kim

A popular trend this autumn season is the use of graphic eyeliner to really make your eyes pop.  Makeup artists backstage at the Giorgio Armani fashion shows are going for looks that are sexy and playful.  By tracing your upper and lower rims with a black pencil just beyond the outer corner of your eye, you will keep your makeup flirty yet modern.  For an added twist,  Giorgio Armani’s Smooth Silk eye pencils are featured in different shades, such as navy, emerald or eggplant, to draw even more attention to your eyes.  You don’t have to get too carried away with how much you apply, but make sure that you add enough so that your look is dramatic.  Some ladies are  choosing to connect the upper and lower lines or keep them separated by a small space.

Even Lady Gaga is following this trend!

Which is you favorite? Yay or Nay??

A big thank you to Giorgio Armani for the wonderful styling and images.

Tyler and Nicole’s Southside Wedding was splendid in every way.  With an amazing palette of blush pink and champagne gold, our Trendsetting Team assisted Nicole in making her wedding a true Royal Occasion!  We loved the ceremony at the beautiful St. Roch Catholic Church.  Friends and family were beaming and teary eyed as they witnessed the beautiful Nicole and her handsome Groom, Tyler state their vows.  After the ceremony the wedding party was whisked away, for fun photos with Nathaniel Edmunds Photography and Jet Kaiser Films in Fountain Square and along the graffiti walls on Madison Avenue.  Guests, in the meantime, gathered at the magnificent Columbia Club on Monument Circle for the reception.  The ballroom was a breathtaking site of pink champagne and golden glimmer.  Our Trendsetting Team created a head table that was phenomenal; an arbor of gold with suspending candlelight and multitudes of floral and crystal glass. Guests loved  The Living Proof Band, as they danced the night away.  Special thanks to A.J. Ploughe  and staff, at the Columbia Club, for being the ultimate hosts!

Nicole & Tyler

Floral Design: Kim King Smith Events Floral Division http://www.kimkingsmithevents.com/

Venue:  Columbia Club http://www.columbia-club.org/

Church:  St. Roch Catholic Church http://www.strochindy.org/

Cake and Dessert Buffet: Ritz Charles http://www.ritzcharles.com/

Video:  Jet Kaiser Films http://jetkaiser.com/

Photography:  Nathaniel Edmunds Photography http://nathanieledmunds.com/

Band:  The Living Proof Band http://www.livingproofmusic.com/band.asp

Stationery:  Lemonseed and Co http://www.lemonseedandco.com/lemonseedandco./Welcome.html

Photo Location: Fountain Square http://www.discoverfountainsquare.com/

Gown:  Belle Vie Bridal Couture, Vera Wang http://www.belleviebridalcouture.com/

We just found this Mother of the Bride Dress from BCBG www.bcbg.com .  Now, not every mother may choose it, but for the ones that do, it is beautiful!  A soft blush pink with tiered layers of skirting, satin ribbon tie and flattering v neck.  We loved it and had to share.  You may find it at www.saksfifthavenue.com

by Kim

Big lashes for your big day!

Don’t you just love the va-va-voom lashes!? Recently, when we partnered on a wedding with Jet Kaiser Films and we noticed that Danielle Kaiser had gorgeous lashes! www.jetkaiser.com Well, guess what her secret was? It was the Andrea Perma Lashes. www.sallybeauty.com These are salon quality lashes that are very simple to apply, plus they stay on for up to six weeks. We loved discovering the starter kit that comes with everything you need to have for sassy and sultry lashes. These are perfect for daytime or night wear; a great addition to any special event! The lashes  come in different colors and lengths too. Best of all, you may purchase them from Walgreen’s, Sally’s Beauty Supply or Amazon. Starter kits were only $11! Ladies, these could be a lot of fun!!!!! Let us know what you think!

PHoto courtesty of womenwholaunch.com

Bloomington is definitely at the top of the list for weddings.  Of course we are prejudice to Indiana University with its beautiful trees, historic limestone, sprawling campus and romantic coveys.  We were thrilled to be able to assist our  couple, Amy and Dan with their Bloomington Wedding.   Amy and Dan are a Chicago couple with Indiana roots and wanted to return to one of their mutual loves, Indiana University, for the biggest day of their lives.

The ceremony took place at the First Presbyterian Church, a historic limestoned building tucked behind Kirkwood Avenue.  The golden hues and beautiful stained glass were the perfect parallel for Amy’s florals and bridesmaid’s gowns.

Indiana University Auditorium was the location for the reception and celebration!  We loved that guests were able to mingle amidst the Auditorium’s rocky gardens for the cocktail hour and then gather in the Auditorium for dinner and dancing to the Flying Toasters Band.

Our floral division, Kim King Smith Events Floral Design, created all of the florals for the tables. We designed the room with the Bride’s chosen shades of buttercup.  The crisp white linens with  shimmering platinum accents were a perfect partner.

Romance, celebration and joy; all in the heart of Bloomington!

Thank you to:

Coordination:  Kim King Smith, Kim King Smith Events www.kimkingsmithevents.com

Floral:  Jim Sims, Kim King Smith Events Floral Division www.kimkingsmithevents.com

Photography: James Root, Condon+Root  www.condonandroot.com

Church:  First Presbyterian Church www.tpcbloomington.org

Venue:  Indiana University Auditorium www.iuauditorium.com

Linens:  BBJ Linens www.bbjlinen.com

Catering:  Thomas Catering www.thomascaterer.com

Band:  The Flying Toasters Band www.theflyingtoasters.com

Stationery:  Lemonseed and Co www.lemonseedandco.com

Acoustic Guitar: Albert Nolting  www.facebook.com/pages/Albert-Nolting/135998549773890