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Kim King Smith Events is noted as a top Indiana party planner and with that, we want to share some tips with you to make your entertaining flawless and fun.

1.  Select an invitation that can be mailed and will set the tone of the party.  Everyone loves to receive personal mail.  Take the time to mail your invitation and please give the guests four to six weeks of notice.

2.  Decorate with a theme in mind.  Try to keep decor consistent, but interesting.  Make sure to make your main entrance “grand”.

3. Make preparation and replenishing easy for you.  You want to enjoy the party, not work it!

4.  Try to have everything listed and all supplies set out a couple of days ahead of time, just in case you have a new idea or want to switch something.

5.  Stock the bar with something new and fun.  Whether it be a mixture of European beers or some retro sodas, make it lively and fun!

6.  Don’t forget a “take away” gift.  Whether it be a bottle of olive oil, a scrumptious brownie, some homemade fudge or a personal note, let your guests leave with something special from you.

photo courtesy of http://www.fotosearch.com

by Kim

I would like to introduce you to my friend, Alexi Tavel.  She is one of the most creative, stylish and artistic women I know.  She is incredible!  She is the designer and owner of October Anniversary www.octoberanniversary.com, a custom jewelry design shop in SoHo. 

 I love these stacks!  I love that everything is now at 20% off for the holidays!  I love that all of her jewelry is unique, eye catching and beautiful.  Look for yourself and get your order into Santa soon!

by Kim

We are thrilled and humbled for Kim King Smith Events to be voted for the third year in a row Indianapolis Best Wedding Planner.  We cannot thank all of you enough that voted for us and support us.  Your support means so very much.  We truly work so very hard to make our clients dreams come true.  Being recognized and honored in this way is such a wonderful tribute. 

Please know we are ready to serve all of you in 2011 with even bigger and better services.  Our goal is to make each celebration a Royal Occasion!  Please keep posted for upcoming news and additional services that we will be providing to you.

Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  We love you!

If you live to be a hundred,
I want to live to be a hundred minus a day
So I don’t have to live a day without you.

– Winnie the Pooh

This Sunday, October 17, 2010. will be the 5th year for the March for the Cure www.marchforthecure.  It provides two landmarks for me to celebrate.  The first being a way for my company to coordinate an event to provide awareness and monetary support to the Little Red Door Cancer Agency and their Mammography Awareness Program.  The second, that I feel I have won the war and can be an example to other women. 

 You see, I am a five year breast cancer survivor.  When I was diagnosed, I had no idea I had cancer.  I was a good girl, went in for my mammogram and then received the information that changed my life.  After getting over feeling sorry for myself, I decided to fight back.  As Joel Osteen says, “Bloom where you are planted!”  and that I did.  By grace, I met the people of the Little Red Door, coordinated an event in two weeks and thus we celebrate our 5th year. 

The March for the Cure is a run and walk.  It is located at Southwestern High School’s track and attended by a lot of supporters.  It is probably the top highlight of my year.  It is a happy and joyous time; partnering with other survivors and friends, sharing stories and planning our next way to conquer this disease.

I invite all of you to fight back too.  Attend our event and make my day, donate to a breast cancer charity,  become a volunteer, wear pink this month and/or encourage others to do self exams and have mammograms after 40 years old.

I never thought this would happen to me and I know the next person that is diagnosed will feel the same.  Don’t wait until it is someone you love, join our crusade and march forward now.

by Kim

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Kim King Smith Events would like to help honor the cause and spread the awareness.

 With 100,000’s of women being diagnosed with the disease every year it’s important to be informed. The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website, www.nbcam.org  provides a variety of information on the disease. It is a great place to start researching and becoming educated on the topic. Did you know that one out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer?  The next time you are on the train or in a crowded store, look around, count eight ladies and ask yourself who is next? Don’t wait for it to happen; fight back!

 It’s also important for each of us to do what we can to help, whether it means being a support system or offering a donation.  Ford has linked with Susan G. Komen to create Warriors in Pink and a line of products we love.  With every purchase of Warriors in Pink products all net proceeds are given to the Susan G. Komen foundation.  The line offers everything from T-shirts to IPod covers with a design that is fashionable and fun.  Here are a few of our favorite products from www.FordCares.com.  Think about the holidays and gifting.  This might just be the right thing.

Such a very important message for brides!  Please know that here at Kim King Smith Events we use the very best vendors that pride themselves on their abilities.  Working with them is a gift for you the bride and for our team. 

 Please read this excerpt from famed wedding planner Sasha Souza. www.sashasouzaevents.com

“There’s one thing that I definitely know in life and that is you can always buy something cheaper – telephone service, flights, cars, office supplies, SEO optimization, wedding gowns, pharmaceuticals, wedding flowers, catering….wedding & event planners.  You name it and I’ll betcha there’s somebody out there that can give it to you cheaper…  I think that the question that people miss is:  But Will It Be What I Want?

Let me give you a scenario that happened to me last year.  I sent out a floral & decor proposal for an event that wasn’t huge and over the top.  It was for a nice party and right in line with the type of events we do.  Prior to sending it out, I had gone through and made a few things optional for the client so that they could add in some of the “nice to haves”.  Exactly what I told them I would do when they hired me.

Then, the phone rings….it’s the Mother of the Bride.  We’ll call her Carol.

Carol:  “Sasha…in this economy how can you, in good conscience, send me a floral proposal THIS high?”

Please know that I had been through the proposal backwards & forwards and it met all of the required components that the bride simply HAD to have.

ME:  “Thanks for your call, Carol, I sent it because I believe it fits the desires of Melanie (name of bride has been changed) and I did shave a lot off to try to meet your budget”

Carol:  “But Sasha, how in the world do you expect us to pay for this?  We have decided we don’t want to spend more than X”  {this would have been nice to know at the beginning, by the way}

ME:  “Please let me know what you would like to cut and we are happy to  make any changes you like.  We can switch from long tables to rounds & squares, change the design of the flowers…”{basically, I gave her 15 options to make changes}

Carol:  “But Sasha, Melanie wants all that and we expect that in this economy people are hungry for business and would be willing to make a little less profit for the job”

{quizzical look which garners the side note that in this economy, business owners are more likely going to want a higher profit from each job, not lower to compensate for fewer jobs overall – thereby providing the contracted & paid for services ONLY and not over and above the contracted services}

ME: “Carol, I’m not sure that’s the case, but let me just say that I’ve found out something in life and in business…you can always get something cheaper but it will not be the wedding your daughter wants, it will only be the price you like.” {if you use this in your business, feel free to say “well, Sasha Souza says…”}

Why have I told you this story? Because it’s true and the statement that I made at the end is an important one when educating couples and ourselves on weddings and what we get for our money. It’s easy to say you want a centerpiece to be smaller or “not over the top” or “simple”.  Let me give you a visual example.  We have seen this image from the legendary Preston Bailey in our office many, many times.  It’s gorgeous with hundreds of flowers in it and I’m sure the image does not do it justice to how grand it is in person:

Can every bride afford it?  No.  But those that value it will seek it & Preston Bailey out to design for them and will be thrilled with the results.  Here is how we used his inspiration for a bride who loved the look but couldn’t pay the price tag for the flowers:

Could the bride have gotten even this arrangement cheaper?  Yes!  Absolutely but the structure of the piece, the height, the design would have been vastly different.  More like this:

While still pretty, it doesn’t emanate the same feeling – BUT it IS CHEAPER!  So, if it’s cheaper that they are looking for then this would work out perfectly but the expectation can’t be for the gorgeous images above.

Another example…Is the peony any cheaper because of the economy?  No.  So, we offer alternatives and often we substitute with garden roses.  Is it the same?  No.  It’s just cheaper and different.  Some brides are OK with that and others REALLY want the peony and are not going to compromise for anything less.  The decision is only theirs to make.

Carol did go on to pay the bill for the flowers when she  understood that what she would get by going elsewhere wasn’t what Melanie would have wanted.  We were very willing to make changes to the event to get them closer to their described estimated expenditure but they were unwilling to make any changes whatsoever and simply wanted it to be cheaper.  period.  just. cheaper.

That isn’t how this works, people.  If you go to the gas station to fill up your car, you make a decision on the name brand station that you go to, how much you want to pay per gallon & the octane level of the gas you want. 

OR!

You can go down the street to the gas station without all the special additives.  Will your car run the same?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  My car happens to like Chevron Techron 89 Octane or better.  I put anything less in it and I’m bummed by the lack of power and performance that I get in my car.  I can’t go into the clerk and ask them if instead of $2.99 per gallon I can pay $1.49 per gallon and expect the exact same quality & product.  If you want me to shave $100 off an arrangement, you’re going to lose $100 worth of flowers & design time.

So, when you’re visiting with your vendors and you ask them to reduce their price please be sure that you are getting the same exact thing – because if you’re trying to compare apples to apples and one person says they can do that Preston arrangement for hundreds less than the other person – chances are  you’ll be left with arrangement #3 on your 72″ round seating 12.”

Thank you, Sasha!

http://sparkliatti.com

Kelly and Chris were absolute rockstars to us and we wanted to make sure their wedding was the same.  As soon as we met the couple, we visited the venue and knew it was right!  From the outdoor essence of the lake, the pergola and the rolling landscape, to the elegance of the gorgeous ballroom adorned with a water fall.  THIS WAS IT!

Now, for the Rockstar theme.  Kelly knew exactly what she wanted and we helped her in every way that we could.  Black and white damask with flairs of turquoise and poppy made this fun, bright and exciting for guests.  Special  concert style snap lights, ticketed “admission” place cards and custom rockstar posters made all the guests line up to be admitted into the affair and see our stars Kelly and Chris.

Dining, dancing and a finale of fireworks before being swept away made this couple top billing!

by Kim

A southern couple return to the North to celebrate their marriage!  Jill and Todd were a pleasure to work with and get to know.  Living in the South and returning home for their wedding made planning a long distance affair.  Nothing could stop their incredible plans and vision.  This couple had the most beautiful palette of apple green, black and white.  It was bright, fun and so easily elegant.  From the specialty invitations to the honeymoon, every detail was intricate and fabulous.

The ceremony venue was beautiful as guests filled the pews to witness this special moment.  After the “I Dos” the wedding party was whisked away to get keepsake photos in a private Mediterranean  style garden before arriving at the reception.  The reception wowed guests with bright splashes of color, unique florals, fun paper goods and elegant linens. 

by Kim

Meet Kathleen.  Terre Haute native, Indiana State University Grad (Go Sycamores!), Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and new Golden Retriever owner (Cindy Lou)!

 Kathleen is such a great communicator and very tech savvy.  She loves weddings and being a part of them.  Perhaps that is why she is constantly researching for new ideas and fun ways to make your wedding sensational!

Kathleen grew up in California before moving to Terre Haute in her early teens.  Yes, she is a Cali-i-fornia Girl by all means!  She is also bright, fun and oh so creative.  She brings a fresh and fun approach to all of the weddings and events she coordinates and creates.  You will love her!

Always smiling, always kind, just the kind of girl you will love to work with!