engagement  has to offer. Here are a few things that are on the “TO DO’

1. Get a manicure! Your hand is about to be the main focus of hundreds of
photos and you don’t want to embarrass yourself with un kept nails. Zip into
your favorite salon and start soaking those fingers!

2. Set a Budget! Have a nice, sit down, chat at home, with whomever is
supporting your wedding- it could be you, your fiancé, his parents or yours.

A private family gathering is essential in the early stages so that everyone is
on the same path. The conversation may be awkward, but it needs to be addressed
before anything becomes planned.

3. Insure your ring! If your Love hasn’t done this already, make sure it is done immediately. The jeweler (where it was purchased) should have suggestions about certified insurers. Make sure you get an appraisal slip from your jewelerso the absolute replacement value can be determined.

4. Sign up for Sale Alerts! Your wedding dress is going to be a major purchase, but your accessories don’t need to be. Many
designers have major sales and throughout the year. Check out their sites and sign up.

5. Sign up for Pinterest!  Pinterest is the motherland of inspiration! You will be on this site for hours & gather so
many ideas! Majority of the ideas have step by step directions on how to create
the masterpieces. You will want to save (or pin) all of your favorites, from
your dress, to the cake, to favors, and creative keepsakes.

6. Talk $$$ with your Fiancée! Money is always an uncomfortable topic, but it needs to be done, so put on your big girl pants and
do it! You both will need to know all the logistics of combining bank accounts. Make sure you also discuss with your parents about CDs, trusts, or other important documents that may need to change or not change once you become man
& wife.

 7. Sign up for Trunk Show Alerts! Follow your local bridal
boutique on Facebook or Twitter to get all the latest info about an upcoming
sale or trunk show. This will allow you to see your favorite designer’s newest
creations straight off the runway.

 8. Chose a diet & STICK TO IT! If you plan to lose weight or tone up for your wedding and honeymoon, the worst thing you could do is crash diet at the last minute. If you want to lose more than 5 pounds, give yourself 9-12 months to do it. Pick a proven plan like Weight Watchers or JennyCraig. Ask your Fiancé to invest a few months of a personal trainer for just
you or as a couple.  Make a pact to get into shape together with a personal workout plan. Working out with your Fiancé allows
you to support each other even more and get healthy at the same time! If your Fiancé can’t find time, ask one of your bridesmaids.

 9. Pick a location! Whether it is selecting the city or the venue, the most
important decision needs to be determining the location of the wedding. This
may need to be something that you get everyone’s advice on; his family and
yours, as they will have an opinion.

10. Hire a planner! It doesn’t matter how organized you can be or how
creative you are, a planner will be your right hand person. As it gets closer
and closer to your day, a planner can help you with everything!  From the moment you get engaged, to your
wedding day, they can also assist you with developing a timeline and assist you
with weekend coordination. A planner will have many connections to venues and
vendors for your day. This will allow you to save time and expense plus
allowing everyone to sit back and enjoy the day without missing a precious
minute.

By: Molly

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

Martha Stewart did it again with this original and creative idea.  Candles in three shades of white are wrapped in corrugated paper and tied with waxed twine; written inside are messages from the bride and groom
and/or hosts.  A thank you, a memory, a holiday wish can all be a message on these simple and thoughtful gifts.  Read more at Marthastewartweddings.com: White Favors: Greeting Candles

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/white-favors-greeting-candles?xsc=eml_dwd_2011_06_24

Thank you, Martha!

Simple and Thoughtful Favors

Kim King Smith, Owner+Principle Designer

Kim King Smith is owner + principle designer of Kim King Smith Events.  Kim began planning and creating events in third grade and has never stopped!  She has designed and produced creative weddings and celebrations throughout Central Indiana serving from 50 to thousands of attendees. 

  Her passion for her work never ceases!  Kim is definitely THE multi tasker; which gives her an expert edge at prioritizing.  Kim values her education. With undergraduate and graduate degrees from Indiana University/Bloomington, she continues her studies as  she travels coast to coast  to conferences and seminars to reap the very best inside ideas, services and accents for her clients. While travelling  she has met many great professional resources, worldwide, that she consults with for her weddings and celebrations.  She is a recommended bridal consultant by the very best venues in the area.

Kim is Indiana’s only Accredited Bridal Consultant, a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, the only Indiana Style Me Pretty “Little Black Book” member for bridal consultants and a member of the International Special Events Society. 

She has been voted Indy’s #1 Wedding Planner for 2008. 2009 and 2010.

 Kim is  sought by the media for her expertise and is a regular contributor for local and statewide agencies.

Don’t be afraid to try something new.  Use the elements of autumn to your advantage with produce, nuts and twigs along with the many color tones of the earth and sky.  Such a rich time to gather and inspire!

By Laura

Lit up starry night. webvivah.com

Colorful fruit centerpieces. www.brides.com

Unique chocolate cake. www.brides.com

Autumn floral. www.wedding-flowers-and-reception-ideas.com

by Courtney K.

photo courtesy www.bobbiandmike.com

Wouldn’t this make a great favor, shower dessert or gift?  Imagine taking these to the office as surprises for your fellow workers.  Wow, the list could go on…..

The recipe below is a tweak of Paula Dean’s recipe.  Can’t wait to try it.  Let us know, here at Kim King Smith Events, if you do and how they turn out!

Follow these easy directions and enjoy! Bake the cupckaes, split in half, put half in the jar, a little cream cheese icing, the next half and a big kiss of cream cheese icing on top :):)  Put the lid on and tie a fork around the jar.  Remember, when using cream cheese, you MUST keep refrigerated (better safe than sorry). facebook cupcakes facebook cupcakes