Let Them Eat Cake!

Photo Credit: Source

Okay. I'll admit it. I am a cake snob. As I made my way through pharmacy school, for entertainment purposes (and cash!), I took a cake decorating class and learned how to make buttercream icing from scratch. Thus, the cake snobbery had begun. Old whipped icing cake--you can't fool me! You fake,"buttercream" icing made with shortening and butter flavor--I can see right through you!

In my opinion, cakes need to taste as divine as they look. Otherwise, why waste the calories? This is why I always instruct my brides to go for the best cake that they can afford. Second to the food, guests always seem to remember the cake and how it tasted. In Indianapolis, hands down, this means cake from Heavenly Sweets in Noblesville. I should be embarassed by what I am about to reveal, but it's a testament to how phenomenal this cake is. Sunday, I attended a bridal show with a K Sherrie bride and I swear I had three or four samples of cake! It was absolutely insane. Who eats cake samples until they get sick? I did and you would if you had the chance to try Tanya Marshall's cakes. You can taste the real butter in the cake. It's so moist and rich and dense. And then there's the buttercream icing! Heavenly Sweets has perfected a technique where they can ice a cake with buttercream icing as smooth as rolled fondant. The end result: a fantastic looking cake that tastes, well. . .heavenly.

Photo Credit: Source

Complimentary consultations are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact Heavenly Sweets at 317.770.9399 or via email at heavenly_sweets{at}msn{dot}com.

Tipping and Gratuities

As the client, it is always your call as to whom you would like to show monetary appreciation. Feel free to use this listing as a suggestion only. At times, the service you receive may not always entitle the provider to a tip, but when it does, these guidelines should help. In general, for sub-standard service reduce the tip, reserving the ultimate penalty--Zilch!-- for those whose service is downright despicable.

It's good to note that all tips should be given in cash. Additionally, if your vendor is working with assistance, remember to put each tip in a separate envelope. No single person should get more than $150; to avoid “double tipping,” remember to check which vendors have gratuities included in their final bill.

Before the wedding

Party Entertainer: 20% of the booking fee

Masseuse: 20%

Makeup Artist: 15% of bill, if at a salon

Shampoo attendant: $3 to $5, if at a salon

Colorist, hair stylist: 15 to 20% each, if at a salon

Manicurist, pedicurist: $2 for the basics, 15 to 20% for anything beyond

The wedding

Religious officiant: the best man normally gives the officiant an envelope containing a donation of about $100 to $400 after the ceremony, though it’s not considered a tip

Ceremony musicians: $15 to $20 per musician for hired performers

Florist: an extra $5.00 per delivery location (3 locations=$15.00) or $10-20.00 per staff member in one lump sum, for set-up and delivery

Limousine drivers: 10-15% of the limousine bill, given at the end of the evening (May be included in your bill)

The reception

Valet: $.50 to $1.00 per car, prearrange this amount with the supervisor based on an estimate of how many cars will be arriving and a sign should be posted to guests that the gratuity has been taken care of

Caterer: 15 to 20% of bill (may already be included, so be sure to check)

Banquet or catering manager: doesn’t need to be tipped unless they’ve thrown in extras or saved you a few hundred dollars on your bill. The tip would be between $50-$100

Waitstaff: you may want to personally tip staff either with funds taken from or in addition to the overall gratuity-- $20 per person is acceptable

Bartender: $1 per drink, whether or not it’s an open bar (check with your catering manager as gratuity may have already been included

DJ: $20 to $50 per person, possibly more if DJ works alone

Band: $15 to $20 per band member

Photographer and Videographer : $50 goes to the main photographer and he/she can give a split to the assistant

On-Site Coordinator/Room Manager: $50; this is the person managing the reception venues staff and facility the night of your wedding

Your Wedding Planner: This person has planned your wedding from start to finish. An appropriate tip would be 10% of their total commission or bill

Rest room attendants: $.50, $2 if they go the extra mile such as brushing lint from your outfit

The honeymoon

Cab driver: 15 to 20% of fare

Skycap: $2 to $3 per item, depending on distance to check-in or curb

Doorman: $1 per bag unloaded or cab hailed; add a couple of bucks if he has to stand in the rain to hail your cab

Concierge: $5 to $10 for a large favor, or simply a lump sum of $10 to $50 at the end of your stay, depending on the number and importance of services rendered

Bellhop: $2 to $3 per bag or special delivery to the room

Room-service waiter: 15 to 20%, no less than $2; check to make sure a service charge is not included on the bill

Chambermaids: $2 to $10 per night on a sliding scale from motel to luxe hotel

Cabin steward: $20 to $25 per week or a minimum of $3 per day for shorter trips

Bus staff (on cruise ship): $5 to $8 per week

Restaurant waitstaff: 15 to 20% not including the wine bill if there is a wine steward

Wine steward/sommelier: 10 to 15%of wine bill for bringing and pouring the wine, 15 to 20% if he assists in selecting win in your budget or range of tastes

Tour guides: $2

The exceptions

Establishment owners (salons, restaurants, B&Bs): none is necessary, you are considered their guest

Flight officer or attendant/ship officer/train engineer: do not tip; it is considered insulting

Maître d’: generally, tips are not necessary, as you are a guest; but there is some debate on the issue and you can tip 15 to 20% of the reception bill if you feel it is warranted

Does anyone have some wedding stories where they had to serve up the ultimate penalty? Please share in the comments section.

Ask the Planner: Which Vendor Should I Hire First?

Organization is key when planning any successful wedding. It really is all about deadlines and timing. When planning your wedding, you should consider hiring your vendors based upon a hierarchy. Some vendors, such as the florist, can do more than one wedding in the weekend. This means that it's not as pertinent to hire them as soon as you announce your engagement. The photographer, on the other hand, can only shoot one wedding per day, therefore she should be among the first vendors that you hire. The following is the suggested order in hiring vendors for your wedding:

First Tier--
Hire a Wedding Planner. If you are employing the services of a wedding planner, you can stop reading this post right now. A great planner will know the best way to secure the vendors that you want. If you are coordinating the wedding yourself or with the help of loved ones, carry on. . .
Determine ceremony site
Determine reception site
Book the officiant
Reserve hotel blocks for out of town guests
Hire a photographer
Hire a videographer
Select musicians/entertainment for ceremony and reception
Shop for and order wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses
Select hair and make-up artist and schedule a trial run

Second Tier--
Hire a florist
Select a linen and rentals company
Select a baker or pastry chef
Select and reserve groom and groomsmen attire
Order paper suites
Select a calligrapher
Select a caterer and meet to plan menu
Plan honeymoon
Arrange transportation for wedding day

If you're looking to hire the florist to the stars, adjust accordingly, as very popular vendors tend to book early.

The Hard Questions

I love love. I love the giddy, floating-on-air feelings that love brings. And everyone knows that I love to throw the ultimate love party--a stunning and impressive wedding. But is love enough for the day after your ultimate love party? Will just your love carry you and your hunny through the for richer, for poorer? All the way through the happily ever after?

What prompted me to talk about love today was the Daily Q&A that was sent out by Carrie and Danielle earlier in the week~what do you know about love? The following were the answers by Carrie and Danielle respectively:

Without love life is meaningless. It is our oxygen.

Love is a verb. That’s THE most useful thing my mother ever told me. Love walks the talk…and the dog. At midnight, when it’s my turn to walk the pooch, I think, “What would love do?” Walk…the…dog.

I can definitely agree with both of those answers and I feel that, innately, those answers are true. But I also know that it takes a little more than love to sustain a successful and productive marriage. Recently a friend of mine gave me a book entitled The Hard Questions. I was simultaneously thrilled and puzzled. Thrilled because I could recommend the book to newly-engageds. Puzzled, because, well--am I getting married soon? Maybe she thinks my biological clock is ticking even though I can't hear it. . .

. . .at any rate, The Hard Questions is a book that has 100 "essential" questions that you should ask your intended before you say I do. I certainly do not advocate replacing formal pre-marital counseling, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. This book leads you to intimate discussions with your mate that may not come up in the course of regular communication and conversation. Not all 100 questions may apply to your situation so just skip over those. You are sure to uncover some gems that will have you thinking, 'Wow. I never thought about that."

Love is the solid foundation of the best relationships and even the fat, juicy cherry on top. But it is trust, faith, intimacy, safety, like-mindedness, teamwork and compromise that keeps it all together. The ultimate love party only lasts a day (or three!), but marriage is a lifetime.

To order the book on Amazon, click the following link:
The Hard Questions: 100 Questions to Ask Before You Say "I Do"
Photo Credit: Source

Neiman Marcus Exclusives

Check out these steals from Neiman's:

Free shipping on any order over $200. Just enter code SEPTNM.

Get an exclusive Vera Wang Lavendar Label tote filled with designer goodies with any purchase over $500 in Women's Contemporary or Dress collections. Available online and in-store.

You were going to buy it anyway.

An Afternoon of Bridal Luxury

Chicagoland Brides--

Spend an afternoon of bridal luxury with Chicago Social Brides. The second-annual charitable Wedding Walk co-sponsored by the Oak Street Council and CS Brides will take place on Sunday, September 28, 2008 from 12 noon until 4pm.

Experience couture gowns, elegant jewels, haute cuisine, delectable cakes and exquisite florals starting at The Private Dining Rooms of Spiaggia. As you walk down Oak Street, visiting some of Chicago's most exclusive bridal destinations, you'll also be contributing to a great cause. A percentage of all proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association.

An RSVP is requested as you don't want to miss out on getting your luxury swag bag filled with goodies. Some of the participating partners include: All She Wrote, Bagable Gifts, Birch Design Studio, Greg Christian Catering, Limelight...food illuminated, Michael Lerich Productions, Ronsley Special Events, The Private Dining Rooms of Spiaggia and Veuve Clicquot.

To purchase tickets, visit www.csbrides.com. For more information, telephone 312.274.2506.

How to Pack a Romantic Picnic Lunch

We are in the early days of autumn and the last days of sunshine. Take advantage of the beautiful, fall weather and take a break from the frenetic pace of wedding planning. Take your hunny on a romantic picnic lunch. Coming up with new ideas for romantic afternoons are fun and they help keep the zsa zsa zsu pulsing. Pack a picnic lunch, complete with the vintage picnic basket, set out to a local park or a quiet area and enjoy a romantic afternoon for two. Double points if you call in to work to do it!

Items that you'll need include:

• Vintage Picnic Basket
  
• Tea Towel(s)
• Eating Utensils--it's perfectly okay to break out your aunt's silver
• China
  
• Glasses--do not use paper!
  
• Cloth Napkins
• Food--including scrumptious desserts (cupcakes? chocolate-covered strawberries?)
• Corkscrew
• Cooler
• Thermos
  
• Table Cloth
• Fresh Flowers
  

Prepare your picnic basket with your utensils and a few items that are okay unrefrigerated for a couple of hours. Place a colorful tea towel in the bottom of the basket so the sides of it hang over the basket a little. Neatly stage your napkins, china, utensils, glasses and desserts in the basket. Place some the fresh flowers throughout the basket to add a romantic touch to it.

Pack food in airtight containers or sealed bags to lock in the freshness. Put sandwiches, fruits or desserts hard plastic containers because they may be ruined if squished. Pack your sandwiches unmade and make them when you are ready to eat so they stay fresh.

Place ice packs on the bottom of the picnic basket or cooler. Use the cooler instead of the picnic basket if you will be driving or walking a significant distance. This will keep the food from perishing and stave away food poisoning. NOT romantic! Place any items that need to be cold against the ice pack. Put the cooler in the car instead of the trunk , as the car is cooler and your food will stay fresher longer.

Keep liquids that need to be warm in a thermos. Heat the liquid to hot and place it in the thermos before you leave. When you arrive at your picnic, the liquid should be the right temperature to drink. Bring a variety of drinks such a water, soda, wine or champagne.

Choose a color that suits your mood for your tea towel. Red add a romantic touch to the basket. You can buy matching napkins to match your color palette and create a more intimate feeling to your picnic. A few other tips: check to see if alcohol is allowed at your designated location. Lastly, bring a first aid kit and bug repellent for any accidents or pesky insects.

I really don't have to tell you how to be romantic, do I? When was the last time you went on a romantic, old-fashioned picnic?

KSCo Newsreel

There has been so much going on this summer (it's gone. . .*sniff*) at KSCo and we are too excited about it! We wanted to give a small re-cap of a few important things:

We have a new, shorter URL!

K Sherrie+Company to Host Trash The Dress Sessions: we have some great photographers on deck that want to work with you fabulous, edgy brides. Stay tuned to the blog for more details. . .

Katasha was featured on The Smart Planner: Meet the Planner series!

K Sherrie+Company nabs the #3 spot for Best Wedding Planner of Indianapolis!

Sweets Table Service added to dossier of wedding services.

Mama and Papa Butler turn 33 as a couple!

Read through the archives and uncover some lost gems. Happy reading!

Gourmet Treats for Your Welcome Bags

Curb your urge to splurge on some aspects of your wedding celebration but still maximize the impact.  

We've found some gourmet treats to include in your Welcome Bags for your guests.  The first item is the Biscoff cookie--otherwise known as the "great cookie you get on the airplane."  These cookies are so delicious!  It used to be that they could only be had by calling the 800 number on the cookie wrapper.  With the advent of the world wide web, we could then go online to get this delectable treat delivered right our door.  Now, dear reader, you can find this crisp, caramelized, Belgian biscuit in your local grocery!  For Indiana, that would be Marsh and Joe O'malia's. 

Artisanal chocolates have been integrated into many high-end wedding celebrations.  The colorful, gourmet chocolates can come with quite the hefty price tag:  $45.00 for 16 pieces by Marie-Belle.  The discerning bride can have her style and eat, too, because "there's chocolate, then there's Choxie."  Found at Target, the Choxie Artisan Collection is made using the finest ingredients including fruit purees, exotic spices, fragrant teas and stellar quality cocoa.  Be prepared to wow your guests with intense flavor combinations like Chile Limon Truffle and Chai Tea Truffle.  

Post a comment:  have any of you used these delicious finds in your wedding celebration?

Photo Credits:  Biscoff, She's A Betty

Really?? No. . .really. . .

A word about customer service.

Am I really putting you out by asking for your assistance at your place of employment? I mean, I am the customer, right? And you are supposed to provide customer service?? Wait a minute! Don't you still have a job because you have customers???

I'm just sayin'. . .

Permission to Get Dirty

Such a timely post in light of our recent Trash The Dress/Day After portrait post. . .

Eco-friendly.

Luxury service.

Time-saving.

This sounds like my kind of service!  And definitely a service that any K Sherrie+Company bride can appreciate.

Anyone who knows me I will pay a premium for convenience.  I am a firm believer that TIME is worth more than trying to save a buck.  This is why I grocery shop at O'malia's.  Yes, the butter there is $4+ (in Indiana), but it's across the street from my house.  But, I digress.

Imagine my giddy delight when I found out about Slate NYC.  This cleaning company, based in Manhattan has gone global with its laundry services and gown cleaning and preservation services.  By their own admission, their services are luxury because they "understand the fashion world" and their wardrobe services are comprehensive with exceptional service.  Their services are nice to Mother Earth because they only use high-quality, eco-conscious products and cleaning processes.  Yes, they operate by a strict no-perc policy.  Even their delivery vehicle is eco-chic:  it uses bio-diesel.

Their White Wedding Service is what's important to you.  After your big day, when you use Slate, a prepaid, insured, custom gown shipper arrives at your door.  You pack the gown and call the FedEx guy to pick it up.  Within days, you'll get your gown back, clean and fresh, preserved and free of residue, odors and irritants.  What's more is that they have a detailed tracking tool on the website so you know where your precious Maggie Sotterro is during every step of the way.  Slate also offers services to treat your gown before your big day.  Visit the website for an instant quote for your couture, designer gown.  The Travel Suitecase service??  I think I'm in heaven!

So go ahead and trash your dress.  Then call Slate to return it back to pristine condition.  All without having to leave your house.  Some things are just worth paying for.

The Not-So-Forbidden Fruit

Apples are inherently fall.  I can remember as a child, going on field trips with my fourth and fifth grade class to pick apples in the apple orchard.  Right after we read the book Johnny Appleseed and watched the movie.  I can remember the cool air of the orchard and the shade of the trees.  To me, picking apples is a cherished memory of my youth that I think every child should be able to experience.

You can certainly incorporate apples into your fall entertaining.  Whether picked-by-you or not, apples are the universal fruit.  There aren't too many people that don't like apples.  Add a few spreads and dips and stage your Scarlet Beauties in an elegant fashion, and voila!  Instant crowd pleaser.

Slice up some Jonagolds or Red Delicious and be sure to leave the skin on.  The red color will create an inviting palette when paired with the different spreads.  These two particular fall varieties of apples are sweet.  If you prefer tart apples, try the Cortland or Ida Red variety.   

May I suggest the following for spreads:  Cream-Nut Natural Peanut Butter, Ghiradelli Creamy Caramel Sauce and a Cheddar Cream Cheese Spread.*  Prettily displayed, delicious and nutritious.

You can pick your own apples in the Indianapolis area at Anderson Orchard, which is located in Mooresville.  The close of the picking season usually occurs right before Thanksgiving, so you have plenty of time.  You can also purchase homemade cider, apple butter and a variety of preserves.  Of course, there's always Plan B when it comes to your fall entertaining.  Set out some yummy caramel apples if you don't have time to prepare the apples and the spreads.  I'm almost 100% positive no one will complain. . .

*To prepare, mix one package of softened cream cheese with 1/2. grated cheddar cheese.  Add pimentos if desired.

The House of Wu

Has anyone really looked at these gowns by Christina Wu?

Wu! is right (pun intended).  A bit much for my tastes.  Go on over to the website and take a look-see.  Do you have a favorite that you would wear?

Photo Credit:  Christina Wu

Queen Bee with good Karma

I went to Nordstrom's Opening Gala last night at the Fashion Mall and found the most adorable bridesmaids gifts.  Charm necklaces by Dogeared Jewels and Gifts.  Handmade in Venice Beach, California, the sleek and simple, beautiful necklaces come with inspiring messages and meaning behind each design.  Dogeared Jewels promotes good karma, good luck and good wishes.  Read on for some of the feel-good messages.

Karma:  what goes around, comes around. . .wear your necklace as a reminder to keep the circle positive, peaceful and loving

Make a Wish:  make a wish and put on this necklace. . . .when your necklace wears off. . .your wish should come true. . .enjoy, trust, believe

Commitment:  it's only natural.  when it's right, it's right.  you and your love have taken a new step!  wear this necklace as a daily reminder of your new commitment.  ain't love grand?

Fearless:  make a wish to be fearless every time you put on this necklace.  you hold the power to make anything you desire happen.  trust your inner strength and get ready to rock!

I really love the simple circle of the karma necklace.  And even more so because I believe in karma.  Other cute charms include eternity circles, a dragon, a wishbone, a heart, a feather, a horseshoe and a boot--telling you to kick a$@!  I know every bride can find a necklace the fits the personality of every one of her 'maids.  Or you can give your bridesmaids a charm representing what quality they should work on.  Give the fearless dragon to your shy cousin.  Or give the boot to the sorority sister who's about to embark on a new career. 

Visit the website for a peek at all that they have to offer.  I can't wait for my karma necklace to come in the mail!  Be sure to check out the Queen Bee necklace.

KSCo News:  We have a new url!  Please update your bookmarks and visit us at www.ksherrieco.com.

Kid Friendly Wedding Treats

Are you inviting guests to your wedding that belong to the five-and-under set? Make these adorable little pencil cases and notebook covers and keep them well entertained and occupied. Add an extra touch and personalize them--they are now take home favors for the little sweeties. I mean, what will the kiddies do with a sterling, engraved picture frame? Doesn't Martha come up with the cutest things?

To make the pencil case, cut a 2 1/2-by-18-inch rectangle of felt; fold up bottom 6 inches. To sew, use embroidery thread and a needle with a large eye. Stitch up the sides with a running stitch: Pass needle up from back to front, then reinsert needle to back; repeat making short stitches. Finish with a knot in back. Fold over flap; add a button, and snip a buttonhole.

To make the notebook cover (3 by 5-inch), cut an 11-by-5 1/2-inch rectangle of felt with pinking shears. Center open book on felt; fold ends over covers. Sew top and bottom edges with a running stitch. For a closure, sew a button to front and add a thread loop to back.

I know my 3-year old boyfriend, Kick, would LOVE this. I'll have to post later about how he serenaded me with his rendition of the Barney Song. . .

. . .in front of his mother

. . .on the microphone.

What options are you entertaining to keep the invited children at your wedding occupied? Are you even inviting children??

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart

My New Library

I am so excited that my new library is coming together. I am most excited, however, about how special and significant the items are that are in there.

This summer has been a summer of life changes, a summer of self-reflection, a summer of growth. In late July, I decided that I needed a sanctuary for myself, where I could relax, read a book, sip some wine and think about all of my loved ones and how they have influenced my life. The idea of the bookcase was born. I called my carpenter, drew a sketch of what I wanted and he went to work. I first had him stain the wood a dark, rich mahogany that matched the wood work in my home. After Duane applied 4-6 loving coats of polyurethane, I determined that the dark, mahogany look was not the look I was going for. In my mind's eye I envisioned light colors, bright colors, cheery colors. Oh, and I forgot to tell you that I also changed the color of the walls twice. Eeek! We (he) started from scratch and I am so glad we did! Look at what the preliminary results are:






So--why else is the library to special and significant? One of my life changes was the loss of my great-uncle Kenny in August. Uncle Kenny was a permanent fixture in my life as far back as I can remember. And since he and Aunt Pat didn't have children, my sister and I were the automatic appointed fill-ins. Stern, but protective; austere, but wise, Uncle Kenny never misguided me and was always supportive of whatever I wanted to do in life.

In this library, I have his chair (reupholstered in a bold, graphic zebra print) and his foot stool. I have the sponge that he plucked out of the Pacific Ocean on his first trip to California. On the shelves, I have his high school yearbook, complete with hand-written notes and two composition papers graded with an A+. Amongst other things, I also have his hardback copy of prose by Coleridge, his US Marine Corp Manual and his Danville High School diploma. One of my most cherished pieces is the croquet set that I played as a child and my mother played as a child. I am so glad that I found these items of Uncle Kenny's. I am even more glad that I will be able to pass on some of the legacy of my uncle to my future children. I can't wait to see the finished product. Love you and miss you, Uncle Kenny.

Email is Working Again! And a Special Announcement. . .

Oh, thank goodness our email is working again! We have been out of commission for days without access to email. So, as a reminder, if anyone has emailed any member of the K Sherrie+Company team within the last ten days and you haven't gotten a response, please resend the email.

And. . .we have another announcement to make. I planned on waiting a little longer to announce the switch, but in light of my recent email drama, now is as good a time as any: We now have a new and shorter URL!

www.ksherrieco.com

Those lengthy telephone conversations where I had to spell out ksherrieandcompany dot com just became too tedious. So I hope this switch makes it better for you as it does for us.

This also affects our email addresses as well. Going forward, our team members' email addresses will be firstname{at}ksherrieco{dot}com. Our current URL and addresses will continue to work for a short period of time, so please update your address books!

Such Sugary Sweetness

I'm not exactly sure when it became okay for me to drop $20 at a time on cupcakes, but it seems to have become quite the regular occurrence these days. Let me introduce you to my new favorite bakery: The Flying Cupcake.

Located on the corner of 56th and Illinois, The Flying Cupcake replaced Baskin Robbins as the sweet spot in the neighborhood. Kate Bova and Nicole Hill are whipping up tasty delights behind that cute, little red door. As I walk in and smell the sugary sweetness, my $20 bills just float out of my hands and onto the counter. I mean--who can go in and purchase just one cupcake? These are just too good to keep to yourself! Some of my favorite flavors:

Happy Birthday to Me: Classic vanilla birthday cupcake with madagascar vanilla buttercream icing

Red Velvet Elvis: dreamy red velvet cupcake loaded with chocolate chunks and topped with soft cream cheese icing and white chocolate shavings

KooKoo for Coconuts: coconut cupcake filled with coconut cream and topped with creamy coconut cream cheese icing

Pretty in Pink: sweet strawberry cupcake with real strawberry packed cream cheese icing

What's up Doc?: moist carrot cupcake packed with coconut and raisins topped with velvety cream cheese icing

Butter Rumba: butter rum cupcake with rum flavor icing and toasted pecans

Am I the only one that think it's ridiculous that I just named six favorite flavors? Thus my $20+ habit. Don't worry. . .I never eat them all. And they bake cakes, too.
Photo Credit: The Flying Cupcake

Wedding Dress: The Remix

Warning. Some serious wedding eye candy lies ahead.



Trash the Dress (TTD) sessions have become and remained very popular in the bridal industry. The end results of taking your wedding dress out of the plastic and posing for unconventional bridal photos is edgy, artistic and creative memorabilia from one of the happiest times of your life.


It has been said that Mark Eric of Trash The Dress started this exciting and interesting trend. Others state that John Michael Cooper of Altf was responsible for ushering in this phenomenal, alternative bridal shoot. They are both extremely talented photographers and spectacular at what they do. I pay great homage to whomever was indeed the originator.



Unfortunately, trashing the dress has not caught on as much as I would have liked in the Indianapolis area. Which is too bad for us. We have some very talented photographers, provocative, urban scenery and beautiful, natural landscaping that could push any TTD session to the limits. Taking your shots on the canal? How about taking them in the canal. Monument Circle is the ever popular wedding formals spot. Up the metro-luxe quotient by taking your photo sitting on the actual street of the circle, surrounded by moving traffic. There's IMI rock quarry on 96th Street. And Butler-Tarkington Park basketball courts complete with street ball players. Or the Olio Road Launching ramp and dock at Geist Marina.





So, we have some exciting news! K Sherrie+Company is teaming up with some esteemed photographers and make up artists to bring Indianapolis brides the ultimate Day After shoots aka Trash The Dress sessions. There are two tentative dates: Sunday, October 12, 2008 for fall and some Sunday in December or January--because we want snow!!





We're thinking Urban Safari as the theme of the October session, Mystical Winter, for, well, winter. We're planning to have six to eight brides for each date. Included in your Urban Safari or Mystical Winter session is make-up, one hour with a photographer and either the high-res digital files or 20-30 edited prints (the jury's still out). And the sensational K Sherrie+Co team will be on hand to supply props and inspired direction.




Stay tuned for more details. But you can definitely send me an email if you're interested in your own Trash the Dress Session. I can be reached at katasha{at}ksherrieco{dot}com.
Photo Credits: Trash The Dress featuring the following studios: The K Gallery, Chris Austin Photography, Kara Pennington Photography, Kevin Swan, Jasmine Star, Steve Chelser

K Sherrie Featured on The Smart Planner!

I think I may have arrived.


It was a total surprise to me today when I received a Google alert in my inbox and I saw my name next to Meet the Planner! Everyone in this industry has at least heard of the witty and creative Liene Stevens, owner and lead consultant of Blue Orchid Designs. I am so honored to be featured on her blog. So scoot on over to The Smart Planner and check it out!

Thanks, Liene!

Lucky Paperie Contest

The blogosphere connects so many people in so many ways. In the last month, I found out that one of my Spelman sisters is in the wedding industry: Melanie Watson, owner of Lucky Paperie Design Studio. Melanie stumbled upon my blog and sent me the sweetest email when she realized we had the illustrious institution in common. Head over to Lucky Paperie's website to see the bespoke designs and luxury stationery she has to offer.



But before you go: Lucky Paperie in conjunction with Southern Weddings Magazine is giving away a custom reception package of one hundred place cards, one hundred menus and ten table cards. Does it get any better than that? Click HERE for the official notice and details and to enter. Good Luck!

Photo credits: Lucky Paperie

Technology is Grand. . .

. . .when it's working.

Unfortunately, our email has been down for the last two days. Eeek! If you've sent us an email in the past day or so, kindly resend the email to:

katasha15@gmail.com

We will definitely post when our K Sherrie+Company email is up and functioning. Thanks for your patience.

Birds of a Feather

For all those wedding bird enthusiasts: check out these tea light wall sconces from Pier 1 Imports. I'm seeing two hanging as adornment on some French doors leading to your ceremony. I could also see them lining a long hallway and lighting the way into your reception. These can be used in so many different ways. . .

How would you tie these in to your wedding's birds n' nest theme?

The Four Emotions of Engagement

Fear.
Sadness.
Anxiety.
Loss.
Four unexpected emotions when you become engaged.


As soon as you say yes, you are often hit with excitedly whispered questions of When is the wedding? Where will it be held? What are your wedding colors? How did he propose?! Tending to all of the wedding planning ephemera, you may often feel some conflicting emotions during one of the happiest times of your life. Let's explore:

Getting engaged is truly a period of transition. A young woman is giving up one identity for another. You are no longer Ms. X, but Mrs. Y. It's also something more than just a name change. You are no longer a single woman. Yes, you are still your parent's kid, but you are no longer "the child of," per se. The only significant phase in your life that you have experienced as an adult (hopefully) is now ending. It is quite okay to feel some sense of loss.

Do you question your readiness for marriage and family? If you're prudent, you should! This is a major moment in your life that should not be taken lightly. It seems almost wrong to have feelings of anxiety about your readiness for marriage. Any contradictory feelings may seem like you're making a mistake or choosing the wrong mate. Accept your feelings of anxiety and discuss them with those closest to you. Seek out wisdom and advice from those that you love and have been where you're going. Just because pop culture tends to conveniently ignore these uncertainties during the period of engagement doesn't mean that you should. Actually, it's all quite normal.

You are definitely gaining something when you become engaged. A life partner. Commitment. Togetherness. A built-in bed warmer. Wedding planning is coupled with excitement and great happiness. But it can also be coupled with fear and uncertainty. What if the marriage doesn’t last? What if he cheats on me? Would I cheat on him? Will the passion fade and will we grow apart? What if something terrible happens to him? Even if you are having the time of your life planning the best reception ever seen this side of the Mississippi, these questions are scary to the newly engaged bride. And common. So don't beat yourself up about it.

In every other major life transition, dealing with your conflicting emotions is not only expected, but encouraged. Think about when you started your first "real" job, graduated from college or moved out from your parent's house. Did your conflicting feelings of sadness and loss stop you from taking that next step? Did it stop you from excelling at that next step? Most likely not. You allowed yourself time to analyze and deal with your feelings and this is exactly what you should do when you are engaged. The emotions of engagement are completely normal. Feel these feelings. Don’t allow your well-meaning friends and family to focus solely on the production to the detriment of your internal struggles. This is why I recommend pre-marital counseling to every engaged couple. Your wedding and marriage is more than planning a huge celebration. Your engagement period should involve introspection and emotional analysis. It should involve open communication with your loved ones. It involves acceptance of all of your emotions. Only when you deal with these can you move on to planning a fabulous fete and successfully navigate the next chapter in your life.

Indianapolis brides: Do you need a recommendation for pre-marital counseling? Email me at katasha{at}ksherrieandcompany{dot}com and I would be glad to help you out.
Photo credit: Source

Re-Luxe It for Less

I just found an awesome deal on JCPenney.com: Monogrammed hemstitch table napkins and runners. You can get six 100% cotton napkins for $12 and one 14x70" table runner for $16. And the tone-on-tone monogramming is FREE (one letter)!

Monogrammed linens instantly up the luxe quotient for any dining affair, no matter how formal or informal it is. This runner and napkins can outfit your table for your formal Christmas dinner or be used for everyday eating. These days, we are no longer saving the fine china and sterling silverware for special occasions. You have permission to re-luxe your daily dining routine. And at this price, you just can't beat having these on hand. You can almost get complete sets in every color: black, claret, gold, ivory, sage, violet or white. I have two sets in black and sage on the way.

Hurry soon because this is definitely a close-out deal. Click HERE for a steal of a lifetime.
Photo Credit: Ivy Designs

Your Wedding Library

What's the buzz?  It's the new blog launched yesterday by The Wedding Library of NYC!  I anticipate it to be a great resource in the wedding blog world and in recognition of this new addition,  I thought it would be helpful to recommend some wedding books for your own personal wedding library.

I rarely get tired of looking at and reading wedding stuff and some books are so great and timeless, I can go back and read them over and over again.  Whether you're looking for advice and tips on planning a wedding or just looking for ideas and inspiration, these books are sure to please.  Make sure your library is stocked with the following:

Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette 5e by Peggy Post

Best of Martha Stewart Living Weddings by Martha Stewart Living Magazine

Simply Stunning Weddings:  Designing and Creating Your Perfect Celebration by Karen Brussen and Ellen Silverman

Style Your Dream Wedding by Susie Coehlo

Vera Wang on Weddings by Vera Wang

The Wedding Book:  The Big Book for Your Big Day by Mindy Weiss and Lisbeth Levine

Fete:  The Wedding Experience by Jung Lee

Sylvia Weinstock's Sensational Cakes by Sylvia Weinstock

 

Such an assortment of wedding goodness!  And some true expertise that you can rely on.  Do you have your own personal library?  What must-have wedding books did you include?  Leave us a comment.

Why Don't You. . .Host a Charity Bridal Shower?

It's the in thing now to give donations to charities and foundations instead of wedding favors at wedding receptions. But what if you're a girl who wants to have her cake and eat it, too? I mean, I have seen some of the most adorable wedding favors. Done right, they can bring major appeal to your celebration. But I also like supporting youth programs, service organizations and other non-profits.

So, I have a handy solution. . .
Why don't you host a charity bridal shower?? How can you do this? You host a great dinner party with amazing food and plenty o' drinks at your home. Instead of asking your guests to bring you gifts, ask them to bring you a check--written out to your favorite charity. I don't think it's too much to ask for a $20 minimum, but the guests can choose any amount that they want to give. I really don't know anyone giving $20 bridal shower gifts these days anyway.

This also works well for a couples bridal shower. Now the men don't have to sit around and watch you unwrap Cuisinarts, negligees or martini glasses for the bar. It can be a more social and interactive gathering. And you can do away with some of the silly shower games.

The icing on the cake: the costs you incur for food and drink is tax-deductible.

How many of you would host a charity bridal shower?
Photo Credit: Source

Updated Bio

I recently updated my bio on my website. I wanted to be a little more personal and tell more of the story about how I got into the wedding industry. Here is the new and improved bio:

Hi! I'm Katasha S. Butler, the president and lead planner of K Sherrie+Co. Wedding and Event Planning. I am so glad you've found our page and would consider us to plan one of the best days of your life! So let me tell you just a little bit about myself:

After graduating from Danville High School in Danville, Illinois, I studied Chemistry at Spelman College and went on to obtain my Doctorate in Pharmacy at Butler University. So how did I end up in the wedding industry?? I'm glad you asked. It was always in my blood! I planned parties and weddings of classmates and family while I was in pharmacy school, many times during class. I was always staying current on the fashion trends and new ideas in the wedding industry, so much so that one of my Therapeutics professors started calling me "Glamour Girl." I always had my head in some type of fashion or wedding glossy, alternating with Principles of Drug Action textbooks. I planned my first full-service wedding from start to finish during my clinical rotations. Looking back, I'm not sure how I did that! But the couple was extremely pleased and that sealed the deal for me.

After working nine years in the pharmacy industry, I have truly cultivated my skills for organization, expert planning and meticulous attention to detail. All things considered--at least the decisions that I now make planning events can't potentially kill someone! Yes, I was formally educated in the areas of mathematics and science, but I have always possessed an artistic flair, an eye for style and details and a creative mind. After consistently being called upon to plan parties, organize professional benefits and fundraisers and design weddings of friends and family after graduation, I began laying the groundwork to start my own boutique wedding planning firm in 2006. I went back to school, took some business classes, became a certified wedding planner and interned under a successful wedding planner in Indianapolis.

I wanted to be in the business of wedding and event planning because I wanted to do something that I loved. When you love doing something, it doesn't seem like work. After a hard, fourteen hour day and all I can remember is how the bride gushes over my helpfulness, creativity and organization (and what great food and drink I had that day!), I know this is where I want to be. Planning, directing and organization comes naturally to me, as well as social graces, etiquette, style, creativity and artistic expression. You cannot go wrong in choosing me as your wedding or special event planner.

So, what do you think? Does it work for you?

KSCo News: New Couture Service Added! Sweets Table Service: Think of your favorite childhood treat or favorite candy and we will design your buffet to complement your colors or your theme. You can select from a large assortment of beautiful and unique containers to hold your sweets and personalized containers for your guests to enjoy at home. Luxury upgrades are available for this service.

Get Ready to Get Gorgeous!

I received an amazing invitation in the mail last Friday for a Pre-Opening Beauty Bash from Nordstrom, one of my favorite shopping stomping grounds:

Friday, September 19
8am to 10am
Nordstrom Fashion Mall

Get ready to get gorgeous!
Bring your girlfriends and start shopping our world of cosmetics at 8am, while you wait for our new store to open at 10am. You'll get the inside scoop on new products and trends from the top names in beauty--and learn the latest tips and tricks from our team of beauty experts. Enjoy complimentary consultations and demonstrations, along with some beautiful surprises. So set your alarm and join us at our new Nordstrom at The Fashion Mall at Keystone, by the east mall entrance. Questions? Give us a call at 1.800.916.6110.

Now, I will not be there at 8am for the early opening. I do have to work to support my habit. I will, however, be at the opening gala for the new Nordstrom the night before. It will be one of the social events of the season for Indy and I can't wait to network. So if you go to the Pre-Opening Beauty Bash, make sure you check out the Wedding Shop when the entire store opens and please come back and post a comment about all the great finds!
Photo Credit: Nordstrom