Your wedding invitations set the tone for your wedding. Whether they are formal, fun, vintage or traditional they are your guest's first glimpse into what they can expect on your special day. The wedding theme you have chosen such as; a beach wedding, vintage, Paris or country theme may be included on the invite, as well as the colors you have chosen for your big day.

 

In addition to the theme there are other things you'll want to keep in mind along the way. When should you send your wedding invitations? How should you address them? What other things should you include? On the Charming Chick blog today we are going to discuss a few of the main dos and don'ts of wedding invitations.

 

 

 

Wedding Invitation Dos and Don'ts

 

Do order plenty of extra wedding invitations. This will ensure that you have enough for any last minute folks you forget and also extras in case you make a mistake while addressing them.

 

Don't wait until the last minute to order and send invites. Make sure you find out how long it will take to order the invites, plan for your time to address them (or have someone else address them) and have them set to go out at least 6-8 weeks before the big event. This will ensure that those folks who have to make travel arrangements will have plenty of time to do so.

 

Do ask for help while addressing invites. If you have any wonderful friends in your bridal party who have beautiful handwriting and are detail oriented, this could be the perfect opportunity for them to help you. There are also services either through the printer you order from or you can hire a calligrapher to address them for you.

 

Don't put "No Children" or "Adult Reception" on the invitations. Instead try to get the word out through friends and family that you prefer not to have children at the reception. Also, when you address the invitation do not include the children's names. If you would like to have children at the reception be sure to include their names on the invitation. The outer envelope should be addressed to Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and the inner envelope should be addressed to the entire family.

 

Do have a plan about how you will keep track of responses. Will they be sent to you or will your parents be in charge of tracking them?

 

Don't forget to put together a wedding website. This is a fantastic way to let people know how the two of you met and fell in love, where your registered, what hotels you have negotiated lower rates with, directions to your venues and any other information you think your guests should be aware of.

 

There are so many other dos and don'ts that aren't included here. Your printer can be a valuable resource of wedding invitation information as well as Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette.

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You've heard of Pinterest, right? If not, it's one of the hottest, fastest growing sites on the web. It is a virtual pin board that you can use to organize all the things you love. You can post and pin your favorite recipes, DIY projects and ideas, fashions, jewelry, wedding ideas, words you love and so much more to your inspiration boards! It helps you to organize the things you love and to share them with your friends and family. It's so much fun and a really useful tool as well. We used to have to search through magazines to clip out favorite items and create inspiration boards

 

 

We have so many stylish charms. Choose a few favorites
to create a gorgeous and meaningful charm necklace.

 

At Charming Chick, we have now installed a "Pin It" button. You'll find this on all of our products which makes it so easy to share and organize all of your favorite items. You can create a Wish List board and pin all of the things you love that catch your eye. If you are a bride to be, we have a fantastic selection of wedding items that you can pin to you wedding inspiration boards; cake toppers, wedding favors, bridesmaid and groomsmen's  gifts, garters, ring bearer pillows, flower girl baskets, unity candles and so much more!!!

 

 

 

Wedding Love Letter Ceremony. See a something you'd like to
incorporate into your ceremony? Pin it so you can consider it later. 

 

Pinterest is also great because you can browse other people's boards, repin items, comment, like and get inspired. You can follow people from all over the world and their inspiration boards. If you choose folks that have the same interests as you, you are sure to find many interesting items.

 

 

Love Cats? Create Cat Board on Pinterest!

 

Anyone who is familiar with social media knows that there is certain etiquette should be followed. The Pinterest is no different. First of all it is invite only, only so you must either be invited by another member or you can request an invite. It is important to be nice to the other members and respect everyone, be sure to give credit where credit is due and report questionable content.

 

Have fun creating your virtual inspiration boards!

 

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If you are planning a spring wedding this year then it's almost "go" time! I'm sure the excitement is welling up inside of you and you may be trying to make sure that every last detail is taken care of and that nothing will be overlooked. There are some special considerations that need to be made when planning a spring wedding and today on the Charming Chick blog we are going to let you know what those are and what you can do to ensure your special day runs smoothly and you take advantage of all the wonderful things this season has to offer.

 

 

 

 

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A Chance of Showers

You can't control mother nature but you can be prepared. If you are planning on having an outdoor wedding you'll definitely want to order some tents or have a "plan B" of some kind. Having a wedding outdoors with all the gorgeous blooming tulips, daffodils, crocuses, blooming trees, etc. can be super romantic so if you live in an area where you can be relatively certain you'll have a dry day -- or you just want to take a chance, go for it, just make sure you have arrangements in place to keep you and your guests dry. Even if you aren't planning an outdoor affair, you still want to be prepared with umbrellas and awnings in place to keep you dry. It would be a shame for your hair and make-up to get ruined because of a few sprinkles (or a downpour).

 

 

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A Season of Flowers

 

When you think spring what is the first thing that comes to mind? Flowers of course! There are some gorgeous flowers that you can use that are usually unique to springtime. Take advantage of this time of year by incorporating a lot of flowers and save money by choosing flowers that are in season. If you are planning on having an outdoor wedding you can incorporated all the of beautiful springtime blooms into your wedding decor.

 

 

 

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What to Wear? What to Wear?

In many areas of the country springtime means ideal temperatures. Sure it may be rainy but in general temps are not too hot and not to cold, meaning brides can really choose from any style of dress without worry. If you have your sights set on a short sleeve, long sleeve or strapless gown you should be just fine. You can always carry a beautiful pashmina  or other type of wrap or arm coverings but chances are pretty good that you won't need them.

 

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Your wedding day is one of the most important and special events of your life. You'll spend many months - and countless hours - planning so you can rest assured that everything  will be just the way you've dreamed and hoped it would be. For many couples,  the guest list is one of the things on their wedding day to-do list, that they agonized over most.  You may narrow it down and bulk it back up to ensure all the people you love most will be there. With all of that thought and consideration that goes into to deciding who you want to share in your special day, wouldn’t it be wonderfully fitting to include those people in your ceremony?

 

 Bride and Groom Personalized Champagne Flutes
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A growing trend among many couples is to have a Ring Warming Ritual as part of the ceremony. This deeply meaningful, yet simple gesture, is a beautiful and unique compliment to your wedding day ceremony. During the service, your wedding rings are passed around to all of your guests. Each guest holds the rings briefly, while silently saying a blessing or wish for your union. This ritual is ideal for small  ceremonies and is an interactive way to include your guests in the service. They will all feel so cherished by your gesture to include each and every one of them.

 

 

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If you are worried about your rings getting dropped or lost, consider placing the rings in a small bag or tie them together with fabric. In addition if you are having a larger ceremony - or if you just don’t like the idea of having everyone touching your rings - pass them just among your immediate family members. The passing can even take place during the vows, so that by the time you get to the ring exchange the rings will have made their way back to you.

 

 
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 Your wedding day is your special day, so make it fun, unique and choose to include things that represent your personalities and your love for one another!

 

HAPPY PLANNING!!!

 

Are you newly engaged? Just started wedding planning? Looking for wedding vendors in the Dallas area that you can trust?

 

You only get one wedding - and there are no do-overs - so you'll want to make sure you choose the right pros to capture all of the special moments and to ensure things run smoothly on your big day! Wedding planning involves pulling together an enormous amount of well thought out details -- and trusting that the logistics of those details to professionals who have your best interest at heart. At Charming Chick we know and understand this, which is why we have decided to make your decision easier by featuring 3 local Dallas vendors who you can rely on. We are confident that they will make every effort to make your day extra special!

 

2nd Generation Video Productions -- Dallas  -- http://www.2gvp.com/

 

 

 

Your wedding day will pass by in the blink of an eye. You will be filled with so much love, joy and excitement but it may be difficult to remember the details and you'll long to relive those moments once again. Hiring a highly skilled videographer will ensure that each loving glance, tender touch and unique moment will be documented forever. This  means that  you can share and enjoy your wedding day over and over with friends and family -- as well as your future children grandchildren, and  great-grandchildren.

 

(Photo courtesy 2nd Generation Video)

 

 

2nd Generation Video Productions is a family owned and operated video production company. They are recognized as one of the best in their field and have been selected Best of the Knot for the past 2 years. They were also awarded a Creative Excellence Award from their professional association. 2nd Generation is able to ensure the highest quality videos because they use only HD Cameras and can produce videos on either DVD or BluRay. They also use wireless mics to provide their clients with clear audio of the vows, readings, toasts and everything in between. Before hiring a videographer be sure to read Questions to Answer Before Selecting a Videographer and Choosing Your Video on 2nd Generation's blog. You'll also want to follow them on Facebook for up-to-date information.

 

Another fantastic option that 2nd Generation offers their clients is the ability for friends and family to give the gift of a professionally produced top-notch wedding video. They have made it very easy by providing an online Video Bridal Registry. They provide a shopping cart and secure payment site where couples can register -- then friends and family can purchase gift cards towards the cost of the wedding video. They also provide flexible payment options to fit just about any wedding budget.

 

 

(Photo courtesy 2nd Generation Video)

"This business is a labor of love for our family.  We treat every couple as if they were our own children and strive to deliver a product that will become a treasured piece of family history.  We feel our work speaks for itself: feel free to view our samples at www.2gvp.com"

 

 

Event Elements -- Dallas --  http://eventelements.com/blog/

 

 

When you are wedding planning it is especially smart to consider hiring a wedding planner. Your wedding is all about you and your husband-to-be. You'll want to celebrate and enjoy each other, your family and friends without having to worry if each and every detail is playing out just the way you planned. These wonderful professionals can certainly be a sanity saver but you really want to hire someone who you connect with, someone who really "gets" your vision and is especially attentive to details -- and your budget. An event planner can be involved just the day (or weekend) of, to ensure that things run smoothly and on time -- or they can be with you every step of the way as you plan and design the perfect day.

We recommend that you contact Event Elements for your wedding planning needs. Kristyn Hall, owner of Event Elements  is professionally trained by The Dallas Wedding Planner Program. She provides very personal service and excellent attention to details. She is creative, innovative and works to make your big day especially unique and personal. She also has accounting and budget management experience, which means she can help you plan the wedding of your dreams and help you stay on track with your budget.

Event Elements also won the 2011 Brides Choice Award from WeddingWire, so they are now in the top 5 percent of Wedding Pros nationwide. Whether you just need someone for the days leading up to your big day or a full-planner who can walk your through the entire process, Event Elements will design a package specifically to meet your needs. Follow them on Facebook and visit their blog for more information and to see gorgeous photos from weddings they have helped plan.

 

 

Rhonda Robbins Photography -- Dallas -- http://rhondarobbins.typepad.com/   

 

Selecting a great photographer will mean so much to you. After your" big" day has come and gone, you will pour over the pages of your wedding album time and time again to relive all of the love and joy you felt on your most wonderful day. With each click of their lens, a skilled photographer can capture all the warm  feelings, sweet moments and blissful fun that will occur on your wedding day and document it for a lifetime.

Rhonda Robbins, of Rhonda Robbins Photography will capture all of your most special moments. She not only does an amazing job as a wedding photographer, she also does gorgeous engagement sessions, family photo shoots and more. She  is a true professional who listens to your needs. You will be delighted with the results!

Contact Rhonda today to learn more about her photo packages. Also, be sure to follow her blog and look for her on Facebook. She has some amazing photos on both, so take some time to look around.

Have Fun Planning Your Dallas Wedding!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flower Girl

Aside from seeing the bride for the first time,  many wedding guests look forward to seeing the adorable flower girl and ring bearer make their way down the aisle. What exactly are the duties of the flower girl? Is there anything you can do to ensure that she is able to perform her duties? What are some gifts that a flower girl might enjoy? We will be answering these questions  for you on the Charming Chick Blog today.

 

 

 

What is a flower girl?

 

Flower girls were first used in weddings as a symbol of fertility. They are typically a young female family member or friend of the family who is between the ages of 3-8 years old. If you have several darling little girls to choose from it may be hard to select just one but there aren't any rules that state you can't have more than one.

 

What are flower girl duties?

 

The flower girl attends the bridal shower, the rehearsal dinner and of course walks down the aisle in front of the bride spreading flower petals or carrying a bouquet, kissing ball or wreath of flowers. Oh and .of course looking adorable and possibly adding a little comic relief.

 

 

What can you do to avoid wedding day jitters?

 

If the flower girl is too young, she may get too nervous, shy or be too young to understand what she needs to do. Choosing a flower girl who is a little older can definitely help thwart the jitters. Regardless of age, it is very helpful to have the flower girl's parents up at the front either. It will help her want to walk down the aisle if she see the face of oune of her parents waiting for her at the other end. Also, having more that one flower girl provides added confidence and security.

 

 

Flower Girl Gifts

Click on the images below to learn more about each gift item....

 

Summer is one of the most popular times of the year to have a wedding. The rains of spring become distant memory and make way for the warmth and sunshine. Summer brings all kinds of new possibilities -- as far as wedding planning is concerned. No sleeves -- no problem! During the summer months, you won't be freezing your tukas off in the name of fashion, and neither will your bridal party. Another benefit is all the gorgeous flowers that become available this time of year. Buying flowers in season means you can cut costs on your bouquets - and all of other flowers needed - for your special day. There are so many reasons to have a summer wedding and here are some tips to help you plan your big day.

 

 

{Tip #1}

 If you are planning an outdoor wedding, be sure to provide lots of water and sunscreen for your guests. There are vendors who sell sunscreen packets. Another great feature is that you can even have them imprinted with your names and wedding date! The same is true for water. You can either just by a bunch of water at your local store -- or you can find some one to provide personalized labels, for an extra special touch!

 

{Tip # 2}

When choosing your summer wedding gown -- you may want to stay away from anything too cumbersome. This is especially important is you will be married outdoors. Beach and garden weddings lend themselves nicely to flowing fabrics. They are light and much easier to move in. Sound too simple for you? Keep in mind that these types of dresses can dazzle with intricate embellishments and beading.

 

{Tip #3}

Use vibrant colors! The sunny season is the perfect time to have fun with color! You don't have to use a bunch of colors -- sticking with one or two that really pop, is an excellent idea. your can incorporate them subtly -- or you can showcase them front and center.

 

  

 

 

{Tip #4}

Be inspired by nature! Use centerpieces, backdrops and other features to incorporate all the the wonderful elements of summer, into your wedding. If you are doing things indoors -- bring the outside in. If it's outside -- go with the natural flow of the venue and environment.  It will make for a day you and your sweetheart will never forget.

{Tip #5}

Serve fun summertime drinks. If you want to serve alcohol some of the most popular drinks are, pina coladas, margaritas, wine smoothies and other refreshing and festive drinks. Non-alcoholic might include; fruit flavored ice teas and lemonades, fruit smoothies, root beer floats, and italian sodas are other great options. Get creative!

Especially during these rough economic times, it is even more important to set a wedding budget and really try to stick to it as much as possible.  A lot of time you don't realize how much things add up until you put it all on paper.

If you're planning a spring wedding, February will be a very busy month for you.  Even though it still seems like winter, your wedding is just around the corner!

If you haven't already set your wedding budget, or just haven't formalized the budget yet, check out this great wedding budget planning worksheet from Real Simple magazine.

I like this budget worksheet the best because it gives you some standard percentages, like 10% of your wedding budget will probably be spent on floral.  That's a good way to make sure that you are staying on track.  Good luck with planning your spring wedding budget!

Planning a spring wedding?  Well then you only have a few months left to put the finishing touches on your fairytale wedding.  Here's some top spring wedding tips that every bride should know:

• Spring weddings are the perfect way to 'get away' with a more relaxed theme.  Spring wedding themes, like butterflies, flowers, and pastel colors, are natural and easy-going.  Take advantage of this!
• Don't be afraid to keep your color scheme going by adding a splash of color to your Groom and Groomsmen.  While guys don't typically wear some of the most popular spring wedding colors, adding a touch of color (like a tie) will make everything come together seamlessly.
• Take advantage of the full array of flowers that are available during the spring.  Ask your florist for some ideas that will incorporate more rare flowers in addition to classic spring flowers.
• Add floral details, but don't go overboard. A few flowers in your hair or your bridesmaid hair is a nice spring wedding touch, but it would be easy to go too far.  Make sure that you and your wedding party don't look like a walking flower garden.
• While spring weather is typically ideal for an outdoor wedding, be prepared for those spring showers.  Have a backup plan, like a tent or an inside location.

Have fun planning your spring wedding!

Fall weddings set the scene for the perfect combination of romance, elegance, and natural beauty.  For those of you planning a fall wedding, I've compiled a list of top themes, ideas and tips for fall weddings:

• Locations: old churches, apple orchards, vinyards, or even an old barn
• Colors: Jewel tones will add elegance and aren't too bright or dark.  Warm rich colors, as well as metallics, also look great at a fall wedding.
• Decorations: corn, pumpkins, wheat, feathers, acorns, cornucopias, apples
• Linens: Try textured linens in off-white with your wedding colors as accents. Or experiment with a touch of velvet.
• Table Decor: Rather than many small items, try decorating your tables with several large, dramatic props, like large pillar candles
• The dress: Off-white is very common.  Rather than a highly-embellished gown, go for a simple soft satin dress.  Gold embroidery or other small touches will add elegance
• Food:  Heavier meals are more common.  Don't feel like you are stuck with turkey and mashed potatoes, though.  Try beef, venison, or any other main dish that will pair well with hearty side-dishes. Harvest vegetables also make a nice touch.