Carmen Weddings bio picture

  • Love + Kisses' Makes The World Go Round ...

    Hello, I’m Carms + welcome to my Smitten blog. I’m a wedding planner, designer + day co-ordinator in England and this is a little place to share with you wedding world finds you’ll be truly smitten by for your big or intimate day. I believe your planning journey is to be as amazing as your destination – a wedding day which is incredible in every way. So, I'm here to inspire you along your way. Whether you’re the type to leave each other sweet post-it notes in the kitchen everyday or if you have to occasionally pen beautiful love letters sent by snail mail… I hope you’ll find a little treasure here; from real romantic days to pretty and gorgeous bouquets.

    Truly Smitten
    Carms Xx

Jan 17 2012

Good Morning Sunny Yellow

Posted in Design-a-Boards

Each morning I wake up, the first thing I do is look to my right and across to the skylight. The sun will normally be shining through… how warm it is outside, is a different matter! Yesterday I really felt the cold. The last week or so, the temperature really seems to have turned down a notch or two … but I’m not complaining because each and every day is truly beautiful:) Today, I wanted to share some pretty sunny yellow with you as they always make us smile… and make some gorgeous colours for a beautiful spring or summer wedding… have a lovely sunshiny day, wherever you may be today… Carms Xx

 

image credits : bride + groom on blanket by jagger photography via diy wedding blog  / decor hearts via etsy / lemons via decor8 / wedding thank you by maggie rife via inspired by this  / yellow bouquet via the blushing bride 

 

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Wedding GiftsJanuary 18, 2012 - 1:21 pm

LOVE the yellow theme and all the extra little details x

Jan 09 2012

YES! We did it! Wedding Ceremony Love

Posted in Real Weddings

Browsing around on world wide weddings… I came across two gorgeous wedding ceremony shots which totally captured my heart. These are instant moments of happiness, captured and no money can buy. Two beautiful couples who are so delighted for that very beautiful second. When you’re getting married, you are so focused on one another, you forget the World around you and when such beautiful acts of ‘Wow’ is forever caught on camera… it makes me smile so, so much. If you’re currently wedding planning, I look forward to seeing photographs of the very moment you are pronounced as ‘married’! If you are already married, what was your immediate reaction? and can you remember it? … Carms Xx

wedding ceremony love

 

image credits :  left via Pinterest  + right Louisa Bailey via Ruffled

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Jan 01 2012

A very happy 2012 to you!

Posted in Carmen Weddings

London on our television screen looked amazing last night as we counted down to this brand new year! I wish you all a most amazing 2012 and to my clients who are getting married this year… you can finally say “We are getting married this year!”… I’m so, so excited for what this year will bring. Love to you all Xx

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Nov 30 2011

Hampton Manor : Birmingham Wedding Venue + Planners Evening

Posted in Carmen Weddings, Heart of England UK, Hello:Venues+Vendors

Earlier this year I had the greatest pleasure in arranging the Midlands wedding planners Mix and Mingle evening; on behalf of the UKAWP for October. The purpose of the evening was that wedding planners, particularly those in the East and West Midlands, can meet their industry colleagues and get to know one another better- this event took place throughout the whole country on the very same evening. A wonderful evening was had by all, including one of UKAWP’s director, Sandy of Tern Events.

As the Midlands is such a vast area, what more better place to host the evening other than the 2nd largest city in the UK – Birmingham.

Being only 40mins away from the city, I wanted to ensure I select a venue which was easily accessible for others… and I approached a most delightful venue which is more than perfect for weddings and one which has a little history and the most inspirational story behind it.

The venue who very kindly offered to be our host was the beautiful Hampton Manor. Located on just the outskirts of the city, easily accessible, yet a place which makes you feel like you’re a million miles away from the city – Hampton Manor is a true gem.

I am forever in love with stunning places and Hampton Manor is not only one luxurious hotel and wedding venue, it has the most wonderful story behind it. Do visit the website to find out more… and their friendly and professional staff will be more than happy to share more when you stay or dine at their famous Peels Restaurant. Hampton Manor offers not only first class service, amazing individually designed bedrooms but  it also boasts 45 acres of mature parkland – something I know some couples will consider a must for their wedding.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all at Hampton Manor for a wonderful evening for all the wedding planners and I; and I shall look forward to visiting again for a relaxing evening…{a little hint to my husband!}  Carms Xx

 

Image Credits : Hampton Manor

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Nov 03 2011

Hello : The Designer Vintage Bridal Show

Posted in Heart of England UK, Hello:Venues+Vendors

So, autumn is truly here in England and I hope you’ve been wrapping yourself up nice and warm. But something I do love about autumn is… yes, they’re here – The wedding shows, events and fayres! I’m offered so much choice that when there are several on one day, I have to make the difficult decision of which one I know I will need to head to. I now simply decide on: which one I think will offer me the most choice for my clients, the style of the event and of course the great contacts to be made that there are in this wedding world.

Just a few weeks ago, I knew I didn’t need to think about which one I would like to go to; for several reasons.

  • It was only 35 miles away from me – I love a little drive out!
  • I knew it would be an amazing show
  • The utter eye-candy that there was to be

DVB Showimage credit : Emma Case Photography

One of my lovely 2012 clients sent me a message and asked whether I would be attending The Designer Vintage Bridal Show in Birmingham. Oh yes, I sure will be! I met the lovely bride-to-be along with her bridesmaid – we had a wonderful time chatting to the most fabulous wedding peeps and of course, I learnt so much about them. Some I’ve met before, others I’ve tweeted with and a few that were new to the wedding industry whom I just know so many brides will L.O.V.E.

The show was fantastic for couples who are planning a vintage style wedding, however, just as fabulous for an art deco, a country or even a city chic day. I will soon be sharing some more on the greatest of vendors that there were there and I will have to add, it was fab to say hello to the fab UK bloggers too – Kat of Rock n Roll Bride, Annabel of Love My Dress, Alexis of OMG I’m Getting Married, Kelly of Boho and Amma of Beyond Beyond.

And, before I head off, here is the very photo of my Pugsie-girl who made it to the front page on Rock n Roll Bride! She is sooo posing with Kat’s amazing first issue of her magazine. If you didn’t get your hands on the mag, boy, you do need to try and get your hands on her 2nd issue when it’s released. {one’s waiting patiently, twiddling thumbs}… Carms Xx

rock n roll bride magazine

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Sep 03 2011

Love + Addiction

Posted in Carmen Weddings

Okay… I will put my hands up – I’ve not blogged as much as I hoped I would at the start of the year but I have had some wonderful distractions.  Most if not all are wedding related… and useful, helpful and simply addictive distractions they are.

Some of you may had noticed when I launched my updated website back in May, I had added a little red ‘P’ alongside my Facebook and Twitter logos.  Yep. This has been one of my addictions and this is the logo for pinning madness! If you’re not so familiar with Pinterest, head over to my little Pinterest page to see what favourite finds I’ve pinned. It is one totally fabulous place where I’ve been storing gorgeous finds to inspire you and me as well as for my home and travels. I’ve placed them in relevant folders and I love every photo and idea I’ve pinned so far. So, if you get chance, do take a peek… and perhaps you may start a little pinning too!

The other little addiction I’ve had is more in my home life. I truly believe that creating a good work-life balance should be a little addiction. A good home life makes me {and I guess most people too} work harder and better.  A good rest helps me see things clearer and allows my mind to fill with fresh ideas – which results in a better planner and co-ordinator for my clients.

Admittedly, many a time I perhaps spend more 60/40 on this {60 being work … but sometimes it does creep up to more 80!} but I’m still conscious that there are these little things in life which I need to do to keep loved ones around me happy, as well as making sure I’m taking a little time out doing other things which makes me smile; aside from weddings. So, as you may have already guessed, one of those little things is my little Pugsie-girl. Well, actually she isn’t so little now. She is growing rapidly by the day. In her loving and fun character to those cute chubby cheeks:)

Until next time, ciao for now as I look forward to my annual visit to Chatsworth House Country Fair today with hubby and Pugsie … then I will be packing my car ready for a Mr + Mr civil partnership tomorrow. One I so cannot wait for. It’s going to be one amazing day for a uber stylish couple. Take care and hope you have a great weekend… Carms Xx

carmen weddings

{ Pugsie + Me from a recent shoot: I will post more photos from my ‘Office to Wedding shoot very soon! }

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Leah, Golden Apple DesignsSeptember 3, 2011 - 10:01 am

Oh i am so addicted to Pinterest as well!! Have fun at Chatsworth :) xx

Ps – Pugsie is so so adorable!!

Carms is SmittenSeptember 5, 2011 - 9:46 pm

Thank you Leah! Good to see more Pinning addicts in the world of weddings! Xx

Fri @ Wedding NouveauOctober 10, 2011 - 4:51 pm

I too am obsessed with Pinterest. I need to be better about organizing my account though. By the way, LOVE your new logo and site look. I’m so proud of your growth Carmen. Rock on!

Carms is SmittenOctober 17, 2011 - 10:34 pm

Thank you so much for your kind words Fri! And, as always, I still love to call by your fabulous blog too. I will have to search for your Pinterest and see what lovely you have been pinning too Xx

Aug 11 2011

Just You + ‘Mi’ : Sacramento Chinese Wedding by Dave Shilling

Posted in Real Weddings

Dave Shilling very kindly emailed me this fun and love filled Chinese wedding he shot in Sacramento. Dave remembered Smitten from when he kindly let me share this wedding when I very first started my blogging venture back in 2009. I told Dave back then that my aim is to share more gorgeous Chinese inspired weddings on my blog as I felt there should be a little place in blog-o-sphere for weddings inspired by my roots – and hopefully we can both inspire you for your wedding too! A huge thank you to Dave and here we have today some lovely details from Wa and Mi’s wedding … just for you. Congratulations to Wa + Mi on their marriage + thank you for having Smitten share your big day…Carms x

Sacramento chinese wedding photography Mi and Wa blog 001chinese wedding qiapochinese wedding tea ceremony

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