Wedding Cake Designs That Are Not So Traditional

Traditional wedding cakes are always a beautiful site but with todayís modern world, we are seeing more and more wedding cakes that are taking on a unique style of their own. With different color combinations, designs and structure, wedding cakes have really taken the spotlight as the receptions star.

 Inspiration for these cakes comes in all walks of life. From ornate designs carried out in black and white to simple but elegant light green modular squares, designs have a broad range of sleek and chic. Modular designs give way to creative masterpieces.
Bursts of color such as a wide variety of blues, yellows, greens, pinks and oranges have come onto the scene. This is often very popular in summer weddings and natural tones are usually seen in fall. The one thing that remains consistent with the newer color choices is an almost complete absence of white.
Unlike the traditional 2 or three tier cakes, the more modern cakes are sometimes higher, wider or narrower. There are some cakes that are designed in a completely different structure such as a spherical shape or other 3 dimensional shapes.
Choosing to have a wedding cake that is not the traditional white cake with embellishments is your choice. It is not uncommon for the couple to match their wedding cake to the wedding reception dÈcor. Often times this is actually the inspiration for the different shapes, sizes and colors that are seen in the wedding cake.  

Comment (0) Read More...

Wedding Bouquets: A Keepsake

A memorable keepsake from a wedding is the wedding bouquet. There are a few ways you can preserve your wedding bouquet. The prices range from relatively inexpensive to fairly expensive.
The cheapest way to preserve your bouquet is to dry it out yourself. If you are not handy in the DIY category, you will seek the services of a professional. In this case, they will use one of three techniques: freeze drying, silica gel or a press. Each preservation technique yields a different result.
If you are looking for the most life like preservation, you will want to opt for freeze drying. During this process, the colors and shapes will remain the same. You can even put them in a vase if you would like to display them in the house that way.
If you want to frame your wedding bouquet, you can get it pressed. Professionals will usually press half of the wedding bouquet in order for it to fit appropriately. Finally, there is the silica gel. This is a sand like compound that the bouquet is dunked in.
Remember to keep your wedding bouquet in pristine condition so the preservationist have something good to work with. Make sure it gets to the preservation place as soon as possible to avoid bruises, cuts and other mishaps.
 Whichever preservation method you choose for your wedding bouquet, allow 6-8 weeks for the silica gel and pressing and about 8-12 weeks for the freeze drying method. Once the wedding bouquet is preserved, it will typically outlast your lifetime.

Comment (0) Read More...

Top 10 Bridesmaids Roles

Bridesmaids are there to assist the bride in any way she needs them. In other words, you are not there just to look pretty. These are the top 10 ways you can help a bride out.
1.    Honeymoon: You can pack her a readymade bag of the things most people forget when they go on a trip such as sun screen, lotion, saline, toothpaste and more. 2.    Make sure they have groceries when they get back from their honeymoon. Nothing is worse than taking a trip to the store to end such a beautiful trip. 3.    Tie up all the loose ends at the reception. Grab important things, make sure they cleanup crew is doing what they need to and see people to their cars. 4.    Have her dress cleaned and preserved. This will be such a nice surprise when she returns from her honeymoon. 5.    Develop all disposable camera pictures that were of the wedding and reception. 6.    The bridesmaids should make sure she is comfortable at her reception. This means making sure she has a drink at all times, comfortable seating, etc. 7.    Keep her mind off the wedding at times. This will help deter the nervous feeling about getting married. 8.    The bridesmaids can help stuff and send invitations to the wedding. Turn it into a get together for the girls!
9.    Help make sure that out of town guests get what they need. This is a big help for the bride that bridesmaids can most certainly do. 10.    Be there for emotional support because the bride will need it. Planning a wedding is often times stressful but remind her it will all be worth it in the end.

Comment (0) Read More...

Your Wedding: The First Dance

When you are ready to take your first dance with your spouse, you will want it to be special and memorable. You want to choose a song that captivates the moment as well as your relationship with one another. It is advised that the bride and the groom both sit down and pick a song.
Choosing a song for your first dance is not always easy and the groom should know that it is Ok for the song to be slightly sappy- most first dance songs are.
When choosing a song, you can take one of two routes. You can choose one that is romantic for the two of you or you can choose a song that pays tribute to both of your parents. Often times this is the first dance song of either partyís parents.
Preparing For the First Dance

Some people feel it is necessary to prepare for their first dance. If you do not know how to dance or want to learn traditional, dances, you may want to consider learning ballroom dancing or some other formal dancing.
If you simply cannot decide on a song, you can always have a DJ pick one for you. Believe it or not, this is becoming more and more popular as the years go on. Most DJís have played at many weddings and they have many songs at their disposable. Some couples even choose to have their first dance song chosen by the DJ as a surprise.

Comment (0) Read More...

Summer Wedding Options

A summer wedding is one of the most popular options because the weather is beautiful and bright. To celebrate the summer wedding options, we will start with color. Some great color combinations are listed below:

1.    Beach combo: Bring in the natural colors of the beach such as olive green, tan and white with a splash of red. 2.    Go Nautical: A combination of Navy blue and a medium pink is a great combination that satisfies everyoneís eyes. Utilize the pink in combination stripes or as an accent color. 3.    Black and White: Black and white is always elegant and for a touch of summer add another color such as a pale yellow, blue or pale orange.
Keeping with nature and the outdoors, use natural elements to bring home the summer theme. Team up foliage and summer plants with your flower arrangements. What about a fruit plant even?

Want a twist to a traditional wedding cake? You can have your cake with a fruity filling such as strawberry or lime. This fruit filled addition will not only be an added surprise to guests but also a great way to connect your theme as a whole.
Food and beverages should be kept light, especially for an outside wedding. Summer weddings should have a light meal that does not weigh a person down. Heavy food and heat do not mix. Fruit bars, shrimp cocktail on ice, barbeque chicken and more are great food selections.
Think bright and think light for your beautiful summer wedding.

Comment (0) Read More...

Negotiating With Wedding Vendors: Stick to It!
Wedding vendors are a process on their own, but trying to get more out of them for the same rate of pay is another. Although you may not be able to squeeze out a whole cup of lemonade, you may be able to get a little more to spice up your event. In other words- donít expect a lot.

Before you try to negotiate with your wedding vendors, it is best to try your negotiation skills at garage sales, flea markets or other situations. By doing this you will get practice and feel confidant when you approach your vendors.
Before you can negotiate, you will need to know what the going rate is for everything; from the rate per hour of the actual wedding vendors themselves all the way to the wine, decorations, and so on that they will be using. Do your homework so you do not get snowed over with prices that are aimed too high. Instead, call around for quotes, ask questions and most of all, see what fees they are willing to waive. You might find that some extras such as table sashes, and extra hour of time and more could be added in as a bonus.
Most important of all, you need to stick to your budget. Like a car salesman, some wedding vendors will let you think you are getting a good deal on one thing and stick it to you with something else. If nothing else, ask for a deal. Always remember that competition is fierce and they are trying to earn your business.

Comment (0) Read More...

Lean Wedding Appetizer Ideas

Many people are watching what they eat as well as staying physically fit. For those on this path, including the bride and groom, you will want to serve lean wedding appetizers.
Skewers filled with antipasto are always a good choice for a summer wedding. For a more formal wedding try putting basil oil over a small ball of mozzarella and olive. These are not only on the lighter side, but they are very tasty.
Wraps are very popular with people of all ages. Try doing different types of wraps. Some can be done in wheat, pita style, lettuce wraps and more. Chicken is usually the choice for wraps; however, you can also throw some shrimp as well.
For a sweet treat try using Crostini variations. These are simply thinly sliced bread that is toasted. You can top them with pecans, honey, oil, plain and more. They can also be served with a soup for an added touch.
Fruit is another great option along with fresh vegetables. Turn the normal vegetable dish layout into something that fits your theme. This will keep it more visually appealing while still providing a traditional appetizer. Fruit placed in decorative bowls or containers is always a hit as well.
Choosing a light wedding appetizer menu does not have to be a drawback but more of a celebration. And gone are the notions that eating healthy costs more. It will cost just about the same and you will be eating healthy and staying lively at the wedding rather than having heavy foods sloshing around in your stomach making you tired.

Comment (0) Read More...

Proposals: Knowing the Right Time to Propose

When a guy proposes to a woman, there was no set or defined moment prior to the thought of this act. With that said, you will know the right time to propose-when it happens.
Moments are what catch our lives and gives it those twists and turns that we live for. Some of them are good and some of them are not so favorable. When you come to that time when your life stops and the only thing you can keep focus on in that fleeting moment that felt like eternity is the woman you are looking at- you will know it is time.
Unfortunately, or fortunately as you will find out, there is no set time when you are supposed to propose to a woman. Some people meet and feel as though they are ready to take those next steps only weeks later. For many of us though, we need time to understand the person, get to know them and develop a bond of trust and love.
In the moment when everything is suspended and you propose to a woman, she will feel it too if it is meant to be. So essentially, the right time to propose to a woman is really anytime. The best thing to do is not get so caught up in your mind but rather let your heart do the deciding. As we all know, the best things that happen are from the heart.

Comment (0) Read More...

Tips: Hiring a Florist for Your Wedding

A florist is a huge part of a wedding. They not only decorate the wedding location, but also supply the bride with a beautiful bouquet. This means choosing the right florist is essential when planning your wedding.
You can eliminate the ìfake floristsî from the true florists by examining the following about them.
1   Do they have their own delivery trucks? If not, that is a good sign that they rely on third parties to help them. Not only is this not as reliable, it also tends to be a lot more expensive. 2    What is their main function? Make sure you are not dealing with a party planner. They may be good at planning a bachelorette party, however, weddings are high stress and they will usually crumble under pressure.
Before you choose a florist, you should ask for recommendations from friends, family, co-workers and more. Utilize your sources. You may even be able to get a discount if your sibling knows a florist. You can also save money by understanding all the charges that will occur. Some florist lay everything out with no hidden charges but there are some that will charge a little money for everything and it adds up fast. In the contract make sure it is all laid out clearly.
In general, you need to make sure your florist is on the same page as you. You want someone with a proven track record and have a passion for what they do.

Comment (0) Read More...

Fall Wedding Options

Fall weddings are beautiful because during the season change, the environment around us changes as well. In turn, this makes for a wonderful backdrop for photos and gathering.
You can capture the season in your Fall wedding with fun wedding favors. What would fall be without caramel apples? You can package caramel apples in a plastic covering for each person or in a box. Whichever you choose, you can decorate them how you like with ribbon, etc.
Like a Fall carnival, you can have candied pecans and almonds handed out to your guests toward the end of the evening as a thank you. This sweet treat will be a warm welcome for those who attended and really capture the Fall wedding essence.  Another sweet idea is to place apple butter in mini jars, decorate them and hand them out to guests as wedding favors.
Create the mood with strategically placed lighting. The fall season, although filled with some bright colors is seen as warm and inviting despite some area temperatures. Create that warm feeling with dimmed lighting along with chandeliers. Spark up the area with bright accents as well as metallic accents such as copper.
Fall flowers are some of the most beautiful around. This is because they are richer in colors, thicker and have different textures about them. Choose a structured bouquet that is tightly packed for a crisp and clean finish to a brides wedding attire.
Keeping up with the changing season for a Fall wedding is heartwarming and special.

Comment (0) Read More...