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May 2009 Archives

May 6, 2009

Wedding Cake Tiers and Wedding Cake Toppers

topper.gif The wedding cake is such an important part of the entire wedding. Brides sometimes even go through consultations for their wedding cakes. There are several questions to consider when deciding what to order. One of them is how many servings you want to get out of your cake. This often leads to a discussion about whether or not to save the top tier.

It has become a popular tradition to keep the top tier. Cakes used to be well preserved by liquor and fruit they contained, and were typically served to the guests at the christening of the first child. In those days, women would usually give birth within one year of the wedding.

Now, modern wedding cakes are rarely made out of fruitcake, and most couples plan to extend their “honeymoons” beyond a year from the date of their marriage. Therefore, if saving the top tier is a tradition you wish to pursue, it should be wrapped really well and kept frozen. It can probably last that way for about three months. Then it can be slowly thawed in a fridge and shared when celebrating a one month anniversary. Of course, if you want a keepsake from your wedding cake but don’t want the hassle of saving the tier, you can always crown your cake with a fancy wedding cake topper, which you can keep forever and even pass to future generations.

Another fact to keep in mind is that having a tier of cake that won’t be served at the wedding adds to the cost of the cake. So this is not a good idea for those that are budget conscious. And, speaking of budgets, it really isn’t necessary to have the exact number of servings to match the number of guests. As hard as it is to imagine, some people actually don’t want to eat cake, especially when there is another dessert being served. A smaller cake can be commissioned, and later on, if the guest list grows or you’re concerned about having enough, you can always order a small “back-up” cake within two weeks of the wedding date. Whichever way you go, the cake is a big deal and you should do something to remember it and make it last as long as possible, aside from fabulous pictures of course!

Have the Themed Wedding of Your Dreams

mints.gif It’s a good idea to select a theme for your wedding before embarking on the journey of wedding planning. Once you have a chosen theme, it will be easier to make decisions when it comes to selecting wedding favors, decorations, flowers, and various other wedding items and arrangements. A well thought out themed wedding gives you the pleasure of knowing your guests will attend a memorable event, where everything has been planned and executed for maximum enjoyment.

Your guests will leave your wedding with sweet memories of your personal and unique ceremony. A wedding with a theme also offers a good reflection of both your personalities as you incorporate your interests and hobbies into the themes. It is a perfect time to do this as you start your life together.

There are various themes that are easy to implement. Let your imagination run wild as you put together a wedding that is meaningful to you and enjoyable for your guests.
But remember, that having a themed wedding requires good planning.

When you’re selecting a menu that suits your theme, make sure to be considerate and sensitive to the needs of your guests. Decide if you want to have an indoor or outdoor wedding. Get a good estimate of the number of guests you will be having before you book a site. For decorations you can get help from friends or hire a professional. Inform your designer or wedding planner of the theme you want and listen to their suggestions. And of course, wear something you can move around comfortably in.

Go with wedding favors that match or are in line with the wedding theme so guests have something to take home with them as a memorable keepsake. And choose a theme your guests will be comfortable with. You may not be able to please everyone but be sure to have something appropriate. If your theme involves guest participation, give them ample time to get involved. If not, then you can always surprise them!

Wedding Cake Toppers: Crown Your Cake and Make It Royalty

topper3.gifWhen you think of wedding receptions, what is the one thing that they all usually have? A snowy frosted mountain topped with iced flowers and royally crowned with a wedding cake topper. We are talking about the wedding cake of course! Back in the day there were no beautifully decorated sweet confections, such as the ones we have these days in modern weddings. Instead, a loaf of bread was broken over the bride’s head to symbolize her fertility. Can you imagine picking crumbs out of your hair on your big day?

As the bread evolved into today’s wedding cake, the symbolism of the cake and the cake cutting ceremony now represent the first joint act as a married couple, a commitment to provide for each other, and the sweet life ahead that they will share together as a unit.

Your wedding cake should taste absolutely delicious but it is not just dessert. It should be an integral part of the reception décor - a stunning centerpiece; so place it in a strategic location where all of your guests will surely see it. You can eve place it in the middle of the dance floor and then have it removed after the cake cutting ceremony. That way you’ll have room for your first dance as husband and wife. Or you can put your wedding cake in a corner with lights shining on it or have a small spotlight highlighting its splendor.

Just like the Statue of Liberty has its pedestal and the queen has her throne, so should your cake have something to stand upon that is worthy of holding such a beauty. Like a gorgeous frame that surrounds a lovely painting, the cake table should be decorated to complement the wonderful confection that it holds. Then just place a fancy wedding cake topper as a crown and you’ve got yourself a royal creation!


May 18, 2009

How to Look Great on Your Wedding Day

Looking great on your wedding day includes being radiant, relaxed, and ready to start a new existence with the person you’ve chosen to spend your life with. Your hair, nails, makeup, dress (and how you look in that dress) are all part of becoming the bride you want to be on your special day. Since pictures and videos from that day will be part of your life forever, it’s very important to look and feel your best!

Your dress is one of the most important items in your wedding, so make sure you take enough time to choose one that suits you. For the day of your wedding, you’ll want a dress that you can stand in, walk and dance in, and not worry about any wardrobe malfunctions.

Keep it simple and classic, and remember to practice the look you want at home or with your stylist before the wedding day. Have your nails professionally manicured the day before the wedding. This is one thing you don’t want to do too early in advance. You should attempt to reduce the chances of a broken nail, chipped polish, or even an applied nail coming off. So get your manicure as late as possible. If you are not inclined toward colored polishes or long fingernails, make sure they are neatly trimmed, filed, polished, and buffed. Your hands will be a focus of attention when showing off that new wedding ring.

Makeup is the last thing you should worry about. Don’t try to transform yourself into a different person with dramatic eye makeup or gaudy lipstick. But do use a slightly heavier hand than with your usual daytime makeup so your photos won’t show you appearing washed out.

The night before your wedding is not the time for partying so get enough hours of restful sleep. If you’re having a rehearsal dinner, or a bachelorette bash, make sure that it ends early. Drink moderately or, better yet, not at all. Bloodshot eyes and a hangover will not make for a fun wedding. With these tips, you’re sure to have the perfect wedding day. Just don’t oversleep and miss it!

Rehearsal Dinners: Food, Friends, Fun, and Favors

dinner.bmpRehearsal dinners usually take place after the wedding rehearsal. They are usually held the day before the actual wedding ceremony. Although the rehearsal dinner is not a required wedding event, they’re a great way to get everyone who is involved with the wedding a chance to meet one another and to relax before the wedding takes place.

Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is hosted by the groom’s parents, although really anyone can be the host, such as the bride’s parents, or a close family member or friend. Regardless of who hosts, you should make sure that they are involved with the planning process.

The guest list typically includes the bride and groom (of course), their parents, and the entire wedding party. Other guests often included are the grandparents, the dates of the wedding party, the person who will be performing the ceremony and their guest, other close members of the family not in the wedding party, and special out-of-town guests.

If you are having a rehearsal, choose someplace close by to hold the dinner. Provide out-of-town guests with a clear map of how to get to the dinner and back to their hotel. If you’re wondering what to have for dinner, you can have a formal dinner or a more relaxed meal. Right before dinner is served, the host will usually say a few words and give a toast to the bride and groom, and often a few other toasts will be given as well. This is also the perfect time to give the wedding party and the parents their gifts and wedding favors. The bride and groom will usually say a few words before handing them out; they generally will thank everyone for being in the wedding party as well as say a few other heartfelt words. The rehearsal dinner is a great way to have a relaxing time with your bridal party and is usually the kickoff to the wedding festivities soon to come!

Wedding Decorations - Make them Magical and Memorable

favor.jpgPlanning your wedding? Wedding decorations are going to be what sets the entire feel of your day so be sure that you love the decorations at both the ceremony and the reception. If you are on a budget, wedding decorations are an area that enables you to cut on some costs.

Choosing church wedding decorations really is not a difficult task. You’ll have to put some time into it, but if you do your research you will not have any problem arranging the perfect atmosphere.

Your decorations should be unique, so that you and your guests will remember it for a lifetime. Traditional decorations for a church wedding include pearls, lace, beads, fresh and dry flowers, crystals and candles.

Are you looking to set your wedding apart from the other wedding you’ve attended? Wedding decorations are the answer! You can create a magical, elegant, lavish, inviting or enchanting atmosphere with the decorations you choose. You can even get decorations that reflect the time of year. For example, a great way to seasonally decorate a wedding in December is to fill sleighs with holiday candies and give your guests seasonal wedding favors.

Planning to decorate for a fall wedding? You can go with pumpkins, preserves, hanging harvests, and grape vines strewn with gold and red colored leaves. Brides planning an autumn wedding need creative fall wedding table decorations. Using simple and low cost items, brides can capture the natural beauty of the season. Add fall silk leaves to the tiers on your wedding cake. Select table linens in rich fall colors and textures.

Candles are also a very affordable way to decorate a wedding reception. Candles strategically placed throughout the reception hall can add a hint of romance to the reception. You can also decorate the walkway leading up to the reception. Adding special touches to the guests’ tables will contribute to the memories of your wedding day. Your guests will remember the table settings, the food, the linens, the chairs, and the centerpieces; and you will have magical memories and photos from your beautiful wedding!

May 20, 2009

A Las Vegas Wedding

vegas.jpgLas Vegas is known as a major wedding capital of the world. The city is famous for its unique marriage chapels, drive thru weddings, and Elvis nuptials. Although these popular options are always available, there are also other ways to exchange your vows in Vegas. Many hotels, resorts, and other locations in the Las Vegas area offer some elegant and breathtaking wedding sites.

Imagine your destination wedding just several miles from the famous strip, with nearby ritzy resorts and amazing views of the mountains, desert, and the beautiful Vegas skyline. There are actually many wedding venues to choose from in Vegas. The fancy resorts offer various locations, such as a cobblestone courtyard in a garden and a lakeside location with a bridge and gazebo. You can even pick a beach venue which has a waterfall, bridge, and a dock in a lagoon that is used as the altar. You can also go with a balcony in a hotel suite or a country club. Another great option that’s offered is a yacht wedding on Lake Las Vegas. Imagine arriving and leaving your wedding site in a helicopter, as you enjoy a tour of the awesome Las Vegas scenery and lights.

So if you’re heading out to Vegas to profess your love for one another and tie the knot, you can put thoughts of Elvis aside and have a classy wedding ceremony outdoors with all the beauty of the mountains surrounding you. And how about getting some Vegas wedding favors or keepsakes so that your fabulous wedding will be fondly remembered? These will be well received and are a nice way to thank you for flying out to your destination wedding. Elvis is a legend, but he may not be right for everyone’s big day. If you dreamed of something more extraordinary for your wedding, Las Vegas provides you with plenty of options to consider!

Find Your Dream Dress for Your Dream Wedding

dress.jpgWhen little girls spend their history classes daydreaming of weddings, they are usually focusing on one main aspect - the perfect wedding dress, of course! A white satin gown with a gorgeous sweeping train, the perfect design, and fabulous matching shoes. There are only a few occasions in modern day society where a woman is able to wear a lavish ball gown with a crystal tiara. These day’s you’ll see many women wearing a neutral suit or an uninspiring business casual combo. No wonder why so many brides start their wedding plans by choosing the dress.

Many of these brides are determined. They will search high and low, braving many department stores and pushy bridal shops, but eventually they come face-to-face with the perfect one. Suddenly the rest of the planning, like the theme, the flowers, the venue, and the flowers, springs into life.

But some brides aren’t so fortunate and their determination doesn’t pay off as they hoped it would. They’ve searched just as hard, working their way through numerous shops, but they aren’t able to find that dress of their dreams. Instead, they’ve seen several contenders, all of which are functional and nice, but not amazing enough to stop the search and start the rest of the planning.

These brides have it harder. No matter which situation you may fall into, before starting your hunt for the perfect dress, take into consideration some tips for picking out your gown and avoiding that awful fate.

Bring the entourage, but don’t buy right away. It’s fun and useful to bring your mother, friends, or sisters when dress shopping. It gives you a buffer against overbearing sales staff. Even if everyone gets enthusiastic over a certain dress, don’t buy in the heat of the moment. Give yourself time to reconsider and buy with a cool head later on, alone. The vast majority of dresses are non-returnable, so when you’ve bought it, there’s usually no going back. So take your time, get some support and opinions, and spend the time shopping and you’ll eventually find that dream dress!

If you’re looking for a beautiful wedding gown, check out David’s Bridal, they offer a wide variety of styles and fashions!

About May 2009

This page contains all entries posted to Bridal Living in May 2009. They are listed from oldest to newest.

April 2009 is the previous archive.

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