David Tutera - Talking About Expected Wedding Trends
Celebrity wedding planner David Tutera discusses not only Disney Weddings in this video, but also talks about what trends, and colors he expects for the next year.
David expects to see a lot of purples, and lavenders for the Spring, but is hoping to see more warm, and rich colors soon. I'd have to say, I agree with David, and have already seen a lot of his expectations coming into play.
Watch This Great Video Below, That Explains This In A Wonderful, Unique Way.
Tips Before Choosing a Wedding Ring (By: ghostevyta)
There is a huge array of diamond wedding rings available today, and choosing the one that will be with you for a lifetime is a serious affair.
Not only are there aesthetic factors to bear in mind, your diamond wedding ring holds also a deeper significance. It is a symbol of your love for the person that you married, and you should select the ring that you feels best captures the essence of these feelings.
The diamond ring you choose for your wedding should be everything that you feel your love to be - unique, beautiful and durable. And while there are a huge variety of styles and ring settings available, the core features of a truly beautiful diamond remain the same regardless of the style of diamond ring you pick to celebrate your wedding. You will hopefully wear this ring the rest of your life, so choose a style that seems timeless to you.
Selecting a wedding ring isn't as easy as it looks. You are going to wear your ring for the rest of your life, so it should be something you won't get tired of in a couple years. You will have to look at and try on many different rings before you come to a final decision and, being an intelligent consumer, you should know what your options are.
First, you will have to decide how much you can afford to spend. Then, with your budget in mind, choose the material you want your ring made of.
Wedding ring materials can be:
- 14K or 18K yellow gold, classic and still very popular for wedding and engagement rings; - white gold, which is gaining popularity because it looks stylish and very modern. Also white gold can be worn with silver or platinum jewelry and it goes with most fabrics; - platinum is one of the hardest metals, which in itself makes platinum a suitable symbol for enduring love. It is also very pure: while 18 K gold contains only 75% gold, most platinum jewelry is 95% platinum. Platinum rings look similar to white gold, are very elegant and stylish, don't scratch and don't loose their look with the passing years. Platinum rings are the most expensive but, considering that you will wear your ring for the rest of your life, that doesn't really matter for many couples; - titanium is long lasting, light and not very expensive, so it has recently became a very popular material for wedding rings. Titanium rings are similar in appearance to white gold rings but they are so light that you can hardly feel one on your finger. Titanium is a particularly popular material for men's wedding rings.
Diamonds are unbeatable favorites for wedding rings and with good reason - not only are diamonds the most beautiful and expensive of all precious stones, but they are also the hardest. Other hard stones are rubies and sapphires. Gemstones like amethyst or aquamarine are too soft, which makes them unsuitable for a wedding ring that you are going to wear every day.
No matter which style and material you choose, you want a ring that would be comfortable on your finger. For this reason it is always best to go with a ring that is smooth around the edges.
Imagine the next time you join a discussion about diamonds. When you start sharing the fascinating diamonds facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.
Diamonds are measured in Carat Weight. One carat weighs 200 milligrams. If a diamond is referred to as four grains, this also means that it is a one carat diamond. The word Carat comes from the word carob. A carob is a bean that grows on a tree in the Mediterranean. In times past, if a diamond weighed the same as a carob bean, it was one carob, or one carat.
How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.
In the far east, where Carob trees do not grow, rice was used to measure the weight of a diamond. If a diamond weighed as much as four grains of rice, it was four grains - or one carat as we know it to be now. The majority of diamond purchases are for diamonds that are 1/3 of a carat.
Beware when shopping for diamonds that are already set or mounted. If more than one diamond is used in the piece, the tag on the jewelry will give the CTW or Carat Total Weight - it does not tell you the carat weight of each stone in the piece. You need to ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece to truly understand what you are buying.
The setting you choose is a matter of your own personal taste, but the diamond in your wedding ring should adhere to these important factors.
The characteristics of a beautiful diamond are known as the four Cs - carat, color, clarity and cut. Regardless of the style of diamond wedding rings that you and your partner choose, these are factors that will apply.
The carat of your diamond refers to its weight - simply put, the larger the diamond, the more valuable it becomes. While larger diamonds can be impressive, certain settings suit smaller carats better. Choose a carat that appeals most to you - a large diamond may be valuable, but the most important factor is how valuable it is to you.
The color of a diamond also relates to its value - the clearer the stone, the more valuable your diamond wedding ring.
The third factor is clarity - once again, the more clear a diamond, the more valuable it becomes. Though few diamonds are perfect, the ones with less clouds or flaws are more rare, and thus more expensive to purchase.
The final factor is the diamond's cut. The best cut will display the diamond's brilliance to the best effect.
Your jeweler will be able to help you select a diamond that fits all these characteristics, but remember that each diamond is beautiful in its own right. Your diamond wedding rings are a symbol of your love, so choose the one that speaks to you.
Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of diamonds. Share your new understanding about diamonds with others. They'll thank you for it.
And men, you need to take great care when shopping for that special diamond ring! Remember to ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece to truly understand what you are buying. Don't pay more for what you are getting.
We are dedicated to helping you learn more about diamonds, for better selection and your money's worth.
It can very difficult & confusing deciding which hairstyle would be perfect for your wedding day . By comparison choosing your dress was easier. You’ve probably thumbed through endless pages of magazines, read countless articles which tell you ‘wear it up’, ‘wear it down’, ‘go natural’, ‘go formal’ & at the end of it all you are still none the wiser!
Well, help is at hand - the following information should be all you need to make an informed decision about the right style for your big day.
Staying True to You
The key to success with your whole bridal outfit, not just your hair, is to maintain your identity. I have mentioned in many articles about all aspects of your wedding planning, that your wedding should be a reflection of your own tastes, style & personality. Your wedding hairstyle & indeed your whole outfit, is no different. It is a common bridal mistake to go all out for glamour or that special once in a life time look, but it nearly always ends with you looking in the mirror just not recognizing the person looking back at you.
Of course you should go for something a bit special on your wedding day, but the best advice is to stick to something that you actually like. After all you didn’t choose your wedding dress because the shop assistant told you they liked it or because they said it was the style all the celebrities are wearing at the moment , did you?
When it comes down to it, there isn’t really any right or wrong answers when selecting wedding hairstyles , but there are a few tips you can follow to help you narrow down your choices.
Plan Then Plan Some More
Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming experience. There is just so much to organize, book, hire, coordinate & schedule. What began as one of the most exciting phases in your life can end with feeling totally exhausted by the time the big day comes around.
But whether your wedding is a huge formal affair or a small casual & intimate party, chances are you will be putting together a wedding plan, either paper based in a notebook or on your computer with some nifty software. Whatever your planning style make sure your hairstyle is on the list. You will need to start to think about it earlier than you imagine. You will need time to consider your choices, find a good stylist (if you don’t intend on doing it yourself), purchase any accessories such tiaras, veils, combs & pins & finally book appointments to try out styles till you find the perfect one.
Be Your Beautiful Self
Fabulous hair on our wedding day is something we all dream of, but many brides will take it too far. They will feel that they must match the style of the beautiful model on the front cover a magazine, with her long golden tresses perfectly manicured into cascades of curls. Trying to imitate a look which is so far removed from your own everyday style can be a recipe for disaster.
If you have short hair & you want to grow it for the wedding then go ahead, but be aware of the timeframe here, do you have enough time to let it grow to the length you want? But think carefully, will it make you look more ‘blushing bride’ than you do already? Confidence is everything when it comes to your ability to pull a look off. If you feel confident & comfortable with the way you look, you will carry it off to perfection. If you don’t it will be immediately obvious & could spoil your day. The best advice? - go as yourself, that way you are certain to look great!
Stay Cool & Communicate
It isn’t just your own hair that you should consider, but that of your attendants as well. You may trust them to make the perfect choices for their hairstyles or you might want to pick something for them yourself. Whatever, your feelings on this, it is important that you talk with them about their hairstyles & your own. It is a good way to bounce ideas off each other & come up with a coordinated look that is complimentary to everyone. If you are paying for a stylist to do everyone’s hair then arrange appointments for a time when you can all attend & run through some options. The stylist should also be able to guide you & give you some good advice & ideas.
Keep to the Theme
If you are having a specific theme for your wedding then it is important to choose a hairstyle that will fit with it. A 60’s beehive won’t look right if your wedding theme is a glamorous 1930’s art deco affair. You don’t have to choose a style that is an exact replica of one from the period, but one that is evocative of it. Let your stylist know what your theme is & the style you want to evoke, they will be able to guide you & make some suggestions.
Let the Gown Be Your Guide
When you picked your wedding flowers, you will have told the florist the style of your gown, the fabric it is cut from & the texture of it. Armed with this knowledge your florist will have set to work designing a bouquet that is the right size, shape & weight to fit with your dress. The same should be considered when choosing your hairstyle. Give some consideration to the silhouette of your gown; your hairstyle needs to match the line of the dress. For example, a formal updo piled high on the top of your head would best suit a large formal ballgown style dress, where as a sleek poker straight style would best suit a slender, sheath style dress.
Just as with photography, modern technology has made it easy for almost anyone to hold and use a video camera. Because of this, more couples than ever are choosing not to hire a professional, but are choosing to ask a friend or relative to record their wedding day for them.
Pros: Well, the only pro that comes to mind regarding a non-professional doing your wedding video is that you won't be out any extra money on your wedding budget.
Cons: The cons are many, if a couple chooses to have a non-professional shoot their wedding video. I'll list some below.
1. The quality could turn out to be shaky, blurry, too dark, you name it.
2. The voice quality may be very poor, or non-existent.
3. You will most likely be left with an un-edited, raw footage copy of your wedding day video, that very well could take literally hours to watch down the road. This could include gut wrenchingly boring scenes of uncle Tom, and Aunt Betty talking about whatever comes to mind at the moment, , and then dancing non-stop at your reception. In fact, you may never want to watch your wedding video again. Quite simply - without professional editing, you will be stuck with every single second, embarrassing, boring, or not, of your wedding day.
4.Without a professional, you will most likely not have music set to your video in sections that any other sounds are not necessary, or wanted. And as far as special effects, or transitions that can create the right mood, , ,you may not have these things as well. You may later regret not having a video that brings back the feelings you had on your special day. An experienced, and creative professional videographer will know how to make you feel something special when you watch your video year, after year. That in itself, will be priceless!
When Shopping For A Videographer The Following Is Suggested:
(1) Always ask to see several demo videos of the videographer's work. If you like what you see, then keep them in mind.
(2) Always set an appointment with more than one videographer, and keep the appointment. This will allow you to compare, personalities, quality of work, styles, etc.
(3) Always ask the videographer how many years he/she has been in business under their current business name. Years, are not always a guarantee of quality, but a business that has been around a long time, is a good sign of quality business management.
(4) PRICE: Making good wedding videos is an expensive business and a true professional needs to charge a price that is both fair to you, but will also allow the professional to turn a fair profit. You should regard cheap quotes with suspicion, as often lack of experience is shown in pricing.
(5) Always ask the videographer, how many cameras will be at your event? A good answer would be no less than two cameras.
(6) Always ask to see the videography contract, and always make sure that every detail, and promise is in writing on the contract.
(7) It is recommended that you ask for wide-screen high-definition if at all possible. As time goes by, and most people are used to watching everything in HD, a video produced in standard definition may appear to be poor quality in comparison.
These are just a few of the many things to consider for a very important aspect of your wedding day memories - your wedding video!
SEE FULL ARTICLE BELOW PHOTO Raylia Wedding Dress W4575HC If you are one of the lucky brides who will be wearing an elegant wedding dress on your special day, you have some beautiful dresses to choose from. Shopping for and finding an elegant wedding dress for your wedding day is certainly a lot of fun for everyone involved. Elegant wedding dresses allow the bride to show off her true style and her very own fashion sense as both the gown and designer are hand-picked and made especially for her.
Elegant bridal gowns are really works of art and should be taken seriously even while enjoying shopping for the perfect design. Depending on what fabrics, embellishments, and specific designer you have chosen, there are still many choices to be made.
With so many wedding dress designers creating beautiful gowns, it is getting more and more difficult to spot an elegant wedding dress. If you know what to look for and which designers to keep track of, you can more easily identify an elegant dress. While the bride on a budget can benefit from many elegant looks going mainstream, the bride who must have the best is sure to love some of the luxurious authentic elegant gowns available today.
The Quality
When trying to spot an elegant wedding dress, a great indication is the location at which you are shopping. Ask if the store carries elegant bridal gowns. It is also a good idea to take a look at the overall quality of the dress. If you try on a sample, does it seem to be wearing well after many people have tried it on? Is the beading falling off or does it seem to be well-stitched? Are the edges and hems frayed? Is the stitching along the seams sufficient? These are some of the most important questions regarding the overall quality of the wedding dress that you should ask yourself when considering it for purchase. Elegant wedding dresses should be of the highest quality and very well-made. If the quality is poor or even mediocre, you can bet that it is not a elegant wedding dress.
The Fabric
The most commonly used fabrics for any wedding dresses include chameuse, chiffon, crepe back satin, georgette, peau de soie, organza, and tulle. Elegant bridal gowns in most cases are made with from these fabrics. There are different versions of these fabrics that designers can choose from. For an elegant wedding dress, the fabric is made of natural materials rather than manmade polyester. For example, chameuse may be made from either silk or polyester. The more expensive elegant bridal gowns will be made from silk chameuse while the knock-offs will be made with polyester chameuse.
The Style
Fashion designers are always coming up with new designs to push the envelope, and this is also true in the wedding dress industry. You can spot an elegant wedding dress when you see a new style or a daring neckline that has not been around too long. Keep an eye on the spring and fall runway shows, as wedding dress designers also make their collections debut during fashion weeks. Knowing what is in style on the runway will give you an idea if a wedding dress is a designer dud or a style that has been embraced as daring and elegant.
The Fit
A elegant wedding dress should always have a fabulous fit and with good reason. Elegant wedding dresses fit so well because they are often custom-made especially for the bride’s body. The designer will take the measurements and make the dress based on those measurements. Once the dress is made, the bride goes back to the designer for several fittings where a seamstress will tailor the dress even more to flatter the bride’s figure and even hide any imperfections!
When shopping for a wedding dress, you should keep in mind that elegant wedding dresses can be found at other venues than the designer’s shop. Top designers can be found at high end department stores, not just little expensive boutiques and bridal shops. You can also find elegant wedding dresses at consignment shops, auctions, and sample sales.
If you are a bride on a budget and long for an elegant bridal gown, these tips will help you spot one a little more easily. While some knock-off wedding dresses are made so well these days that it may be hard to tell, there is nothing like an authentic elegant bridal gown. As long as the dress fits you well and makes you feel like a beautiful bride, nothing else matters except the memories and the enjoyment you experience on your special day.
Are you baffled by the price of wedding cakes? Curious as to why something created with eggs, flour & butter can cost more than the price of gold? If you are worried that you are being fleeced for a bit of sponge cake, here is the low down on wedding cake prices.
You may or may not be aware of how cake prices are calculated. The usual method is on a per slice or per serving basis, that is you order a cake with enough portions to give one to each guest, you will probably order a little extra as well. As a guide you can expect to pay an average of $1.50 - $8.00 per serving, so you would be wise to calculate your cake budget within this range, before falling in love with the world’s most expensive cake.
Here is a guide as to what exactly goes into the creation of your wedding cake & how that has an impact on the cost.
Why Size Does Matter
Simple economics states that the bigger the cake the bigger the price. This doesn’t just apply to the diameter of your cake but also to the height. You could pick a small 7″ cake but if you have six tiers, it is likely to cost as much as a 12″ cake with two tiers. So think carefully about how wide & how tall you want your cake to be.
As a standard, choose a three tier cake. The more work you create for the baker - baking, icing, decorating etc, the more it will cost. If your budget is tight keep it simple & don’t ask for anything fancy, such as tilted tiers or intricate scrollwork or a fabulous cascade of hand crafted sugar flowers.
You will find that sheet cakes are the most inexpensive option. However, if your budget is tight you can have the best of both worlds. Order a lavish cake which you can put on display at the reception. Then after you have done the cake cutting ceremony, you can serve up pieces of cutting cakes or sheet cakes to you guests. These will have been stashed away in the kitchen & once cut your guests will never know it isn’t the same cake they were looking at a moment ago!
What’s In the Mix
The main part of your cake - is the cake! But the choice of flavor or type of cake can make a world of difference to the price you are quoted.
The cheapest option is a basic sponge cake, either plain or flavored with vanilla. Other flavor choices can include orange, lemon, chocolate or even carrot. Personally I think you can’t go wrong with a sponge cake, as it will appeal to most people’s tastes.
At the other end of the scale is the cheesecake. At luxurious cheesecake will indulge your guests but will cost you $8 or more per slice because they are more time intensive to make.
I could write an endless list of all the types of cake there are to choose from. Traditionally the cake of choice was a fruit cake. Probably because the top tier was always kept for the christening of the couple’s first born child. Any other type of cake was unlikely to be still edible by the time this occasion came about. But there are no hard & fast rules about the type of cake you should have & really it should come down to personal taste & preference.
Just remember, the more time it takes to make, the more expensive it will be & the more stuff that goes into it - fruit, nuts, alcohol etc. the more expensive it will be.
A Question of Topping
Love it or hate, it wouldn’t be a wedding cake without some form of icing & decoration. The choice you make should reflect your personal taste & your budget!
BUTTERCREAM. Remember this from childhood? The archetypal cake topping.
Pro: Tastes delicious, is easy to use & is inexpensive.
Con: Difficult to get the perfectly smooth finish that is so popular these days & it won’t stand up well in heat.
CREAM CHEESE. The traditional topping for carrot cakes.
Pro: Cost wise it is the same as buttercream & tastes just as delicious.
Con: It isn’t possible to create intricate designs.
FONDANT. Like an edible playdough, findat is the trendiest topping on the block at the moment!
Pro: Good cake designers can do anything with fondant. Pleats, folds, flowers, hearts, anything it possible. Con: It is the most expensive choice & the least tasty.
It’s Hip to be Square
Square cakes are bang on trend at the moment, but they are also the most expensive.
To get a square looking even when you apply the frosting you need to build up the edges. So, this means more work, which means more time, which means - yeas you’ve guessed it! More money. So that’s it. Everything you will need to know about the basics of wedding cakes & how there prices are calculated. Whatever your choice, it should be a personal decision & one which reflects your tastes. Armed with this information you can approach your cake designer knowing exactly how to get the perfect wedding cake for your money.
Proper Etiquette for Sending out Save the Date Cards
Sending save the date cards is one of the newest phenomena in the world of wedding planning, which may account for some of the questions couples may have. The practice of sending these cards can be quite confusing with couples asking who they should send them to, what information should be included, and when to send them. These are just a few concerns that people have with save the date cards.
Primarily, save the date cards are the first step in informing your wedding guests of the big event. Their main purpose is to allow guests to mark your wedding date on their calendar and to clear their schedules. While save the date cards are not a requirement, they are often appreciated greatly.
Do not let all the questions you have impede the plans you have for your wedding. Simply read these tips on proper save the date card etiquette and you are sure to have success in planning your wedding. You do not have to be a wedding planner to properly send save the date cards to your guests.
Are Save the Date Cards Always a Good Idea?
It is not always required to send out save the date cards for your wedding, but there are a few cases in which doing so is ideal. If many of your guests may be traveling to attend your wedding, save the date cards are an excellent idea. If your wedding takes place on or around a holiday, it is also a good idea to use them. Other situations in which sending save the date cards is recommended include if your wedding is taking place in another country or if your wedding going to occur in a major city.
Who to Send Save the Date Cards To
Plainly put, send save the date cards only to guests you plan to invite to the wedding. You should not send save the dates to anyone who that is not being invited to the wedding. This is important because your guests need to mark their calendar with the date of the wedding so they do not make any plans on that day.
When to Send Save the Date Cards
In most cases, save the date cards should be sent four to six months before your wedding. If you are planning a destination wedding, however, plan to send them out even before that, a year in advance, if you can. Giving your guests as much notice as possible can help them plan any necessary travel arrangements or vacation time off from work for your big day.
What Information to Include
Save the date cards are not wedding invitations, so you do not need to include everything you normally would within the invites themselves. The information that you need to include is limited to your names, the date of the wedding, and the city, town and state in which the wedding is going to take place. You do not have to include the venue at this time, save that information for the wedding invitation. If you have a wedding website, be sure to include it now.
It is also important to remember that save the date cards are a new idea and many guests may have not received them in the past. Because of this, it is a good idea to include something on the card that lets guests understand that this is not the invitation. An option would be, “invitation to follow” neatly printed at the bottom center of the card.
Formal or Informal
There is no strict guideline as to how formal or informal your wedding save the date cards should be. A good rule of thumb is to stick to the theme and style of your wedding. If your wedding is going to be formal, go ahead and design your save the date cards accordingly. If you are having a casual wedding, you can use fun save the date cards are just as good since it is an informal wedding. Just remember, as long as you like the style of the cards, nothing is wrong.
Save the Date Design Options
The design options for the save the date cards really have no limit. By the time save the date cards are ready to go out, many couples have already decided on the basic design and layout of their invitations. So, if you already have a theme or style in mind, go with that for continuity purposes. Many couples like to tie everything together with one theme, color scheme, and style throughout the entire planning process.
Save the date cards do not need to be “postcards” as many people assume. Couples can get very creative in letting their guests know when and where the wedding is going to be. Popular formats for save the date cards include magnets, posters, emails, calendars, and even coffee mugs.
Popular Bridesmaid Dresses: Styles And Colors by: Lucinda Jones
You are getting married, and could not be more excited. The hardest part may be over since you have already found the man of your dreams, but that is not to say that all of the tough wedding day decisions are behind you. Second in difficulty to finding the perfect bridal gown is the selection of attire for the bridal party. Your bridesmaids mean the world to you and you want them to look and feel as beautiful as you do on your special day. To assist you as you begin your quest for the perfect dresses, below are some of the most popular colors and styles for bridesmaid dresses today.
A chief concern of many brides is finding a dress color that will look good on all their bridesmaids. Style, on the other hand, has become less of a concern in recent years as coordinating dress styles in the same color has become a trend of increasing popularity. One way to get around the color dilemma is to choose two colors for your bridal party and intersperse them among the ladies to maximize everyone’s appeal.
Hot Colors
When you think of the hottest colors of the season, let your mind imagine all of the colors that make you think of heat and fire. Persimmon, which is the fiery cross between orange and salmon, will look great on all of your bridesmaids whether they have fair skin or an amazing tan fresh from a day at the beach. This color is sure to brighten up any bridal party regardless of the style, cut, length or neckline of the gown.
Saffron is another color that is popular this season. Its bold hues are sure to make a statement on your big day. While the pastel and daisy yellows are beautiful shades, saffron has that little something extra that trendsetters crave. This shade will look amazing on all of your bridesmaids whether they have brunette, blonde, or red hair.
Daring Colors
Some of the colors that have traditionally been thought of as taboo are becoming increasingly popular with the modern bride. In fact, the only rule when it comes to dressing your wedding that should be recognized is that there are no rules. Feel free to break any and all of them, but remember that the following colors are not for the faint of heart.
The days of only the bride walking down the aisle in white are a thing of the past. Actually, sometimes the bride chooses to forego this tradition herself. If you happen to be one of the trail-blazing brides opting to wear her favorite color in lieu of the traditional white, then nothing will make your daring choice stand out more quite like you against a backdrop of bridesmaids in white in your gorgeous wedding photos.
Another color often overlooked by brides is black. This color may once have been a definite no for bridesmaids, but weddings of today are featuring this more and more often. While no one is suggesting that you walk down the aisle in a black bridal gown, consider the striking contrast between your white gown and jet black bridesmaid dresses. While the men of your wedding party are already looking handsome in their black tuxedos, your bridesmaids can coordinate perfectly with them in their gorgeous little black dresses, enabling you to be the center of attention in pure white, like an angel.
Classic Styles
As far as style goes, the “goddess” look for bridesmaids is definitely in fashion this season, as it has been for many years. This one shoulder dress with its long flowing skirt and cascade back will evoke images of Gladiators and Coliseums in the minds of all of your guests in attendance. Add a tasteful garland of small flowers to your bridesmaids’ ensembles to complete the look with grace.
Strapless is another style that never goes out of style. If your bridesmaids are able to pull off this bold neckline then consider a chiffon skirt that hits at the knees with a satin bodice and gorgeous metallic embroidery and beading. Pairing this dress with a bright an airy color such as cornflower blue, or watermelon, will ensure your bridesmaids look as fun and fancy as they feel.
If neither of those styles works just right with your bridal party, then do not forget about the v-neck short-sleeved dress in satin. Long or short, any style of skirt will look perfect with this flattering neckline. Selecting a dress with a ruched organza sash will provide all of the ladies of your bridal party with that little something extra to accentuate or create their curves.
Choosing a wedding photographer is not an everyday event, , nor is your wedding. Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life. And photographs are the medium which beautifully witnesses these wonderful and magical moments for the lifetime. You put your best possible effort in every field , be it your valuable time or your money on the ceremonies like engagement, wedding reception etc and the wedding album is the only medium which preserves this forever. And that is why the wedding album should be unique and outstanding. So that later on in your life whenever you look at your wedding photographs ,those heart-whelming and beautiful moments of your life spontaneously get alive, adding the spark of love and romance in your life.
Moreover, when we talk about a Hawaiian wedding, it is really very interesting and full of life. There are a number of ceremonies that happen in a Hawaiian wedding and everybody who is part of it including the couple - enjoy it to the fullest. However, since we know that the wedding day is a day which remains alive in memories for a lifetime. And it also lives in the pictures captured throughout the wedding ceremony. Hence, wedding photography is equivalently as important as the wedding - as it is to keep the wedding alive forever and spark the feeling of love and romance whenever you look at the wedding photographs.
Your wedding is a onetime event. Hence special care and intuitive sensitivity is required by its every aspect. To make the wedding unforgettable, choosing a professional wedding photographer is one of the most important tasks. So, one should not scrimp on the budget while hiring a photographer. The idea is that make sure you are looking for a photographer who is capable enough to capture those precious moments with the correct feelings and sentiments related to your marriage. And as a result you will adore viewing the wedding photographs time and again and cherish these memories forever.
Following are a few suggestions about choosing a wedding photographer:
Search on the Internet: First and the foremost thing are to research about wedding photographers in your area, and gather information from their website. In fact, start searching for a professional wedding photographer several months prior to your wedding as the best professional photographers usually do their bookings a year in advance.
Check out the portfolio : Before finalizing a wedding photographer, it is mandatory to check a single portfolio. This would help you to get an idea about what exactly the wedding album would look like. Then ask yourself, is this what you looking for?. It is advisable to decide if the sample looks appealing and real.
Examine the features of the photographs: Be sure to examine the color, composition, clarity and exposure of the photographs captured by the photographers. With this you will get to know about the photographer’s style of taking pictures.
Check wedding photography equipment: It is very important to discuss the wedding photography equipments. You should be aware about the type of camera and equipment used by the photographers during the wedding.
To check for backup equipment carried by the wedding photographer: If in case the original equipment all of a sudden stops working properly, during the wedding is going on, the wedding photographer will need a back up equipment. Hence, make sure the wedding photographer carries the back up equipment.
Therefore, it can be concluded from the above discussion that instead of worrying about your wedding photography, , just hire a professional photographer who would capture the right pictures in the right order. Moreover, you can enjoy the real essence of the day and can concentrate on each other and give up the worries of wedding photography on a professional wedding photographer who would make your wedding a lifetime unforgettable experience with everlasting beautiful series of moods and moments captured in his/her camera.
As a wedding professional who has worked in the industry since 1991, I can honestly say that Central California is behind in wedding style. No offense to anyone who may read this, and don't get me wrong, , , I've seen a fair number of what I would refer to as "high-end" weddings, , , ,however, overall, the weddings I've seen and have worked at in Central California are quite lacking in the "style" department.
Often, when I learn about how much a couple spent on their wedding, I expect to see the most fabulous wedding ever. This expectation however, is almost always a big let down, when I finally arrive at the ceremony location, only to see little to no decorations for the ceremony, , and then the most simple, plain (even boring) decor for the reception.
Granted, the economy has not been great, however, surprisingly, wedding spending has been affected very little according to third party statistics. So, where's all the money going?, one might say! Although this is not a question that any one person can answer, , , , through the years, I've seen some (in my opinion), very petty wedding spending.
Petty wedding spending? Yes, and I'm NOT referring to money well spent on a wedding photographer, or a wedding florist, or a fabulous wedding cake. I'm referring to money, that has been spent without in depth research. By that, I'm referring to couples who may simply and quickly spend money on (for example) a local memorial building in order to save money on their overall wedding costs. My experience has taught me that in the long run this type of thinking can actually end up costing the couple as much, or more than they would have spent on a much nicer, prettier, all inclusive venue that specializes in weddings.
Imagination!!!!! Imagination is (for me), the best way to stretch your wedding budget. Engaged couples today, may be too busy, or stressed to even imagine having an imagination. Believe me when I say this, , , , some of the most memorable, visually stunning, and gorgeous weddings I've had the pleasure of working at, have been of the couples who not only budgeted for a fabulous wedding, but also used their imaginations to make the most of every dollar spent. Use your creative abilities, or that of your friends and family to help you come up with, or even create the most fabulous visuals, and decor for you and your guests to remember forever!
Choosing the right colors for your wedding ceremony and reception decor are very important early on.
My thinking is that you should choose your colors and theme before you do anything else. Not only should you make your colors decision, but you should stick to it as well. Many brides bounce from one idea to another and this accomplishes nothing but killing time.
One of my favorite color selecting ideas is to visit a fabric store and browse their fabrics. Play with the fabrics and swatches while there, and if the fabric store has crafts and silk flowers play with them as well to come up with accent or centerpiece ideas.
Popular fabrics for decor items are:
Tulle which is an afforable way to make chair sashes and bowes, or simply hide things that are unattractive.
Organza (more expensive), which can be used for ceiling drapings, back drops, table runners, or full table linens.
Taffeta (usually more expensive than organza), can be used for accents, or decorative table runners, wrapping for the bridal bouquet stems, and more.
Another great way to pick your colors is to browse stationary, or better yet wedding invitations. There are new chick styles that allow couples to show off their personality. Pick your invitations, and match everything after that to them!
Another great way to add some color and class to your church or ceremony location decorations is to have pew decorations. Now, I wanted to have pew decorations as part of my wedding decorations, because I just think it adds so much to the overall look and transformation of a church or chapel into a beautiful and elegant place to have a wedding. I chose to have pew bows for my pew decorations and go into a little more extensive detail about it in previous articles such as Do I need Church Decorations and How to Make Pew Bows. I knew there were lots of ideas for pew decorations that I could go with and any one of them would be beautiful, but I thought that pew bows with sparkle ribbon and lots of tulle would look best in our church, and would create the look that I was going for. But, if you don't like pew bows or perhaps are just looking for different ideas for pew decorations, then here are some other popular ideas to help you out.
Pew Decorations With Flowers:
One great and popular way to add some color and style to your pew decorations is to use flowers. The flowers can be real or face, or even a mixture of both to help save on costs. I remember I tried to have real flowers for all of my pew decorations, and the cost from a local florist was not within my budget. So you can consider, only having arrangements on the first few pews to help save on costs, or you can integrate fake flowers to help stretch your dollar and still give you some beautiful pew decorations. Or, you can attach a single flower to the end of each pew, simple and elegant. Another popular idea for pew decorations with flowers is to use flower balls. I'm not sure if this is what they are called, but if you've looked at any pictures on the Internet, then you know what I'm talking about. attach a ribbon to these flower balls and hang them from the ends of the pews, or even every other pew, you've got an elegant pew decoration that is sure to have your guests take notice. Find a local wedding florist.
Pew Decorations with Candles:
If you are having a themed wedding, then look for pew decorations that will go along with your theme. For example, a friend of mine had a beach wedding, and they attached tall tiki torches to each pew. They didn't light them (for safety reasons) - but the sight was enough. If you are having a western wedding theme, then you could hang cowboy hats to the end of your pews or bandannas tied around some simple white daisies are pretty as well.
There are lots of different ideas that you can use as your pew decorations. Get creative and try them out in your wedding location to make sure they'll hold or give the look that you want them to give. One thing is for sure, the right pew decorations will really help your guests get excited about the transformation of the church as well as being excited about your wedding!
Below you will find list of questions you should ask the pastry chef, baker, or cake decorator at the wedding cake bakery. It is your special day you have every right to ask questions!
Questions to ask at the bakery:
1. Can pastry chef/cake decorator create custom cake from your instructions and to look like your wedding-cake picture.
2. What flavors of wedding cake and icing are available? Or if you already have an idea what you want, ask "Can you make a (type of cake) with (flavor of icing)?"
3. Ask to sample some of the bakery's cakes. If you don't care for any of the cake samples offered by the bakery, ask for additional samples or as what other choices are available. Even if you have to order a small cake to try the baker's version of what you want, it is a small price to pay for satisfaction.
4. In case you want to use fresh flowers to decorate the wedding cake, ask if the bakery can provide them or if you or a florist must deliver them.
5. Request to see pictures of wedding cakes from their photo gallery. Take a look at their album and see if you like the looks of the cakes. Ask how old the pictures are and if the person who baked and decorated these cakes is the same person who will create yours.
6. Does the bakery, baker, pastry chef, or cake decorator has the required licenses and has passed health inspections. Licensing varies from state to state, but a bakery is probably required to be licensed as a retail food establishment or as a food preparer. The health department of the city, county, or state probably issues licenses. The baker, pastry chef, and decorator may also be required to be licensed or qualified as a food handler. You can go to most states' web sites and find out just what licensing is required so that you know what to ask for. Most bakeries will gladly let you look at the kitchen to see where the cake will be mixed, baked, decorated, and stored; this is probably as satisfying as seeing the licenses. You should probably ask to take a peek at the kitchen after asking about the licenses. You can also ask to see the results of the latest health inspection.
7. If you simply don't like frozen food and don't want it served at your wedding, ask if the wedding cake will be frozen. But understand that some people believe the taste of several cakes improves after freezing.
8. Ask how long before the wedding date the cakes will be prepared and how they will be kept until time for delivery. If you think the time or the method of storage will result in the bridal cake not being as fresh as you want, express your feeling to the person you are talking with. He or she either will explain or demonstrate that this will not be a problem or will negotiate a shorter length of storage. She may let you sample some cake kept for that length of time. Some cakes keep well when frozen, and others do not. Pound cakes and some carrot cakes seem to improve with freezing. If you are not satisfied and cannot reach some agreement, you must use another bakery.
9. To find how much time and attention will be spent on your cake, ask how many orders the bakery typically has for the weekend of your order and how many of those your pastry chef might be producing. A large volume can be an indication that not a lot of time and attention can be devoted to your cake. But a very busy bakery also indicates that many people like its products and trusts its work. Wedding cake bakery that no one likes will have plenty of time to dedicate to your cake, but that alone will not guarantee good results. Neither will a very busy bakery guarantee good results all the time. For one, you may need to check with them during the week of production to make sure that things are going well. For the other, you may want to check to make sure that your order has not somehow been overlooked among so many orders. In either case verify that your cake is in the process of being prepared.
10. Ask if the decorator is experienced and good and if he or she decorated the cakes pictured in the bakery's gallery. The point of such a question is to find out whether you will be getting the best the bakery has to offer and whether you will be served by the same personnel that did the work seen in the bakery's photo album and for the references you will contact. You may be satisfied that all decoration is supervised by a master decorator with long experience and excellent references, even though the actual work may be done by one of several less experienced decorators.
11. Ask to be introduced to each of the people who will bake, decorate, and deliver the cake. You may have questions you want to ask. If you do, ask them. For example, you might be concerned with the experience each one has. If so, you might ask how many cakes they have baked or decorated. I might be more concerned to simply ask whether they did the cakes in the bakery's album of cakes. If you have no questions, ask to meet them anyway. Introduce yourself and try to make it easy for them to remember your name and your face. Show a great pleasure at meeting the people who have created the wonderful masterpieces that have come from this bakery and tell them that you look forward to having them create your wedding cake. What you are creating is a personal relationship with these artists at the wedding cake bakery. Like all workers and artists, these people like being appreciated and will do their best work for someone who has praised them and treats them as a master of their craft. This goes as well for the person taking your order, whether it is the owner, manager, or just the order taker. I suggest that you work to make as good an impression on them as you expect them to try to make on you. Dress well when you are shopping for a bakery. You don't have to dress like you're meeting the Queen or the First Lady, but don't be dressing like you're about to be hitting the bars with your friends on your bachelorette party--not unless you dress a lot better for that than most of the young women in my neighborhood. Please try to time your visits so that the bakery is not crowded with customers. This is particularly important in smaller bakeries.
12. If you are concerned, ask whether the cake be made from scratch or from packaged mixes. Packaged mixes are so much more expensive that few busy bakeries would use them. And if they produce the wedding cake you want and it tastes good, do you care whether it's from a mix or from scratch?
13. Ask what the price will be. If the baker can give you an estimate but not the final cost, ask how much the final cost might vary from the estimate. If the baker says that they will charge by how long it takes because they charge by the hour, ask how many hours it will take and do the calculation yourself. Again, if it's an estimate of hours, ask how far the hours might vary from that estimate. If you feel uncomfortable with the bakery's commitment to giving you a number, maybe you should find another bakery.
14. Ask for customer references so that you can talk to with them. Then actually contact them and ask about their experience with the bakery. While they were probably very pleased with the bakery (otherwise you'd think the bakery would not be giving them as a reference), they may give you some pointers about how best to deal with the bakery.
15. Request a written proposal that includes the size of the cake, the flavor, the icing type and flavor, the description of the cake: Number of tiers or number of cupcakes or miniature cakes, decorations, the date and time the cake would be ready, whether it would be delivered and where and when, and the price. Some bakeries will put all of this in a proposal and some will commit to just the basic items.
Press for commitment to everything that is important to you.
I had a dream! And that dream came in many colors, patterns, and flowers oh my!
As always, I like to pick a stationary first, which will help me determine my overall color scheme for the wedding table decor idea.
Note my selected stationary to the left in the photo above. Although some of the colors are more suttle in this stationary, I try to focus on all of them, while playing some up more than others to add some POW! to the overall design.
I then choose some fabric to focus on some of the colors, or sometimes patterns in the stationary, and I create my own home-made table runner.
In this design, I chose to cover my basic white table linen with some copper colored tulle, and then I added my home-made table runner (paisley pattern) over the center of the table.
Next I added my dishes, and accented the overall design with some pink tulips, a clear glass vase filled with dry wild grass, tea light candles, a pink candy dish filled with hot pink dried rose petal potpourri, and some hot pink ribbon tied around the stems of my wine glasses.
If you've attended many weddings lately, or read trendy magazines or newspapers, you've undoubtedly noticed that the ceremonies are no longer just your Grandmother's and Grandfather's typical church wedding. Read More Below Photo: The Unity Sand Ceremony, a celebration that is usually two to three minutes in length, is a meaningful joining of two lives. In this timeless ritual of marriage, the couple ceremoniously pours various colors of sand from a container, such as a seashell, into one special container symbolizing their coming together as one.
This unique celebration was recently brought into the public eye with the marriage of Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter of the TV series, "The Bachelorette." Rather than the time-honored ritual of the Unity Candle Ceremony, the famous couple chose the alternative, Unity Sand Ceremony. Their decision has sparked a craze in weddings across the country.
The ceremony has controversial origins, some believing that it began with the Native Americans and some insisting the Hawaiians were the ancestors of the legend. Whatever its origin, the Unity Sand Ceremony is fast becoming a nationwide wedding ceremony trend.
The flowing sand and blending of the colors symbolize the bringing together of two lives into one. Some couples prefer to leave a small amount of sand in their respective container to show that even though they now function as one, they remain individuals.
A staple in marriages everywhere, The Unity Candle Ceremony has long been a tradition for marriages both elaborate and simple. Usually, there is a single candle that both bride and groom light from a flame of their own single candle. Parents or other members of the wedding party often join in the candle lighting ceremony.
The Unity Sand Ceremony can also be altered in many ways to include family and friends. Besides the bride and groom, various colors of sand are given to wedding members who will add their sand to the couple's sand, all flowing into the container, creating a colorful and one-of-a kind symbol of unity.
In an age where couples are planning weddings that are unique to their beliefs and lifestyle, the sand ceremony can be personalized many different ways to fit the occasion. After the ceremony, the couple has a unique keepsake to remember their wedding day.
Hawaii has been a popular destination for weddings since airplanes became the preferred mode of travel. Its mild weather and sandy beaches create a perfect environment for the entire wedding party to be barefoot on the beach while witnessing the Unity Sand Ceremony - a tradition as old and exceptional as the islands themselves.
Not going to have a wedding on a beach? Don't worry. Sand is available online, or the couple can use sand from a destination they've visited or that has a special meaning in their lives. Distinctive containers designed to fit any religion or lifestyle can also be purchased online.
Many couples write their own vows for the ceremony, but passages from ancient Hawaiian or Native American weddings can easily be found on the Internet for the portion of your wedding relating to the Unity Sand Ceremony.
Whatever your dream wedding entails, consider incorporating the Unity Sand Ceremony into the celebration. You'll be sure to create memories that your guests will talk about for a long time to come.
In spite of our current economy situation, I have found that engaged couples are finding great ways to be able to still have the wedding of their dreams, without sacrificing quality.
In fact, I find that many couples are planning a more platinum wedding, and simply cutting down the size of their guest list to save on their overall costs.
Here are some trends I’ve observed this year so far:
1. many couples are opting for a wedding venue that accommodates both the wedding ceremony, and the reception. This is considered a “green” trend choice as it cuts down on the overall transportation needs for the couple and their guests. This option is also most likely a money saver on overall wedding costs, not to mention a huge timesaving convenience for all.
2. I am seeing a common trend in the guest counts for couples.75 - 100 guests is quite common right now, which can save the couple a lot of money.
I find it refreshing that couples are beginning to realize, that their wedding does not have to come with an open invitation to everyone that the couple has ever known.
Keeping the guest list strict, and limiting it to only very close friends, and close relatives is perfectly acceptable.
4. Wedding Photography – Today’s couples want a wedding photographer that can and will capture the fun aspects and emotions of their wedding day. Few couples
desire a more traditional wedding photography approach that requires their undivided attention and time to be devoted to looking at the photographer’s lens. While there are still
many couples that want a few traditional family poses for their album, the trend is leaning evermore toward a more carefree, photojournalistic approach.
5. Event Designers – There are more couples leaning toward hiring an “event designer” now than ever. Event designers are not to be confused with wedding consultants however,
and I find that this is often the case. Both are two very different, but important professional services. A true event designer, should offer the majority of his/her products, and services “in house”, which means, little to no outsourcing for things such as party rentals, floral design, lighting, linens, decorating, etc. By hiring a true event designer, couples can save money on their overall costs.
6. Wedding Dresses – Yes, I said wedding dresses. More of today’s brides are choosing a more formal and designer wedding dress for their ceremony, and then changing into a less formal, and more flirtatious wedding dress for the reception and festivities. As for Bridesmaid dresses – more brides are considering dresses that their maids can re-wear to other special functions; therefore simplicity is the current trend.
7. Wedding Videography – The old fashioned wedding video that brides a few years ago were satisfied with, simply won’t do for today’s bride and groom. Couples of today are
looking for talented video cinematographers. Products from these masters of emotion, should have a movie-like feel and sound to them, that will make the couple re-live, and re-feel
their day as if it was happening all over again, , , ,and without feeling the need to push the “skip” button to get to the good parts.
8. Style – From over the top bling, bling, or as rustic as you can get, are hot trends right now. Many brides and grooms are choosing extreme themes, styles, and or colors for their
special day’s look. The goal appears to be, to wow the guests, and show them the best time of their lives. More emphasis is being placed on the personalization of the couple’s wedding day. For example: One groom who was a Dentist, decided that the party favors should be tooth brushes, with a small candy filled sash tied to each one. This was not only a personalized memento from the groom and his bride, but an expression that a Dentist can have a sense of humor too. HOT COLORS: I expect to see chocolate brown as a base color as in the past combined with bright colors. We will see a lot of silver, and royal purple. Also gray (charcoal gray) as a base color is expected to be hot this year, but combined with more lively colors to kick it up a notch. Candles, candles, and more candles! Expect to see a lot of candles at the reception. Couples are shooting for a romantic feel, and nothing says romantic better than a lot of candle light. Choose bee wax candles for a more "green", earth friendly choice!
Finding ways to relieve the stress when all the wedding stuff begins to wear you down can be just as stressful! Here are some tips to help you put together a stress busting plan for when it all gets too much.
Weddings can seem like an endless charade of flowers, stationery and cakes and sometimes you are probably left wondering when it will all end. Act now and draw yourself up a stress busting plan to help you get through all those wedding planning nightmares.
Take time out
When the pressure is really on the best thing to do is to get away from it all for a while. Grab you hubby-to-be and get away for a weekend and have some quality time together. It will help you both focus on the time ahead and help you remember exactly why you are getting married in the first place!
Massage in a bottle
A massage is the ultimate for relaxation and unwinding. Book one when everything seems to be getting on top of you and you need time out. Make a day of it at a nearby spa & take your mom and best friend with you.
Switch off
A total switch off from everything wedding related is on the cards when you find yourself eating, sleeping and thinking weddings 24/7. By this stage you are probably super-stressed and taking a whole day out from all things wedding will be just the tonic you need.
Work it out
If you are keen on exercise and have a regular workout or exercise regime you are probably already aware of the stress relieving benefits of simply going for a run or having a workout at the gym. A good workout will not only help burn calories, but it will also stretch your tense muscles and release feel good endorphins.
Sleep it off
Although it may not be so easy, but a good sleep will leave you feeling refreshed, energized and ready to face the day. Try to get 8 hours a night and avoid all wedding talk when you snuggle down for the night. If wedding plans do float around your mind at night, write them down and tell yourself you will deal with them in the morning.
Girl talk
Get all you friends together, a bottle of wine and a strict ban on wedding talk. A bit of girly gossip will help you relax and calm down. A night in with the girls will also help you remember that there is life outside of weddings, so find out what is going on with them and their lives.
Eat properly
We are all too aware of the importance of eating a balanced diet but many of us, particularly when stressed will skip meals and take to consuming things which won’t help us in any way. Try to drink lots of water, eat plenty of fruit and vegetable and avoid caffeine and too much alcohol. You will soon feel fresher and notice a change in your everyday mood.
(ARA) – Green living doesn’t have to mean forgoing the latest looks, especially when eco-conscious beauty is the hottest thing going. Formulations driven by nature, practices that are kind to the earth and minimal packaging are all cool ways to celebrate the warm weather.
Here are some of the hottest eco-conscious beauty trends going:
Fresh as a Rose
The classic and perfect rose inspires some of the hottest colors and scents of the season. Cheeks blush in pretty shades of pink for day and bold fuchsia for evening while glamorous pink lips perfectly accompany spring smiles. For an all-over ethereal glow, the Roseflower Radiance Stick from The Body Shop is a soft, natural and preservative-free way to achieve a dewy spring glow. Match spring’s romantic mood and sweep the silky, sheer golden pink highlighter along the cheekbones for a subtle shimmer that enhances the complexion.
* Style Highlight
Made with rose oil from the “valley of roses” near the Atlas Mountains, The Body Shop Moroccan Rose Body Butter melts on contact with the skin for superb hydration and releases the delectable fragrance of roses harvested at dawn, at their fragrance peak. It also features rich Community Trade ingredients from Ghana and Brazil.
Pastels and Pinks
This season, eyes shimmer in paparazzi-friendly pastel greens, pinks and golds. Celebrity makeup artist Chase Aston says a soft gold eye shimmer is fresh and modern and is perfect for an allover eye, from lash to brow. For a contemporary effect, a cool mint green swept along the top lash line and underneath the lower lashes sings spring.
* Style Highlight “
To take this runway look to night and capture a perfectly imperfect smoky eye, take a black eye definer pencil and line along top lash line, then dip an eye color brush into midnight blue eye color and smudge over eye definer line,” says Aston.
Waste Not
What is on the outside of a beauty product is just as important as what’s within. Look for sustainably-harvested and fairly-traded ingredients as well as minimal packaging made from post-consumer materials. And when you’re done with a container, remember to recycle it!
Wild Accessories
Reduce, reuse and recycle are today’s hottest buzzwords. Raid your closet for vintage jewelry and accessories or hit your local thrift shop for a bold bargain that pops. When the sun is shining, remember to protect yourself from UV rays with a stylish round pair of sunglasses.
Beauty that Gives Back
Being good to the Earth also includes being kind to the people who inhabit the planet. Everyday products and practices can make a big difference, so look for beauty that gives back.
*Style Highlight
Purchasing a product like the preservative-free Tantalizing Lip Butter from The Body Shop and MTV means a donation is made to the Staying Alive Foundation -- a charity saving lives by empowering young people around the world to protect themselves and their communities against HIV and AIDS. Now that’s beautiful.
And when you’re done all your beauty shopping, you need an eco-friendly and stylish bag to carry all your goodies home in.
Try The Body Shop Bag for Life, which is a reusable, organically grown cotton bag produced without harmful pesticides.
For more information on eco-conscious beauty, visit TheBodyShop-USA.com or CLICK HERE.
The Wedding Cake: A Ceremony by Itself by: Joy Cagil When my son and daughter-in-law held a knife and cut the first slice out of their all traditional, butter-cream frosted, lavish, and very expensive wedding cake, I couldn't help smiling. If we had been in the early Roman times, the wedding cake would not be one huge, tasty, decorative creation, but many small, possibly cupcake-sized, salty wheat cakes. In addition, the guests wouldn't be eating the cakes but throwing them at the bride or crumbling it over her head for fertility and single women would try to catch the crumbs for the same reason they catch the bridal bouquet today.
In the olden times when children didn't make it to adulthood due to childhood illnesses, fertility was important, and that is probably the reason the wedding cake tradition was born. Later on during their empire, Romans turned their salty cakes into sweet cakes. This time, they made a slightly larger bridal cake with many smaller cakes surrounding it. The smaller cakes were brought as gifts by the guests. These cakes everyone ate, but still crumbled some of those over the bride.
After the Roman conquest of the British Isles, Roman customs influenced the natives who baked dry cakes for their weddings and drank their ale with them. In old England and Ireland, there also was, and still is, the custom of a groom's cake, dark in color and made of dried fruit.
When the English sent their pioneers into the new world, they also sent their customs with them. First European settlers in the Americas made fruitcakes for their weddings because their preservation was easier.
The fancy wedding cake with several tiers was created through the initiative of the French, and although scorned by the English at first, it was later adopted and became the norm through all Europe. The wedding cake, owing to its long history, became an individual affair for a modern wedding party, with different shapes and styles and with a rich variety of flavors, fillings, and icings.
A wedding cake, after the vows, has become a vital part of wedding ceremony in our day. It is assumed that a wedding cake reflects the style, elegance, and delicacy of the couple's upbringing, in addition to their enthusiasm for their marriage.
Not only the ingredients and the making of the cake, but the ceremony of its cutting has become another reception by itself. Traditionally, the bride and the groom cut the cake together, with groom placing his right hand over the bride's right hand to cut the first slice. Then, they feed each other that first slice while everyone applauds. Sometimes, the top tier is saved for the first anniversary or the birth of the couple's first child, whichever comes first.
In some new world weddings nowadays, smearing each other with the icing has been taking hold as a custom, adding hilarity to the reception. My favorite wedding cake anecdote is a real one that may have seemed like a disaster at the time; however in hindsight, it has become an amusing joke. Yet, since the marriage has lasted, the incident might have been a good omen.
Several years ago, we attended a large wedding reception. Over the several steep stairs to the main reception hall, the wedding cake had to be carried rather than wheeled. I don't know why nobody thought of a ramp but two waiters, one on each side, took the cake up the steps.
Suddenly, a waiter tripped and the cake fell on the floor, but with luck or heavenly intervention, the top two tiers stayed intact. A pandemonium broke out with the bride's mother fainting and maintenance people scurrying about. Since the reception hall was part of a big hotel, the management came up with their version of a wedding cake. Several small cakes were arranged as the bottom layer with the two top layers of the original cake placed over them.
Judging from that experience, I think it might be a good idea to have a just-in-case second cake. After all, cakes are loved by most anyone and they don't go to waste.
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Popular Bridesmaid Dresses: Styles And Colors
