Modern Mixed Pattern Wedding Cakes

One of the hippest new trends right now is modern mixed pattern wedding cakes. The mixed pattern wedding cake is a simple enough concept. Rather than having each tier of the cake look the same, couples are opting to do a different design on each layer. The result is fresh, fun, and funky. It looks absolutely contemporary, yet can be used with very retro or classic patterns. The best part of a mixed pattern cake is sitting down with your baker to decide which designs you would like to combine.

A wedding cake with a few different patterns on the tiers will allow you to put your own personal stamp on your reception, much like custom bridal jewelry does for your wedding attire.  In fact, the bride’s attire can be a great inspiration for the cake design. If you were wearing a lace gown, the top and bottom cake tiers could be decorated with a fondant “lace” design to match your dress, and the middle layer could be a crisp stripe design.

Mixed pattern wedding cakes can also draw their inspiration from the wedding colors. Let’s say that you were having a wedding based on one of this year’s hottest colors, turquoise.  If you want to make your cake elegant, choose a turquoise and cherry red damask design mixed with medium width stripes. Or go with a summer tropical flavor, and make one tier a turquoise and fuchsia hibiscus print, one with lime and turquoise surfboards, and a third tier with a turquoise and white graphic wave pattern. The three designs are all funky and unique, yet will still have a nice flow based on one shared color and a common theme.

Preppy gals have long adored combining different patterns in similar color palettes, so a mixed pattern cake is a natural for the preppy bride. Picture a cake created all in pink and green. You can have an argyle tier, a striped tier, and a polka dot tier. Or have one of your favorite Lilly Pulitzer designs used as inspiration for the largest tier, and accent it with a striped middle layer, and a monogrammed top tier. Sheer bliss!

The mixed pattern cake trend is so much fun that it is destined to become a big hit. The possibilities for creativity and personal expression are truly limitless. Why not get in on the fun and design a mixed pattern cake for your wedding this year?

Too Young or Too Old to Get Married?

We all know that the average age to get married is the mid-20s. But people of all age find love and want to make a permanent commitment to their beloved. Is there one perfect age to say “I Do” or can a person follow their heart at any age? Can a person ever be too young or too old to get married?

When it comes to being too old, the answer is no. As long as both people are of sound mind, why shouldn’t they have the chance to enjoy a romance as seniors? I know a woman who creates custom bridal gowns, and she says that one of the sweetest brides she ever made a gown for was a woman in her 80s. She had been widowed for many years, and met a man in a similar situation through a place where they both volunteered. This man was a true gentleman, and courted her properly; he even asked the widow’s daughter for permission to propose to his sweetheart. She made a truly beautiful bride in her custom blue wedding gown and elegant bridal jewelry.

The other question is not so easily answered. The short answer is yes, people certainly can be too young to make the lifelong commitment involved in a marriage.  Readiness to marry is less a question of a particular age, perhaps, but one of the maturity of the potential bride and groom. That said, few people are truly mature before they have had time to live on their own, take responsibility for running a home, and gotten a little life experience. Statistics bear this out; couples who wait until their late 20s or early 30s to get married have a lower divorce rate than teen brides and grooms. So don’t go rushing off to marry your high school sweetheart just yet.

A final piece of advice for young engaged couples is to opt for a long engagement. Both people should definitely be out of high school; finished with college would be even better. After all, if it is true love, the relationship will last and grow into something even better over the period of a long engagement. And besides, every bride and groom should be able to raise a toast at their wedding.

Gorgeous Wedding Hairstyles for Long Hair

If you have long hair, you are in luck! There are numerous great looking ways in which to wear your hair for your wedding day. To help you narrow down the options, check out these gorgeous wedding hairstyles for long hair.

The key with long hair is to select a style which will keep your tresses under control all day long. You also want to take your veil and bridal hair jewelry into consideration when meeting with your stylist for a hair trial. By pulling back at least the front of your hair, you will give your veil a secure place to anchor so that it does not simply slide down the back of your head as you glide down the aisle. The more elaborate your hairdo, the more options you will have for bridal hair jewelry, as you will be able to fasten any type of comb, hairpin, or headband somewhere into the hairstyle and know that it will not move around.

One of the top trends in wedding hair right now is asymmetry. Low twists are among the most fabulous asymmetrical wedding hairstyles for long hair this year. Have your hairstylist gather all of your hair near the nape of your neck. Let the pulled back part be smooth and tidy, which allows you to tease the twist part without getting that overall messy appearance. The gathered section of hair at the nape of the neck can either be arranged into a loose twisted bun or a more polished smooth spiral.

Soft curls can be created to make a romantic wedding hairstyles with long hair. Loosely pinned curls and waves are soft and feminine for an “undone” updo. Or pull back the front of your hair, and allow cascades of soft curls to flow down over your shoulders. One caution: this style can quickly turn into a frizzy mass on a humid day, so it is a bridal hairdo best reserved for indoor or cool weather weddings. The best bridal hairstyles complement the style of the gown, the texture of your hair, and the shape of your face. Work with your favorite hairstylist to design the hairdo which will make you feel absolutely beautiful and chic on your wedding day.

Formal Resort Weddings

If you are planning a destination wedding to a tropical resort, the chances are that almost all of the advice you come across will be geared towards casual beachy weddings. But tropical does not always have to mean barefoot on the sand, and it is possible to plan a wedding which is elegant in an island setting. At long last, here are some tips on how to plan a gorgeous formal resort wedding.

The ideal gown for a formal resort wedding will be one which is light enough to feel comfortable in a warm climate, but with the special details that will make it feel glamorous. Metallic gold accents will make any bridal gown look opulent and regal. Layers of a lightweight silk such as organza or tissue taffeta will be fresh and breezy, and gold metallic embroidery or a gold sash will increase the elegance factor. Strappy metallic gold sandals, a veil with a beaded edge, and elegant beach wedding jewelry will complete the effect. Especially lovely is beach wedding jewelry with Swarovski crystals which will twinkle in the sunlight.

A tropical wedding certainly calls for tropical flowers. As beautiful as the classic round bouquet of roses is, it in no way relates to the spirit of the tropics. A better option would be a more splashy bouquet featuring wildly glamorous exotic orchids in a bright color. Hot pink, sunshine yellow, or lime green are all gorgeous resort wedding flower colors. Make your bouquet more regal with an ornate bouquet wrap in a metallic ribbon. You can also think about scattering some sprays of Swarovski crystals in among the flowers to coordinate with your bridal jewelry and to catch the sun.

Any fine resort should have elegant menu options available to serve for your wedding reception. Fresh fish, simply prepared, is always a nice choice for the main course at dinner. It can be dressed with a fresh fruit salsa and elegantly displayed on the plate with several side dishes. Keep in mind that a grand presentation will make any type of food appear more elegant. Try to treat your guests to the local specialties of the tropical destination which you have selected for your wedding. Your guests will no doubt have the time of their lives.

Wedding Sites With Meaning

When you are seeking the perfect site for your wedding, begin by looking back in time. Did you grow up attending church with your family every Sunday? Even if it not the most convenient location, what could be more meaningful than exchanging your marriage vows in your family’s church? The nice thing about using your family’s house of worship for your wedding ceremony is that it will not only be special for you, but for your entire family.

What about planning a destination wedding to your favorite childhood vacation spot? Did you go to the same lake in Michigan every summer or rent the same rustic old cabin in Vermont each winter? If so, plan to have your wedding in that locale. It is nice to have a destination wedding in a location that is not just appealing in a general sense, but meaningful to you specifically. You will also have a built-in special place to return to on your wedding anniversary each year. And just think, one day when you have kids of your own, you can continue tradition by vacationing with them each year in the place where you were married.

In some families, there is a club that has been a long standing part of their lives. If you grew up spending weekends playing golf or tennis at the local country club, it would be an ideal choice for your wedding. You will be very comfortable having your reception in such familiar surroundings. The classic style of a country club wedding goes well with other wedding classics, like a band playing Frank Sinatra and pearl bridal jewelry. If the pearl bridal jewelry belongs to your mother, it can also count as your “something borrowed”, which is a nice perk.

Many brides and grooms have places which hold special memories and meaning. Perhaps your fiance proposed to you in a beautiful park overlooking a lazy river. Why not celebrate your union by having your wedding there? If there is a favorite restaurant that you have cherished as your best spot for romantic dates, see if they will host your reception. (If it turns out that they cannot accommodate your guest list, maybe they could at least provide catering for your reception somewhere else.) It can be really fun to introduce your family and friends to the places that are meaningful to you and your fiance. By selecting a wedding site that is full of special memories and meaning, you will make your wedding more personal and heartfelt.

Avoid Wedding Drama

Weddings are exciting and emotionally charged. It seems like all too often, what should be the happiest time in a bride’s life ends up full of conflict with her family and friends. To help you avoid wedding drama before it even starts, put these tips to work for you.

Choose Your Bridal Party Carefully. Okay, if you have any sisters, they will pretty much need to be bridesmaids no matter what, but beyond that, take some time to carefully consider whom you would like to have in your bridal party. For goodness sake, don’t pick your bridesmaids based on how pretty they are or other superficial standards! Choose your bridesmaids based on their character and the genuine affection you have for them.

Involve Your Mother-in-Law. The overbearing mother-in-law is a legendary creature, one that is sometimes based on fact. If you think your fiance’s mother is going to meddle in your wedding planning and drive you crazy, make a preemptive strike. Ask her for assistance in some minor areas of the wedding, such as picking out favors and bridesmaid gifts. If she has a defined role, she will feel useful, and be much more likely to try to take over the entire event.

Be Realistic About Your Budget. No one wants to start off their married life mired in debt, nor should the bride’s family be forced to spend more than they can possibly afford. A large percentage of wedding disagreements center around money, so if you have your finances in order from the beginning, you will find there is much less to fight about. One important thing to keep in mind is that anyone who is contributing to the wedding expenses can realistically expect to have a say in how the money is spent.

Be Equitable About the Guest List. After money, the guest list is one of the biggest potential fights that a bride and groom have with their families. One way to keep things fair is to determine the number of guests whom you can afford to host, and then divide it up into equal sections. Usually, 1/3 of the list goes to the bride’s parents, another 1/3 to the groom’s parents, and the last 1/3 to the bride and groom. Whatever you do, please do not make the number of guests someone is allotted dependent on their financial contribution.  Being fair is the gracious thing to do, and it will help to nip those nasty guest list fights in the bud.

Wedding Ceremony Checklist

Okay, the big day is finally here, and in mere moments the wedding ceremony will begin! At this point, all of the big stuff should be under control, but there are still a few finishing touches to be put in place. Make sure that you do not overlook anything with this wedding ceremony checklist.

First, the maid of honor or the bride’s mother should spend a few minutes carefully looking over the bridal ensemble.  Check to be sure that her veil is securely anchored and the headpiece is nice and straight. Have any clasps on pieces of bridal jewelry slid to the front? If the bridal gown has those little hanging straps, be sure that they are completed tucked into the side of the gown or better yet, just cut them out. Does the bride have her something old, new, borrowed, and blue? And finally, someone should make certain that the bride does not have any lipstick on her teeth!

The groom has a few last minute tasks to undertake as well before taking his place at the altar. Is his breath fresh? If not, he can quickly pop a mint or a piece of gum. But for goodness sake, take the gum out of your mouth before the ceremony begins! I have actually witnessed grooms chewing gum while reciting their vows, and it looks absolutely terrible. Speaking of vows, if you have written your own for the ceremony, be sure you have them in your jacket pocket. The groom should also take a moment to comb his hair, straighten his tie, and adjust his boutonierre, if needed.

The wedding party should also get themselves ready before the ceremony music begins. Bridesmaids, if you need to adjust your strapless gown, this is the time to do it! Please resist the urge to tug on your dress while standing at the altar. The best man has one incredibly important thing to check before the wedding ceremony, and that is to make sure that he has the wedding bands. He would also be a good person to make sure that the troops are in order: shirts neatly tucked in, boutonierres in place, ties straight, and so on. With everyone looking their best, the wedding will be ready to go!

Colorful Wedding Bouquets

Colorful wedding flowers can be a great way to inject personality and style into your wedding. Even a fairly formal wedding can benefit from a bit of color in the wedding bouquets. As long as the flowers which you select are sufficiently elegant, adding color will in no way detract from the formality of your ceremony. Roses are an excellent option, as they are both traditional and available in a beautiful array of colors. For an autumn wedding, bouquets with roses in fall shades of terra cotta, sunflower yellow, and rich red will strike the perfect mood. Extras like red hypericum berries and velvet ribbons will enhance the effect.

Colorful flowers are always fun for a summer wedding. Make your garden wedding romantic with pink and green bouquets for all the ladies in the wedding. Lush pink peonies and vivid green hydrangeas are a winning combination. Pink and green striped grosgrain ribbon bouquet wraps will up the preppy factor, or splurge on gorgeous watercolor painted ribbons with all of the flower colors for a bit of luxury.

It is really easy to come up with fantastic informal wedding bouquets in bright colors. Gerbera daisies in fuchsia, orange, and yellow are festive and cheerful on a hot summer day. Mixed wildflowers in shades of purple, yellow, pink, and orange will look like you gathered them yourself on the morning of the wedding. Spring brides can enjoy bouquets combining yellow mini daffodils, purple hyacinth, and white roses.

Exotic bouquets can also be colorful. The hottest trend going is to enhance your flowers with fanciful peacock feathers. Pull out some of the shades in the feathers for your flowers. Deep purple with dashes of gold and green flowers will look stunning with the peacock feathers. Tie it all up with a big gold bow. For the bridesmaids, echo the effect with a smaller number of feathers. You can take it one step further and choose bridesmaid jewelry gifts in some of the feather colors. A bridesmaid dress in a neutral but glamorous hue like gold would be the perfect backdrop for gifts of bridesmaid jewelry in an assortment of peacock colors. Really allow yourself to have fun and express yourself with colorful wedding bouquets.

Romantic Wedding Gowns

Weddings are all about love, so why not express that sentiment with a romantic wedding gown? There are certain fabrics, styles, and features which can go a long way to enhance the romantic flavor of a bridal gown. These are some of the most romantic wedding dresses, which are sure to appeal to any bride.

Fabric has a lot to do with creating a romantic effect. Soft and sheer fabrics such as lace, tulle, organza, and chiffon are the essence of femininity. Any gown that appears to float when it moves is a great choice. Very shiny fabrics such as satin, though gorgeous, tend to be more princess like than romantic, so that is something to keep in mind when shopping. Light and airy embellishments will be more dreamy than heavy or bold details.

Some of the most enchanting adornments for bridal gowns include lace, flowers, and fabric petals. Floral details are always romantic and charming, and they can work well on many different styles of gowns. Classic brides will adore lace appliqués which cover the bodice of a gown and drip down gently onto a tulle or organza skirt. Flower petals are another detail which embody the spirit of romance on a tulle or organza gown. An updated version of these petals can be seen in the current collection by Oscar de la Renta, which pairs timeless 1950s silhouettes with unique handmade organza petals. Echo the details on the gown with custom bridal jewelry which is created from keshi pearls, which are also known as petal pearls.

Cascading ruffles are another very romantic accent for a bridal gown. They can also strike a nice balance between romanticism and drama. Look for gowns with an abundance of ruffles in sheer fabrics like organza. Frothy tulle skirts are also very dreamy. Many designers are offering these styles right now, so there are some wonderful options. Don’t overlook the fact that a pastel color can also add charm to a wedding dress. Pale pink, apricot, and champagne all have a timeless romantic effect. Indulge your feminine and romantic nature with one of these dreamy wedding gowns.

How Real Brides Save on Their Weddings

Take a look at these ideas that real brides have used to save money on their weddings…

Trim the Guest List: You do not have to invite your second cousin or your old college roommate whom you never see anymore. Even if they had you at their weddings, you are not obligated to invite distant relations or casual acquaintances to yours. The absolute best way to trim your wedding costs is to be ruthless about cutting down the guest list. You will save thousands on food, decorating the tables, invitations, favors, and more. Not only that, but the people who you do have at your wedding will be the ones who mean the most to you.

Seek Deals Online: Many times you can find significantly lower prices for your wedding essentials at online retailers. This is especially true when buying items which are specifically designed for weddings, like many favors, bridesmaid jewelry gifts, unity candles, and decorations. Bridal stores often have large mark ups on all of the little extras that brides need, and it can add up to be quite a large sum. The bridesmaid jewelry gifts which cost $75 each at your bridal salon might go for as much as 60% - 75% less at an online bridal jewelry store, so it really pays to shop around.

Choose Your Venue Wisely: Look at your reception venue selection as a business decision. Before signing on the dotted line, find out the details about what they provide and what they allow you to provide. If you can find a venue which permits you to bring in your own alcohol, you can save thousands of dollars just on that. Venues which include all of the basics like tables, chairs, and linens in their base price will also be far more cost effective than places which require you to rent each piece individually. All of the little ways in which you save money on your reception can really end up being a lot of money left in your pocket at the end of the day.