Snowy White Winter Wedding Cakes

If you are planning a winter wedding, this is the perfect time to design your wedding cake. Winter is a wonderful season in which to embrace a classic all-white cake which is reminiscent of a frosty winter day. Get inspired by these ideas for snowy white winter wedding cakes.

A fantastic way to make an all-white wedding cake interesting is with the use of texture. It will ensure that your confection, while understated, is not the least bit boring. One fantastic idea is to cover a streamlined fondant cake with little sugar “pearls” in a variety of sizes. Start with more petite edible pearls near the top of the cake, and scatter larger diameter pearls towards the base. Dust with an opalescent powder to make the decorations shimmer just like the genuine pearls in your pearl bridal jewelry. It is a very elegant cake for any winter wedding reception.

Snowflake motifs are always appropriate for wintertime. A beautiful approach to this classic theme is to have the baker use a stamp design to press a snowflake shape around the tiers of the cake. It will give your dessert a unique arts and crafts feeling, even while making use of a familiar motif. For a more contemporary snowflake cake, the baker can make silver snowflakes from sugar and scatter them down the sides of a white fondant cake. It will remind everyone of softly falling snow.

Winter is cold, but it can also be quite cozy. It would be fantastic to design a wedding cake based on the cozy side of the season. One incredible idea is a an all-white or ivory cake frosted in an intricate cable knit pattern. It will look like a warm fisherman’s sweater! How charming would that be for a wedding in a ski lodge or a New England country inn? Or take a simple cake and add a whimsical sweater inspired detail like a pair of edible pom poms. It would be adorable for an informal winter wedding.

White Lies Every Bride Tells

What a Beautiful Handmade Ashtray! Every couple is bound to receive a wedding gift or two that they do not like, can’t use, or that is just plain bizarre. A lumpy handmade ceramic ashtray for the non-smoking fitness nuts would definitely fall into all three categories! Yet, you don’t want to hurt the feelings of the person who gave you the present, so it is best to fake it. Pretend, just for the moment, that it is the best gift you have ever received. Once you have sent a gracious thank you note, feel free to put the oddity in your next yard sale.

We’d Love for Your New Boyfriend (or Cousin or Kids) to Come. Somehow, there is always at least one wedding guest who does not seem to realize that only the people whose names are on the invitations are invited to the reception. Never mind that the caterer charges $150 a head or that it is supposed to be an intimate wedding for close family and friends only. Invariably, someone will call the bride three days before the wedding and ask to bring along their cousin who is in town for the weekend, the great new man they just started dating, or their kids “because they have never been to a wedding before”. While a gracious bride might indeed say yes for the sake of accommodating her invited guest, rest assured that she does not really want her wedding populated by random people. A polite guest will realize this and not put the bride on the spot.

I Don’t Mind That My Mother-in-Law Is Wearing White. Oh, what to do about the mother-in-law who decides to wear a white dress and pearl wedding jewelry to her son’s wedding? Well, if you are a wise bride, you will tell the little white lie above. Of course, only the bride should show up in a white gown and elegant pearl wedding jewelry, but making a fuss about what her mother-in-law is wearing will get the bride nowhere. The fact is that no one will think it is appropriate for the groom’s mom to wear white; the bride does not need to say a word, because all of the guests will see the mother of the groom’s fashion choice for the petty slight that it is. If the bride remains silent, she will definitely come out looking the better of the two.

We Are Having a Small Wedding. This is the classic line that brides use to get out of inviting extra people to their wedding. The beauty of it is that “small” can mean anything the bride and groom want it to mean. Small can mean twenty people in their living room or one hundred guests on a private yacht. All it really means is that the wedding is too small to invite that one particular individual. This is probably one of the most commonly used bridal white lies, and one of the most effective.

While no one advocates lying, there are certainly instances where telling a white lie is more polite and tactful than brutal honesty!

Wedding Menu Trend – Food Trucks

By now, most people are probably familiar with the comfort food trend that has been so popular for wedding receptions in recent years. This desire for familiar and unpretentious fare has been taken to the next level with one of the newest wedding trends. The hippest wedding receptions these days feature food trucks as part of the menu.

Food truck fare is uncomplicated by definition. Couples usually just choose whatever they love the best. It might be a hot dog truck, one serving burritos, a pizza van, or even an ice cream truck (so fun for a summer wedding!). If you don’t have room for an entire truck at your reception, you can hire a vendor with a push cart. That is also a great option for bringing this concept indoors. You could have a cotton candy cart, a fresh popcorn man, or whatever else strikes your fancy.

Think about what you like to eat on the street. Maybe it’s dumplings or cheeseburgers or even little crepes. If it can be served from a cart or truck, it can be a great option for a fun reception surprise. This is an especially neat way to introduce your family and friends to your local favorites. Relive your college days by inviting the same truck that you used to frequent on the way to class or on game day. Or introduce your family to a new flavor that is popular where you live now, such as Cuban food if you recently relocated to Miami.

You’ll want to be sure to get lots of pictures of guests enjoying the food truck at your reception. Such a memorable part of your wedding will make for terrific and unique photos. Just think of the fun pictures you’ll get of the mother of the bride in her elegant dress and pearl necklace nibbling on a fresh funnel cake from a cart or a slice of pizza! If you plan to serve something really messy like chili dogs, the bride may want to have something she can throw on to protect her gown from spills. The bride should definitely get to enjoy the tasty truck food; just take care not to let it ruin your gown.

Tips on Wedding Color Selection

These tips on wedding color selection will get you off to a great start…

The first thing to keep in mind is that people get tired of seeing the same old, same old. A great way to avoid this potential pitfall is to choose wedding colors which are unexpected. So perhaps instead of decorating a fall wedding entirely in the standard autumn leaf colors like orange, yellow, and red, you could decide to have an aubergine and sage green color palette. It would be just as appropriate for the season, but your wedding won’t look like every other fall wedding. The same idea can be used as a springboard to break away from the most predictable wedding color schemes.

Another excellent tip when selecting your wedding colors is to avoid palettes which are visually jarring. Very high contrast combinations like black and white can be hard to live with, and may not look the best in the wedding pictures. It is perfectly fine to choose a high contrast duo as your main design focus, just add in a third accent shade which falls somewhere in the middle. For instance, a black and white palette could be softened with the occasional hint of blush pink for a vintage romantic feeling, or accents in apple green for a fresh modern style.

Overly vibrant color palettes should also be approached with caution. While it is great to have festive and upbeat hues for the wedding flowers and decorations, too much of a good thing can be overwhelming. Always build in some visual places for the eye to rest. If your color scheme is hot pink, mango, and lime, temper it with plenty of crisp white. A yellow color scheme can be toned down with touches of gray or soft creamy shades.

Something else to keep in mind when choosing the colors for your wedding is that they should reflect who you are more than what the latest trends happen to be. Every couple of years, a color becomes so popular for weddings that it gets done to death, and it ends up feeling very unoriginal. The Tiffany blue wedding trend is a case in point. You are far better off designing a wedding color palette which is meaningful to you personally than slavishly following what you see in the bridal magazines. If you love the romantic vintage look of lace and pretty pearl bridal jewelry, choose a soft combination of apricot, cream, and dove gray.

What to Wear to a May Wedding

May can be a tricky time, in that the weather is still quite variable in many parts of the country. A May day might be bright and summery, or it might be cool and wet; it is hard to predict. The best way to work around unpredictable weather is to wear layers. For a formal wedding, a beautiful outfit would be a silk sheath dress, perhaps with a special embellishment such as a bow or embroidery. Since a sleeveless dress might not be warm enough, choose a coordinating silk bolero or an organza wrap which complements your dress. Add a pearl necklace and a pair of low silk heels for a beautiful late spring look.

Outdoor weddings start to become popular in the late spring. If you are invited to a May garden wedding, a dress or skirt with a floral print would be very pretty. Even if you do not think of yourself as a flower print person, you may well find that there is an abstract, modern, or pop art floral print which appeals to you. Imagine how lovely it would look to wear a poppy printed silk skirt with a complementary silk sweater for an afternoon wedding in a garden. Women who like smaller prints can choose delicate sprig patterns on chiffon dresses or skirts. Many women wonder if it is acceptable to wear a dress with a white background as a guest at someone else’s wedding, and the answer is yes, as long as white is not the primary color. If you really want to embrace the spirit of the garden wedding, complete your ensemble with a wide brim hat and a pearl necklace.

If you are a guest at a casual springtime wedding, a pretty sundress would be a good option. Look for one with special details, such as a sweet print, straps which tie into bows, or ribbon trim. As there is a good chance that you will be chilly in a sleeveless dress in May, add a cardigan to your outfit. Choose one which is special and dressy enough to wear to a wedding, not the oversized cardi you wear to lounge around the house! May can feel a bit early for strappy sandals with a sundress, so consider other shoes like slides, slingbacks, or ballet flats to give your outfit more of a springtime look.

As for the men at a May wedding, a tan suit or a navy jacket with khaki trousers is ideal for all but the most formal weddings. A shirt or tie in a springtime blue, pink, or tangerine will complete the outfit. With everyone dressed beautifully, you will be ready to go to the May wedding!

2011 Wedding Trend Alert: Hats!

Hats are back in a big way for 2011 weddings! Perhaps it is a natural extension of the birdcage veil trend or maybe it is inspired by royal bride Kate Middleton’s passion for fabulous hats; whatever the case, one of the most avant-garde trends for brides today is a hat instead of a veil. Take a closer look at all the fabulous styles of hats and fascinators coming from the milliner’s shop these days.

One hot trend for bridal hats is a tiny top hat. The most chic top hats are not made out of satin like miniature mens’ hats, but rather from traditional womens’ millinery materials such as horsehair or a finely braided straw. The small top hats often feature a bit of tulle netting, silk flowers, or a cluster of feathers to add personality and whimsy. Such a statement-making hat would be wonderful with a simple wedding dress with a modern flair.

Vintage style has been very hot for weddings in recent years, and this includes wedding attire. Channel your inner Jacqueline Kennedy with a classic white pillbox hat. With a bow in the back and a small piece of wide mesh netting over the eyes, it is a very neat and chic hat for a bride who likes the look of the early 1960s. A bridal pillbox hat would be fantastic with a column wedding gown or a knee length sheath with three-quarter sleeves. Pearl bridal jewelry and classic pumps are the perfect complementary accessories to this vintage inspired hat design.

Brides who like the idea of a non-traditional headpiece but are not quite sure about a true hat can consider wearing a fascinator. A fascinator is a headpiece that is almost as large as a hat, but not quite. Many of them are quite quirky and unique, featuring details such as showy feathers, large silk flowers, and hints of sequin or beading. Fascinators tend to be asymmetrical, and are often worn perched jauntily on one side of the head. While striking, fascinators make less of a statement than a true hat, which makes them more versatile. A bride could wear a fascinator with anything from a formal beaded gown to a deconstructed tulle dress. A unique headpiece is a great way to really spice up your wedding day look.

Popular Types of Flowers for Weddings

Roses. Weddings and roses just seem to go together. With its status as one of the most romantic types of flowers, it is no wonder that so many brides choose roses for their bouquets and centerpieces. The rose is the traditional flower for the month of June, which makes it a natural choice for a June bride who likes wedding classics like pearl bridal jewelry. Because roses are so popular, they are grown year round, so the December bride will have almost as many options for colors and varieties of roses as the summer bride.

Hydrangeas. Loved for their enormous blossoms and unique colors (particularly the blue and green hues), hydrangeas are one of the top flower choices for late spring and summer brides. They have a strong appeal among preppy brides, perhaps because of their association with Nantucket, pearl bridal jewelry, and classic taste. The nice thing about hydrangeas is that they are easy to arrange in centerpieces that are formal, casual, or anything in between. Hydrangeas tend to be expensive, but their large size means that few stems are needed to get a great full look.

Carnations. The carnation has experienced a real Renaissance in recent years. It has largely shed its former reputation as a cheap filler flower, and has become very popular for contemporary wedding centerpieces and bouquets. There are several reasons why carnations have seen a resurgence: the wide range of colors available (they are also easy to dye, if desired), their hardiness, their full ruffly blossoms, and yes – their affordable cost. Because they are reasonably priced, carnations are a favorite choice for creating very full and round wedding decorations like pomanders and floral balls for centerpieces.

Orchids. The very word evokes luxury, style, and sophistication. Brides who wish to create bouquets or centerpieces with maximum drama often turn to this exotic blossom. Orchids come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as a remarkable range of vibrant hues. If you want wedding flowers which are striped or spotted, you will be able to find an orchid to suit your style. The primary drawback to orchids is that they are very costly. Because they have a more open and fluttery shape, it takes a large number of orchids to make an impressive display. There is one very chic and economical way to use orchids, which is the submerged floral centerpiece.  Orchids are available year round like roses.

Fabulous Floral Pomanders for Weddings

Floral decorations are a mainstay of any wedding. If you really love fresh flowers, it can be fun to think beyond the basic bouquets and centerpieces and embrace other forms of floral design. One of the most delightful types of floral arrangement is the pomander – a perfectly round ball of flowers, usually hanging from a ribbon. Take a look at all the wonderful ways you can use fabulous floral pomanders for your wedding.

One of the sweetest ways to use a floral pomander in your wedding is to have your flower girl carry one in lieu of a basket. Make a fairly diminutive ball of blossoms so that it does not overwhelm the little girl. It would be lovely to make her pomander from the same blossoms the bridesmaids will be carrying in their bouquets. For that matter, you can also consider substituting pomanders for the bridesmaids’ bouquets. They should be slightly larger than the one carried by the flower girl. A beautiful idea is to accessorize the pomander to coordinate with the bridesmaid jewelry. If they will be wearing pearl earrings, suspend the floral balls from a rope of faux pearls instead of a ribbon for a very elegant design.

Pomanders also make outstanding ceremony decorations. They are especially versatile for an outdoor wedding. Hang pomanders in several colors from an arbor for a ceremony in a garden. Tie the floral balls to the ends of the rows of chairs (this also makes a beautiful pew decoration for a church wedding). Pomanders look wonderful when suspended from shepherd’s hooks planted along an aisle for an outdoor ceremony. Bright colors tend to work the best, as they have a great “pop” when seen from a distance. Hot pink, lime green, yellow, or vivid purple all work beautifully. It looks fantastic to combine two bold colors, such as cherry red and lime green. The great news is that carnations can readily be dyed any color, so if you want turquoise blue pomanders, you can have them.

There are some beautiful ways to use floral pomanders to decorate your wedding reception. They look very charming when hung from the backs of the bride and groom’s chairs at the dinner table. It is a nice way to make the seats special. They can be strung along porches, placed on stands as centerpieces, or hung over tables instead of chandeliers. If you love flowers and whimsy, floral pomanders might be just what you need for your wedding decorations.

How Much Skin Should a Bride Show?

Once upon a time, all bridal gowns were modestly cut, with sleeves, long skirts, and conservative necklines. These days, however, wedding gowns run the full range and some of them are downright risque. There are gowns with low backs, short skirts, plunging necklines, and even sheer bodices which cover only the essentials. Different wedding gowns are appropriate for different types of weddings, so what works for an elopement to Vegas might not strike the right note in a cathedral. This is a look at how much skin a bride should dare to show in various types of weddings.

If you are having your wedding in a house of worship, you should always err on the side of a more conservative wedding gown. In some religious traditions, there are strict guidelines to what a bride may wear. For instance a bride who is having a Jewish Orthodox wedding must wear a gown with sleeves. Even when there is not a clear cut rule, brides should opt for a bridal gown with a more modestly cut neckline for a church wedding, and one which is at least tea length or longer. The minister does not need to see your cleavage as you stand at the altar in your white gown and pearl necklace!

When your wedding will be held in a secular venue, the choices for appropriate bridal gowns expand somewhat. A more form fitting gown would be suitable for a hotel wedding than for one in a church. Beach weddings tend to be fairly relaxed and showing more skin at the beach is generally considered acceptable. A halter wedding dress with an open back is a great look for a ceremony on the sand. A fun pearl necklace and a calf length sheer veil will ensure that the look is still bridal enough.

Short wedding gowns tend to work best in non-traditional settings like urban lofts or Vegas. If a white mini dress is your dream, be sure to choose your ceremony venue accordingly. A great way to balance out a very short wedding gown is with a more modest cut and substantial fabric. A white lace mini with three quarter sleeves and a flyaway veil will look chic and a bit vintage, whereas a skin tight dress with a low cut bodice in the same length can end up looking too “tarty”. Keep your guests in mind too; you might opt for a more risque wedding gown to wear to a gathering of your closest friends in a club, but if your grandparents will be there, plan to be a bit less daring.

Delightful Spring Wedding Themes

Flowering Branches: Some of the most iconic flowers of the spring season are the flowering branches like bright yellow forsythia and delicate pink cherry blossoms. This would be a marvelous inspiration for a spring wedding theme. Choose your favorite flowering branch, and plan the rest of the wedding decorations around it. Sunny yellow forsythia would pair beautifully with spring blossoms such as blue hyacinth and mini daffodils for centerpieces. Or choose the delicate cherry blossom, with its East-meets-West flavor, and pair it with pink peonies. Use your flowering branch motif on your wedding invitations, on the ceremony altar, and down the side of your wedding cake.

Bluebirds: Birds are another sure sign of spring, and they make a delightfully whimsical theme for a wedding. They also have a bit of a retro or vintage feeling, so bluebirds make an ideal motif for a bride who loves vintage style. If you love the look of a ’50s inspired wedding gown with pearl bridal jewelry, bluebirds would be a great fit for your celebration. Or course you will want to use your bluebirds in pairs to decorate the wedding stationery, as your cake topper, and more. Bluebirds in a nest would be so sweet as part of the centerpiece design. You can even perch heavy paper birds on the rims of wine glasses to use as the place cards at the reception. Simply charming.

Beach: After the long, dark days of winter, who isn’t ready to hit the beach? You can bring the warmth of sand and sun to your guests with a beach theme wedding, even if you live far from the ocean. Decorate your reception with magenta and orange flowers, hire a steel drum band, and wear a chiffon halter wedding gown with tropical keshi pearl bridal jewelry. Set the spirit for your spring beach theme wedding with a tiki bar serving tropical drinks like daiquiris, mai tais, and pina coladas.  Create your centerpieces from hurricane lanterns, seashells, and sand, along with the tropical flowers. Everyone will feel like they are on vacation while at your beachy spring wedding.

Baseball: For some people, the start of spring means only one thing: spring training and the return of the baseball season. If the bride and groom are sports enthusiasts, a baseball theme wedding would be a fun and casual alternative to some of the more feminine spring wedding motifs. Design your wedding invitations to look like tickets, your ceremony programs to resemble game programs, and have a groom’s cake in the shape of a baseball. Of course, stadium food like a hot dog station, cones of crisp fries, and bags of fresh roasted peanuts will have to be on the menu. Boxes of good old Cracker Jack would be fun (and affordable) wedding favors for your baseball theme wedding. This is one spring wedding theme which will be equally appealing to the men and women at the wedding.