Fashion trends to influence your wedding cake design

Fashion is a powerful force. It defines generations and bends cultural barriers, and it can even inspire culinary creations. As a cake artist with a background in the fashion industry, the runway is always a source of creative delight for me.

When it comes to wedding cakes, the design of your cake should be as unique and fashionable as your wardrobe, so here are some tips to consider when choosing an on-trend cake:

Look for inspiration

Spend an hour flipping through fashion magazines with your friends. What pops out at you as you go through the pages? Do you love the pops of neon that are so hot right now, or are you more into vintage-inspired designs that feature lace? What about shape — do you like a flowing, feminine design or something more modern and structured? You can apply this same philosophy to choosing a wedding cake design. Clip out a few photos you love (or check some out on Pinterest!) and save them for inspiration.

Find the current trends

Review the current trends. Some of the biggest trends right now are perfect for wedding cake design. For example, ruffles and rhinestones are big on the runway right now, but they are also easily re-created in the cake world as well. Fondant, gum paste and even chocolate are great bases to build up both of these trends in edible forms, and they are as delicious as they are on trend. From glittery accessories made from isomalt, sugar and shimmering disco dust to flowing fabric-like fondant, inspiration can be found in every new cut, color and cloth that walks the runway.

Really go for it

Make it count. Think of your cake as the sweet note of your event, the big hurrah that everyone looks forward to at a party. If it’s your wedding, your cake will often be the focal point of your reception and the main event that everyone looks forward to after dinner. Don’t feel as though you have to hold or downplay your cake design. Make it as fun and glittery as you want — your cake is the one place you can really let your hair down and be unique, so don’t feel you have to tone it down or go with the usual choice. Be unexpected and delightful, just like the fashions on the runway.

5 Must-dos as you prep for your wedding day

Weddings are such complicated and exciting events; it’s easy to be so caught up in the rush that you miss the day itself! Use these tips to get the very best out of the special day you've planned and worked so hard for!

Get lots of sleep the night before

Consider throwing your bachelorette party a week or two before the ceremony so you can party your heart out -- without paying for it during the ceremony. If you’re too tired to focus on your vows or a headache stops you from having a great first dance, you’ll be sad, so stock up on your beauty sleep!

Have a moment with your bridesmaids before you all walk down the aisle

Many of your girl friends will be emotional and worried as they lose you from the gang of single gals! Grab them in a group hug, let them know you love them and be together one last time. If you have a few minutes, this is also a great time to give them cards about how much their friendship means to you. A moment with just you and the girls will help calm your nerves.

Don't wear your wedding night lingerie to the ceremony

This might be obvious, but you’ll have several hours between putting on that cute lace and silk and the time when your special someone gets to see it on you. Whether it's laughing a little too hard at your reception or dancing yourself sweaty, you'll want to save the nice stuff for later, so it can look pretty and fresh when it counts.

No worrying within 24 hours of the ceremony

This means it doesn't matter if the cake icing doesn't match the bridesmaid dresses or if the flower arrangement is crooked. Your job as event planner stops the day before the wedding. After that, you just enjoy yourself. This is the key to making sure the day doesn't rush past without you. Promise yourself that you will just go with the flow, and make yourself absorb every beautiful minute and detail. You’ll be glad you did.

Focus on your husband-to-be

If, in spite of your best efforts, things get too chaotic, quiet your mind with the reassuring delight of loving and knowing the man you're going to be with for the rest of your life. Imagine the sweetness of a honeymoon with just the two of you and the life you’re building together. If you can do this, everything else starts to get trivial and you start to smile.

5 Ways to keep your bridesmaids happy

Your wedding may be the biggest day of your life, and you might be over the moon about the prospect of saying “I do,” but that doesn't give you license to embrace your bossy side.

Don’t over-schedule them

Expecting your bridesmaids to attend several bridal showers, the bachelorette and a Jack and Jill isn't fair. While they want to help, they shouldn't be expected to put their entire life on hold to plan shower games and drive all over town for every event in your honor. Rather than try to cajole all six girls to go to every shower, suggest that only one or two go to various events. They can decide amongst themselves who goes where so everyone’s happy.

Choose universally flattering dresses

Before you decide on a dress, consider your bridesmaids’ body types. If they vary vastly (one is tall, one is top-heavy, one is petite, etc.), consider letting them choose their own style in the color you've chosen. No they won’t all look uniform, but at least they’ll feel good in what they’re wearing. If they all have a similar body type, choose a dress that works with everyone's shape. Consult them and have one try the dress on before you make your final choice. The more comfortable your girls feel, the more fun they’ll have.

Keep dress costs down

Even though it’s your day and you want everything to be perfect, that doesn't mean your bridesmaids want to break the bank being part of your wedding. If the dresses you like cost over $200, offer to pay part of the cost, or find something similar for less money. Not everyone has the same financial situation and it’s not fair to assume everyone is able to spend that kind of money on expensive dresses.

Allow them some hair and makeup leeway

Not everyone looks good with an up-do and red lips. It’s OK to have a general idea of how you want your bridesmaids to look, but don’t dictate exactly how they get their hair and makeup done. Maybe they all end up with a smoky eye and coral lip, but make sure the look works with their skin tones and face shapes.

Show them you appreciate their time

It’s easy to get so caught up in the lead up to your big day that you forget to thank the people that are helping to make it possible. Give them a small gift at the end of the rehearsal dinner and also take a moment to tell them each individually how much their time and support means to you.

Wedding Photographers: Talent doesn't come cheap

Experience determines how much a photographer should cost. A new photographer (less than two years pro) would be high-minded to charge $5,000. Years of experience add to the value, so make sure to look at plenty of samples. And don't be afraid to ask to see an ‘entire event,' not just the best of.

Wedding packages can be as sparse as shooting only, to as deluxe as including e-sessions and albums. "In wedding photography, remember more is not always better. Compare two hypothetical photographers, both charging $3,000: Photographer A is also including an e-session, eight hours on the wedding day, and an album; photographer B is only providing eight hours on the wedding day. Which is the better deal? It depends — the better question is whose photographs do you like more? It may be worth it to get less now, and have photographs that are worth saving later.

It's imperative to read the contract carefully to determine what kind of deal you're getting for your money. Do you have an out if you don't like the photographer? When do you get to meet them? If its two weeks or two months before your wedding, it won't matter if you don't like them; who on earth are you going to hire at that point?

Lastly, be cautious of the lowest cost photographer. Experience, professionalism, service and quality simply aren't cheap.

TOP 5 WEDDING INVITE TRENDS

For those of you tying the knot, Beautiful Brides magazine wanted to look ahead at what's coming down for wedding invitation trends.

Newest hues

Move over black and white – fresher, more unique color combos are taking over from the more staid beiges or traditional black and white.

Marine inspiration

We've seen this color theme a lot over the past two years – in everything from clothing to accessories, and for invites, marine-inspired hues are here to stay. The soothing appeal and gentle shades seem to resonate with brides, and from pale aquamarine to deep ocean blue, oceanic tones are multipurpose and can be used for both casual gatherings and more elegant I do's.

Lavender and rose

A lavender and rose color palette is both elegant and eye-catching.

The pale, pretty tones are soft and easy on the eyes and create a more feminine look. Watch for this palette to be popular in early spring.

Lemon and lime

Fresh, bold and fruity, an invitation color palette that incorporates bright yellow and lime-green is great for brides who want an element of fun in their nuptials. Ideal for an outdoor summer wedding, yellows and greens are also easily carried over into place settings, décor and floral arrangements.

Deep purple

Purple is one color that rarely goes out of style and we see it year after year – with good reason. Deep shades will become more prominent, taking over from some of the lighter shades.

Make it mineral

Often used in decorating, these understated and natural colors will carry forward into next year.

Watch for raw material tones such as jade, copper, slate and gravel to dominate invitation color palettes, both in printed pieces and in paper stock.

Bride on a budget: 3 Ways to save on your wedding

According to the 2012 Wedding Report, the average cost for a wedding in the U.S. is $25,600. Depending on what part of the country you live in, your wedding expenses could easily be double that amount — or even more.

 

What’s a couple to do when they don’t want to compromise on their wedding, yet don't want to start their new lives together saddled in debt? Well, plenty!

Thanks again to the internet, there are so many amazing ways to keep your wedding costs down without losing its high-end gloss. To help you save on costs but not on style, here are a few amazing businesses every bride should know about.

Discounted duds

Dreaming of a designer gown but want to allocate a high amount of funds elsewhere? Be sure to check out Lightinthebox.com. While the name may be a bit misleading, the site is home to a wide variety of “couture-esque” wedding dresses. Most gowns cost under $500 but look like a million bucks! They also carry bridesmaids, flower girl and reception dresses.

Alternatively, should you decide to spring for the real thing and discover that you have spent more than you budgeted on your wedding gown (it happens to the best of us), your accessory budget will most likely now be zero. Don’t fret! Just simply rent your accessories from happilyeverborrowed.com. This online treasure chest will save you about 80 percent on gorgeous wedding jewelry, tiaras, clutches and veils.

Frugal flowers

It’s no secret — flowers are another huge wedding expense. While creating your own floral masterpieces may seem like an economical option, let’s stop and really think about this for a moment. During one of the busiest times in your life, does this DIY solution really seem practical? If your schedule allows it, great! If not, there are a number of websites like bridesign.com and fiftyflowers.com that offer a hybrid solution. These companies prepare all of your flower needs based on your color combinations and choice of bridesmaid dresses. Premade arrangements are then shipped to you directly, covering everything from the boutonnieres, to the bouquets, to the center pieces. All have reasonably priced packages that can be adjusted to the size of your bridal party and event.

Ask for help

Lastly, do not hesitate to ask your family and friends for help. Tens of thousands of brides add cash-gift funds to their wedding registries on MyRegistry.com. Doing so helps to cover some wedding expenses, honeymoon costs and the purchasing of other items necessary for your big day. You can keep your wedding fund together with your other gifts, and your family and friends can contribute by using a credit card. Many couples are marrying later in life and do not really need a lot of new appliances. However, they do not want to compromise on the wedding itself. In any scenario, your guests will be happy knowing that they are directly contributing to the most important day of your life and helping to make it even better!

Cash gift etiquette for weddings

 Is there anything better than cash while you are knee-deep in debt planning your wedding? I don’t think so.

With the average cost of a wedding hovering around the $27,000 mark, any reprieve is welcomed by cash-strapped couples. This is why more and more soon-to-be newlyweds are registering for cash gifts in one form or another.

What are your options?

So, how does one tastefully ask or register for cash? Well, there are numerous ways to do so, and it can help to defray some of the major wedding expenses when done correctly. You can set up Cash Gift Funds on your registry, which give you a bit more flexibility on their usage. Another option is to utilize a honeymoon fund website to help cover the specific costs attached to your dream getaway. Either way, these funds are especially helpful when so many brides today have no need for new household items, or what would be considered traditional gift registry fare, as these types of items have already been accumulated.

With the etiquette taboo on asking for cash mostly lifted, people are no longer surprised to hear that about 75 percent of the engaged couples using MyRegistry.com register for cash gifts. These cash gift funds can sit among other tangible gifts, or alone. They describe the purpose of the funds with images and text to make them personalized and “tasteful.” While many of our members do use their cash gift funds to help pay for their honeymoon, general wedding funds are not uncommon either.

What will guests think?

Surprisingly, many wedding guests really do want to give cash, especially if they know what it is going toward. Be sure to be specific on your cash gift funds and tell the story of what and why. If it is for your honeymoon, tell your wedding guests where you are going and why you chose that particular destination. Let your guests know what they are participating in so that they can feel like a part of the process. Wedding gifts are for your loved ones, friends and family to help you and your partner start your new life together with whatever means the most to you. So, if that means letting you afford the wedding of your dreams, let them know and they will be happy to help!