Crazy Cakes

Have you been so consumed with your wedding planning you forgot about a gift for your new husband? Or have you planned your whole event and then forgot about doing something personalized and unique? Fears no longer… get a cake! I do not mean go to Costco and put your face on a cake… but get a unique 3-D cake that will blow your groom and/or guests away. I bet you have seen Cake Boss on TLC or Charm City Cakes on the Food Network; those are the type of cakes I am talking about! If you are really on a budget then it might not be the best idea to purchase a cake, but enlist the help of your baker friends and make it yourself.

If you are getting the cake as a grooms cake and gift, make it something that he loves or a place he enjoys. My friend had a cake for her groom who went to Ohio State as the Stadium! It was amazing and they used it at their rehearsal dinner. It is always a great surprise for a groom since most of the wedding focuses on the bride; he finally is the one getting a great gift! Being creative when it comes to a groom cake is the name of the game. Think hard about what he would like and what you would like. Don’t get him something you want and say “he always loves this.”

For an event, go big or go home! If you have the budget to spend why not! It can really make a huge difference and be the talk of the event. A grand cake can be used as the centerpiece for the event and can tie all of the different aspects together. If it is for a huge birthday, bridal shower or baby shower there are so many cute and semi cheap things you can do that will surprise the guest of honor and not your bank account.

Regardless of what the purpose of the cake is for it is a great idea. It is special and unique and will be the talk of your wedding or event! Talk to your catering company about doing a specialty cake, they may be able to make one themselves or know a good company.

Photos From:

www.charmcitycakes.com/gallery

http://carlosbakery.com/

http://www.nollycakes.co.uk/

Fanciful Feathers

I have a new love and it is feathers! Recently brides have been wearing them in their hair, adding them to flower arrangements and putting them on their cake. Although I do admit some people take it over the edge or do not make it look pleasing at all, there is a romantic and fun way to add feathers into your wedding or event. You can normally find cheaper colored feathers, but I would try and stick with nicer feathers if using them for your event. The ostrich feather is a fun large feather that added together in a bunch can create a beautiful centerpiece. I am more obsessed about peacock feathers. They have gorgeous colors and are so fun! There are so many ways to add feathers into your wedding or event. Weather you want there be a feather theme or just accents of feathers, you can do it. Here are some simple or crazy ways to add feather to your wedding or event.

• In  your hair
• On your dress, creating an amazing cascade down the dress
• On invitations
• As centerpieces
• In the bouquet
• On the cake (can even just use the design of a feather on the cake)
• On the tablecloths
• As decorations
• On escort cards or table numbers
• Drinks inspired by animals that have feathers… don’t want to put feathers in a drink
• Food inspired by feathers
• On your garter
• On the ring pillow
• Instead of flowers use feathers for the “feather” girl
• On the ceremony programs

The opportunity to add feathers is really endless. Make it modern, vintage, homespun or high end.

Photos From:

Daily.wedshare.com

Blog.iplanitright.com

www.baroncards.com

www.weddingsonthefrenchrivera.com

paperolive.blogspot.com

www.pinkfrosting.com.au

www.snaptacularphotos.com

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

With some places in the United States already receiving snow... it only seemed necessary to begin looking at the wonder that is a winter wedding. Just because it is snowy and cold outside does not mean you need to sacrifice your creativity or love for the outdoors. I love the softness and innocence of winter... the crisp whites, browns and greens of the evergreen tress. If you have ever seen the show "friends" you know about the amazing winter wedding of Phoebe (I watched that episode last night... no wonder i cannot get it off my mind). If you don't want to have an outdoor wedding and reception do you wedding pictures or engagement pictures outside in the snow. They look gorgeous! Engagement pictures by Alyssa Ann Photography.

If you are thinking about having an outdoor winter snowy wedding you can really use any kind of colors you want. Go for softer colors for a more romantic and soft feel or bold colors that pop. Make sure you and all your guests have good coats and use heaters around the tent our ceremony location. Also have fun... Use the snow in creative ways and don't let it damper the wedding but make it more lively and interesting. Here are some great pictures I love of winter weddings... Also don't plan a winter snowy wedding in a place you know will probably not have snow. These types of weddings make better sense in an area that gets a lot of snow and knows how to effectively deal with it!

Photos From:

http://www.jessicaclaire.net/

http://www.charlottegeary.com/

http://robinroemer.com/

http://grazierphotography.blogspot.com/

http://www.oncewed.com/7754/diy-wedding/reception-tables/diy-kitschy-winter-table/

http://frostyweddings.blogspot.com/

http://www.mydreamwedding.ca/

http://www.tristalerit.com/

http://www.thingsfestive.com/

An Artsy Wedding

I recently had the honor to work a wedding at the Corcoran Art Gallery in Washington, DC. The Corcoran is a gallery and an art school featuring both classical and modern art. The gallery itself was fantastic, but the wedding was amazing, with many touches that brought the art theme throughout the wedding. An art gallery is an amazing place to hold a wedding and reception since they normally have great architecture and layout, plus have great visuals for all the guests. The Corcoran has then great burnt orange/red walls, which the couple utilized when thinking of their colors, flowers and lighting. With great red and orange flowers, sliver linens and gold lighting, the place looked amazing. Sometimes adding lighting can change the coloring of a venue and allow you to use the colors you really want. Think about adding some under lighting to the event to create a new angle on a venue. The couple also had great escort card and table numbers. To continue the art theme, each table was labeled by an artist with a picture the artist had done. The escort cards were postcards, in a multitude of paintings, all done by one of the artists on a table. The guests then had to match their artist postcard to the artist table. How creative and different, I really loved this idea! The ceremony was my favorite part of the event since it was done on the grand staircase of the Corcoran gallery framed by statues. It brought great attention to the couple and made for a truly unique ceremony.

If you are thinking about doing your wedding or event in an art gallery, make sure you talk to the venue first. Some places do not allow guests to walk around, and if that was your whole plan, then you may need to look else ware. Make sure that your wedding colors and the colors within the building do not clash and will work well together. Some gallery’s may have multiple rooms or great outdoor areas so you can tailor your event or wedding. There are so many different kinds of art galleries that you can be really creative and let your inter artist shine!

There are so many creative things that you can do at an art gallery or at other places:

• Serve drinks named after artists or paintings
• As a guest book have people paint on canvases to say congrats. It will be interesting to see what people come up with.
• Have a treasure hunt using clues about the gallery/paintings and have people be able to go through during cocktail hour
• Instead of doing the event their have pictures at a gallery

Also depending on the type of art gallery you are working with it is important to ask some questions:

• How many guests can be accommodated?
• Are tables and chairs supplied?
• What caterers can be used, if any?
• Can guests tour the gallery?
• What kind of music can be at the wedding/event?
• Can alcohol be served?
• Are there limitations on decorating the venue?
• How much is a rental and for how many hours… some galleries can be expensive.

http://corcoran.org/

Destination of the Week: Fiji

Whether you are looking for your perfect honeymoon spot or a location for your destination wedding, Fiji is the perfect place. Located in the Pacific Ocean near Australia it is a made up of islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Leva are the two largest. The best time to go to Fiji is their dry season from May to October, yet for the best prices consider going from December to April (sucks that they don’t overlap). Fiji is exotic, tranquil and unspoiled. There are many things that you can do while in Fiji, especially if you visit more than one island. From hiking, to beaches, scuba diving and tanning…Fiji has it all. Take in the surroundings and culture of the exotic Fiji Islands! Read fifime.com’s Wedding Guide:

http://www.fijime.com/romanceme/pdf/FVB_Wedding_Home.pdf

Pictures from:

www.TheKnot.com

http://stylefrizz.com/

http://www.weddings-abroad.com/

http://www.bivfiji.com/portfolio/