The evening doesn’t need to end with wedding cake. After a few hours of dancing and socializing, your guests will have worked up an appetite. It’s a perfect time to bring out some grub for late night noshing.
Providing a snack is a great way to put an unexpected final touch on a perfect day. Whether it is simple or extravagant, it is sure to be appreciated by your guests – and will make your event memorable and unique. Here are a few tips for planning an evening snack.
Have fun when planning this mini-meal. The food can be catered or a do-it-yourself feast. It can be a super casual spread or a unique gourmet treat. It is a perfect place to incorporate your personalities. If you both love caramel popcorn and milkshakes, serve it! Some other food ideas are: sandwiches, pizza, mini-burgers, crackers & cheese, pretzels & dip, chips & salsa, fruit & dip, chocolate chip cookies & milk, and ice cream sundae stations.
Provide beverages. In addition to food, provide non-alcoholic drinks such as soda, punch, or virgin cocktails. Guests who will be driving home after the festivities may choose to stop drinking alcoholic drinks at this time.
Offer doggie bags for guests. Provide a way for your guests to take leftovers back to their hotel rooms. This will be particularly appreciated by guests who may need to leave the reception early with children.
Let your reception hall know about the snack. The hall may provide dishes and napkins at no additional charge. They may also have special requests for when or where the snack is served.
Arrange to have someone serve and clean-up. Your reception hall may be responsible for cleaning the facility after the event, but this should not include the snack unless otherwise agreed upon. Ask a close family member or friend to take care of the details for you.
The wedding dance heard ’round the world, this video posted on YouTube features a wedding processional unlike any other – and it took place next door in St. Paul, MN.
Luckily, some traditions change over the years. For example, the wedding cake was not always eaten by guests – but broken over the bride’s head!
No joke: in Roman times, a small loaf of cake was broken over the bride’s head at the end of the ceremony. The wheat in the cake symbolized fertility and good luck for the couple.
Cakes are no longer simple wheat cakes, but beautifully created pieces of art available in multitudes of flavors with various frostings. Today’s cakes are personalized and unique to the couple and the theme of the wedding.
Cake Trends
One of the latest trends in wedding cakes is sparkle. Jewels that once adorned the bride’s gown are now being placed onto the cake.
Wedding cakes are becoming more elaborate. To add sparkle, cakes are accented with Swarovski crystals and jewels. The look can also be achieved through frostings that have an opalescent shimmer or through ribbon with glitter accents.
While fresh flowers continue to be popular cake décor, many are using pastillage, a sugar dough used to make handmade decorations. Pastillage flowers often appear to be real, yet are edible. They are a delicate creation that only an experienced, professional cake artist can make properly.
Another trend is the return of the groom’s cake, a tradition from years ago and popular in the southern states. Groom’s cakes are usually smaller, darker (often chocolate) cakes. They often resemble a tuxedo or a hobby of the groom, such as a cake in the shape of a football for the sports enthusiast. They can be served during the groom’s dinner the evening before the wedding, as they traditionally were served, or at the wedding.
According to superstition, unwed wedding guests looking to find their mate should take a piece of the groom’s cake home and place it under their pillow; that very night they will have dreams of their future spouse.
Cake Tips Because the cake is the wedding reception centerpiece, you’ll want to find a talented cake artist. When shopping for a baker, don’t forget the most important part: taste testing! Not only is it fun, it’s essential. You want to make sure that your baker not only makes beautiful cakes, but tasty cakes.
When planning the cake, you’ll be faced with several decisions: what shape, how many tiers, what flavors, what type of frosting, what colors, what cake topper and the list goes on. When discussing cake costs make sure that all fees are discussed, including the creation of handmade decorations and delivery and setup of the cake. Cakes are typically priced on a “per serving” basis, often between $2-6 per piece or more. To save costs, some couples have a smaller showpiece cake and sheetcakes. Simple cakes with few accessories will typically be less expensive as well.
Bring magazine clippings of cakes you like to your cake baker. By having an idea of what you want, planning your wedding cake will be, well, a piece of cake!
They are your best friends and sisters. Dress your bridesmaids in gowns that they will feel and look great in.
Step One – Begin Shopping Early
Begin looking for bridesmaid gowns eight to 12 months before the wedding. If possible, make separate shopping trips for the bridal gown and the bridesmaid dresses. It is usually easier to find your bridal gown first, and then look for your maids’ attire. Shop at several bridal shops. Each shop should have similar styles yet will have a different selection of designers. Some designers will be exclusive to that store in that area.
Step Two – Choose a Color The bridesmaid gowns will be a prominent display of your wedding theme color. Make sure that you choose a color that will be readily available in bridal fashion. If you can, wait to solidify the color theme until you’ve found the bridesmaid gowns. Choose a color that will be flattering on fair to dark skin tones. If you have already set your color theme and are having trouble finding a gown that you like within this theme, you may order black gowns with a colored belt or wrap.
Step Three – Choose Style Have your bridesmaids try on a variety of fashion styles. Do not become too attached to a specific style before seeing a variety of styles on your bridesmaids’ different body types. For example, do not just try strapless gowns; try halter and sweetheart necklines, too.
The latest trend in bridesmaid fashion is coordinating, not matching – that is, to make your maids look like cousins, rather than identical twin sisters. Each maid may wear the same color gown of varying styles, or the same style gown of varying colors. You’ll fast become a favorite if you allow your bridesmaids to choose what gown looks best on them.
If each girl will be wearing the same style of gown, make sure that you choose a style that will be flattering on each. Have more than one person try on the gown to see what it will look like on different body types.
Step Four – Order the Gowns When you have found the dress, place the order as soon as possible, at least six months prior to the wedding to allow time for delivery and alterations. Be sure to talk with your bridal boutique if you need the gowns sooner; rush delivery is usually available. Each maid will need to stop by the shop to get measured or will need to call the shop with their measurements.
Involve your bridesmaids in shopping for their dress. With this, you’ll have happy, great-looking maids.
Your honeymoon may be the first trip you will take as a couple. Regardless of what you do, it will probably be a memorable vacation. Make your memories spectacular by taking these steps.
1. Before you leave, research your destination and make a list of “must do” activities – not just a mental list, but a written list. While on your honeymoon, be spontaneous – don’t live by a schedule. However, keep your list handy and make an effort to cross off each item on the list.
2. Once you arrive at your destination, visit the grocery store and stock up on breakfast and picnic supplies. A quick trip to the store may result in romantic breakfasts in bed and relaxing picnic lunches on the beach. This will also save you money.
3. Plan a surprise for your spouse. Bring along a small gift. Have flowers delivered to your hotel room. Arrange to have a limo pick you up at the airport. Upgrade your room to a suite. Have strawberries and champagne delivered to your room. Go out of your way to surprise your new spouse and make him/her feel special.
4. Set the mood. Next to your socks and swimming suit, pack candles (and matches), bubble bath, soft music and other romantic items. These items will turn great evenings into fantastic, memorable ones.
5. Announce that it’s your honeymoon. Tell the hotel. Tell the restaurants. Tell the taxi driver. You may be surprised at how many perks you’ll receive!
6. If you’ve sprung for the honeymoon suite, enjoy it. Plan to spend an evening alone in your room. Order room service. Enjoy the Jacuzzi. Sit on the balcony and watch the sunset. Spend an evening doing nothing but relaxing in a comfortable room together.
7. Splurge, if only just once. Splurge on something you both love. If food is a passion, make reservations at a fancy restaurant and ignore the prices. If you want the ultimate in relaxation, plan a beachside couple’s massage. If you’ll be traveling by car, upgrade your rental to a convertible.
Luckily, some traditions change over the years. For example, the wedding cake was not always eaten by guests – but broken over the bride’s head!