Author: Olga Pomeransky

Olga is manager at Best for Bride since 2005. Currently Best for Bride operates 4 bridal stores in Canada (Toronto, Etobicoke, Hamilton and Barrie). Best for Bride sells wedding, bridemaids, mob dresses and more. https://www.bestforbride.com/
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Wedding Cakes: Tracing Their Rich History

The history of wedding cakes and the tradition attached to them are rich. Before wedding cakes came to be what they are now, they’ve passed a lot of stages, all of which are equally interesting and intriguing.

Wedding cake

During the Roman times, the concept of elaborate wedding cake decorations and icings was not yet a reality. For instance, the groom is supposed to eat part of the wedding loaf. He would then break the remaining portion and it must be broken over the bride’s head. This symbolizes the groom’s dominance over the bride. This tradition, however, has long been eradicated possibly because of its chauvinistic implications.

Also, in the olden times, small cakes (more like today’s cupcakes) are stacked to form the wedding cakes. The notion of a white wedding cake is also very popular and was connected to affluence. Because ingredients used to make up the white icing are hard to come by, only those who can afford to travel to other places just to get hold of these cake “materials” can come up with white wedding cakes.

Wedding cake

Interestingly, in the 17th century, the idea of sleeping on a piece of cake became very popular. They say that if you put a piece of the wedding cake underneath your pillow, you will dream about your future spouse. In the 18th century, this tradition on wedding cakes evolved into the brides passing tiny cake crumbs through their wedding rings. These crumbs are then placed underneath the pillows.

Later on, the traditional wedding cake slicing that we see today came about. The bride, with the help of the groom, creates two slices, and together, they eat that part of the cake. As this is the first task that that the couple does together, this act symbolizes their never-ending promise of supporting each other for the rest of their married life.

Then came the multi-layered and elaborately designed cakes of many colors that we see today. Wedding cakes are not only white in color; today, the couple can experiment with different colors, usually making it consistent with the theme and the motif of the wedding.

Still, another interesting fact about this tradition is that the couple tries to save the topmost tier of their wedding cakes. They preserve and freeze it for use during their first anniversary. But you don’t get to see this anymore today as the elaborate decorations make the cake more vulnerable.

What proved to be a traditional and simple creation of cakes — or loaves of bread as in the olden times — now became a design extravaganza. Numerous cake and pastry houses specialize on the design of wedding cakes. The internet even has a wide selection of wedding cakes.

In conclusion, just like the wedding ceremony itself, the history and tradition of wedding cakes have come a long way. Some practices have long been eradicated while others survived the test of time and modernity.

If you prefer a traditional wedding, then you’d surely insert some of the practices that survived in the ceremony and at the reception. Otherwise, you can skip these and just go directly to the sole purpose of the occasion. The most important thing however, is that you’ve respected the solemnity of the event and the importance of this sacrament.

BestForBride.com is all about weddings – from wedding favours to designer wedding dresses and wedding cakes. Visit us today.

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Plus Size? Take Those Worries Away and Look Super on Your Wedding Day With Plus Size Wedding Dresses

Yes, it’s the fault of the magazines and fashion shows. They always feature slim, skinny and Miss-Body-Beautiful ladies as the bride. However, this is not always the case. What if you are not that gifted in terms of body size? What if you are not slim? Don’t you have the chance to look fabulous on your wedding day anymore?

Of course you do! Thank goodness for shops that feature and sell plus size wedding dresses! Yes, you read it right, there are bridal boutiques that take pride in making women who are not that skinny and not that slim look fabulous on the most important day of their lives. There are bridal shops that specialize on plus size wedding dresses.

But how do you know that you’ve done everything you can just so you can take the full benefit of plus size wedding dresses? Here’s how.

Plus size wedding gown

You’ve Considered your Body Type

Women differ not only in terms of weight but also in terms of body type. Look at yourself and assess. There are bodies that are just “too voluptuous” while others are cone-shaped. Still, others are shaped like a pear.

Once you’ve identified your specific body type, then it would be easier for you to select from many styles of plus size wedding dresses. There are specific styles appropriate for each type of figure.

Better yet, to make your trip to your bridal shop more efficient, research in advance the style that you want. The Internet is a rich source of plus size wedding dresses that fit every body type. Also, your couturier could give you all the help that you need in coming up with a fabulous wedding dress.

Wedding dress

In relation to body type is height. Make sure that in choosing from among many plus size wedding dresses, you’ve considered how the dress would score against your height. Remember, if you are not that tall, you must avoid floor-sweeping gowns. You should carry the gown, not the other way around.

You’ve Considered Simplicity

Wedding dresses have the license to bear frills and ribbons. These accents are best for slim and skinny women. However, these decorative indulgences are a no-no for plus size wedding dresses. Rather than making the wearer look more fabulous, these extras would add weight to plus size women.

The best plus size wedding dresses are the simplest ones. You just need to know your asset so you would know what part of your body to emphasize. The others could then be well concealed by stylish layers of clothing.

You’ve Considered Comfort

Needless to say comfort should be among your primary criteria in choosing your bridal gown. In your effort to look slim, you may choose a gown with a corset bodice. But this might create inconvenience for you come eating time. Thus, to make you look more fabulous on your wedding day, consider plus size wedding dresses that let you walk, eat and dance comfortably.

Every woman should have a shot at her own happy ending — regardless of size. Thanks to plus size wedding dresses, even women who are not that slim can still look great on the most important day of her life, her wedding day!

 

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Dressing For The Wedding Party In Evening Dresses

When you’re invited to a wedding ceremony, unless you are the bride, you are either part of the wedding entourage or just one of the special people chosen to witness such a memorable event. If you are part of the latter, then, you’d also definitely feel the pressure of finding the perfect dress to wear on that special day. Well, girls will be girls, right?

But will you go and rummage your closet for the perfect dress or would you spend money on getting a new frock? More ladies would opt for the latter. You’ll take your friend’s or your family member’s wedding as an excuse for scouting for evening dresses.

Evening dress

But out of the many designs of evening dresses available, both displayed in your favorite shop or on the Internet, how do you know which one to pick? Here are a few suggestions.

Get into the Motif

Guests and visitors who are not part of the entourage need not “take part” of the wedding motif. However, since you’re already there, why not be in line with the motif? It’s another excuse to buy a new dress, right?

Upon receiving the invitation, you’d immediately ask for the theme or the motif of the wedding. This will surely excite you, especially if you don’t have a gown that fits the theme, because you are setting yourself to another evening dresses quest. You can ask your girlfriends, or you boyfriend, to go with you in search for the perfect dress on a Venetian-red-wedding ceremony, for example.

Go for Comfort

Needless to say, you must also come to the party feeling comfortable about yourself and about what you are wearing. Therefore, this must be one of your criteria, if not the most important criterion, in looking for the best evening dresses.

For example, if you are not comfortable with going bra-less or using strapless bra, then don’t choose a strapless evening gown. Otherwise, you would look funny with your bra straps visible. If you’re not comfortable with a short dress, then don’t get one just because that gown looks fabulous on you. You run the risk of constantly pulling it down during the entire ceremony.

Mother of the bride dress

Comfort is not only applicable to evening dresses. See to it that you’re comfortable with your shoes as well. It’s a no-no to wear your new shoes for the first time during the wedding, or any special occasion. You’d end up having blisters and limping while walking to the reception.

As there are traditional activities that are carried out during the reception, the need for wearing a comfortable evening dress and a pair of shoes is paramount.

Get into Your Purpose

No, I’m not talking about stealing the groom away. Wearing a dress has a purpose other than covering yourself. Before you choose from a myriad of choices of evening dresses, ask yourself: what is my purpose? Am I to flaunt my curves or am I going for elegance?

If you’re heavy-busted and you want to flaunt that asset, for example, then evening dresses with low neckline would work best for you. This is a gaze-turner especially if you’re looking for a potential partner.

However, if you just want to stay on the sidelines and not attract too much attention, then elegance is the name of the game. Black is still the most elegant color but in some countries, guests are forbidden to wear evening dresses of this shade.

But remember, try not to overshadow the bride. Don’t steal her thunder. This is still her wedding day and the fact remains: she is and she must be the most beautiful lady in the room.

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Price Busters Wedding Invitations

As the worldwide economic recession continues to haunt all of us, it is depressing to know that even wedding budgets have to be cut down as well. If you’re getting married anytime soon, then surely you have been stressing your brains and hearts out just to cover every wedding preparation detail with your meagre budget. How could such funds take care of all the wedding invitations, bridesmaid dresses, wedding favours and of course, your bridal gown?

Fret no more as there’s one department of the entire wedding-day-traditional-preparation that you can cut cost on, your wedding invitations! Yes, these important and official bearers of the good news need not be expensive. Here are a few tips on how to save on your expenses for wedding invitations.

wedding invitation

Learn About the Trade

They say that an informed customer gets the most reasonable deals. And this is also true in wedding invitations. These cards could cost you a lot if you don’t know what you’re getting into. Use the internet to know about the common printing methods. Naturally, most the elegant printing method could cost you more. If a simpler technique could get your message across, then by all means, use it. Experts suggest laser printing as this is the least expensive.

You also should learn about papers when designing your wedding invitations. Visit various stores first before you buy the stationery item of your choice. You’ll learn than paper boutiques have higher mark up’s as compared to bookstores and other general merchandise outlets.

Go for the Basics

Letting go of the extras in wedding invitations could really make you save. Do away with those buttons, strings and other decorative items. Keep your cards as simple but as informative as ever. You’d thank yourself for doing so come mailing time as an extra weight would also cost you more.

Wedding invitations

Invite Less People

If you really are tight on budget, then nobody would blame you for inviting only the most important people in your — and your fiancé’s — life. This is truly one of the surest ways to save on your expenses on wedding invitations. Naturally, because you have less people to inform and to gather for your special day, you have less notices to send out.

Use the Internet

Get practical. Use electronic invitation cards for friends who have regular access to the Internet. Surely, your comrades won’t mind. It’s more convenient for them as well as they don’t have to carry those stationery sets on their way to your wedding.

Plus, you can send these electronic wedding invitations to as many people as you can (at a time), provided that you have their email addresses, of course! Not only will this technique let you save on cost, but on your time as well. With electronic wedding invitations, a simple mouse click — or a series of clicks, to be more realistic about it — would replace the effort of writing down the addresses on each envelope and mailing them.

You see, wedding invitations (and weddings, in general) need not be expensive to become successful. As long as they fulfill their primary goal – that is in informing everyone about your big day – then you’re good to go. You need spend so much on it. After all, the ceremony itself is just the start of your life together… you still have the rest of your life to prepare for.