Category: Weddings

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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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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.

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Spend For Those Designer Wedding Dresses And Look Fabulous On Your Big Day

When it comes to planning your wedding day, the most important item in your list is probably your wedding gown. Wedding favours and wedding cakes come in secondary to your wedding gown. However, if you are operating on a tight budget, you usually go for ready-made gowns or those displayed in some least costly but reputable bridal shops. After all, this is perhaps the most important day of your life and you don’t want to be walking down the aisle with a dress that you cannot count on to last for at least the entire duration of the ceremony.

On another note, if you come from the high end of the society, then you can afford to buy those designer wedding dresses. You don’t have to be the presidential daughter, a Hollywood star or a politician’s family member for you to take advantage of the best minds in the wedding couture world. You simply either have to have a very rich fiancé or a very fat savings (read: budget for your wedding day).Or you have very generous friends who have whole-heartedly contributed to your designer wedding gown!

Bridal gown

Here are the big names that you can choose from:

Monique Lhuillier

This US-based Filipina comes from a family who owns one of the giant chain of pawnshops in the Philippines. Being part of a high profile clan, Monique had the chance and access to the best fashion schools in the world. Thus, her flair for fashion (exhibited at age 14) was reinforced by her degree from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM).

Monique’s line of designer wedding dresses caught the eye of the public when she designed her own the dresses of her own wedding entourage. This led her to take care of the gowns of Christine Baumgartner (in her wedding to Kevin Costner) and Britney Spears (in her wedding to Kevin Federline).

This multi-awarded designer is known for pretty dresses that introduce a “fluid look.”

Vera Wang

Raised by an affluent American family of Chinese descent, Vera was once a figure skater taking part in various national competitions. When she failed to make it to the US team for the Olympics, she turned her back on sports and welcomed the fashion industry.

Her corporate experience included being Vogue’s editor for 16 years and rubbing elbows with Ralph Lauren. It was in 1990 that she opened her own shop in New York, displaying her trademark designer wedding dresses. Her work has the reputation of “a modern, sophisticated approach to classic style.”

Among her celebrity clients are Jessica Simpson, Victoria Beckham, Mariah Carey and Sharon Stone, among others.

Michelle Roth

This designer was born to fashion, as her parents own a famous Australian bridal label, Henri Josef. Thus, Michelle has fashion and creativity on her blood. She started her own collection of designer wedding dresses in 1990, working with her brother.

Her works have been featured in numerous talk shows including, among others, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Martha Stewart Living and Entertainment Tonight.

Designer wedding dresses could really get expensive. However, if you can afford it, why not get one? Again, it’s the most important day of your life and pictures of you will be immortalized in a number of photo albums. It’s just proper to look fabulous on the start of “the rest of your life.”