The wedding dress is usually one of the most important things that reminds a bride of her wedding day. Nonetheless, it is a dress that is seldom worn more than once. Unless you plan to have a vow renewal ceremony wearing your original wedding dress years later, or wish to hand it down as an heirloom for the future generations, it will usually just be boxed and sit in your closet in the years to come.
Although most brides aren’t too eager to sell off their wedding dresses soon after they are married, many decide to let it go after a while. When you think that you’ve spent a huge amount of money on it, it is pretty sensible to recoup some of that amount by selling it. This money could be used to celebrate a honeymoon, or it could go into the family’s financial budget, wedding day debt or a similar need. Then there are also those dresses that are sold for other reasons. It could be that the marriage didn’t work out and the bride decides to give up everything that reminds her of it. Or, it could be that the bride wasn’t sure she wanted to wear the dress she bought, and so decided to sell it and buy another.
Your wedding cake is the highlight of your wedding menu. A spectacular wedding cake is a luxury, and one that highlights your personal style and the essence of your wedding décor. The sky is the limit, where options for wedding cakes are concerned, and all you have to do is dream up your vision of sweet charm. Your baker will work hard to make it come true.
Here, we will take a look at the trending favorites in wedding cakes this year.
Adding a touch of personality
More and more couples choose to personalize every element at their wedding with their own special touch. This extends to their choice for wedding cake colors, toppers and decorations too. With inspiration flowing in from every nook and corner on the internet, it is now possible to craft your wedding cake exactly as you want it with unique ideas.
Wedding cakes can tell your story, and be a reflection of your personalities. Basing the design on the place where you got engaged, your favorite pastime or a cake topper that is a replica of the couple can make your cake truly unique and personal.
Flowers and flavors that match the wedding theme
The wedding cake becomes an integral part of the wedding décor, immediately after it is revealed. So couples have been paying close attention to make sure that it reflects the ambiance of the venue, and the tone of the wedding. Formal events have tiered cakes in classic round or square shapes with designs matching the flower arrangements and décor elements, while modern casual weddings usually bring fun to the reception table in the form of whimsical topsy-turvy cakes.
While sugar flowers are regulars on wedding cakes, the trend is towards using huge compositions in edible flowers and fashionable blossoms such as hydrangeas and roses to imbue the tone of the wedding into the cake. The designs are becoming bigger and bolder, and 3D laser cut flowers are also gaining popularity as stylish wedding cake accessories.
Unlike when everyone chose to play it safe with traditional flavors, brides and grooms are now more daring with the flavors they choose. Rich indulgent tastes in ganache and caramel are being experimented with, so the guests really enjoy a unique experience with every bite.
Glittering metal and glamour in lace
Continuing from 2014, this year too has cakes adorned with metallic shimmer. Adding bling to the reception buffet are cakes decorated in gold, silver, bronze and copper tones. They inject instant style to any setting and are appropriate for any venue or wedding theme. While golden leaves and blossoms continue to be the classic choice, brides are also opting for metallic shimmers in dahlias, peonies and other edible hand-painted sugar flowers and similar designs.
The trend of matching the cake to the bridal dress, by adding delicate lace designs to it’s surface also continues to be a favorite. While white is the all-time favorite color, pastels and grays appear in patterns to create a pleasant effect.
For more fantastic wedding cake designs, check out our cake gallery at Best for Bride. Sweet indulgence and unbelievable creativity awaits you!
Every wedding dress starts with the fabric it is created from. The possibilities in wedding fabrics are endless, from opulent silks and satins to rustling taffeta and flowing chiffon.
Did you know that by simply varying the fabric of a wedding gown, the entire effect and feel of the dress is altered?
This is because there are many factors that the fabric of your gown determines—how the dress drapes, it’s pattern, and cut and whether it is suitable for the venue and weather on your wedding day. So, the textile you choose has a huge bearing on how you will look on your big day, and a basic knowledge of the different fabrics will help you choose your gown better.
Let us take a quick look at the various fabrics used in constructing wedding gowns and the features that characterize each of them.
To make it easier for you to understand, we have divided them into two categories: Soft flowing and Structured.
Soft Flowing
Chiffon: Made from silk or silk blends with manmade fibres, chiffon is sheer and soft. It drapes well, is transparent and is a good choice for warm weather.
Georgette: Made from polyester or silk, it resembles crepe but is very lightweight. The material is not entirely transparent, and it’s a good choice for summer.
Tulle: This fabric resembles a very fine net; it is stiffer than chiffon and adds volume to a gown. Tulle is crisp and see-through; it is the choice for wedding veils and is often mixed with other fabrics.
Structured
Silk: Synonymous with luxury, silk adds an elegant and formal touch to any wedding gown. Available in different forms, from smooth mikado to charmeuse, silk wedding gowns are the epitome of style and sophistication. While raw silk is the textured type, other forms of silk are characterized by their sheen.
Satin: Plain, lustrous and shiny, satin is luxurious and has a heavy structure. Duchess Satin and Larissa Satin are the two types used in wedding gowns, and it is an ideal choice for a formal wedding. However, the heavy structure would make it inappropriate for an outdoor wedding, but it is an ideal choice for cooler weather.
Crepe: Lightweight and crinkly, crepe is a soft fabric that is created by blending silk and man-made fibres. It flows elegantly and softly hugs your body. It emphasizes your curves, as it has an excellent drape.
Taffeta: Characterized by the rustle it creates with movement, taffeta is made from silk or a silk blend. The fabric has a glassy sheen and a definite structure. It is often used in ballgown skirts and gowns that need to hold their structure and look poufy rather than fall gently.
Organza/Organdy: Two fabrics that sound similar but are different for the fact that while organza is made of silk, organdy is cotton. Both are crisp and sheer. Organza is popularly used in overlays and embellishments and is stiff and can give structure to a gown. It resembles tulle but is softer.
This isn’t a comprehensive list as the fabric choices in wedding gowns continue to evolve and improve. Nevertheless, with this list in hand, you will be equipped to know whether you want a soft, flowing, dreamy wedding dress or a structured and poufy bridal gown and the fabrics that will work in this direction.
For more wedding dress tips and advice, visit us on Best for Bride.
The wedding dress you choose as a bride, plays a remarkable role in determining whether you look sexy and sophisticated or feminine and elegant. Choosing a different gown may change your look entirely.
It is in fact, not easy to determine a single look that will be perfect for your wedding day. In certain cases, it is better to consider two gowns instead of one. Let us look at few reasons why this is a better option than limiting yourself to just one dress.
Two looks for more impact
Your wedding day is the one occasion when you want all eyes to be on you. While you can amaze everyone with your wedding ensemble when you walk down the aisle, this interest may dwindle by the time of the reception. The best way to recreate this impact is by wearing another stunning dress for the reception and you can be certain that your guests will be amazed once again!
For practical purposes
Let us face it, layers of organza or tulle in a ball gown skirt with an elaborate and flowing train look fantastic at a traditional ceremony, but it may get in the way of dancing comfortably during the reception.
Stunning wedding dresses that look classic and elegant may not be practical for a fun and action-packed reception. A bustled train is still heavy, and can impede your chances to jiggle to the fun tunes at the ceremony. This is why more brides are opting for shorter and lighter dresses for the reception. This allows them to move freely and not feel restricted.
To match the ambiance of the venues
You may like to consider two different wedding dresses to match your appearance to the décor and ambiance of the venues where each function will be taking place. If you are getting married outdoors, on the beach or in a garden and then proceed to an indoor venue for the reception, the ambiance of each venue is entirely different. Hence, the light weight romantic wedding dress for the outdoor venue could give way to a more poufy or fashionable wedding dress for the ball room.
When you decide to go for the two-dress look, an obvious question is when do you change dresses? A good idea is to do so during the cocktail hour, or before you cut the cake. This way, you will have sufficient time to photograph for portraits in your ceremonial dress, and your guests won’t miss you as they mingle and meet each other.
If you are pressed for time or cannot afford two entirely different dresses, you can also consider a convertible gown such as the Mori Lee 5316, which incorporates two looks into a single dress.
With the tulle over-skirt, you obtain a classic A-line silhouette for the ceremony, and when you remove the over-skirt you are left with a stylish mermaid gown for the reception.
For more wedding tips and ideas, as well as to find the perfect wedding dresses for your big day, visit Best for bride.
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