Posted on 3 Comments

Say yes to these rules and stay away from wedding planning stress

double-665158_1280

Planning a wedding is no easy feat. Gone are the days when the options were limited, and you had to only choose from one or two choices and be done with it. With a plethora of options in wedding dresses, venues, wedding styles, flowers, caterers, invitations and more, brides can easily find themselves stressing out over the wedding planning. So, we thought we’d bring you this set of rules to follow and stay sane during this intensely stressful time. Read on and be prepared to handle it right

#Rule 1

I will stick to the budget, no matter what

Yes, it can be tempting to throw in an extra stash of dollars to get that designer dress, or go with the florist’s recommendation to add those imported delicate flowers to the bouquet and make it just “perfect.” Just remember that “perfect” is how you define it. You can have a perfect wedding even on a shoestring budget if you are content with what you choose. So, stick to what you can afford and don’t splurge. Decide that whatever you find within budget is good enough, and it will be just that.

#Rule 2

I won’t listen to others for the sake of making them happy

Your friend who has started her own baking venture may want to do your wedding cake, or your cousin may have requested to be your wedding photographer. It is also likely that you have friends or relatives who suggest that you do the wedding like they suggest. Keep your cool, and go with what they suggest only if you are convinced it is worthwhile. Unless your friends or relatives are professionals who have worked at weddings previously, don’t take on their offer for fear of offending them. If someone tries to force their preferences on you for your wedding, say you’ll think over it, but stick to your decisions. If these people genuinely care about you, they will understand, no matter what you decide.

#Rule 3

I will not stress over perfection

Everyone wants the best, but when you begin to obsess over it, you lose all the fun of wedding planning. So, don’t be worried if you can’t find the perfect colors for your wedding décor, or if you have to settle for plans that are not exactly as you anticipated. Be flexible with your plans and keep your expectations realistic, you will find wedding planning a lot more relaxing.

#Rule 4

I will be happy with how I look on my wedding day

So, you wanted to shed several pounds before your wedding, or had decided to get a few facials but couldn’t find time. Remember that you will be beautiful, no matter what. You may not even remember this plan to shed weight, when you think back over your wedding years later. So, don’t obsess over what you couldn’t do. Instead, go forward with optimism and you will enjoy your wedding day as you ought to.

What is important today may seem irrelevant tomorrow. So don’t dwell on what could have been, or whether it would be better if done differently. Just go with the flow, relax and enjoy things as they happen.. All that matters is that you have a great engagement and exciting wedding.

To help you with your wedding shopping needs or for more wedding related tips and advice, keep visiting us at Best for Bride.

Posted on 5 Comments

Do you want a tiered wedding cake or something different?

The traditional tiered wedding cake has been a wedding icon for ages. But, many couples today are stepping away from this practice for various reasons. Brides agree that it looks great and all, but it is very expensive and is it always worth all that money? With more and more wedding guests taking the healthy route, isn’t it a better idea to spend money on desserts that are just as tasty and satisfying, but healthier? “No wedding cake—a trend,” on Serious eats suggests that this is apparently a growing trend.

So, do you want a traditional wedding cake at your wedding, or would you choose something different and follow the trend? Let us help you find out.

The tradition behind wedding cakes

The wedding cake brings together several traditions from different parts of the world. The tiered cake began as a stack of cakes that the couple had to kiss over for a successful marriage. This later became a dessert that the bride would cut and distribute, with the belief that it would ensure her fertility.

Wedding cakes that were white in color, became the fashion after Queen Victoria’s wedding. She introduced white wedding dresses to the bridal world and with it, white wedding cakes as well.

If these traditional beliefs and superstitions behind the wedding cake do not appeal to you, or you are not really a cake person, there are several other equally attractive options out there. Take a look.

Assorted dessert buffet for all taste buds

candy-680200_1280

The latest trend in wedding desserts, assorted dessert buffets bring together the choicest desserts of all types and tastes and allow guests to indulge in what appeals to them. Most couples choose bite-sized options. By going with four or five desserts,  everyone should find something they favor. The regulars at buffets are macaroons, candy treats, doughnuts, cupcakes, cake pops, cookies and tarts. These allow you to have a delicious spread and give you uncomplicated choices that can be arranged to create a spectacular display, which is perhaps more inviting than a towering wedding cake.

Wedding cupcakes

chocolate-cupcakes-710400_1280

Another trend is to replace the wedding cake with an assortment of tiered cupcakes in various flavors and designs. These allow the guests to savor reasonably sized desserts, while you are saved from the complications of arranging for the cutting and serving of a regular wedding cake. With customized cupcake toppers and various decorative elements, it isn’t too difficult to design a cupcake table that is aesthetically pleasing and delicious in variety.

Dessert shots

cafe-714667_1280

Mini glasses dressed up with layers of delectable treats are both inviting and practical. Most layered desserts work well as dessert shots. A great thing about them is that they can be made into very pretty displays with a sophisticated beauty. Dessert shots will be loved by both adults and children alike, and it is just perfect for a casual event where your guests can indulge in it without having to sit down to eat.

Now that you know there is more to wedding sweets than just the traditional wedding cake, would you give any of these a try?

For more wedding tips and advice, and the latest trends in the world of weddings, continue visiting us at Best for Bride.

Posted on 1 Comment

Breaking wedding traditions: How to throw a fantastic wedding reception brunch

wedding-72180_1280

More and more couples are opting for wedding receptions in the morning, in place of the traditional evening affair for various reasons. Choosing brunch instead of dinner can considerably lower the catering and venue expenses. Or it could be so they want a unique wedding twist, or even so that they can set off on their honeymoon early and enjoy more time together.

Whatever be the reason, reception brunches work well when planned and executed properly. In fact, wedding reception brunches are convenient, and your guests will enjoy the function.

Here is a quick and easy guide to getting the little details for your wedding reception brunch perfect.

Keep the atmosphere friendly instead of formal

Unlike the formal plated dinner, brunches have a casual air. This allows you to have a more intimate gathering and enjoy quality time with your guests. The ideal location for a wedding brunch is outdoors, so plan your seating to utilize the beauty of the natural setting. Outdoor wedding brunches are ideal in spring or fall, when the weather is pleasant and the beautiful landscape adds a natural charm to your wedding. Plan the décor so it works well in natural lighting, and add elements like fresh flowers or vividly colored balloons that are casual, yet colorful.

Winter brides can also benefit from reception brunches, as the evenings are usually dark and depressing and daytime is more refreshing. Consider warming up your venue with a log fire and decorating with holly and mistletoe. Add to this, an enchanting white backdrop, and you will have a fairytale wedding to remind your guests of your lifetime event.

Plan your food choices wisely

breakfast-498480_1280

A formal food service may seem out of place during the day. Opt for an interesting buffet instead. Include food choices that allow your guests to eat well, but not feel weighed down. The platter should include both breakfast and lunch-style dishes, so your guests can have their pick. Choose food that is great for late morning or early afternoon. Frittatas, cheeses, pancakes, pasta and sandwiches are good choices. You could also add a few exotic dishes like dimsums or chicken curry for a pleasant variation. Omelet and pancake stations, or s’more bars would be well-received and also add some action.

Don’t skip wedding cake or drinks

eating-405544_1280

Just because you are getting married in the morning, you needn’t skip the wedding cake. Choose a light flavor like lemon or vanilla, and keep it fresh and welcoming with white frosting. Or you could replace the wedding cake with wedding cake cupcakes in multiple flavors instead. Since the portions are small, your guests will be tempted to try it. You could also get creative with a dessert buffet, and give your guests a variety of treats to choose from.

For drinks consider refreshing and lighter choices like cocktails, white wine, fruit juices, scented teas and fruit smoothies. If the weather is warm, fizzy drinks infused with lemon or ginger, or yogurt smoothies would be nice.

Doesn’t all this sound romantic? If you are smitten by this idea of wedding reception brunches, go ahead with it. Don’t forget to get the perfect wedding dress for the occasion; visit us at Best for Bride to do so.

Posted on 1 Comment

Groom’s Cake Magic

The groom’s cake is traditionally a grand reflection of something the groom likes. Much of the wedding tends to be molded by the bride’s wishes. The groom’s cake is something that is pure groom. Often, the groom’s cake is a unique cake creation that reflects his interests. The more spectacular and over-the-top the cake is, the better, as long as it is what the groom wants.

One of the classic wedding groom cake moments in the movies was the armadillo groom’s cake in Steel Magnolias. Grooms often get cakes made that are in the shape of animals. One groom who likes fishing got a cake made to look like a freshly caught fish. Another fishing groom got his cake made in the shape of an open tackle box. The cake can be modeled after the groom’s pet.

Fictional movie and comic book characters can be the stars of groom’s cakes. The cake may be the groom’s favorite superhero or Star Wars character. Many bakers can get wildly creative and make the cake in the actual shape of the character with accurate coloring.

Sports are a common theme for grooms’ cakes. The cake might show the groom’s favorite team’s mascot or brand. One groom included his favorite team and beer with a cooler shaped cake showing his team’s logo on the side of the cooler cake. A baseball fan had cupcakes with the tops decorated like baseballs for his groom’s cake.

The cake can depict a surrealist scene rather than something realistic. One groom had a cake made to show a fox and a bear riding a surfboard. The cake may be something wildly symbolic to the groom but look like a scene from a surreal dream to anyone else.

Though I can’t imagine what anyone loves more than cake, some grooms get a cake to look like their favorite food. Sushi, Nilla Wafers, fried chicken, Cheezits, and a bottle of Tabasco sauce have been used as models for grooms’ cakes.

A groom’s cake might reflect his career. The cake might feature his activities at work or symbols that represent his job such as an apple and ruler on top of a stack of books for a teacher. A cake shaped like a camera was the perfect cake for a photographer. A paramedic might want a cake shaped and decorated like an ambulance.

As a common love among men, trucks and jeeps often are the inspiration for cakes for grooms. The platform of the cake is often decorated to look like a muddy mess of brown smeared icing with a cake shaped like a truck on top of it.

Gamers often have a cake in the shape of their favorite game console or a widely known feature of their favorite game. Whatever the groom chooses, they should feel free to make the cake a reflection of their personalities and favorite things.

For more information about wedding cakes and planning the reception, please browse the Best for Bride blog.