Wedding planning can be a very exciting time and it is easy, in the myriad of things that need to get done, to lose track of choosing and ordering a wedding cake. Although it may seem like a, well, piece of cake the selection of a gateau should be given your utmost attention as it plays a very significant role at your wedding reception.

The wedding cake is the centerpiece of any marriage celebration. The cake is what all your guests will admire as they file into your reception hall and what they will use to sweeten their palates once the meal has ended. So, choose well and with care when you are picking out your delectable confection – it carries. There are so many decisions to be made when it comes to weddings that sometimes we can feel overwhelmed by the choices in front of us. Selecting a wedding cake used to be a relatively easy affair as there was generally only a few choices of design, flavor and filling – all that has changed as wedding cakes have become a refined business. Today the choices in flavor and filling are enormous and require lots of tasty testing to finally come up with what suits you best.

If you really want to make a lasting impression then customizing your wedding cake by giving it a theme – maybe one that matches your reception hall or one that reflects an interest, hobby or passion that you share as a couple – is a great way to set your wedding apart from the rest. It is not necessary to completely overhaul the traditional tiered wedding cake if you are not comfortable with the idea.

When it comes to choosing a cake there is a wide variety of styles, flavors, colors and motifs from which to choose. Start your selection process by rifling through as many wedding magazines as possible – they will all undoubtedly have plenty of fine examples to tempt you. Narrow down your selection to your top five favorites.

When you are ready to start looking for the perfect wedding cake, these are the factors that you have to take into consideration in choosing the wedding cake:

Size: The size of the wedding cake will depend on the number of guests that you are expecting. If you are planning to save some cake for guests who could not accept your invitation and will be unable to attend, and are also planning to send your wedding cake to out-of-town invitees, then you should keep this in mind while determining the exact number of people.

Design: Go through the cake sample pictures from different confectioners and bakers. Looking through wedding magazines is also a good way to find a wedding cake design. If you do not find something that you like, you can always design your own cake.

Flavour: While it is important that a wedding cake appeal to the visual senses, it is even more important that it taste good. Else you may be left with a whole lot of inedible wedding cake. Choose from the regular vanilla or chocolate, fruit cake or sponge cake, cheesecakes, and even wedding cakes with a mousse filling. If you are tempted by different flavours and can’t make up your mind, you can have different tiers in different flavours!

Here are the types of lighting commonly used at weddings.

Pin spot

Pin spot lighting is a great way to make you wedding centre pieces stand out. Pin spot A focused beam of light that shines directly onto an object, like a centerpiece or wedding cake, reception lighting photos, as a highlight effect. Pin spot or spotlighting can draw attention to specific areas or objects. The wedding cake is often a great source for spotlighting so the design can be admired. Lighting may also be focused on the head table during dinner when speeches are given by the wedding party.

Color wash

There are a few different types of light fixtures that can create a “wash,” which is basically a blanket of colored light covering an entire area.

Stencil

Gobos circular stencils that are put over a light to project a design or pattern. Popular gobo designs are monograms, dates, or any other wedding motifs. The complexity of the design will affect the gobo’s cost — a simple stencil can be stamped out of steel, while a more intricate design must be laser etched out of stainless steel or a glass that can withstand high heat (costing much more than a stamped stencil). For couples who want lighting that truly adds a personalized motif, gobos (special stencils that can be placed over lighting) can create a specific spot of light with a monogram, wedding dates, wedding motifs, or used to incorporate specific themes. These add a unique and playful touch to any wedding, and are ideal for wedding reception with whimsical theme. Lighting specialists may have various options available for stencil or textured lighting.

LED

LED wedding lights are perfect for adding some light and elegance to your special day. LED Short for light-emitting diodes, LED lights are currently popular for weddings because they use much less electricity (and don’t get as hot) than regular, incandescent light bulbs. This means they can sometimes be wireless, so they’re even that much more discreet. LEDs are great for color changes and vibrant colors. They’re also common in strands and good for accent lighting. LED lights are available for a wide variety of accents, from faux tea lite candles to buffet lamps to floating lights. These emit less heat than standard bulbs and their unique construction makes them a great option for many different types of lighting.

Wedding Lighting Basics

Many a time the issue of lighting at wedding receptions has not been taken seriously resulting in making the place look like some any other room without ambience and the glamour it ought to have. Wedding Lights are an essential part of every wedding, from small weddings to large weddings. But a surprising number of couples never realize they should also plan the appropriate wedding lights.

First, ask your event designer or wedding florist, many do their own lighting. Some people hire special lighting coordinators who will ensure that couples have as much stunning and cutting-edge lighting as possible. Light coordinators will also work with your photographers to ensure optimal picture possibilities and special-effect planning. Without the proper light, pictures may not turn out as well, the details of the floral centerpieces and wedding gown lace may be missed, and the happy couple won’t clearly see the smiling faces of their friends and family members.

Choosing wedding lighting also include what lighting is already available at the location? Will it be enough or is supplemental lighting needed? What mood do we want to set with the lighting? A party atmosphere of twinkle lights or a romantic setting of candles?

Whether you decide to use soft white lights, colorful strobes, spotlights, or candles, remember that each beam will add its own distinct radiance to your celebration.

The light must be both reliable and attractive. Though the use of disco balls may not be appropriate for such a grand occasion, you can have UV black lights or moving mirror. They both create a fantastic atmosphere. But the most memorable light of all will come from the magic of a day filled with new and infinite beginnings.

Wedding transportation is something that brides often overlook. How the bride, groom and wedding party are going to get around on the big day. There are a few different types of wedding transportation options available to choose from to get everyone from Point A to Point B. While the most popular wedding vehicle is definitely the limousine, other options include antique and vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, trolleys, and even large buses. We recommend that you book your wedding transportation six months to a year before your big day.

Determine how many vehicles you’ll need for your wedding party, family members and guests. The typical wedding has cars for the bride and bridesmaids, and a second set for the groom and groomsmen. Usually, family members and guests make their own arrangements, but a lot depends on whether private vehicles are available. If all your wedding guests are from out of town, you may want to provide a way for them to get to the ceremony and reception site.

When hiring your wedding transportation, don’t depend on a phone call. Take time to do a personal inspection of the vehicles. Make a deposit and get a written agreement outlining the rental conditions and services you’ve selected.

Decide if you want the limo (or other transportation) for the entire event, including taking everyone to the ceremony, from the ceremony to reception, and then home after the reception? This is the most expensive option’ There is some money to be saved by having pickup/drop off service only, so that the driver is not waiting for the entire event. If your budget is tight, you may ask the bridal party to drive themselves. A chauffeured town car is frequently less expensive than a chauffeured limousine, and will seat between three and six people.

We recommend that you have at least one limousine or town car to take the bride and bridesmaids to the ceremony, and a limousine or town car to take the bride and groom from the ceremony to the reception site. This will allow the girls to get dressed together and will allow your bridesmaids to stretch out, thus minimizing wrinkling of their dresses. It will also allow the bride and groom to have some time alone together where neither of them has to concentrate on the road.

Every bride has her own special style and taste, no two brides, no two weddings or floral arrangements are the same. Keep in mind your body size and height, as you will not want a large flowing bouquet if you are very slim or petite. It will just exaggerate you. Same goes if your are voluptuous or tall. Choose something that keeps your overall look in balance.

For the best bridal bouquet ideas there is no substitute for feasting your eyes on selections of beautiful bridal bouquet pictures! There are different types of bouquets; they each have their own unique names. From classic floral arrangements to more unique alternatives, there is a vast array of bridal bouquet ideas to choose from. Whether your wedding is formal and elegant or a casual beach wedding, the right bouquet ends a perfect finishing touch to a gorgeous bride.

Classic bridal bouquets can be designed to fit many types of weddings, whether simple or elegant. Traditional types of arrangements include:

Nosegay or round bouquet:

This type of arrangement is usually small to medium in size. It is typically designed as a round cluster of flowers with minimal greenery. White or pastel flowers are more classic choices in this type of bouquet.

Cascading arrangement:

Cascading bouquets can be beautiful and dramatic. They are often used in formal weddings and consist of a central arrangement that has flowers aggregating downward to give the appearance of a cascade – and hence the name. Roses and calla lilies are traditional flowers for this type, and moderate greenery is typically used.

Creative ideas for your bridal bouquet are as limitless as your imagination:

You can use exotic blooms, brilliant colors, or even use faux flowers of wood, crystal, or paper. For some brides, bouquet alternatives are the answer, and they may not carry flowers at all, but a meaningful object or family heirloom. Arrangements can use various shades of the same color, complementary colors, or even contrasting colors for a unique and dramatic look.