The Cake!

I was so busy last week with actual wedding stuff that I did not have time to make a post. But things have quieted down, and here I am. Still, this post is going to be shorter than the other ones. Time crunches!

There are a LOT of generic wedding cakes in the world. You know the ones; white frosting, some fondant flower, and white icing to decorate. I mean, if you're into that kind of traditional stuff, then go ahead. But there are ways to do traditional while still adding a little bit of your own flare to it.

My biggest pet peeve when it comes to wedding cakes is that yes, the ones covered in fondant may look pretty, but very few people are going to want to actually chew through fondant. I think fondant is SUPER gross and should be restricted only to cake decorating. You can have a cake that looks beautiful with just icing that actually tastes good. However, if the majority of your guests like fondant and will eat cake covered in it, carry on. Just don't expect me to be happy about it.

Consider getting a cake made that's unique to you. Do you and your fiancee both love video games? Why not have a video game themed cake? More of a superhero kind of couple (like myself?) Get a couple of Batman and Catwoman cake toppers. I know a couple that had Green Arrow and Black Canary toppers on their cupcakes at their table and I thought it was pretty awesome. But really, don't have a cake that everyone has seen a hundred times before. Jazz it up with some bright colors, cute toppers, or pretty lace or ribbons. I'd also suggest not going for the basic vanilla flavor. Try chocolate, red velvet, peanut butter, marble, gingerbread, pumpkin, or whatever else you can think of. Pick one of your favorite cake flavors and go with it!

If you want to make your own cake and you are not an expert baker/cake decorator, go for something simple and pretty. There a ton of cake decorating tutorials on YouTube and everywhere else on the Internet if you want to learn how to do something more intricate. That's how one of my good friends got started with her cake decorating business, and her cakes are gorgeous. A couple of pictures of hers will be at the end, as well as a link to her Etsy site. She mostly sells decorations, but I've had her cakes and cupcakes and they are absolutely delicious.

There's also no law saying you have to have a cake. Lots of people are opting for cupcakes nowadays, as well as pie. I don't really like pie (yeah, I know. I don't like bacon, either) but I do think it's a very cute idea, especially for an autumn or winter wedding. Cupcakes, in general, are just a fantastic idea for every occasion. Keep these things in mind when you're planning your wedding. You don't have to go with the flow of tradition, but don't be quirky for the sake of it, either! Do what you like and what you think will make your special day even more special.

To wrap up:

1. Don't do something boring and forgettable for your cake.
2. Think of things that you and your fiancee both like and try to find a way to incorporate them into your cake, or any other aspect of your wedding.
3. Be careful and think it over carefully if you want to make your own cake for your wedding. It will be a lot of work if you have a large guest list.
4. Consider other options instead of a cake - some people don't even like cake. Try pie, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, etc.

Pictures!

                                          Tami's cakes! Link to her Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/SugarArtByTami?page=1

Have a fabulous day!

The Dress.

Listening to: Maria Maria - Carlos Santana

Smooth - Carlos Santana ft. Rob Thomas

Be Still - The Fray

Good afternoon, guys and dolls! This is the post I've been looking forward to most. I'd wanted to save it for a later date, but I have zero self control, so here it is: the dress!

Dresses are what most brides - in my experience - start worrying about first. Why shouldn't they? You want to look beautiful on your special day. Obviously the dress is a key part to that. There are so many options for dresses/gowns, as well - so much that they could get a bit overwhelming. Puffy princess skirt or a very sleek, sheath shaped dress? Long train? No train? Short, long, in between? Strapless or straps or sleeves? The list goes on for days. Let's take this in steps. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Where are you getting married? Take your environment into account. If you're having a big wedding in a big, fancy place, then sure, go for the big, fancy gown. If you're having a beach wedding, opt for something more casual. If you're having a small ceremony at town hall or in a restaurant, then please do something very, very simple. I'd suggest just going to T.J. Maxx and finding something lovely, as well as something you can wear again. You'll prefer it in the long run.

2. What's your body shape, and which style of dress looks best on it? For example, if you're one of those beautiful bigger girls, an empire waist will look beautiful and flattering. If you're a tall, slim girl, then most dresses will look good on you - go for that big puffy skirt or the close-cut sheath. Shorter girls might want to consider the option of a shorter dress. Don't go for ballgowns. People will think you're drowning in the tulle. Many websites will give more insightful looks into your shape and the dress that will flatter you most. I suggest checking out Real Simple for that. Link to the site: http://tinyurl.com/6cmosmu

3. Traditional, vintage, or something modern? I know that I personally love vintage-style dresses, but a lot of girls would immediately go for the Vera Wang with the jagged, unfinished looking edges. To each their own! Get something that you love and that looks beautiful on you. It's probably going to be the first and last time you wear that dress, so make it count.

However, I'm going to suggest TRYING to find something you may be able to wear again. If you do get something fancy, though, consider giving it to a consignment shop, or else it will just be stuck in your closet for years to come. There are many consignment shops that sell wedding gowns, which brings me nicely into my next point.

Don't feel like you have to go to a David's Bridal to find your dress. There are so many other options! There are probably local formal wear businesses in or near your town, as well as bridal shops. Not only that, but CONSIGNMENT SHOPS. Check the more high end ones and look online - you may be surprised to find where they are. There are specific bridal consignment shops. Look in normal stores if you want something more casual. You may not find the white gown you always dreamed of, but you might find the blue, flowy number that becomes your new dream for the cheap price of $40. I am a huge supporter of T.J. Maxx. Always check there. ALWAYS. Like, I know they don't have vacuums or stoves or anything, but I'd still check there just to make sure I'm not missing out on a Calvin Klein original oven at half the normal price.

I'd really love to see less brides in strapless dresses and more brides in color. The white, strapless, big-skirted dress is so boring. My brother's fiancee is searching relentlessly for a blush dress because it looks nicer on her than white does. White can wash you out and take some of the natural glow out of your skin. Ivory is lovely, as well, if you still want something in that family. I'm seeing more dresses with straps or sleeves, which is great. I fell in love with Kate Middleton's dress last April. (Yep, I'm one of those weird people obsessed with the British royal family). It looked perfect on her and was just so simple and pretty. The lace was my favorite bit, and lace seems to be making a comeback in dresses since then. 

My last point is to not wait until the last moment for your dress unless you know you are buying off the rack. Alterations can take a couple of months. If you find your dream dress a week before your wedding but it needs to be altered, you are going to be one disappointed bride. So either try to find something off the rack or decide what you want as soon as you can. 

To sum up:

1. Find something that suits your body type, your personality and your venue. 
2. Don't be too ridiculous about dresses. There are more important aspects of your wedding.
3. Don't feel obligated to go to a ritzy bridal store. Think outside the box!
4. Try to find something that you like that's at least in a soft, subtle color, or accent your white dress with a sash of a different color. 
5. Don't wait until the last minute!
6. Can veils start being a thing again? 

Have a great day! Just some of my favorite dresses below. 

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Listening to: Both of Us - B.o.B ft. Taylor Swift. 

Airplanes - B.o.B ft. Hayley Williams.

Haven't Had Enough - Marianas Trench

Hello, guys and dolls! You're looking great today.

So needless to say, planning a wedding can be a blast. My mother, my soon to be sister-in-law and I nearly died laughing trying to figure out what a dress saleswoman on a foreign website meant by "chiffon tulle, it is one king of fabric." But wedding planning can also be stressful, and that's what this post is about.

People get stressed about so many things in this life. It's easy to get nervous and upset over things that are important, and even more so to get worried about things that are unimportant. In the grand scheme of things, it's not a big deal if you have a white or ivory wedding dress. At the time of choosing, though, it does seem like the most important decision you're going to make. This brings us back to the point: stress. Stress can turn a perfectly nice girl into a Bridezilla, or a perfectly nice boy into a Groomzilla. It's okay to want what you want - that's Human Nature 101. That is no excuse, however, to  stop treating the people around you with respect.

You see so many television shows about Bridezillas, almost glorifying them. It is not cute to start screaming at your friends and your family who are trying to help you. These are the people who care about you, and to insult them and be rude to them is going to make them not want to help you anymore. There's also the problem of being harsh towards the people working in the shops or businesses that you're using, i.e. florists, dress salespeople, reception hall owners, planners, caterers, etc.

I do not care if you're stressed out about your wedding. There is absolutely zero excuse to be mean to someone who is trying to help you. Show a little class and be patient in the face of something that is making you want to tear your hair out. Sure, maybe your bridesmaids are being a little too excited and loud while dress shopping. And maybe you feel like your mom is nagging you about your plans for catering. Would you prefer if they just stood back and you had to do every single thing by yourself? Also, please never throw a stiletto at your fiancee when he does not seem to care enough about the wedding plans. He loves you, but it's possible that he doesn't care if the roses are light pink or medium pink. Guys, don't get irritated at your fiancee for talking about the roses. She needs you to hear about them. Try to give some input, even if it's just a little. It will help.

Most of all, show respect. Never insult your loved ones. Avoid getting someone's hair up and try not to get into any arguments. Everyone will look back on the planning of the wedding and think, "Wow, that was an awful part of my life. All the bride did was insult me each time I presented her with a cake sample." Your bridesmaids will think about how horrible you were to them and how hard you cracked the whip on them. The wedding day may end, but your roaring face in their nightmares will last with them for years. Nobody likes a Bridezilla, ladies. Your rude words and insults and screaming will not win you any brownie points. If any friends or guests catch wind of it, chances are the price of your wedding gift will go down by at least ten dollars for every mean thing you said. You will probably end up with a pack of stickers from the Dollar Tree. 

To sum up this post:

1. DON'T BE A BRIDEZILLA. LOOK AT YOUR LIFE, LOOK AT YOUR CHOICES.
2. Do you still want friends after this wedding is over? Don't insult people, man.
3. Be patient. 
4. Be respectful of those who are helping you out with this. 
5. Mind your manners!
6. And please, don't turn into any of this:

Have a great day, everyone! :)