Monday, December 27, 2010

Monday, November 22, 2010

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Preparing the Perfect Wedding Cake

I have come up with various ways of making extra money in order to supplement the family income throughout the years. For instance, I have typed term papers for students. However, this service is no longer profitable because we are now in computer age. I have also baked pans of bars for special events to help a local caterer. I also do special occasion cakes to earn extra money. I usually bake these cakes for birthday parties, retirement parties and anniversaries of the people I know. I willingly use different flavored cake mixes and a variety of fillings in the layer cakes. I am getting quite a few requests because my cakes are unique and tasty.

Since she was a little girl, my godchild has been the number one fan of my cakes. Every year since she was born, I have been making her birthday cake. I also made her first communion cake, confirmation cake and graduation cake. It came as no surprise to me when she asked me to make her wedding cake.

I was a bit apprehensive because I had never made one before. I had always declined the requests to bake this kind of cake through the years. This is because I was concerned since I do not have the right pans to bake a wedding cake, and I do not have the frosting skills needed for such an important event.

I explained to my godchild that I could not do her wedding cake because of these reasons. However, she told me that she did not want the traditional wedding cake with tiers and fancy piping and flowers. She wanted several individual layer cakes of different flavors and fillings. This is because she was planning to have the cakes displayed on a table with different height cake plates. The cake that she and the groom would cut also has to be her favorite flavor.

I was still apprehensive about doing it, even if she gave me an interesting idea for a wedding cake. You see, I did not feel that my decorating skills were good enough to be displayed and photographed as part of an event as important as a wedding. However, my godchild would not take no for an answer. She went on and told me what flavor combinations she wanted and which fillings. She also told me that she was not ordering any other wedding cake. She would not have any if I did not make the cakes, so I was forced to make the cakes she ordered.

I loaded all the cakes into my car on the morning of the wedding. I then drove to the banquet center where the reception was to be held. My godchild has prepared a separate table set up with different pedestal plates of varying heights to place the cakes on. I have to admit that the cakes looked very nice once I had arranged them all. Three of my godchild's friends ask if I would make a wedding cake arrangement for their weddings during the reception. This could be the start of a new business.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Wedding Cake [http://www.weddingsparks.com/weddings/weddings/great-ideas-for-wedding-cake.html]. Visit our site for more helpful information about Wedding Cake [http://www.weddingsparks.com] and other similar topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Wedding Cake Stands Are Also Important

It is really a beautiful picture of the bride and groom with the most blessedness cutting the cake which is accepted as a form of bond that heralds the sweet beginning of the new couple. Not as important as the wedding dress or the ideal venue for the reception, wedding cake stands can also be important as it is not only for support but also do a big job to display that sweet things beautifully. Therefore, a stand is often used at wedding to show off that delicious yet stylish cake.

Types of the stands vary a lot. As most wedding cakes are three-tire, a required stand that is capable to hold such a style of cake is normally square or round. It could be an unraised cake plate, a plateau stand, or a pedestal stand. Additionally glass, acrylic, ceramic, metal or even single-use styrofoam cake stands could be used for a nice-looking wedding cake. Besides there are numerous styles of stands available to accommodate the wide variations of cakes.

To finish an elegant and eye-poping appearance, grouped arrangements can be also important. As the stands of all sorts and types are available for grouped arrangements to look chic and trendy. Each cake can be displayed individually on its own stand for its beautiful appearance. Here are some great ways to show off your palatable cakes: stair-step format for a dazzling look, a rounded appearance symmetrically in a delicate manner, a cascading look to be more visually spectacular, or asymmetrically grouping with the unique personality.

When it comes to choosing the stand, it would be never right or wrong as long as the stand provides adequate support. Ask your bakery first to be sure your option of cake stand can be acceptable to hold and display what you have.

With a chic tier wedding cake stand to hold and show off some sweetness and beauty at your wedding, take a beautiful picture of the wedding cake to complete your memorable wedding photo album!

Look for more information on tier wedding-cake stands at our site! It would be really easy to select a perfect wedding cake stands!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Nyleve

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Specialty Cakes

Specialty cakes can enhance all your celebrations - from birthdays to weddings, graduation parties or showers. Customized cakes are a guaranteed eye-catcher and will with certainty fascinate your guests. They make for a stunning center piece during your party and serve as delicious dessert at the end - all in one.

No birthday is complete without a birthday cake and candles. But you don't have to be satisfied with a boring sheet cake and just candles on top. Customized specialty cakes come in all shapes and colors. If you can think it the experienced baker or pastry chef can make it. Surprise the soccer fan with a soccer ball cake. You think it will be a flat circle? With modern cake pans even a three dimensional soccer ball specialty cake is possible.

Who said wedding cakes have to be all white? A specialty wedding cake can be customized to match the color theme of the decorations at the locations of your wedding reception. The tiers can be stacked on top of each other or displayed separately on a stand with varying level heights. The newest wedding trend are groom's cakes. Often they are customized to suit the groom's interest and taste. How about a cake sculptured as his favorite car?

Furthermore, the cakes of a great cake artist don't only look fantastic but will also enchant you and your guests with their terrific taste. Specialty cakes come in all kinds of flavors. Aside from the classic vanilla or chocolate cake - how about a mix of both in a marble cake? A current popular choice is red velvet cake. The vibrant color takes captive the eyes of your guests and its chocolate flavor their taste buds. Do you like carrot cake? A specialty cake can be designed even in this rich and fruity flavor.

These cakes usually have a number of layers. In between all these layers are fillings. They can be filled with one or a variety of flavors, since there are a number of layers to fill. Buttercream fillings in its range of flavors are a classic, as are fruit preserve fillings. They can even be filled with your favorite fruit and whipped cream. And as a contemporary variation a specialty cake can be filled with light mousse fillings in flavors like chocolate or lemon-yogurt.

Cake artists use a variety of materials to create your customized specialty cake. Next to cake and filling in your favorite flavor they work with buttercream, fondant, gumpaste, marzipan, or modeling chocolate. You can use real flowers to decorate your customized cake but sugar artists know how to manipulate sugar dough to create edible sugar flowers that are hard to distinguish from real ones.

Are you convinced yet that your next party or celebration can be brought to a new level with a specialty cake?

This author creates specialty cakes in her spare time and absolutely loves blogging about it. See her site http://specialtycakecreations.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gina_Ry

Monday, April 12, 2010

Wedding Cake FAQs

Planning a wedding? Then you are surely excited about designing (and eating!) your wedding cake! This is a rundown on the FAQs about wedding cakes, including design, cutting, customs, and etiquette.

What is a groom's cake, and who should pay for it? The groom's cake is an old Southern custom that has caught on like wildfire around the country in recent years. It is a second smaller cake that is designed to highlight something about the groom, such as his hobbies, pets, profession, fraternity, etc. The groom's cake is a whimsical and fun element that can add a dash of humor to even the most formal wedding. Like the main wedding cake, the groom's cake is traditionally paid for by the bride's family. It is very often ordered by the bride in secret and unveiled at the reception as a special surprise for the groom.

How do I choose decorations for my wedding cake? The wedding cake is a focal point at the reception, and as such should be one of the elements that reinforces the wedding theme or style. All white cakes are traditional, but brightly colored cake decorations are appropriate for all but the most formal wedding. Flowers, either sugar or fresh, are one of the most classic options for the cake decorations. If you like the all white idea, select a design that will give the cake personality. Many brides have their cakes designed to mimic an element from their bridal ensemble, such as the pattern from the lace on their gown or their pearl bridal jewelry. The pearl bridal jewelry can be mimicked with tiny frosting beads trimming each layer of the cake or as an all over Swiss dot motif.

When do we cut the cake? Etiquette says that the wedding guests should stay at the reception until after the cake has been cut. It used to be that this event took place at the end of the reception, but these days the newlyweds will often stay at the reception into the wee hours of the morning, so the cake cutting has been moved up to allow guests the option of departing without appearing rude. The typical time for the cake cutting is shortly after dinner so that you don't have to drag the guests off of the dance floor to watch.

I often see the bride and groom smash cake into each other's faces; do we really have to do this? No! Who knows where the cake smashing began, but it is high time to end it! It is rude and undignified. Smashing food in the face of a loved one is definitely not a nice thing to do. The newlyweds should gently feed each other a small bite of cake, with the groom taking special care not to smear the bride's lipstick.

We plan to have cupcakes instead of a traditional large wedding cake; how do we handle the cake cutting ceremony? When cupcakes are the dessert, the bride and groom can hold up a cupcake for the other to take a small bite from. Granted, this lacks the drama of the classic wedding cake cutting moment (this is one of the drawbacks of the cupcake trend). A better idea is to have your baker create one oversized cupcake (about the size of a small birthday cake) so that the newlyweds can have their cake cutting moment.

The wedding cake is one of the favorite parts of the wedding (especially for the guests!), so have fun designing your dream cake.

Guy writes on many subjects including travel, customs and society. SilverlandJewelry.com. Pearl bridal jewelry is an elegant and timeless accessory for the bride.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guy_Antonelli

International Wedding Cake Ideas

While the traditional wedding cake offers a vision of white, an increasing number of couples are becoming interested in selecting a design, style, and presentation that greatly strays from the norm. Today, wedding cakes showcase elaborately stacked tiers, multi-colored frosting, lively blooms, and decorative fruits. In order to make sure a different take on wedding cake design and construction is accomplished, some couples are now turning towards international creativity and tradition to elevate their reception centerpiece. Below you will find a few worldwide ideas to mull over when it comes time to choose your wedding cake:

Caribbean Island Ideas

Sometimes, a couple is interested in infusing a bit of tropical allure regarding their wedding cake. Caribbean newlyweds usually feast upon fruitcakes. Often, the cakes are dark and decorated with dried fruits. Some of the flavors that guests enjoy include rum, wine, and sherry. A rum-laced fruitcake is also a popular selection in the West Indies. In Bermuda, cedar saplings are placed on top of wedding cakes as a symbol of growing love between the newlyweds. After the ceremony, the saplings are then replanted.

Asian Themes

A fun wedding tradition among the Japanese is to display imposter cakes instead of the actual wedding confection. These cakes are made of artificial rubber and iced in wax. When the bride and groom insert their knife into the fake cake, sometimes a puff of steam or another occurrence takes place. At times, elaborately decorated dummy cakes are made of Styrofoam and heavily frosted. In the kitchen, the real cakes are hidden. In China, it is not uncommon to encounter many layers of cake meant to stand for the "ladder of success." In Korea, wedding couples often slice into a tiered sponge cake with non-dairy whipped cream.

European Delights

A sponge cake with a rich nut taste is popular in Germany, which is then laced with liquor or syrup. Sometimes, jam, nougat, or marzipan is used as a filling. Ganache or fondant often tops the cake. Cream-filled pastries with a caramel coating are often erected into a tall pyramid to represent a French wedding cake. The Norwegians enjoy wedding bread topped with cream, cheese, and syrup. In Iceland, a ring-shaped pile of almond pastries are used to create a pyramid for their wedding cake. The center is then filled with candies or fine chocolates.

In Denmark, the cornucopia wedding cake is made of almond and marzipan - shaped like a ring. In the center, candy, fresh fruit, or sorbet is found. To include a wedding cake of the British Isles, you may side with a spiffy fruitcake made with cognac-soaked dates, raisins, currants, prunes, and orange peel. Sometimes, the cake is covered in fondant, brandy butter, or marzipan. Irish and Scottish cakes may include a three-tiered confection with an infusion of bourbon, brandy, or whiskey. An almond paste is often spread between the layers.

Mediterranean Magic

A common Italian wedding cake is filled with chocolate custard, vanilla custard, rum cream, and fruit - comprised of various tiers of pound cake. The elaborate display is then decorated with flowers and royal icing. A Greek wedding cake is made of honey, sesame seed, and quince, which are meant to symbolize the long-lasting commitment couples may share with one another. Additional Greek cake creations include sourdough wedding bread, flourless almond cake, and sliced almond decorations

Yolanda is the owner of Yolandas Wedding Favors. She sells many different types of wedding favors such as, love glass coasters, two peas in a pod salt and pepper shakers and many many more. Yolandas Wedding Favors also carries many different Cheap wedding favors for the budget minded. So if you need unique wedding favors then we got you covered.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yolanda_Nash

Sunday, April 11, 2010

How To Pick The Perfect Wedding Cake

Your wedding is your special day. Of course, you want everything to be absolute perfection. You have to get yourself the best dress money can buy. You have to have your ceremony and reception in the most gorgeous setting. And, of course, you want to have the best cake ever - by far the most fun part of your wedding planning efforts.

The Look

Common advice dictates that you should not judge a book by its cover. You can ignore such advice in this case. When choosing your wedding cake, the look does matter, more than any other.

When you're picking a wedding cake, take the time to browse through several cake shops and browse through color catalogs to find one that fits your wedding theme and motif perfectly. Better yet, if your budget permits, you can get a cake customized especially for your wedding. This way your cake will seamlessly blend in with the decor, complimenting the overall look and feel of your wedding.

Why is this important? Simply put, your wedding cake is the centerpiece of the reception. It is by far the most unique and the most admired of all your wedding trappings. It's meant to stand out, yes, not as a wallflower, but as the ultimate topper of your wedding decor.

The Taste

Beauty is more than skin deep. This is especially true in wedding cakes. Your cake is gorgeous and it will capture the admiration of your guests, so it's only fitting that it's tastes good as well. Suffice to say, your cake should literally be good enough to eat.

Most cake shops offer samples for tasting purposes. You should definitely take advantage of this opportunity. Take the time to sample different combinations of icing, flavors, and fillings.

So what should you look for in a good wedding cake? First of all, consider the icing. You can go for fondant or royal icing. Your icing should be sweet, but not overly so. You don't want to your icing to dominate the whole cake. If your cake has flowerettes and other decorations on it made of marzipan, fondant, or any other confection, sample those as well.

Next, consider the cake itself. You can have your choice of chiffon, sponge, and many more. These often come in different flavors that you can choose from. A good cake is soft enough to melt in your mouth, but not crumble when cut by a knife or fork. Also, the flavor has to be noticeable, but not overwhelmingly so.

Lastly, consider the cake's filling. Most cake shops also offer different options for this, and you can choose one perfect for your palate. The filling should be creamy and should blend perfectly with the icing and the cake itself. Of course, if you've chosen a tiered cake and are having a hard time figuring out which combination to go for, you can always request a different one for each tier.

Indeed, as hectic as planning a wedding could be, picking a wedding cake takes the strain out of everything else. This is a good opportunity to put the fun back in your wedding planning. Of course, with all the tasting, don't get carried away or else you won't fit in your dress!

Put as much effort in thinking of groomsmen gift ideas as you would in picking your wedding cake. Consider personalized pub signs or Zippo products. Visit ExecutiveGiftShoppe.com today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bradlley_Mckoy

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Preparing the Perfect Wedding Cake

I have come up with various ways of making extra money in order to supplement the family income throughout the years. For instance, I have typed term papers for students. However, this service is no longer profitable because we are now in computer age. I have also baked pans of bars for special events to help a local caterer. I also do special occasion cakes to earn extra money. I usually bake these cakes for birthday parties, retirement parties and anniversaries of the people I know. I willingly use different flavored cake mixes and a variety of fillings in the layer cakes. I am getting quite a few requests because my cakes are unique and tasty.

Since she was a little girl, my godchild has been the number one fan of my cakes. Every year since she was born, I have been making her birthday cake. I also made her first communion cake, confirmation cake and graduation cake. It came as no surprise to me when she asked me to make her wedding cake.

I was a bit apprehensive because I had never made one before. I had always declined the requests to bake this kind of cake through the years. This is because I was concerned since I do not have the right pans to bake a wedding cake, and I do not have the frosting skills needed for such an important event.

I explained to my godchild that I could not do her wedding cake because of these reasons. However, she told me that she did not want the traditional wedding cake with tiers and fancy piping and flowers. She wanted several individual layer cakes of different flavors and fillings. This is because she was planning to have the cakes displayed on a table with different height cake plates. The cake that she and the groom would cut also has to be her favorite flavor.

I was still apprehensive about doing it, even if she gave me an interesting idea for a wedding cake. You see, I did not feel that my decorating skills were good enough to be displayed and photographed as part of an event as important as a wedding. However, my godchild would not take no for an answer. She went on and told me what flavor combinations she wanted and which fillings. She also told me that she was not ordering any other wedding cake. She would not have any if I did not make the cakes, so I was forced to make the cakes she ordered.

I loaded all the cakes into my car on the morning of the wedding. I then drove to the banquet center where the reception was to be held. My godchild has prepared a separate table set up with different pedestal plates of varying heights to place the cakes on. I have to admit that the cakes looked very nice once I had arranged them all. Three of my godchild's friends ask if I would make a wedding cake arrangement for their weddings during the reception. This could be the start of a new business.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Wedding Cake [http://www.weddingsparks.com/weddings/weddings/great-ideas-for-wedding-cake.html]. Visit our site for more helpful information about Wedding Cake [http://www.weddingsparks.com] and other similar topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton

4 Things to Consider With Wedding Cake Icing

Wedding cake icing seems like a small and relatively unimportant part of the overall wedding planning process. Most want their cake to look good, but are more worried about the cost of the cake, the amount of cake available, and the flavor of the cake. The frosting will actually affect most of these aspects of the cake. Icing will affect the cost of the cake and the flavor of the cake. This highlights the importance of your wedding cake frosting choices. These four aspects to consider will help you to be creative while finding the best look and flavor for your cake.

Use Fondant

Fondant has been on the wedding cake market for some time. Many use Fondant for their cakes to give them a clean and modern look. Fondant may be perfect for your cake. The fondant icing is edible, and will give your cake the elegant look and feel that it needs.

Flavor the Icing

One thing that you may want to consider with your icing is the flavor. Most will stick with the usual flavors found in icings. These flavors are well known, and are found in basic icings such as butter cream icing or royal icing. If you want to try something new, flavor these icings with new or unusual frostings. Some will use extracts, such as almond extract or lemon extract, to give the frosting more flavors.

Use Interesting Colors

Many will stick with the basic white color for the frosting for their wedding cakes. One of the easiest ways to be creative with wedding cakes is to deviate from this tradition. Try colored frosting or colored fondant to give your cake a more unique feel.

Play With the Cake Type

Wedding cakes generally stick with plain flavors to ensure that all of their guests can find a flavor that they enjoy. One of the best ways to have a unique cake is to play with the type of cake that you have for your wedding cake. Try different flavors for different cake tiers. Try new and interesting flavors that you may not usually consider. Then, play with the frosting flavors. Use the frosting flavor to play off of the cake flavor. This juxtaposition will give your wedding cake a unique taste.

There are multiple options for you to choose from for the icing for your cake. Most will go with the usual butter cream icing or royal icing. Many fail to realize that they can spice up these usual frostings with flavors and colors. The theme and colors of your wedding may be a perfect guide for you to tweak and change your frosting.

Take a risk with your cake by making it stand out. By breaking the norms and thinking out of the box, you can have an interesting and memorable wedding cake.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lillian_Juares

Skiing Wedding Cake Toppers - Incorporate Your Love For Skiing Into Your Wedding

When the big wedding comes, everyone wants their wedding to be special and unique to the couple themselves. For the ski enthusiasts looking for skiing wedding cake toppers is a unique idea that many people have not thought of. Cake toppers can be anything from a simple set of bells, to flowers or for those more adventurous the bridal couple in skiing gear. These toppers can be special for the bride and groom showing off one of their similar hobbies like skiing. These type of toppers can be anything from elegant to adventurous to even humorous.

Finding a special topper does take time, but it is simplified with a search engine these days. Looking for just skiing themed wedding ideas brings up several sites that give the ski enthusiasts special ideas. Searching online is a great way to comparison shop and to find cake toppers that can be delivered conveniently to your door.

Using a skiing wedding cake topper is a simple way to show the style of the bride and groom without going overboard. These toppers can be over the top, simple or even just amusing depending on the bride and grooms wishes. Each topper can bring more individuality to the wedding without going overboard.

There are several different types of cake toppers in the skiing theme such as the pair in skiing gear, the pair with a pair of skis, or even funny with the bride riding on the back of the groom on skis. Skiing themed toppers can also set more of the mood of the pairs wedding day and often show up well in photographs. Most toppers also can be taken and used as a reminder of the pair's special days for years to come. These are just a few of the different toppers that are available online or through local businesses.

Other idea for the ski enthusiast to go with the wedding topper is to make a ski themed cake in the idea of the wedding cake being a mountain top. With a wedding cake as a snowy mountain the topper with look right in place with the wedding cake or even add a winter theme to the wedding.

Some skiing themed weddings also go in tandem with a winter themed wedding or even a skiing themed wedding depending on the couple. Each of these ideas adds more personality to any wedding by just simply adding a skiing wedding cake topper to the wedding cake.

Erica A. Brooks enjoys helping brides to incorporate their personal style into their wedding. She offers couples inexpensive wedding ideas to help them to plan the wedding of their dreams while saving time and money. Visit ElegantWeddingCakeToppers.com for more information on choosing elegant wedding cake toppers including funny, romantic, monogrammed and skiiing wedding cake toppers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erica_A_Brooks

Friday, April 9, 2010

Beach Wedding Cakes

Looking for beach theme wedding cake ideas?

When it comes to wedding cakes, long gone are the days of following tradition. Since you are considering a beach theme wedding cake, you are obviously not a slave to those traditions.
So...let's stray from the "norm" and be adventurous!

One thing to remember...there are no rules! If there are...well, rules are made to be broken. Your beachtheme wedding cake can be anything you want it to be!

What Size?

How many guests are you planning to have? If you have your cake made professionally it can range in price anywhere from $2.00 to $15.00 per slice. A "slice" is normally considered to be 2 ounces or, approximately 4" x 2". The range in price will depend on how much intricate detail you want on it. If the cake you choose is very labor intensive, you can expect higher prices. If you are on a tight budget, keep it simple!

What Shape?

A beach theme wedding cake can be any size, shape or description. Be creative. If you have an idea for your cake, sketch it out on paper and take it to that talented friend, relative or your chosen bakery. If you can imagine it, someone can make it!

Do not limit your thinking to a two or three tier cake. It can be round, square, a sheet cake, a sculpted cake, individual mini cakes, cupcakes or even cookies! Some brides even choose a one or two layer, individual wedding cake on each guest table rather than the traditional large cake at the head table. This is a nice idea because it also serves as the table centerpiece. This eliminates the added expense associated with having a wedding centerpiece at each table!

A couple of things to keep in mind though...

* Since your reception may be on the beach, consider the sun! If you are having a dawn or dusk ceremony, heat from the sun will probably not be a major factor. However, if you are having your wedding midday, consider an "ornamental" cake. By that I mean, not edible with the exception of perhaps the bottom layer if you and the groom plan to cut it. You don't want your creation to melt!

* Consider draping your cake in a decorative manner with tulle to keep the bugs and sand out of it. It would be beautiful yet practical.

* Purchase decorative, individual cake boxes. Fill them and perhaps tie your wedding program or thank you to them with ribbon. Keep them in a cooler until time to pass them out to your guests. They will serve as your wedding favor, killing two birds with one stone!

* Make your own beach theme wedding cake! Look inside the next "DuncanHines" cake mix you buy. The instruction for making baking tiered cakesare in there! You can do it. If you can't, I'll bet you know a friend who could! In EVERY town there is a friend or a "friend of a friend" who makes beautiful wedding cakes. It's a hobby for them. They love doing it! Of course they still want to be paid, but not the ridiculous prices that a professional will charge you.

So...go... find that friend!

Cindy English is the publisher of:

Beach-Wedding-Themes.com
Beach wedding themes full of fun, fantasy and romance!

All-Florida-Beach-Weddings.com
Plan your wedding celebration in Paradise!

© Copyright 2005 by Cindy English
This article may be reprinted with no changes, omissions, or additions. All links must be left live and in tact.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_English

Selecting and Buying Your Wedding Cake

One of the most crucial and important parts of planning one's wedding is finding the best wedding cake. If your idea of a wedding is pleasing your guests, as well as yourselves, then a wonderful cake is one of the aspects of a wedding that guests remember.

Finding the perfect wedding cake is a task that should be given adequate time and attention. There are many cake decorators available in the industry which offer a variety of offerings that anyone can choose from. Buyers can go directly to their shops and browse through their catalogs to find the one that they want. If the catalog does not contain a preferred choice, you can even ask for a personalized one with their own design and preferences.

In order to get the best value though, you must first know your budget limitation or how much of the wedding expenses are allotted to the cake itself. The budget would determine what kind can be available for you to choose from. Prices vary depending on their ingredients particularly what kind of base it would be decided upon. The icing also varies from one to another.

Knowing this information before consulting providers would save an individual a good amount of time and money as well. With these preferences ready, wedding cake decorators would already have an idea which to offer an individual client. However, this does not mean that what a buyer wants would always be the final product. Buyers should be open with suggestions from the makers and decorators since they know the issues better than anyone else! They would be in the right position to determine whether what a buyer wants is feasible, practical and pleasing.

Mark Clayson is a professional, home business entrepreneur, mentor and speaker. Visit Start Work at Home for more information on starting or developing a home business or his official site to find out more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Mark_Clayson

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Modern Mixed Pattern Wedding Cakes

The wedding cake is one of the most fun elements of any reception. It allows you to be creative and to express your point of view stylistically, and oh yeah, it also tastes great! Every year, intriguing new approaches to wedding cake design emerge. One of the hippest new trends right now is modern mixed pattern wedding cakes.

The mixed pattern wedding cake is a simple enough concept. Rather than having each tier of the cake look the same, couples are opting to do a different design on each layer. The result is fresh, fun, and funky. It looks absolutely contemporary, yet can be used with very retro or classic patterns. The best part of a mixed pattern cake is sitting down with your baker to decide which designs you would like to combine.

A wedding cake with a few different patterns on the tiers will allow you to put your own personal stamp on your reception, much like custom bridal jewelry does for your wedding attire. Just like with custom bridal jewelry, you can choose to go for a design which is classic with a twist or one that is totally unique. In fact, the bride's attire can be a great inspiration for the cake design. If you were wearing a lace gown, the top and bottom cake tiers could be decorated with a fondant "lace" design to match your dress, and the middle layer could be a crisp stripe design.

Mixed pattern wedding cakes can also draw their inspiration from the wedding colors. Let's say that you were having a wedding based on one of this year's hottest colors, turquoise. From there, think about the overall tone of your wedding. If you want to make your cake more elegant, choose a turquoise and cherry red damask design mixed with medium width stripes. Or go with a summer tropical flavor, and make one tier a turquoise and fuchsia hibiscus print, one with lime and turquoise surfboards, and a third tier with a turquoise and white graphic wave pattern. The three designs are all funky and unique, yet will still have a nice flow based on one shared color and a common theme.

You can really have some fun using a mixed pattern wedding cake to represent both the bride and groom. For instance, if the bride and groom are graduates of rival colleges, they could each have one tier of the cake dedicated to their alma mater, and a third that combines the school colors of the newlyweds' colleges. If the groom went to Michigan and the bride to Ohio State, one tier could be done in the blue and gold of the Wolverines and another in Buckeye scarlet and gray. The third tier can be made using all four colors together. A great design concept would be to do horizontal stripes on one tier, vertical stripes on another tier, and then a plaid combining all of the colors for the final tier. Talk about unity!

Preppy gals have long adored combining different patterns in similar color palettes, so a mixed pattern cake is a natural for the preppy bride. Picture a cake created all in pink and green. You can have an argyle tier, a striped tier, and a polka dot tier. Or have one of your favorite Lilly Pulitzer designs used as inspiration for the largest tier, and accent it with a striped middle layer, and a monogrammed top tier. Sheer bliss!

The mixed pattern cake trend is so much fun that it is destined to become a big hit. The possibilities for creativity and personal expression are truly limitless. Why not get in on the fun and design a mixed pattern cake for your wedding this year?

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of http://silverlandjewelry.com/. The friendly staff at Silverland Jewelry looks forward to helping you design the perfect custom bridal jewelry for your wedding. We offer free crystal samples for color matching and complimentary shipping on all jewelry orders over $99.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bridget_Mora

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Icing a Wedding Cake With Butter Cream Frosting

You will need a turntable, a spatula designed for spreading icing, cardboard rounds, plastic wrap, a firm cake, a good butter cream icing recipe and patience. My first most important tip is always use a very cold cake. In fact I recommend freezing the wedding cake layers prior to filling and frosting them.

My second tip is to use a soft (but not too soft) butter cream recipe. My favorite frosting recipe is called an Italian Meringue. It is light and fluffy and not too sweet. After your cake layers have cooled, you will wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze for at least a few hours, overnight is even better.

(Note) You can cut one cake to make two layers if you bake them in the higher sided pans, which you can get at your local craft store. Wilton is a good brand. If you choose to do this, then cut the cakes after they have cooled, but before they are put into the freezer.

You will need cardboard rounds, precut to each cake size that you are planning on using. Two for each cake to slide under the cakes as you work with them and to serve as a base for each finished cake.

Filling the cakes: For a practice cake, I recommend filling the cakes with plain icing. No fancy mousses just yet! The cold cakes will solidify the buttery mixture quickly so that the layers will not slide around while frosting the cake.

The first layer that you put on your cake is called a crumb coat. A crumb coat is a thin layer of icing that is used to seal in the crumbs. This makes it much easier to frost without getting those yucky crumbs mixed in.

The crumb coat does not have to look good because you will be covering it with a thick layer at the end with a final coat. Once you crumb coat your cake, you need to return it to the fridge or freezer to firm it up a bit.

Now for your final coat: Place the filled and crumb coated cake onto the turntable and plop a large amount of frosting onto the top of the cake. Now spread from the center out with your spatula, being careful not to press too hard. I always use a back and forth motion while turning the table.

You should end up with some icing further out than the edges of the cake. It should be fairly thick, you will be scraping the excess off later. Now work some of that icing down the sides of the cake gently while turning the table. Do not try to make it look great yet. The idea here is to get the butter cream thick on the entire cake and then scrape it down to perfection later.

Now keep adding it to the sides as needed until the whole cake is covered. You are now ready to scrape some of the excess off. Angle the spatula vertically, use the edge of it, as you turn the table slowly. Some of the icing will form a ledge that is slightly higher than the top of the cake. This is good.

Once you get the sides looking pretty good, start working the top edges. Angle the spatula horizontally and start at the opposite side bring the spatula towards you as you turn the table and scrape off the ledge I spoke about earlier. Be gentle and do not scrape away too much or it will make a divet.

Keep in mind that you will be putting a border around the edges and decorations on top or possibly a another cake on top, so if it is not absolutely perfect you will be able to cover some mistakes or unevenness.

The final step is to heat up the spatula with hot water and then go over the sides one more time and the top once to really make it smooth. You will need a long wide spatula for this.

You can store your cakes in the refrigerator uncovered once they are frosted. Just make sure that there are no dominating odors, because the butter cream will absorb some of that.

Practice makes perfect!!!! as my mother used to annoyingly say to me while I practiced my notes and chords on the instrument of my choice, the organ, believe it or not!!!

Lorelie Carvey's website http://www.wedding-cakes-for-you.com, shares her expertise with aspiring cake decorators on how to make a wedding cake. Bridesmaids and brides find free resources to help plan your unique wedding and shower celebration. Lorelie invites you to submit your best cake decorating ideas and sweet stories. Go to http://www.wedding-cakes-for-you.com/cakedecoratingcontest.html

Most of all have fun while you are learning this new skill!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorelie_Carvey

Monday, April 5, 2010

Wedding Cake Stands That Don't Cost a Fortune

If you have begun planning your wedding you have probably discovered that there are a lot of details to think about and also a lot of items to fit into your budget. Sometime saving a little money here and there on the smaller details will make a difference when you add up the total cost of a wedding.

There are certainly some places where you can save a little money and still have the beautiful wedding of your dreams. If you have thought about what type of wedding cake you would like then you may have started to give some thought to the whole display of your cake. It does not matter if you are planning on a very basic layered cake or a fancier cascading cake with many separated tiers; you can still find a cake stand within your budget. Even though every couple would like a beautiful cake display, you can save some money if you spend a little time figuring out what you want and then looking around a little to find a good deal.

Here are a few places to start your search for a nice cake stand that does not cost a fortune. Stands that are made of glass, stainless steel or ceramic can be very beautiful and will often start at about $10.00 at department stores. If you like the look of wrought iron, you can find lovely stands that are also relatively inexpensive.

For those who can afford to spend a little bit more, there are many beautiful crystal cake stands available for under $50.00. When you are shopping online, you can compare similar models from different websites to get the best deals.

Another way to have beautiful display without a huge cost is to go with cupcakes at your reception. This idea is becoming more and more popular at weddings all over the world. Cupcake holders come in all shapes and sizes and many of them are very affordable.

Other ways to save some money on your cake display is to rent, borrow or even make your own cake stand. If you decide to create your own cake holder, keep in mind the style or theme of the rest of your wedding and make something that ties in nicely. You may have a friend or family member that is creative and can help you with this project.

With a little time and effort, you will be able to have the wedding cake display of your dreams, without spending a huge portion of your wedding budget.

Check out this article for more information on budget cake stands or visit my site to find the perfect wedding cake stand.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_Sheehan

Sunday, April 4, 2010

How To Pick The Perfect Wedding Cake

Your wedding is your special day. Of course, you want everything to be absolute perfection. You have to get yourself the best dress money can buy. You have to have your ceremony and reception in the most gorgeous setting. And, of course, you want to have the best cake ever - by far the most fun part of your wedding planning efforts.

The Look

Common advice dictates that you should not judge a book by its cover. You can ignore such advice in this case. When choosing your wedding cake, the look does matter, more than any other.

When you're picking a wedding cake, take the time to browse through several cake shops and browse through color catalogs to find one that fits your wedding theme and motif perfectly. Better yet, if your budget permits, you can get a cake customized especially for your wedding. This way your cake will seamlessly blend in with the decor, complimenting the overall look and feel of your wedding.

Why is this important? Simply put, your wedding cake is the centerpiece of the reception. It is by far the most unique and the most admired of all your wedding trappings. It's meant to stand out, yes, not as a wallflower, but as the ultimate topper of your wedding decor.

The Taste

Beauty is more than skin deep. This is especially true in wedding cakes. Your cake is gorgeous and it will capture the admiration of your guests, so it's only fitting that it's tastes good as well. Suffice to say, your cake should literally be good enough to eat.

Most cake shops offer samples for tasting purposes. You should definitely take advantage of this opportunity. Take the time to sample different combinations of icing, flavors, and fillings.

So what should you look for in a good wedding cake? First of all, consider the icing. You can go for fondant or royal icing. Your icing should be sweet, but not overly so. You don't want to your icing to dominate the whole cake. If your cake has flowerettes and other decorations on it made of marzipan, fondant, or any other confection, sample those as well.

Next, consider the cake itself. You can have your choice of chiffon, sponge, and many more. These often come in different flavors that you can choose from. A good cake is soft enough to melt in your mouth, but not crumble when cut by a knife or fork. Also, the flavor has to be noticeable, but not overwhelmingly so.

Lastly, consider the cake's filling. Most cake shops also offer different options for this, and you can choose one perfect for your palate. The filling should be creamy and should blend perfectly with the icing and the cake itself. Of course, if you've chosen a tiered cake and are having a hard time figuring out which combination to go for, you can always request a different one for each tier.

Indeed, as hectic as planning a wedding could be, picking a wedding cake takes the strain out of everything else. This is a good opportunity to put the fun back in your wedding planning. Of course, with all the tasting, don't get carried away or else you won't fit in your dress!

Put as much effort in thinking of groomsmen gift ideas as you would in picking your wedding cake. Consider personalized pub signs or Zippo products. Visit ExecutiveGiftShoppe.com today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bradlley_Mckoy

Types of Wedding Cake

The wedding cake has always been an important part of the reception, but these days it has taken on even greater significance. Brides are actually planning their entire weddings around the design of the cake. These are the types of cake and frosting that you are likely to find:

White cake: The most traditional wedding cake flavor; for more oomph, add a flavored filling between the layers, like raspberry buttercream or apricot preserves.

Chocolate cake: A crowd pleaser! Brides are getting more brave about serving chocolate cake. It can either be concealed under white frosting for a traditional appearance, or frosted in chocolate for a decadent treat. Chocolate is very popular for grooms' cakes.

Marble cake: Can't decide between white cake and chocolate cake? Then a marble cake is the answer.

Lemon cake: Tart and refreshing; try a lemon cake for a summer wedding. From personal observation, I should mention that women seem to like lemon flavored deserts much more than men, so make sure that your groom is okay with lemon before finalizing your order with the baker.

Carrot cake: A nice option for an autumn wedding. If you are hoping for the cream cheese frosting usually found on carrot cake, be aware that it is likely to be more cream colored than pure white.

Buttercream Frosting: The most popular frosting, buttercream is both light and rich at the same time. It requires refrigeration, however, so it is not a good choice for an outdoor wedding reception.

Fondant: This frosting is the one that you will often find on elaborate couture style cakes. Fondant is rolled into a sheet and then laid over the cake for a very smooth finish. It makes an excellent base for decorations, and holds up well in heat. Fondant is chosen more for looks than flavor; you might want another layer of more delicious frosting underneath it.

Royal Icing and Gum Paste: These are used to create the decorations on the cake. Royal icing is good for delicate decorations, like a monogram, and pliable gum paste is ideal for making exquisite frosting flowers.

Once you and your baker have determined the right type of cake for your wedding, it will be time to decide on decorations. Fresh flowers are always a beautiful option, and they are very affordable. You may need to coordinate the baker and the florist for the blooms. Another pretty idea is wide ribbons around the base of each tier. Satin or grosgrain ribbon works very well, or you can have the baker create frosting "ribbons".

From there, the designs get more and more elaborate. A very hot trend is to coordinate the cake to the bride's gown and wedding jewelry. You might see lace or embroidery replicated in frosting to mimic the pattern on the bridal gown. Another popular idea is to decorate the cake with crystals or faux pearls to tie in with the wedding jewelry. The fun thing about this type of design is that is is very personal, and will be a completely original design.

Prices of wedding cakes can run from the hundreds to the thousands. If you want a showpiece cake but have a limited budget, order a smaller tiered cake for display, and then have a sheet cake in the same flavor that can be sliced in the kitchen and served to your guests. No one will be the wiser.

Selecting your wedding cake will be easy once you know the basics about cakes. Of course, you will want to have an extensive cake tasting anyway, just because it is fun. For a sweet surprise, ask the baker if she will be able to create a tiny replica of your cake for your first anniversary. A great cake is too delicious to enjoy just once!

Laura helps brides with their wedding plans by offering advice on selecting bridesmaids gifts, reception ideas and other aspects of planning a wedding. Wedding jewelry can be as affordable as it is beautiful.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Firenze

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Different Wedding Cake Shapes

Traditionally, numerous round and square creations are the most popular shapes of wedding cakes seen decorating the reception area over the years. Today, there is a never-ending selection of cake colors, shapes, and detailing - as far as the imagination will go. Depending on the mood you wish to set for your wedding reception, the shape and design of the cake can help create an elegant, light-hearted, colorful, creative, or classic atmosphere. Below, you will find a few possibilities to consider on how to present your wedding confection:

Round

Round cakes are one of the most popular shapes a wedding display showcases. Over the years, some couples have deemed the basic round tiers a drag, while many others opt for the simplicity and delicate nature of an all-encompassing cake. The round shape of a wedding cake also opens up many doors for decoration, as a collection of satisfying textures and colors are allowed. For example, draping an assortment of flowers over a round wedding cake is a common theme.

Square

The sharp lines and angles of a square wedding cake is a more modern statement. Often, couples choose to soften the display of their cake by adding flowers, light colors (such as pastels), and dainty embellishments. Sugar pearls and rolled fondant are also common selections of ornamentation.

Table Cake

A table cake is small in size, but creates a beautiful centerpiece, where each guest table receives its own selection. A variety of decoration choices (flowers, candy pieces, and fondant) are possible, which replaces the traditional centerpiece of flowers and other selections.

Flowery (Petaled)

The shape of this wedding cake presents a flower-like or sculpted appearance that is sometimes referred to as "scalloped." On the average, each tier showcases its own motif. A high amount of color is often utilized. Soft decorations are commonly chosen and matched with varying textures. An example of this cake shape choice is seen with white fondant, sugar-paste accents, and swirls that are topped with sugary roses and sweet peas.

Six-Sided (Hexagonal)

When looking for a twist on the classic square cake shape, some couples are choosing the hexagonal selection that offers six different sides. Usually, decoration is kept at a minimum to highlight a clean and uncomplicated presentation. Guests are often quite taken aback by the display of such a cake, as the shape of the cake itself is seen as decoration.

Tilted (Off-Kilter)

When moving further away from the simple, traditional shapes of wedding cakes, you may consider an off-kilter design, where each tier is turned 45 degrees. This remarkable display gives the illusion that the cake is actually turning on its own axis. In the end, cake decorators have more space to work with for their embellishments, which includes real or fake flowers, roses (sugar paste), and ribbon.

Yolanda is the owner of Yolandas Wedding Favors. She sells many different types of wedding favors such as, love glass coasters, two peas in a pod salt and pepper shakers and many many more. Yolandas Wedding Favors also carries many different Cheap wedding favors for the budget minded. So if you need unique wedding favors then we got you covered.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yolanda_Nash

Friday, April 2, 2010

Wedding Cake Designer in Mexico

Selecting the cake design that is perfect for the wedding day would add more entertainment and romance to your wedding. Many wedding cake services provide the best cake design that can meet your dreams. Traditionally, cakes for wedding are tropical fruitcakes laden with pineapple chunks, sliced pecans, and grated coconut, etc. These fruitcakes are soaked in rum or milky sauce.

You can also have a conventional wedding cake type your wedding cake such as chocolate or lemon and decorate it with a full of life or quixotic subject. Mixing the flavors of your wedding cake would be the best idea to make all the guests happy. This can be done by selecting the cake with more than a tier. For each tier select a different flavor like one puddle with tropical fruits and the other with chocolate flavor and so on.

When selecting the color for your cake, you may desire to choose traditionalist color schemes or the highly contrasting vibrant colors. As the Mexican weddings focus on having many vibrant colors, and the guests and bridesmaid often prefer wearing red, try to select any primary color to make a bold proclamation on this special day with your cake and decorations. You can even try selecting a white cake for wedding as the bride traditionally wears white and the decoration flowers used in church, or even at home are white. The color white in a wedding cake lays emphasis on roses or chili peppers, which can be selected for an exotic wedding.

For a design idea, consider the scenes or pictures which come to the mind and heart when you intend to refer to Mexico. They can be beautiful tropical flowers, fountains, chili peppers, enthralling desert sunrises, colorful mosaics, and senoritas and so on.

The cakes are available in unique design and the mosaic-patterned cake that is made of icing is popular. A couple of ideas for wedding cake are a riotous garden of tropical flowers like Hibiscus, Heliconia, terra-cotta or silver colored pillars, gum paste molded into different shapes and so on. You should have a general idea on the cake style you want before meeting the cake designer. Carry all photos, swatches, hopes, notes and dreams with you to your first meeting. A talented designer of cake should be able to build the cake from a photo or combination of all photos.

The wedding cake looks beautiful if you use fresh flowers on it. You can even select sugar flowers to use on your cake. They generally cost similar to placing fresh flowers on cake. The sugar flowers last forever if they are handled carefully. These sugar flowers are custom colored and are made just for your wedding. Therefore, the cake design and its color and flavor would make a perfect wedding cake.

If your wedding flower designer can supply the flowers, the professional wedding cake designer will liaise with the cake with them to create the best design. For a cake designer related information you can refer to http://www.bajawedding.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amber_Joseph

Wedding Cake Glossary of Terms

If you will be getting married, you may want to be familiar with wedding cake terms before you visit the baker or confectioner who is making your cake. Here are some of the more common wedding cake terms and their meanings:

Wedding Cake Parts and Shapes:

Tier: This is one level of the cake-(i.e. a 3 tier cake.)

Layer: A horizontal piece of the cake. Often the wedding cake layers are baked in separate pans and then one or more are combined to make a tier.

Round: A cylinder shaped cake. This is the most traditional shape for a wedding cake.

Square: A more modern shape for a cake-very geometrical-tiers can be placed at odd angles for an even more modern touch.

Hexagon: A six-sided wedding cake can be very trendy and fashionable.

Scalloped: The edges of the tiers are shaped much like flower petals for a very casual look.

Molded: The cake is shaped like a football or some other object-this is often used for the groom's cake.

Frosting and Filling Terms:

Fondant: A sheet like sugar "dough" that hardens over time and is good for an outdoor wedding cake because it will not melt. It is very smooth in texture and can be made in one of three forms: rolled into sheets, poured over the top, or sculpted into shapes.

Buttercream: The traditional wedding cake favorite made of butter, cream, and eggs. It is very soft and easy to flavor with chocolate, fruit or liquor, but should only be used at indoor events.

Ganache: A chocolate, butter and cream sauce or filling that will melt in the heat.

Chocopan: This is basically a chocolate version of fondant-but better tasting.

Marzipan: This almond based substance can be used as a filling or to make colored shapes to put on the cake.

Royal Icing: A very hard icing that is used for decorations that need to be solid-such as lace.

Decorations:

Basket weave: This looks like a wicker basket.

Swiss dotted: Random dots are placed all over the cake.

Piping: Lines are made on the cake with a pastry bag and tip.

Pulled or Spun Sugar: Sugar is cooked until it is liquid and then shaped into bows, ribbons or thin strands. This must be done on site because it will not transport.

Eriani Doyel writes articles for and about Weddings. For more information on selecting a wedding cake [http://www.fleckwedding.com/] visit fleckwedding.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eriani_Doyel

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Wedding Cakes in History

The Wedding cakes we know today are tiered and iced with white-colored icing, cut and eaten by the wedded couple during the reception. However these are quite different from what we could have seen in the beautifully designed and sweetly baked cakes from the earlier days.

Cakes are nothing new in weddings because long ago in ancient Rome. Married couples have made use of the then wedding cake, in the form of unsweetened wheat or barley loaf of bread. Unlike today when the wedding cake is cut, sliced and consumed by the couple, the wedding cakes of a medieval wedding rites are broken on top of the bride's head to sanctify her with fertility, good wealth and happiness. When the bread has been broken, guests would rush to get the crumbs which were then believed to be tokens of good luck.

From being loaves, the wedding cake has evolved to buns during the span of medieval days. Instead of being provided by the couple, the wedding guests were the ones expected to bring a sweetened bun as a wedding token to the couple. Buns given by guests were piled up high together then the couple were expected to kiss each other over the top of buns pile. If the couple successfully kissed each other then the marriage was bound to be fertile and happy, but failure to do would cost the couple a face with sticky buns of bread.

After many years have passed, bun cakes were displaced by brides pie in terms of popularity in wedding occasions. Not only that but these brides pie also served as the sweet and tasty delicacies provided to guests during some form of a treasure hunt. At first, brides pie were given only to single ladies who attended the wedding. Inside the pie is a hidden token or symbol of luck, mostly a ring. And like the catching of bouquet, anyone who gets the ring was believed to be marrying next. This practice about brides pie in weddings has continued until the early Victorian times. This time period set off the beginning of layered wedding cakes with sweetened white icing.

But the evolution of wedding cakes did not end just there. If wedding cakes were once white in color from the interior to the exterior, nowadays cakes may be baked and designed with all possible colors the couple may want. It may be decorated with any kind of decors the soon to be married couple prefers.

There is an old tradition but nonetheless still practiced today by some couples, involves saving or putting aside a portion of the cake. This was seen as a symbol of prosperity that the wedded couple should preserve and freeze entirely. This piece of cake has to be thawed then eaten and shared by the couple on their first year of wedding anniversary. The first tier of the cake is usually saved in this tradition. To make the frozen cake taste good a year after the wedding it should be freshly made and baked for the wedding day.

To read more about weddings, wedding cakes and wedding catering services; please visit Wedding.com.au. An Australian wedding directory for everything you need to know about your wedding day.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=W_Tsang

Selecting Monogram Wedding Cake Toppers

Your wedding day is a very special day in your life. Brides want everything to be perfect from the dress she wears to the tiny little sculpture that sites on the top of the bridal wedding cake. The most common practice of selecting a miniature bride and groom for standing on the wedding cake may simply not seem to be personal enough to show the importance of union as husband and wife. However, choosing a more personalized topper may be just the effect you are looking for. Monogram cake toppers are toppers that display the first letter of the last name of the new couple. These toppers come attached to tiny spikes that hold them firm into the cake. However, only the lettering is visible. They can be purchased in a variety of materials, colors, sizes, and styles.

Crystal monogram cake toppers grab the lighting from the sun, the room, or the candles and illuminate your cake. The crystals can be created in any color, shape, or size that you desire. These diamond-like toppers often appear much more expensive than they really cost. These wedding cake toppers are perfect for the bride who sets up her serving line facing the interior of the reception hall. The toppers are not designed to be viewed from all sides. These do not work well for caterers that set up dual sided serving lines. The front is acrylic mirror while the back is a dull gray.

The brushed metal topper is made of a shiny metallic metal that is easily visible from a distance. The topper can be cut to fit very large cakes and has a shiny view from all sides. In addition to choosing the material of your topper, you will also have a choice in the size and style of lettering that is used. Pick more formal appearing letters for a sophisticated wedding and fun laid back lettering for casual affairs. A more formal look is often displayed by curvy lettering while letters in block style typically give off an informal air.

Be certain to choose lettering size that appropriately matches the size of the cake. You do not want the letter to be overbearing and take over the cake. However, lettering that is too small will get lost in the appearance of the reception. View different sizes of letters on a sample cake to gain a good understanding of how your monogram topper will appear. Monogram wedding cake toppers can add a touch of personality to your reception. They can be fun or very stylish. The toppers are customizable and designed to meet the desires of the bride and groom. They add much more to a wedding cake than the average plastic bride and groom set or bunch of flowers.

Read information about what you should look for considering lace wedding gowns. You can also check some details about the inexpensive wedding flowers for a beautiful and budget friendly decoration.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Ponce

The Best Wedding Cake Toppers


It certainly takes a lot more vision to plan and execute the elegance of wedding cakes than it does to select the right hand towels to give the bride and groom as a gift. Thanks to a current trend, though, the two acts have something in common: they can be monogrammed.

Placing a monogram wedding cake topper on a cake is a way to personalize your experience in a way that can capture the spirit of the ceremony and the personalities of the bride and groom.

Wedding toppers are traditionally a miniature version of the bride and groom in long wedding gown and tuxedo. Some are edible and some are carefully crafted ceramic figures that double as a keepsake when the reception is done. Designers have been able to explore themes and superstitions surrounding the bride and groom with the traditional topper.

There have been brides and grooms entwined in a dance, brides comically dragging a groom into married life, grooms on one knee in proposal stance, and grooms holding brides across their arms for carrying over a threshold.

Monogram wedding cakes offer a chance for the cake designer to play with the initials in the names of a couple. Coming in variable sizes and fonts, the letters, or monogram wedding toppers, can be an edible part of the cake or be made with more glitz.

The monogram is usually a large first letter of the last name of the newly married couple flanked by each of their first initials. The initials can be covered in rhinestones, crystals, acrylic mirrors or solid metal. Acrylic mirrors and solid metal work best for wedding cakes that will be viewed from both sides.

The biggest decisions regarding wedding cakes that use monogrammed insignia revolve around color and style of lettering. Though you may have already decided on these things, the vendor or retail outlet you decide to work with may have a limited selection for you to choose from. Generally, these specialty stores have relationships with specific suppliers and the availability of styles and colors is limited to what can be accessed in a timely manner by those suppliers.

Wedding cakes can become one of the most detailed expenses for a wedding next to flowers. Everyone has an idea of what flavor cake and icing they would like to bite into on their special day. They may not always know what they would like to grace the top of a cake. Sometimes, if no particular image is striking enough, it is a safe, elegant bet to go with a monogram.

Everyone searching online for a wedding cakes site can easily find this information by searching for ideas like Wedding Cakes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vincent_O'Neil

Relishing Your Wedding Cake and Bouquet

One thing we make sure about our wedding is its distinct quality that makes it far above the others. We don't aim to make it sound like a competition though. However, we have the tendency to aim for perfect accuracy on our wedding since we want it to be special and memorable. After several years of our wedding, we then look back on how happy and fascinated we were on our wedding day. A wedding will always be a good memory to treasure. Although some say that good things will soon to end, not the brilliant memories of your wedding - if you only learn the effective ways on how to relish them. Newlyweds now have better ways on how to preserve their wedding memories.

How to relish the cake?

Some couples follow the traditional approach of first wedding anniversary and one of the conventional beliefs is to eat one piece of your wedding cake. Initially, you will not find any problem in eating piece of your wedding cake on your first anniversary. But the problem is - how are you going to preserve your wedding cake so it reaches on your first anniversary?

Simply sheath the upper layer of the cake and make sure that it is safely covered in a plastic wrap. Follow it with an aluminum foil. Never use only foil to case the wedding cake because it can create a bad taste on the cake. Have the cake stored at the back portion of your freezer wherein temperature is kept constant. This is will ensure your cake to preserve its original taste.

How to relish the bouquet?

Bouquet is a significant remembrance of your wedding, so why let it ruined? We all know that flowers can be formed into a collection or it can be dried. Others have it pressed in between the pages. If you intend to conserve your bouquet, don't let a significant number of days to pass. Make sure that you have already started the drying procedure before you leave for your honeymoon.

Hang the bouquet inversely and keep it in a dried out, gloomy location. Let it stay there for two weeks. Two weeks would be sufficient to fully dry out the bouquet and shall then be ready to embellish a shelf or wall.

If you want to create a potpourri out of your bouquet, simply detach the fresh petals then place them in a particular bowl away from sunlight. Let it be like that for 2 to 3 weeks. After drying up the petals, simply adjoin few drops of potpourri oil in floral scent.

You can also utilize the pressed flowers to ornament your wedding album. You can also use it to beautify your stationery or your picture frame. Simply trim the fresh flowers near its base and put them within a folded wax paper. Have it placed between the sheets of a book. See results after two weeks.

Simple things that commemorate the intense and brilliant feeling of your wedding are always big treasures to cherish. Wedding cakes and bouquet are two great things to recall if you can only manage to preserve them.

The author is owner of http://www.uniqueweddingfavours.ie, an Irish company that specialises in selling wedding favours and wedding supplies in the Irish market.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Gammell

Mini Wedding Cakes - Be Original

Mini wedding cakes? You bet! Let me tell you why. Weddings are one of the most special moments of life. A couple takes a vow of togetherness for a lifetime during their wedding which is the most special day of their life. It is a boon if a couple gets to start their married life with memorable moments which take place during the various wedding ceremonies. There are certain arrangements which are to be made to meet this purpose. These include the place where the ceremonies will take place, the cuisine served, the music played and most importantly the decorations.

Mini wedding cakes more than meet the requirements of good decoration at a wedding ceremony. It would be a great idea to serve them as dessert at a wedding ceremony or wedding reception. They can be wrapped up in colorful and attractive boxes which will be truly pleasing to the eye. They can be decorated with satin ribbons to present the subtle look. They are the ideal sweet treat served to your guests at your wedding reception. They certainly serve as one of the best ways to express your token of gratitude to your guests who are present on your special day. These little cakes are very stylish for your guests to take back home. They will be a great gift for your guests to take home.

Mini weddings cakes can be prepared in various attractive designs and hundreds of flavors that suit your tastes. If you do not have to worry about your budget, it is recommended that you decorate your mini wedding cakes to look like your bigger wedding cake. It would certainly look pleasing to the eye if the tables at the wedding are decorated with your miniature cakes. Trust me, people will be talking about them at their table. Serving mini wedding cakes as dessert not only leaves one surprised but will also be a feast for their eyes. The wonderful thing about pleasing your guests with these cakes is that they are easy to make and the mini cake pans are affordable.

Another trick to floor the guests would be to serve these cakes in different flavors. For example, if you have about 500 guests at your wedding reception, you could get about 200 mini wedding cakes in chocolate, 200 in blueberry and about 200 cakes in strawberry depending up on your tastes. The mini wedding cake can be either square shaped or circular or even heart shaped. This innovative idea will be loved by all your guests and you will be flooded with compliments that will make your day even more special. Why not consider adding these wonderful little treats to your wedding?

For more information on mini wedding cake pans and more, visit Mini Cake Pans.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Neitzel

Wedding Cake Design Through History

The design of the traditional wedding cake has varied greatly over time. Once a sign of fertility, the wedding cake of the Roman Empire was made of wheat or Barley. The small cake was then broken over the bride's head, celebrating her fertility.

The design of the wedding cake changed and it became a tradition to pile several small cakes on top of each other. The bride and groom then tried kiss over the top of the cakes without knocking them down. A successful kiss was a good omen, bringing a lifetime of prosperity to the new couple.

The current traditional design of wedding cakes first appeared in the 1660's. A French Chef visiting London attended a cake piling ceremony. He was shocked at the way the cakes were stacked on top of each other, and how often they fell over, so he created the tiered iced style of wedding cake we know today.

The wedding cake is more than just a desert at your reception. It is a symbol of good fortune and married bliss. Your guests always enjoy admiring the wedding cake and devouring the cake too. Even on a limited budget, you can present a beautiful wedding cake. Low cost options could include buying a stacked cake from your local bakery and dressing it up yourself. Ordering a cake from a pastry class at a culinary school could also be an option. There are also supermarkets and wholesale clubs that may offer bargain priced customized cakes.

For more information, visit these sites:

http://www.WeddingCakesInfo.com
http://www.WeddingFavorsInfo.com
http://www.WeddingReceptionInfo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Chandler