One Of The Oldest Wedding Traditions

One of the oldest traditions surrounding weddings is the saving of the top tier of the cake to be eaten on the couple’s first anniversary or at the birth of their first child. Although still observed by some couples this tradition seems to be falling by the way side as the cost of wedding cakes has sky-rocketed. However, if you plan on keeping and freezing the top tier of your wedding cake then it is important to mention this to your cake designer before hand.

Your cake designer will be able to tell you how to properly remove and freeze the top tier of your wedding cake. They will also be able to tell whether or not the cake will keep for a year or if you should be planning on eating the cake for your third month anniversary instead.

If you are planning on keeping the top tier of your wedding cake, then one thing is definite – you must properly package the cake to prevent it from freezer burn. You must also freeze it as quickly as possible after the ceremony so that it seals in as much of the freshness as possible. Another option is to have your cake designer bake you a miniature version of your cake to eat at a later date – that way you can truly savor the delicious treat that you may be too distracted to really taste the day of your wedding.

The wedding cakes that we know and love today were not always the way they

look or taste. The tradition of serving cake at a wedding goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks. The newly wed couple would cut cake together to symbolize fertility and happiness – it is from where we get our modern custom of cake cutting at a wedding.

However this custom was not always in vogue. The Romans did have a form of cake at their weddings, but instead of eating this wheat or barley cake, the groom would break it over the bride’s head. The crumbs that fell to the floor were then gathered up by the guests as tokens of good luck. A similar tradition of breaking a cake over the bride’s head continued for many centuries with some reports from Scotland dating as recently as the 19th century.

This custom slowly gave way to another whereby guests actually brought cakes to the reception. These cakes were then layered together using applesauce – the higher the cake, the more popular the bride. Another custom that was widely popular during the Middle Ages involved the guests bringing sticky buns to the reception and piling them up in front of the happy couple. If the couple were able to kiss over the top they were supposed to be blessed with a long and happy marriage and many children.

In the eighteenth century brandied fruit cakes were a big hit because they were able to keep for so long. The Pilgrims brought this tradition over to the Americas and the fruit cake slowly evolved into the white, tiered cake that has come to symbolize wedding receptions.

Today the white cake has again evolved. Modern wedding cakes can be any color, any flavor and any style. They have become works of art and are prepared by skilled and talented cake designers who are eagerly sought by brides everywhere for their expertise and ability to turn an ordinary pastry into an incredible, edible creation.

For wedding planning, coordination including Day Of wedding assistance,
Liane McCombs Wedding & Event Planning
775 . 786 . 7130

Summer Weddings

People love to get married no matter what time of the year it is. However, their does seem to be more people getting married during the summer season than during other (colder) seasons. What makes summer weddings so much fun? Here are some great ideas that you will want to include in your own summer wedding.

First of all, everything needs to be colorful. No matter what you include in your summer wedding, remember that it needs some color to it. This does not mean that you need to go color crazy, because that just makes the wedding look more like a carnival. However, try to bring in some warm and bright hues. It's also good if you can include these warm hues on the summer wedding invitations as well. This gives the invited guest the “feel” of the wedding. Right now, sophisticated is hot. Stick with two hues, and try to keep your space unified. Also try to use one color for a strong statement. Yes, this means perhaps pink orange centerpieces. This is something that will stand out right away against the other color that you choose.

Next, when it comes to summer weddings, you can not go wrong with classic, laid-back music. This is fitting wedding throughout the year, but especially for summer weddings. Trying to go with a pianist or a string trio is always a nice option. Right now, having that laid back vibe during the cocktail hour is very “in.” Think steel drums meets ukulele. If you can, try and work in the classic swing (big band swing) for the upbeat part of the evening. The laid back feeling goes well for the cocktail hour as well as the dinner hour, then it can be "party time!

There are always some basic themes that go with a summer wedding. This includes the garden theme or even the basic beach theme. However, these are pretty generic settings, and you may want to take a more personal route to find the look and feel you want for your wedding. Do not just do something, because everyone else is doing it. To achieve this goal, think of your favorite summer hangout spot. For example, if you love the mountains during the summer, then think of a mountain theme.

Summer wedding invitations also look best when they have some color in them. Although black and ivory wedding invitations are still very classic and will work for your wedding theme, it is fun to do something that is unexpected with the wedding invitations. This makes your wedding stand out to people more when they think back on it. You will also find that more people are likely to respond to a creative wedding invitation than a basic one.

Your tables are also the place where you will want your summer theme to carry through. Be sure that your wedding favors also go along with your summer theme. Natural elements also make beautiful and unique centerpieces. Having these kinds of centerpieces for your wedding are a sure-fire way to make your wedding visually appealing. Various kinds of fruit are always a hit and their appearance is magnified when placed in a clear container filled with water.

Summer is a hot time of the year and unless you want your guests to fry, be sure to serve plenty of refreshing, cold drinks and have plenty of ice on hand, as well as an extra supply of drinking glasses. Fruit that has been frozen into ice cubes adds added flavor and color to your beverages.

There are many options for you when it comes to a summer wedding cake. You need to think outside the box. Do not just think white or brown cake. Think what kind of summer theme items you want included on the cake itself. For example, a wedding cake would look great with some fresh strawberries on it. Not only does this make the cake look nice, but it makes it taste great too! Strawberry shortcake is great for a sheet-style wedding cake. If using real whipped cream, just make sure it stays indoors and out of the sun, until you are ready to serve it. You may even want to fill your cakes with some kind of citrus filling, maybe some lemon or orange vanilla butter cream.

Overall, there are many options for a summer wedding. You and your guests are always going to enjoy it. Hopefully these tips are sure to help you enjoy your summer wedding and make it just a little bit more fantastic. After all is said and done, you want to make sure that your summer wedding is one that you and your guests will never forget!

Wedding Cake Alternatives

Cakes are great, but what are your options if you want to serve something different at your ceremony? We think it’s a fabulous idea to have your wedding desserts reflect your personal taste!

If you’re looking for a little inspiration for how to dress up an ice cream sundae or

candied apples, check out these elegant photos for a few ideas.

There are so many options when choosing a desert for your wedding reception.

Cake is always a safe bet, however a fun and surprising dessert can give your event a little touch of the unexpected, and something that your guests will always remember.

Wedding Speeches and Toasts

Ready. Set. Deliver…the Best Wedding Speech or Toast Ever!

You’re all decked out in fancy dresses and tuxes. The audience’s expectations are high! Now, you have to deliver. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the bridesmaid, best man or father of the bride. Giving a speech or a toast at a wedding can be nerve racking. But, it doesn’t have to be if you follow some basic rules.

Give Thanks - Thank the necessary people. This takes homework. Did Aunt Barbara create the lavish wedding cake? Did the new mother-in-law sew the bride’s elaborate wedding gown by hand? Did groom’s brother have his catering company cater the food?

Funny Wedding Toasts – Add in humor and make it funny! The best speech is one that blends humor with sentimental moments. If it’s too sentimental, you’ll have guests crying in their beer – that’s when lighthearted humor can balance it out. But the same goes with having too many jokes…if your speech is composed entirely of jokes - stop - and add in a few serious and sentimental parts. Go for funny, yet tender.

Best Man Speech: example of humorous speech or toast mixed with sentiment:

“Since meeting Sara, it’s been a pleasant sight to watch Marshall actually in the kitchen getting his hands dirty! That’s not the only thing… Marshall started doing dishes and doing his own laundry (instead of paying someone). Sara, thank you for helping him out!

“Marshall , I’m blessed to be your younger brother. You have been a friend, a mentor and role model for me. I am so happy that you have found this woman filled with perfection to spend the rest of your life with!” * reprinted with permission from InstantWeddingToasts.com

Toast the Couple - If you’re toasting the groom, still make note of the bride. Does she look stunning in her dress? Has she brought out new and admirable qualities in the groom? Did she earn your respect while whitewater rafting with the groom? Likewise, if you’re toasting the bride, still make note of the groom.

Speak from the Heart – If it means something to you, it will mean something to the audience. Don’t be afraid to get a little mushy. Draw the audience in.

Maid of Honor Sister Speeches: sample speech speaking from the heart

“I've known Ami for quite some time, since high school, in fact. Ami and I were chemistry lab partners our sophomore year in high school. We had fun in that class and some of it actually involved learning chemistry! One concept that we studied was molecules and how “A molecule is the smallest particle of a substance that still retains its physical and chemical properties.”

Ami and Stuart, special moments are the molecules of life. I hope that you can cherish the sweet moments and use them to bind your lives together. But I know you will because I have seen you two together and you truly take the time to enjoy each other.”

* reprinted with permission from InstantWeddingToasts.com

Get personal. Were you involved when the bride and groom met? Do they have children? What was the bride’s reaction when the groom proposed? Do they have nicknames for each other?

Open and Close with a Bang! - Keep your best stuff at the beginning and end. You want - and need - a strong opener and a strong closer. Want examples of a great closer? Use a short Irish wedding toast, one that conveys your best wishes for their future or sums up their relationship perfectly.

Irish Wedding Toast Samples:

May you both live as long as you want,
and never want as long as you live. Never above you. Never below you. Always beside you. May your Love be modern enough to survive the times and old fashioned enough to last forever.

“Watch” the Clock - Don’t waste the audience’s time. Let’s face it; there are a lot of speeches and toasts at a wedding. If it’s not about the bride or groom, or doesn’t relate to love and marriage – cut it. Save the long or potentially embarrassing stories for the bachelor or bachelorette party. And speaking about time – be brief, not boring. And likewise, don’t be so short it’s not memorable. You can still have a short speech, but you must speak slower. A perfect short speech can be ruined by rushing.

Practice makes Perfect - Look at the audience. This takes practice, usually in front of a mirror with a spoon in one hand and a toasting glass in the other. Practice until you look good, until you can watch yourself in the mirror - and ultimately look at the audience - while speaking. Drop all the “ums” and “uhs”. It means you have to practice out loud, and when you think you’ve got it, get an audience of a brother/sister/friend and practice one more time.

Remember, when you open your mouth, you want to sound just as good as you look! Ready? Set. Deliver! Still don’t think you’ve got what it takes? Thinking you may need some help writing a wedding toast? Download Instant Wedding Speeches and Toasts.

Best Man Speeches or Toasts

Maid of Honor Speeches - Maid of Honor Sister Speeches

Irish Wedding Wishes Toasts

Funny Wedding Toasts

Wedding Budget: Who Pays For What

Wedding etiquette is different from traditions that were established in the past. Traditionally, the bride’s family would pick up the tab but with the average cost of weddings skyrocketing, and more couples getting married later in life, they are sharing in the expenses. Forget the archaic rule that says certain people have to pay for certain things. Keep in mind that informal weddings are usually smaller (and therefore cheaper), and formal weddings tend to be larger (and therefore more expensive). The table below is a guideline to help everyone involved to share the expenses.

Service	Bride & Family	Groom & Family	Wedding Party
Rings	Groom’s wedding ring	Bride’s engagement ring Bride’s wedding ring
Prewedding Parties	Engagement party Bridesmaid luncheon	Rehearsal dinner	Bridal Shower Bachelor Party
Stationery	Invitations, announcements, programs, thank you notes and mailing costs	Groom assists with writing thank you notes	Assist assembling and addressing invitations
Attire	Bride’s gown, veil, accessories Mother’s dress Father’s formalwear	Groom’s formalwear Mother’s dress Father’s formalwear	Bridesmaid’s dresses Groomsmen formalwear
Flowers	Ceremony and reception Bouquets for the bridesmaids and flower girls	Bride’s bouquet Corsages for mothers Men’s boutonnieres
Ceremony	Church, rentals, and music fees	Marriage license and officiant fee
Photography & Videography	Engagement and Wedding photos and video		Take extra behind-the-scenes and candid pictures
Transportation	Limo for the Wedding Party to the ceremony and reception	Limo for the Bride and Groom	Wedding Party may drive themselves
Reception	Venue, rentals, food, cake, drink, decorations, favors, and entertainment	Groom’s cake	Bubbles or rice to toss and assist with assembling favors
Honeymoon		Plan and cover all expenses	Travel expenses if a destination wedding
Gifts	Groom and Bridesmaids	Bride and Groomsmen	Bride and Groom

Winter Wedding Cakes

Now how adorable is this cake? It looks like a perfect present during the holidays! The various designs made on the sides of the cake add a bit of character and tones down what could be a formal wedding cake. With gold ribbon and holly at the top, this is a perfect wedding cake for a winter wedding, especially if it’s a nice medium-sized one, especially since this cake is a big three layers! It will shine and glow almost as much as the bride and groom!