The Floral Touches: Choosing Wedding Cake Flowers

One of the big show stoppers of any wedding reception is the ever coveted wedding cake. Usually keeping with the wedding theme, these beautifully detailed confections are often draped in decorations and colors that fit the affair: ranging from edible pearls and lace to sea shells and flowers. When deciding which items to include in the decoration, brides also need to decide what will fit the image while also being safe for her sampling guest. This can be especially true with the flowers she chooses to adorn her masterpiece.

Edible flowers can be either sugar art or gum paste, and can be almost indistinguishable from their real floral counterparts. By choosing the edible, “artificial” floral arrangements to adorn your wedding cake, you’ll also be able to choose absolutely any flower that you’d like to decorate with. There are many different flowers that are toxic, so you’d never want to decorate with them and put your guests at risk (just in case of ingestion). Some other flowers have an unfortunate amount of pesticides that are often used on them to keep their blooms from being attacked by pests. With the edible version of these flowers, you also don’t have to worry about whether or not your flowers have come into contact with these toxins.

At times, though, this is nothing quite like having fresh flowers as decoration. Your wedding cake may be no different. There are only a few, easy precautions that you’d need to take to ensure that your beautiful blooming confectionary is perfectly safe and scrumptious. As previously stated, there are many flowers that are not only inedible, but can also be toxic. You may be surprised to find that some of the most popular, and favorite, wedding flowers are actually poisonous, and should not go onto your cake in real form. A few such favorites are: hydrangeas, calla lilies, lilies of the valley, sweet peas, and daffodils. Check with you florist to ensure that none of your flowers of choice are poisonous. Also, check that none of the blooms destined for your wedding cake come from a grower who utilizes pesticides.

Your Growing Circle: Working On Your Relationships with the In-Laws

When getting ready to become a misses, you may realize that marriage isn't always as simple as it looks. You’re picking up two completely separate lives and figuring out how to intertwine them together. This means sharing your family time and holidays, as well as your wall and closet space. You’ll need to be open to now sharing your special occasions with his family, as well as yours; that may be difficult at first for you to do. One important corner stone in a marriage is family, and that means his as well as yours. If you haven’t spent much time with them as of yet, now may be a good time to start building a relationship with the other important people in his life: his parents.

Learn to accept your soon-to-be in-laws as they are, as the people that they are. Remember back to those words of wisdom from your own parents; you can’t change who a person is, now anymore than you could then. Learn to accept that you mother and father-in-law have different ideas, rituals, and understands about the world. So what if they celebrate birthdays the weekend before the date rather than the weekend after (like you do). It’s important to come together and work with your differences, not trying to change one another. Your future husband loves you both for a reason.

One very important step in creating a positive relationship with your in-laws is learning to open up to one another. You hear nothing but horror stories and bad jokes about mother and daughter-in-laws. Don’t let yourself become the instant cliché. It’s likely that you’ll both have barriers up, because you don’t know one another; don’t let those barriers become permanent. Spent quality time getting to know one another; host a special event honoring them or take them out with you on a fancy dinner (footing the bill, of course). Show your in-laws that you’re enthusiastic about getting to know them, and those barriers should melt away in no time.

Instead of worrying, look on the bright side and see your in-laws as an increase in your support system. When you and your husband find yourself at a difficult point and in need of advice, you now have two sets of parents to turn to for love and support. Having more family and loving support is never a bad thing; you just have to be willing to open up and accept it. You may even find that your bond grows fonder when you do ask your in-laws for advice; they have the same worries and insecurities that you do in your new relationship, and letting them know that you value their suggestions goes a long way toward alleviating that strain.

It is important to understand that your relationship may not always be bunnies and sunshine, no matter how good your intentions may be. What is most important, at those times, is to not put your husband in the middle as the go between. You need to understand that his family will always be important to him; almost as important as you are. Don’t make his relationship with them any more difficult than it needs to be. Put your chin up and commit to resolving your issues together, come heck or high water. This will keep the extra burden from landing solely on your husband’s shoulders. He shouldn't ever have to pick sides…unless it really comes to that point, and then it should be his own decision; not an ultimatum.

Wedding Trends for 2013: Colorfully Clever and Tamed Chic

With each passing year, we live through an ever changing ebb and flow of hot new styles and trends throughout our daily lives; all of a sudden all of our favorite stores will add new, seasonal styles in with their usual classics; all of our local restaurants will try a new flavor and twist to their traditional tastes. The wedding industry does the same, ever morphing and changing, with new ideas and possibilities for modern brides-to-be to pick and choose from. Here are a couple of our personal favorites for 2013.

Instead of sticking with a single or duo of hues, choose the whole rainbow instead! This year’s brides are getting colorfully creative when choosing their wedding attire and details; they’re using every color that they can image, rather than sticking to a complimentary few. Dress each of your maids in a different color, have a 7 tier rainbow of a cake, or choose signature cocktails of every shade. This bright and cheery trend lets you release your inner child and live a little more fancy free!

Keep your centerpiece in check with this cagey trend. Whether utilizing glass bell jars as terrariums for a clean, modern feel or using a Victorian bird cage to keep your gathering vintage chic; covered centerpieces are a beautiful and unique trend this year. This allows you to go with completely different, planted centerpieces to suit your own eclectic style, as well as traditional cut floral centerpieces.

Keeping with the theme of ‘a little bit of a good thing,’ be a big hit with a mini menu. For your cocktail and Viennese hours, go with mini versions of favorite classics prepared in elegant ways. Mini shooter milk shakes paired with Angus beef burger sliders, or half of a mini grilled cheese sandwich paired with a tomato soup shooter, will be popular choices that will dazzle your guests, while making them feel right at home!

A final favorite, being carried over from last year, will leave your guests with a fresh feeling. If you’re going for a single hued affair, you may want to choose the crisp, lasting favorite, mint. Perfect for a Spring or Summer wedding, whether vintage, modern, or green; this lively pastel can cover all of the basis. Try a pastel mint on your maids, on your shoes, or on your wedding cake to bring a hint of Spring-inspired liveliness to your wedding.

The Gown of Your Dreams: Picking Your Perfect Wedding Gown With A Little Less Stress

Picking the perfect wedding gown can be an emotion roller-coaster of an experience; you’re excited to try on all the dresses that you’re dreaming of, feeling like a princess; you also need to pick the most important outfit that you’re ever going to wear, so it needs to be perfect. Take a little bit of that stress out of your gown shopping by following a couple tips.

Go in having your budget in mind. There are hundreds of options, in ever cut imaginable, for most any price range. Having your budget in mind, however, helps your attendant and you to pick the best selections available (without wandering to gown outside your means). There are always exceptions to ever rule, and you may decide that spending more on the gown of your dreams is definitely worth it, but at least that way you don’t have to worry about a major letdown when you realize your “it” dress is astronomically outside your budget.

Study your favorite styles and inspirations before your bridal appointments, but still enter in with an open mind. It’s important to know the cuts, details, and colors that you prefer; you want to have a little bit of a clue before entering the bridal salon so that you’re not too overwhelmed. Be open to trying on different styles that you may not have initially chosen, though. Ask most any expert attendant and they’ll agree: just because you loved the gown in a magazine doesn't mean that you’ll love it on you. Think outside of the box and let your consultant help you pick out a couple of different styles that will suit your personality and figure – your perfect dress may end up being a style that you never thought of!

Although “the more, the merrier” rings true with many aspects of your life, when it comes to family and friends, it may not be so when choosing who’ll help you pick a gown. Although you want the love and support of those closest to you, just remember the most people you invite, the more opinions you will receive. You do want input to assure you that you’re making the right choices either way, but you don’t want too many opinions making your second guess your own. You will know the perfect dress when you try it on; all you’ll need is a little bit of support and affirmation that you've made the right choice (and not 15 additional voices yay or naying your ultimate decision).

Fighting for Happily-Ever-After: Preparing for Marriage

A scary truth about the United States today is that more marriages end up in divorce than happily ever after. No one envisions needing to split apart when preparing for their white wedding, but unfortunately, if a marriage isn't handled and prepared for properly, that may be a future possibility. With a new, independent culture, it's difficult for husband and wife to simply merge together after the big day and live until death do them part. It's important to understand some of the important dynamics of marriage and discuss them ahead of time to cut out some of the anxiety and stress from merging later on. A few, difficult heartfelt discussions before you walk down the aisle can make all the difference, especially when you, too, are chasing your "Happily Ever After" with your beloved fiancé.

Make sure to discuss your religion and beliefs long before the wedding bells ring. In the long run, this is going to be so much more important than just figuring out who you will want for a wedding officiant. Some individuals are raised religious or spiritual and choose not to be as an adult, vice versa, and a combination thereof: discuss where and when religion is going to be important to you in your married life, such as holiday traditions or when raising children. Having different views is never a bad thing in a relationship, it's just important to be on the same page to eliminate future "surprises."

Set up your money guidelines and budgeting before the big day. There is a good possibility that, even as a couple, you were both living independently and used to supporting yourselves. Discuss what you're going to do with your current moneys and accounts, as well as your future paychecks and bounces/gifts. Just because you're used to allotting yourself a certain amount doesn't mean he will feel comfortable with the agreement and vice versa. Set yourselves a budget and spending plan; you're going to have new expenses, but also a second income, so all of your goals and allotments will have to be changed or manipulated. Also, be careful with keeping accounts and independence. It may seem like an okay idea now, but it can cause arguments and uncertainty later on (worrying about full disclosure and who's funding what).

As simple as it sounds, one of the single most important topics to go over before saying your "I Do's" is what it means to be married, and what it means to be a husband or wife. Too often couples end up going their separate ways (once it's already too late) because of this miscommunication - their different views on marriage and roles. You may see a marriage as a perfect partnership, with roles, rights, and responsibilities split right down the middle between husband and wife; he may have more traditional views, wanting to be able to support you entirely, allowing you to stay home, raise a family, and take care of the home. Both are full of love and respect, but both are two completely different ideals; you may want to be a stay at home mom, while he excepts there to always be two, full-time incomes coming into the home. Establish POSSIBLE expectations and desires ahead of the game to ensure you're both entering your marriage with 100% support and understanding.

The Tantrums and the Tropics: Pros and Cons of Destination Weddings

One great way to plan a small wedding of your dreams is to pick up shop and move it someplace tropical. A destination wedding is the ideal mix of extended honeymoon and reward for all of your hard planning. A far-away affair also offers the alternative for small, intimate wedding without worrying about extra guests dropping in or guests bringing unexpected dates. As with all things, though, there are always pros and cons to ever decision you make; from the time of year you’re planning your wedding to the very dress you decide to wear. Destination weddings are far from exempt and come with a couple pros and cons of their own.

Pro: You may find that your dream wedding costs less than you think. If you’re heading to a dream destination for your wedding, chances are good that you’re going to choose an all-inclusive resort, which will basically plan your wedding for you. This will not only save you time, but also money since you don’t need to track down and bring in outside vendors. Also, since you’re holding your wedding abroad, the guest list is going to be much smaller, and your wedding will likely be much more laid back. This will keep your guest and decoration fees to a minimum.

Con: Since you are holding your wedding aboard, and your guest list will be at a minimum, there is a chance that some feeling may get hurt. Most people have grown too accustomed to big, lavish weddings; so when a couple they know and love becomes engaged that automatically ASSUME that they’ll be invited to the wedding. Then, once the invites do go out, there will be guests who get bent out of shape because they can’t afford to attend. With a destination wedding, you may also want to plan a big party, or “second reception,” for when you get home so that everyone can share in your celebration.

Pro: When the pandemonium of wedding planning is complete (with the wedding itself) you’ll be very ready for your honeymoon…and you’ll already be there! One of the best parts of a destination wedding is that you’re celebrating your love in a location of your dreams. Add on top of that, once the wedding is complete, you’re still there! You don’t need to worry about waking up the next morning and rushing to the airport to reach your honeymoon destination; you can sleep in and wake up in paradise.

Con: Your wedding and honeymoon are in one location…and so are your guests. When you think of your romantic honeymoon getaway, I’m sure having your mom and dad next door doesn't come to mind. If you are going far away, and are bringing guests with you, be prepared for them to stay. After all, it was just has stressful for them to get to your wedding as it was for you. They’re going to want to stay and take a vacation, and not rush home after two days. It is a unique situation where you will need to be prepared to demand alone time if you feel that your family and friends are encroaching on your honeymoon.

From the Inside Out: Choosing Your Wedding Day Lingerie

One of the most important decisions for your wedding day is the one that no one will see…well, except for your new husband when all is said and done. The undergarments that you choose to wear under your gown can be considered almost as important as the gown itself; you not only need the confidence that they will give you going into your wedding night, but the support that you need them to give you to get through a million pictures and embraces. It’s important to choose your undergarments very wisely, and to not just go for the sexiest selection you can find.

Know that you still need make it through your whole wedding day; you need to feel comfortable in your dress, not just sexy when it comes off. You always have the option of changing into the super sexy lingerie once you’re back at your hotel suite, or even saving it for your honeymoon. For your wedding day, wear something that you feel sexy in but can also last the day and night. You can still feel beautiful in you special, lace bustier and matching panties without having to experiment with a thong for the first time.

You’ll want to make sure that you’re garments fit you perfectly. If you’re having difficulty finding a bra that will work, comfortable, throughout the day and night under your dress, chances are it’s because you’re trying the wrong size. I found a staggering statistic that 80% of women wear bras that do not fit them properly. You’re wedding day is the most important day of your life; not only do you want to splurge on extra special garments, but you also want to make sure that they fit you properly! Most lingerie stores have specialists on hand to take your measurements and fit you with your perfect bra: let them. Now isn't the time to be bashful, she’ll help you feel beautiful and comfortable on your wedding day and beyond! (While you’re there, you may want to find a couple new garments to keep you looking astounding during your honeymoon, as well!)

Lastly, and possibly most important, once you've picked your garments, make sure to bring them with you for your dress fittings. It doesn't matter how perfectly your corset fits you if you can’t wear it under your dress. Have a couple options ready to swap out under the gown to check what will work best and to make sure that you don’t need to run out for a couple more options. There are different styles, such as backless and plunging necklines, that won’t allow you to wear a bra at all. In these cases make sure to work closely with your seamstress to make sure that she can sew in just the right amount of support that will be needed.