The Wedding Cake

One of the most important elements in any wedding is the wedding cake. Though it does not last for such a long time – especially if it is good cake – it is by no means a simple thing to set aside. The wedding cake has always been part of the western wedding. If you are planning you wedding right now, chances are that you have been putting a lot of thought into your wedding cake. And why not? It is not everyday that you get to choose a cake for such a special occasion!

Wedding cakes have been around for as long as anyone can remember. Yet if you look deeper into its origins, the modern wedding cake as we know it today is not really the same as the wedding cake in the olden times. In fact, the old wedding cakes – and I mean old – were more like sweet bread than the cakes we use for weddings today. The custom in those days was to break the “cake” over the head of the bride. It does sound nasty, doesn’t it? Yet the reason for this was to wish the bride all the blessings and happiness that she can have for the rest of her life. It is the thought that counts, after all!

Anyhow, today’s wedding cakes are far from what they used in those days – both in looks, taste, and purpose. Wedding cakes today are quite grand and are meant to be eaten by everyone. Still, the wedding cake stands to represent the commitment of the bride and groom to each other for the years to come. So in choosing your wedding cake, you have to take into consideration both the presentation and the taste as well.

It used to be that modern wedding cakes had to made as simple as possible, with vanilla as the flavor. With time, however, wedding cakes began to have a character of their own. It is not uncommon to see unique and distinctly flavored cakes in weddings today. What kind of wedding cake should you choose for your special day?

There are really no strict and fast rules for this. If you favor the traditional white wedding cake, then why not? However, if you want to follow your wedding theme, then all the better! For example, there are couples who follow a Hawaiian wedding theme. They normally incorporate the theme into the wedding cake design. Tropical fruits and flowers are incorporate into the cake. You can also choose to follow the color of your wedding. Icing is all that is needed to decorate the cake and it is easy to do.

As for the flavors, you can choose from a gamut of choices. From the plain vanilla to butter to chocolate to mocha – the choice is yours to make! You can even have the picture cakes that are in fashion these days. Have your favorite photo of the two of you “printed” on the surface of a cake. The idea is basic, really. Decide on what you want and have it done. The important thing is that you are happy with what you have decided on. Cheers!

The Perfect Wedding: Timing And Music

No matter what kind of event, program or party you plan to have, timing is everything. If you want a seemingly flawlessly executed wedding, then you need to get everything flowing. The best way to get a smooth flow is to set the rhythm.

Sounding a bit musical? That’s because music is often the guide used by many couples to achieve that perfect timing. It is really easy to do. First off, you know exactly how much time you want to allocate for your reception. Most songs last anywhere between 2 to 4 minutes. You can set a specific number to fill in each section of your event; then it’s a matter of sorting out your music.

Here are the categories that you will usually split your music into:

• Cocktails musicThis is the music that will play in the background while your guests are waiting for you to join them. This is the kind of music that is usually unobtrusive yet happy. It is light and not loud since most of your guests will be mingling at this point. This is usually about 30 minutes long so set up about 15 songs. You can always cut a playlist short if cocktails are over before the songs have all been played.
• Entrance MusicIf you are going to make a grand entrance, then you should have the music to go with it. Typically The Wedding March by Mendelssohn is used but any song that has a triumphant feel will do. If you are having your entourage parade in before you, set a different song for their entrance from yours.
• Dining MusicMusic can enhance any meal. It keeps your guests entertained even as they wait for the food to be served. They can hum along or even sing along to tunes that they like. Usually what plays are standards or other light love songs.Most meals last about 30 minutes to an hour - depending on how many courses you choose. Your waiters can be cued to serve certain dishes based on what song is playing or being sung. That will definitely keep things hopping along.
• Program musicWhen the meal is almost done, that’s the cue for you to stand up and cut the cake. You and your groom are expected to serve each other the first slice and for some, that includes smearing a bit of icing on each other. Choose a song that is light, sweet and maybe funny to match the mood.This is usually followed by the toasts, which cap off the meal. The music you choose for this portion are usually soft instrumentals since you want your speakers to be heard without them having to shout. There are many songs to choose from for this.This is usually followed by the first dance so naturally the song playing at this point is the one that you have decided is your song for each other. This is naturally followed by the father/daughter - mother/son dance then by any other special dances you have set so the playlist follows the order of dances.

  For couples who want a bouquet and garter toss during the program, this is usually where it is placed. Usually songs used here match the style that you choose for tossing the bouquet or garter. It can be a simple drum roll if you like or a favorite song if you prefer.

• Dance musicOnce all of that is done, it is time to get down and boogie! You can let your band or DJ take control at this point, just give them some pointers on what you want played.
• Exit MusicYou should know when it is time to go and so should your guests. Have your band or DJ standing by for your signal to play the song for when you run out to your getaway car or make your grand exit.

What Shall We Eat At Our Wedding?

Weddings are about love and joy, say the bride and groom; as does their family and entourage. That is very true! For most of the guests however, it is also about the food. Just imagine, for love of this couple you will get up early (if it’s an early morning wedding), possibly give up a big part of your precious weekend, get all dolled up and sit through an hour long ceremony where they take no part other than to recognize the newlyweds. Don’t forget the time it takes to get to the wedding. You can bet that by the time they actually sit down at the reception that they are hungry. So what do you serve them?

Start with an appetizer. Something to warm up the stomach is always good. A light clear soup is a favorite for weddings. Keep in mind that this is just the start of the meal so try to avoid choosing a soup that is too heavy.

A salad would also be a good thing to serve. Everybody is trying to eat more healthy nowadays. It is useful to have at least one dish that they truly feel won’t add to their calories. Some couples opt to have various greens served with a choice of sauces or seasoning available to suit the palate of your guest. It gives good variety and taste. This item is also not that expensive so be thankful for vegetables.

If you’re going Asian in your menu, try some vegetable tempura. These are sliced vegetables in batter that are deep fried. They are delicious. They are definitely more interesting than plain old carrot sticks.

If you want, have some avocado sashimi as an alternative. These fresh avocado slices are interesting with the sweet ginger sauce.

It is nice to have a fish or fowl dish in the menu. Many couples opt to serve these dishes because they are more exotic. Some choose it because they feel white meat is healthier than red meat. Others simply love chicken or fish. Whatever the reason, feel free to have some as part of your wedding meal.

Don’t let anyone tell you turkey is only for thanksgiving. Turkey is for any occasion you want to eat it. If you want some for your wedding go ahead. Don’t be afraid to say if you want some fried chicken either. If you like the taste of this dish, go ahead and have it at your wedding. You might want to have a roasted chicken or a Peking Duck instead. Yum!

You may or may not want to have a meat course. It really depends on your budget and preference. In some countries, no meal would be complete without a steak and potatoes. You might wish to have some roasted pork or lamb. If you are feeling generous, go ahead and have prime rib, but that isn’t a must.

Don’t forget dessert! Yes, your wedding cake will do. Cut the cake, serve each other than make sure that your guests get a piece. If you want to preserve the cake (though goodness knows why you won’t eat what you paid for) then have a dessert as simple as ice cream or sherbet.