Wedding Cake

Who Will Bake Your Wedding Cake

The is one of the most important features of your reception. In fact, it is the centerpiece of your reception. You should begin shopping for a baker 6-8 months before the wedding. If you plan on having your reception

catered, ask your caterer if they will bake your wedding cake.

However, you do not have to choose the caterer to bake your cake. You can also buy cakes from commercial and boutique bakeries, custom wedding cake designer, a culinary school or someone you know who makes cakes from home.

Begin by calling bakeries or cake decorators in your area to check for date availability. If they are available, make an appointment to go in and check out the designs, taste and skill level of the business. Many specialty cake decorators require that you book six months to a year in advance to reserve your date, whereas commercial bakeries may require 3 months due to larger staff and their ability to do a larger quantity of cakes.

Since most weddings are on the weekends, baker's deadlines also coincide with that timetable. A phone call to make an appointment to visit with the individual or bakery about your cake will be appreciated. If you just walk in and expect undivided attention, you may be disappointed if they do not have time to visit with you at that time.

Ask the baker to provide samples of the cake flavors, icings, fillings, etc., during your interview. The taste, flavor and texture of the cake itself will be the most important decision you will make when you order your cake.

The outside beauty of your wedding cake will be important for your pictures and your personal statement, but the inside of the cake is what you will be serving to your guests. You want a cake that is flavorful, moist and good to eat.

Before your meeting with the baker, collect pictures of wedding cakes that appeal to you. Be sure to take those pictures with you on your interviews so that you can give your baker an illustrated idea of what you are looking for in a wedding cake. Here are some key questions you need to ask them:

• Flexibility-Will they bake a cake according to your specifications?
• Is the cake made from scratch or is it from a cake mix?
• Request to see pictures of their work. Most bakers will have a portfolio of their cakes. Certain cakes are not good for particular seasons. For example, if you are planning an outdoor wedding in August, you want to avoid cakes with mousse, meringue, whipped cream or buttercream filling. Ask the baker what cakes are in season.
• What is the price per serving? Prices can average between $1.50 a slice to $15 a slice depending on the cake you choose. The price depends on frosting, decorations, architecture, etc. Understand that the more elaborate the cake, the more expensive the "per serving" price will be.
• What are the extra charges? Most bakers charge for renting the pillars, columns, cake toppers, delivery and set-up. There may also be extra charges for certain cake fillings, flavors, styles, etc.
• Who will be setting up the cake?
• What do they provide in the set-up? Talk to your baker about how you'd like the cake table to be set up.
• If you plan on using fresh flowers on your cake, who is responsible for providing the flowers, the baker or the florist?

When interviewing the baker, make sure you know the number of servings required, your desired type and design, and your budget for the cake. Be up front with the baker about the maximum amount you are willing to spend on your cake and ask them if they are willing to negotiate. Click here to see how you can save money on your wedding cake.

After you have decided on a baker and all the details, make sure to get everything in writing. Your contract should include the following:

• Detailed description of the cake type, style, and description of the decorations.
• The number of layers and fillings for each layer if applicable.
• Type of frosting.
• Wedding date, time and location of delivery.
• When, how, where and by whom the cake will be delivered (or picked up). Make sure to include the complete address where the cake is to be delivered.
• Name and contact information of the baker.
• List of rented items (pillars, cake stand, cake table, etc.)
• Delivery and set-up fees.
• Total price.
• Deposit amount.
• Balance and due date.
• Baker's cancellation and/or refund policy

If you do your homework, buying your wedding cake will be a smooth process. Remember to be realistic, and don't spend your entire wedding budget on your wedding cake.

About the author: Tom Tsatsos: http://theamericanwedding.com
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Wedding Rings

The Ultimate Wedding Accessory

Wedding Rings don’t tend to get the public airing that they deserve, in your average wedding celebration.
However, wedding rings are likely to be worn for the rest of the bride and grooms’ living days, so they are, arguably, the most important element of the wedding accessories.

Wedding Rings – The Basics
Wedding rings are exchanged as part of the ceremony, normally as vows are said by both parties. The guests do not normally see the wedding rings until after the ceremony is well and truly over, so it can be tempting to skimp on this element and save money.

Bear in mind that the bride will almost certainly wear her wedding ring alongside her engagement ring. It is essential, therefore, that they both rings work together well. This is particularly important if the engagement ring is of an atypical shape or with a particularly large stone.

Always consider your everyday jewelry. Although it is possible to accessorize on your wedding day to complement you choice of wedding rings, this ring will be worn every day, for many years, so it must fit in well with your general style.

This is equally important for the groom, as he too will have to wear the ring for some time, so he should also consider what would go well with his usual attire.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not essential to choose golden rings. If you prefer silver colored rings but want to retain the quality, why not consider white gold? It is also possible for the bride and groom to have different styles of ring, so do not feel pressured into selecting matching styled rings.

Wedding Rings – Ideas for Slashing the Budget
Whilst you want the best wedding rings possible, you do not need to spend a small fortune! Often, wedding rings are passed through the generations, particularly on the male side, so find out whether this is the case so that you can avoid the time and energy of searching for the perfect wedding rings!

When you are selecting an engagement ring, it may be possible to negotiate a discount on wedding rings, if they are purchased at the same time. Another possible option is to consider using cheaper wedding rings for the ceremony itself and to purchase the more permanent wedding rings, at a later day. The real point of this is to spread the major expenses – weddings do not come cheaply!

A great way to make cheaper wedding rings look unique is to have them engraved with your wedding date and your initials.

With a little imagination, wedding rings can truly look magical, without costing the earth!

About the author:
Elsie Gilbert offers great insights to all different types of wedding ceremonies, wedding styles, wedding accessories. From traditional to the exotic she makes it easy for the bride and groom to review and choose. For more details on all types of wedding ideas visit this site now www.weddingceremonyhelp.com

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How to Propose

Proposing Marriage

For most men (and women) proposing marriage is a nerve-wracking event, but it doesn't have to be. These tips can help you plan a proposal she'll never forget. Keep in mind there is no “right” way to propose; it's a personal and special moment unique to every couple.

Discuss marriage first: Marriage shouldn't be rushed into; it's a life-long commitment that requires serious discussion with your partner. Only when both partners are ready to take the “next step” should a proposal be considered.

Buy the ring: The engagement ring (and later the wedding ring) will be worn by the bride for the rest of her life. Don't settle on the first ring you see. Look for that “perfect” ring you'll know she'll love. Ask the salesperson's help in choosing a quality diamond and ring setting. Not sure of her style? Consider proposing without the ring and go shopping for it afterwards together.

Insure the ring: An engagement ring is usually a very expensive purchase. Don't leave things to chance. Should the ring be lost or stolen insurance will cover the cost of replacement.

Ask her father's permission: this wedding tradition dates to the days when a woman had no rights of her own; her father had full authority over whom and when she married. He accepted or declined proposals as he saw fit. Today most men ask the father's permission as a gesture of respect only.

Keep it a secret: As hard as it may be try not to tell anyone about your plans to propose. The less people you tell the less likely the bride is to find out. Unless of course you don't want to surprise her!

Plan the “big moment”: the proposal is one of those memories she'll cherish forever. Therefore, this “once in a lifetime” moment should be planned as befitting its significance. Don't feel as though you have to top other proposal stories.
Not every woman expects her proposal in skywriting! Instead, choose a place or time with special meaning for both of you. Was your first date at the beach? It could make a great proposal location.
Does she love Halloween? Consider carving “Will you marry me” into a pumpkin and hiding the ring inside as a “treat”.
However you propose keep it simple and personal; the best proposals are those that focus on why you are proposing rather than the how or when.

Have a back-up plan: Fate has a way of interfering when you want things to go “just right”. As it's impossible to foresee how your proposal will unfold always have a back-up plan in place. Then it's just a matter of trying again!

Celebrate: Once she accepts, spread the good news and celebrate! Make the most of this moment for all it's worth.

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