Save on Wedding Cake Prices

7 Ways to Save on Wedding Cake Prices

Let them eat wedding cake - without eating up your wedding budget…
Wedding cakes should be eye-catching, fabulous, and of course, tasty too! And just like every other aspect of your wedding day – wedding cake prices can creep skyward. But don’t let a tight budget stand between you and the ultimate wedding cake. Size and design are the main determinants in wedding cake cost. You can play with these elements to create a confection that is super-fab….and kind to your catering tab.

Have your cake (and eat it too) with these creative ways to slash wedding cake prices

Cut that Guest List- As with all cost-per-person aspects of your wedding, narrowing down your guest list will result in a significant drop in wedding cake prices. Less mouths to feed = less slices; you get the idea. And any cake cutting fee, typically charged on a per slice bases as well, will also be reduced.

Hip to be Square Square wedding cakes yield more slices than round ones. So go square – and make a deliciously modern statement!

Go Natural- Hand constructed gum paste or sugar paste flowers can quickly rack up your wedding cake cost. Substitute these costly adornments with fresh fruits and flowers – an inexpensive option that is equally stunning.

Keep It Simple- While intricate, over-the-top cakes evoke the ultimate in wedding day opulence, today’s shift towards modern minimalism can foray into the world of cake design. Simple wedding cakes can be deliciously chic. So lose the ornate adornments and infinite skyward-stretching tiers, and opt for a clean design with an impeccably smooth surface. Add simple details such as a Swiss dot pattern or wide ribbon around the base. Stick to one flavor, as multiple flavors will increase the bottom line.

One Stop Shopping- If your wedding venue offers an onsite caterer, employ their services for your confection as well, and save on delivery and service fees. You will also ward off chances for a transportation mishap – a headache you surely want to avoid on the big day. Many reception sites offer a wedding cake as part of their package deal, so be sure to inquire when scouting reception sites.

“Dummy Cakes”Fancy a towering and dramatic wedding cake but don’t want to shell out the extra cash? Instead of paying for extra layers, ask your baker to create faux layers consisting of iced Styrofoam. Trust us – your guests will never be the wiser; it will be our little secret.
Outside the Proverbial Cake PanOf-the-moment brides are breaking with tradition and forgoing the cake all together - presenting instead pies or pastries on tiered platters as the centerpieces of their wedding receptions. Depending on your selection, this can be an uber-chic way to save. Dare we say it, even doughnuts are in vogue and have been spotted at some of the poshest black tie events!

Ten Steps to a Green Wedding

10 Steps to a Green Wedding

Every engaged couple wants their wedding day to be a special celebration that reflects who they are and what they care about. Going green is a great way to make the festivities unique and meaningful--and show friends and family just how fun, beautiful, and delicious a sustainable lifestyle can be. Here's how to start planning the kind of wedding the online nuptial gurus at TheKnot.com have anointed "the hot new thing":
1. With this ring...A green wedding begins where any engagement does: with a ring. Don't start off on a sour note. The beautiful alternatives to "blood diamonds" (those that are mined in war zones and fund conflicts) include:
vintage rings, whether a family heirloom or an antique find (you can even have old gold melted down and refashioned)
lab-created diamonds (greenKarat's are set in recycled gold too)
diamonds mined in peaceful Canada or Australia, like those from Brilliant Earth, Cred Jewellery, or Leber Jewelry's Earthwise line
diamonds certified as "conflict-free" under the Kimberley Process, an ongoing effort to reform diamond mining in Africa (ask your jeweler the questions in Amnesty International's buyer's guide)
one-of-a-kind wooden bands

2. Location, location, location. Your choice of venue sets the tone for your wedding day--and accounts for a big chunk of the money you'll be laying out. Spend it wisely! Consider:

choosing a setting that's convenient to the most guests to minimize travel impacts
having the ceremony and the reception at the same place, or providing ecofriendly transportation between them
picking a unique local spot--like an art gallery, nonprofit space, organic restaurant or farm, green hotel, botanical garden, or green-roofed building--that supports a cause you believe in
an outdoor setting that will infuse the whole event with a natural sensibility (and require less decorating too!)
arriving at the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage, cycle rickshaw, or hybrid car
offsetting your guests' travel (or asking them to do it as your wedding gift)

3. Please join us...Your invitation is the first impression guests will get of your green wedding. Look for:

recycled, handmade, or plantable papers processed chlorine-free and printed with vegetable- or soy-based inks
tree-free paper made out of hemp, banana stalks, bamboo, kenaf, or organic cotton
a printer who will use paper with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content
papers that aren't metallic or plastic-coated, characteristics that make them hard to recycle
opportunities to reduce paper use, like sending a postcard (instead of multi-enveloped notes) for your save-the-date, or using online invitations and a wedding blog to let people know about the bachelor/ette parties, rehearsal dinner, and gift registry
In your invitations, let guests know about the ecofriendly hotel and transportation options in your area, whether it's hybrid rental cars or directions to the ceremony on public transportation. And don't forget to pick up some extra green paper products for your guest book, place cards, and thank-you notes. (You will be writing thank-yous, won't you?)

4. The final flingPlan bachelor and bachelorette parties that will keep the green theme going:
Stay local (and spend more time with your friends, and less dealing with travel stress).
Offset your trip if you choose a "destination" party.

Travel by train (and start the party early in the bar car).
Indulge in organic wine (or beer) tasting or an organic spa treatment.
Take a class and learn to make your own wedding flowers or jewelry.
Do something low-impact and outdoorsy like a camping, surfing, sailing, kayaking, or fishing trip.

5. Here comes the bride......in a gorgeous hemp-silk gown. When it comes to outfitting the bridal party, green options abound. You can:

go vintage (and update your look as necessary with tailoring and modern shoes and accessories)
pick clothes made from hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton or silk--or find a dressmaker who will make a one-of-a-kind item out of these sustainable fabrics (men's suits and shirts come in organic cotton or wool too)
borrow an elegant gown from a stylish friend
buy something you'll wear again (and let your bridesmaids do the same)
accessorize with a unique recycled purse and/or jewelry
use vegetable dyes on your shoes (or go barefoot for a beach wedding)
accentuate natural beauty with all-natural makeup
donate the dresses to charity after the event

6. Set the stageAdd beauty and style to your wedding décor, naturally. Here's how:
opt for organic flowers

find a florist who's diligent about recycling packaging and will source locally raised flowers
have bridesmaids carry matching purses or silk bouquets instead of cut flowers
decorate with branches, dried grasses, grains, greens, berries, or live plants (potted or dried arrangements can double as favors)
choose beeswax or soy-based candles over those made with paraffin, a petroleum byproduct
arrange to have decorations moved from the ceremony to the reception (if you opt for separate sites)
use leaves or other natural objects as place cards
throw biodegradable confetti or organic rose petals instead of releasing butterflies
donate the flowers to a hospital or rest home at the end of the day

7. Eat, drink, and be merryShowcase green gustatory pleasures (and spoil your guests) by basing your menu around local, organic, and seasonal foods. Don’t forget the organic wine, beer, and spirits, and the free-trade, shade-grown coffee and tea! Some tips:

Ask the venue's preferred caterers and bakers if they can do your event organically.
Find a local organic restaurant that does off-site catering.
If your wedding won't be complete without a specific type of food, get married when it's in season.
Find a caterer you trust to pick the best seasonal selections (since you may not be able to taste those exact items ahead of time).
Consider vegetarian selections and seek out cruelty-free meats and wild, rather than farmed, fish.
Make sure the venue offers comprehensive recycling facilities, and ideally composting too.
Have your cake decorated with organically grown flowers or other natural materials instead of plastic toppers.
Rent real glassware, dishware, and linens instead of using disposables.
Go for a chic eclectic look by mixing and matching thrift-store plates and dishes (and donating them back when you're done).
Use biodegradable utensils and dishes made out of cornstarch, potatoes, wheat, or sugar cane--if your venue can compost them.
Make arrangements to donate leftover food to a local food bank or homeless shelter.

8. Lasting memoriesWhether you prefer film or digital photographs, look for a photographer who will do digital proofs to save paper and chemicals. Avoid single-use cameras, but ask friends with digi-cams to share their photos with all the guests online in a free Flickr group or Snapfish group room you set up for your wedding.

9. 'Tis better to give...OK, OK, giving and receiving are both great! For your gift registry, consider:
asking for gifts to charity instead of material goods
registering with the I Do Foundation or another site that gives a percentage of gift purchases to your chosen cause
registering with stores that offer local, fair-trade, handmade, organic, or other ecofriendly products like Branch, Gaiam, Greenfeet, GreenSage, Ten Thousand Villages, UncommonGoods, or VivaTerra.
registering for outdoor gear or contributions to an ecofriendly honeymoon
creating a custom wish list of ecofriendly items like a fresh-produce subscription from a local farm, organic gardening supplies, organic linens, park and museum passes, gift certificates to organic restaurants, and subscriptions to green publications or memberships in green causes

For your favors, give something your guests will really use and enjoy, not disposable plastic souvenirs. Some ideas:
gourmet organic chocolates or another organic or local food item
attractive bags of fresh or dried organic herbs
seeds in a commemorative container like this one
reusable cloth tote bags
a small plant
natural soaps
soy or beeswax candles
a compact fluorescent lightbulb
a downloadable playlist of your favorite songs
a small charitable donation in each guest's name
place cards made of seeded paper that can be planted at home

For your helpful, loyal attendants, you'll want to up the ante a little, perhaps with:
gift baskets of organic skin-care products
recycled jewelry, wallets, handbags, or drinking glasses
selections of organic coffees, teas, and chocolates
recycled paper journals and stationery
great bottles of organic wine

10. Happily ever after...Begin your new life with a honeymoon that's light on the Earth. Consider:
going somewhere local (you're going to be spending a lot of time in that hotel room anyway)
engaging in ecotourism, which can be as rugged or luxurious as you want it to be (find listings that suit your style through Conservation International, National Geographic, Planeta.com, or ResponsibleTravel.com)
taking a trip that benefits an environmental group; perhaps boating in Florida's Dry Tortugas, birding in Alaska, or walking the Italian Alps with Sierra Club Outings
skipping the cruise and taking a relaxing, romantic train trip
getting around at your destination by renting bikes or taking public transportation (the better to enjoy the sights instead of arguing about your spouse's driving habits)
staying in a family-run B&B or inn, a luxury teepee or yurt, or a green hotel that's working to save resources and reduce waste
offsetting your trip’s carbon dioxide emissions

Best Destination Wedding Websites

Destination Weddings Locations - Ceremony & Reception Sites: http://www.weddinglocation.com/

Biltmore Wedding- Elegant and most magnificent wedding setting: http://www.biltmore.com/weddings/#

Top 5 Winter Wedding Trends for 2009

Winter Wedding Trend for 2009:

1) Winter Wonderland
A winter wonderland wedding is a popular trend that many brides to be would love to have and can make a beautiful setting. Seasonal invitations are great to announce your winter wonderland wedding. Invitation that are white with silver snowflakes on them, or a wedding invitation that has an embossed look of snow will start your winter wonderland wedding off to be a great wedding you won't forget. Decorate the facility you will be having your wedding at with snowflakes and icicles and incorporate mini wedding bells into your wedding bridal bouquet. When the flower girl walks down the isle, have her throw dusting of imitation snow on the ground. The bridesmaid dresses would be beautiful in silver, champagne or an ice blue color with little touches of snowy looking white fur. Dress up your wedding gown with winter white furry coat to keep with the theme. Snowflake wedding accessories are great winter wonderlands touch for your reception along with a snowflake winter wonderland wedding cake. Here are some links to the different winter wonderland wedding examples.

Examples of invitations: http://www.theamericanwedding.com/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp-pid-5255

Examples of wedding dress and furry winter coat: http://winter-wedding-dress.com/index.htm

2) Moulin Rouge Wedding
A Moulin Rouge wedding is another favorite trend for 2009 that would create a beautiful French setting for your wedding. Start your wedding off right with invitations made by the Invitation Box with Moulin Rouge invitations with a red pocket. These invitations would be perfect for your Moulin Rouge wedding theme. At your wedding reception, look for some red draping to add a beautiful Moulin Rouge touch to your wedding. As for your wedding dress and shoes, Milly Bridal has a beautiful Moulin Rouge white dress that would look wonderful in this setting and House of Brides has beautiful Moulin Rouge style shoes that would be perfect. For the bridesmaid, you can purchase red dresses that have a classy look for that time period. The flower girl would be adorable dressed up as a green fairy walking down the isle. You can find a beautiful French wedding cake or you can find someone in your area that can create unique wedding cake with a stage like setting. French favors would be perfect for your guest. Here are some links to the different Moulin Rouge wedding examples.
Invitations: http://www.invitationbox.com/sl-gpr9-j41.htmlhttp://www.millybridal.com/store/comersus_viewItem1.asp?idProduct=20&idCategory=50
Moulin Rouge Bridal Shoes: http://www.houseofbrides.com/product.php?productid=13227tm

3) Elegant Black and White
An elegant black and white wedding is just so classy and beautiful that it a great popular trend for 2009. You can start off with some elegant black and white invitations for your wedding. Invitations by Dawn have some beautiful black and white wedding invitations. You can choose to put a little black in your wedding dress to add a little special touch. House of Brides has very elegant wedding dresses with a touch of black. They also have adorable black and white flower girls dresses and jewelry. Maggie Sottero also makes a beautiful white wedding dress with black called Aspen. Black and White drapery would make a great setting for your elegant black and white wedding. Your wedding will be perfect topped off with black and white wedding favors from Cherished Gifts and Favors. Here are some links to the different examples for an elegant black and white wedding.
Invitations Black and white: http://www.invitationsbydawn.com/ibd-12/285/wedensdda.shtml
House of Brides: http://www.myonlineweddinghelp.com/shop/wedding-dresses/black-white.htm
Maggie Sottero Aspen wedding dress: http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=A3298

4) Calligraphy Wedding
Adding calligraphy to your wedding really puts an elegant; rich touch to your wedding and is very popular trend for 2009. Start off with calligraphy invitations from the Calligraphy Lady. She has some very unique wedding invitations that you will love. You can have your wedding cake monogrammed with your initial in calligraphy or Martha Stewart's website show a beautiful calligraphy wedding cake. You can have your napkins, reception cake server in calligraphy as well as your party favors. Your wedding will be beautiful with adding the elegant touch of calligraphy. A great color for your calligraphy wedding for your bridesmaid would be a champagne or gold color. Here are some links to examples for a calligraphy wedding.
Invitations: http://www.calligraphylady.com/
Wedding Cake: http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/calligraphy-and-cakes

5) Bold and Beautiful with Burgundy
A winter wedding trend for 2009 is bold and beautiful. Burgundy is a wonderful color to add that bold and beautiful color for a winter wedding, especially in your wedding dress. It is becoming a common trend to have color in the wedding dress of the bride. Alfred Angelo has a beautiful bold dress called dream in color that is stunning. You can add a beautiful touch with a burgundy bouquet and your bridesmaid and flower girl in a burgundy color to match the burgundy in your wedding dress. You can add some beautiful burgundy rose frosting on your wedding cake. The Wedding Favor Station has unique burgundy and black satin pillow sachets for your guests to take home. Here are some links to examples for a bold and beautiful burgundy wedding.
Burgundy wedding invitations: http://www.bella-wedding-invitations.com/burgundy-wedding-invitations.aspx
Wedding Dress by Alfred Angelo: http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=2039e191-e45b-4b44-bba1-6a2ac07f9712&categoryID=8b186130-0d63-4e3c-ac5c-aea0d9566e1c&pg=1

Dress & Accessory Shopping

What do you find to be the best shopping experience? Advise others on the pros and cons of buying your dress and/or accessories at specialty shops, departments stores, and online.

Location Discussions

Tell us about where you chose to have your event. Was the location everything you hoped it would be? How was the service, food, facility?

Hiring Event Photographers

Tips and advice for hiring photographers for your event. Tell us your experience.

Ask family, friends, and recent newlyweds for recommendations, and set up interviews. You can also consult the yellow pages and wedding vendors, but exercise extra caution in checking work samples and references if you find your photographers in this manner.
Step 2
Request to see a complete coverage of each photographer's work - that is, ask for a picture portfolio of an entire wedding for which he or she was hired.
Step 3
Choose an overall photographic style that suits you, whether photojournalistic, candid, formal posed portraits, artsy with added dramatic flourishes, color, or black-and-white for a romantic, classy look - or select a blend of a number of styles. Which can the prospective photographer deliver?
Step 4
Consider the photographer's personality. Decide if you share a vision and will get along well. Remember, the photographer will be your shadow before and during the event.
Step 5
Check prices, including those of packages offered and numbers of prints included. Remember, it may be worth it to invest in a good photographer if it means that the memories of the day will be captured perfectly or near-perfectly on film.
Step 6
Schedule a follow-up meeting to hammer out specifics ' specific shots you want and don't want, the shooting schedule on the day of the wedding, film development, how many rolls will be shot, the number of proofs available and the negatives policy (how long they're available and whether they're for sale).

Warnings & Tips

Confirm that the photographer you hire will be the one to actually shoot the pictures.
Book early; the best wedding photographers get booked a year in advance.
Find a photographer who either is a pro or is excited about shooting weddings, and who brings some personal flair to his or her work.