Personalized Cake Boxes are the Perfect Match for a Traditional Jamaican Wedding

I have had the pleasure of speaking to many brides to be, mother of the bride, aunts, cousins, sisters and friends of the bride in my profession. One of the most wonderful things I have learned over the last few years is that a traditional Jamaican wedding consist of a wonderful rum and fruit cake. This recipe consists of dried fruits such as prunes, raisins, dates and currants. The fruits are chopped finely and marinated in rum and wine for days prior to the cake making.

The cake is of course served at the wedding but I have also learned that it is traditional to send a piece of cake to all the friends and family that were not able to attend the wedding ceremony. The cake is usually wrapped in some decorative packaging and then sent out to everyone. The personalized cake slice boxes are the perfect match for this wonderful tradition. The boxes are the perfect size for a slice of cake and they are also FDA approved for packaging food. The best thing about the cake slice boxes is that they can be personalized with a message from the bride and groom.

I love this tradition so much that I think all cultures should adopt this practice. What a lovely way of letting your loved ones know that their presence was missed at your wedding, but also a great way to share the joy of your special day.

I have included below a scrumptious Jamaican rum cake recipe that I found on realjamaicanvacations.com for those of you who would like to make this fabulous cake. Enjoy!

Jamaican Rum Cake Recipe

1 lb raisins, ground or chopped
1 lb prunes, ground or chopped
1 lb currants, ground or chopped
1 tsp grated or ground nutmeg
Red Label Wine (or other red cooking wine)
Wray and Nephew Overproof Rum (or other white rum)

Place the fruit in a jar for at least one day before preparation (longer if possible). Pour wine and rum over fruit, so that it is completely covered. Cover jar and leave fruit to soak.

1 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp mixed spice for baking
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
3 cups baking flour
1 cup breadcrumbs
finely grated rind of 1 lime
8 oz butter
2 cups sugar
3 tbsp browning
12 eggs
2 tsp rose water
1/2 cup sherry or blackberry brandy (or what ever is handy!)
2 tsp vanilla

Sift together the first five dry ingredients. Add breadcrumbs and lime rind, and mix in well.
Cream butter and sugar in a very large mixing bowl. Add browning. Add 4 cups of soaked fruit, stirring in with a large wooden spoon. Beat eggs until light and frothy (10 to 15 minutes). Add rose water, sherry and vanilla. Add egg mixture to butter mixture, fold in well. Fold soaked fruit into this mixture. (Any left over fruit can be left to soak until the next time you bake!) Gradually fold in flour mixture. Test to see if the wooden spoon can stand upright in middle of the mixture. If not, add some more flour until the mixture can support the spoon. Grease baking pans and line with grease paper. Grease and flour lined pans. Pour mixture into tins and bake for 2 hours in a slow oven, 300F. Place a pan of water in the bottom of the oven to ensure cakes do not dry out. Check cakes from time to time, as baking times may vary. Cakes are ready when a toothpick or skewer inserted in centre comes out clean, or almost clean.

Giving The Gift of Relaxation with Spa Bridesmaids Gifts

After months to even years of planning for your wedding day, every bride-to-be deserves a bit (even a lot) of R & R.  There is nothing better than sitting back in a cushiony chair while scents of aromatherapy oils linger in the air and licensed therapists cater to your every need.  As your wedding day draws closer, be sure to pamper you and your bridesmaids for all your hard work.  Let all your stress slip away by giving the gift of relaxation with home spa gifts.

Great home spa gifts include anything from a weekend spa gift certificate to embroidered custom bath wraps and towels.  Many spa gifts even come already packaged in beautiful boxes with ribbons taking the guess work out of gift giving.  When looking for the perfect spa gift, be sure to think of the individual receiving the gift.  Is she a workaholic?  Consider a heated eye pillow or feet booties so she take the stress off the long work day.  Loves to hit the gym?  Heated neck wraps will calm those stressed muscles.

Aromatherapy scents are also a great way to cater your gift choices and can range from stress relieving lavender and soothing eucalyptus to stimulating jasmine.  Add the relaxing scent of lavender to your bath time with fortune cookie bath fizzies.  Uber unique, these adorable bath bombs leave a surprise inspirational fortune once it has completely dissolved.

Happy Planning!

How will you say "I do?" - Traditional Vows vs. Creating Your Own Ceremony

Since the 1600s weddings in western cultures have begun with the words "Dearly Beloved" and included passionate phrases like 'til death do us part.' These days it seems like couples want their  wedding day to reflect who they are and be tailored to their personalities in every way. This includes the wedding vows. If you are still on the fence about whether you want to write your own, search the web, or go with tradition - consider the pros and cons of each approach.

Creating Your Own Ceremony

This is the most romantic approach to wedding vows.

The pros: These vows will be 100% unique. Even if you piece together phrases from pre-written ceremonies no other couple will have spoken the words before in exactly the same way. You can make them as simple and sweet or as passionate and lengthy as you deem necessary. 

The cons: Writing your own vows can be stressful. It is too easy to write too much or too little. You wouldn't want the groom to give a full page speech for the bride to respond with two sentences. Another negative side is the fact that some more rigid religions will not accept your vows.

Advice: Couples should sit down together and come up with some basic guidelines. Things to consider are; how long you want the ceremony to last and what you want to include. Be sure to memorize your vows before the wedding. It is a good idea to also include a little notecard that can be discretely tucked away into a pocket or bouquet for reference. If your religion does not allow you to write your own vows, you can always exchange them at your rehearsal dinner or reception.

Traditional Vows

There is something very special about speaking the same words that have created marriages for thousands of years.

The pros: Reciting your vows after the reverend is easy. The words carry the weight and meaning of tradition and while they are often simple. They are probably the words you spoke when playing wedding as a child so that element of fairy tale is definitely there. They are also perfect for vintage theme weddings that want to play on nostalgia.

The cons: Some couples find traditional vows to be a little bland. They may not suite your individual style, culture, or situation. Your bride may not want to say "to love, honor, and obey" for example.

Advice: If you love the meaning tradition carries and you want a low stress approach, go for it! Your guests may know the script, but they will also see how the words take on a new meaning when spoken by such a great couple! There is also comfort in the familiar.

It is completely acceptable to write some of your vows, use some portions from a pre-written ceremony, and tie in your favorite elements of a traditional wedding. Your vows are an important part of your wedding ceremony. While the promises are real and serious, that doesn't mean you can't have a little fun with it too!

Good Luck!

Say 'I do' In Daring Colors

This just in...Not all brides are wearing white on their wedding day! Well you may have already caught on to this trend but according to our site's Facebook fans this is becoming more and more common. I've been hearing about pinks, and silver and aubergine! Whether it is a pop of color or an overall hue, brides are showcasing their personal style (and their favorite colors) on their wedding day. My preferred way to interpret this trend is to not go too crazy with your color selection, pastels and shades of silver gray and champagne can be sophisticated and elegant. Or if overall color is just too unconventional for you, consider a dress with colored embellishments and beading or a lace overlay. Sashes are also a great (and a more traditional) way to bring in the color to your wedding ensemble. 

Color themes are very big with weddings these days and brides are embracing them more than ever. Maybe that's why their colors are being carried through into their wedding dress as well. Check out our wedding favors and accessory collections pages to find items to match or compliment your wedding dress and color scheme!

Image Credits: Colored wedding dress from Wai-Ching Clothing, Pink dress image from The Bohemian Bride, Wedding dress with black sash, Purple wedding gown from Vera Wang, White and gray gown from Elizabeth Fillmore, Blue wedding gown,  Champagne dress with sash from Sino-Treasure, Coral dress from J Crew, Yellow sweater image from Bride.net

St. Patrick's Day Party Ideas

 St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner and if you are anything like me, you love nothing more than a green beer and a room full of Irish cheer. Here are some fun ideas for your St. Patrick's Day celebration.

 

Green food coloring for your beer and other drinks is a must. Also try freezing pieces of clover inside the ice cubes for mixed drinks and other beverages. Go green with your menu. Spinach dip, asparagus wraps, guacamole and green frosted cupcakes are just a few things to consider.  Nothing beats corn beef and cabbage for a St. Patrick's Day party which is not only traditional but delicious.

For the fun party planner, pass out green beads, kiss me I'm Irish pins and green party hats as your guest enter. This will be a fun way to get the entire party in the spirit of the event. Another fun idea would be to make signs of traditional Irish toast and hang them on the walls or above doorways for your guest to read. Here are a few to get you started: 'May the winds of fortune sail you, May you sail a gentle sea. May it always be the other guy who says, 'this drink's on me.' and 'May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience, and enough coins in your pocket to buy a pint!'

 Ireland is rich with ivy so this too would be a great decoration. You can hang ivy around you door ways and windows to bring the green inside for your St. Paddy's Day party. Don't forget to also include Irish themed beer mugs and glasses for your guest to drink from. Another great idea would be including personalized napkins and cups. You can have them printed with an Irish design or saying and your guest will be talking about them for months to come.

 Now let's add some fun Irish music. You can locate Irish themed party music online or at your local party store. This will be another great way to get all of your guest into the theme of the party. There is nothing better than a house full of guest singing 'Danny Boy'!!

I hope I have gotten you excited and ready to plan your own St. Patrick's Day party. Have fun and be creative.