Mini Cakes Inspire Big Smiles!

Bigger is not always better. Especially when considering the growing cupcake and mini cake trend for weddings and parties. These adorable little cakes make it easy to give each person their own personal cake. This is a great way to make guests feel like your event has been centered around making them happy. Often cupcakes and mini cakes are displayed in tiers to create the silhouette of a traditional wedding cake. There are many other ways to use them, however.

One cute idea, is setting a mini cake or cupcake at each place setting. For cupcakes, a pick can be inserted that holds place cards or has a pennant attached for each guest's names. The mini cakes themselves can have the guest's names iced on them or on a cute little tag like the gift box shaped cakes above. If this idea doesn't appeal to you, they can be also arranged in smaller tiers to serve as the table centerpiece with a table number topping it off.  These would make a beautiful, unique, and delicious way to show your guests their place in the seating arrangement. Personalized cupcake boxes with clear windows will display and protect your treats until guests wish to enjoy them. You can either place the cupcakes in them before guests arrive, or just have some on hand for guests to transport the goodies home.

If you like little, then you will love the idea of Cake Pops, which takes cake down from individual portions to individual mouthfuls. These adorable Cake Pops are made of crumbled cake, frosting, and a melted candy coating all on top of a lollipop stick. They can be arranged by inserting sticks into a foam ball, cone, or block. They can also be covered with a cellophane wrapper and tied with a bow and tag to give as edible favors.

The instructions for how to make these and other styles of Cake Pops can be found on Bakerella.

My favorite part about the mini trend is all the room for creative license. It is also a great idea for those of us who like to "DIY", but may not have enough baking experience to make a traditional wedding cake. The most difficult part would be saving some for the party!

~ Jenna

(Photo Credit: Mini Cakes from The Sugar Syndicate. Wedding Cake Pops from Bakerella)

Plan for a Flawless Face in Wedding Photos

In the weeks and months leading up to the wedding…

Plan your procedures ahead- it’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of tastings, fittings and appointments and forget to schedule facial treatments until the last minute. Don’t be tempted to get microdermabrasion or chemical peels within at least a month of the event, depending on the exact type of laser or peel. Laser resurfacing "heals within days and normal color returns within a few weeks- if that long" according to Dr. Edward Lack (Chicago Liposuction). Even a simple facial shouldn't be considered in the last few days leading up. Call well ahead of time and discuss this with the technician.

Practice good skin health- stay hydrated and eat healthfully leading up to the event. Don’t try new skincare products, or anything that may irritate your skin. Anticipate your skin’s history, and treat it accordingly depending on changes your skin may experience in the climate or weather that’s expected at the venue.

For the big day…

Start with a good base- be sure that your foundation is the right color and formulation for your skin. You may feel like you should use a heavy cream or stick foundation since you’re being photographed, but heavier formulas will look caked on and are more likely leave a line of demarcation around the neck and hairline that’s tougher to blend away. Just stick with the liquid or powder that works for you, and be sure it’s properly matched to your color. No one wants to look washed out, but it can also age you a bit if your base is too dark for you. Color correcting concealers, like green or yellow for redness, and peach or yellow for undereye circles are a much better choice than simply layering on more makeup. Remember that redness will be easily picked up in photographs so take care to balance that out, and stay away from more pink based foundations.

Avoid the shiny look- glitter will reflect too much on camera, and shouldn’t be worn to a nice event like a wedding anyway. Radiance-enhancing or shimmery foundations make faces look too slick and shiny for photos, so if you must, only keep the sheen on cheekbones and the cupid’s bow for highlighting purposes. Always finish the t-zone with powder, which is especially important to balance any highlighting applied. If you know you’re more oily, pop pressed powder in your bag so that you stay shine free.

The eyes have it- keep in mind that darker eyeshadows and heavy liner make eyes look smaller. A matte or pearl shadow formula will be universally flattering and especially in warm, earthy tones. To keep eyes looking big and bright, highlight the inner corners and brow bone with an off-white, light pink or pale gold shadow or crayon. The older you are, the more important it is to stay fast to the no shimmer rule, as it tends to bring attention to fine lines. Black eyeliner can also look too harsh for older women (same goes for liquid liner) and fair blondes are more suited for eyeliner and mascara in the brown tones. Don’t forget to make sure brows are properly framing the face- everyone looks better and younger with defined brows. Fill the arches with powder or if using a pencil, blend with a brush. Brow color and size are important considerations here, so don’t forget to use a light hand and blend.

Consider your venue and lighting- do take the time to stop and think about if the event/ photos will be taking place indoors or out, and at what time of day. Indoor photos will be taken with flash, so it’s important to use powder to combat shine and to also be sure foundation is matched well. If outdoors, soften makeup a bit as it can easily look too heavy or harsh. Also adjust your makeup look for more formal locations, and later times in the evening. When considering these factors, you will want to use more color and definition over simply adding more makeup. Keeping these ideas in mind, remember its always most important to look like yourself and feel comfortable on your wedding day. These techniques will help ensure you look flawless both in person and in photographs for years to come. Content provided by Sarah Logan on behalf of ASI (esthetics school, NY). It offers specialized coursework in cosmetic laser training, as well as microdermabrasion training.

Wedding Cake Toppers: Then and Now

What is it about a wedding cake that makes brides giddy with excitement?  Is it the towering size, the tasty dessert itself, or the ability to make something downright gorgeous out of just sugar and flour?  While the tradition of the wedding cake dates back centuries, those cute little figurines and monumental sculptures we see decorating the top of our masterpieces really didn't start picking up steam until the 1950's.  So why the extra need to have matching doll-like figures of the bride and groom, you ask?  Well, it's all about the bride and groom of course!

Wedding cake toppers were originally seen in the form of miniature figurines of the bride and groom.  While the statues could be found in many different poses, most all were seen as mini likenesses of the newlyweds to represent the togetherness of the couple.  The cake toppers were then removed and taken home as cherished keepsakes.  Many were accented with lace, bells, and elaborate trimmings as the years went on.  Cake toppers that were commonly seen were very similar or variations of these:

The wedding cake topper tradition still thrives today and has been carried over into most modern wedding receptions.  Now, however, the modern couple has taken it a step further, opting for cake toppers in different shapes and forms.

While it's common to still see figurines used, more and more weddings have embraced the hobbies of the bride and groom.  Representing their interests through funny and humorous cake figurines (see image below).  More modern weddings will even display abstract pieces found in the shapes of hearts and doves or sculpted monogram initials.  Some couples have aspired to showcase the vintage look by displaying their grandparent's cake topper or other heirloom pieces that have a close sentimental value.

Whatever your style or theme, as we continue into the 21st century, wedding cake toppers keep evolving along with the  bride and groom they represent.  Keep the tradition alive and go modern with a monogram initial or dust off your grandmother's 'ole vintage topper to give your cake an heirloom quality feel.

Happy Planning!

Allie

How To Wedding Shop Safely Online

Online shopping is one of the hottest trends for brides today. Online shopping saves brides both money and time. It’s so much easier to go online and order all of your wedding favors or accessories without standing in line at the store or running all over town on your lunch break or day off. Here are a few tips on how to make sure you are shopping online safely:

• Look for third-party seals of approval. Companies can put these seals on their sites only if they abide by a set of rigorous standards, such as how personal information can be used. Two seals to look for are from Better Business Bureau Online and McAfee Secure, which means the site is tested for safety daily. If you see the seals, always click them to make sure they link to the organization that created them. Unscrupulous merchants have been know to put these logos on their Web sites without permission.

• Look for signs that the Web site protects your data. On the Web page where you enter your credit card or other personal information, look for an s after http (https://) in the Web address of that page. Encryption is a security measure that scrambles data on its journey through the Internet.

• Make sure there is a small, closed padlock. Usually it’s in the address bar or on the lower right corner of the window, though sometimes the padlock may be somewhere else on the page.

So get your fingers to work and shop, shop till you drop. Online shopping is the fun, fast and now the safe way to shop because you know what to look for. Good luck and happy shopping!

Carrie

Elegant Crystal Gifts and Wedding Reception Favors

Crystal goes with just about anything and can be found in many shapes and sizes that will compliment any wedding reception theme or special event in which you want to add an elegant touch.

Crystal diamond candle holders when lit on your event tables will create a mesmerizing and romantic setting for your special day and will match any color decor imaginable.

If you are planning a beach wedding the shell designed keychains are sure to be a welcome surprise and long lasting treasure for each guest to take home.

For a Vegas theme event the crystal die wine bottle stoppers will look amazing when displayed at the top of any bottle of wine and sure to be a great conversation starter.

Choosing elegant and practical crystal keepsake favors is a great way for your family and friends to display the memento in their home or use over and over again and sure to bring happy memories of your special day each time they are used. 

Renee'