Wedding Cakes - The Beginings

Did you know that the tradition of wedding cake started with a loaf of bread? In ancient Rome brides and grooms broke loaves of bread at the ceremony to symbolize fertility. In medieval England sweet rolls were piled between brides and grooms. If the bride and groom could kiss over top of the pile without knocking it over, it guaranteed a happy marriage. From there it evolved in France to the pyramid shaped dessert called croquembouche. The tiered cake that we know as a wedding cake first appeared in 19th century England and was based on the spire of a famous church.

Cakes by Kathy and Co.,Couture Cakes and Holly's Cakes

Centerpieces at Your Reception

Did you know that the height of your centerpieces should reflect the heights of your ceiling in your reception space? The taller the ceilings the taller your centerpieces need to be. Varying the heights and shapes of your centerpieces will give visual interest to your space. Always keep in mind that arrangements should be either less than 14 inches in height or more than 20 inches. This allows guests to see either over or under the arrangements when seated at the table.

Flowers by Memories by McMillon

Bridal Bouquets

Flowers by Memories By McMillan

Did you know that bouquets started out as sheaves of wheat that brides carried as a symbol of fertility? In the middle ages sheaves of wheat gave way to bunches of herbs tied together to ward off evil sprits. This eventually evolved into the beautiful bouquets brides carry today.

Photo by Blue Mountain Photoworks, Flowers by Memories By McMillan

Flowers by Memories By McMillan

Wedding Veils

Did you know that veils were orginally worn to ward off evil spirts?

Another Look at a Beautiful Fall Wedding

Remember the great fall wedding of Caroline and Phillip back in November? Well their photographer David Richardson sent me some really great shots from that wedding that I just had to share.  These are a little different than the normal wedding pictures and really show the creativity of a good photographer.  Be sure to notice the reflections caught in the mirror behind the cake.  Enjoy!

How Many Wedding Dresses Did You Try Before Finding The One?

Did you know the average bride tries on 12 dresses before finding “the one”. How many did you try?


Another interesting fact: The average wedding dress contains five to seven yards of fabric and costs about $900.

Wedding Stationery - When Do I Order, When Do I Send?

Sara Theisen Design

Fact:  Did you know that save the date cards should be sent three to six months before the wedding? Cards should be ordered six weeks before you want to send them out.


Wedding Invitations should be ordered three months prior to mailing them out. They should be mailed to guests six to eight weeks before the wedding

One Ring or Two?

Interesting Fact: Did you know that it was not until 1761 that it became the style to wear engagement rings and wedding bands? Queen Charlotte of England is said to be the first to wear an engagement and wedding band on her finger.


Today’s bride has a choice. Do you want both an engagement ring and a wedding band, or will you combine them into a single band of diamonds?

A Really Cool Wedding Cake Display

I found this great wedding cake display in Alabama Weddings Magazine, 2009 Fall edition and I just had to share. How cool is this? My only concern would be making sure it was stable enough that if it got bumped during the reception, it would not lead to a disaster.  It certainly is pretty and different.  Are you brave enough to try it?

Bridal Portraits - What to Know To Make Yours Spectacular

Bridal portraits once a very southern thing has now spread into other parts of the country. Bridal portraits are the photographs a bride has taken in her wedding finery before her wedding day. They used to be of the bride in a photographer’s studio gracefully sitting on a bench or leaning against a chair. They were destined to hang on her mother’s wall. Not anymore. Think model shots, with magazine styling and pizzazz. They are taken outdoors in gardens, in warehouses, at mansions, just about anywhere the photographer can take his equipment and the bride can maneuver her dress. I tell my brides this is your one day to be totally the center of attention, a star with her own entourage and photographers. Enjoy it.

Now what do you need to know to actually enjoy this experience?

Try to book it during warm weather. Even if you wedding is being held in the dead of winter, as soon as your dress is in and altered, set up the portrait session. Spring or fall is your best bet. You don’t want it either too hot or too cold. If it is going to be cool, plan on bringing a wrap to put on your shoulders between shots. If it’s hot, you will need water to drink and powder to touch up shine from sweating.

Have your florist do a bridal portrait bouquet. It should be a smaller version of what you will carry on the wedding day. It is an excellent trial run to make sure you and the florist are on the same page. The same goes for your hair and makeup. This is the time to make sure everything works as you planned.

Bring your wedding shoes, but also bring some comfortable walking shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking and you don’t want to get the wedding shoes dirty before the big day.

Be sure someone, the photographer or your planner brings a clean sheet for you to stand on when posing. You don’t want grass stains or mud on the hem of your dress. The sheet will be tucked up under your dress so that it doesn’t show in pictures.

Try to do the pictures in a spot that offers somewhere for you to change in and out of your wedding dress. It is better if you don’t have to wear your dress in the car to your shoot.

Make sure if the pictures are being done in a public park that all the fees have been paid by the photographer. Some photographers have been known to try and sneak by without paying the fee. You don’t want to be all dressed and ready to then have to leave because a fee hasn’t been paid.

The bridal portrait shoot should be one of those special and fun memories. This is your chance to practice all those diva moves you’ve done in front of the mirror for years, a real red carpet moment. Let your inner star shine and get model worthy pictures.

Real Wedding - Carrie and Fletcher

Carrie is the kind of bride I really identify with. She wanted sparkle and bling and lots of wow. She was my girlie girl bride and I knew just the team to put together to make her dream come true. She and Fletcher had decided they wanted a cool vibe with the reception being a little different than the normal. So they opted for a late evening wedding and then a dessert reception.

This was not just your cookies and cake dessert reception. As you can see from the pictures, there were exotic fruits and cheeses at the pre-reception. Beautiful yogurt parfait martinis were bulter passed to all the guests. Hot cider, tea and espresso were available to drink. Once inside the reception there was white and dark chocolate fondue with anything you can imagine to dip. Everything from marshmallows to strawberries were there to cover in chocolate goodness. There were both plain and chocolate rice crispy bars, all types of cookies and sugary sweets. Guests were also treated to a bananas foster bar and crepes bar with blueberries, apricots and cherries. There was even espresso served over ice cream. It was fabulous.

The wedding itself was held at Edwards Road Baptist Church. The church was resplendent in red poinsettias. The girls wore silver dresses and carried bouquets of green hydrangea, spray roses, freesia, jade green roses and flake mums adorned with crystals. The men were dresses in full tails. Carries dress was an oyster color and covered in crystals. She wore a veil for the wedding and orchids in her hair for the reception. Talk about a stress free wedding, while the girls were having pictures made the groomsmen even snuck in a little basketball time.

Reception tables at the new Greer City Events Center were covered with iridescent crushed platimum overlays. Silver chivari chairs with silver cushions were used at each table. Cocktail tables were covered with black linens and tied with platimum sashes. Flowers were short square vases of hydrangeas and roses or tall glass cubes with dendrobium orchids, roses, callas and iced branches. We brought in four large white leather ottomans and round coffee tables. Each round coffee table was decorated with huge trees of white branches, crystals and silver ornaments. It was definitely a wow feature when you entered the room. There were LED lights on each arrangement and the cake. The room was bathed in silver light.

As part of the night’s surprises, the Clemson Tiger Cub was brought in to start the dance party. The guests danced the night away on a black and white dance floor surrounded by the white ottomans and ice crystal trees. The whole event was a good time not to soon be forgotten by the guests.

Vendors:

Planner – Willrich Bridal and Special Events
Florist – Memories By McMillan
Rentals – Professional Party Rental and CB Events
Caterer – Streetside Catering
DJ – Life of the Party DJ
Photographer – Photography by Dennis and Yvette
Cake – Kathy and Company
Video – Dave Majchrzak
Makeup – Patsy Glunt – Mary Kay

A Winter Night's Christmas Wedding

Yestersday, I shared some pictures of what it's like behind the scenes getting set up for a wedding and reception.  Here are just a few shots from that reception  when everything was beautiful and ready for the guests to enjoy.  I’ll be back to show you more tomorrow.