Wedding Wednesday: The Icing on the Cake!

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

I was just thinking about how I’d love to be sitting outside a bakery right now, on this rainy fall day, sipping a latte and eating something delicious.  Then I remembered it’s Wednesday and was inspired to nose around Pinterest to find some beautiful wedding cake ideas to share.

There are INFINITE ways to decorate a wedding cake.  Not only are they a perfect way to express your wedding’s theme, but they’re also the backdrop for some important wedding moments – think cake smash!! While I’m all for beautiful things, it’s also important to remember that your cake should be equally pretty and delicious!  Afterall – cakes aren’t cheap, and you definitely want to get the best bang for your buck!

Here are some of my favorite looks:

Not only am I a big fan of square cakes, but I can’t get enough of the purple damask pattern, metallic gold, and sparse cascading flowers.  It’s romantic, vintage, and has just enough going on.  Not to mention – despite all the gorgeous decor – it still looks yummy!

I can’t believe this is actually cake!  This rustic beauty is a true work of art!  I love the way the feminine flowers are peeking out of the masculine “wood.”  It would be a perfect centerpiece for a rustic/romantic wedding.  I can’t help but picture a setting like the cottage’s forest in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

I’m a sucker for all white weddings, and especially all white wedding cakes.  The one pictured is one of the most ornate cakes I’ve seen, and there’s something refreshingly beautiful about the monotone color palette and intricate details.

I featured this cake on last year’s Wedding Wednesday: Autumn Chic inspiration board.  I had to include it in this post, as it is one of my all-time favorite looks.  I first saw the un-iced cake concept when Hilary Duff married former NHL hockey player Mike Comrie in 2010. She liked the look because it was “vintage” and added to her wedding’s cozy theme. She also said she isn’t a huge fan of sweets, so nixing the icing personalized the cake to her liking – something to keep in mind if you don’t have much of a sweet tooth!  The look is not only vintage, but rustic, and screams of “down to earth” and “home.”  This Spiced version is the perfect centerpiece for an Autumn wedding.

Actress Hilary Duff and husband Mike Comrie cut their wedding cake.

Whoever designed this His and Her’s cake is genius!  The bride and groom are both represented in this beauty, and combines the growing trend of having a groom’s cake, without the extra cost.  In a world where weddings can be all about the bride, this is a great way to give your groom some attention too.

Who says a wedding cake has to be made of perfect tiers and flawless fondant?  Not me!  This Sandcastle cake is the perfect example of making your wedding cake truly your own.  Why stop with a castle? I also found this little gem:

Here are a few more looks I love:

I also came across a very helpful article from The Knot today – “Wedding Cakes – Our Top Tips.”   It has some seriously great advice, so be sure to check it out!

What is your favorite wedding cake design?  What did your wedding cake look like?

XO- Stephanie

Wedding Wednesday: Claire Pettibone Bridal Gowns

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

Last week, I stumbled across Claire Pettibone’s website and fell head-over-heels for her dreamy, vintage-inspired couture designs. With ornate details, whimsical fabrics, touches of color, and delicate glamour – these gowns are perfect for a bride who’s looking for a unique dress that’s sure to make a lasting impression.

Pettibone has three collections: Windsor Rose China, Beau Monde, and Continuing Collection.  Like each dress, each collection has its own voice, but all the gowns seamlessly inspire an aire of romance that cannot be ignored.  Think Old-Hollywood meets Pride and Prejudice meets 21st Century Glitz and Sex Appeal .  SWOON.

Here are some of my favorites:

Claire Pettibone “Luna” – photo from Pinterest

“Sophie” – Claire Pettibone – photo from Pinterest

“Midnight” – Claire Pettibone – Photo from Pinterest

“Provence” – Claire Pettibone – Photo from Pinterest

“Dew Drop” – Claire Pettibone – Photo from Pinterest

“Orange Blossom: – Claire Pettibone – Photo from Pinterest

“Madame Butterfly” – Claire Pettibone – Photo from Pinterest

“Toile Francais” – Claire Pettibone – Photo from Pinterest

For a look at all her bridal gowns and to find out where you can purchase one, visit http://www.clairepettibone.com/bridal/.

I simply can’t decide which one is my favorite.  They’re all so beautiful! Which gown do you like best?  Tell me in a comment below!

XO – Stephanie

Wedding Wednesday: Recycle Your Wedding

Happy Wedding Wednesday Peeps!

I don’t have much time to chat today, but wanted to show you something pretty cool that I discovered in my Pinterest travels.  There is a blog called Ruffled, and it has a section that allows you to Recycle Your Wedding by selling your wedding items.  It’s a must-have bit of info. for every bride and groom out there!

On the site, you can sell (and buy!) everything from votive candles to wedding gowns!  What else are you going to do with 15 custom-made tablecloths, huh?  You might as well get some money out of it!  Put it towards your honeymoon 😉

Check out the rest of the Ruffled Blog while you’re there.  There are great Real Weddings, DIYs, and a shop where you can order custom gowns.

Enjoy!

XO- Stephanie

P.S.  If you don’t have a Pinterest account, you should probably get one.  It’s too fun!  Send me an email at thetwentysomethingblog@yahoo.com, and I’ll send you an invite 🙂

Wedding Wednesday: Bridal Shower Bliss

Happy Wedding Wednesday Pretty Peeps!

I’m excited to get to share with you something personal to me for Wedding Wednesday.  A couple Sundays ago, my Mom, the bridesmaids, and I threw a shower for my beautiful, wonderful, bride-to-be sister!  It was everything I wanted to give her, and more, and it went SO quickly.   After two years of thinking about it, a few days of busily getting everything ready, an hour of semi-frantic decorating and set-up, and 3 fast hours of seeing my sister smile ear-to-ear in bridal bliss, I can’t believe it’s over!

Sister, Me and LOTS of her presents 🙂

Do you recognize my dress from anywhere?  Yesterday’s post perhaps? 😉

The decorated room. I like details 🙂

We had the shower at the Hampton Banquet Hall, and I could not have been happier with the personal customer service and fantastic meal they provided.  They were on top of EVERYTHING, even offering up the catering manager to help hang some paper poms from the ceiling, and graciously dealing with my last-minute changes to the seating arrangement.

Sister requested having cupcakes at the shower quite awhile ago, so I enlisted my talented friend Katie of Kake Pops and Cakes by Katie.  We devoured four flavors of beautifully decorated, and divinely delicious cupcakes.  Her chocolate with chocolate icing made one bridesmaid exclaim “With this – who needs a man?!”

Beautiful and Delicious Cupcakes from Kake Pops and Cakes by Katie

Something that was important to me, when designing and planning the shower, was to make it special and personalized.  Too often, bridal showers become run-of-the-mill, and I wanted my sister to have a shower that truly belonged to her.   That’s how I ended up designing the monograms that hung off of each chair and centerpiece.  The centerpiece vases were from all the flowers her fiance had sent to her while he was away at college.  My mom had saved them, and it worked out perfectly.  I also added a picture of her when she was a little girl playing dress-up as a bride to her Bridal Bingo.  I loved all the “awe’s” from the crowd when they saw it.  There was another game played, that was a rhyme and scrapbook all in one, but that’s a whole post in itself!

Personalized Monogram

Silk Hydrangeas are a simple and elegant centerpiece

We also created Reserved signs, so all the family and friends would be able to sit by they women they knew.  Since Sister got engaged at Disney World – in Cinderella’s Castle over dinner, with the ring sitting in an engraved glass slipper – the picture of the castle was only fitting – as was the quote.  These little, simple touches made it all about Sister 🙂

Reserved Signs

In all, I couldn’t have been happier with how everything came together, and seeing my sister basking in the glow of soon-to-be wedded bliss, was all I wanted and more!

Have you ever planned a bridal shower?  What fun things did you to? Tell me in the comments section below.

XO – Stephanie

Wedding Wednesday: Weddings Galore!

Hello Friends!

I realized I haven’t written anything in about a month – Yikes!  Life has gotten super, super busy, but I wanted to take a few minutes to catch up with y’all!

In the last month I’ve been:

• covering for my boss who is on maternity leave = double the work but loving the extra duties!
• planning/finalizing my sisters bridal shower
• apartment hunting – ugh more on that later
• dog/house sitting
• planning weekend getaways
• attending many, many weddings! Yaaay!

A few weeks ago, I was blessed and honored to sing at an old friend’s wedding.  It was a beautiful country-chic event at a brand-new venue, the White Barn, in Prospect, PA.  You may have seen the link to the photos by Kelsey Kradel Photography that I posted on the Facebook page last week.  If you haven’t please, please, PLEASE check them, and Kelsey’s entire site, out. She is an amazingly talented photographer, and the wedding was BEAUTIFUL -on a beautiful June day, with an equally beautiful and fantastic couple!  I may be a little biased, but they are 😉

Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll see on her website…

Ah, so beautiful!!

Along with Elaina & Eric’s wedding, I got to watch my cousin marry his one and only.  During the Catholic ceremony, the priest explained the Sacrament of Marriage in a way I’ve never really thought about before.  He basically said that by coming together to get married in the church that day, they were saying to God that they love each other so much that they wanted to become a Sacrament, so God could use them as a couple to do his works.  He also told them to remind each other, every day that they are loved, needed, respected, and admired. It was beautiful.  I cried.  I’m a sap, I know.

But, whether Catholic, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Atheist or anything in-between, I think the basis of his statements ring true as a challenge for all couples – use all the love you have for each other to better the whole world.  Kind of an awesome concept right?

In other wedding news:  My Bestie got engaged this past weekend! Yaaaay!  “We’ve got a wedding to plan!” she said when she called me at 1:30 in the morning.  The wake-up call was worth it.  And this Saturday, Bestie, Margaux, and I will watch our college roommate marry a fantastic guy!  It’s hard to wrap my head around all this love, happiness, and eternal commitments.  It’s another reminder of our age, and another great Twenty-Something experience to mark off our lists – to see your very best friends walk down the aisle.  It’s so exciting!

Have you gone to any weddings lately?  Do you have any fun stories to tell about when your best friends got married?  Tell us in a comment below.

XO- Stephanie

Wedding Wednesday: 5 Fun Buffet Ideas

Candy Buffet Image from WeddingBee.com

Happy Wedding Wednesday!  I’m a total foodie, so today’s topic has got me all sorts of excited… and  hungry!  As you may know, Cookie Buffets and Candy Buffets have been all the rage for a quite a while now.  They not only work as a favor, but they’re a great way to add a unique touch to your decoration or theme.  But, they aren’t the only fun foods you can provide.  Check out my 5 Fun Buffet Ideas.

The Spud Lover

Mashed Potato Bar – Image from Google

Mashed Potatoes done is style!  You can take a boring chafing dish of this starchy side, and turn it into the star of the meal.  Set out lots of toppings like cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, onions, whatever you like, and let your guests go to town!  They’re really cute when served in a martini glass, that I’ve heard affectionately called a “MashTini”.

MashTini – Image from SmileSteady.com via Pinterest

I Scream, You Scream

Ice Cream Parlor Buffet – Image from Google

We All Scream for Ice Cream!!  Who wouldn’t love to make their own sundae and top it with as many gummy worms, Oreo pieces, sprinkles, hot fudge, marshmallow topping and cherries as they want?  Have your caterers set out all your favorite flavors and toppings when the cake is served, or as a midnight snack.  Your guests will love serving their sweet tooth, just the way they like to!

A Little Corny

Popcorn Buffet – Image from Google

A salty snack like popcorn would be a perfect interlude while getting on your groove thang.  Let your guests sample from a variety of flavors like cheddar, candy-coated, caramel, ranch, and more.  Set out some cute popcorn cones, like these from Martha Stewart, or classic red and white striped bags.  All you’ll need is a good movie – maybe a slide show of great photos of you and your one and only!

A Pretty Penne

Pasta Bar – Image from Pinterest

Wow your guests with made-to-order Pasta Dishes.  They will choose from a variety of vegetables, meats, cheeses, sauces, even the type of noodle, and a chef will toss it all together right in front of them. I’ve seen this done a few times, and it’s a great crowd-pleaser!  However, it is time consuming, and can cause long lines, so make sure you plan out a schedule with your caterer as when to release tables to the buffet.

He “Soda” Popped The Question

Soda Bar – Image from Pinterest

A fun addition to any cocktail hour, a Soda Pop Bar is a great way to serve your guests quickly, and make sure everyone gets what they want.  You can also add a cool blast of color to your decor, when you line them up in a rainbow, or use large, colorful bowls of ice to keep them cool.  I bet the kids in attendance will love this, and the adults will find it pretty neat too.  I know I would!

What buffet is your favorite?  Are there other kinds you’d provide?  Tell me a comment below 🙂

XO – Stephanie

Wedding Wednesdays: 3 Cake Toppers I’m Obsessed With

Happy Wedding Wednesday My Lovely Friends!

I was playing on Etsy yesterday, trying to find some inspiration for today’s post, and doing a little research for Sister’s wedding.  As you know by now, I’m obsessed with the little details that make your wedding truly your own.  You also know that when I’m looking for new Little Deets, I take to Etsy.  It’s a lifesaver for those looking for personalized, handmade wedding items that won’t break your bank, and I’m always amazed at the creative awesomeness I find there.

While browsing, I stumbled on Cake Toppers; a subconscious decision since I know Sister has yet to find one she loves.    Your cake topper is a detail that’s not to be ignored.  The Wedding Cake is a centerpiece for your event.  It is one of the first things people will seek out to observe, it’s the perfect home to honor your wedding’s theme or color scheme, and let’s not forget what a great cameo it makes when you smash it in each other’s faces.  A cake topper is important to the overall look of the cake, and an easy way to make your wedding uniquely you.  I’m still not sure if Sister has found one she loves, but I have! Here are 3 Cake Toppers I’m Obsessed With.

1. Custom Engraved Monogrammed Cake Topper

Monogrammed Cake Topper from WeddingMonograms

I’m a sucker for monograms, and this one from WeddingMonograms is really making me weak in the knees.  The acrylic circle topper is a keepsake item you could display for  years after you say “I do.”  It stands at 5″x5″ and can be personalized with a custom designed monogram, or one you have from another source.  The circle itself is only $25.00, and you can purchase a monogram from the shop.  It’s beautiful, simple, and unique – certainly perfect for any wedding!

2. Custom Penguin Cake Topper

Custom Penguin wedding cake topper from PassionArte

This one is just SO stinkin cute!  Those happy little penguin cheeks make me smile.  These are $94.00 and can be purchased from PassionArte.  Made of clay, they stand 2.3″ tall, and you can match the flowers to the colors of your wedding.  This shop has other sweet toppers with “love birds”, rhinos, hedgehogs and more.  You’ll definitely make a statement with these little guys!

3. Large Personalized Heart Wedding Cake Topper

Large Personalized Heart Shape Wedding Topper from HeatherBoyd

The modern aluminum wire, and cute loopy letters had me at HELLOOO!  The $24.00 price tag wasn’t a bad thing either.  This cake topper is from Etsy shop HeatherBoyd.  There are many other options to choose from too: bicycles, hot air balloons, cars, even a Las Vegas sign.  I can see this looking great on any kind of cake – regardless of the shape, size, color, flowers, whatever, it would work… It’s also possible that I’m only obsessed with it because it has my name on it… as though I’m marrying Nick Carter.

Nick Carter – My One True Love

Do you have any favorite cake toppers?  What does/did yours look like?  Tell me in the comments below!

XO – Stephanie

(Belated) Wedding Wednesday: 5 Fabulous Flowers for a Spring Wedding

Happy Belated Wedding Wednesday!! I had half of this post done last night before I had to run off to a networking event, and didn’t get to finish when I got home.  Oops!  At any rate, Spring has sprung all around us, and I can’t help but day-dream about beautiful spring weddings with fragrant and gorgeous bouquets.  Some of my favorite flowers bloom in spring, and here’s a tip:  when you use in-season blooms you save some cash!  Who doesn’t love that?

Here’s a look at 5 fabulous flowers for a spring wedding:

Ranunculus

Ranunculus Wedding Bouquet

These lush flowers are available from February to June, and their meaning is “you are very attractive.” (Oh, well thank you!) They are also called Persian buttercups. They come in most flower colors, but the most popular are white,  yellow, orange, pink or red. Ranunculus are lovely for all types of weddings, from an outdoor garden party, to black tie affair.

Hydrangea

Hydrangea Wedding Centerpiece

I’m crazy about these full, soft blooms – I’ve got silk arrangements all through my house to prove it!  They make fantastic centerpieces due to their large round shape and size.  They change colors as they grow, but come in shades of pink, blue, purple and white.  They are in-season from May – November, so they’re available for the busiest part of wedding season.  They’re becoming increasingly popular for wedding bouquets and centerpieces.

Peony

Peony Wedding Bouquet

Peony may be my favorite of the spring flowers.  Their soft femininity is very romantic, and to me, they are the epitome of spring.  They are similar to roses, with layered petals, but their fuller shape allows for more bang for your buck.  They’re available from March through June.  The meaning of Peonies is “Happy Life” which is a pretty great symbol to have at your wedding, don’t you think?

Dahlia

Dahlias are symbolic of elegance and dignity, so they’re a great spring bloom to have at your wedding.  I love the pointy shape of the leaves, as they add a dramatic edge to the bouquets.  These flowers are available in white, purple, yellow, lavender, orange, pink, bi-colored with distinct markings, bronze, flame and red. They’re also the official flower of Mexico, which is pretty neat.

Anemone

Anemone Wedding Bouquet

I think I’ve gushed about the gorgeous black and white Anemone before, but that’s because I LOVE them.  They are so elegant, and work beautifully with damask patterns.  I love them with hot pink, baby blue, or red decor accents.  They also come in a deep red color, if you’re looking for a red bouquet.  Anemones are available year round, but their peak period is from October – May, and are part of the buttercup family, like the ranunculus.

Do you have a favorite spring flower? What would you use for your spring wedding?  Tell me in a comment below!

XO – Stephanie

Wedding Wednesday: Why Are Wedding Songs So Cheesy?

Y’all, I’m frustrated. Really, very, frustrated. This is not going to be a usual, sunny Wedding Wednesday post with pretty pictures and links to fab stuff. No, today I’ve got some serious beef I need to vent about, and one looming question:  Why are wedding songs SOOO CHEESY?!

Seriously.  I’m singing at my uncle’s wedding in less than two weeks, and am having all sorts of trouble finding a nice song that doesn’t make me giggle.  Uncle and his B2B chose 3 songs, and I actually like them all.  However, two of them are written for men, and in the completely wrong range.  Notagood!  The third option, while pretty with nice lyrics, is kinda boring, and they deserve better than a boring song!

I took to internet searches to find some other options and I found cheese, after cheese, after really stinky, stinky cheese.  Have you ever googled “list of wedding songs?”  You will get two answers:  horrible Christian rock songs with melodies circa 1982, and classic clichés that are so overdone, the audience will probably roll a collective set of eyes.  IE: KC&JoJo “All My Life.” Gagtastic.

I feel bad for these songs.  I truly don’t think they can be blamed for their down right goof factor.  Weddings have a way of turning nice things into clichés in one short wedding season. It’s really not fair. 

Also, choosing an appropriate song is just difficult.  You don’t want to gag your attendees with some overly mushy, telling love song.  You want to stay clear of anything that relates at all to the bedroom.  You want to include your religion while still talking about your love for one another.  Some traditional services and churches aren’t the best places for pop music.  The list goes on and on.

I just don’t understand why it’s so hard though.  The majority of songs are written about love right?  Yet, they all sound heinous to me.  Argh.

Do you have any suggestions for wedding songs?  I need something Christian, but decent. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

XO – Stephanie

Wedding Wednesday: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings

HAPPY WEDDING WEDNESDAY!

I hope you’re getting lots of gorgeous sunshine where you are!  With the pretty sites outside my office windows today, I can’t stop day dreaming about my trip to see Mickey, Minnie and the gang, very soon.  Yep, I’m heading to Walt Disney World with my family in just a few days.   Wooot wooot!   I started thinking about the magic of Cinderella’s castle and the happiness that exudes from every corner of the place.  It’s not just a great vacation spot for people of all ages, but it’s also a great location for a wedding!

Those Disney peeps really know what they’re doing with Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings.  You can create your big-day by choosing one of 3 collections and personalizing your details from lists of beautiful options. For a maximum of 20 people, the  Escape Collection is perfect for a bride and groom who want a small gathering of family and friends.  The Wishes Collection is great for a larger, lavish, ceremony and reception.  Lastly, the Couture Collection is literally a DREAM COME TRUE when you get to design your wedding with renowned wedding expert DAVID TUTERA! I’m getting goose bumps just thinking about it!

Acclaimed wedding expert David Tutera

Each collection lets you choose from a list of details, like cake and flowers, so your big day will be personalized to you and your hunni.  Your ceremony could be held in one of many places, like the Wedding Pavillion, various “countries” in Epcot, at one of the many resorts, a yacht club, or even right in front of that famous castle.

Wedding Pavillion at Walt Disney World Resort

Wedding Outside Cinderella's Castle, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, Wedding Reception

You can even go all out with the theme and choose your wedding dress from Disney Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo.  The 15 gorgeous gowns are inspired by and named after all the Disney princesses.  My favorite is the Cinderella gown, style 205. – so sparkly – so elegant!  You can also choose from Disney gowns for your bridesmaids and flower girls!

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo - Cinderella Style 205

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo - Ariel Style 201

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo - Snow White Style 207

If you love anything about weddings, you should definitely take some time and check out the websites linked above.  These are some seriously spectacular soirees, and you’re sure to be awed.  I know I was!

XO – Stephanie