Cake Toppers

Since Hurricane/Tropical Storm Sandy has me trapped in our apartment for the next 2 days, I may as well keep myself busy by blogging.

Cake toppers have evolved from more than just plastic figurines of the bride and groom standing side by side to intricate designs that are a pivotal part of the wedding cake. As always, Etsy has provided some awesomely creative toppers for your big day.

"Mr & Mrs." wood cake topper from Better off Wed on Etsy.

Cute chalkboard cake topper

Funny cake topper

So appropriate for a Philadelphia wedding

Custom monogram cake topper from The Pink Owl Gifts on Etsy

"Happily Ever After" topper from Better Off Wed on Etsy

Cute cake topper from Oklahoma Stencil on Etsy

Wedding Inspiration: Centerpieces

I love wedding centerpieces. Despite the fact that we're hiring a wedding designer, I plan on being heavily involved in the design of the centerpieces in our wedding. Martha Stewart has posted some gorgeous centerpieces, some that a bride can do herself.

Substitute navy blue for the black, and these are my wedding colors.

I love this floating centerpiece

Wheat represents a full life together.

I love this tea tin idea.

Branch centerpiece

I love this look. Tapered candles in mismatched candlesticks

Collect tea sets from flea markets or rent them from catering companies

Simple, but elegant.

Dress Designer: Carol Hannah

This designer may not be as well known as Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Jenny Packham, but her dresses are bound to become popular with brides in the next few years. Her name is Carol Hannah and she was discovered when she was a contestant on Project Runway. She didn't win, but she did come in 3rd place. 

I found her dresses on a neat website called Lovely Bride. She launched her bridal line in Spring of 2010 and her work has gotten great reviews in the media. Her dresses are beautiful in a simple way and she has a great eye for creating unique silhouettes. 

And It's Not Even My Birthday

This is probably the first of many wedding cake posts. If you know me, you know that I have an insane sweet tooth. If I could, I would eat chocolate, cookies, brownies, and cake all day everyday. 

I love looking at pictures of different weddings cakes. Even if a certain cake isn't exactly what I  would want for my wedding, you can't ignore the hard work and artistry that goes into making a gorgeous wedding cake. 

(Images from Pinterest)

Wedding Inspiration

Here are a bunch of photos of cute wedding inspiration that I found on a great tumblr account called The Wedding Stage Manager

Save the newspaper from your wedding day and
use it to frame your wedding photos

Leave local cab company phone numbers for intoxicated guests to call at the end of the night

Beautiful seat cover and sash

Make your own s'mores kits as favors

Hot chocolate bar for a winter wedding

Cute wedding programs

When you box your decorations, put a picture of what you want them to
 look like on the cover so whoever is setting them up knows what to do.

Pictures of family members on a table are a nice touch at the reception

Winter wedding inspiration 

Rehearsal dinner invite or menu idea

Instead of a guest book, have guests sign puzzle pieces then put them together after the wedding.
Frame the puzzle

Cute ceremony seating arrangement

Wedding Tradition: Charm Cake

This tradition is predominately used in southern weddings, but since I used to live in the south, I may use this in my own wedding; it's called a bridesmaids cake pull. Various charms are attached to ribbon and baked into a cake. Some couples choose to have them baked into the wedding cake, or the bride can opt to have a separate bridesmaids cake that is served at the rehearsal dinner with the grooms' cake. There should be enough charms so that each bridesmaid gets one. 

The belief is that the charm that the bridesmaid pulls will foretell her future. You can choose any kind of charm to put in, but traditionally, a ring charm is included in the mix. Whoever pulls the ring charm is believed to be the next one to get married.

I love this idea because it's a great way to incorporate your bridesmaids into the reception and to show them that you appreciate everything they've done for you.

These charms are from Gold Chest Jewelry on Etsy

1. Best Friends Forever Ring: May you always be surrounded by friends

2. Super Hero: May there always be someone who sweeps you off your feet

3. Knight: May your knight in shining armor find you

4. Star: May all of your wishes come true

5. Wine Bottle: May your glass always be half full

6. Witch: May you never become old and bitter

7. Pistol: May you never need more shots than you have bullets

These charms are from Bohemian Findings on Etsy

1. Four Leaf Clover: Good luck
2. Heart: New love
3. Thimble: To protect you from the "pricks" out there
4. Chili Pepper: There's a hot romance in your near future
5. Anchor: You will live a life of stability and hope.
6. Saxophone: You will live with a song in your heart.
7. Fleur De Lis: Laissez les bon temps rouler - Let the good times roll!
8. Pelican: You will have a life of plenty
9. Camera: You will have a picture perfect life
10. Steamboat: Your life will be full of nostalgic memories
11. Alligator: You will live a long and enjoyable life
12. Eiffel Tower: Your life will be filled with travel and leisure
13. Mardi Gras Mask: Your life will be a party
14. A ring: You will be the next to be married.

DIY Sunday: Asking Your Bridesmaids

Instead of a phone call or email asking my girlfriends to be my bridesmaids, I decided to add a more personal touch. Here are my supplies:

I spray painted wooden letters in each of my bridesmaids first initials and glued them to the top of the ring boxes.

I put the labels on the front of the boxes.

 My own rings to pop the question

I placed the ring pops into the candleholders and placed them in the boxes. I then found personal pictures of me with each bridesmaid and glued it to the inside of the lid. 

The finished product!