Cake SERVINGS GUIDE

A Sweet Ending

place a small cake at the center of each dinner table so that dessert doubles as a centerpiece.

A Little Variety

It’s not uncommon to see a traditional cake paired with other sweets like cookies, truffles, or whole tables chock full of candy. At an outdoor or summer wedding, you might invite guests to make s’mores or build their own sundaes, complete with a well-stocked toppings bar. A display brimming with deep-fried confections can be fun and whimsical. Or choose two dessertsone bride’s pick and one groom’s pick. For winter weddings, a coffee or hot chocolate bar with an array of toppings (marshmallows, whipped cream, peppermint sticks) is a cozy addition.

Finding A Bakery

Whatever you decide, take advantage of all food tastings. Go with your gut and choose the dessert you deem the tastiest, but also factor in the bakery’s efficiency and professionalism. The baker should return your calls and emails in a timely manner, be flexible with your needs, and guarantee on-time service on your wedding day.

Pricing

Wedding cakes are typically priced by the slice, depending on the style, ingredients, size, and embellishments. Your reception site might also charge a plating fee to cut and serve the cake.

The First Bite

If you’re planning on a traditional cake cutting, make sure you have a knife and lifter ready to go. Traditionally, the bride grasps the knife with her right hand and the groom covers her hand with his as they cut the cake together — and the crowd goes wild! 

scan me!

Capture The Mood

After months of fittings, tastings, and planning down to the very last detail, the day you’ve always dreamed of will seem to come and go in a blur. That’s why quality photography is a must! You want to be able to preserve the day and look back on everything that happened. Through pictures captured in a style that speaks to you, you can remember, relive, and cherish each moment for the rest of your lives.

DO A DRY RUN. Test a photographer for your engagement photos ensures you know and like their style before the busy wedding day.

Capture The Mood

From falling in love with a dreamy online portfolio to the nitty gritty of contracts, let’s look at the process of finding a photographer that’s your perfect match.

Define Your Style

Wedding photography is more than just documenting the event. The right photographer for you will capture the spirit of you as a couple, as well as your day. While other factors come into play when choosing a photographer, determining a style that speaks to you is the first order of business. Below are a few styles you might encounter as you start your search.

DOCUMENTARY: Candid, spontaneous, not styled or posed. Capturing moments as they happen; shots of decorative details, action, and people. This style is currently trending, as couples gravitate toward the effortless, unforced feel of documentary-style photos.

PORTRAIT: Classic and posed. Poses can be staged with traditional backdrops, such as a church alter, or more creative, holding hands in front of a vibrant city mural. Portrait doesn’t mean dull or dated, it just means the scenery and composition are thoughtfully arranged.

FINE ART OR EDGY & BOLD: Dramatic and dreamlike, with interesting angles and framing. Might use more muted tones for a filmlike effect. These photos will represent the photographer’s vision, so if you love an artist’s unique style, fine art photography could be a great fit.

Many photographers can do a blend of these styles, so don’t worry so much about being pigeon-holed into one or another. In the end, worry less about what a photographer calls their style and more about whether or not their work makes you happy.

Shop Around

Once you’ve established your target style, it’s time to shop around. Collect referrals from friends, review local wedding magazines and websites, and check out bridal shows near you. Browsing local photographers’ websites, blogs, Facebook pages, and Instagram feeds is the quickest way to get a feel for the talent in your area.

But beware of amateur photographers with limited real-world experience. Just because someone takes pretty iPhone photos, launches a website, and has a business card, that doesn’t make them a professional photographer. Choose someone with a strong portfolio of quality work, testimonials from happy clients, the right gear, well-thought-out contingency plans, and a professional attitude.

Meet In Person

Once you’ve made a shortlist of potential photographers that seem to check all your boxes, it’s time to meet. Don’t underestimate this step! Even if your artistic visions align, it’s just as important that your personalities click. Remember, this person is shadowing you on your wedding day!

Ask yourself how this person will mesh with your friends and family, too. They should be professional, respectful, and know when to hang back, while also being bold enough to go after great shots and draw natural expressions from your guests.

QUESTION & EVALUATE

First and foremost: Only meet with photographers within your budget. It’s disappointing to fall in love with a CONTINUED ON PAGE 88