Bay Area Bridal Guide

a y e a r B A

BRIDAL GUIDE

ICING ON THE CAKE

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BAYAREABBARIDAL GUIDE.COM AY REA RIDAL

UIDE COM

SPRING/SUMMER 2013

Planning Your Wedding or Special Event?

San Jose location shown

Think of Scott’s Seafood Restaurants Where It’s Always AWarm Tradition of Delicious Food, Fun and Enjoyment!

• Patio Seating up to 80 people • Banquet Room up to 80 people • Entire Restaurant up to 300 people (includes the patio)

185 Park Avenue San Jose (408) 971-1700 www.scottsseafoodsj.com

420 Castro Street Mountain View (650) 966-8124 www.scottsseafoodmv.com

#1 Town & Country Village Palo Alto (650) 323-1555 www.scottsseafoodpa.com

Banquet room: 80 people Entire restaurant: 300 people

Banquet room: 60 people Entire restaurant: 200 people

Banquet room: 60 people Entire restaurant: 250 people

Engagement Ring Engagement rings can vary from classic modern styles in diamonds and platinum, to ornate, antique-inspired settings, or to nontraditional rings using alternative materials like hammered gold and natural, uncut stones.

Despite the wide range of styles and tastes in engagement rings and their accompanying wedding bands, one trend is for sure; bling is in. Designers like Tacori, Harry Winston, and DeBeers feature rings coated in diamond pave, a stone-setting technique in which the ring’s metal is covered with closely placed stones. Bluenile.com, a popular online diamond ring retailer, often features pave rings as customer favorites. Engagement rings may have the wedding band covered in pave diamonds, and some also have an extra “halo” of pave diamonds around the center stone, adding an even extra layer of glitz and sparkle. In the wedding rings category, brides

TRENDS IN 2012

are choosing diamond eternity bands, which feature diamonds around the entire length of the ring, in either pave or channel set fashion.

Colored and natural cut stones are also popular styles in 2012. Companies like Diamond in the Rough, available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman, are designing engagement and wedding rings with natural, uncut diamonds. While contrasted with their more polished, sparkling counterparts, these rough and often colored stones are less expensive and provide an organic feel when juxtaposed against shining platinum and gold.

For men, simple is still in. Plain platinum or white gold wide bands still dominate the market for men’s wedding rings. Diamonds for men, however, are becoming increasingly more popular, though diamonds should be set flush in the band for the convenience and nofuss design that appeals to most men.

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Stunning

FOLLOWING UP WITH A

RECEPTION

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hen you are planning your wedding, you may have considered the venue for the ceremony, but what about the reception? Some people choose to have the reception at the same place as the ceremony, but this does not need to be the case. Remember that the reception is a social time, when eating, drinking and dancing will likely be happening, and with that in mind, you should choose a place where your guests are comfortable.

For example, many hotels have excellent facilities for a reception. They can take care of the refreshments, and they are accustomed to dealing with large numbers of people. Th hotel is an ideal choice, especially if you are hosting a destination wedding.

Some people choose to host the reception at a golf course. Not only are the greens perfectly tended, you’ll find that the open space is a great way to encourage the guests to mingle. This is a great choice if you are planning a wedding that is meant to be held during clement weather.

Don’t forget the appeal of odder locations, like museums. If you are a couple who delights in the odd and the beautiful, a wedding reception held at a museum is a fantastic choice.

You can acquire one of the banquet halls for a full evening, allowing your guests to wander as they please through the main exhibits.

When you are thinking about choosing a wedding reception location, keep in mind the number of guests, the feeling that you want to create, and the activities that you will be doing.

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A Bay Area Tradition

SCOTT’S SEAFOOD 185 Park Avenue San Jose (408) 971-1700 www.scottsseafoodsj.com

420 Castro Street Mountain View (650) 966-8124 www.scottsseafoodmv.com

#1 Town & Country Village Palo Alto (650) 323-1555 www.scottsseafoodpa.com

LICENSE TO W

wed

ith weddings being all about the dress and the flowers and the reception hall and everything else that fills that day, people can forget that they need to do some legal work for it as well. Most importantly, the couple needs to obtain their marriage license.

This is not as simple as running down to the court house and grabbing a sheet of paper. In most states, you need to apply for the marriage license at least a week in advance. This ensures that they have time to process everything, and it prevents “on the fly� marriages.

However, you may need more than a week to complete this step. Both the bride and the groom will need to fill out a form and have proper identification on them. The court will be very specific about what qualifies. Usually a social security card or official birth certificate will be accepted. Allow extra time if you need to obtain copies.

In rare cases, the court may ask for proof that the couple is not related. While this is rare, it may delay the process if both parties need to

have DNA taken for sampling. Thankfully, this is not often the case.

Finally, the marriage license is not free.

Obtaining the proper documents may be about $20 a piece, but the license usually costs $200. There is a $100 charge for the license itself and another $100 for a filing fee. Given how expensive weddings are, this will not break the budget, but it is certainly something to keep in mind.

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suiting up FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY I

f your wedding is going to be a formal, or even semiformal event, you need to think about your tuxedo. A great tuxedo makes for a real sense of elegance at the wedding, but how do you choose the right one?

First, most men are confronted with the idea of buying a tuxedo or renting one.

Tuxedos are not cheap, but if you want something that fits you personally, you will want to purchase yours.

If there is a chance you will need a tuxedo in your life again, it is likely a good idea to simply buy one.

Consider

the style that suits you. For a very elegant wedding, you might consider a tuxedo that has a morning coat cut. It is the most formal choice. Below that, you’ll find the dinner jacket tuxedo, which is what most people think of when it comes to tuxes. There are some really wonderful variations on all of these styles, but the most common one is the black tie tuxedo, which is somewhere in the middle when it comes to formality.

The cummerbund is a great chance for you to match colors. Match your cummerbund to the colors chosen for the wedding, or match your cummerbund to the trim of the bride’s dress. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you can make sure that they will ensure a better look for the big day.

Tuxedos play a big part in the look of the wedding and the formality of the setting, so take a moment to think about how you want to look!

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Dressing your Best

FOR YOUR BIG DAY

O

ne of the most important preparations that you will make before your wedding is what kind of wedding dress you want. Wedding dress shopping can be a real endurance trial, so before you even start looking around, consider what you want.

First, when thinking about wedding gowns, think about a shape that you think you like.

For example, do you love the slinky elegance of a sheath dress, or do you prefer something more formal, with a fitted bodice and a very full skirt? If you are doing something more casual for your wedding, do you prefer sundresses or do you want something more like a column dress, which has a long, straight skirt? The wedding gown you choose should have a shape that makes you happy.

More and more brides are experimenting with color. Not only will you find wedding gowns in rich cream and glacial blue, you can even find version in red, in bronze and in

green. Consider what colors you want to get married in, and remember that it is your call.

Don’t forget to put together a budget.

There are many advertisements that tell you that you should spare no expense on your big day, but you’ll find that there are still plenty of things to keep in mind. How much should your wedding dress cost? If you want something custom, be prepared for the price to go up to four figures. Keeping the cost in mind can also help you break down your choices.

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Exclusively at

WILLOW GLEN DIAMOND COMPANY 1302 LINCOLN AVENUE SUITE 102 SAN JOSE, CA 95125

PHONE: (408) 993-1313 FAX: (408) 993-1379 EMAIL: INFO@WGDIAMOND.COM WWW.WGDIAMOND.COM

CONSULT THESE TIPS BEFORE CONTACTING A

Wedding Consultant A

wedding consultant can be a lifesaver when it comes to planning a wedding. She can take an immense amount of stress off the bride if you are lucky enough to find a good one.

Here are some tips to consider before locking someone in to plan the most important day of your life.

Begin by doing a little research on the wedding consultant.

Do they have pictures up of weddings they have helped organized? Do they have good review from previous clients?

Do they specialize in certain types of weddings? There is a lot that a simple internet search can give you.

If possible, speak personally with one of their clients. As much as it hurts, you can’t believe everything you read on the internet.

It is a lot harder to lie in person. Find out who other brides have used and trusted.

Next, find out from the wedding consultant how many weddings she does at a time. For example, if she is only doing a few, she will have plenty of time to give you

personal attention and perform tasks when not with you. However, if she bites off more than you can chew, you may be paying for unanswered phone calls.

Finally, discuss some of your wedding ideas with the potential consultant before hiring her on. You may find that the two of you just don’t click even though she perfectly qualified and established in her field. You are hiring this person to make your dreams come true, not their creative visions.

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PLANNING FOR

Petals W

hen in the throes of wedding planning, you have a lot of responsibilities and points of interest to consider.

Your floral arrangements, while pretty enough to envision, require great skill and management to execute on your wedding day.

It can all be quite easily overwhelming, because after all, there are so many types of flowers and colors you could possibly choose.

That’s why it’s important to find a florist who is competent and confident in their ability to deliver exactly what you desire for your big day.

One way to find a great florist is by simply asking married friends or even the manager of your venue. Chances are that the venue hosts have seen enough weddings to have

an idea about potential florist opportunities. You can also just go online and scour review sites in search of the most hyped floral designers.

When you meet with your florist, it’s important to set your budget goals from the get go. This will ensure that the florist knows exactly what can be done and won’t make any promises that will ultimately end in dissapointment or increased stress due to lack of funds.

Before discussing your vision, you’ll also want to make sure that you have a good visual representation of what you’re looking for. You may have your wedding day perfectly mapped out in your mind, but it can be difficult to transfer those ideas to the florist clearly. If you compile pictures, your florist will be more likely to recreate your vision successfully.

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TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL

Rehearsal Dinner P

lanning a wedding can be stressful, indeed. Once the wedding is planning, invitations are sent out and dates firmed up, there is still much work left to be done. Generally, the night before the wedding, a rehearsal dinner is conducted with the key parties of the wedding to ensure that everyone knows their tasks, their places, and to do a brief run through of what is going to happen on the wedding day. What follows are couple of great tips to making the most of your wedding rehearsal.

KEEP IT LOW KEY The wedding is going to be formal enough, there is no need to go overboard for the rehearsal dinner. You want folks to feel relaxed and natural so they will be able to do their part in the wedding party.

The rehearsal dinner is also, traditionally, a time for celebration of the coming nuptials and should not be taken too seriously. Keep things informal, including the meal itself and attire as well to allow for a relaxing night-before environment.

FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANT PARTS How people orient their body or where their eyes are during the rehearsal and even the wedding itself is really not all that

important. There are very important elements of the wedding, such as the flower girl procession, ring bearers, walking down the aisle, vows and so on that are the key focal point of the wedding. Focus on these things and let the small, inconsequential details fall by the wayside.

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A culinary oasis in Silicon Valley “The Lion & Compass is to the Silicon Valley what Sardi’s was to the theater district.”

—The New York Times

For more than a quarter of a century, the Lion & Compass has maintained a special status in the Silicon Valley.

Opening in 1982, the Lion & Compass quickly established its reputation as the premiere dining spot for the hightech cognescenti.

From business dining and banquets, private corporate events, wedding receptions, to a fine dining experience for two, the Lion & Compass is a culinary oasis in the Silicon Valley.

1023 North Fair Oaks Avenue Sunnyvale, California 94089 (408) 745-1260 http://www.lionandcompass.com

s e s n e S e h t r Cuban Food fo

F

or those who are tired of the typical restaurants and would like to add some excitement to their dining should consider going out for Cuban food.

Cuban food is a blend of many different ingredients. There are Spanish, African and Caribbean influences within Cuban dishes.

Many of these same spices are incorporated in Cuban dishes. The reason Cuban food has a large amount of Spanish influence is due to the fact that during its colonial times Cuba was known for its trading and many of the Spaniards who were residing in the country brought their own dishes along with them.

Many Cuban dishes use a base that is known as criollo. This base consists of garlic, onions, green peppers and oregano.

Those who have had the opportunity to try criollo agree that the explosion of flavors is amazing. This base is one of the most popular bases that chefs use. The ingredients are common in Cuba and can be easily

found throughout the island.

Cuban restaurants have many different options on their menus. They are known for serving traditional Cuban dishes that most people find hard to replicate. Many of the main Cuban dishes include some sort of meat. The most commonly used meats would include chicken and pork. Even though there are many influences found in Cuban dishes, they all are unique and enjoyed by everyone those that have tried them.

Enjoy!

Fine dining * catering * take out * banquets * gift cards

deliciously cuban!

FUNDADA

EN 1994

Habana Cuba RESTAURANT

238 race st , SJ Ca * 408.998.2822 * www.998cuba.com

HOW TO CHOOSE A

Bridal Registry

O

ne thing you’ll have to do once you’ve started planning your wedding is to set up a bridal registry. This is important so your guests have a good idea of what to get you for your special day.

Depending on your situation in life and your lifestyle, where you register and what you ask for may vary. Here are some thoughts to get you started.

If you are a young couple who are just starting out in life, it makes sense to choose a home store or department store and register for all of the necessities. You should consider kitchen items, bath items, bedding, and anything else you might need in a new home.

Don’t forget to throw some fun items in there too, like an ice cream maker or some cool paintings you’ve been eyeing! This sort of bridal registry may also make sense for an older couple who has a lot of these things, but could use upgrades and replacements.

Couples that have no need for a microwave or towels still have options. One great thing to do is to choose a honeymoon registry. This allows people to donate to your honeymoon.

Some are general, where you just get a collection of money that goes onto a gift card, but some allow guests to buy “experiences” for you, such as a meal at a restaurant or a snorkeling trip.

Most stores have some form of bridal registry these days, so if you’re not sure what you might ask for look into your favorite store. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you really want - guests don’t want to buy you something you’re never going to use!

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catering YOUR BIG DAY F

inding a wedding caterer to suit all of your needs while staying within your budget can be a stressful process. To begin, find what is most important to you regarding the food at your wedding. For example, is staying under budget the most important factor in choosing a caterer? Is the quality of food the most important factor? Do you have specific requests like a make-yourown taco stand or must you have mashed potato martinis at your wedding? It could be that more than one of these factors are tied together in their importance to you, and you want a balance between price and quality, or quality and finding a caterer who has options that work for you. Call around to catering companies or search online for their options, packages, and pricing to determine which one fits your needs, and don’t forget to schedule

a tasting to handpick your menu and approve all options.

To choose the menu at your wedding, consider whether you want a sit down dinner or a standing buffet. Pre-planned meals with a few entrĂŠe options work for sit-down dinners, while carving stations and hot and cold bars work for buffets.

When choosing your menu, include the foods that your partner and you prefer. The sophistication of the menu is entirely based on your tastes and the type of event you want to create; mini hamburgers and French fries work well for some couples, while others prefer filet mignon and escargot. In the end, choose what you like, but do be considerate of your guests as whole and include options that you think most people will enjoy.

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Wedding TYPES OF

INVITATIONS

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edding invitations are a very important part of your wedding, because they’ll not only get across the important information that you need to provide to guests, they’ll also set the tone for your wedding. The type of style of invitation that you use will give people an idea of how formal or informal the event might be, if you have a theme, and the overall atmosphere or feeling of your event. Make sure you consider all of these carefully when choosing your wedding invitations.

One thing you’ll want to look at is how large your invitation is and how many pages it has. Many people choose to go with a simple, one page wedding invitation that has all of the information on it. Others have cards that unfold, or even small folders or envelopes with multiple parts of the invitation inside. This can include the general invitation, a reception invitation, hotel information, directions, a wedding website, and anything else you might like to include.

Another choice you’ll have to make is style.

If you have a theme, you’ll probably want to

pick a wedding invitation that goes along with that. Palm trees or sea shells will help guests get in the mood for a beach wedding, while a castle or a knight in shining armor will create an atmosphere for a romantic fairy tale.

The type of paper and font type will also help to indicate what you are going for. Simple cardstock or glossy paper is a good choice for a less ornate wedding, while specialty papers indicate opulence. Try to maintain consistency between the type of wedding invitations that you choose and the other elements of your wedding!

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Honeymooning

FOR NEW LOVERS

A

fter the wedding comes the honeymoon, and if you are planning out your honeymoon, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. First, think about the timing. While a honeymoon is intended to help you relax after the wedding, some people do poorly with travel after stress. Make sure that you time your honeymoon for a time that pleases you.

Explore your options, and think about what you like. For example, are you a couple that loves to rough it? If so, you’ll find that camping in a national park like Yellowstone might be perfect. On the other hand, if you want something more homey, what about escaping to a private but luxurious cabin in Maine? If you are more interested in urban fun, why not consider a large city, like New York, Chicago or San Diego? The most important thing is to choose a location that works for you.

Budget carefully for your honeymoon. A wedding is a fairly expensive proposition no matter what, so make sure that your honeymoon does not leave your wallet flat. However, remember that honeymoons can take any shape you wish, so don’t be afraid to dream big! Some people mitigate the cost of their honeymoon by putting things that they need for it on the wedding registry.

If you are plotting your honeymoon, don’t default to the standard options. The key to having a great honeymoon to remember is figuring out what location is going to best suit your needs.

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RIDE AWAY IN

Style

After the ceremony is over and it’s time to celebrate, you can ride away in style with the bridal party. Consider renting a limo so that you don’t have to worry about traffic, you can enjoy a drink on the way, and you could even make a stop or two to celebrate in public while the rest of the guests get to the reception hall.

Before deciding on a limo company, do a little research. Make sure the driver is dependable. You don’t want him to be late or have a driving record that could make the day more stressful than it has to be.

Also make sure that the limo itself is clean. The entire bridal party will still be in their formal dress. You don’t want to be sitting on dust or stains that could ruin the clothes.

Finally, ask what extras come with the limo. Some allow the passengers to plug in their music device. Others include the price of drinks and snacks in the mini bar. Others require that they are purchased beforehand or provided by the guests. It would be quite disappointing if you were expecting beverages that weren’t there.

Depending on your style, you may want a specific type of limo. A certain color, length, or car style could be the icing on the cake. For many brides, they want a white limo that matches the wedding. Some grooms may take charge and prefer a Hummer.

Do a little research into the limo service, and ride away in style as husband and wife for the first time.

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THE RIGHT

photographer

F

WILL MAKE YOUR WEDDING LAST

or many couples planning a wedding, choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions in the planning process. Your pictures will serve as a lasting reminder and memory of your beautiful wedding day.

Before you can begin shopping for a photographer, you need to finalize your wedding budget.

Professional photography can put a considerable dent in your wedding budget, especially if you want incredible pictures to display in your home.

Once you’ve set your budget, you can start your search for a wedding photographer who shares your style. If you’re a fan of formal and posed photographs, look for

a photographer who excels in that style of work. If you’d prefer a more casual approach to your photographs, search for a professional that knows how to catch fun and spontaneous moments. Today, many wedding photographers maintain online portfolios, making it easy for you to quickly see their best photographs. Looking at a photographer’s previous work will help you make the best choice for your wedding.

Before your wedding day, be sure to share your wedding plans with your photographer. Let them know if you want pictures of certain groups of wedding guests.

For example, you may want a few pictures of just you and your parents. You can even consider scheduling a set time during your wedding festivities for photography. This will give your photographer plenty of time to get the pictures you want the most. During the rest of the day, your photographer can wander freely to snap pictures of the reception venue, wedding cake and other details.

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UnforgettableAT YOURMusic WEDDING HOW TO HAVE

Choice of music can be one of the most crucial aspects of planning a wedding. Music plays a large role in both the ceremony and the reception, and the wrong choice of music can make a wedding feel awkward or boring.

Here are some tips for how to plan what tunes you’ll be playing on your special day.

First of all, choose music that is meaningful to you, especially for the ceremony and important moments like the first dance and the cake cutting. You want to feel blissfully happy in those moments, and choosing songs that really move you will make it all the more special. You should also decide what sort of feel you are going for. For an old fashioned romantic wedding, consider a harp player, organ, or acoustic guitar. More modern weddings might make use of a piano or even recordings in the ceremony. For the reception you can decide whether you’d like a DJ or a live band.

When it comes to reception music, try to expand your horizons. If you’re really into country music there should definitely be some of that, but make sure the DJ is playing other genres as well. Not everyone there will be into the same music as you are, and if you want them all to have a good time you need to include more than just what you like. Don’t be afraid to draw the line somewhere though - if you don’t want rap music, don’t allow your DJ or band to play it.

As long as you pick a wide variety of music which is meaningful to you and your guests, everyone is sure to have a great time on the dance floor all night long!

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AVOIDING

O

Bridesmaid

DRESS DISASTERS

f course, the bride’s dress will be the most talked about article of clothing at any wedding, but the bridesmaid’s dresses are always a close second. And they are nearly just as hard to pick out. Not only is it hard enough to figure out a color and style, there is also the fact that not every bridesmaid is the same size to consider. Here are some ideas to consider to lighten the burden.

It has become quite popular to not have entirely matching bridesmaids. The bride instead picks one unifying theme for the girls to follow. For example, the bride may decide on a certain style, and then tell her bridesmaids they can pick any shade of pastel in that style that they want. This livens up the look of the bridesmaids and gives them a bit more freedom. Another option is to pick out the color and allow the bridesmaids to pick their own style. This way they can find one

that flatters their unique shape.

If the bride is set on the traditional option of having all matching bridesmaids, make it a fun experience. Have all the girls go together for a day of shopping and trying on dresses.

As long as all the bridesmaids know that their input is welcome while the bride has the final say, this may be the smoothest route to take.

Just make sure to get out before anyone cries and don’t go out for greasy food beforehand.

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Beauty A HAVE SOME BRAINS

girl should feel like an absolute princess on her wedding day. While this certainly means that she should be marrying her Prince Charming and be whisked away to live happily ever after, she also wants to look the part.

The dress plays a huge part in this, but do not forget about the hair and makeup.

Most girls have their regular hair and makeup routine. However, that will simply not do on their wedding day. For starters, they are going to be going through so many more emotions. They will be nervous, and probably in a hot dress causes them to sweat. There may even be some tears of joy. Everything needs to be waterproof.

And kissable. The groom does not want lipstick in his pictures and the bride does not want everyone kissing her cheeks to get a mouthful of concealer.

It’s also a good idea to test out the makeup before the big day. It would be awful for the bride to spend hours getting ready only to realize she doesn’t like her hair in that shape or the way her eyes look with the makeup. A quick run through with some durability tests may sound silly, but there are necessary when all eyes are on the bride. Think of it this way. No bride would ever wear a pair of shoes down the aisle without trying them on first. Why should it be any different with cosmetics?

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WITH YOUR

Wedding Cake

PLAN, DESIGN AND TASTE

W

eddings would not be complete without a bride and groom, venue, décor; and of course, the wedding cake.

Choosing a wedding cake may not be as important as choosing a bridal gown, but it is pretty high on the wedding to-do-list. The days of placing a cake order over the phone have long gone; being replaced by months of finding the perfect baker, choosing the best cake flavors, and deciding on the best design for the cake that will be the main centerpiece at your wedding.

Time is of the essence, and wedding cakes are no exception. Begin searching for a baker to help design your wedding cake as soon as you know your wedding’s color scheme. You will want to dedicate at

least six months of your time to the entire wedding cake process.

When choosing a baker, conduct online (and in-person) searches of the top bakers. It is beneficial to read a baker’s customer reviews, but do not make a decision based entirely off of a review. Visit the baker to see her previous work, discuss designs, and taste the cake flavors. You want a cake that looks stunning, but you also want a cake that tastes just as good as it looks.

Ask the baker about current wedding cake designs and trends, but make your choice based on ideas that you and your fiancé have come up with together. Your wedding day is all about you and your groom, and the wedding cake should be designed with the theme you two choose. After all, you and your husband will be the two left eating the cake on your first wedding anniversary!

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Relaxing

BEFORE THE BIG DAY

W

hen you think about your wedding in the future, the last thing that you want to think about is strife, stress and tears! The truth of the matter is that a wedding can be an enormous production, involving orchestrating lots of people and small events. If you want to make sure that you can enjoy it, consider what you can do to relax.

First, consider finding a way to breakfast with your significant other, just the two of you. They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so share it with the person you are marrying. This gives you a chance to touch base with your partner

to be, and it also helps ensure that you get a break from other people, which can be essential.

Do something unrelated to the wedding.

It can be hard to get away from the wedding mindset, but if you can do something unrelated, it can help you clear your mind.

Take a walk with your significant other, or simply go into a bookstore together. If you are at a new location, do some exploring, and if you are close to a pool, go for a swim.

The point is to refresh yourself before you start the big procedures.

When you want to make sure that you and your significant other are going to be nice and relaxed for the day, be sure to block out some time together before the proceedings start. This can help you stay calm when things start to happen.

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Dreams

SLASH THE PRICES, NOT YOUR

I

t is no secret that weddings are ridiculously expensive. They can easily spin out of control if the couple is not careful with their spending. This is especially true if they are not getting help from their parents.

The first thing any couple should do is figure out what they can realistically spend on the wedding. As unromantic as this may be, they need to figure out their finances based on what they need now and after the wedding, should they choose to buy a house or start a family right away.

The next thing that needs to be considered for a budget wedding is what the priorities are. For some couples, this may mean booking the perfect venue and skimping on flowers and attire a bit.

For others, it may mean have the most elegant of meals, but only inviting their closest friends and family.

After the most important aspect has been decided and the cost has been determined, the couple can then begin the adventure of planning the rest of the wedding on a budget. Shop around to find the best prices. Get recommendations from other people as this could result in a discount.

Leave plenty of time to finish this step as it may take longer to find what you are looking for when there is less wiggle room.

Planning a wedding on a budget does not mean that you have to sacrifice the wedding of your dreams. It just means that you have to get more creative.

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