Friday 29 August 2008

The History of the Wedding Cake

Why white? Why tiered? Why do the bride and groom feed each other?! We hear these questions A LOT, especially from brides- and grooms-to-be who aren't so keen on the idea of white cake with pudding or fruit filling. It's true that wedding cake can be pretty boring, but the history of the wedding cake is anything but!

The first "cakes" were actually just loaves of bread that guests brought to break over the bride's head, thus ensuring that the newlyweds would have plenty of babies. That tradition evolved until guests were stacking actual cakes...and the happily married couple had to kiss over the pile without knocking it over.

It was only in the 1600s that an enterprising French chef transformed that pile of pastries into the tiered cakes we typically see at modern weddings. After that, cakes became standard wedding fare. Its only competition was the bride's pie, a savory dish filled with mutton and a glass ring, of all things. The lady who found the ring would be the next to marry...and in need of a dentist!

Click to learn more about wedding cakes

Friday 15 August 2008

Unusual Wedding Favors

It may be difficult to believe, but choosing wedding favors will probably prove almost as difficult as choosing your local wedding vendors. It used to be as easy as buying some Jordan almonds or monogrammed matchbooks, but not anymore! The first decision you'll need to make is whether you want personalized wedding favors, edible wedding favors, practical wedding favors, or DIY wedding favors.

Some cool brides go a different route and choose unusual wedding favors. What makes a wedding favor unusual, you ask? Anything that's decidedly different...think favors that aren't silver picture frames, candles, or wedding bubbles. How about:

Asian wedding favors, like sake cups or cherry blossom chopsticks
Wine wedding favors, like a heart shaped wine stopper
Golf wedding favors, like personalized golf balls
Eco-friendly wedding favors, like plantable seed packets

Unusual wedding favors aren't for everyone -- and there's no guarantee some guests won't be a little confused by your choice -- but they're a great option for those brides- and grooms-to-be who want to personalize their reception and send their loved ones home with something really special and unique.

(Learn more about wedding favors here)