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Winter wedding cake trends

Each season has its distinct personality, and incorporating the natural elements of the season adds more interest to a wedding. With winter upon us, and the cold weather dictating everything for the rest of the year, we think it is a good idea to take a look at some winter wedding cake trends.

Come along, as we find out more about the happening trends in delicious and delightful wedding cakes, this winter. And, don’t forget to tell us which of these trends you will be incorporating into your winter wedding.

Generous with ruffles

This video on the Vancouver Sun, mentions that decorating cakes with ruffles is one of the most popular trends in winter cakes this year.  The design for the cake is usually inspired by the bridal dress, or by the ruffles that are part of the wedding décor and bridesmaids outfits. Ruffles may be featured on just one tier, or even extended to include all the tiers of the cake. The design feature has a fresh and airy feel, and the cake doesn’t require any additional element, as this in itself gives it a signature touch.

 Vividly white wedding cakes

Winter and white are almost synonymous. White wedding cakes are a tribute to the season, and they are always tasteful and classic. Couples now choose to go with stark white tiered wedding cakes, decorated with white embellishments that keep the look monochromatic and exquisite. Details like petals, pearls, silver embellishments and piped embroidery are the top choices in cake decorations.

Image Credit: Dion Gillard [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Naked wedding cakes

Here, the wedding cake is not covered by layers of frosting or fondant. Instead, it is kept original, with the crumb showing through. The seasonal elements are added between the layers, for taste and texture. Winter favorites are fruits available during the season, such as appleas, pears and perssimons. Although the cake may look rough and exposed, it is a welcome change that is easy on the palette and the stomach. Perfect for a rich, warm dessert, the natural colors of the layers make it attractive.

Naked Cake
Image Credits: Camila Aguiar, [CC BY 2.0], via Flickr

Memorably metallic masterpieces

The sheen of metal best suits the wintry landscape and is a reflection of the cool winter ambiance. Taking inspiration from the tinsel trends highlighted every holiday season, wedding cakes with metallic accents in gold, silver and copper are a favorite. There are also cakes that are entirely covered with a metallic finish, that dazzle, shine and scintillate as works of art. With metal, less is more, and the cake finish is usually simple and straight.

Wedding Themed Card box/Towel Cake combo
Image Credits: Sherlene, via Flick

Don’t you love these winter wedding cake trends? We believe that at least some of them are here to stay. Visit our wedding cake gallery at Best for Bride, for more interesting ideas to base your wedding cake design on.

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A handful of tips to select appetizers for your winter wedding

Winter is cold, but winter weddings are cool. It isn’t too difficult to come up with a perfect party plan for a winter wedding, and with a little attention, you can make sure that your wedding will find its place in your guests’ memories.

Food is an important part of every wedding, and what you serve during the cocktail hour at your winter wedding kick starts the festive feast you’ve planned ahead. The better you plan your appetizers, the more excited your guests will be to see what is on the menu for the rest of the evening.

Here are some ideas to inspire you when planning your hors d’ouvres for your white wintry wedding.

Bring color to the table

Winter is synonymous with white. Warm up the ambiance with bright tropical colored fruit and vegetables in your appetizers. We are thinking cherry tomatoes, kale, pumpkin, carrots, strawberries, chocolate and salmon. The more colorful your entrees are, the better they will be received. Not all these choices are available in winter, so the idea is to plan well ahead of time. They can then be freshly frozen and used to add those bright pops of color to your winter menu.

Choose proteins that help against the cold

salmon

Don’t we all feel more hungry in winter? So, make sure your appetizers are loaded up on proteins like ham, fish, shell fish and meat, which will help your guests withstand the cold better. They are also more filling, and you can indulge your creative juices in determining the shapes and forms in which they come to the table.

Cheese and cheesy treats are a must

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Make the most of the various local cheese varieties, and also splurge on few exotic choices. Cheesy treats like cheese pastries and mini-omelets will also be a huge hit. Check out this idea of parmesan and black pepper shortbread cookies on popsugar.com. I am certain these delicious treats will be both practical and appealing.

Explore the flavors of Asia

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Spicy, succulent meat and vegetables packed with aromatic spices are the trademark of Asian fare. The best time to indulge in this rich fare is when the weather is cold, and the warmth of the spices make you cozy. Sesame chicken, prawn crackers, chicken tikka, kebabs and satay are all great options that your guests will love. Treat the vegetarians at your party to vegetable versions like samosas, tofu cakes and dumplings, and nobody will be disappointed.

Cocoa and coffee bars

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Although there will be drinks flowing during the evening, adding a hot chocolate and coffee bar to your reception will provide your guests the perfect accompaniment for their tasty appetizers. You don’t have to make an elaborate arrangement, just a miniature station with the basic hot drinks will suffice. If there are teenagers and younger children attending the reception, it will be a great option for them as well.

By now, it is likely that you will have found some practical and interesting ideas for your wedding reception. For more advice and tips on how to plan your wedding right, continue visiting us at Best for Bride.

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What’s hot in formal dresses for winter balls this year

Winter is almost here and with the holiday season soon upon us, there will be winter balls and Christmas parties to attend. So, this is in fact, the right time to begin looking for your outfits for the big holiday events this year. Here are our favorite picks, inspired by the fashion catwalks of the year.

Mauve is the new pink in town

Pink has been hot and happening for a while now. It takes on a sophisticated look in this new rendition of mauve that is quickly gathering fans everywhere. Check out this fantastic evening gown in mauve. The ruffled skirt and ruched bodice play havoc with textures, and come together perfectly. Great for a winter ball, it is romantic and sophisticated. Pair it with a luscious wrap or stole and you are all set for any party evening.

via Best for Bride

Sprightly hi-low hemlines

Happy hemlines that bounce and dance as they pass you are the craze now.  It was featured by many designers including Louis Vuitton and Mary Katrantzou on the fall-winter catwalks and was well-received by women everywhere. If you want to add this cheerful hemline to your winter wardrobe, look no further than this evening dress by After-Six in matte satin. The A-line gown with a fitted waistband is simple and elegant. The contrast of black and white creates an attractive combination.

via Best for Bride

Short skirts to show off your fantastic legs

The weather may be cold, but shorter hemlines are in the fall and winter spotlight. Mini skirts were popular, as were evening dresses with higher hemlines. You can keep the chills away by sporting a fashionable knee-high boot and showing off your slim silhouette. Get ready to shine at your next winter party in this fabulous navy dress from the Jadore evening collection. Sexy and stylish, it is the perfect dress to flaunt your stunning figure and look confident.

via Best for Bride

One-shoulder beauties

We’ve seen multiway dresses, strapless and sleeveless gowns. But nothing beats the charm of a one-shoulder dress. The beautiful neckline immediately reminds us of a stunning Goddess. Suitable for both night and day events, this design works wonders in shifting focus from your lower half and emphasizing your toned shoulders and arms. Our pick is this beauty from the Jadore SD collection.

via Best for Bride

Notice how the pretty scintillating waistband enhances the charm of the pleated texture that engulfs the entire gown? The small clasp at the shoulder adds more finesse to the design. If you want to show off your well-toned arms and draw attention to those sexy collar bones, here is a dress to don. Don’t forget to accessorize with chunky and oversize accessories and flats, which are the trends this year.

All the dresses featured here and many more beckon you at our collection for dresses for all occasions. Visit our online gallery at Best for Bride and be inspired by the beautiful dresses that are available in all sizes Make your pick today and get ready to take the winter stage by storm.

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Classic and contemporary color combinations for amazing wedding bouquets

There are many splendid options in wedding flowers to choose for your wedding day. The main things to consider when choosing your wedding bouquets are

  • matching the colors to your wedding theme
  • matching the bouquet size and shape to your figure
  • matching the bouquet design to your wedding dress
  • finding the combination that falls within your budget

Apart from these factors, one main consideration is how talented your florist is. A capable florist is an artist who can churn out the finest designs with seasonal flowers and do all this for a reasonable budget. So, start with locating the right person for the task. Once you have found this person, share your ideas and listen to her suggestions. When you work together, you should be able to create a splendid bouquet that will greatly enhance your wedding day look.

Here are some fantastic color combinations that can never go wrong, and you can consider for your wedding day. Take a look.

Classic cream and white

white bouquet

Add the finishing touches to your white wedding outfit with a classic white bouquet. A monochromatic white bouquet is in no way boring, as you can always mix and match textures by choosing different types of flowers to make it interesting.

Pleasantly pink

via Best for Bride

The world of flowers has every shade of pink. So, if any of these shades work with your wedding palette, you needn’t worry about finding another suitable color for your wedding bouquet. Feminine and soothing, light pink works with almost any color theme, and you can mix it with greens, yellows, purples and whites to create spectacular bouquets. Consider having a stunning bouquet with just pink roses in winter, when the availability of flowers is limited.

Tropical yellows and red

yellow and red bouquet

Bigger blooms in yellow and pops of red make a striking combination that is cheerful and perfect for a spring or summer wedding. Add grassy shoots along the perimeter of the bouquet to accentuate the effect of the yellow. The best thing about this combination is that you can use it in a classic bouquet with yellow roses for a traditional look, or make it modern with lilies and orchids in this color. Add a unique touch to your bouquet by choosing berries instead of flowers for the red.

A combination of shades from the same palette

Just like ombre cakes are a favorite, bouquets with flowers that belong to the same color but in differing intensity will make a fabulous choice. You can have your florist create stunning bouquets in varying shades of purple, pink, red, orange or even blue using a variety of blooms in different sizes. Sprinkle green and white to add more dimension to your bouquet and it will be a spell-binding design.

We hope you have found at least one combination in this list to try on your wedding day. Visit Best for Bride to look at the various bouquet options that you can consider and find more inspiration for your wedding.