Let Them Eat Cake!

There are so many design elements to consider in planning your wedding. The design of your cake is at the top of the list next to selecting your wedding gown. Gone are the days of the traditional white wedding cake. What makes your cake distinctive and unique are the elements you choose to use in designing it. With this in mind, there are some things to consider when putting the icing on the cake!
Consider The Cost
No more than 5% of your wedding budget should be devoted to your cake. Generally speaking cake cost run anywhere from $400 to $8,000. The cost is usually based on a per slice/per serving basis. You could pay anywhere from $4.00 to $25 per slice. Also keep in mind the more elaborate the decorations, the more complex the assembly, and the more pure the ingredients, the more you will pay.

above image photo credit http://www.maisiefantaisie.co.uk/

Style Preference
Some popular trends include:
Cupcakes
Smaller wedding cakes on each table to serve 8-10 guests at the table
Cake designed to match your dress
Colors to match wedding palette
Thematic cakes decorated to coincide with your theme (ex. shell adorned cake for a beach themed wedding)

above image photo credit http://www.maisiefantaisie.co.uk/

Size Does Matter
When it comes to the size of the cake, a general rule of thumb to keep in mind is that a three tier cake normally serves 50 to 100 guests. As your guest count goes up, additional tiers will need to be added. Also consider the reception space. If the reception is being held in a grandiose room with high ceilings, a taller cake with extra tiers will better suit the space, and like wise a smaller lesser tiered cake would better suit a room with lower ceilings.

above image photo credit http://www.maisiefantaisie.co.uk/

It's A Matter of Taste
Chocolate, strawberry, raspberry, carrot cake, lemon…ummm it all sounds so good, and the choices are endless. One thing to keep in mind…if you decide you would like a flavor that is out of the ordinary be sure to find a baker that specializes in that particular flavor.

above image photo credit http://www.maisiefantaisie.co.uk/


Let Them Have Cake and Be Able To Eat It Too
You want to be able to enjoy your own cake. Therefore be conscious of the ingredients which go into making it. If either of you are allergic to key ingredients such as soy, peanuts, etc., be sure to mention this to your baker. Also if your family has certain cultural restrictions, you will need to research bakers who can fulfill your special requests.

Why Does The Groom Make His Entrance First?

As a guest to quite a few weddings, and a wedding coordinator of hundreds over the years, one of the highlights of the ceremony for me is seeing the expression of the groom's face as the bride make her grand entrance. Some grooms grin from ear to ear, some tear up, others break down into a gut wrenching sob, but whatever the expression of emotion displayed, it is always priceless. Traditionally, the groom enters the sanctuary first. Have you ever wondered why? You might think it is designed that way for him to stand at the altar with pride and joy to see his beautiful bride ascend down the aisle. However, by entering first, the groom signifies that he is the covenant initiator. The reason this is important is because whoever initiates the covenant assumes greater responsibility for seeing it fulfilled. God initiated covenants with Noah, Abraham and David. Christ initiated the covenant of salvation with us, and He is still at work to fulfill His covenant, in that when the trumpets sound, and Christ appears, He is coming to consummate the wedding with His bride, the Church.

The Place Where You Stand Is Holy Ground

Often time couples put more thought and effort into planning the "Wedding Reception". The marriage ceremony however is the most important part of your wedding day, and not something to be taken lightly. It is a form of worship. Consider the aisle runner for example. When the bride makes her entrance she takes her walk down the aisle, which is prepared for her using a white aisle runner. But have you ever wondered why this is done? Well, the significance of the white aisle runner is that it is a symbol of walking on holy ground. The marriage covenant is not just made between the bride and groom before the assembly of their witnesses. It is made in the presence of God, who is actively involved in the covenant since it is God who joins them together (Matthew 19:6 NIV So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate). In Exodus 3:5, when Moses entered into the presence of God, he was told to respect His presence with the command "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground". As you are making plans, think about the meaning and reasons behind the traditions, which have become a part of the wedding day. Understanding the origin will undoubtedly add a greater level of significance to all the details which go into planning wedding.