4 Beautiful Spring 2014 Wedding Cake Ideas

For the couple that plans on tying the knot this spring, there are a host of fantastic cake ideas. Perhaps it’s the wide array of ideas that makes it difficult to choose just one. Take a look at these 4 stunning cakes to get some great ideas about your own cake.

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1. Naked Cake with Rose Blossoms

One of the most popular trends in wedding cakes right now is the naked cake, which simply means that there is no frosting on the outside of the cake. This is a big change from the heavily frosted and fondant cakes that are more traditional for weddings. However, they’re absolutely beautiful and still delicious.

Image Credit: Colin Cowie Weddings

2. Ruffled Wedding Cake

Another very popular option is the ruffled wedding cake. This is a luxurious and beautiful look, and there is a lot of versatility in it. Brides can opt for simple cakes with white ruffles, or the trending ombre ruffled look. They can also choose to have the cakes embellished with beautiful flowers or simple and stunning with no flowers.

Image Credit: Coutre Cakes

3. Rustic Wedding Cake

Rustic wedding cakes are incredibly trendy right now, and there are all different kinds to choose from. Many brides prefer simple rustic cakes with buttercream icing and very simple embellishments. This beautiful woodland themed cake features simple icing techniques and nest embellishments.

Image Credit: Hey There Cupcake!

4. Patterned Cake

Patterns are making a huge statement this year, along with some very beautiful cakes. From chevron patterns to polka dots, this is the year for the “printed” cake look. This stunning cake features bold black and white stripes, beautiful gold, and a vintage rose pattern, embellished with a large blossom.

Any one of these beautiful cakes would be perfect for a spring 2014 wedding and if you still don’t have any great ideas, there’s always a trip to the bakery to speak with a professional!

DIY Elegant Wedding Appetizer Recipes

For the bride who is great in the kitchen, a DIY wedding with an elegant menu is definitely possible. Delicious hors d’oeuvres will keep guests coming back for more. These great recipes can help fill up your wedding menu, or serve as inspiration as you plan your own.

Seared Lettuce Steak Cups

For this delicious recipe that creates a beautiful hors d’oeuvre, simply use small leaves of romaine lettuce. Sear thin-sliced steak and place small portions on top of the leaves. Throw on sautéed garlic, fresh tomatoes and shredded parmesan cheese. A drizzle of a vinaigrette you love will create the perfect flavor for this fun appetizer.

Photo Source: epicurious.com

Herb Crackers Topped with Olives, Cheese and Tomatoes

Create your own herb crackers by mixing up a cup of flour, 2 tablespoons of oil, ¼ cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt. Mix in ¼ a cup of your favorite herbs, from rosemary and garlic to thyme and sage. This will make about 50 crackers, so you’ll need to increase your recipe to serve all of your guests. Top the crackers with mozzarella cheese, onions and cherry tomatoes skewered on a toothpick for a fun appetizer.

Chicken Salad Cucumber Cups

Slice a cucumber into thick circles, and use a small cookie cutter to remove the center. Create chicken salad with shredded chicken, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, sliced grapes and apples, crushed pecans, diced onions, and fresh green onions. Spoon small amounts into the center of the cucumbers for a delightful treat.

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These fun appetizers are easy to create and are sure to be favorites at your reception!

How to Make Fabric Flower Bouquets

Whether you’re a crafty bride or you’re looking for an eco-friendly bouquet solution, fabric flower bouquets are just the ticket. They’re fairly easy to create and a lot of fun as well. Keep in mind that you’ll want to start these well in advance, as they can take a while to complete. You can create just your own bridal bouquet or the bouquets for everyone.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 Yard Pieces of Fabric (organza, satin, tulle, etc.)
• Needle and Thread
• Hot Glue Gun
• Beads or Rhinestones
• ½ Ball Floral Foam 6”
• 8” Dowel
• Coordinating Ribbon

How to Create Them:

There are tons of fabric tutorials out there, so if you want to make a variety of different kinds, a simple Google search will do the trick. For a simple and beautiful version, cut circles from your fabric. You can do all one color and fabric or a variety. You’ll want about 6-7 circles, starting at about 3” across for the largest and getting smaller, down to 1” across.

Photo Source: etsy.com

Stack the fabric circles with the largest at the bottom and the smallest at the top. Next, use your needle and thread to sew them together, just making a few stitches in the center of the circles. You can sew on beads in the center or glue on rhinestones to create a center. Now, using a candle or lighter, very carefully hold the edges of the petals to the heat. This will create patterns that resemble petals while heat-sealing the edges of the petals.

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Once you have all of your flowers created, glue them to the top side of the fabric floral foam. Next, insert the dowel into the bottom of the foam about 2 inches. Remove it and apply glue before reinserting it. The dowel can be finished with ribbon to hide the wood. That’s it – you’ve created a beautiful bouquet that is eco-friendly and handmade!

Beautiful Wedding Photo Ideas

While your wedding photographer will surely have some brilliant photo ideas, there are a few amazing photo shots you might want to mention to him or her. These can become special mementos of your big day, and will be cherished throughout the years by you and your spouse.

Bride and Groom with Parents

If the bride and groom’s parents are still together, a great photo opportunity exists. All three couples can share a touching moment or sweet embrace for a photo that will be beloved by all of them. The bride and groom can be the center of the picture while the bride and groom’s parents can be off to the sides. This creates a beautiful photograph and a lasting memory.

Photo Source: bellatheblog.com

Bride and Ring Bearer

What is more touching than a fun dance between the bride and ring bearer? This can make for a beautiful and sweet photo opportunity.

Photo Source: kevineilbeck.com

Groom and Flower Girl

This also makes for a beautiful picture. Ideas include having the flower girl stand on the groom’s feet for a dance, the flower girl tossing flower petals at the groom, or the groom and flower girl simply smiling at each other.

Photo Source: asmallsnippet.com

Bridesmaids

There is something about a group of girls who are best friends and family, celebrating a special day together. Bridesmaid photos are precious and can be wonderful mementos of a special day. Try unique shots, like the bridesmaids’ toes in the sand for a beach wedding or the bridesmaids’ high heels abandoned as they share a group dance.

Photo Source: destinationweddingmag.com

Make sure you communicate with your photographer and let him or her know precisely what you want so you can have amazing pictures to share, frame, and to enjoy for many years to come.

Tips for Creating Your No-Play List: Wedding Songs You Want to Avoid

Music can be a huge part of every girl’s wedding. From her first dance with her husband to the father/daughter dance, the songs chosen will forever remind you of your wedding day. This is why so many brides create a no-play list for their DJ. Here are some important tips for creating your own no-play list.

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Uncomfortable Wedding Songs

No girl wants to be uncomfortable at her own wedding and reception, but when you’re on the dance floor and Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On starts to play, you’ll probably feel a little uncomfortable considering she’s singing to a deceased lover. Include songs that you don’t particularly like as well as those that involve scenarios you don’t really want to think about on your wedding day. Some of the most common uncomfortable songs included on the no-play list are Jesse’s Girl by Rick Springfield, I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, and Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton.

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Songs that are Uncomfortable for the Wedding Party

While you can’t choose music that will suit each and every wedding guest, you can ask each person that will be in the wedding to write down 1-2 songs for the no-play list. This will help you ensure that you don’t play any songs that are uncomfortable for the wedding party, including songs they feel belong to them and ex boyfriends or girlfriends, or songs that bring up particularly unpleasant memories.

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Inappropriate Songs

Include songs that are popular but just plain inappropriate for you to play at the same wedding where your 70 year old grandmother will be! This might include popular hip hop or rap songs, or some of the old school songs that are popular at so many other weddings. Some of the inappropriate songs that are most commonly added to the do not play list include anything by the Beastie Boys, Madonna, Queen and Rod Stewart. Other songs include Whoomp! There It Is by Tag Team, I’d Do Anything for Love by Meatloaf and Tainted Love by Soft Cell.

By paying special attention to the songs you don’t want played at your wedding, you can warn your DJ in advance and ensure that no unpleasant songs are played as you and your guests celebrate.