#WeddingWednesday Cake Trends 2016

 

Choosing your cake design is probably one of the most enjoyable tasks on your to do list. Probably because of the many cake tasting visits. As a caker, I would be shamed if I didn't share with you this year's cake trends! The world of cake has gone into new directions in cake design but has also gone back to a few classic traditions...a little something old and little something new! Here's a few of my top picks from The Knot's 15 Hot Wedding Cake Trends.

Metallic Cakes

The best part about metallics? They can adapt to any style; delicate embroidery in gold feels opulent while geometric shapes give off a fresh, modern feel. If an entire tier is too much glitz for you, consider adding a little sparkle all over. Fine edible glitter (think: pixie dust) can add a decorative sheen to your cake without overpowering the whole design. Gold leaf can also be added to give a touch of glam here and there on the cake.

Buttercream Cakes

Move over fondant, brides are starting to ask for more traditional cakes with a buttercream finish. "We get lots of requests for rustic iced buttercream layers with flecks of vanilla bean in the icing or textured piping that looks and tastes delicious, but isn't perfect," says Mary Maher of Cakegirls in Chicago. If you're going for a homespun, relaxed vibe, ask your baker to smother your wedding cake in delicious buttercream frosting. For the more polished version, opt for buttercream with a pleated, smooth finish.

Naked Cakes

Yep, you read that right. With the deconstructed cake, you get to show off the inside. For a summertime wedding, berries work well; in winter and fall, ask your baker to fill the layers with seasonal fruits, like apples, pears, persimmons or even blood oranges. Not only are these cakes simple and effortless but also practical if you aren't a fan of a lot of icing. Naked cakes are perfect for rustic styled weddings.

Wedding Cake Trio and Quintet Tables

Inspired by dessert tables; cake trios, quartets and quintet tables come with a couple big benefits. Having more than one cake also makes it very easy to choose multiple cake flavors (so you don't have to decide between traditional vanilla, decadent chocolate or carrot cake with cream-cheese frosting). "Guests love to have a mini-bite of lots of different desserts," says Melody Brandon of Sweet and Saucy Shop in Newport, California. Give guests choices, but don't overwhelm them. "I recommend between two to four mini-desserts per person," says Brandon. "Try not to choose more than eight options of desserts—too many choices can overwhelm your guests."

Painted Cakes

Marbleized cakes, stained-glass painted cakes, watercolor cakes and even Monet-inspired wedding cake designs. Pair those hand-painted tiers with solid-colored layers or even simple flower accents; like the one featured here. Quick tip: For a cake design that's so intricate, keep the tiers simple and stick to all one shape (either all classic round tiers or all square).

Illustrated Cakes

Did you know you can actually have anything you want printed onto your cake? It's true. Pick anything you like -- from the design on your invites to the quote from your first-dance song or even your wedding motif, like a bicycle, oak tree, or anemone flowers – to have showcased onto your cake tiers. First, the cake gets covered in fondant, then the design is hand-painted on the cake or printed on top sugar paper with edible ink.

More styles featured:

• Ruffled Cake
• Monogrammed Cake
• White on White Cake
• Lace Cake
• Woodland Whimsical Cake
• Geometric Shapes Cake
• Rosette Cake
• Sugar Flower Bouquet  Cake
• Ombre Wedding Cake

The Top Photography Trends for 2016

Your wedding photos are lasting memories of your wedding day. It's important that you put thought into who will capture your day and how you are going to do it. You want your photos to have not only a lasting impression but truly capture the emotion of every moment. If you aren't sure where to start, how about starting with this year's top photography trends! We’ve got you covered with Brides Magazine’s photography trends for 2016!

Aerial views are in!: Drones Photographer Manny Carabel of MTC Photography says that drones "gives you the vantage point of capturing images of things, people, and places you may not be able to get by standing in one spot". However, he does warn that the quality of the photos may not be as professional as handheld cameras.

10 Things You Should Know About Drone Wedding Photography

Back in time: Film Photography Remember when photos were developed instead of digitized on a computer? That’s the idea behind film photography. According to photographer Kristin La Voie, the "film renders light, color, and tones differently than digital images. Typically, they're softer, more flattering — and have a more painterly feel than the vivid, crisp digital photos." These images are achieved by developing the photos using analog cameras and negative film.

Fit for the stars!: Editorial Style Shots Who doesn’t want wedding photos that are fit for a spread in Vogue! As NewYork-based wedding photographer Amy Anaiz says, editorial shots "create portraits of the couple that have a visual impact because your eyes are drawn to their deep expressions and deliberate placement — similar to what you see in magazines." In order to accomplish these looks Amy says that the photos should capture beautiful and flattering light, pay close attention to detail, and be clean images.

Poof!: Smoke Bombs Smoke bombs are probably a new trend that you may not have heard of! According to photographer Jenevieve Purcell, who uses this cool photo effect, her clients are amazed with the process and its uniqueness.The cool effect is achieved by literally dropping colored smoke bombs in the shot! How cool is that!

Timeless: Black & White "With an increase in vintage-styled weddings over the last few years; black and white photos are predicted to increase alongside." Who doesn’t love the sleek and timeless appeal of a black and white photo? You cannot go wrong with incorporating a few black and white photos in your photo repertoire.

Oh so natural!: Less Filters “Thanks to Instagram, photography filters have been all the rage. However, in 2016, Brooklyn-based wedding, engagement, and family photographer Ben Deibert believes that brides will seek a more natural, real editing style of their photos, allowing their beauty to shine through with natural, simplistic editing and lighting.”

One last thing…. Well speaking of Instagram, while having filters for your photos may not be “in” this year; hashtags definitely are! Creating your own hashtag for your wedding events will allow your guests to further participate in your big day and it creates an online album of your wedding. You and your guests will be able to browse photos from the wedding simply by clicking on the hashtag. Be sure to come up with your own unique hashtag for your big day and encourage your guests to use it!

Source: Brides.com

#ThrowbackThursday: Wedding Trends Then and Now

The 1990′s The 1990′s was another decade of fashion change. The early 1990′s held onto some of the same styles, but as the years progressed, the styles became a little sexier and less traditional. Rock & Roll was the primary influence that changed this time period, slowly doing away with the big veil and long sleeved, modest wedding dress.

The early 2000′s

This is where personality prevails. The idea of making your wedding day your own has become more acceptable, and for good reason; it’s your day! As the years progress, creativity and using inspiration from years past, and future, has become more acceptable. Whether your invasion of the perfect wedding day is with all of the glitz and glamour or a casual picnic in the park, make it your own!

Here are some top trends shaping weddings now.

Dramatic Opulence

Professionals are predicting a return to formality and dramatic opulence. “Say goodbye to Mason jars and burlap, and say hello to caviar and elegance,” says South Florida-based party planner Sara Renee Lowell . “Wedding vendors are sick of couples bringing in the same rustic, vintage inspiration photos. Opulence is in.”

Which means the return of dramatic floral arrangements on pedestals, gleaming candelabras, and loads of professional lighting (translation: no more simple strands of café lights). For a recent wedding, New York event designer David Stark created a luxurious reception with a formal French garden theme: Sculpted hedges around the perimeter of the venue and structured dinner table centerpieces were juxtaposed against a lush, romantic canopy of flowers and glowing lanterns suspended overhead.

Pictured: David Stark created a formal French garden theme for a recent wedding reception.

Social Media Bans

With a smartphone in nearly every guest’s purse or pocket, wedding-day photos are almost guaranteed to appear in real time on social media sites. But more and more couples are politely restricting smartphone usage during the ceremony using cleverly worded signage (displayed at the venue’s entrance or printed in the ceremony program), as well as verbal reminders from the officiant.

“We’re going to see more and more ‘unplugged’ ceremonies in 2014,” says Renny Pedersen, Chicago wedding planner.. “Nothing is worse than seeing a beautiful photograph of the bride walking down the aisle marred by a bunch of cameras and iPhones. This way, the wedding photographer is able to get the most important shots, without any unobstructed views.” Bonus: Guests will also be more present during the ceremony. 

Pictured: A printed chalkboard sign by DesignSmithPaperArts asked guests to keep their smartphones and cameras in check. 

Tapas-Style Tasting Plates

Family-style dinners were a huge trend last year, but they’re actually quite expensive to pull off, and the platters of food require significant table real estate, says Calder Clark of South Carolina-based Calder Clark Designs. So, what’s next? Bar-height tasting stations, where guests receive artfully plated, fork-friendly miniature meals prepared on the spot by stationside chefs. Experts say guests love the variety.

“Today’s couples are serious foodies, and they come bearing recipes and resolute memories from their favorite restaurants,” Clark says. “They want to include them in the reception, and there’s no easier way to do that than with the tasting plate—it’s petite, going back for seconds is totally kosher, and guests are able to be more experimental with unfamiliar foods.”

Pictured: For a wedding designed by Calder Clark, chef Johannes Klapdohr created an elegant tasting plate of Southern fried tomatoes drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar and accented with edible nasturtiums.

Large Focal Points

Rather than decorating the reception with a slew of blink-and-you’ll-miss-’em D.I.Y. details, couples are more interested in decor that makes a statement. “The 2014 bride is ditching contrivances for oversize ‘wow’ factors like custom dance floors, vast patterned wall installations, and Versailles-worthy furnishings and lighting,” says Clark. “Our client is tired of littering seated tables with tchotchkes and is favoring the mantra ‘go big or go home’—in good taste, of course.”

As a result, couples are asking, “What will catch my guests’ attention when they walk in our tent?” Clark says. “Savvy couples realize that very few will remember custom-colored confetti packets at each place setting, but everyone will remember a nighttime ceremony lit only by 500 luminaries.”

Pictured: For recent wedding, Calder Clark designed an installation that served as a focal point: The 3-D wall was inlaid with boxwood topiaries arranged in a geometric pattern.

Source: Bizbash.com                                                                                                                                                                 Source: weddingsbylily.com

DC Wedding Trends: Cherry Blossoms

Today, March 27th marks the 101 anniversary of our beautiful DC Cherry Blossoms! In 1912 Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City gifted the trees to celebrate the friendship between the United States and Japan. Now the trees have become a staple in DC culture and are celebrated yearly with the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

When the Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom they make a perfect backdrop for engagement photos and weddings. Many natives and lovers of the Nations Capital are taking advantage of this trend by adding the flowers in many different creative ways. Unsure how you can add the flowers to your wedding or event?

Add the Cherry Blooms to your stationary, on the alter, or on the tables as centerpieces!

Not sure where to take your wedding photos? How about right under the cherry blossoms! The are perfect and add a nice subtle touch.

Add Cherry Blossoms to your cake to tie everything in! The perfect ending to a DC Wedding.

WELL, HELLO SPRING!!

It's the first day of spring and I'm sure I'm not the only one welcoming spring with arms wide open (thank you sweet baby Jesus). Time to put those coats, sweaters and boots away and pull out those...wait a minute...haven't gone spring shopping yet? Not sure what's in style either? No worries! I'm no fashion guru but i do know for sure there's one thing you can expect to see again this season.

FLORAL PRINTS!! I mean what else would I be obsessing over?? According to Elle.com, the floral print has found "a romantic revival on the spring runways". Designers like Chanel, Christian Dior, Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Erdem, and Moschino have all offered up thier take on the iconic pattern. From dresses to even sunglasses, this season's florals come in soft pastel colors and vibrant hues. So ladies...and gents...have fun with fashion and enjoy the sweet romance of spring by adding florals prints to your collection this year. Check out some looks straight off the runway! Which designer's floral print do you like the best?

1. Moschino

2. Ralph Lauren

3. Prada

4. Naeem Khan

5. Paul & Joe

Spring 2013’s Trend: Long Live The Party Dress! @RenttheRunway

 

Being a self proclaimed "Party Girl turned Party Planner" means I wear  lots of dresses. Since I don't have a closet the size of Oprah's yet, I try to save money & space by finding new ways to look the part. Now that wedding season & summer parties are quickly approaching I thought it would be good to share  one of my favorite go-to spots to find inspirations & trends for my style, Rent the Runway!

Rent the Runway is a company with a mission – to democratize fashion and empower women to feel beautiful every day. And every time I have worn a dress from this online closet on the go I have received tons of compliments.

The online retailer just released a some great Spring 2013 Trends for dresses and accessories for any guest of a wedding or special event leading to the big day such as the Engagement Party, Bridal Shower, Bachelorette Party, Rehearsal Dinner & Honeymoon Looks To Love!

Read RTR's Here Comes the Guest