Wedding Cakes

Square wedding cakes can be anything from traditional to trendy for an eyecatching end to the wedding.Most traditional wedding cakes are either round or square white cakes stacked and frosted in white or ivory frosting Many brides choosing a traditional stacked display decorate their cake with confectionary accents and real or silk flowers in hues that match or complement their wedding colors An advantage of square wedding cakes is that they may yield more servings then a round cake of similar size.For a new twist on the traditional stacked wedding cake square wedding cakes are now designed to resemble intricately wrapped gifts Often achieved with the use of smoother fondant frostings cakes decorated to look like a stack of wrapped gifts have a variety of accents for beautiful and original looks Frosting resembling bows and ribbon accompany carefully crafted accents of frosting peals and beads in a variety of colors.The gift wrapped look is also done with alternating square and round or even other shapes to add interest and variety Square wedding cakes can be alternated with round hexagonal or heart shapes to create different looks

Square Wedding Cake Stands
Wedding cake stands offer many ways to arrange todays wedding cakes Some alternatives to a square stacked cake include

Staggered asymmetrical groupings of individual square cakes
Multitiered square cakes separated with pillars
Square tiers divided with spiraled separators or globes
Square towers arranged on a cake with a central columns to create a tower effect
Square cake tiers arranged in alternating angles giving a diamond appearance
Square cakes arranged on a floating cake stand with a rear central stabilizer

Square Sheet Cakes

Although many wedding cakes use stacks and pillars for an appearance of greater height a square or rectangular sheet cake has several advantages as a wedding cake The ease and efficiency of cutting make it an excellent choice for very large If you are on a tight budget a wedding sheet cake can be lower in cost than its taller stacked or tiered cousins A sheet cake can also work well with an informal or casual wedding

Individual Square Cakes

Individual square wedding cakes are a contemporary alternative to a large wedding cake Individual cakes can be arranged on tiered cake stands for dramatic effect Individual cakes can also be individually boxed with a message from the bride and groom and a monogrammed napkin as a wedding favor Individual square cakes can also be arranged as a dessert buffet By doing this you can incorporate a variety of flavors

Square Cake Toppers

In regards to square cake toppers virtually anything goes Many brides choose cake toppers that can be used as keepsakes later on If you arent interested in a cake topper as a keepsake choosing square wedding cakes with the gift wrap appearance usually eliminate the need for a cake topper as the cake can be decorated with frosting or real ribbons

Theme Cake Bases

If you are interested in a cake customized for your wedding theme many themed wedding cakes start with a square cake base Cinderellas castle a sandcastle a city skyline and many more theme wedding cakes are achieved by using combinations of square rectangular and other cake shapes

Grooms Cake

The grooms cake often served at the rehearsal dinner or used as an alternate wedding cake flavor is often based on a square cake as well Since a grooms cake is usually designed with the groom in mind this could be a football field the greens of a golfing course or any other design that reflects the grooms interests

Bridal Shower Cake

The bridal shower cake is time honored tradition This tasty staple is generally served at the end of the event sending each guest home on a sweet note. In recent years bridal shower cakes have become more elaborate No longer can we expect two layer homemade concoctions Nowadays a bridal shower cake is a treat to be purchased from a talented baker This isnt to say the homemade cakes arent appreciated just as much however The type of bridal shower cake you choose depends on your budget and the showers theme but most agree it should be photoworthy How many guests will be attending the shower This is one of the most important factors in determining what type of bridal shower cake cake you should choose If youre only expecting five to ten guests its probably a good idea to bake the cake yourself or purchase a small premade cake from your favorite bakery If youll be having ten people or more youll probably want to order the cake from your favorite bakery or pastry shop Depending on the number of people you can order a half sheet cake serving up to 50 guests or full sheet cake that will serve up to 100 guests Or you can something completely different A cupcake bridal shower cake is handy because servings are already portioned out By ordering one cupcake for each guest there are no leftovers to deal with and no messy plates and cutting knives to wash
Mini bridal cakes are also popular Choose a two or three tiered affair decked out in the bridal colors Dont go for a white cake however you dont want it to look just like the wedding cake Now that photo cakes are widely available have a cake made up with a picture of the bride and groom on top Heart shaped cakes are always perfect for bridal showersInstead of chocolate or vanilla try something a bit different Key lime lemon banana and canola filling are a pleasant change from the usual Choose a cake following your bridal showers theme or the theme For instance if the bride is having a beach wedding decorate the cake with seashells and starfish. Before going with an exotic flavor check with your guests to be sure there are no allergies Your autumn wedding may just call for a fall wedding cake Themed cakes have become more popular in the last few years and using the colors flowers and flavors of autumn offer a great way to make your wedding cake unique Use nature as your guide as you collaborate with your caterer to design the fall cake of your dreams A wedding cake in the fall can be inspired by the many colors and flowers available Take note of the various shades of leaves as the seasons turn You may even choose to have your cake frosted in seasonal colorsA brown ribbon accents the top tier of a fall wedding cake along with orange roses For the less daring a cake frosted in white or offwhite with seasonal colored icing decorations may be perfect.



The colors can be reflected not only in the icing design but in floral accents Use fall wedding flowers like amaryllis or sunflowers in the design or as a cake topper Fall wedding cake leaves of maple or oak can be created in fondant and scattered across a frosting base Because fall is typically harvesting time in many parts of the United States incorporate this into your theme Use wheat grass as part of your cake topper or tucked into ribbons outlining the base of your cake Marzipan or sugar apples a plentiful fruit in the fall could be the main feature of a fruit cascade descending a tiered wedding cake. While you may want your wedding cake to have a more traditional taste you can still give it a fall accent Consider the following ideas Silk leaves in autumn colors scattered on and around your cake help to carry the fall theme
Group small ornamental squash and pumpkins around the base of your cake and scatter them around the tables Combine the colors of fall from leaves to ornamental squash with the colors of a variety of fruit Just before the reception add clusters of blueberries and strawberries sliced oranges and a scattering of macadamia nuts for a unique twist

White Wedding Cake with Sugared Berries

Elegant Cake with White Roses and Red and Green AccentsChristmas abounds with gorgeous color combinations ideal for an aesthetically pleasing wedding cake Crisp colored wrapping paper coupled with silver and gold ribbon deep green fir trees against snowcovered towns twinkling colored lights reflecting on glass windows and even the rich chocolate hue of hot cocoa together with a creamy dollop of whipped topping these wonderful sights are perfect for spurring your imagination for the perfect Christmas themed cake Although you can certainly use any colors you want for a winter wedding cake some selections seem especially appropriate this time of year. White cakes come alive with accents in the form of flowers frosting or other ornamentations in the following Christmas colors Deep red and dark green,Burgundy and merald,Eggplant,Plum, Deep or royal blue,Chocolate or deep brown hues,Shades of white and off white such as ecru ivory and champagne,Gold,Silver. Colored cakes are also an option such as a colorful stack of presents or an airbrushed design from a wrapping paper pattern or Christmas quilt you love A black and white cake or black white and red colors also provides a crisp elegant look for a winter wedding cake Black ribbon around the tiers of a white cake and several wellplaced red poinsettias may be all it takes to achieve a look of simple festive beauty.Festive Chocolate Cake with Fruit TopperThe list of themes and ideas for Christmas wedding cakes is virtually endless You can choose to incorporate the Christmas element into your cake simply with greenery and brilliant red flowers or you can choose a cake specifically designed to resemble an aspect of the holiday such as Christmas tree

Chocolate Wedding Cakes
Chocolate wedding cakes can be a decadent choice to sweetly celebrate a couples nuptials and with a wide range of chocolates to choose from fudgy treats are becoming more and more popular.There are many types of chocolate and associated flavors that couples can choose from including Plain A plain chocolate cake is anything but boring White milk and dark chocolate options can appeal to different tastes or a single cake can have tiers made up of different gradations of chocolate,Fruited Chocolate Both the cake itself as well as the icing can be flavored with fruit extracts for a more exotic taste Orange raspberry and strawberry are the most popular options though many couples also enjoy mint chocolate flavors Liqueur Chocolate A rich hint of rum brandy or espresso turns ordinary chocolate into a sophisticated treat Chocolate and Nuts Adding pecans walnuts peanuts almonds macadamia nuts or other crunchy flavors to a chocolate cake can be whimsical and delicious Chocolate Accents Couples interested in a taste of chocolate without as much cocoa can opt for Oreo cakes marble cakes or other cake flavors drizzled with chocolate or layered with chocolate fudge or mousse fillings Alternative Chocolate Cakes Instead of a sponge cake couples could opt for chocolate cheesecake chocolate pound cake chocolate truffle accents or even chocolate pies.The stereotypical image of a white wedding cake doesnt have to mean that cake is vanilla flavored Couples can opt for white chocolate icing over a fudge cake or vanilla buttercream icing over a rich chocolate sponge Regardless of the flavors there are many styles of chocolate wedding cakes that are a treat for the eyes as well as the tongue including Whiteiced cakes with chocolate accents such as drizzle swirls or chips
Differently colored layers to indicate different types of chocolate Chocolate grooms cakes to offer multiple desserts and festive designs Any wedding cake design the couple desires every cake can be stunning and unique no matter what the flavor.While the soontobe newlyweds may adore chocolate they should be cautious with such a rich dessert Despite chocolates popularity it is not universally favored and some wedding guests may be allergic to chocolate or to the fruit or nut fillings used in many chocolate cakes Keeping one tier of the wedding cake a classic vanilla flavor or including other delicious desserts on the wedding menu will ensure that everyone has a sweet treat to celebrate the wedding even if they dont like chocolate

Pink Diamond Engagement Rings

To incorporate both individuality and tradition colored diamonds are a popular option and pink diamond engagement rings are among the rarest and most sought after.Many people consider diamonds to be white gems but they are more accurately considered colorless Fancy diamonds are those with distinctive colors such as yellow green red orange brown and pink They are far less common and therefore more expensive than colorless diamonds The majority of the worlds pink diamond supply is mined in Australia at the Argyle mine This mine is also responsible for many other colored diamondsThe largest pink diamond in the world is the DaryaiNur an exquisite stone set in the Iranian crown jewels Estimated to be nearly 185 carats the stone is set in a frame of other gems as part of a bracelet While this tremendous stone has been on display for a number of years pink diamonds started to gain popularity as engagement rings in 2002 when Jennifer Lopez received a sixcarat pink diamond engagement ring from Ben Affleck Despite the fact that the marriage never took place pink diamonds have continued to be sought after for engagement rings For any engagement ring the quality of the diamond is the key to a beautiful piece of jewelry While every couple should be familiar with the four Cs of diamond quality pink diamonds have some unique considerations different from colorless stones Fancy diamonds are judged on the intensity of their color rather than their lack of it Pink diamonds are available in very light pink rose salmon and nearly magenta hues but darker colors are far rarer Most pink diamonds only have a faint pink tint and in a small stone it may be difficult to detect When choosing a pink diamond engagement ring examine the stone for color consistency to be sure you purchase a quality piece Because of their rarity pink diamonds are more expensive than larger colorless cousins Because of that a smaller carat weight pink diamond will be a larger investment than heavier traditional stones Typically the smaller the stone the less intense the color though if it is professionally judged as a pink diamond the color will be a greater factor in the price than the actual carat weight

The unusual color of a pink diamond is eyecatching enough without elaborate cuts or shapes though round marquise and princess cuts are the most popular choices Rather than experiment with unusual cuts many couples choose a simple pink diamond with an elaborate setting that draws attention to the stoneClarity is a crucial factor in the quality of any diamond especially colored stones While flaws and inclusions may appear as a bit of cloudiness in clear stones they can drastically change the color of fancy diamonds When purchasing a pink diamond the stone should have a uniform color free from feathers cracks dark or light areas and spots These flaws will be far more visible to casual observers than they would be in traditional diamond Due to their rarity and rising popularity pink diamonds are typically more expensive than regular diamonds As with any jewelry however a lowquality pink diamond will be less expensive than a highquality colorless gem and each factor in a diamonds price can be adjusted and balanced to find a stone the couple is happy with while not destroying their budget For couples on a tight budget there are several alternatives to pink diamonds that can provide the same beauty without the hefty price tag Pink sapphires and rubies have similar colors and are significantly more affordable though they do not sparkle as fiercely as diamonds That characteristic can be modified with a fancier shape or additional accent stones however or the ring could be a combination of pink diamonds and similarly shaded gemstones Couples may also want to consider using laboratorycreated pink diamonds heat treatments can be applied to colorless stones to create various shades including stunning pinks Synthetic stones can also be created with pleasing pink hues Always be sure to ask a jeweler about any treatments or enhancements to verify the quality of the diamond A pink diamond engagement ring is an unexpected twist to a traditional diamond From light rose to deep magenta a pink diamond is a daring beauty of a gem and provides an ultrafeminine and unique touch to any engagement ring

There are many items used to accessorize the brides outfit that dont need to cost much money at all For instance the garter Not only can these be purchased inexpensively at party stores and wedding shops but there are many discount wedding shops online where one can purchase a garter for under $15 00 If youre looking to purchase a cheap wedding accessory one of these shops is your best bet.Purses and money bags and accessory for Attendants or Members of the wedding party will be pleased to find out money can be saved on their attire as well Since they pay for most of their own adornments inexpensive options will be most appreciated Flower girl baskets,Flower girl head pieces,Wedding bouquets.There are other places that can benefit from the savings Take for instance the church or wedding ceremony location There are plenty of areas in which a cheap wedding accessory can be put into place and no one will be the wiser Items for the ceremony can be found in bridal shops gift shops and party stores Since the reception is the area where the most money is spent youll probably appreciate finding areas in which corners can be cut without looking like you shopped at a discount wedding mart Adding a cheap wedding accessory here and there will help keep you within your budget and no one will even notice Below are some items to consider.Theres no reason to go over board when planning a wedding While splurging is understandable in certain areas there are other places in which the happy couple can save money.

Bridal Ring Sets

For couples that prefer the look of dazzling diamonds set in rich platinum or white gold the selections of style and design are strikingly beautiful An elegant example of this style wedding ring duo is a magnificent marquis cut diamond flanked by a combination of four tapered baguettes Another beautiful example of a diamond and platinum bridal set is a spectacular princess cut diamond with four tapered baguettes Just as with yellow gold there are many different options available such as An elegant diamond with side diamond accents with a beautiful matching wedding band A gorgeous diamond flanked by eight channel set diamonds with a b spectacular matching wedding band A sparkling diamond flanked by four smaller round diamonds with yellow gold details and an exquisite matching band
A beautifully detailed hand engraved filigree engagement setting with fiery diamonds Many jewelers offer a range of bridal set engagement rings to choose from including designer styles and popular diamond ring designs Today there are many couples who choose to design their own bridal ring set or have it designed and custom made by a jewelry designer These couples desire a one of a kind bridal set that is unique and original Many jewelry designers and jewelry stores throughout the nation will custom design and create bridal ring sets to the exact specifications of the future bride and groomThere are also many fine online jewelry stores that will custom design exquisite engagement and wedding ring sets Elsa Jewelry will custom design and create the ring of your dreams as you work with their expert jewelers from design inception to the ring completion All of their custom handmade jewelry is made in house Engage Diamond Studio also customizes bridal ring sets using their custom design process Working with your sketch or photograph of your perfect diamond bridal set jewelry artists will handcraft the perfect ring set that you desire.

Christian Wedding Rings

Christian wedding rings are a spiritually symbolic option for couples interested in beautiful rings that not only represent their connection to one another but also their connection to their faith.Christian wedding bands are highly symbolic Wedding Rings and Christianity Despite the popularity of ring blessings and exchanges during Christian wedding ceremonies there is no actual Biblical requirement than a bride and groom must exchange rings to seal their union In fact several Bible verses and interpretations warn against flashy jewelry as a sign of greed or vanity both unChristianlike values that should not be associated with something as spiritual and significant as a wedding Nevertheless simple wedding bands first began to be exchanged in Christian ceremonies in approximately 870 AD centuries after the Greeks and Romans adopted the custom for their marital vows Today the vast majority of Christians incorporate ring exchanges for both the bride and the groom and Christian wedding rings can symbolize many aspects of these sacred rites It is widely accepted that wedding rings symbolize many marital attributes including fidelity honor and commitment as well as romance and love Christian rings in particular also emphasize the spiritual nature of the vows by not only representing the couples love but also the love of God for the couple and their commitment to honor Him with the sanctity of their marriage By making these promises before God the couple incorporates a deeper spiritual element into their union and emphasizes the role that religion and God will play in their marriage.The simplest Christian rings are plain gold or silver bands inscribed with a Bible verse or favorite religious quote that relates to love commitment and marriage By choosing a simple ring a couple may feel they are not only incorporating a deeper spiritual meaning into their rings but they are also abiding by the simplicity advocated by the Bible.Couples interested in more elaborate rings also have many options for beautiful Christian designs. Ring blessings are popular parts of Christian wedding ceremonies Just wearing Christian wedding rings does not necessarily make the marriage vows any more spiritual than if a secular ring is used.

To emphasize the religious significance of the wedding bands many couples include a simple ring blessing as part of their wedding ceremony To do this the priest will bless each ring before they are exchanged often saying a few words about what the rings represent and how they connect the couple to God as well as to each other Finding Christian wedding rings is not difficult If a couple wishes to create a simple Christian ring by engraving a Bible verse or prayer into the ring any plain wedding band will suffice and all jewelers carry a ready supply and have the ability to engrave them If a couple wants a more focused Christian piece of jewelry however they may need to investigate specialty jewelers who regularly deal with religious symbolism and spiritual designs.Christian wedding rings can be a powerful religious symbol but couples should realize that no matter what design their rings have the most important part of the rings religious significance is what they represent to the couple themselves Whether a ring is fancy or plain if a couple commits themselves to their marriage with the tenets of Christianity the ring will be a wonderful Christian design.EngagementRingsDiamond bridal ring sets are often carefully chosen by the future bride and groom as a couple With the vast selection of styles and designs available today more and more women are actively involved in the decision making process regarding their engagement and wedding rings From a simple classic diamond surrounded by several smaller stones to an intricate multi stone design choosing the perfect diamond ring set is one of the most important first steps the couple will make together.Bridal sets are beautifully matched Classic Diamond Wedding Ring Sets.Many couples choose the classic diamond wedding ring set because of its simplicity and elegance One variation of this classic design is a single large diamond flanked on either side by one or more smaller diamonds and set in a gleaming yellow gold band that makes up the engagement ring of this classic duo Usually the matching yellow gold wedding band is beautifully set with several full cut diamonds Another variation of the classic diamond wedding ring set is a single solitaire diamond engagement ring with a matching wedding band.Classic single solitaire round diamond set in two tone 14K gold Four tapered baguette diamonds surround an exquisite diamond A beautiful round diamond surrounded by trilliant side diamonds Two sparkling side diamonds accentuate the elegance of the center stone Platinum and White Gold Diamond

Diamond Wedding Rings

Diamond wedding rings once thought to be ostentatious are growing in popularity as more couples look for distinctive wedding bands rather than plain gold rings While the engagement ring may symbolize the first step of a couples commitment it is the wedding rings that truly seal the relationship.Many wedding rings can contain gemstones but they do not always need to be diamonds Gemstones in wedding rings are typically smaller and more reserved than those in engagement rings and they can be many types of stones including rubies sapphires aquamarine or any gem the couple desires Choosing stones that represent the month of the wedding the marriage proposal first date or other significant event is another way to imbue the wedding rings with significance and individuality.As with engagement rings diamonds are the most popular choice for couples who wish to have gemstones integrated into the wedding bands Diamonds are the classic symbol of love fidelity and marriage and are the perfect choice for tasteful accents on wedding rings.When most people think of a diamond ring they immediately picture an engagement ring Diamond wedding rings are distinctly different however in that they do not emphasize a single diamond solitaire above the band of the ring Even if one diamond is used as is the case with many mens wedding rings it may be offcenter or otherwise integrated into the ring design rather than a prominent focal point as with an engagement ring.There are many styles of diamond wedding rings The most popular is the bridal set which includes both the engagement ring and the wedding band in a formfitting integrated pair both of which usually have several diamonds Other styles include a simple channel setting of diamonds for the wedding ring that can easily match any number of engagement ring designs or a simple band with several stones in flush settings scattered across its surface Pave settings are particularly popular for diamond wedding rings as the entire surface of the ring appears to be encrusted with diamonds Simpler settings may use only a few stones or could encircle the entire ring with gems similar to eternity rings or diamond infinity rings.For many women the key to a gorgeous wedding ring is one that matches the engagement ring to provide a pleasing set While many jewelers offer a wide variety of sets either just for the bridetobe or threering sets that include a matching grooms ring customized engagement rings can be more difficult to match with anything but a plain gold band.Similar stones to those in the engagement ring shape and grade in particular Similar settings a channelset band will not match as well with a ring that only uses prong settings Identical metals including karat value.Complementary width and details if the engagement ring uses filigrees or other design accents.Safe stone arrangements that will not scratch or rub against the engagement ring potentially damaging either ring. Naturally diamond wedding rings are more expensive than plain gold bands but the costs vary widely depending on the number of stones and their total carat weight the quality of the diamonds and the intricacy of the ring For a more affordable ring many couples will use cubic zirconia or another synthetic diamond in place of real gems Using lower quality gems is another option though they should not differ too far from the quality of stones in the engagement ring or else there may be visible differences and the set will not appear wellmatched Spacing stones out helps create a design using fewer stones ultimately lowering the cost The most inexpensive diamond wedding rings are those sold as part of simple bridal sets because they are meant for use with one particular engagement ring and cannot be worn without the complementary piece.