Your Wedding Cake on a Budget

Getting your cake from a bakery that specializes in wedding cakes can be a major wedding expense for you. That’s especially true if you expect to serve a sizable number of people. Some cakes can cost as high as $1500 from some specialty shops. In fact it is not uncommon for prices to begin in the $500 range if a special design is ordered. The good news is that getting the perfect cake on a budget is not impossibility.

The first thing you need to do is to determine just exactly how many people you expect to give cake to at your wedding reception. As a general rule, expect to get approximately 16 pieces out of the average 9 inch layer cake. Depending on the size of the piece, some cakes can provide significantly more pieces than a regular round cake.

Once you have the number of people firmly in mind, check with a bakery at your local grocery store to see what kind of cakes they can provide. In many instances these cakes will be far cheaper than something created by a specialty bakery. They have experience creating cakes so they can give you a far better idea of how many pieces you can expect to get out of each type of cake. Unlike specialty cakes which uses a special frosting known as a fondant that is hard in texture, those created by your grocery store are likely to have some form of butter cream frosting. This is closer to the traditional frosting found in a homemade birthday cake. It is possible to make decorations like flowers and have writing on the cake just like one that would be made for a birthday or other occasion.

Another possibility to get a wedding cake on a budget is to take advantage of any bakers in your family. Rather than giving you a wedding present, they can make the cakes and decorating them as their wedding contribution. As an addendum to this, if you have a large family, several people can contribute cakes which can be used to reception. Be sure to give them plenty of time to complete the cakes. Be sure to specify what flavor of cake and frosting you'd prefer. If you are renting a hall that does not have catering services, you can assign some of those who make the cakes to cut them at the appropriate time.

Two alternatives to give you a "wedding cake" on a budget is to make one using layers of your favorite donuts or cupcakes. More and more brides are choosing this instead of the traditional style cake because it's easier for guests to take individual pieces, and it may mean a traditional cake is not required at all. As another option some brides have decided to ask family members to bring an assortment of treasured family dessert items like cookies, cookie bars, and pies to serve to the guests for the reception. This way, no one person has to bear the brunt of the expense. As you can see, with a little creativity finding a wedding cake on a budget can easily be done.

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Choosing Wedding Cake - Eleven Points to Remember

The followings are the eleven important points to remember when you deal with your wedding cake:

1 Taste your wedding cake
Once you have your big day confirmed, you need to know the appointment schedules of every baker. During the tasting process, customers are invited to bakery to taste the finished cake, and ask questions about the cake. This is an invaluable chance to get to know the talent of the baker. From this process of tasting the cake, you would know who is your right baker for your wedding cake.

2 About the sugar crystal
You need to decide whether you would like to have cream or icy sugar crystal for your wedding cake. Cakes made of creams are usually more delicious. But if you want to have a smooth outlook, you might need to choose icy sugar crystal for you cake.

3 Refrigerating ingredients
If your wedding takes place in hot outdoor environment, you should never use whipped cream or egg sugar crystal for your cake because these ingredients melt easily in a hot outdoor environment. You can make your cake by using ingredients that do not need to be refrigerated.

4 Watch out your wedding magazines
Beware of the photos you saw in magazines. These photos might be edited by computers. You should never think of making the cake just based on the photos. You will always be disappointed. Besides, lots of ornaments may be added and attached on the cake and they are usually non-eatable ingredients. Therefore, you should always ask your baker about that!

5 Perfect details
The most economic choice for wedding cake ornament is fruit & fresh flower. You can even lower the price by letting your flower stylist to handle this for you. If you would like to use some more fancy ornaments, resin or sugar flower ornaments are also good choices. However, these ornaments are all hand made and would increase the price of the cake. But certainly you will get more details if you pay more.

6 Fresh flower decoration: a supplement
If you decide to decorate your wedding cake using fresh flowers, make sure your flower stylist can cooperate with your baker. And your flower stylist is capable of handling the falling of the petals.

7 Safety and food hygiene
When you use fresh flower as your wedding cake ornament, please ensure that there is no pesticide on the flowers. Please also ensure that there is no non-eatable ornament on the cake before your guests eat the cake.

8 Money saving tips
In order to save budget, you can order a decorated cake with just a small portion eatable or order some decorated non-eatable cake for the reception. Do not forget to order cake slices to share with your family and friends.

9 Beware of your bill
If your wedding venue has in-house baker, you can still bring along your own cake stylist. But you need to ask if the wedding venue will charge you for bring your own cake stylist. Ask for every detail so that you will not pay for something you do not plan to pay for.

10 Groom 's cake
This is a tradition that the groom should take care of the wedding cake. During the wedding, the couple would cut the cake and serve as a desert for the guests. The groom 's cake is usually in dark color (it is usually a chocolate cake). The groom 's cake shows his passion for his big day!

11 Mini-cake
You can prepare individual mini-cake for every guest. However, it would end up with an increased budget due to the individual decoration and packing box of each mini-cake. But it can be sure that your guests would be impressed when the waiter serves the mini-cake on the silver plate to them.

About the Author

Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer based in Hong Kong. Leung has a great interest in Chinese Style Wedding Invitations. His works can be found from http://www.983wedding.com, some other wedding tips is in http://www.imarry.org and http://au.imarry.org

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Wedding Cakes: Choosing a Bakery

Once you have decided what type of wedding cake you want and have at least a general idea of the design you want, it 's time to begin visiting bakeries. When you do, be sure to taste their wedding cake samples. Don't let yourself be swayed by talk about the ingredients they use. Instead insist on tasting their wedding cake samples and decide for yourself because, frankly, your guests aren't going to know if your wedding cake was made from flour imported from a water powered mill on the south bank of a coastal stream in upper Scotland. All they are going to know is whether or not your wedding cake tastes good and looks good. So let taste and artistry be your gauge in choosing your bakery to provide your cake.

Look at the pictures that the bakery has of past wedding cakes to decide if the bakery is even capable of doing what you have in mind. Toward this end, it is helpful to have a picture in hand to show the decorator what you want, that way they will know what part of their wedding cake portfolio to show you - though you might want to peruse the entire thing just in case you see a wedding cake that you like even better.

Take the time to talk to the decorator and try to develop a rapport. You may not have much contact with them once you place your order but it is important that you are certain that they have understood and are going to create the wedding cake that you want rather than some fantasy from their mind which might or might not reflect your tastes and values.

To avoid surprises on your wedding day, ask your cake decorator how much time they need to set up the cake. In most cases they will need to set up one to two hours prior to the time the guests will begin arriving, but that all depends on the wedding cake you order and the other cakes your decorator has to deliver that same day. This will mean that your wedding cake location will need to already be established in a highly visible but safe area - wedding cakes don't like fireplaces, children, and high traffic areas if your table is the least bit wobbly.

Likewise, ask about their policy for putting fresh flowers on the wedding cake, if your wedding cake design includes fresh flowers. Some cake decorators are very picky and will not allow the florist to place flowers on their cake (in fairness, in some cases this has come out of a bad experience where a bride wasn't happy with the cake after a florist placed flowers on the wedding cake). Of course, if the cake decorator is going to put the flowers on the cake, the flowers will need to be in the reception hall when the cake is delivered. This way you can ensure that the flowers on the wedding cake match the rest of the flowers in your wedding and actually do get placed on the cake.

Also, ask about their policy regarding cake flavors. Some bakeries charge extra for a variety of flavors while others do not.

Check also on delivery charges for your wedding cake as these too can vary greatly. If your wedding is close, delivery may be free, but if much travel is required expect to pay a delivery fee. Most bakeries will require, along with your initial deposit, a deposit for the cake plates and pillars. This deposit is usually returned as long as the plates and pillars are returned by an agreed upon time.

Likewise, if you want the bakery to match a color in your color scheme (such as the color of the bridesmaids dress); bring a swatch of the colored fabric to the initial consultation with your cake decorator. Her idea of mauve and your idea are probably not exactly the same so unless you want to run the risk of having colors that clash, provide a swatch. Be warned, though, icing has to be colored by hand so trying to match a color will be time consuming, which will mean more expense to you.

If you want that elegant wedding cake but money is an issue consider a simpler design. A simple cake with ribbon or roses can look beautiful. Likewise, consider ordering a smaller wedding cake with plain sheet cakes to make up the difference in servings. The sheet cakes can be held behind the scenes and used to supplement the wedding cake and will hold down your cost tremendously.

About the Author

Jeanette Shinn is a wedding professional with over a dozen years experience making dreams come alive. Find more on choosing your wedding cake and much more including how to choose your cake toppers at http://www.ExcitingWeddingFavors.com.

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Pillared Wedding Cake Construction Pro 's & Cons

Pillared wedding cakes are one of the most fashionable of wedding cake construction modes. Indeed, this technique can be utilized to create a striking centerpiece for a wedding celebration. The question, though, is whether or not pillared wedding cake construction styles are appropriate for any particular wedding.

Thus it is useful to reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the pillared wedding cake style.

Pros

Added height provides drama - The wedding cake is traditionally the centerpiece of the design scheme for the wedding reception. A pillared construction adds anywhere from a few inches to more than a foot of drama to a wedding cake. This enables it to be the eye catching focal point of the wedding reception decor that highlights the spectacular nature of the celebration.

Particularly useful to make a small wedding cake look bigger - A wedding cake that serves a hundred people or less might not look all that impressive without the added height of a pillared construction. Simply using pillars to add six inches to each tier will turn a two foot tall, three tiered cake in to a three foot tall cake!

Allows more decorations on each tier of the cake - For a bride that wants more surface space for decorations (regardless of whether it is elegant crystal wedding cake jewelry, a succession of themed cake toppers, fresh flowers, fruit, or some creation she chooses to hire the pastry chef to craft), or to figuratively tell the story of their climbing the mountain of love, the pillared wedding cake construction allows space to add interest on each pillared tier of the cake.

Cons

Extra surface area means added decorating cost to the wedding cake - Extra decorations means extra labor. Extra flowers or fruit can be costly and a bride will still have to pay the pastry chef to arrange the flowers or fruit on the cake. Note: Since the reputation of the pastry chef is dependant on the appearance of the wedding cake, do not count on them agreeing to allow the florist or the bride 's aunt Martha to add to the cake later - of course, once the pastry chef has gone the cake is yours to do with as you choose... as is the risk.

Less stable - If there will be small children or animals at the wedding, or if the situation demands that the cake needs to be situated in a high traffic area then a pillared wedding cake construction might not be the right choice. Likewise if there is a relative famous for drinking way too much, way to early, then another construction might be wise. This is because the added height of the pillars makes the cake more liable to collapse so unless the new couple 's goal is to win some money on America 's Funniest Home Videos, they would probably be better off with a different construction.

Not Normally for Do-It-Yourselfers - Like most things in life, stacking a pillared wedding cake is not terribly difficult...if you know what you are doing. But the placement of each pillar is critical and, depending on the size of the cake, can be unforgiving. If a pillar is placed in the cake that later needs to be changed a hole is punched that will have to be patched and may create instability in the cake. It will, at least, make the decorating process more difficult because a patch is never as smooth as the original icing.

Is a pillared wedding cake construction for your wedding? That is for each bride to decide. The upside in drama and decor benefits is huge but the risk is large as well. It all depends on the couple 's comfort level with the risk and style choices.

About the Author

Jeanette Shinn is a wedding professional with over a dozen years experience making dreams come alive. Find tips and accessories from elegant crystal wedding cake jewelry to unique cookie cutter wedding favors at http://www.ExcitingWeddingFavors.com.

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The Wedding Cake

When planning your wedding, the wedding cake is an important thing to consider. The wedding cake not only serves as dessert during the reception ceremony; it also serves as an illustration of the brides unique personality. For this reason, the biggest mistake a bride-to-be can make is to settle for a finished cake and go with it.

In history, wedding cakes served to symbolize the abundance of blessings the couple will share in the future. Traditional practice includes the bride and groom serving caking to each other. This act symbolizes their commitment to serve each other, to protect and to hold, and all the other things they say in their wedding vows. In other cultures, its tradition for a bride to serve cake to the members of the grooms family to signify that she has become part of their family, and with this gesture, she shows that shes willing to do her role.

One has to remember that the cake is a big part of the celebration, and that everyone would remember it. Thus, personal touch is required to make the celebration memorable and unique. Ideally, getting married is a once in a lifetime experience, so every measure must be made to make it special. One way of doing it is by choosing the perfect cake for the occasion.

Planning your wedding cake is relatively easy but its not quite as simple. For starters, one has to consider how big the cake should be. That would depend on how many guests are expected, assuming the cake is served at the wedding of course. In some cases, the cake only serves for the ceremonial tradition, and is taken home by the couple after. But a larger cake would also allow them to share parts of it with their guests during and after the ceremony. What makes a wedding cake unique from other cakes is that its made with several layers or tiers. It is also heavily decorated with icing, which can be made from simple sugar and egg whites, a butter cream mix, or fondant. Among weddings cakes, the ones made with fondant are the ones with the best taste and the most intricate designs. The design of the cake depends on what the bride wants, which can range from a traditional one (like that of ivory design with hearts and ribbons) to practically anything the brides creativity can create. Wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes, and are usually topped with figurines of the bride and groom. Of course, the couple may also opt to top it with figurines of a different sort like a couple performing a common hobby or sport.

Actually, there are two kinds of wedding cake, the more popular and more common of which is the brides wedding cake (the cake served at the reception). The grooms wedding cake is a smaller one, which in most cases is optional. A grooms wedding cake is commonly dark, usually chocolate, or a rum soaked cake like a fruitcake to illustrate a masculine taste. These cakes serve to illustrate what the groom likes in the same way the brides cake does for the bride.

About the Author

Eric Hartwell oversees "The World 's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on marriage and relationships and visit our associated site articles for free.

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The Wedding Cake And Its Significance

A wedding is never complete without a wedding cake. This is one of the highlights of a wedding reception. The bigger it is, the grander the wedding reception seems. But have you ever wondered where the tradition of wedding cakes came from?

Wedding Cakes in the Olden Times

Wedding cakes are said to have come from the great Roman Empire. Before cakes and icings were invented, wedding cakes were usually loaves of barley bread made especially for that occasion. The groom will eat a piece of the loaf and break the remaining loaf over the head of his bride. This signifies the grooms breaking of the virginal condition of the bride and his subsequent power and control over her.

Medieval Englands version of a wedding cake is little sweet buns stacked high in front of the couple. The newlywed would then kiss over this huge pile. If done successfully, then it is said that the couple will have many children to come.

Wedding Cakes and Guests

The brides pie was very popular during the 17th century. This is usually made up of sweet breads, mutton pie or mince pie that is to be shared by the guests. What makes this interesting is the glass ring that is hidden inside the pie. The lady who finds it is said to be the next one to marry.

The bride will pass a piece of cake through her wedding ring and distribute it among their guests. It was said that whoever sleeps with this piece of wedding cake under their pillow will see their future partners in their dreams.

White as the Color of Most Wedding Cakes

White has become a special color of wedding cakes for very obvious reasons as white signifies purity. But for practical reasons, most wedding cakes during the Victorian period were white not because it signifies purity but because ingredients for a colored icing were difficult to obtain. As refined sugar is its main ingredient, the whiter the wedding cake is, the more prosperous the family seems.

Modern Wedding Cakes

The cutting of the wedding cake is a tradition that we have witnessed a dozen times. The bride is the one who cuts the cake aided by the groom. Then they would feed each other a piece of cake from that first slice of the wedding cake. This symbolizes their commitment to one another and the promise that they would provide for each other. It is also said that the bigger the piece of cake fed to each other, the larger number of children that they will have in the future.

White is still the favorite color of the couple for their wedding cake, but other colors have been used as well to match the wedding gown or the motif of the wedding. Although single-layer wedding cakes are still popular, it is quickly being replaced by multi-tiered wedding cakes of two or even three layers. More detailed and elaborate designs are also seen in wedding cakes, adding elegance and unique personal touch to the wedding.

About the Author

Eric Hartwell oversees "The World 's Best Homepage" intended to be a resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed - visit to read or comment upon marriage

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Do You Know How to Make a Cheaper Wedding Cake?

Many couples may find that their wedding cake turns out to be very expensive even if they want to order a cake with a lower price. It seems that there is really no way to have a cheap wedding cake. In fact, you can have a cheaper cake by taking care of some issues. They are the baker you hire, the decorations on the cake and the pillars.

The baker you hire

Unless you are a baker yourself, you cannot make the cake without a baker. You may try to approach shop to shop in order to get the cheapest wedding cake. However, most couple does not know that bakers who are specialized in wedding cakes usually charge you a higher price.

In fact, you can try to find a "normal" baker who may probably charge you a lower price. The wedding cake is still a cake at the end of the day. A "normal" baker should be able to make a cake that you like. Sometimes such a baker can make a cake even better than a baker who is specialized in wedding cakes.

If you have enough confidence and time to plan your wedding, you can take courses in cake making schools so that you can make your own wedding cake. Most of these schools will teach students the way to decorate a cake.

However, if you do not have time to take these baking courses, you can still try to find students from these schools to help you to make the cake. They will be more than happy to help you (with a small charge, of course) since they probably want some real life experiences in cake making. You are in fact giving them a real project and they will try their best to make a perfect cake.

The decorations on the cake

There is no doubt that more decorations on the cake will probably mean more budgets. In fact, you are not advised to over decorate your cake. On one hand it will certainly cost you more and on the other hand an over decorated cake may not look nice. As the famous theory of the architect Mies van der Rohe "less is more", a wedding cake with minimal decoration can also be very unique and beautiful.

You can also consider decorate the cake yourself. It should be cheaper than having your baker decorate for you. You can shop for the decoration materials that suit your taste. You can even ask your friends to decorate the cake with you. This does not only help you to save money but also render a more memorable wedding.

If you decide to decorate the wedding cake yourself, you should make sure what materials are eatable and what are not. You will need to take away the decoration materials that are not eatable before serving the cake to your guests.

The Pillars

It is a must for a wedding cake to have pillars. However, there is no point to buy your own pillars since it will only be used once. It will even render environmental issues if you throw the pillars away after your wedding.

You can consider renting pillars from your baker or wedding planning company. It will not be difficult to rent these pillars.

With all the above issue considered, you should be able to get a cheap but elegant wedding cake of your own.

About the Author

Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer with great interest in Chinese Style Wedding cards. His works are in 983 Wedding Invitation. He runs A Wedding Blog and shares Wedding Tips

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Wedding Cakes - Getting The Cake of Your Dreams

Although it may seem like an easy task, picking out your wedding cake can sometimes become a complicated process. Below you will find some great tips that will help you pick out the wedding cake of your dreams.

It is typically for the bride to order the wedding cake approximately four to six months before the wedding is to take place. If you have no idea where to begin, and time is running out, why not compile a list of your favorite bakeries and see if any of them get involved with wedding cake design? Another good idea for you to check out is any local bridal shows going on in the town or city around you. Typically, bridal shows can introduce you to wedding cake designers who can give you a look at their portfolios right on site. As another resort for finding a wedding cake designer, you can ask friends and family their opinions. Perhaps one of them has had a good experience and can recommend something to you. You can even ask the person catering your wedding (if there is a caterer). He or she will almost certainly have some recommendations.

Once you have narrowed down your choices for a cake designer to a select one or two people, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help you make a decision. First of all, does the wedding cake designer have a portfolio that is professional looking? By showing you a high quality portfolio, the wedding cake designer will be able to entice you with photographs of his or her skills and talents. You should also ask the wedding cake designer for references. Doing this can never hurt. This way, you will be able to get opinions from past brides and grooms who had the product. You can find out how good the cake was, how reliable the designer was, and how easy he or she was to work with. Finally, you should have a cake tasting consultation with your final choices of designers. This way you can taste what you will actually be getting served. You should be sure that you are comfortable with the pricing as well as the delivery fees and schedule.

When you finally choose a wedding cake designer, you will have to be prepared to work with him or her on the design process. You will have to give your input on the style of cake you want. Showing the designer pictures you may have found in a magazine of cakes that interested you is always a big help. You will also have to tell the designer how many tiers on the cake that you would like. Typically, the more guests coming to the reception, the more tiers you will have. Then you will have to tell the designer the cake flavors, fillings, and types of icing that you want. Last, but not least, you can even pick out a cake topper style which oftentimes includes flowers or other designs.

About the Author

More Wedding Cakes Articles at http://www.eWedding-Today.com. Learn how to operate a Successful Niche Website Network with eWebCreator, profitable Adsense Website Templates

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Bake Your Own Wedding Cake! Tips For Doing it Yourself

Yes, it is true: the do-it-yourself ethic that has made home improvement warehouses and their ilk so ubiquitous and prominent in our lives has also come to wedding preparations. The do-it-yourself ethic has truly been embraced by so many, and now even brides are getting in on the action. If you are the kind of bride who is not afraid to roll up your bridal sleeves and get to work, then you just may be interested in baking your own wedding cake. Here is a brief overview of why and how you may want to bake your very own wedding cake.

The Do-it-Yourself Wedding Planner - When You Aren't Afraid to Take Charge

Are you a groom or bride who enjoys taking care of your wedding details? If you don't have the money for a wedding planner, or are simply not inclined to the idea of having a perfect stranger throw together your dream wedding, then you may be the type of person who would enjoy planning your own wedding. Why not do it yourself? If you know your way around the kitchen, you will find that there are many different ways to make your own wedding cake.

Why Would You Want to Make Your Own Wedding Cake?

Why in the world would you ever want to make your own wedding cake? There are many different ways why you may want to consider making your own wedding cake. First, it is obviously a great way to save money. Wedding cakes are very expensive. They are by far one of the big-ticket items of any conventional wedding. And the prices of wedding cakes, especially the more elaborate designs, are always climbing. Wedding cakes are always time exhaustive. You can save yourself hours of searching for the perfect wedding cake or interviewing wedding cake designers or tasting wedding cake samples at bridal expos. Save yourself the trouble of searching for just the right wedding cake-make it yourself, instead! Finally, there is one very important reason why you may want to make your very own wedding cake-you get to put your own special touch on this very symbolic item. And, of course, you will be able to boast about how you made your own wedding cake ever after.

Getting Started in Making Your Own Cake

If you have never baked before, you will want to get many cakes under your belt before you tackle the big project. However, even if you do have some experience in baking, you will still want to bake to your heart 's content in order to get it right. If you are serious about this endeavor, you will want to start baking months in advance. Baking a wedding cake is no small task, and you want to make sure you get it right, especially if you are aiming for a somewhat elaborate wedding cake design. Go ahead and 'ruin' as many cakes as you can before tackling the big project! After all, you can always eat your way to perfection.

Start With Fresh Ingredients

As you learn to bake a cake, there are some basic guidelines that can help you achieve the best, most flavorful cake possible. Use fresh ingredients, such as real butter and fresh eggs. Choose natural flavorings over the artificial. You may find that whatever recipe you are working with will require special ingredients that may not be available in the baking aisle of your local grocery store. If you have trouble locating a specific ingredient, such as clear vanilla flavoring, for instance, you may want to consult an online cake decorating supply company that can get it to you.

About the Author

Josephine Gauttier is the author of the popular eBook "The Art of Cake Decorating". You can find more information about cake decorating at http://www.artofcakedecorating.com

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Choosing a Wedding Cake - Have You Consider These Factors?

The wedding cake is the focus of most of wedding receptions. The tradition of cake cutting is so important that no one will leave the reception before the cake is cut. Accounting for this, it is extremely important to have a good choice of wedding cake. A badly chosen wedding cake may ruin the whole wedding reception. Indeed the wedding cake is also one of the foci for wedding photographs. Normally, the factors we need to consider when choosing a wedding cake are the size of it, the design or the outlook of the cake, and the flavors.

Size of the cake

The first thing a couple needs to consider is the size of the cake. It is vital to understand that a wedding cake is meant to be sharing the joy of wedding but not showing off the wealth of the couple. To this end the size of the cake should be determined by the number of guests.

This seems very straight forward that the size of cake should be determined by the number of guests but many couples make the following mistake - they only count and estimate the number of guests who are going to attend the wedding reception. In fact the couple may want to send a piece of cake to a guest who cannot attend the wedding reception. A couple should keep in mind that the cake is meant to be sharing the joy of getting married, there is no reason why a couple does not share the joy of wedding with the guests who cannot attend the wedding reception.

As a result the size of the cake should be determined by the number of guests who will attend the wedding reception and the number of guests who cannot. Certainly it will be totally a waste if the cake is too big and the cake cannot be shared among the guests if it is too small.

Design of the cake

After the size of the cake is determined, the couple can start to think about the design of the cake. The very first thing a couple needs to do is to get some pictures of wedding cakes from the cake maker or the baker. This is very important since the couple can get a rough idea about what the baker they hire usually makes and also the quality of the cake.

At the same time the couple can take reference for their unique wedding cake design from the photos. When the basic concept of the cake design is formed, the couple can try to visualize the final design of the cake by using the wedding cake design software.

With the cake design software, the couple can try to compose and test different possible design options of the cake. They may want the design of the cake follows the main theme of the wedding reception. Matching the colors will be something essential. On the contrary, the cake can also be designed in a way that it is totally unique and contrasting with the wedding theme.

Wedding cake design software is a very useful tool for visualizing the cake. However, the couple should bear in mind that the software only renders a computer drawing of the cake, it is not the cake itself. The final outcome will be a bit different from what is seen on the monitor.

Flavors of the cake

The design of the cake delivers a visual quality to the guest but the cake itself is for the guest to eat at the end of the day. The taste of the cake will be very essential.

There are plenty of options concerning the flavor of the cake. For examples, a couple can choose fruits, chocolate or even ice-cream. However, if the couple would like to go for the option of ice-cream, they should keep in mind that ice-cream will melt if they are going to have an outdoor wedding reception in summer.

The flavors of the cake also affect the time of ordering the cake. A sponge cake can only last for a few days and it should be prepared three to five days before the wedding reception. On the other hand, a fruit cake can last for a few months and it can be ordered say a month or two before the reception.

About the Author

Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer based in Hong Kong. Leung has a great interest in Chinese Style Wedding Invitations. His works can be found from http://www.983wedding.com, some other vendors of wedding services can be found from http://www.imarry.org and http://uk.imarry.org

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Choosing a Wedding Cake - Add Some Taste To Your Special Day

Choosing a wedding cake can be one of the most fun things that you do as you plan your wedding. There are a variety of decisions you have to make: What flavor of cake would you like? How should the cake be decorated? How extravagant do you want to be?

What flavor wedding cake would you like?

Wedding cakes were traditionally vanilla or white cakes. However, in recent years, there has been a trend towards choosing a wedding cake of a more unusual flavor. Current favorites include hazelnut, raspberry almond, carrot cake, banana cake, and a variety of flavors that incorporate fresh fruits. One advantage to of many these flavors is that they are likely to create a moister wedding cake. The traditional plain cake often tends to be too dry.

You may consider asking a family member to bake and decorate your wedding cake, but for the sake of your sanity -- and theirs -- it is highly recommended that you use a bakery. If you order your cake with enough notice, they may be able to recreate a favorite family recipe, or a traditional recipe that has been handed down from your grandparents. They'll also be able to tell you whether such a recipe can be successfully multiplied for large cakes such as wedding cakes.

Would you prefer a traditional or a contemporary wedding cake?

Wedding cakes traditionally have three layers; are covered in hard white frosting; and have a small plastic model of a bride and groom on top. A cake of this sort, decorated by an expert cake designer, can look very beautiful. However, more cutting-edge brides have been choosing a wedding cake that is more unusual, in colors that range from one end of the rainbow to the other. One logical choice is to match the color of your cake to the theme of your wedding. Although cakes are traditionally either round or square, many other shapes are also possible, and an asymmetrical design can look very elegant.

How to choose a wedding cake designer

The best way to choose a designer for your wedding cake is of course through personal recommendations. If you have friends who have got married recently were particularly pleased with their wedding cakes, those designers would be a good place to start. Perhaps you have a favorite local bakery, where you buy muffins each week for breakfast on a Sunday morning. Do they also design wedding cakes?

Once you have a short list of designers -- perhaps three -- make appointments to meet with each of them and to taste samples of their wedding cakes. Most designers are happy either to design a cake exclusively for you, or to recreate a cake that you have admired. If you have already begun to think about the design of your wedding cake, and you have pictures of cakes that you particularly like, be sure to take them with you.

How big is your budget?

Wedding cakes can be surprisingly expensive, with prices ranging from $3-$15 per portion. There are ways that you can economize on your wedding cake. One of the most effective is to choose a wedding cake that is smaller than you will need and to supplement that with a sheet cake of the same flavor and design. Not only is this likely to be cheaper, but it may also be easier for your caterer to serve desert quickly and efficiently after the cake cutting ceremony.

The best wedding cake designers are often booked months in advance. If possible, you should start your planning as much as nine months before the wedding, and order the wedding cake you choose at least six months in advance.

About the Author

Tuppy Glossop writes extensively about wedding cakes and related topics.
For more information about choosing
a wedding cake please visit Wedding-Cake-Designs.com where
you can also read many other articles about wedding
cakes.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Wedding Cakes that Fit the Bill Perfectly

Wedding can be a costly affair. Starting with the flowers, decor and music, to the food and beverages, everything comes at a price. Because wedding is an extremely special occasion, most of us leave no stone unturned in ensuring that it turns out to be an extraordinary day.

The wedding cake is a very important aspect in this occasion. It demonstrates your personal taste and style and should be in sync with the main theme of your wedding. Therefore, your cake should be customised as per your preparations.

Try the following tips to come up with the right kind of cake that befits such a day:
1) Choose the cake only after you have decided on the wedding gown, reception site, colours, and every other factor that can be considered significant for your special day. If you order your cake through online bakery stores, you can always use the available images to match your preferences. This will ensure that the dessert does not look out of place.
2) You can impress your guests with well-decorated and attractive wedding cakes. Do not be mistaken that are only interested in hogging food; they do take out time to discuss the wedding details, including the cake.
3) Use an icing that is different and gels well with your wedding theme. You can choose between traditional cream or white icing in classical designs. Try the cupcake towers for your cake – they are considered quite happening nowadays.
4) When it comes to serving the cake, you can either serve it as a dessert, or pack it in little slices and pack it for your guests to take home. By doing so, you can ensuer that they remember your wedding ceremoney for a long time.

There are a number of online bakery stores that sell a wide range of wedding cakes. Make sure that you order your cake at the right time and from the right place.

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About the Author: Mr. Daniel is an expert author on cakes, by virtue of his extensive knowledge and meticulous research, he produces informative articles on cakes. The article given here covers the arena of wedding cakes.

Wedding Cakes: Recipe For A Memorable Wedding

Wedding can be termed as the most important thing in one's life. This is one answer that would be uniform in any country or age, attesting the fact that whichever country one goes to or travel in time, marriage would be one occasion that would command equal importance. And why not, it after all is prelude to an exciting journey which two people, who were strangers till very recently, decide to undertake. An extremely exciting phase in their lives is to commence. And if such a red letter day in their lives is to be celebrated then it should be done with some flair and style. And one sure way of making weddings spectacular is by celebrating with wonderfully decked up and specially prepared wedding cakes that have all the potential to enliven the grand occasion.

There are different types of wedding cakes that can be prepared for the occasion. Cakes in different shapes and sizes and decorated differently, they are sure to invigorate the evening. What is also noticeable here is the fact that contrary to what people think making wedding cakes at home is not that difficult. All that is required is a little bit of innovation and a little effort and one can actually end up preparing some outstanding wedding cakes. Arrival of Internet has also bombarded people with a plethora of options about preparing wedding cakes.

One should also do well to understand that merely preparing wedding cakes is not enough for it also has to be nicely decked up to match the grand occasion. This can be achieved by adding a fair bit of cherry and cookies that would spruce up the cake considerably. Cakes can also be prepared in different shapes and sizes to make them look attractive.

As more and more people wake up to the different ways of making wedding cakes attractive, the interest in these wonderful objects is revived and more and more shops have come up with various, attractive, mouth watering cakes.

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About the Author: Mr. Daniel is an expert author on cakes, by virtue of his extensive knowledge and meticulous research, he produces informative articles on cakes. The article given here covers the arena of wedding cakes.

Butterscotch Wedding Cakes – A little crunch with a sweet punch!

Nothing can make wedding more fun and enjoyable than delicious and mouth watering wedding cakes. Be it any flavor – black-forest, butterscotch, chocolate or any other, the very presence of wedding cakes make weddings auspicious and at the same time joyous. Wedding cakes are available in exotic tastes and flavors, and here we would see the magic created by butterscotch wedding cakes.

Before we move on to butterscotch wedding cakes, let us first see – what is butterscotch? Butterscotch, basically, is a sweetened preparation, made by boiling butter, cream, and vanilla with sugar syrup. It is frequently used in making ice-creams, toffees, chocolates, pudding, biscuits, pastries, pies, donuts and cakes. Butterscotch is one of the most frequently used flavoring products. It is liked both by young as well as old, and therefore it is an ideal flavor for wedding cakes.

Butterscotch and toffee have the same ingredients and are prepared in very much the same way. The only difference lies in the timing. While the sugar is boiled till the soft crack stage in butterscotch, in case of toffees, the sugar is boiled till the hard crack stage.

Now, switching back to butterscotch wedding cakes, many weddings today are consecrated by butterscotch flavored cakes. Couples getting married decide on this flavor, because it is quite heart warming and cheerful. Beautifully decorated wedding cakes – taste great too. That just brings us to another point – decoration of the cakes. Many couples these days do not settle for ordinary, run of the mill decorations.

They search for extravagant decorations and awe inspiring cake toppings. Red roses look great on the butterscotch color and many couples order for multi-tier butterscotch wedding cakes covered with red roses. Plus there are other ideas for decoration as well. Many couples today, order online and express their desires in their cake decoration to have a wonderful time enjoying the cake together.

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About the Author: Mr. Daniel is an expert author on cakes, by virtue of his extensive knowledge and meticulous research, he produces informative articles on cakes. The article given here covers the arena of wedding cakes.

ow to Get Innovative Wedding Cakes?

There are many things that you can do to make a marriage memorable. You can throw a gorgeous party in a big banquet hall and entertain your guests with a delicious dinner. You can arrange a long line of flashy cars to set out for the bridal party. Arrangements like this can do a lot to make a marriage memorable for long time, if done properly. However, they will cost you huge amount of money. Wedding cakes can be a favourable alternative.

Even a small thing like the cake can contribute a lot to make a marriage to be remembered long after it is celebrated. But for that the wedding cakes must be unique and different from the ones that are frequently used in celebrations. You have to think out of the box and plan out a design for wedding cakes that is uncommon and attractive. It is not at all a very difficult task to accomplish.

Wedding cakes can be given personalised touch and made unique by means of a number of innovative ideas. These ideas can be taken from various sources. One can come out with nice cake decorating ideas all by himself only. A little serious thought about the cakes he/she has seen in parties, magazines, and on websites will provide food for innovative ideas. Reading a few contents on wedding cake decoration can be helpful.

If you do not like to take up the task of decorating wedding cakes personally, you can give it to a bakery of good repute. They have experts with them who can provide you with excellent wedding cakes by virtue of their experience and expertise. You can give them a lump sum idea about the shape, size, design and taste of the cake. They will use their knowledge and experience to deliver you winsome wedding cakes.

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About the Author: Mr. Daniel is an expert author on cakes, by virtue of his extensive knowledge and meticulous research, he produces informative articles on cakes. The article given here covers the arena of wedding cakes.

Allow Your Selected Wedding Cake Toppers To Reflect Your Personalities

When you are arranging a wedding, there are a million things that you have to think about, not just in respect of the marriage ceremony, but for the reception as well. It goes without saying that one thing that is essential to any wedding reception is the wedding cake itself.

The wedding cake is not merely 'party food', but forms a traditional element of the wedding celebration, with the happy couple cutting the first piece of cake and symbolically 'feeding' each other.

Clearly you would wish to think about the design of your cake well in advance of the wedding, from the kind of cake you want to the type of frosting and the wedding cake toppers you wish to use.

Now wedding cake toppers are not of course strictly required and you could simply omit them. But, adding them to your wedding cake can allow you express your personality and make a marked different to the impact of what is arguably the centerpiece of your wedding reception.

But precisely what is a topper?

Traditionally, wedding cake toppers have been the little figures of the happy couple that are sometimes placed on the top of a wedding cake representing togetherness. Traditional wedding cake toppers show the happy couple in formal dress and are generally the only part of the wedding cake that can be preserved through the years, apart of course from the photographs of the day. These toppers were at their most popular in the 1950s, but the majority of brides and grooms still put them on cakes today.

Okay, so just what type of cake topper should we pick?

These days, there are a lot more designs for toppers than the simple bride and groom and these range from the silly to the highly artistic. Should you want to have wedding cake toppers then pick something that is going to be appropriate for both the style of your wedding reception and for you. If you are having a formal wedding then you might consider selecting the time-honored toppers or perhaps use your initials to create a 'monogrammed' cake topper. Simple wedding cake toppers like these are also a good choice if you and your fianc� are having difficulty agreeing on toppers.

If you want to have a more informal and relaxed wedding reception then you may want to choose a humorous wedding cake topper or for something that appeals to hobbies or interests that you and your partner share. Or, if you have selected a theme for your reception then look for wedding cake toppers that support that theme. For example, nothing can add a nicer touch to a reception with an 'aquatic' theme than wedding cake toppers in the form of a pair of dolphins playing together.

Simply make sure that the toppers selected fit with the design of your cake and, if there is any doubt then allow the artistry of your wedding cake to speak for itself and leave off the toppers.

This said, with such an extensive range of wedding cakes toppers to choose from today it is almost inconceivable that you will not find the perfect wedding cake topper.

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About the Author: For more information about everything from creating the perfect wedding photo album to cheap wedding cake toppers please visit TalkingWeddings.com today.

Things To Remember When Buying Your Wedding Cake

by Vickster

One of the most thought about aspects of any wedding is the wedding cake. Every bride wants their wedding cake to be the focal point of the wedding reception table and something that guests will admire and talk about even after the wedding day.

With so many designs and styles available plus the added option to customize and accessorize your wedding cake to suit your wedding theme the options are truly endless.

Before you embark on enrolling someone with the job of creating your cake it is worth making preliminary decisions before hand. Having an idea of what your budget is and what sort of cake you have in mind could save you a considerable amount of time. Do you know what filling the cake will have? Sponge or fruit cake? Do you want a tiered cake? If so how may tiers do you want for your wedding cake?. Having a few of these details already decided will help both you and the caterer you decide to employ.

Although it is a good idea to have ideas in mind, stay open to suggestions from the professionals, they may suggest something you may never have considered and that something could turn out to be your perfect wedding cake.

When you are ready to see the cake decorator or caterer (most should see you for a consultation free of charge) ask to see photos of their designs and do not be afraid to ask for something different or mix two styles together, most caterers should be happy to oblige.

Most wedding cakes are decorated with white icing but if your theme is pink or a different colour there is no reason why the icing on your cake should not match it.

Once you have chosen the filling for your wedding cake you then need to start thinking about a topper, the days of the imitation plastic bride and groom are long gone! Nowadays these cake toppers can be custom made and created to look exactly like the bride and groom, even down to the brides dress!.

Most wedding cake designers will need all decisions made and finalised three to six months before the event. I would strongly recommend having all items ordered six months in advance to allow for any changes that may need to be make and piece of mind for you.

You will need to budget well for your wedding cake, remember the cost of the cake is normally separate to the decorator 's fee, it is also wise to ask if there is any charge for having the wedding cake delivered so every outlay will be covered in your budget.

What ever design or style you choose the wedding cake plays such an important role in the wedding day, having the perfect wedding cake to slice with your partner will make the day extra special.

After the wedding cake has been cut and enjoyed by the guests remember to keep your wedding cake topper safe, this keepsake will always remind you of your perfect day, and who knows, it could be passed down to your children to use on their special day.

About the Author

Vicki Churchill is the owner of http://www.perfectweddingtableideas.com, a site that specializes in Wedding Cakes Wedding Table, Wedding Decorations, Seating Plans & all your wedding needs.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Wedding Cake

by: Tom Tsatsos

The wedding cake is one of the most important features of your reception. In fact, it is the centerpiece of your reception. You should begin shopping for a baker 6-8 months before the wedding. If you plan on having your reception catered, ask your caterer if they will bake your wedding cake. However, you do not have to choose the caterer to bake your cake. You can also buy cakes from commercial and boutique bakeries, custom wedding cake designer, a culinary school or someone you know who makes cakes from home.

Begin by calling bakeries or cake decorators in your area to check for date availability. If they are available, make an appointment to go in and check out the designs, taste and skill level of the business. Many specialty cake decorators require that you book six months to a year in advance to reserve your date, whereas commercial bakeries may require 3 months due to larger staff and their ability to do a larger quantity of cakes.

Since most weddings are on the weekends, baker's deadlines also coincide with that timetable. A phone call to make an appointment to visit with the individual or bakery about your cake will be appreciated. If you just walk in and expect undivided attention, you may be disappointed if they do not have time to visit with you at that time.

Ask the baker to provide samples of the cake flavors, icings, fillings, etc., during your interview. The taste, flavor and texture of the cake itself will be the most important decision you will make when you order your cake. The outside beauty of your wedding cake will be important for your pictures and your personal statement, but the inside of the cake is what you will be serving to your guests. You want a cake that is flavorful, moist and good to eat.

Before your meeting with the baker, collect pictures of wedding cakes that appeal to you. Be sure to take those pictures with you on your interviews so that you can give your baker an illustrated idea of what you are looking for in a wedding cake. Here are some key questions you need to ask them:

• Flexibility-Will they bake a cake according to your specifications?
• Is the cake made from scratch or is it from a cake mix?
• Request to see pictures of their work. Most bakers will have a portfolio of their cakes.
• Certain cakes are not good for particular seasons. For example, if you are planning an outdoor wedding in August, you want to avoid cakes with mousse, meringue, whipped cream or buttercream filling. Ask the baker what cakes are in season.
• What is the price per serving? Prices can average between $1.50 a slice to $15 a slice depending on the cake you choose. The price depends on frosting, decorations, architecture, etc. Understand that the more elaborate the cake, the more expensive the "per serving" price will be.
• What are the extra charges? Most bakers charge for renting the pillars, columns, cake toppers, delivery and set-up. There may also be extra charges for certain cake fillings, flavors, styles, etc.
• Who will be setting up the cake?
• What do they provide in the set-up? Talk to your baker about how you'd like the cake table to be set up.
• If you plan on using fresh flowers on your cake, who is responsible for providing the flowers, the baker or the florist?

When interviewing the baker, make sure you know the number of servings required, your desired type and design, and your budget for the cake. Be up front with the baker about the maximum amount you are willing to spend on your cake and ask them if they are willing to negotiate. Click here to see how you can save money on your wedding cake.

After you have decided on a baker and all the details, make sure to get everything in writing. Your contract should include the following:

• Detailed description of the cake type, style, and description of the decorations.
• The number of layers and fillings for each layer if applicable.
• Type of frosting.
• Wedding date, time and location of delivery
• When, how, where and by whom the cake will be delivered (or picked up). Make sure to include the complete address where the cake is to be delivered.
• Name and contact information of the baker
• List of rented items (pillars, cake stand, cake table, etc.)
• Delivery and set-up fees
• Total price
• Deposit amount
• Balance and due date
• Baker's cancellation and/or refund policy

If you do your homework, buying your wedding cake will be a smooth process. Remember to be realistic, and don't spend your entire wedding budget on your wedding cake.

About The Author

Tom Tsatsos
http://www.theamericanwedding.com

How To Make Your Own Wedding Cake – You Bet You Can Do It

by: Amy Spade

Making your own wedding cake can be a great way to cut down on the overall budget of a wedding. It will take time and effort, but a well-intentioned aunt or cousin might love to take on the challenge for you.

Choosing the cake

Just like when you have a professional make your cake for you, enlisting some relative help also needs a plan. You can go to many books of weddings cakes for more intricate guidelines or just look at pictures in magazines. Try to find something simple, but also something that you think would be perfect for your wedding’s theme.

When you think that you’re found what you like, try to determine how many tiers it has and what decorations you want to add. With these things in mind, you can begin to plan out the building of your wedding cake.

Making plans

Looking at the picture of the cake that you’d like, try to break it down in your mind. Figure out the number of tiers it has (perhaps you need more or less) so that you can determine how many baking pans you will need. After that, you will want to see how many tubes of icing or jars of frosting you will need to complete the decorations. A lot of the time, you may find that ordering a traditional cake is the same expense.

If you’re determined to make your cake, the best suggestion is to make a trial one. Even if it’s just one layer, you want to try out your plan to see if the one that you have chosen can be recreated.

Bake a layer of the cake (any old cake mix will do, but you may want to go with the name brands for your wedding) and set it aside to cool. You want to make sure that the cake is completely cooled before putting any icing on it because warm cake will cause the icing to melt.

Apply the icing with a pastry spatula like you might apply spackle on a wall. Take your time to smooth out all the areas. Pretend like this is the real cake and see what it looks like. If you’re impressed (and of course, after you’re tasted it), then go ahead and get the ingredients to make an entire cake.

Your wedding cake will be best if you make it the day before so that everything has time to settle and no one has to rush around to bake on the day of. Set aside a special room or area so that it will remained untouched and out of the way. You may even want someone to transport it to its final location first thing in the morning to avoid any rushing about.

About The Author

Amy Spade is an expert on planning weddings, and she has written an amazing totally free minicourse on how to make sure that you have the day of your dreams, and avoid wedding day disaster!

Get the free course "Your Special Day from Start to Finish" now at at http://www.weddingdata.com.

weddingsmarriage@yahoo.co.uk

The Wedding Cake

by: Mary Jane Holmes

The wedding cake is the first thing your guests notice when they walk into the Reception hall. The cake sets the tone of the wedding as formal or informal. In ancient times weddings took place after the harvest and cakes were considered a symbol of good luck. Wedding cakes gave good luck to the newlyweds, and passing out pieces of cake was a way of sharing that luck with friends and neighbors.

The traditional wedding cake of three or more round stacked layers, is what comes to mind when most people think “wedding cake” However, your wedding cake can be any shape or style you wish. I have seen all kinds of cakes used for wedding cakes, from multi-tiered heart shaped cakes with several smaller hearts on pedestals attached to the main tower by cascading ribbons, and plastic bridges. It was really beautiful. I also know a couple who met at a hockey game. Their wedding cake was a sheet cake decorated to look like a hockey arena. Obviously it was a very informal wedding, and a second marriage for both. A sheet cake can be decorated with elegance, for an informal wedding. It is your wedding, you can have any kind of cake you want.

Most brides show up for the first meeting with a cake designer/decorator, with an image in her head of the perfect wedding cake, that she may have dreamed about since childhood. The designer will do everything in her power to bring that image into reality. Go to the meeting the approximate number of guests, your color scheme, a sketch however primitive of what you want your cake to look like and possibly a picture from a magazine that is close to what you want the cake to look like. The designer will also want to know what flavor you want the cake and icing to be. They may even have samples for you to taste.

If you want a formal wedding but still want to add a touch of whimsy have fun with the grooms cake. The wedding cake can be as elegant as you want, but have the groom’s cake reflect something about the groom, his hobbies, job etc. Does he like Nascar have a race car, the options are endless. If another special family occasion is the same day as your wedding, try to recognize it some way. A friend of mine got married on her father-in-law’s birthday, so she had the top layer of her wedding cake decorated as a birthday cake for him. He was so delighted. All of these kinds of things need to be discussed with the cake designer, well in advance of the big day. You can get wedding cakes at most bakeries, but I’d suggest looking for one whose specialty is wedding cakes. You don’t have to limit yourself to the traditional cake. I knew a bride whose wedding cake consisyed of hundreds of filled cupcakes, artfully arranged to resemble the traditional wedding cake, each of the five layers had a different type of filling. It was amazing!

About The Author

Mary Jane Holmes can help you. Find out how thousands of people have been helped with the advice and information. Visit this link for details: http://www.the-wedding-dresses-review.com/angelobridalgowns.htm