Cyber Bride

Attention Bridesmaids!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:23:00 +0000

Save 10% at Bachelorette.com - Use Coupon code CJ10 to save on bachelorette party supplies, drink recipes, games and gag gifts and more!

Whether it's a private wine tasting or a night on the town, make sure to give you bride one last single gals' blowout she's sure to remember!

Plus, now's the time to make her pay for that ugly dress and snotty 'tude ;-) JK...right?

MAJOR 3-DAY SALE at THEKNOT.COM!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:41:00 +0000

Save up to 75% off at The Knot Wedding Shop's 3 Day Sale! It's for a limited time only - today (June 8th) through Wednesday (June 10th).

Now is definitely the time to scope out favors, decorations, bridesmaid gifts, you name it! To be taken to the special sale page, just click on the above link and start shopping!

Plus, at check out use coupon code JUN3D10 to save 10% off an $85 purchase or JUN3D15 for 15% off a $150 or more purchase!

2009 brides would be CRAZY to miss out on this incredible sale!

*Please note that coupons do not apply to gift cards, Lenox items, Vera Wang, Wedgwood, PhotoWorks development fee, PhotoWorks photo gifts and cards, Zazzle stamps or digital items including frames, key chains and camcorders.

Hobby Lobby 50% Off Sale 5/18-5/23

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:36:00 +0000

Click here to view the full add. The floral section is 50% off - this includes stems, greenery, and bridal rentals (arches, candleabras, etc.)! If you're planning on silk bouquets or silk flower for centerpieces or ceremony decorations, NOW is the time to swing by! Additionally, their Spring Splash and summer outdoor dining stock are 50% off. If you're planning a summer, picnic, or outdoor-themed wedding this is a great time to stock up on cute supplies or clever wedding favors.

Coupon Codes at MyWeddingFavors.com!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:19:00 +0000

Hey, brides!

Follow this link and enter coupon code TAKE25 to receive $25 off orders over $200.

Or if your order doesn't quite hit$200, then use coupon code SAVE10 to receive 10% on orders over $150.

On Sale at TheKnot.com!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:23:00 +0000

There aren't a lot of places in Wichita to get bridal shower or wedding reception favors - so most brides opt for purchasing online. If you're in the market for beach, summer, fall, winter, wine, chocolate, picture frame or any other kind of favors, chances are there's something you'll like on sale at The Knot Wedding Shop! Tons of favors are 60% Off right now - a great time to buy even if your wedding is several months away.

Practical picks?

Disposable cameras let your guests capture tons of candid shots - which is awesome, because as hard as you'll try, you just can't be everywhere at once on your wedding day! Place a cute basket or a box wrapped like a wedding gift by the door. When they exit, cameras can be deposited for you to develop at a later date.

Personalized cocktail napkins give any shower or reception a more unique touch - tons of colors and designs available!

Be sure to check out the special clearance section, too!

BACK!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:54:00 +0000

Brides, vendors, & lookie-loos,

I am so sorry for the lengthy absence! If you think life will slow down after the wedding, let me warn you that's not the case! While I can no longer make this blog a top priority, I promise not to neglect you entirely. I will work to bring you great sales from wedding vendors, keep my eyes peeled for helpful bidal tips and tricks, and (of course) pass on funny and/or scary wedding stories and videos.

So, again, my apologies.

Be back soon.

Honeymooning During A Recession?

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:58:00 +0000

We spent $5,000 on our trip to Maui - and saved another $5,000 with a little research and careful planning. With the current state of our economy, you might learn some helpful penny-pinching tips for your own wedding trip!

View more »

HUGE SALE! Get Up to 75% Off Wedding Favors and Bridesmaid and Groomsmen Gifts!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:59:00 +0000

After seeing our post on 5 Great Gifts for Groomsmen, The Knot Wedding Shop e-mailed us with a special link to their limited sale running from December 3rd-10th!

Personalized flasks as low as $6.99! Monogrammed lighters as low as $3.99! Cigar cutters, money clips and beer glasses starting at $4.99! Clicking through a couple of the pages, I even found personalized totes, bracelets, cuff links, cameras and wedding favors on clearance. This really is the perfect time to stock up!!!

Click on the box to be taken directly to the special sale section - and check back soon for the unveiling of their "3 Day Sale" items next week!

3 Hot Deals for Honeymooners or Holiday Travelers!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:39:00 +0000

NCL Cruises: Bahamas from $99, Alaska from $449, Europe from $349 & more! - Expires 12/31/08

Central & South America: Book early and save up to 30%. Air + 4 nights from $422! - Expires 12/15/08

Extended: New York Winter Sale: Save up to 30% on Hotels! - Expires 12/18/08

5 Great Groomsmen Gifts!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:17:00 +0000

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving and survived Black Friday. The only shopping we did yesterday was online - and at Red Robin for dinner!

Well, in honor of one of the biggest retail weekends of the year, we're going to touch on the subject of gift buying...for the boys, that is. If your groom is like mine, purchasing thoughtful gifts is as confusing as it is painful. How does he thank his friends for giving up a Saturday to dress like a Maitre D' and make small talk with his extended family? Check out these 5 ideas from The Knot and run them past your hubby-to-be. You'll score points by taking the guesswork out of it and making it look like he put a TON of effort into his purchases ;-)Just click on the image of the gifts that catch your eye to be linked to their page with more info. Each of these gifts range from $7.50-$24.95 and can be combined for a really great "Thank You" package!

1. Flasks. OK, I'll be honest. I only know one person who carries around a flask - but the idea is so cool...especially if your ceremony drags on and gets really boring - just kidding! These flasks can be personalized with his buddies' monograms and are all under $25!

They've even got a few for the girls, as well!

2. Cigar Paraphernalia - Pair a couple of high quality cigars from Old Town Cigar or Cigar Chateau with a personalized cigar cutter, single holder, or humidor!

3. Personalized Beer Mugs or Glasses - Attach a 6-pack of each groomsman's favorite microbrew!

4. Personalized Money Clips - Since girls carry purses filled to the brim with our wallet, make-up, datebook, gum, etc. we don't ever really "get" the idea of a money clip. But guys don't carry a purse and sometimes a wallet is just too bulky or heavy for dress pants. They can stick a few bills and a credit card in their clip and be good to go for the night.

5. Pocketknives - Boys love guns and knives. That's all that needs to be said.

More Wedding Cake Toppers...from Wal-Mart?

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:47:00 +0000

So, on Saturday I was at Wal-Mart for nail polish remover. Recently, my WM has undergone a major overhaul: virtually everything has moved to the most inconvenient and unintuitive location they could possibly imagine. However, as I wandered aimlessly through what used to be the cosmetics section (now home to bath towels and shower curtains) I spotted it. The wedding section. A couple of years ago, Wal-Mart was still one of the leading cheesy wedding crap distributors in town - but now it seems they've realized the potential for matrimonial parafanalia. Their products are still inexpensive, but many of them are REALLY cute! In fact, they've got an entire line of Martha Stewart DIY projects, accessories, and stationery!

Anyhow, what truly surprised me were two cake toppers. Read some of my thoughts on wedding cake toppers here. The first one is from Wilton, the famous cake decorating company.
See how fun non-tacky toppers can be???

Then there was this one from Martha Stewart. I admit, I don't quite get it. A bell hanging from a flowery branch? Whatever. But it's different, and that's what I appreciate. That and the fact that all of Wal-Mart's cake toppers are super inexpensive - not a one was over $30! Here's a link to all of their wedding cake toppers - some are even able to be personalized.

Cold Feet?

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:46:00 +0000

What's worse than being dumped via text message? This.

Cool Winter Themed Wedding Favors

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:00:00 +0000

Yes, that was a pun. And, yes, I’m just as bad as Target rolling out my Christmas wares in October – but the truth is that if your wedding is in the Fall, you’ve already made arrangements for your favors. This is for you winter brides looking for the perfect little token of appreciation for your guests:

First up, the Personalized Winter Mint Tins. Recently featured in InStyle Magazine, this adorable favor comes filled with heart-shaped peppermints and is sure to remind your guests of the fabulous time they had at your nuptials. Tins may be customized with your names and wedding date or even for another wedding event (“Audrey’s Bridal Shower”).

Next, these precious Mini Felt Winter Mittens come in a set of 6 and are hand stitched in blue with a tiny silver jingle bell. Obviously, winter wedding are perfect for a Tiffany Blue color scheme, and these favors fir right in! I wouldn’t say that these favors are necessarily useful for anything though, unless your guests hung them as ornaments on their tree.

Finally, these "Icing on the Cake" Winter Wedding-Cake Candles
are also, too cute. They come in a set of 4 and, once again, are perfect for a blue/white/silver theme. Looking good enough to eat, the ice-blue wedding-cake candle, delicately decorated with white snowflakes, rests on a porcelain platter encased in a winter-themed gift box and matching “For You” tag, all accented with a sheer organza bow.

One more thing worth mentioning: if you don’t yet have your guest book, take a peek at this Snowflake Winter Wonder Guest Book and Pen Set
. When I got married, I skipped the guest book altogether, because I HATE having to stand in line and sign my name like I’m there to vote or get my driver’s license…but post-nuptials I learned why it’s so important. There were 250 people at my wedding. I probably had time speak with 75 and recognize an additional 50 faces – so now I have no record of who was kind enough to give up the evening of June 3, 2006 to share with us. Consider yourselves warned ;-)

Wedding Music: Do It Yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:23:00 +0000

DIY projects are all the rage right now, but they can be more trouble than they're worth, especially if you don't have time for hot glue, ribbon, and wax seals. If you can't afford a band and are hesitant about hiring that tacky DJ, give this approach a try.

Expedia - Up to 50% Off Hotels

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:30:00 +0000

The husband and I are currently editing our Maui slideshow for its premiere for the parents this weekend. As a little nudge to those of you who are behind on planning your honeymoons (or those who just want summer to last a little bit longer), check out: Expedia Hotel Sale: Up To 50% off Hotels - but hurry! It expires on 9/30/08!

25% Off Your Entire Purchase at Michael's

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:16:00 +0000

For those of you with a Michael's nearby, here's a 25% Off coupon good today through September 13th. Sale items are NOT EXCLUDED - so if hurry on over for all your invitation, flower, centerpiece, aisle runner, cake topper, veil, rose petal, bouquet, and wedding favor needs!

For those of you who tied the knot this summer (congrats, by the way!) there is also a 60% off coupon for your custom framing order. What a great time to pick your favorite wedding photos and have them beautifully matted and framed for a fraction of the usual cost!

The Importance of Thank You Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:16:00 +0000

OK, here's the deal. Personal Experience #1 from my hiatus: 2 different brides - one sent a thank you card 3 days after her bridal shower and within 2 weeks of returning from her honeymoon. The other has not yet sent ANY thank-you note for her shower or wedding gift. There are a few schools of thought on the acceptable length of time that can pass before your guests begin to wonder if perhaps their $150 blender was lost and you didn't receive it - or worse yet, that you're an ungrateful recipient.

So how long is too long? You've got three months, sweetie. That's straight from Emily Post, Queen of Etiquette. But how, in the afterglow of the wedding & honeymoon are you supposed to find time to write out 200 thank you notes - each one personal and thoughtful?

1. When you buy postage for your wedding invitations, double the amount and purchase enough for your thank you cards as well. You're excited to go to the post office now (don't forget to ask specifically for wedding postage - unless you don't mind assorted fruit or the American flag on your envelopes) - but in a couple of months, when you have to rush to the dry cleaners after work, fly home (across town) and unload the dishwasher before you can start dinner when your hubby gets home in an hour, you're going to find it a little more difficult to swing by the post office for stamps.

2. Send notes for shower gifts within a week of your shower. Your guests will be impressed that you're so "on the ball" even in the midst of your planning - and you'll have fewer cards looming in the future. Plus, since showers can take place months before the wedding, you don't want to forget about thanking your guests altogether. "Well," you think, "what if someone gives me a shower gift and a wedding gift. Can't I just write one note for both presents?" I'm afraid not, dear. This is not a time to cut corners! If someone made the special effort to buy 2 gifts for you and took time out of her schedule to attend a shower and your wedding, the least you can do is take the time to send two separate notes of gratitude.

3. Be organized. I used this easy-as-pie Wedding Gift Listfrom Microsoft Templates to keep track of who gave what gift and when a thank you card was sent. You can use it at showers (have a bridesmaid do the writing) or when you and your hubby open presents! My husband enjoyed the "opening" part, while I took care of jotting down all the particulars. Then, over the next 2 weeks while we would watch television after dinner, I would make it a goal to write 5-10 thank you cards, address the envelopes & slap on a stamp. If this spreadsheet isn't quite your style, there are plenty more to be turned up in a Google search - and they can be printed or downloaded for electronic use, whichever works best for you.

We're Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:46:00 +0000

Hey all!

I have to begin with an apology that it's been over a month since our last post. The tail end of summer wedding season and my own belated honeymoon have kept me SUPER busy...but that means I have new ideas as we gear up for fall wedding season - and I've got TONS of info for those of you planning to honeymoon in Maui. Un-freaking-believeable.

I leave you with MSN's recent piece on misbehaving wedding guests.

eBay Weddings - Thrifty or Just Plain Tacky?

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:00:00 +0000

As Americans find themselves in the middle of an economic crunch, many brides are utilizing unconventional methods to fund their big day. No doubt you've heard about the "eBay Bride" - a hairdresser from Virginia Beach whose modest wedding budget prompted her to auction off a prime spot in her wedding - that of a bridesmaid. To be honest, never in a million years would I have believed it would work. It can be frustrating enough to shell out cash for the dress, shower, bachelorette party, and a wedding gift (not to mention putting up with a bride's "princess complex") when you're doing it for your best friend or your sister. But a total stranger? Not unless you pay me. My price? $500 for the weekend, and you agree to cover travel expenses and the cost of that Pepto-Bismol colored taffeta Tooth Fairy gown.

Clicking through eBay auctions, I usually find myself asking "Who on earth would buy that?" Well, for the eBay Bride, Kelly Gray, the answer was surprising. The Dr. Pepper/Snapple Corporation offered a victorious bid of $5,700. The winner increased their offer to $10,000 with another shocking announcement: despite winning the auction, the company still doesn't know who will actually walk down the aisle next April. Current ideas include a celebrity bridesmaid or launching their own contest to win the spot. Was it a good idea? I wouldn't have done it. Paying taxes on the money and dealing with the media circus just isn't worth it to me. I started thinking, though, about eBay as a wedding resource. In 2006, I purchased several new items for my own wedding through eBay with great success. Many vendors offer special "lot" or "batch" items (favors, invitations, decorations) at a much cheaper rate than you'd pay in their online store, simply as a means to keep their selling volume up. After all, making 50% of their usual retail profit is better than making 0%, which means great deals for economical brides who are willing to do some research and take a bit of a gamble...and sort through all the junk.

If you're planning a wedding and feeling creative, take some time to look through eBay's current wedding catalog. Be specific about what you're looking for (i.e. "pink ring bearer pillow" or "summer wedding favors"), and keep an open mind. Do they offer anything that even interests you? If so, can you get it more inexpensively through an auction or "Buy It Now" listing than the vendor's online store? Are you willing to take the chance that you won't win the auction? If you can't find it new, are you willing to buy it used? For many frugal brides, the answer is an overwhelming "YES!" Be sure to check the seller's rating & user history, ask clarifying questions, and calculate shipping costs before committing to bid. It's certainly not for everyone, but if you're feeling brave, give it a try! You might just save enough money to rent me as your MOH. Just kidding. Mostly.

Coupon Codes!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Hey, all! Since I've been on the subject of invitations lately, I thought I'd post these coupon codes for those of you the "stationery" stage of your planning. And, bridesmaids, the coupons also work for shower invitations, so be sure to take a peek around!

*At My Wedding Favors Enter coupon code SAVE10 to receive 10% on orders over $150.

Obviously, if you're in the "favor" stage of your planning, this is the perfect time to buy, but they also offer a few DIY designs like this Platinum Border Invitation Kit

*At Wedding Paper Divas, enter the coupon code "AFL2" at checkout and receive 5% off all orders, including their colorful line of wedding & bridal shower invitations. Click on one of the images below to visit their site.

*And though they don't offer invitations, Beau-Coup Wedding Favors will give you Free Shipping for orders over $125 (Code: FREESHIP). So now's not a bad time to do a little window shopping if you're in the market for wedding favors, bridal shower favors, or personalized gifts for your wedding party.

'Mamma Mia' In Theatres This Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:17:00 +0000

Ready for a new wedding flick? Me, too! I'm going to be honest, though. I was not super-pumped when I heard Hollywood was making a feature film out of the hit Broadway show Mama Mia! – not because I hated it, but because I am pretty much ambivalent about it and keep hoping against hope that they'll give Wicked a try one of these days. Music by disco royalty Abba: yikes. Story about a girl who decides she wants the father she's never met to walk her down the aisle: blah. The twist is that after reading her mother's diary, Sophie discovers that there are THREE candidates for the empty role of Father of the Bride, and her mom's not willing to dish. So, Sophie does what any girl would do and invites them all (unbeknownst to her mother) to her wedding in Greece (yes, that was sarcasm). Guess what? They all show. The next 24 hours are a musical, seaside adventure as Sophie and her mother, Donna, sing and dance their way to the truth about their family.

Until I saw the fairly impressive cast list, I had resolved merely to put Mama Mia! in my Netflix queue and hope The Husband didn't delete it. But it might be worth it to see Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, and Pierce Brosnan (Ouch! Really? Are they really going to let him sing?) on the big screen. In fact, I'm actually looking forward to Amanda Seyfried's performance as Sophie because she cracked me up as Karen in Mean Girls. And because I've never taken the many opportunities I've had to attend this show on Broadway or its National Tour – one has to wonder if I've been too harsh. After all, it's been seen by over 30 million people in 160 countries and 8 different languages. Why not give it a try? Take a well-deserved break from all that planning and hit the cinema with your bridesmaids. You might just find that perfect bit of inspiration you've been looking for!

When to DIY: Wedding Invitations

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Image courtesy of InviteSite.com

Do-It-Yourself wedding projects are more popular than ever. Couples are super-pumped to save money by not out-sourcing all their nuptial needs while having a truly personalized ceremony & reception from start to finish! Think you’d like to jump on the DIY bandwagon? Before committing to take on making your own wedding invitations, RSVP cards, thank-yous, programs, etc. you should ask yourself the following questions:

1. “Do I have the time?” Unless you’re well-versed in card making, graphic design, and crafting, chances are you have no idea how laborious this process can be. If your schedule is already packed, consider buying professionally printed wedding stationery – or have an independent design one-of-a-kind wedding collateral for you.

2. “Do I have the ability?” Be honest. If you’re great with shapes, colors, glue & scissors, then go for it! If you’re a little less left-brained, don’t be afraid to try a ready-made kit that is simple to assemble or seek the help of one of your more artistically gifted friends.

3. “Do I have the resources?” A lot of brides opt for DIY wedding invitations as a money-saving measure. If that’s your primary motivation, you should know that the extra time and effort may not be worth it in the end. If you’re not excited by the idea of making everything by hand, first shop the clearance sections at online boutiques or visit a locally owned print shop to see what they would charge to design and print the invitations for you. I found my dream invites in the clearance section of an online stationer, marked down just enough to fit my budget. When my father & stepmother got married, they took one of her original paintings to a small-town printer and had it replicated as their wedding invitation…for 20% of the cost of my clearance invitations. Being creative is half the fun – especially when it saves you money.

4. “Do I have the desire?” If you have no earthly clue how to make your own wedding invitations & even less inclination to actually do it, then, by all means – skip it! If you’re hoping to save money, there are many other DIY wedding ideas to help stretch your dollars. Likewise, if you know EXACTLY what you want and can’t find it (or are a perfectionist who doesn’t trust anyone but yourself!), then creating your own wedding invitations and other stationery is probably a necessary means of preserving your sanity.

If you (or a trusted friend!) can answer these questions in the affirmative, then you are certainly ready to start creating your own wedding invitations. If you don’t feel like taking on the entire wedding collateral, mix and match doing some pieces yourself while leaving some for the professionals. Whatever you decide, just be sure it’s what you really want – and don’t let anyone (even me!) talk you out of it. It’s your big day!

Planning Timeline: Invitations

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:04:00 +0000

You’ve got a list a mile long of all your wedding to-dos; in fact, you’re pretty sure there are 37 additional things you forgot to put on the list that MUST be completed in the next 6 months. So, where to start? After you’ve nailed down your ceremony & reception site and wedding date, you’re ready to getting moving on invitations!

Shop Around: Take a week or two to visit stationers in your area. Also, be sure to look online as many boutique designers, such as Wedding Invitations by Wedding Paper Divas have full-service websites. If you can’t quite decide between your top 3 choices, most paper companies offer to send samples so you can get the full effect – but keep in mind that it can take up to two weeks for some samples to arrive. Places like Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, Wal-Mart & Target have also begun to offer easy-to-personalize wedding collateral lines.

Place Your Order: Once you’ve found the perfect invites, don’t waste any time ordering (and try not to order any later than three months before your wedding date). Allow up to 6 weeks for delivery (most companies deliver in 2-4). It’s important to order wedding invitations as soon as you are able for this reason: mistakes happen. If you allow a “cushion”, you won’t have to freak out if your save-the-dates are a different color than your invitations or if they spelled “Catherine” with a “K” instead of a “C”. Note: If you do end up with a stationery snag, don’t be a brat when you call the company. Yes, this is your big day. Yes, you’re paying good money for their product. But the fact of the matter is that the 19-year-old receptionist had nothing to do with the misprint and you’ll catch more flies with honey.

Envelope Stuffing & Labeling: Unless you’ve been a bridesmaid in the past, you’ve probably never experienced the tedium of delicately cramming the invitation, RSVP card, direction card, registry card and that flimsy little sheet of tissue paper into the inner envelope - and then into the outer envelope…250 times. It’s not a bad idea to begin this process 8-10 weeks before you plan to mail the invitations. As busy as you’ll be balancing work, family, and wedding planning it’s wise to plan ahead and give yourself some extra time – or rope in your ‘maids, mom, and sisters for a night of assembly line fun (she with the best penmanship should be reserved for the actual addressing). Don’t forget the stamps! Your local post office offers special postage specifically for weddings, so be sure to ask for it! Note: Though food & drinks make any pre-wedding activity more fun, keep them as far from your assembly line as possible. That red wine stain won’t come out of 250 pearl and ivory invitations.

Mailing: You’re almost finished! Since we all know that the postal service delivers top-notch precision and accuracy when handling our mail, you would be wise to mail out-of-town guests’ invites 6 weeks before the wedding date. In-town guests can typically be mailed 4 weeks out – but I say, why make TWO trips to the post office? Just dump them all in your nearest blue box at the 6 week mark to be safe. That gives everyone a little more time to RSVP – which means fewer last minute calls to your caterer to up your dinner count.

For the Boys - The Groom's Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:00:00 +0000

The Groom’s Cake is a long-standing wedding tradition that has evolved quite a bit over the last 300 years. Its history is a bit sketchy (some say pieces were at one time sent home with all the single female guests, who would place their slice under their pillows and dream of their future husbands), but most agree that the groom’s cake was to be offered to guests as an alternative flavor to the traditionally white Bride’s Cake (commonly known today as the wedding cake). White cake and white frosting on the Bride’s Cake came to represent her purity – just like her white wedding gown. However, brides today do not feel bound entirely to white attire and certainly aren’t afraid of adding a splash of color to their wedding cakes. Likewise, the modern-day Groom’s Cake (originally quite plain in appearance so as not to upstage the “real” wedding cake) has evolved into another way for couples to uniquely express their personalities. A groom can choose his own cake, or the bride can choose his cake as a surprise to be eaten at either the rehearsal meal or the wedding reception.

A Groom’s Cake can reflect his hobbies, career, or personality – and many are just as elaborate as the “actual” wedding cake itself. Check out a few of these options offered by Cake Affairs. Owned by two sisters, Cake Affairs prides themselves on a fantastic attention to detail. These cakes definitely have the “Wow” Factor – more than once I found myself staring intently at the screen thinking “Seriously? That’s a cake?!” For more inspiration, visit their website to see their full gallery – and don’t forget to check out the fabulous selection of Bride’s Cakes as well!

Wedding Cake Alternatives

noreply@blogger.com (Wichita Wedding Blog) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:34:00 +0000

Image courtesy of iVillage

I'm not a fan of cake. I don't know why. By all accounts, I'm genetically predisposed to be a cake-lover. My mom and sister truly love no other food more than a beautifully decorated, 5-tier, white wedding cake. Ugh. As I child I would usually request ice cream cake, cheesecake or pies when my birthday rolled around, so I always knew I wouldn't serve a traditional wedding cake at my reception.

What I did not know was that my Prince Charming would love cake and be mortified at the very thought of ditching it for a tasty alternative. Our compromise? A 4-tiered cake offering a different flavor in each layer (amaretto, strawberry swirl, chocolate mousse, and tiramisu). So, yes, in the end I did end up with a (gorgeous!) cake at my reception. But it was fun and different - and guests loved having 3 options to choose from. Only 3, you ask? Yup! Hubby and I took the top tier (tiramisu) home and had it for dessert every night for the first week of our married life. I couldn't bring myself to freeze it and eat it a year later when I knew it would be so yummy NOW!

For you girls who are entertaining the idea of replacing that cake with something better suited to your tastes (or budget) - or for those just hoping to find something fun to serve alongside it, consider dishing up one of these delicious alternatives. They can be displayed on a reception table or served to guests individually:

- Flan (infuse with different flavors like orange or caramel)
- Creme brulee topped with fresh berries
- Chocolate Mousse
- Tiramisu
- Cheese cakes in multiple flavors
- Creme puffs
- Funnel cakes (perfect for casual outdoor receptions)
- Cupcakes (ok, they’re still cake…but they’re just so darn CUTE!)
- Giant, ornately decorated sugar cookies personalized with your names and/or wedding date
- Baklava
- Chocolate fountain
- Truffles
- Pies
- Build-Your-Own Ice Cream Sundaes

Can't bring yourself to pick just one? Set up a buffet table! Guests are sure to appreciate the variety and creativity. Plus, if you do some research, you'll spend less on a buffet than a big cake. Decorate the table with lavish flower arrangements and tiered serving trays to really make the presentation pop! Best of all, your big day will certainly standout from all the rest!