Your cake is the crowning glory that ties together all the design elements of your wedding. It’s the delectable finale to a life-changing event. And although wedding cake is a tradition, you don’t have to have a standard cake. 

Put together  a swatch board that includes the textures, materials, style and palette of your wedding, then sit down with a brilliant baker and ask them to whip up different flavors or work on a truly special color scheme and cake design.  Your dessert will look and taste amazing.

Music sets a mood, creates a memory, and renews a spirit like nothing else.  Whether you’re kicking things off with a string trio playing at valet parking, or having fifty violins at the cocktail hour, music creates energy and controls the flow of the celebration.

No matter what you choose, remember to balance the size of the musical group with the size of your reception facility.  For example, a live band is ideal for a grand ballroom, while your backyard calls for a smaller ensemble, such as a jazz quartet, a flute and keyboard duo, or the angelic sounds of a harpist.

What music do you have planned?

Sure you can serve wine and champagne at your reception, but why not go for something special like a signature drink?

A skilled bartender can craft a cocktail to serve before dinner, during the meal, or at your dance party. Consider a glamorous martini, a peach sangria or a mojito.  If you have more than one, perhaps each cocktail can be named after a bridesmaid or groomsman.

Speak to your venue staff beforehand about offering your signature drinks and be sure to have the costs agreed upon and the recipes in your tear sheet.

What signature drinks are you doing?

Serve up one of your favorite family recipes at the rehearsal dinner, during the cocktail hour or at your reception.  Whether it’s a satisfying eggplant made from your grandmother’s recipe, or it’s your dad’s renowned gazpacho, enjoy these dishes and the special people who inspired them.

It’s not uncommon for brides to select a dress from a favorite fashion designer or boutique rather than a bridal shop, or to order a one-of-a-kind custom gown to show off all her best features.  When creating a custom gown, keep in mind that women with fuller figures tend to appear more attractive in an A-line cut, while simpler styles are generally more becoming to petite women.

The shade of your gown should work with your skin tones; nowadays shades of off-whites and pastels are frequently offered in addition to the traditional white and ivory.  

When it comes to gown design, less is definitely more.  Use a professional to help you look your best; plus no one else will have the same design.  You’ll be the center of attention, just as a bride should be.

Make your celebration last longer than a day!

Invite family and friends to join your and your guy for a weekend full of activities.  Consider a BBQ, a ballgame outing or a trip to a local hot spot or museum.  Anything to keep the party going -

What are your weekend wedding plans?

Save-the-date cards are messages with a brief request asking your out-of-town friends and family to mark your wedding on their calendars.  This way, these special people can plan their vacation time, take advantage of good airfares and whatever else needs to be done to make a major trek cross-country or to your destination wedding.

With such cards, you can be as creative or as simple as you like.  For example, one bride, whose wedding took place in Mexico, sent a card with the pertinent details inside a sealed, see-through plastic bag, along with sand and a seashell.  This clever touch was in keeping with the theme of her wedding.

Another idea would be to have save-the-date magnets made, so that prospective guests will be reminded of the upcoming nuptials on a regular basis.  Include the standard who, what, where and when and the earlier you can send them, the better.

Do you have any creative ideas for Save-the-Date cards or magnets?

Remember the fun of squeezing into a photo booth with your friends and taking all kinds of goofy pictures?  Relive the hilarious fun at your wedding with the ultimate in retro ice breakers.  Part favor, part entertainment, a photo booth lets your guests in on the excitement… You can have a guest book made out of the photo booth photos – sure beats the disposable cameras on the table, and your guests get to take home some shots from a special day.

Are you  in favor of photo booths?

Your reception calls for distinctive details that will be lovingly etched into your memory – fragrant flowers, fabulous food and of course, excellent entertainment. 

Finding that entertainment requires early and careful planning.  Start by determining how much you can spend.  Because entertainment is vital to your event’s success, professionals agree this is one area where you should not scrimp.

While musicians and DJ’s are the longstanding favorites, a growing number of couples are choosing to kick off their party with a “warm-up act”, a 15-20 minute performance headlining a stand-up comic, a specially-created number that has personal significance, or a song with lyrics written especially for the bride and groom.  Anything is possible, as long as it’s well planned and in good taste.  Enjoy!

Are you planning a “warm-up act”?

If a man owns a mutt, he is typically happy-go-lucky and will make a good mate, says Wendy Diamond, author of “How To Understand Men Through Their Dogs.”

 ”They are not concerned about pedigree,” she said. “They are very secure with (themselves) and love children.”

 In her book, “What A Lucky Dog,” Diamond provides personality characteristics about men who have various types of dogs. She also gives insight on not-so-good behavior — and a new trick a woman may want to teach the owner.

 If you are looking for marriage material, consider the Doberman pinscher, collie, Chinese crested, beagle or rottweiler man, she says.

 Aside from dog owners that would make a potential long-term mate, Diamond gives snippets of useful information, such as noting that a guy with a bichon frise is “great with children” and is the type of man who will dress up as a clown on birthdays or as Santa at Christmas.

 Intrigue and mystery will get the attention of a man with a German shepherd, she says.

 The book also says the Akita man is known for being “overprotective of those he loves” and is perfect for the woman who would enjoy being a geisha girl.

 While each breed has distinguishing characteristics related to marriage, family and personality quirks, women looking to get married may want to steer clear of the poodle man, who is cultured and gets married later in life, Diamond said.

 A woman seeking an immensely affectionate man may also want to stay away from the Pomeranian man.