Wedding cake

Most of the time we will just use the dummy cake which is provided by restaurant or hotel during wedding reception. If you have budget, you can have your own wedding cake to match with your theme by ordering from cake house. There are a few things you need to be prepared before you go to cake house: 1. Date of your wedding

• If your wedding fall into hot season, you may need to book up at least 3 months in advance. Plan early, no last minutes! Discuss with the wedding cake designer on the color, the design, the material, the flavor and so on. Tell them your design theme; match the wedding cake with your theme.

2. How many servings

• This is very important information for cake house. They need to know how many guests you are inviting and how many servings do you need in your cake. Some couples will expect to serve all of their guests while some expect to have smaller cake for cake cutting session only (or even for decoration only). Tell your cake designer, they will give you advise on how big you cake will be. The most important thing is you don't want to run of cake during your big day.

3. When does it needs to be delivered

• Most shops will require at least 2 hours for setting up the wedding cake for you.

4. Where do you want to deliver

• Cake will need to know where to deliver so that they can estimate the time to deliver. Most of the cake required proper storage in order to prevent it runs out of the shape or even melt before reach to the restaurant or hotel. Therefore, if the cake house is far from the wedding reception venue, they will need to do proper storage. If possible, try to find the cake house which is near to the wedding reception venue as sometimes traffic jam that may cause the wedding cake to be arrived too late. Some of the cake house charge extra if the reception area is far from the area limit.

5. What kind of cake do you want

• What flavor would you like? Cakes can be traditional in design to really contemporary. Ask for the photos of their work during visiting to their shops. Taste their cake during visit. Nowadays. more and more people love to have cupcakes as their wedding cake. It can be distributed to guests easily. Depends on what you like and discuss with the cake house.

6. What design you like

• Lastly, you need to tell your cake designer the color or theme you have for your wedding. Let them know if you prefer fresh flower or any decorations that you like.

Wedding cupcakes

Wedding cake

Wedding Lingerie

Strapless Gowns The bustier is the most popular choice for strapless gowns. While some brides think that strapless gowns call for strapless bras, the boning and construction of bustiers will provide you with better support, even for brides with larger cup sizes can trust bustiers to keep them properly in place. Another bonus of the bustier is the snug fit around your stomach and waist which ensures that you'll have a smooth line under your gown.

Sheaths While many types of lingerie will work with a standard sheath, if your gown is made of delicate fabrics such as organdy, chiffon or silk must be careful. The beautiful boning, lace and ribbon found on many bustiers and bras can poke through, creating ugly bumps under your dress. Rather try a seamless bodysuit, preferably in a thong style. Make sure to select a microfibre for the smoothest possible silhouette.

Sleeveless Gowns Provided the straps are wide enough and back is high enough, almost any kind of lingerie can be worn with a sleeveless gown. Choose the body-slimming feel of a boned bustier, or the support of a traditional bra. However, lace or appliqué detail on your bustier may show through thinner fabrics, so if your gown is made of organdy or silk chiffon, then rather look for a seamless style in microfibre.

Backless Gowns The best answer for a backless gown is often an adhesive bra. Look for one built with underwire for extra support, and make sure you choose a style with large adhesive tapes. Remember to apply your adhesive strips to clean, dry skin, preferably swabbed with rubbing alcohol to remove any body oils or residual lotion. Brides with larger cup sizes should consider using two tapes per breast.

Wedding Gown Fabric

Chameuse A popular, lightweight fabric for wedding dresses that is soft and drapes beautifully. It is very smooth, has a semi-lustrous satin face and a dull back. It is typically made of either silk or polyester.

Chiffon A plain woven sheer fabric with a soft drape. Not just for bridal gowns, chiffon also appears in evening dresses and scarves. Chiffon can be made from silk, polyester, or rayon. Chiffon might pose some problems for a novice sewer. Cutting silk chiffon may also prove difficult.

Crepe Back Satin A reversible satin fabric that has been a mainstay for wedding dresses. Consider using both sides of the fabric for a dyed-to-match look. Binding the neckline or hemline of bridal gowns with the crepe side is very effective.

Georgette A sheer lightweight fabric, often made of silk or polyester. It is slightly heavier and more opaque than chiffon. The twisted crepe fibers from which georgette is made gives it a springy quality that makes it seem to move on its own. This quality makes georgette somewhat more difficult to sew the results are well worth the effort.

Peau de Soie A medium to heavy, drapeable fabric with a satin weave and de-lustered finish. This is a traditional fabric for wedding dresses that is also used for bridesmaids gowns, mothers-of-the-bride dresses and elegant cocktail suits. The dull luster is more flattering to most body shapes and sizes than high luster satins. Polyester de-lustered satin is more forgiving than silk satins.

Organza A crisp, sheer, lightweight plain weave fabric made of silk, rayon, nylon, or polyester. In silk, the stiffness comes from the natural gum that remains on the fibers after processing. In man made fibers, the stiffness is engineered. In bridal gowns with an overskirt, organza is a beautiful choice, having just enough body to stand out yet still move nicely. In bridal gowns that have large puffy sleeves, an interlining of organza will hold the shape without adding bulk. It is also used as an interfacing where sheerness is a factor.

Tulle A lightweight, extremely fine, machine-made netting, usually with a hexagon shaped mesh effect. End-uses include dance costumes and bridal veils. Tulle is typically made of nylon or lace.

(Article from http://wedding-guide.org/weddinggown-fabric.asp)

Wedding Gown Sleeves

T-Shirt Sleeves The sleeves look like those on your T-shirt. This would probably suit brides who wish to cover their arms, but don't want to wear long sleeves, so if you are self conscious about baring your upper arms - T-Shirt sleeves are for you! Cap Sleeves Similar to the T-shirt sleeve,but shorter and often more rounded. If you have slender or well-toned upper arms, then this is for you. Off-The-Shoulder Sleeves These sleeves cover the upper part of the arms while leaving the tops of the shoulders and cleavage exposed. This particular style often suits a full range of upper body shape - both big and small. 3/4-Length sleeves This styles sleeves end midway between the elbow and the wrist, and gives a more classic, ladylike look. Spaghetti Straps This style is reserved for those who are genetically blessed, or spend lots of time in the gym, and can be very sexy!

(Article from http://www.wedding-guide.org/necksleeve.asp)

Wedding Gown Necklines

Off-The-Sholder This is just like the name implies, the neckline sits below the shoulders, and showcases a woman's collarbone and shoulders. Sleeves that cover part of the upper arm. Although this style may better suit medium or full chested women, it will suit just about any figure, unless you have broad shoulders or fuller arms.

One shoulder neckline (off-the-shoulder) Portrait This is quite similar to the off-the-shoulder style, but it usually has a bit more fabric. The portrait neckline is usually characterized by a wide, soft scoop from the tip of one shoulder to the tip of the other. This would easily suit brides who have prominent collarbones and fuller arms. Sweetheart The sweetheart neckline is shaped like the top half of a heart. The sweetheart is often done with an overlay of sheer material that rises higher than the heart shape, giving the torso a longer line and also making the neck look longer. This style is possibly better suited to women who have fuller chests. Halter Neck The halter usually features straps which wrap around the back of the neck. The halter neck usually looks better on women who have broad shoulders and women who are tall. if you have narrow shoulders - then steer clear of this one! V-Neck The neckline dips down in the front, and on occasions the back as well, in a V-shape. This design usually de emphasizes the bust, and so would better suit brides who have B or C cups, and it would not flatter the larger, or even flat chested bride at all. Sabrins or Bateau This shape gently follows the curve of the collarbone, almost to the tip of the shoulders, and is best suited for the flat chested bride. Scoop The scoop is a U-shaped neckline, and is universally flattering, and so is good for just about anyone, big or small. Jewel This is also known as the T-shirt neckline, simply because it is very similar to an actual T-shirt. The jewel neckline is round and sits at the base of the throat. It would better suite small chested brides, as it may make you look bustier. This also means that it wont suit large breasted brides, as it would make your bust look even bigger. Strapless The strapless neckline is generally a popular choice for brides who have a large bust, and brides who have nice shoulders and collarbones.

(Article from http://www.wedding-guide.org/necksleeve.asp and photos from http://www.priscillaofboston.com/)

Wedding gowns - what are the INs and OUTs in 2009?

IN: - Color: Pure white, off white and ivory still will be brides’ favorite color. Golden will be new trend for year 2009. Besides, a white wedding gown with golden embroidery or a light color gown with white floral embroidery will be a new trend this year.

Photography by Milton Gil Photographers at www.miltongil.com

- Neckline: One shoulder neckline. One bare shoulder style is daring and sexy buy delicate and simple all in one. This dress can be very simple yet elegant. - Light color (light pink, light purple etc) floral embroidery on ivory or gold dresses. It can bring up feminine style. - Gowns with bling. A simple dress with crystal, glass beads or sparkling pearls can make the bride stand up. - Two-tone wedding gowns are the hottest trends in 2009. Two-tone dresses usually have two contrasting but subtle colors, such as ivory and white, cream with blush and ivory with champagne color. Besides, adding a contrasting sash to a clean silhouette with the accessories that match sash’s color also can up two-tone style.

- Simple but elegant is the trend nowadays. No more can can or ball gowns. If you like layered-dress, you may think to have something like this.

Vera Wang's design

OUT: - Can can or ball gowns - Gowns in dark or striking color - Gowns with large floral or exaggerate decorations Some of the comments said that the fashion of wedding gowns is changing slowly from year to year. You can only see obvious change from decade to decade. Anyhow, a beautiful dress for a bride means a unique and suit to the character of the bride’s dress. The dress will make a bride confident and comfortable while wearing it!

Tips on shopping wedding gowns

• Budget Before go for wedding gown shopping, you must know what is your budget in buying or renting wedding gown. Remember to include the cost of shoes, lingerie and jewelry during calculating your budget. Sometimes alterations require cost as well. Some of the shops charge service fees for trying on dress. Be ask before go. Include all the hidden cost will provide you a clearer picture on how much you will need to spend.
• Shop early After you decide the wedding date, you may need to allow 4 to 6 months for made to measure a wedding gown. If you decide to rent or buy off the rack gowns, you will need at least 2 to 4 weeks for the bridal shop to alter the gowns to fit to you. Besides, you will need to have sufficient time to shop so that you have best range of choices.
• Do make appointment before visit Most of the bridal shops recommend bride-to-be to make appointment to avoid disappointment.
• Shop around Survey at least 2 – 3 bridal shops and shop around. Compare the dresses, the services, price and quality of the dresses of the bridal shops. Do spend plenty of time in surveying and shopping around; you will have more options to consider.
• Bring one or two trusted friends Shopping dresses with one or two trusted friends or relatives who understand your character and your style. Remember, at the end, you are the one to decide which dress you like the most.
• Open your mind If possible, try up all different kinds of dresses then only decide which shape and style suit to you the most. If salesperson brings you something for you to try up, let’s try even if you think it looks not so nice on the hanger. They have more experiences in helping brides to choose the dress, listen to their opinion.
• 3 Don’ts No makeup or little makeup during trying gowns. It can ruin a gown if color smear. Moreover, you can more accurately match the dress with your skin tone. No hairspray or perfume. No shoes during trying except measure the length of the dress for alter purpose. Most of the bridal shop will ask you to remove your shoes and stand on a platform during trying.
• Fitting Focus on the fit – if the dress fit well, you will feel comfortable with every movement. It is normal that wedding dresses do not fit to your body shape and needs to be altered to achieve perfect fit for your unique contours. Be realistic about the size. Understand that most of the brides are going to have diet and exercise before wedding; however, try to buy wedding gown at your largest measurement. Remember, to alter from big to small will be easier than to change small size to bigger size. Sometimes even impossible due to lack of fabrics! Anyhow, try to avoid changing body too significantly after buying the dress and of course – avoid getting pregnant until after the wedding!
• Undercover It is recommended you choose the undergarment which closes to your skin color. Nude bra is the best choice, suggested by many bridal shops. Before visiting bridal shop, you can buy and wear it during trying to ensure the accurate measurement. Besides, buying undergarments like nude bra from bridal shop will be much more expensive than outside market.
• Try only the dress that within your budget During visiting bridal shop, try on the dress that within your budget. It is not recommended to try up the dresses which are higher than your budget just for fun. It may end up either break your budget or break your heart.
• Choose the right dress Judge the dress but not the label. The right dress will make everyone thinks ‘What a pretty bride’ and ‘What a beautiful dress’ comes later. Don’t let the dress over-shine you. You’re wearing the dress but not the dress wearing you!
• Enjoy your choice Trust your instincts. If you think it is the one, then it is. Once you have decided, stop looking for other dresses. Have faith in your own judgment. Be confident, you will look gorgeous!

The Wedding Hub is having one day sales!

For those soon-to-be brides and grooms, the Wedding Hub Bridal Bargains is coming soon! One day sales on Sunday, 8 February 2009 from 11am – 4pm. Location at The Wedding Hub. That Special Occasion, Pretty in White, Wicked Wax and Memories Décor are offering special discount for wedding gowns and evening gowns.

Custom Made Wedding Favor - Chocolate Wrapper

During my wedding dinner, I have designed my own wedding favor for our guests. It is very meaningful to us and our guests as well. Below is the photo that taken by our photographer Edwin Tan. If anyone who wishes to have their custom made wedding favor for chocolate wrapper (we also can provide chocolate), please contact me.