Everything evolves and just like wedding themselves, wedding cake of the 21st century represent some new and fresh ideas.

Personalization – a definite trend in wedding cakes

21st Century brides and grooms want the wedding cake to be as individual as they are.

There used to be a time when brides chose a cake from the catalog the baker gave them, or brought a picture from a magazine. Today brides as well as grooms, realize how special they are and do not want a replica of a pictured cake. Aware that the wedding cake is the centerpiece of their reception, they want to have their cake individually designed to their own personal style and taste, both taste in design and taste in flavor. So they put on their thinking caps and are coming in with their own ideas, usually coordinating their cake design, the frosting design, the decorations and the cake topper, with the wedding color scheme, wedding theme, bridal attire, flowers, wedding accessories, reception hall decor, and if they have children, the family.
Having provide the bakers with details to adhere to, they expect the result to be a totally unique and PERSONALIZED cake.

The Shape

Gone are the over-embellished cakes. Today brides and grooms want to express themselves with wedding cakes to look luxurious, classy and elegant, coordinate well with the wedding motifs and taste scrumptiously good.

Though round tiers are still the favorite, tiers shaped as square, octagon, and hexagon are gaining popularity, as do tiers of different shapes stacked together. For example, round tiers on square or hexagon tiers. Once assemble the shape(s) and color(s) chosen should produce a simple yet luxurious, classy and elegant look.

The Structure

The trend in cake structure offer a few choices all leave plenty of room for personalization and creativity.

A 21st Century traditional wedding cake is usually assembled of 3 to 5 tiers stacked upon each other without a separation such as the once popular Greek columns. A variation is a wedding cake ensemble that displays each layer individually rather than stacked. connected by a motif.

A relatively new comer is the drum. This is a popular technique that brides and groom appreciate. Basically, bakers add a layer looking Styrofoam insert that adds height and volume to the cake without the expense of a cake layer. The inserts provide a perfect place to tuck in charms for the charm pull, flowers or cake jewelry should the couple want to utilize it in this manner.

An ever-growing number of marrying couples are choosing alternatives to the traditional wedding cake save one tier for the bride and groom to slice and feed each other and for wedding photos.

With the costs of weddings in general and the rise in wedding cakes relating fees, a few new trends have become quite popular. Brides and grooms, especially if they have to stay within a specified budget are looking for ways to save money.
So, what used to be a creative alternative by some became a trend.

The trend concentrates on options that eliminate the cutting and serving fees usually charged by caterers.

Other benefits that were realized, are that they can also shave off the centerpiece expense and serve as dessert.

Following are two options that are favored.

An individual single layer wedding cake for each table to makes a spectacular and edible centerpiece. For additional fun, guests are invited to cut and serve the guests seated at their table.

A cupcake wedding cake actually, cupcake tower as a wedding cake is a well-liked trend. Most couples top their cupcake tower with a cake tier for the bride and groom. Quite a few brides and grooms we interviewed, planned to place a mini cup cake tower on each table as a dessert and centerpiece in one.

We even came across brides and grooms who chose Golden donuts because donuts look like wedding bands.There are a few reasons the single layer centerpiece. the cupcake or mini-cupcakes and even the donuts wedding cakes to some extent, are becoming very popular.

They are real money savers.

They do not require special skills and can be home-baked way ahead of time and frozen.

They can be lavishly decorated and makes a wonderful edible centerpiece to be enjoyed by all.

They can have different flavors, various delicious fillings, different though coordinating colors and fancy decorations.

Busy brides and grooms can order their cupcakes or single layer cakes in a supermarket bakery, or shopping clubs such as Costco and Sams Club where they are very reasonably priced.

They eliminate all slicing and serving costs.

They allow, actually invite creativity.

A common denominator we encountered was couples who utilized different icing colors and – or themes for their centerpiece cakes to distinguish the different tables. matching the place settings and place cards.

Whether sophisticated, whimsical or anywhere in between, Cupcake and mini cake centerpieces are unique and gaining popularity fast.

The Icing on the Cake

Though butter cream, and cream cheese frostings are still in demand, the current trend in cake frosting is flavor and color enriched Rolled fondant or the less expensive faux-fondant with its smooth and elegant porcelain look that encourages creativity. Cake bakers can match wedding colors, motifs, duplicate intricate details and create silhouettes and scrollwork to complement wedding themes.

The Flavors

When I got married, the weding cake was either vanilla, chocolate or a marble of the two. Today there are tens of flavors for the bride and groom to choose from. Many tend to choose a different flavor for each tier, cake, or a certain number of cupcakes to represent their individual favorite cake flavors. Some add different filling for each cake flavor as well as frostings of different flavors.

The Decorations

Personalization is paramount. Brides and grooms use their freedom of expression throughout the wedding and the cake is no exception. The latest trend is to surround the center layer with a ribbon personalized with the bride and groom’s first names and wedding date. Though the cake is consumed, the ribbon becomes a wedding keepsake.

Wedding theme and seasons are dominant throughout the wedding and the cake as well.

Cutout silhouettes may accent the wedding theme upon the wedding cake. Flowers, marzipan fruit , candy pearls, curving scrollwork, and family initials are also very popular cake decorations and so is incorporating two or more shades of the same color within the frosting.

The Wedding Cake Companions – recent trend.

Two 21st trends one a historical custom renewed and the other brand new are the Grooms cake and the Children Family wedding cake.

The Groom Cake is a concept that was unfamiliar, when I got married 42 years ago but was familiar earlier in history. It has made a comeback and is occupying center stage. placed on the same table with the wedding cake is a single-layer rectangle Groom Cake. Many brides like to choose his favorite flavor and color and have the decorations represent his unique personality, hobbies and interests.

Another cake that has recently been added to the cake table is the Children Family wedding cake. This is a rather new concept that evolved quite recently, as more and more Blending Family Weddings that celebrating the kids, began to take place.

Celebrating their becoming a family, many couples use a Family Cake topper.

We have come across a few variations of the cake.

A Single-layer rectangle, Frosted and decorated with the kids various, hobbies and interests, topped with a Family Cake Topper currently available with a bride a groom and a boy, a bride a groom and a girl or a silhouette style a bride a groom and two children.

A cupcake tower is very popular with the kids too. Each layer of cupcakes can be devoted to a single child.

The Cake Tops

Wedding Cake Trends: Unique Cake Top

The cake tops is the crown of the wedding cake. It is a keepsake that should also make the wedding cake a conversation piece.

Personalization is the current trend. Cake toppers are often chosen because they either reflect the lifestyle or hobbies the bride and groom share together, coordinate with the wedding theme, emphasize the wedding flowers or display their initials.

One of the hottest cake top trends is individual initials or a monogram created with stunning Cake Jewelry, another is a couple resembling the bride and groom.

Flowers and ribbon cake tops have never died out and though they are not a trend, they are quite popular.

For family weddings, family cake tops that represent a bride, a groom and children are in very high demand.

TIP:

Set and adhere to your wedding cake budget.

Visit with at least 3 wedding cake chefs, leaving room for negotiations.

Check out their portfolios and taste samples of their cakes.

Be sure to get everything in a written contract that does not leave room for price changes.

Even if you are on a strict budget, your less inexpensive cake should taste just as good as an expensive one because it is not the taste but the size and decorations that are costly.

For an article dedicated to 21st Century Wedding Trends in general CLICK HERE

Whether you are a trendsetter or follow the current trends, I hope you gained some insight from this article.

Copyrights © 2007 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser, A-wedding Day and Gan Publishing

Nily Glaser, the CEO of A-wedding Day at:http://www.a-weddingday.com She writes important articles, and has presented workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA.
To read more of her articles CLICK HERE Her web site is very popular for its discount wedding gifts, bridal accessories, print your own invitations, favors and the very unique items offered including the exclusive line of wedding Accessories By Nily.

Ask any engaged couple what they want their wedding to reflect and you can expect an almost unanimous answer. Today brides and grooms want their wedding to be very personalized and reflect who they are and what makes them special. So, what makes a wedding personalized? or What is a personalized wedding?

What was once the norm, is no longer. Gone are the days when all you chose were your wedding attendants, invitations and attire. When you hired a hall you expected them to provide the caterer, the decorations, the musicians, the cake and the flowers. This is how weddings were planned when I got married. Today, brides and grooms want and get involved in every aspect and plan both ceremony and reception.

A 21st century wedding includes many elements that when put together create the feel and the atmosphere and make it special and personalized. Whether they plan a most formal evening event or a whimsical afternoon wedding party, brides and grooms planning a wedding today give it their personal touch. You did notice that I said brides and grooms. The newest and most welcomed development is that today wedding planning is not merely the responsibility of the bride and her family. Today, most grooms actively participate in planning the wedding with their brides and are making creative choices as well. The majority, loves it!

They pay special attention to assure that rather than helter skelter, everything in their wedding, from its color scheme to the wedding theme and everything in between, will coordinate well giving the wedding an aura of wholeness.
The possibilities for personalization are endless.

Many 21st century brides and grooms choose their wedding date to correspond with someting personal to them. Whether it is connected with a first date, engagement, a birthday, a specific season, a holiday, a numerical sequence like 777 (July 7, 2007) or 888 (August 8, 2008) or even The day their parents or grandparent got married, the date chosen often has a special meanning.
They choose their wedding color scheme and follow with coordinating as many aspects of the wedding with it. When you attend a current wedding, look around. Is there a color that runs throughout? most probably.

Nostalgia has its place too. Thus the old tradition of – Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and… a Lucky Sixpence in her Shoe! is adhered to by most brides. It is emphasized because as part of who they are, it is becoming quite common for brides and grooms to get sentimental and either copy or use the actual wedding gown, cake top and other wedding related family heirlooms their grandparents or parents used at their weddings. Brides often carry family hankies and wear ancestral jewelry -Something old. Most such items are on loan so by using then returning it, the bride has fulfilled the – Something borrowed as well. Every bride purchases wedding accessories for her wedding – Something New. The something blue has traditionally been a blue garter however as part of the personalization, bride may choose a blue flower, a blue ribbon, a blue piece of jewelry even a blue hankie with a blue decoration. Though no longer in circulation, the Sixpence coin is available for purchase.

Attire

Wedding attire choices have become less traditional and more of personal preference. According to bridal salon owners, the current trend for brides calls for sleek and relatively simple gown or dress style. Favored are both plain yet elegant gowns or dresses and gowns or dresses adorned with crystal, pearls and lace. Silk flowers are entering the scene as gown adornments too.

The major contributors to pulling away from the fairy tale gown or dress styles, in favor of elegant simplicity as being the preferred choice for brides, can be contributed to:

• Today’s working, price conscious brides who want to adhere to a budget, do not want to sacrifice style or beauty, but want a lot of value for their money.
• The growing popularity of destination weddings.

Brides appreciate that these elegant yet simple styles can safely be transported and look fresh and clean upon arrival at the wedding destinations.

The trend for men has also become more casual, offering a choice of a dark suit, or dark pants with a white dinner jacket instead of a tuxedo.

Theme wedding allow even more freedom of choice. For example:

• Western attire is quite common in western theme weddings.
• Victorian attire in Victorian theme weddings,
• Renaissance garb in Renaissance theme wedding
• Casual wear and sandal in Beach weddings, and so on.

Jewelry

Today’s brides preferred to keep their and their bridesmaids jewelry to a minimum, choosing Swarovski crystal, classic pearls clusters and pearl strands necklaces, with matching earrings.
Replicas of celebrity tiaras, as well as tiaras studded with crystal and – or pearls are most popular. Many brides choose jewelry as their gifts to the ladies at the wedding party. Some give jewelry that coordinates with their attire. However, it seems that the trend starts shifting and in the mode of personalization and making each one special, brides prefer to give jewelry with the birth stone of the recipient. Bracelets are very popular.

Theme Weddings

Currently, more and more couples are planning theme weddings that express their interests and uniqueness.

Theme weddings, whether they are based on heritage, religion, tradition, historical events, hobbies and interests, destination or simply something both favor ,are very popular. Most brides and grooms find it fun to use their creativity planning a theme wedding as central point of both ceremony and reception.

Just like the color scheme, the wedding theme is evident everywhere. attire, invitation, flowers, entertainment, favors and even the linens and food, The decoration, the wedding accessories, the wedding cake or alternatives with their theme cake toppers, the table centerpieces and even the wedding favors speak of the wedding theme chosen by the bride and groom. are coordinated to carry out a chosen theme. The most popular in the order of popularity are initials and monograms, the date especially if it is of consecutive numbers as mentioned above, personal heritage, seasons, flowers and butterflies, life style and holidays.

Family weddings center around the children and becoming a blending family. Thus, parents planning a blending family wedding, assure that their children will be a well represented part of the wedding theme. When age and ability appropriate, the bride and groom include the children in the wedding planning, with special participation in the ceremony, and inviting friends as well.

Accessories for Theme Weddings

Whether dictated by the couple’s interests, background or location, the bride and groom like to have their photo album, guest book, unity candles, pen set, flower basket, ring pillow, bridal purse – money bag, garter, cake top, centerpieces, flutes and cake servers as well as their and decorations present their theme. In fact, the trend is to have as many accessories actually match as a set or a collection, rather than just complement.

Where to buy wedding accessories and Choices

There are many options to purchasing wedding needs, from attire to accessories. The most obvious and traditional being bridal salons. Yet, according to couples we interviewed, shopping on the Internet is definitely the most profound wedding trend of the 21st Century. Most went googling to find exactly what they want, often finding unique items they did not know were available. The general consensus was that they do not know how they would have planned or pulled their wedding together, without the Internet. Brides and grooms, as well as those looking for wedding gifts and bridal accessories for them, use it and find it easy, convenient and safe. Quite a few interviewees said that they actually count on the Internet because they are just too busy. Brides and grooms actually enjoy getting together, sitting in front of the screen, to read articles to get ideas and choose what they want.

Once decided, they found that purchasing on line not only saves them money, gasoline, travel, running from store to store, standing in lines and aggravation but their orders are delivered directly to their homes or work. The majority said that they love it! especially since the Internet offers high security shopping carts, that can be checked before any purchase is made. The trend by most shoppers is to check and comparison-shop online first even if they intend to buy in a brick and mortar store. The Internet also introduces items available only on-line.

Some items are so unique they can be purchased only on a specific web site.

It is interesting to mention that we have experienced a surge in gift givers buying wedding items, including complete accessory collections, to be shipped with a gift card to a bride.

Whether you are a trendsetter or follow the current trends, I hope you gained some insight from this article.

For information about Wedding Cake Trends in the 21st century CLICK HERE

Copyrights © 2007 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser, of A-wedding Day at: http://www.a-weddingday.com” and Gan Publishing

Nily Glaser, the CEO of A-wedding Day. She writes important articles, and has presented workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA.
To read more of her articles CLICK HERE Her web site is very popular for its discount wedding gifts, bridal accessories, print your own invitations, favors and the very unique items offered including the exclusive line of wedding Accessories By Nily.

Why Brides and Grooms who had Friday Weddings Loved it.

We were intrigued by the growth in popularity of Friday Evening and Friday Night Weddings. So, we set out to interview Friday brides and grooms and learn from their experiences.

Less Stress

Most all agreed that they were less stressed than if they had a weekend wedding. In summerizing their answers, they did not arrive at their own wedding tired because as a rule, a Friday wedding is an evening event.
Therefore, preparations such as hair and beauty, picture taking etc…do not have to start early in the morning.

So, even though it was their wedding day, neither the bride nor the groom needed to rush or panic.

They actually could sleep in and be at their best, rested and relaxed. Well, almost all admitted to being eager, at least a little nervous and very excited.

Wedding discounts and special deals

riday brides and grooms were quick to point out that they saved a substantial amount of money without sacrificing or compromising having their dream wedding.

Though Friday weddings begin to occupy more and more calendars, the shared experience of Friday couples indicates that wedding vendors and professionals are in less demand than on weekends. Therefore, many offer discount. This is something you may wish to consider especially if you are planning a wedding on a budget

If vendors and service providers do not outright offer, they are more willing to negotiate their prices and – or add benefits to attract more brides and grooms and generate business on their otherwise slow day.

Having interviewed both bridal couples and vendors, we discovered that they agreed that in many instances the savings realized by choosing Friday instead of a weekend are greater than 25 percent.

One bride told us that while calling around town and visiting places to have her wedding ceremony and reception, she was amazed to discover that in her region, Saturday evening weddings can run almost twice the cost of a Friday evening wedding.

With the cost of weddings today, this is quite a large sum.

A few couples who actually compared their Friday evening ceremony and following reception, with recent weekend weddings they attended, agreed that their vendors and service providers seemed less hurried, more flexible and more relaxed.
Some of the couples we interviewed received special incentives in addition to the discounts.

Following are some incentives that were either offered or
negotiated.

Additional time at no additional cost. For example pay for 2 hours of service get 3.

A free wedding album, a free video, a free CD, 25 copies of the wedding CD (to give to your family close friends and the wedding attendants) at no charge.

Pay for the flower arrangements and bridesmaids bouquets and the bride gets her bouquet at no charge.

Free desert table from the caterer

Free baked goods from the wedding cake baker

Can you see why the majority of Friday brides and grooms recommend it?

Choices and Availability

In addition to discounts, Fridays give you more choices!

Brides and grooms who wanted to hire specific vendors, only to find out that they were booked, sometimes as early as a year or two before a weekend weddings, had no problem securing their services for a Friday wedding.

Friday brides and grooms were quick to point out that they saved a substantial amount of money without sacrificing or compromising having their dream wedding.

Though Friday weddings begin to occupy more and more calendars, the shared experience of Friday couples indicates that wedding vendors and professionals are in less demand than on weekends. Therefore, many offer discount. This is something you may wish to consider especially if you are planning a wedding on a budget

If vendors and service providers do not outright offer, they are more willing to negotiate their prices and – or add benefits to attract more brides and grooms and generate business on their otherwise slow day.

Having interviewed both bridal couples and vendors, we discovered that they agreed that in many instances the savings realized by choosing Friday instead of a weekend are greater than 25 percent.

One bride told us that while calling around town and visiting places to have her wedding ceremony and reception, she was amazed to discover that in her region, Saturday evening weddings can run almost twice the cost of a Friday evening wedding.

With the cost of weddings today, this is quite a large sum.

A few couples who actually compared their Friday evening ceremony and following reception, with recent weekend weddings they attended, agreed that their vendors and service providers seemed less hurried, more flexible and more relaxed.

Some of the couples we interviewed received special incentives in addition to the discounts. They were outright overjoyed to find out that not only did they have the vendor of their choice for their wedding. but they saved money and got extra benefits too.

Guests

One of the concerns that brides and grooms express is about whether a Friday night wedding will cause their wedding guests inconvenience.

The answers we received when posing this question to couples who had Friday wedding, touched on different points. But the consensus was that actually most guests loved the idea of having to leave work a little early, or better yet have an excuse to take a day off.

They also appreciated being able to end their workweek with a celebration, relax, have an extra drink stay as late as they wish, knowing that if they feel groggy next morning, there is Sunday for things that need to get done!

A Friday wedding did not pose a problem to local guests. Generally, employers had no problem allowing employees a few hours or even a full day off on the last day of the workweek.

We were also told that those coming from afar are usually close friends and family.

Whether for a Friday night or a weekend wedding most prefer to use the occasion and plan a mini-vacation.

To save money, they usually choose to fly in on Tuesdays or Wednesdays when flight fares are lower on most airlines.

So, they arrive early enough and attending a Friday evening wedding gives them time to spend with family and friends and enjoy each other, yet if necessary, fly home on Sunday and be back at work on Monday morning.

A few couples told us that it felt great to be able to book, pay for a block of rooms and host out-of-town guest for a complete weekend, and still save a bundle over weekend wedding costs.

Note that if you plan a Friday night wedding you ought to send a save the date notice just as soon as you secured your wedding date and location.

Follow with invitations at least 2 or 3 months before the wedding, so those who need to make special arrangement like time off from work, plan their trip, book a flight, etc… have enough time to do so.

Destination Weddings

Friday weddings are perfect for destination weddings.

One couple we interviewed told us that their guests could not thank them enough for scheduling the wedding on Friday allowing everyone the weekend to tour, shop, participate in local activities and have fun, before returning home.

Honeymoon

Some brides and grooms we interviewed, liked having the two weekend days to visit with their out of town guests and close friends and family before leaving for their honeymoon.

Others were grateful to begin their honeymoon on Saturday rather than Sunday, citing that they got better flight rates, because they were able to stay over a Saturday night.

Special Friday in 2008

All said, there is one Friday date that if you consider it, needs to be booked right away
The open slots are filling quickly for the one special date that is already sought after. If you consider the date of 888 or August 8, 2008 book early because before long vendors will catch on, jack their prices (You know – Supply and demand) and Friday weddings on this day will become as expensive as weekend weddings.

Nily Glaser, the CEO of a-weddingday.com She writes important articles, and has presented workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA.
To read more of her articles CLICK HERE Her web site is very popular for its discount wedding gifts, bridal accessories, print your own invitations, favors and the very unique items offered including the exclusive line of wedding Accessories By Nily.