Cake Tops
Sometimes it seems a shame to crown a beautifully handcrafted wedding cake with a second-rate cake top. The standard choices (generic bride and groom figures, feathery doves, and plastic bells) are rarely nice enough. But there are ways to complete a wedding cake that make it truly yours.
Are your parents still happily married and wonderfully in love? Then why not adorn your wedding cake with a very special bride and groom — your parents!
First, you will need to know the dimensions of the top tier of your wedding cake. Then find a picture of your parents on their wedding day and place it in a frame that complements the color and design of your cake. Hand-painted china or porcelain frames are lovely, and you can often find something with your wedding colors in it. Another solution is a filigree frame of silver or gold. This particular style would allow you to wire tiny tea roses or any other variety of small fresh or dried flowers through the openwork of the frame.
If one of your parents has passed on, you may still wish to consider this idea as a loving tribute. Discuss the idea with your remaining parent for approval. As long as it won't seem too maudlin (or create a problem with a new spouse) it's a beautiful way in which to have that very special loved one with you on your wedding day.
Another "framework" idea is to obtain pictures of everyone in the bridal party that will fit or be cut down to fit those 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" heart-shaped frames. Then you can ring the layers of your wedding cake with the faces of those you love best.
Now if these ideas seem too sentimental, or just don't fit your particular taste or style, there is yet another avenue you can pursue. Adorn your cake top with a symbol of your courtship. Not sure what to do? Well, it does require some thought. But something will come to you.
For example: is your fiance a baseball fanatic? Was your first date at the home season opener? Is there a baseball player that your future husband idolizes to distraction? No problem!
Contact the sales office at your ballpark. (If they can't help you directly, they'll point you in the right direction.) Explain that you are getting married and that your future husband has been a fan of the team since he was in diapers. Now the real question is: If you offer to make a donation towards the team's favorite charity, will that special player autograph a baseball in bold marker with "Best Wishes to (bride and groom's names) on (date)"? Because you are making a donation, it is doubtful they would refuse. You can easily locate a stand for the baseball in any bric-a-brac store — perhaps an ornate filigree soap dish? And you can add that feminine touch by streaming ribbons to match your bridal colors from the base of your cake top down the sides of the cake.
Obviously such an idea won't work if your fiance is a football or soccer fan. And maybe a baseball just isn't your idea of romantic. But you get the general idea. Sit down with friends and discuss the history of your relationship with your husband-to-be. Somewhere along the way, someone will have a brainstorm.
Yet another option would be a treasured figurine, such as a Hummel or porcelain Victorian lovers. But with anything so valuable, I would suggest assigning a friend or family member to bring the piece to the reception hall on your wedding day, and take it back the minute you have finished your cake-cutting ceremony. If all else fails, hand-blown glass or silk or fresh flowers can beautifully enhance your wedding cake. Remember that fresh flowers should be free of insects and pesticides.
Just keep in mind, however, that whatever the design, your custom cake top has to fit the dimensions of the top tier of your cake.
Guest Table Centerpieces
Flowers don't have to be your only choice in adorning the reception guest tables. Given your time, your budget, and your talents, a world of ideas is open to you. Are you hopelessly wishing you could have candles, but your state or county has restrictions on open flame? Well, you could ask your facility representative about the policy regarding "floating candles." This involves your supplying large brandy snifters in which a colored oil is placed. This oil supports a clear plastic wick which stays lit because of the oil. You can typically find inexpensive snifters at outlet bargain stores. The wicks and oil can be purchased wherever crafts are sold, and often the oil can be found in a color to match or at least complement your bridal colors. You'll have to assign some volunteers to set these up for you at the reception site. And for safety's sake, do not fill the snifters too high with oil. You'll want to avoid fancy dress sleeves from coming into contact with the flame. But, despite the effort needed, floating candles do create a lovely effect for an evening reception.
If your wedding date falls close to the holidays, you might consider table centerpieces with a theme. Pumpkins can be carved in interesting bowl designs to support wildflowers or other autumnal displays. Just make sure that your wildflowers are insect free. And the possibilities at Christmas time are endless. Poinsettias are typically inexpensive and make lovely centerpieces. Ringing the base of the pot with pine boughs makes a nice effect. If candles encased in hurricane lamps are allowed at your facility, create a wreath around each one with holly, ivy, or pine boughs with velvet ribbons to match your bridal colors. Brandy snifters can be filled with colorful glass ornaments, resulting in a keepsake for each person at the table. You can also set up small Christmas trees, or baskets of arched pine branches that hold tiny dove and bell ornaments, symbolic of weddings. And to make your head table special, drape ivy across the front skirt of the table and attach big red velvet bows.
Whether it's Valentine's Day or not, think hearts. Fill brandy snifters with colorful candy hearts. Then encircle the snifters with ivy and attach heart-shaped ornaments to the twine so that each heart lies flat on the table facing a guest's chair. Once again, a loving keepsake your guests will always treasure.
This next idea is time consuming. But the rewards are worth the effort.
Take your guest list and group people as you would place them at guest tables. You will have friends from work, friends from college, relatives, neighbors, etc.
Now consider each "table group" separately and decide what it is that draws you all together. For example, your business friends — do you all work together, say in a secretarial pool? Then find a toy typewriter and attach balloons to the keys that match your bridal party colors. Did you and your college friends have a favorite hangout? Even if it's out of state, call that restaurant, pub, or whatever — explain that you're getting married etc. — and ask if they'll mail you a menu or something with the establishment's name on it. Then ask your reception facility if you can borrow a table display holder (the coiled chrome or clear plastic device that restaurants use to display wine lists and dessert specials). If they don't have one, they should be able to refer you to a restaurant supply store that does. Then, on your wedding day, your college buddies will have a grand time recalling the good ol' days. Make a painted cardboard copy of your street sign for the neighbor's table and attach balloons through small punch holes in the sign.
Family pictures are nice for the parents' tables. As mentioned in the "Cake Top" section, filigree frames can be enhanced with fresh or dried flowers. And porcelain frames can be found to match your bridal colors.
Are you worried that a room full of balloons, bells, and baseballs will seem rather chaotic? Don't be afraid of your wedding day being less than uniform. It's a festive day and the joy you will create by making your guests feel cherished and special will be remembered for years to come!
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