preserving top wedding cake tier

How To Wrap Up Your Cake Tier

Instruct catering staff to take off the top tier of the wedding cake and box it for transport. Appoint a "cake captain" (one of your family members or friends) to take it home. Once it's home, that person should do the following:
1. Remove the sugar flowers and set them aside.
2. Chill the cake well before wrapping it up so that the icing hardens. This way it won't stick to the plastic wrap and make a mess.
3. Wrap the (unadorned) cake in several layers of plastic wrap -- not aluminum foil, which can cause freezer burn.
4. Seal the wrapped cake in an air-tight bag and place it in the freezer.
5. Snag a ribbon (from your bouquet, the centerpieces, your hair, a gift) and tie it around the cake package to mark it so that you don't mistake it for anything else.

Know Your Cake's Shelf Life

Some cakes freeze better than others. The more delicate the cake ingredients, the drier your cake will become in the freezer. Cakes with a longer shelf life: Chocolate, hazelnut, almond, and carrot cake. Cakes that may not last as long in the freezer: white cake, cake with fresh fruit, and cakes with whipped cream fillings.

Consider Ordering A Copycat Cake

If you have a cake that won't hold up in the freezer, do as many couples do and order a fresh cake tier in the same flavor as your original wedding cake for your one-year anniversary. Even if you have a heartier cake, Sylvia Weinstock, of Sylvia Weinstock Cakes in New York, recommends storing cakes for no longer than two months, and forgoing the first-anniversary tradition. Like anything else, after a year in the freezer, any cake will be a bit stale. If you do decide to save your cake for the full year, focus on the nostalgia, not the flavor.

reposted from theknot http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/how-to-freeze-a-wedding-cake-tier.aspx

ways to beat wedding insanity

Let's not beat around the bush: planning a wedding is work. With all those decisions and responsibilities, it's easy to see how some brides and grooms get completely consumed in the minutiae. So how do stressed-out, site-seeing, menu-sampling couples get their eyes back on the ball? By taking a breather from the planning process. Get ready to clear your schedules and forget about picking the favors-the following list of eight stress-breaking activities will help you remove yourselves from nuptial hassles and restore your sanity.

1. Declare a wedding-free weekend.

For a full 48-hour period, pretend you're the two people you were before you got engaged (and, in the meantime, remind yourselves of why you wanted to get married to each other in the first place). No wedding planning or fighting allowed! No talk of hors d'oeuvres, seating charts, or first dance songs. Hang out, laugh, have fun, and flirt with each other for a change.

2. Have a night out with the girls (or boys).

With all the "togetherness" of being a future bride and groom, remind yourselves you're individuals too. Book a night out with your respective same-sex posse (again, no wedding talk). Hit the town like a swinging single and stay out past midnight. Take advantage of the fact that your future spouse isn't around to do something with your friends he or she doesn't like to do -- we're talking chick flick, batting cages, steak dinner, manicures. Then entertain each other the next day with tales of your exploits.

3. Go on a fancy date.

Chances are, for the past few months you've been scrimping and saving every extra nickel to supplement The Budget. If you've done well, reward yourselves for your miserly skills by spending a little of that cold hard cash. Book a table at the fanciest restaurant in town and go for the full monty: fine wine, appetizer, entree, dessert, and after-dinner drinks. Afterward, stop in a local jazz club and catch a torch singer belting out inspiring tunes de l'amour.

4. Take a drive.

Reserve a weekend afternoon and head for the open road. Check out that little place a couple of towns over that you always mean to visit. Test each other's map-reading skills. Play road games like, Who Can Spot the Most Out-of-State License Plates? Sing along to cheesy songs on the radio. Buy a souvenir at a highway truck stop. Stumble upon a romantic restaurant for lunch or dinner before heading home.

5. Mastermind a movie marathon.

There's nothing like a good movie to transport you from reality to fantasy. Take the phone off the hook, rent a whole slew of films, and spend an evening in, snacking on popcorn and Sno-Caps. The trick here is to stay away from wedding-theme fare -- sorry, this includes Father of the Bride -- while keeping the romance theme going with a steamy story like The Lover. Or opt for the comic relief of a Jim Carrey or Eddie Murphy flick -- laughter, after all, is still the best stress reliever.

6. Get in some game play.

Sometimes a little healthy competition serves to make you closer, right? Challenge your mate to a night of games: Pictionary, Scrabble, backgammon, even good old cards. If you own a Sony PlayStation 2, take the high-tech road to fun. Rather venture out? Head for the nearest bowling alley -- or look into go-carts, ice-skating, and tennis tournaments for other fun and sporty activities to enjoy a deux.

7. Revert to childhood.

There's nothing like a good amusement park to get you feeling like a kid again. Wake up extra early to avoid long lines, then get your fill of roller coasters, log flumes, and Ferris wheels. Challenge your future mate to a bumper car race. Fill up on cotton candy, funnel cake, and waffle cones. Take an old-fashioned photo. Then spend an hour or so trying to win a supersize stuffed animal to take home as a memento of the day.

8. Engage in an eat-a-thon.

If you both love to cook, compose a special theme menu for a romantic at-home date. Go shopping together and pick the freshest produce around (maybe there's a farmer's market near you) -- and remember to include some aphrodisiac ingredients! Nab a bouquet and some candles to pretty up your table while you're at it. Once at home, take time to really enjoy the meal prep process. Line up all your ingredients on the countertop and open a bottle of wine. And take lots of liberties when it comes to recipes -- nothing's better than creating signature dishes together.

-- The Knot

reposted from http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/8-easy-ways-to-prevent-wedding-stress.aspx

Ring Shopping 101

In the market for an engagement ring or wedding bands? Check out this Q&A with ring pro Paula Sands of Allurez for expert advice on ring shopping.
How can a “ring giver” get an idea of the type and style the recipient would like without directly asking?
Chances are if the “ring giver” really listens to his girlfriend, she’s already given him some hints. Did she comment on a friend’s engagement ring? Mention what she liked about it? That’s important information that could lead him to her dream ring.
Another way to get an idea of the type and style ring she might like is to start looking at ads in magazines, and see which ones she gravitates to.  Or, go onto a website where you can design your own engagement ring and look at styles that might be similar to other rings she owns and wears.
Perhaps the easiest way is to use what you love best about her personality.  If she has a simple personality, she will probably enjoy a traditional solitaire ring. And if you’re girl is flashy, you might want to look at halo settings or side stone accents for that little added bling.

What information should a ring buyer know before starting to shop for a ring?

I would certainly suggest learning the 4c’s of diamonds…cut, clarity, color and carat before you do anything else. Knowing the size and shape of the center stone of an engagement ring is a good place to start. Of course, before ordering a ring you will need to know her ring size and have a clear budget in mind.
Why should a ring buyer create something custom rather than a ring that’s pre-designed?
For the most part we all strive to be unique. And, when something as personal as a ring is being given, imagine how much more special it will be with your own personalized design choices. At Allurez we have a number of ways you can personalize a ring, starting with choosing your own center stone. Then you select a setting style, choose the color metal, add side stones, diamond accents – the options of making her ring unique are endless.
What are the steps to creating a custom engagement ring?
Creating your own custom engagement ring can be quite easy. First choose either a setting or a diamond, then select the metal you prefer, choose the ring size, add a personal engraving and you’re done.
How far in advance of the target proposal date should one start shopping for an engagement ring? How far in advance of the wedding should wedding bands be purchased?
Time does have a way of slipping by. The more time you give yourself to choose a ring the better. Finding the right engagement ring can take some time, so do yourself a favor…start sooner rather than later! I can’t give you an exact number of days or months to start shopping, it’s different for everyone.
As far as wedding bands go, in many cases the woman’s band will be chosen at the same time the engagement ring is selected, especially if it is part of a matching bridal set. If you choose matching bride and groom wedding bands, or simple style bands, they usually can be sized quickly and delivered within a few weeks. Again, give yourself time; you’ll have way too many more important things to deal with once the wedding gets close.
What should be selected first – the diamond or the setting?
What you select first, the diamond or the setting will have a lot to do with the individuals’ situation. Obviously some men have an heirloom stone so there’s no need to choose a diamond at all. Others prefer to find the setting first and then decide on the stone according to the setting’s diamond specifications regarding shape and carat size.
What are some trends in engagement rings these days?
The biggest engagement ring trend is more like a mantra…anything goes. Some choose colored diamonds, gemstone side stones, two tone gold, twisted bands, cushion cuts set high in prongs. By far I would have to say the hottest styles are halo settings and traditional solitaires with artistic band features.
What about wedding bands? What are some trends for men and women’s bands?
The biggest news here is actually in men’s wedding bands. Of course etched or plain bands with milgrain edging are still popular. But, now there are bands with different gemstones or diamonds, religious bands and bands that match the woman’s wedding band.
For women the choice of wedding bands is virtually endless. There are curved diamond eternity bands, or simple etched bands, half eternities with colored diamonds or gemstones, two tone gold bands….if you can dream it, you can find it.
If a man has never worn jewelry, how can he figure out the type of ring he’d like to wear?
The most important thing about choosing the right engagement or wedding ring is to find one that’s comfortable to wear and works with the wearer’s lifestyle. Men who don’t usually wear jewelry will probably prefer bands with simple, uncomplicated designs, nothing too flashy or bulky.
There are those whoever who want the only ring they ever wear to be a bit more “amped up” with carved and braided bands, fancy gemstones, diamonds, or a combination of both. We’re seeing a lot more men wearing cultural bands, handmade looks and other more unusual men’s wedding rings.
What about women’s wedding bands? What are some tips on shopping for those? Does the ring need to match/fit with the engagement ring or can it be completely different?
Unless a specific bridal set is chosen, where a band has been specifically designed to mimic the design of the engagement ring, the wedding band will not be an exact match. It’s always best to choose the engagement ring that reflects the personality of the bride to be. When choosing a band, the setting of the engagement ring needs to be considered. How high does the ring sit? Is the band too thin or small to be seen with the ring?  Will the bride be wearing her band alone? If that’s the case, the wedding band may need to be more elaborate than if it were being worn with the engagement ring.
There are no rules, no wrongs or rights. When it comes to wedding bands, as well as engagement rings, it’s the chance of a lifetime to choose the style she’ll look forward to showing the world every day for the rest of her life.

reposted from Wedding Wire http://blog.weddingwire.com/index.php/weddings/ring-shopping-101/