We’ve seen it all. The weird, the wacky, the gorgeous and glamorous. Some people prefer subtle and understated, but not these brides. They go all out or nothing. Call it what you will, here are the some very over-the-top wedding cakes.
I heart you
We guess this is one way to portray romance.
Mine is bigger than yours
Bigger is better, right?
Fairytale wedding
We hope they lived happily ever after.
Head over heels
Which way is up (and how does it stay together)?
Crystal towers
It’s all about the bling.
You light up my life
We’re not saying it’s a bad thing, but this reminds us of a night light in a child’s bedroom.
Plenty of fish in the sea
Is the cake served with sushi?
Nobody likes uninvited guests at their wedding. But what if it’s a Beluga whale? One couple was delighted when the friendly sea creature swam up to them during their aquarium wedding in Connecticut, US.
The couple obviously love the ocean and its inhabitants, and we agree, they are beautiful. Standing beneath a dome of blue water and coral fish, this was already the perfect setting. Then one more attendant swam over to be included in the festivities.
They had a whale of a time!
Belugas are naturally curious like most sea mammals, and are known to have a friendly nature. And apparently, they’re really good photobombers! The internet is having a party with the picture, captioning cute comments like: ‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something Beluga!’
You’ve heard of miniature brides, but this one is pretty paw-some. Although it’s generally considered disrespectful to wear white to a wedding, this bride made a special exception for her cute little pup.
They say that dogs are man’s best friend, so why not include them in your wedding? That’s the exact thought New York-based bride Jennifer Hindieh, now Najman, and her then-fiancé Alexander Najman had. Their family of three was made when they adopted their adorable pit bull Bailey, who has since been there for every important moment in their lives.
“She’s pretty much my little partner in crime, my best friend, like our kid. She completely changed our lives from the day we adopted her,” Jennifer told I Love Dogs. “We love giving her the best life she can have and wouldn’t feel right not having her be a part of our wedding.”
So when wedding planning came around, they decided that Bailey should match her mom in a wedding dress of her own. Bailey’s custom made wedding dress was ordered from Etsy, and featured a ruffle skirt with diamante applique.
“I decided to get her a dress because honestly, she is my family, my baby and our life with her is what makes every day so special,” Jennifer told The Dodo.
Bailey looked absolutely adorable as she walked down the aisle alongside her mom. We’re sure the wedding was a barking good time.
If you’re getting married in paradise, why not have your wedding decor reflect it? Tropical wedding decor is a great way to bring the island to your wedding, even if you’re not there. Incorporating natural elements and lots of colour gives your wedding a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for the laid-back couple.
Writing wedding vows can be a daunting task. It can be overwhelming to attempt to sum up all the things that you want to say to your partner. The vows, which at the end of it only add up to a few minutes of talking, are a summary of the love you have for your partner, the promises you are making to them, and the hopes and dreams you have for your future together.
What makes this more difficult for many, is that it has to be done not only in front of your partner but also in front of all your guests.
We’ve compiled a list of tips to ensure that you’re writing the best wedding vows you can.
Things to say in your vows
– First, mention your own name and your partner’s name. There are probably many people in the audience staring at you; this could take away some of the intimacy of your vows. Emphasise the intimacy by adding something like, “I, Harry, take you, Sally.”
– Second, add some anecdotes and personal stories. The guests will enjoy listening to this, and your partner will enjoy the trip down memory lane.
– Third, make sure you’re saying meaningful things. Cute and funny stories will only get you so far. Say things that also show how serious you are about this commitment.
– This final one should be a no-brainer, but we know that the stress of vow writing can cause some forgetfulness so we’ll mention it just incase. Always say “I love you”.
Writing tips
– Do not, we repeat, do NOT write them at the last minute.
– Read through some samples of vows before you start writing. This may help you to work out what your tone should be and could give you some inspiration.
– Actually write your vows down. “I will remember them”, never works out.
– Cut out clichés and things that might embarrass your partner.
– Make sure your vows are not too long. Your audience may get fidgety.
– Get somebody to proofread it. An outside opinion always ensures improvements.
-Preparation tips
– Practice your vows. Say them out loud. Say them in the mirror. You’ll be nervous on the big day and the practice will ensure you’re familiar with what you want to say.
– Carry a written or typed copy of your vows with you. If you do end up stumbling on your words, this will be a great help.
– With all of these tips in mind, remember to also get creative and take into account the finer details and context of your relationship like Jimmy Gisondi, who wrote a set of vows not only for his bride, Kelsea, but also for his new step-daughter, Olivia.
In his separate vows to Olivia, he said “I promise to never treat you [like] anything less than my own child”. This thoughtful additional set of vows brought the crowd to tears.
Last but not least, don’t forget to add your personality. Your partner-to-be loves you for who you are, so staying true to yourself will make the vows unforgettable for them.
The quirky bride deserves a wedding to match. A whimsical wedding theme is perfect for the less-than-traditional couple. If you love bold colours, fairytale charm and a healthy dose of unexpected creativity then this style is for you.
Get inspired with these fun yet fancy designs that will bring out your inner child.
If the wedding invitation states ‘cocktail attire’ as the dress code, it means you are expected to wear sophisticated clothing that is neither too formal nor too casual. This means that you can play with the colours and accessories you choose to wear. Oftentimes, it can be tricky to figure out what to wear. Don’t worry we’ve got you covered.
Men
Stick to wearing a dark suit with either a white or colour shirt, or a suit jacket and slacks. You can accessorise with a fun tie or pocket square in bold colours or patterns.
Anything between a knee-length dress to just shorter than an evening dress is appropriate. You can also wear a jumpsuit, dressy suit or a nice blouse with dress pants or a skirt.
Bohemian or ‘boho’ weddings are perfect for the alternative couple who wants a relaxed and laid-back look and feel for their big day. This theme manages to bring mismatched items together in a chic way.
Think earthy elements, texture and a wide, rich colour palette.
Hotel weddings are popular venues for a reason. Hotels are generally beautifully decorated and have the facilities to cater for weddings. It is essentially a one-stop shop, making it one of the most convenient venues to choose from. Of course, as with any wedding venue, there are some limitations.
Take a look at the pros and cons of this venue type to see if it would work for you:
The location
The beauty of this venue is that you can have both your ceremony and reception in one place. Hotel venues are usually already pretty and elegant and so you will not have to do much decorating.
However, if you would like to decorate, you might be limited in terms of what you are allowed to do in the space. You will also have to accept the fact that this venue means that your wedding will have a standard ballroom look and you might not be able to have much personalisation.
If you do decide to have your wedding in a hotel, they will most likely book rooms for the bridal party and groomsmen to get ready in. Guests that have travelled for the wedding will be able to stay in the hotel and won’t have to worry about transport to and from the venue, plus, the hotel might even give a group booking rate.
Hotels will have plenty of parking space, bathrooms and the ability to house a lot of people with ease. There will be built-in sound systems for all audio requirements. The staff are experienced in dealing with lots of people at large events which will keep things running smoothly. You won’t have to rent any furniture or cutlery or crockery as they will have more than enough for your event.
But then again, this leaves little room to personalise your wedding. if you want your wedding to be unique, you might feel constrained by the limited options of this kind of venue.
While the convenience of hotel weddings is appealing, it also means that you might be limited by hotel rules. Since the venue is in a working hotel, your wedding might have a time limit as the noise might bother other guests. You could potentially have to use the hotel bar for drinks and their catering service instead of being able to choose your own.
Another negative is that hotel weddings are generally quite expensive. Even if the hotel offers wedding packages, these might limit you even further in choosing your own photographer or videographer as you might have to use the ones that come with the package.
While you might save on rental costs with a hotel wedding, the venue alone could be quite costly. You also run the risk of being bound by vendors approved by the hotel. at the end of the day, however, it will probably save you a lot of time and stress when you’re planning the wedding if your heart isn’t already set on specific vendors.
You’ve been invited to a wedding and the dress code says ‘smart casual’, so what can you wear? If this is the dress code then you can assume that the wedding will be relatively informal.
Keep your outfit laid-back but add a touch of elegance, it is a wedding after all! Dress smart but don’t go overly dressy.
Men
Wear a blazer with a button-down shirt and smart suit pants or chinos. Jacket and tie are optional. Shoe wise, wear loafers, brogues or boat shoes.
Wear a stylish mini dress or skirt or smart trousers with a blouse. You can add a tailored blazer if you’re up for it. Stick to sandals, wedges or low heels.
