5 Ideas For Creative and Unusual Wedding Cakes

By Cori Russell

As the centerpiece of your reception, wedding cakes are a bride's opportunity to make a major style statement. But many brides don't particularly like the taste of wedding cake, and some simply prefer to serve something a little more distinctive for the dessert course. Looking for something different? Browse our ideas for a refreshing spin on the traditional wedding cake.

1. Break the Mold

Cupcakes and doughnuts are trendy alternatives to traditional wedding cakes, but good ol' Jell-O might be the most creative new option. When molded into cake form with a touch of class and ingredients like tropical fruit, champagne, and lychee nut, the family picnic favorite can be transformed into an elegant and refreshingly light treat perfect for a summer or outdoor wedding. Plus, it's bound to be an instant conversation starter. Love the idea? Present it to your caterer to recreate it.

2. Wedding Cakes Made of Cheese

Scattered plates with barely nibbled pieces of wedding cake are an all-too-familiar sight at receptions. If you want to serve a dessert your guests will actually eat, consider a wedding "cake" made of cheese. No, not the rich, loaded with sugar variety with graham cracker crust - literally a cake made of cheese stacked in tiers and decorated to look like a wedding cake. Adornments like foliage, grapes, berries, nuts, and flowers transform a creamy lancashire or unpasteurized cheddar into an elaborate wedding cake that can match your decor scheme.

The trend is taking off in Europe where cheese for dessert is prevalent. In its infancy in the United States, this is a chance for you to be truly on the cusp. Guests with a savory soft spot and those last holdovers from the Atkins revolution will be only too happy to forego the buttercream frosting and rolled fondant.

3. Blinged out Baked Goods

When it comes to wedding day bling, bejeweled brides have some competition. Now your cake can don jewelry too! That's right, the latest adornments to hit wedding cakes are hand-made Swarovski Crystal Cake Jewelry. Design a sparkilicious cake bedecked with crystal monograms, hearts, flowers or butterflies. Order a cake from your local bakery, then use the customizing tools available at Verydifferentcakes.com to design dazzling cake jewelry for it.


4. Flavorful Fountains

Chocolate fountains in lieu of wedding cakes have been done. So put a new spin on the chocolate fountain with a colorful, flowing display of fruit coulis, which is that powerfully tangy syrup made from raspberries, mangoes, or other fruits and often comes drizzled over something like a flourless chocolate cake. In its fountain form, dip brownies, shortbread, and other cakes and cookies for a sweet, fruity treat.

5. Cake Fake Out

If you like the look of iced tiers, but want something truly surprising, have rich, velvety gourmet cheesecakes stacked and decorated like a traditional wedding cake. Your guests will be none the wiser until it is time to slice up.


Need more cake ideas check out  Martha Stewart's Wedding Cakes

For more great wedding advice please visit out sister sites

Merry Brides Twitters, Merry Brides Tumbles, Jabot Jewelry

Father/Daughter Dance Song Ideas

Here are some non-cheesy songs you may want to consider for your dance with dad.

• "Father & Daughter" by Paul Simon
• "Daddy" by Beyoncé
• "The Best Day" by Taylor Swift
• "Daddy" by Kendall Payne
• "What a Wonderful World" by Eva Cassidy
• "Someone to Watch Over Me" by Amy Winehouse
• "Daughters" by John Mayer
• "Just the Way You Are" by Maggie Gyllenhaal
• "Daughter" by Loudon Wainwright III
• "Modern Girl" by Sleater-Kinney
• "I Loved Her First" by Hearland
• "All-American Girl" by Carrie Underwood
• "Gracie" by Ben Folds
• "How You've Grown" by 10,000 Maniacs

For more great wedding advice follow us on Merry Brides Twitters

How to Emboss Elegant Wedding Invitations/Stationery

Do you want to make your ceremony programs more unique? Would you like to make all of your thank you notes? Are you having a small budgeted wedding and would like to make your wedding invitations, but still have them look elegant and expensive?


Embossing is a great way to do any of the above. What embossing does is use colors, stamps, and patterns to raise the surface of your invitations, programs, or thank you notes, making them look more professional.

Here is what you will need:


Embossing Heat Tool (approx. $35 at craft store).
Embossing Powder in theme colors (aprrox. $5/bottle)
Embossing Ink Pad (approx. $5)
Stamps ($5.00-$10.00 per stamp)

 The stamp is the image that you are going to emboss onto your paper, so choose one or two that you feel fit in with the theme of your wedding or weddings in general. For example, I have a friend who used 2 hearts entwined on her invitations, program, and thank you notes. I have another friend who used a tulip design on her program alone. Both were very elegant and impressive.


The embossing powder will go a long way, so try to stick to one or two colors. Especially, if you want to keep your costs down and stick to your budget, don't choose too many colors or too many stamps.


The largest expense, of course, is the embossing heat tool. But, if you are planning on getting into scrapbooking, or embossing in the future, I think this cost will be worth it. (And, Michelle has written me to let me know that you can also use an iron. Just hold the iron close to the powder and it will melt. But, be very careful! Irons are a lot more bulky and difficult to maneuver - and can get quite hot!)


So, how to emboss? It is so easy! Just stamp the ink pad, then the paper. Then, sprinkle some powder onto the stamped area. Make sure to tap off extra powder (You can save the powder by tapping it into the middle of a folded piece of paper to be funneled back into the container) Next, using the heat tool, apply heat to the stamped area for a few seconds until you see the powder melt into your stamped image. Voila! You have embossed!


You can continue doing this with different colors or stamps. It is a lot of fun, so easy, and extremely cost-effective when you compare to buying your wedding invitations, thank you notes, or ceremony programs from a printer for a small wedding.


As always, have fun with it, be creative, and experiment with how you want it to look! And, good luck to you in all your plans!

**Recommended Product Spotlight**

 Cute Intial and Heart; heart embosser at MyJean M.com

Fun Wedding Ceremony Program idea

I just saw this super clever ceremony program idea. The couple's wedding ceremony was held in a lovely grassy clearing and as guests arrived, they enjoyed sodas and fresh-baked cookies. The best part: The treats were served in a paper bags printed with the ceremony details—genius! I browsed around online and found similar treat bags available in bulk from Paper Mart; configure your inkjet printer and try printing them from home.


For more great advice follow us on For more great advice please follow us on Merry Brides Twitters

Interfaith Marriage - How to Plan an Interfaith Wedding Ceremony

By Cori Locklin 

Let’s face it – the world just isn’t as big as it used to be. As a testament to the earth’s seemingly shrinking waistline, more and more young men and women are finding true love outside their faith – and making it work. Yet no matter how progressive you and your families may be, the peaceful merging of two religions can prove an ambitious undertaking. Take a deep breath, remind yourself that love is the end goal, and get ready to celebrate a marriage made in heaven, er, make that two heavens.

Interfaith wedding ceremonies pose a few planning challenges. Here is some advice to get you started:

Do Some Soul Searching - If you’ve been neglecting your spiritual side, it’s time to get reacquainted. Assess your beliefs and the role you see them playing in your life. How important to you is it that your wedding ceremony reflects your religious background? How willing are you to compromise for your fiancé’s beliefs or family? Know your personal stance on faith and religion, so you can speak candidly with your fiancé and your families and make decisions accordingly.

Talk it Over - After you’ve come to terms with your own spirituality, you and your fiancé need to have an honest discussion about religion. Although you should have broached the topic at some point during your relationship, now a wedding ceremony and marriage loom, adding a sense of urgency. During your internal reflection, you may have discovered your own views altering a bit, and he may feel the same. Discuss together your values, and identify what traditions are most meaningful for each of you to incorporate into your wedding ceremony and marriage.

Invite the Families - Combining two sets of traditions while keeping the peace with both families can be tricky. Invite both sides to listen to your ideas and contribute their expectations for your wedding day. You’d be surprised how an honest group discussion can bring about solutions once deemed elusive. As the happy couple, you and your fiancé should be prepared to discuss openly your choices, but you should also be receptive to their viewpoints. Be honest, open and supportive, and make sure that your ceremony plans are agreeable (or at least livable) for everyone.

Get the Right Officiant(s) - While many officiants do not perform interfaith weddings – or only do so with restrictions – just as many specialize in interfaith wedding ceremonies. If either of you has a relationship with the clergy at your respective place of worship, consult with that him or her first. Even if your clergy is unable to perform the service, he or she should be able to evaluate your situation with an open mind and make suggestions and recommendations. Many religious and interfaith organizations maintain lists of clergy who will officiate at interfaith ceremonies. You will also find a valuable resource in your local newspaper’s wedding announcements. Search for the names of officiants who have conducted interfaith ceremonies.

Get Counseled - Counseling sessions, often recommended before a wedding regardless of the couple’s religion, offer a good opportunity for a bride and groom to not only learn about the other's faith, but also to consider ways to merge traditions or celebrations during the ceremony. Since religion won’t disappear after your wedding day, counseling sessions also offer insight to other situations that may arise in your marriage, including raising children.

Plan a Fusion Ceremony - Consult your officiant(s) and families for advice in designing a ceremony that incorporates both faiths and cultures. Determine which customs are personally significant, and select rituals and readings together. Continue this blending of cultures into the reception, and design a menu of personalized fusion cuisine – think egg rolls with a side of Spanakopita.

Reassure the Family - As your wedding plans unfold, remember to pause from time to time and check in with your families, especially if the news of an interfaith wedding was an initial shock for either side. Continue to keep them involved and informed throughout the planning process. Spend quality time together, and if logistics allow, plan some group get-togethers.

Reassure Yourselves - Along those lines – don’t forget to reassure each other along the way, as uncertainty can creep in with potential roadblocks and planning challenges. Don’t stress that you’re losing your religion, because your not. Remember to always keep the focus on the marriage of two people in love, and rejoice that you now have two great traditions from which to draw your spiritual inspiration. Delight in a spiritually rich life and future to come! 

RECOMMENDED READINGS 

Your Interfaith Wedding: A Guide to Blending Faiths, Cultures, and Personal Values into One Beautiful Wedding Ceremony

Joining Hands and Hearts: Interfaith, Intercultural Wedding Celebrations--A Practical Guide for Couples

For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit Elegala.com, your ultimate wedding planning resource. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Locklin

WEDDING BANDS: FOR THE GROOM

Guys play tough, and their rings should too. Eighteen-karat gold, platinum (this one wins nine times out of 10) and titanium (if there ever was an indestructible metal, this is it!) are all durable metals that won't wimp out on him. Of course, if your man works construction, for example, common sense suggests he leave his ring at home.

Comfort is key

A wedding ring may be the only piece of jewelry some men wear, so the less obtrusive it is, the less he'll fuss over it. Ergonomic bands with rounded edges and surfaces are the most comfortable and agreeable styles.

Back to basics

When choosing a wedding ring, many guys go the safe route. This is why the single band is still the most popular style. (A matte finish is too—just beware: It shows scratches more easily and prominently than its shiny counterparts.) Men tend to stretch their style muscle by adding a small diamond—or, depending on the design, several—or by exploring different metal textures and finishes.

The bigger the better?

If trends are any indication, then yes! More and more men are opting for wider bands. Just keep in mind that size does matter: The ring should be proportionate to his body size—for example, a brawnier man would better carry off a wide band than would a guy with a lanky build.

Diamonds in the rough

Bedazzled bands are quickly becoming a guy's best friend—and there's nothing sissified about them. Diamonds that lie flush in the band (as in., channel or gypsy designs) are the most fashionable and the most securely set. And we're not just talking about white diamonds: Black and dark sapphire diamonds are a hot trend, offering a look that's still masculine and suitable for everyday wear.

Textured touch

Special metal treatments give simple bands stylish flair. Hammered metal is an increasingly sought-after look, and embellishments like filigree and etched or engraved patterns—even graphic motives (think Celtic, zodiac or sports—are another way to dress up a band and showcase individual style.

Trendy titanium

This tough guy is quickly catching the eye of many a groom-to-be—and surprisingly it's the metal's "cool" factor (think power tools and Lamborghini rims) that's most responsible for its appeal. Its extreme durability is just a bonus. Titanium's matte finish is also attractive to men who are unaccustomed to wearing jewelry.

Made to match

Complementary his-and-hers wedding rings are a sweet tradition many couples embrace. While the widths may vary, the bands often share the same metal and finish.

What's his style?

Is he a suit-and-tie office guy? Or does he spend much of his time in the great outdoors or playing sports? If it's the latter, then a ring decked with diamonds is probably too dressy a look for his jeans-and-tees wardrobe.

Get him involved

He'll be the one wearing this ring, so encourage him to speak up about his likes and dislikes when it's time to shop. It's in everyone's best interest for the ring to reflect his tastes—after all, you want to see it on his finger!

Get with the band

Unlike width, which can overwhelm a smaller hand, there's really no right or wrong ring shape. He'll want to try on several styles to determine which one is most comfortable. Here are some basic shapes, named after the cross-section view of the bands.

* Round: curved on the inside and outside

* D-shaped: curved on the outside and flat on the inside

* Flat: flat on the inside and outside

* Court-shaped: softly round on the outside and fully round on the inside

* Easy-fit: flat on the outside and round on the inside

Recommended Wedding Band Sites

World Of Jewels Wedding Bands 

Allurez.com  Great Discounts on Wedding Bands

* Please visit us on Merry Brides Twitter for more great wedding tips and ideas.

How Not to Propose

The largest collection of Gemstone Engagement Rings in the world.

One thing to keep high in your mind when planning a proposal is that it will be remembered for the rest of your life, and you want it to be a story you can tell your grandchildren. You want it to be from the heart.

Read on (and share these with your significant other to see if they take the hint) for some tips on how not to propose:

1. Bringing family or friends along to watch.

Grandma may want to see the proposal in person, but let her wait and you can re-enact it at the engagement party if you have to. Proposing at a nice restaurant in front of strangers is fine, and this should be a private, intimate moment when relatives, or potentially future relatives, should be far away so their presence doesn’t pressure anyone.

2. Online.

This includes texting (Will u mry me?), Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or any other electronic means that will be invented in the future. Nothing says impersonal like an email.

3. Hiding The Ring In Food.

It sounds fun to hide an engagement ring in a Jell-O shot, flan or any other edible dessert at your romantic dinner, but she might accidentally swallow it. That would put a harsh end to the night. Or the wait staff might lose the ring when giving it to a prep cook to put in the pudding, or it could get in someone else’s dessert.

4. Asking On Her Birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s Day…

…or some other big holiday where she’ll expect a gift. Turn your proposal date into a personal holiday for the two of you if you want to, but don’t take her birthday and turn it into another major event.

Recommended Sites for Engagement rings

Shop for Engagement Rings at Allurez.com

Anagra.com The best collection of Gemstone Engagement Rings!

Please be sure to visit our sister sites for more great wedding advice Fun Weddings  
and Weddings By Ashlee

How to Have Perfect Eyebrows - Eyebrow Threading Technique

If you are planning on having your eyebrows shaped before your wedding,it's best to avoid getting them waxed. Waxing doesn't just remove the hair, but actually removes a majority of dead skin cells from your epidermis, the top layer of skin to which the make-up foundation used on your wedding day must stick. It takes up to one week to fully rejuvenate your cells and by that time you will already have had hair re-growth.

Instead, try a technique called "threading".  It's far gentler on your skin than waxing and creates very clean and professional results. There are ample local Indian salons and spas that specialize in this style of hair removal and the cost is surprisingly inexpensive at usually no more than $10 - $15 for combined Hair and Lip treatments. Try it out a couple of months before the wedding to see how you like it and then schedule an appointment to have the wedding threading done two -three days before the big event.

For more great wedding advice please visit our sister sites 

Fun Weddings

Merry Brides

150 Wedding Photography Poses-Checklist for your Photographer

A list is a great way to let the photographer know the pictures you want the MOST. Here's a list of over 150 wedding poses which may work for you. Print a copy of this list and take it with you when you meet with your photographer.

BEFORE the WEDDING

__ Bride arriving at church

__ Groom and Best Man arriving at church

__ Bride alone in mirror

__ Mother adjusting Bride's veil

__ Bride pinning boutonniere on Dads lapel

__ Bride pinning corsage on Mother

__ Bride alone looking out window

__ Groom alone (full length)

__ Groom alone (3/4 length)

__ Groom alone (head and shoulders)

__ Groom profile

__ Groom profile with hand to chin

__ Bride looking at Groom's ring

__ Groom looking at Bride's ring

__ Bride and Mother

__ Bride in foreground with Father
__ Father and Mother looking at bride from background

__ Groom and Mother

__ Groom in foreground with Mother
__ Mother and Father looking at groom from background.

__ Father kissing Bride on forehead (or cheek)

__ Father dropping penny in Bride's shoe

__ Bride and Father

__ Groom and Father

__ Groom pinning boutonniere on Dads lapel

__ Groom pinning corsage on Mother

__ Mother pinning boutonniere on Groom

__ Bride, Mother and Father

__ Groom, Mother and Father

__ Bride and Flower girl (looking at each other)

__ Bride and Flower girl (looking at camera)

__ Flower girl admiring Bride's gown

__ Groom and Ring bearer

__ Bride giving bouquets to Bridesmaids

__ Bride and Maid (or Matron) of Honor full length

__ Bride and Maid/or Matron of Honor head & shoulders

__ Groom and Best Man

__ Best Man showing Groom watch

__ Best Man wiping Groom's forehead with handkerchief

__ Bride and Bridesmaids

__ Groom and Groomsmen

__ Groomsmen dragging Groom into church

__ Bride and Groomsmen

__ Groom and Bridesmaids

__ Individual portrait of each Bridesmaid

__ Individual portrait of each Groomsman

__ Mother putting Garter on Bride

__ Maid of Honor putting Garter on Bride

__ Guest book and Attendant

__ Guest signing guest book

THE CEREMONY

__ Ushers seating Groom's Grandparents

__ Ushers seating Bride's Grandparents

__ Usher seating Mother of Bride

__ Usher seating Mother and Father of Groom

__ Soloist and musician(s)

__ Bride, Father, and attendants lined up ready to enter Sanctuary

__ Groom and Family (Mom, Dad, Bro., Sis.)

__ Bride and Family (Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister)

__ Groom with Brothers and Sisters

__ Flower girl & Ring bearer coming down aisle

__ Individual Bridesmaids coming down aisle

__ Bride with Brothers and Sisters

__ Bride and Father coming down aisle (front view)

__ Bride and Father coming down aisle (back view showing full train)

__ Time exposure from back of church during ceremony

__ Bride and Groom lighting unity candle

__ First Kiss as Husband and Wife!

__ Bride and Groom with flower girl and ring bearer

__ Bride and Groom taking Communion

__ Bride and Groom returning from Altar

__ Reception (receiving) line (with

__ Exterior view of Church

FORMAL POSES

__ Bride posed alone (front view-full length)

__ Bride posed alone (back view-full length)

__ Bride posed alone (front view-3/4 length)

__ Bride posed alone (back view-3/4 length)

__ Bride posed alone (head & shoulders)

__ Bridal profile

__ Bride with Grandparents

__ Bride and Groom together looking at camera (full length)

__ Bride and Groom together looking off camera (full length)

__ Bride and Groom facing each other, holding hands (full length)

__ Bride and Groom together (3/4 length)

__ Bride and Groom together looking at camera (head and shoulders)

__ Bride and Groom together looking off camera (head and shoulders)

__ Bride (w/back to camera) facing Groom (both looking off camera - head and shoulders)

__ Groom with Grandparents

__ Bride and Groom with Bride's Parents

__ Bride and Groom with Bride's Grandparents

__ Bride's Grandparents (together)

__ Bride's Grandmother

__ Bride's Grandfather

__ Bride and Groom with Groom's Parents

__ Bride and Groom with Groom's Grandparents

__ Groom's Grandparents (together)

__ Groom's Grandmother

__ Groom's Grandfather

__ Bride and Groom silhouetted against stained glass window

__ Bride and Groom with preacher

__ Candid of Clergymen congratulating couple

__ Bride with attendants looking at ring

__ Time exposure of Bride and Groom looking at rings with candles in foreground

__ Time exposure of Bride and Groom kissing with candles in foreground

__ Bride and Groom kissing with wedding party peeking from background

__ Bride and Groom with wedding party

__ Bride and Groom leaving church (running through rice, etc.)

RECEPTION AND OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS

__ Bride's Cake alone

__ Bride and Groom cutting Bride's cake

__ Photograph(s) of Bridal table setting

__ Bride feeding Bride's cake to Groom

__ Groom feeding Bride's cake to Bride

__ Groom's Cake alone

__ Bride and Groom posed on front steps of Church

__ Entire wedding party posed on front steps of Church

__ Bride and Groom cutting Groom's cake

__ Bride feeding Groom's cake to Groom

__ Witnesses (Best man, Maid of Honor) signing Marriage license.

__ Groom feeding Groom's cake to Bride

__ Bride and Groom at dinner table

__ Wedding party at dinner table

__ Punch and cake servers

__ Bride and Father dancing

__ Bride and Groom with wine glasses

__ Best man toasting Bride and Groom

__ Close-up of hands, rings

__ Close-up of hands, rings, napkin

__ Close-up of hands, rings, flowers

__ Gift table alone

__ Gift table with couple

__ Bride and Groom opening gifts

__ Groom removing garter

__ Groom throwing garter (posed, looking at camera)

__ Groomsmen and other men catching garter

__ Bride throwing bouquet (posed, looking at camera)

__ Girls catching bouquet

__ Spotlight of the invitation and bouquet

__ Bride and Groom dancing together

__ Groom dancing with his Mother

__ Groom dancing with Brides Mother

__ Bride dancing with her Father

__ Bride dancing with Grooms Father

__ Photograph of the Disk Jockey or Band

__ Candid photos of any special friends of Bride and Groom

__ Candid photos of certain (or all) tables at reception

__ Outdoor, romantic poses of Bride and Groom (full length, close-up, etc.)

__ Wedding Party/Friends Decorating Bride and Groom's Car

__ Decorated car ready to leave

__ Bride with Groom looking on from background

__ Groom with Bride looking on from background

__ Candid of soloist

__ Candid of organist

__ Bride with friends

__ Groom with friends

__ Parents hugging/kissing couple good-bye

__ Bride and Groom with car decorated (exterior view)

__ Groom carrying Bride in arms (with decorated car in background)

__ Groom holding car door open for Bride

__ Bride and Groom in car ready to leave

__ Bride and Groom in car leaving Church or Reception

__ Bride and Groom looking out rear window of car

__ Any Large Family Groups

__ Bride's Father with pockets turned inside out

Recommended Sites:

Create your own website at Wedding Window. This is a great way to keep your guests informed. Will save you stress too!

Please visit our sister sites for more great advice: Fun Weddings, Merry Brides.
We also twitter!! Merry Brides on Twitter