1. Color
   Forget the pale pastels! 2008 is all about bright colors, especially yellow. Yellow is an ideal wedding color because it is fresh, energetic and cheery. Lemon yellow can be paired with Chocolate Brown or a brighter shade of yellow can be paired with silver or gray. Bright dual combinations are also hot this year. Chocolate with Pink, Aqua with Brown, Red with Light Blue, Yellow with Orange, and Pale Yellow with Dark Purple are among the favorites.
    
2. Letterpress Wedding Invitations
   This seemingly old-fashioned form of printing is a hip and trendy look for today's modern couple. Letterpress is a printing technique that stamps ink into paper using raised lettering. High quality inks and papers are used to create a lush look. This makes any invitation an instant keepsake.
    
3. Green Weddings
   Many couples are looking for ways to give back to the environment by having eco-friendly weddings. Consider invitations made from recycled paper, gowns made from 100% silk or cotton, wedding rings with conflict-free diamonds or made from recycled gold, serving organic or vegetarian foods at the reception and having your wedding in natural settings (parks, beaches, backyards, etc.). With the rising number of second weddings and later-in-life marriages, many couples are asking guests to donate to charitable organizations in lieu of gifts.
    
4. Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes
   Forget the round layered cake...think square, octagonal or mixed shapes. One of the biggest trends for 2008 is the use of a monogram or calligraphy text on your cake. Words such as Love, Always, Forever, Honor are popular words when choosing calligraphy text.
    
5. Guest Participation
   Let your guests feel as if they had a part in planning your wedding. Create a blog or wedding web site where guests can participate in polls to vote on your wedding cake flavor, the entrees, favorite song for the couple's first dance, the type of reception music, etc. Revealing their selections at the reception adds an extra level of fun and excitement.
    
6.  Lots of Personalization
   Create a unique monogram design or use your first names and wedding date to personalize your wedding invitations, napkins, coasters, cups, glassware, thank you notes, and wedding favors. Putting your 'stamp' on everything is not only very trendy, but very personal.
    
7. Entertainment
   If you can afford it, consider hiring a live ethnic or cover band for your reception. Latin and Mariachi bands are a real hit and inspire festive dancing.
    
8. Food Stations
   Forget the sit-down dinner or buffet. People like to graze, so consider setting up food stations around the reception room. Each station can have a theme -- sushi bar, fondue station, dessert station, etc.
    
9. Clever Wedding Favors
   Hand out favors that not only practical, but useful. Consider personalized playing cards, ink pens, bookmarks, or coasters. Since eco-friendly weddings are in style, consider eco-friendly favors, like soy candles and wildflower seeds. If you still want to hand out the traditional almonds and chocolates, consider putting them in gift boxes made from recycled materials.
    
10. Wardrobe Changes
    Gone are the days when the bride has only one look for her wedding day. Today's bride can have one look for the ceremony, and a fun, laid back look for the reception.

Centuries ago, there was a baker’s daughter who was about to be married and wished to have a perfect emblem of her marriage. She asked her father to help her find the perfect symbol in order to indicate the love between her and the groom. After careful deliberation, the father finally came up with something that he thought would best signify the kind of love his daughter had for her groom. And so, when the wedding day came, the baker’s daughter was so happy because there stood, in the middle of the wedding cake, two miniature figurines dressed as a bride and groom. The father said that this was the perfect symbol for their marriage, in which the couple is the main attraction of the ceremony.

This story could be true, or just a fairy tale. No one can really be sure of how the tradition started for the wedding cake topper. Nevertheless, since its inception, a miniature bride and groom cake topper has long been the traditional symbol placed above the wedding cake for everybody to see. Today, wedding cake toppers are available in a wide array of designs, colors, and styles.

Choosing the right topper for your wedding cake can present a challenge. For those who need some help deciding on the right topper for their cake, here are a few tips:

1. Never use wedding cake toppers that are made of plastics, especially the cheap ones. Even if you are on a tight budget, do not devalue your beautiful wedding cake with a cheap plastic cake topper.
2. Be creative. Do not be constrained by the traditional (bride and groom) or classical (doves, bells, etc.) cake toppers. If you are a modem couple, consider a topper that reflects your and your partner’s interests or hobbies. Or incorporate your wedding theme into your topper. Do not be afraid to be different.
3. Beware of heavy cake toppers, like those made from porcelain or resin. These need to be anchored down into the cake.
4. For the budget conscious couple or if you want to fulfill that 'something old’ tradition, you can use your parent’s wedding cake topper if it is still available. Using this family heirloom can add an extra special touch to your wedding.

Try choosing a wedding cake topper that reflects your personality, beliefs and lifestyle. Whichever design or style of cake topper you choose let it symbolize your love for each other.

The wedding cake has been a special part of wedding celebrations since the Roman era. The original wedding cakes were made of wheat flour, salt and water and made into loaves. The loaves were then broken over the bride's head at the dose of the ceremony to bestow good luck and fertility to the newlyweds. Thought to be good luck charms, guests eagerly picked up the crumbs.

During the middle Ages, guests were expected to bring little cakes to the wedding celebration. The cakes were piled up in a tiered cluster and it became traditional for the couple to kiss over the cluster of cakes. Later, a clever baker decided to amass all these small cakes together and cover them with frosting. Thus, the modern tiered cake was born. It is said he was inspired by the unusual shape of the spire of Saint Bride's Church in London.

Cutting the wedding cake is now part of the ritual celebrations at the reception. Traditionally, the newlyweds make the first cut together, symbolizing their shared life together. Every guest is expected to eat a little of the cake in order to bring good luck to the bride and groom. It is said that a single woman who sleeps with a piece of wedding cake under her pillow will dream of her future husband. Furthermore, it is considered good luck for the bride and groom to save the top tier of their wedding cake and eat it on their first anniversary.

The cake has been a special part of wedding celebrations since the Roman era. The original wedding cakes were made of wheat flour, salt and water and made into loaves. The loaves were then broken over the bride’s head at the end of the ceremony to bestow good luck and fertility to the newlyweds. Guests would then pick up the crumbs from the cake as good luck charms.

During the middle Ages, guests were expected to bring their own little cakes to the wedding celebration. The cakes were piled up in a tiered cluster and it became traditional for the couple to kiss over the cluster of cakes. Later, a clever baker decided to gather all these small cakes together and cover them with frosting. Thus, the modem tiered cake was born. It is said he was inspired by the unusual shape of the spire of Saint Bride’s Church in London.

Cutting the wedding cake is now a traditional part of the wedding reception. Traditionally, the newlyweds make the first cut together, symbolizing their shared life together. Every guest is expected to eat a little of the cake in order to bring good luck to the bride and groom. It is said that a single woman who sleeps with a piece of wedding cake under her pillow will dream of her future husband. Furthermore, it is considered good luck for the bride and groom to save the top tier of their wedding cake and eat it on their first anniversary.

1. Consider purchasing your cake from a non-commercial baker who works out of his or her home.

2. Consider buying your cake from a culinary school. If students are baking and decorating wedding cakes as part of their curriculum, you may be able to get a really great deal on a cake.

3. Keep decorations simple. Don’t select a cake with elaborate decorations.

4. If you want an elaborate cake, ask your baker if you can provide some of the extras. You can find sugar flowers, ribbons, dragees (round edible sugar balls) and marzipan at cake decorating or pastry shops.

5. Order an elaborate, smaller "display" cake for the ceremonial cake cutting. Then have sheet cakes of the same recipe and design made to serve the guests.

6. Consider having a small cake for the ceremonial cake cutting and cupcakes decorated in a similar fashion to the ceremonial cake at each place setting. Decorated cupcakes can also be set at the cake table, stacked on a tiered server of some kind. Cupcakes are a great idea if you are not into lavishly decorated cakes and are on a budget. It also adds a little fun and individuality to the reception.

7. Don’t save the top tier. Many couples save the top of their cake to eat on their first anniversary, yet don’t eat it because after a year in the freezer, it is does not taste very good. Time does not improve the quality or appearance of wedding cake. If you want to preserve the tradition, try keeping just one or two pieces of the top tier. Or, for your anniversary, have a duplicate of the top tier made.

8. Consider asking for a cake topper on your gift registry or as a wedding shower gift. Make sure you are clear on what type of topper you want.

9. Order less cake. If you plan on serving a dessert in addition to the wedding cake, or having a sweets table, plan on fewer servings of your cake and serve smaller portions.

10. Don’t have a groom’s cake.

Basketweave - A piping technique that features interwoven vertical and horizontal lines made to resemble a wicker basket.

Buttercream - A smooth, creamy icing that stays soft. It can be in any color and flavor. Also makes a good filling. As the name suggests, buttercream contains a lot of butter, so it melts easily in heat and humidity.

Cornelli - An elaborate piping technique that yields a lacelike pattern.

Dotted Swiss - A piping technique that forms tiny dots in random patterns that resemble dotted Swiss fabric.

Dragees - Round, edible sugar balls coated with silver or gold coloring and used for decorative purposes.

Fondant - A sweet, elastic icing made of sugar, corn syrup and gelatin, then rolled out and draped over a cake. It makes a nice firm base for gum paste flowers and decorative details. A fondant cake should not be refrigerated.

Ganache - A sweet, rich chocolate that is made of chocolate and heavy cream. It is denser than mousse but less dense than fudge, and can he used as either an icing or filling. It becomes very soft in humid weather.

Genoise - A light and airy sponge cake. Melted, unsalted butter is added to the batter, making it more tender, flavorful and less sweet than a regular sponge cake. This cake is named after its place of origin, Genoa, Italy.

Gum Paste - A mixture of sugar, cornstarch and gelatin. It is used to mold realistic- looking flowers and fruits garnishes for cake. These decorations are edible and will last for several years.

Latticework - A piping technique that uses an open criss-cross pattern.

Marzipan - A paste made of ground almonds, sugar and egg whites. It is used to mold edible flowers and fruit garnishes for cake. It can also be rolled into sheets like Fondant and used as icing.

Pastillage - An icing made of sugar and gum based paste. It is rolled out and used to cover cakes and to mold flowers or sculptures.

Pillars - Used to separate the layers of a tiered cake. They can be made of plastic or wood in several heights to achieve the desired look.

Piping - Decorative details created using a pastry bag and various metal tips. Piping details including basket-weave and lattice patterns, borders, flowers, leaves, dots, etc.

Pulled Sugar - A technique in which boiled sugar is manipulated and pulled to produce flowers, bows and other sculpture pieces.

Royal Icing - A mixture of egg whites and confectioners sugar. It is an icing that begins as a soft paste and can be piped from a pastry bag to create garnishments on a cake. When it dries, its texture is hard and brittle. Refrigeration is not recommended.

Torte - A dense cake that does not use leavening agents (baking powder or baking soda).

Whipped Cream - A heavy cream that is beaten to achieve a thick consistency. This is not recommended as an icing because it melts easily in warm temperatures

1. Flavored Cakes. Believe it or not, but chocolate cake is becoming more popular than the traditional white or yellow cake. Other popular flavors include carrot, coconut, mocha, tiramisu, lemon, strawberry, red velvet, and cheesecake.

2. Frostings infused with unusual flavors like amaretto, champagne, hazelnut, Kahlua, mocha, rum, strawberry cream, etc.

3. Frostings with a lustrous opalescent or pearlescent finish.

4. Cakes featuring a charming whimsy of wild, vivid colors, out of the ordinary shapes and off kilter tiers.

5. Different flavors of cake, fillings and icings for each layer of the cake. However, keep in mind that variety is expensive, so if on are on a budget, stick to one flavor for all layers.

6. A smaller, ornately decorated cake for the cake cutting ceremony and plainer, individual cakes for the guests. You could also have a tower of cupcakes for the guests that coordinate with the cutting cake.

7. Cakes decorated with fresh flowers and greenery. However, keep in mind that fresh flowers are often treated with insecticides and pesticides as well as chemicals to keep them fresh longer. Some flowers and greenery may be harmful if ingested, so make your selections carefully. Make sure all inedible flowers are removed from the cake before it is sliced and served, and if you have edible flowers make sure that they are chemical free.

8. Personalized Cakes. Personalization is very popular at weddings and this often extends to the cake. Couples are using their initials intertwined in icing on the cake or a monogrammed cake topper carved from a block of sugar. Some couples go as far as putting edible pictures of themselves on the cake.

9. It has been the tradition to save the top layer of the wedding cake by freezing it and eating it on your first anniversary. However, this idea sounds better than it tastes. Many couples are choosing to celebrate their first anniversary with a cake made in the same flavor as their wedding cake. And it tastes better too!

10. Incorporating a personal hobby or interest into your cake. For example, if you and your fiancé enjoy the beach, have an ocean themed cake decorated with chocolate or sugared candies shaped like fish and shells.

The wedding cake is one of the most important features of your reception; in fact, it is the centerpiece of your reception. You should begin shopping for a baker 6-8 months before the wedding. if you plan on having your reception catered, ask your caterer if they will bake your wedding cake. However, you do not have to choose the caterer to bake your cake. You can also choose from a commercial baker or boutique bakery, custom wedding cake designer, a culinary school or someone you know who makes cakes from home.

Begin by calling bakeries or cake decorators in your area to check for date availability. If the date is open, this will give you an opportunity to make an appointment to go in and check out the designs, taste and skill level of the business. Many specialty cake decorators require you book six months to a year in advance to reserve your date, whereas commercial bakeries may require 3 months due to larger staff and their ability to do a larger quantity of cakes. The most hectic days for bakers are Thursday through Saturday since most weddings are on the weekends. It is a good idea to call and make an appointment to visit with the individual or bakery about your cake instead of just showing up when you have some free time. If you just walk in and expect undivided attention, you may  be disappointed if they do not have time to visit with you at that particular moment.

When setting up your appointment, ask the baker to provide samples of the cake flavors, icings, fillings, etc. during your interview. The taste, flavor and texture of the cake itself will be the most important decision you will make when you order your cake. The outside beauty of your wedding cake will be important for your pictures and your personal statement, but the inside of the cake is what you will be serving to your guests. You want a cake that is flavorful, moist and good to eat. Also ask if they can have pictures of some of their previous cakes available at the interview. This will give you an idea of what they are capable of

Before your meeting with the baker, collect pictures of wedding cakes that appeal to you. Be sure to take those pictures with you on your interviews so that you can give your baker an illustrated idea of what you are looking for in a wedding cake. Here are some key questions you need to ask them:

• Flexibility - Will they custom bake a cake to your specifications?
• Is the cake made from scratch or is it from a cake mix?
• Request to see pictures of their work. Most bakers will have a portfolio of their cakes.
• Certain cakes are not good for particular seasons. For example, if you are planning an outdoor wedding in August, you want to avoid cakes with mousse, meringue, whipped cream or buttercream filling. Ask the baker what cakes are in season. 
• What is the price per serving? Prices can average between $1.50 a slice to $15 a slice depending on the cake you choose. The price depends on frosting, decorations, architecture, etc. Understand that the more elaborate the cake, the more expensive the "per serving" price will be.
• What are the extra charges? Most bakers charge for renting the pillars, columns, cake toppers, delivery and set-up. There may also be extra charges for certain cake fillings, flavors, styles, etc.
• Who will be setting up the cake?
• What do they provide in the set-up? Talk to your baker about how you’d like the cake table to be set up.
• If you plan on using fresh flowers on your cake, who is responsible for providing the flowers, the baker or the florist?

When interviewing the baker, make sure you know the number of servings required, your desired type and design, and your budget for the cake. Be up front with the baker about the maximum amount you are willing to spend on your cake and ask them if they are willing to negotiate.

After you have decided on a baker and all the details, make sure to get everything in writing. Your contract should include the following:

• Detailed description of the cake type, style, and description of the decorations.
• The number of layers and fillings for each layer if applicable.
• Type of frosting.
• Wedding date, time and location of delivery
• When, how, where and by whom the cake will be delivered (or picked up). Make sure to include the complete address of the delivery location.
• Name and contact information of the baker
• List of rented items (pillars, cake stand, cake table, etc.)
• Delivery and set-up fees
• Total price
• Deposit amount
• Balance and due date
• Baker’s cancellation and/or refund policy.

If you do your homework, buying your wedding cake will be a smooth process. Remember to be realistic, and don’t spend your entire wedding budget on your wedding cake.

Cupcakes are a terrific alternative to the more traditional wedding cake. With individual cupcakes it’s easy to present several flavors for the guests to choose from. Because lets face it, people are picky, and with cupcakes you can offer a wide variety!

You can find cupcake liners and wrappers in just about any type of color or design. Pick these up at any craft or hobby store. White is a good choice for a wrapper. Just note that you can see through the white ones. This may or may not be a bad thing, as this could serve handy for guests who want a sneak peak at what flavor they are choosing. The rainbow of wrapper color choices is virtually endless. Choose your wedding colors or choose colors that help indicate what flavor is hidden inside i.e. red for red velvet, etc. Foiled wrappers are available to add a little bit of sparkle and glam. Oh, the possibilities!

Don’t forget to add a whimsical flair by using some multi-colored sprinkles. Or add a little bling by using sugar glitter or dragees. You can detail these just like a cake; decorations can be over the top or non-existent. Cupcakes are a little unexpected anyway so why not really give them a whirl by choosing exotic flavors. Just be sure to choose complimentary frosting.

Choosing cupcake stands should be pretty easy to do. Make sure you choose ones that will display the cupcakes nicely and not bunch them all together. There are several different sizes. Be sure to decide how many tiers you would like to display them on. Most cupcake stands come in three or four tiers. A typical four tier stand can hold about 60 cupcakes with a small cake on top or just more cupcakes. Some stands are single use and some will last a very long time, depending on the material the stands are made of. Typically stands come in clear or white. Look for a stand that comes apart and nestles itself together for easy moving and storage.

For those do it yourselfers trying your hand at baking and decorating cupcakes, you'll find that it is not quite as daunting of a task as all the intricate detailing that goes into producing a grand four tiered wedding cake. Enlist some friends, turn up the music and bake!

Because this is a newer trend it doesn’t have any hard and fast rules. So, have fun with it. Not only are cupcakes a little more fun but they add a little more individuality it’s like a tiny cake for each guest!

Most girls dream of wearing a beautiful, long, white gown on their wedding day and they usually do just that. Now, imagine walking into the reception hail and seeing everything illuminated in white as well!

Billowing, white, transparent fabric hanging from the ceiling along every wall with soft candlelight on every table will add to the heavenly mood. Centerpieces consisting of one creamy white magnolia bloom floating in a water filled glass container placed on top of a round mirror will reflect the light, and enhance the room even more.

Keeping all the decor within your white color scheme will look clean and sleek, but very striking. Infusing your wedding with simple but meaningful details will resonate with your guests. If the reception venue has only dark colored chairs, inquire if they have chair covers in white. If they do not, call your local party rental center. This will be an added expense but well worth the overall effect.

Using a touch of silver ribbon here and there will not only tie in the mirrors, but will add a bit more sparkle to the room. Most caterers use white dinnerware, clear glassware and silver, or stainless steel utensils, so the tables will appear uncluttered and very elegant.

Wedding cakes decorated with only white icing are very beautiful. Cake toppers do not have to be the traditional couple standing arm in arm. There are several options available at most bakeries, or search the internet for a unique, all in white, modern figurine. Or, continue your magnolia theme and use three flowers gathered together with florist tape as the cake topper. Simple, yet beautiful!

Now you may be wondering about the attire for the attendants. The bride should be the only one dressed in white! Your attendants could wear dresses in pale gray, or a very pale blue. The groomsrnen could wear light gray tuxedos. The groom may opt to wear a tuxedo in a darker grey than his groomsrnen.

Keep it simple, but remember the details.

Charles Mingus said, "Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity."