Have Your Cake and Eat It

The Wedding Cake, at least in Singapore, is not the item that most couples will give a lot of thought.

Usually, the place where you had booked your wedding dinner will supply the cake for you to cut on stage – the bottom layer is real but the top is fake.

Well, I came across some photos of absolutely fabulous beautiful wedding cakes and I just had to share it with you.

Maybe some of you will be inspired enough to make a change and have a unique wedding cake as the centerpiece?

Why do you cut the Cake ?
Cutting the cake represents the start of the newlywed’s life together.

The groom places his right hand over the bride’s to guide it for the first cut.

The bride cuts the first piece. The groom feeds the bride, then she in turn feeds him. This shared piece of cake symbolizes their first meal together.

The custom of the newly married couple cutting and feeding a slice to each other represents not only the life that they are now about to share, but also the idea that they will always provide for one another.

And, of course, it offers a picture perfect photo opportunity.

Vanilla cake with royal icing and sugar-paste bracelets of silver and gold (above)

Chocolate blackout cake layered with vanilla-toffee-crunch buttercream, with yellow marzipan and royal icing, pastillage curlicues and a pearl-dust finish (left)

Three-tier cake with pearlized fondant, impressed with flower shapes and draped in strands of edible silver beads (left)
Dark chocolate cake with layers of berry compote and white chocolate cream crowned by spun-sugar floral garlands and wreaths and finished with a monogram (right)

Four tiers of hand-molded sugar flowers nestled between floating layers of dark chocolate cake iced with buttercream and filled with cappuccino mousse (above)

Sprays of beads explode from this cake (left)
Sprays of pink and clear beads encircle the tiers of this cake (right)

This five-tier buttercream cake is covered with sugar hydrangeas (above)

Cream-Puffs anyone?

White-chocolate and Bavarian cream cake covered with fresh flowers and a white chocolate "fence" (right)

Cymbidium and dendrobium orchids on a cake in white fondant (left)
Fresh roses and fruits - Seckel pears, sugarplums, goose-berries and raspberries - on a buttercream-frosted cake (right)

Three-tiered cake decorated with sugar-paste flowers, molded fondant grapes and butterflies hand-painted with food colouring (left)
A botanical-themed cake including three layers of varying flavours - bourbon vanilla cheesecake, white-chocolate butter cake, triple-chocolate cheesecake - and decorated with ferns and vines made of Belgian chocolate (right)

Caramel espresso mousse cake with edible white chocolate pearls dotting the sides (left)

How about a mountain of cupcakes?

Or go whimsical with a slanting cake

Strike A Pose !

HOW TO POSE FOR YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS

There are some tricks that you can adopt to look better in your wedding pictures irregardless of whether it's a professional photographer who poses you or your uncle or auntie whose instructions is limited to "say cheese!".

If you're being told that you could look 5kgs thinner simply by doing a certain body posture or standing in a certain way, wouldn't you want to try it?

By knowing these tips and secrets, and spending some time in front of the mirror practicing before the big day, you can help look your best on your wedding day.

Ok ladies, let's get down to it :

POINT YOUR TOES
You may think a pointed toe doesn't matter because most wedding gowns cover your feet - think again, cos it does make a difference.

Avoid planting both your feet together while flat on the ground. Move a foot to point your toes - by doing this, you are shifting your weight to your back foot, which will cause your hip to shift. This hip-shift makes you look more curvy.

Now, a little goes a long way. You want to look sexy but with an innocent overtone.

Avoid placing both feet together (left)

A pointed toe gives more shape to your hip (right)

TURN YOUR SHOULDER AT A 45-DEGREE ANGLE TO THE CAMERA

If you turn your body slightly to the right or left, you will appear slimmer in the photo.

Generally speaking, your entire body should never be square with the camera but slightly side-on - it should always be at some angle, usually 45-degree or more.

You will look slimmer when you turn at a 45-degree angle.

RELAX YOUR SHOULDERS
People tend to tighten and raise their shoulders when they are nervous and this causes a couple of problems. It makes your shoulder appear narrower than they really are, your neck seems shorter, and worse, it creates a feeling and look of tenseness.

To be able to do this pose, you have to concentrate on relaxing your shoulders - let them fall naturally.

Hunching your shoulders makes your neck appear shorter (left)
Relaxing your shoulders instantly makes you look more natural and less tense (right)

GET YOUR ELBOWS AWAY FROM YOUR BODY
Unless you are super-slim, pose with your elbows slightly away from your sides.

If you pose with your elbows touching the sides of your body, your body will look as wide as the elbow-to-elbow dimension, not to mention that if you have less than ideal tone upper arms, it will get squished and look even bigger.

Just move your elbows slightly away from your sides, creating just a small separation between your body and your arm, people will notice the cut-in of your waistline in your photos and this makes your torso appears slimmer.

Learn this pose with care. When you are moving your elbows outward, make sure that you do not lift your shoulders (which we already know, is not a good thing). Also you only want to move your elbows slightly away from your sides - too far out and you'll look like you're doing the funky chicken dance !

Your body and arms appear bigger when you hold your arms in (left)
With your elbows away, you accentuate your waistline (right)

MAKE YOUR EYES APPEAR BIGGER
It is usually less flattering to tilt your head back because your chin becomes more prominent than your eyes. So lower your chin by a fraction of an inch - this will effectively bring your eyes closer to the camera than your chin and mouth and makes your eyes appear bigger.

Remember, just a tiny dose of this trick will do - too much lowering and you might cause a double chin - so use it sparingly and practice in front of the mirror.

RELAX YOUR FOREHEAD
Often, in trying to accentuate their eyes, brides will try to open their eyes as widely as possible.

In the process of trying to do this, they raise their eyebrows which creates a "surprise look" and a wrinkled forehead.

So keep your eyes and forehead relaxed in order to look more natural - practice your facial poses in front of the mirror till you are familiar with the movements.

BRIDES WITH SPECTACLES
Brides wearing spectacles - I've not forgotten about you !

• Transition lenses are a big NO - NO! They darken when outdoors and even when you're indoor, they appear dark in photos.
  
  
• Have non-glare lenses as they help to reduce reflections.
  
  
• The lenses should not tilt upward because this will amplify the reflections from the camera's flash. Tilt the lenses slightly downward so that the flash will be reflected harmlessly towards the ground. This trick can be accomplished by lowering your chin slightly.

Notice how the glare hides your eyes (left)
A slight nod downwards will help cut glare (right)

HOLDING YOUR BOUQUETS
"How should I hold my bouquet?" - two words for you - "LOWER IT !"

Many times, brides look as if they're hiding behind their flowers. The bodice of your wedding gown is beautiful, so why hide it behind your flowers? Holding your bouquet too high will also hide your bustline and it also places your forearm in a horizontal position, creating a line that cuts your body in half.

By holding your bouquet lower, you can cover your little potbelly or broad hip - it also places your forearm at a 45-degree angle which makes your body look longer and leaner.

Not sure how low to hold your bouquet? - here's a little trick - rest your wrists on your hipbones and usually, you've hit the perfect height.

Don't hide yourself or your gown.

Hold your bouquet a little lower, with your wrists on your hipbones and don't forget your 45-degree angle turn to look slimmer !

NOTE :
All the suggestions, tips and tricks about posing should be used sparingly. Overdoing a good thing can result in negative results. Your application of these poses should be measured in fractions of an inch.

No tricks is going to magically transform you into a super-model. But by using all of them - each one improving your image a little bit - the end result will add up to a noticeable change for the better in your photos.

How to Pose - coming soon!

Hi Ladies!

I've been busy researching for a new article which I think is very important to you - that is - How to Pose!

How to pose for slimmer upper arms and body, how to make your eyes appear bigger, mistakes in posing and of cos not forgetting the brides-to-be wearing spectacles.

I hope to finish this research by end of this month and I could post it up early next month.

See you......

Bridal Hair-Band BHB02

A Pearl and Crystal Alice-band.

- SOLD -

Blooming Affair

The Bride's Bouquet

Do you know why you carry a bouquet? In ancient Greece, Greek brides carried bridal bouquets of herbs to protect them from evil spirits, in another ancient custom, the brides carried chaffs of wheat to invoke fertility - a custom that eventually evolved in the bridal bouquet as we know it.

There are many different styles of bridal bouquets but most brides carry a mixture of versions of the Round, Nosegay and Spray/Hand-Tied bouquets.


ROUND : A dense bunch of blooms made up of flowers, greenery and filler with no trailing elements. Can also be made of just flowers and filler with no greenery or of a single type of flower, like a cluster of roses for a more contemporary look. Can be anchored in a bouquet holder, wired or hand-tied.



NOSEGAY : A small round clusters of flowers, cut to uniform length. Usually consists of one dominant type of flower or colour, wrapped with ribbon or lace.

SPRAY/HAND-TIED : Consists of a cluster of loosely hand-tied flowers of irregular length and height tied at the stems - usually with the exposed stems showing beneath the point where they are held.

CASCADE : This is a very classic style bouquet which is shaped to droop gracefully in a waterfall effect. Best compliments a more traditional setting.

PAGEANT/PRESENTATION : A bouquet of long-stemmed flowers. The flowers are left at its natural state, tied with a ribbon and cradled in your arms.


Here's my own compilation of some beautiful, stunning bridal bouquet. If you like any of the flowers or styles - click on the pic for a bigger pic, print it and consult with your florist.

Let's begin with the first bouquet - mine :), which was for my ROM. It was from a floral shop at Millenia Walk - sorry, I am unable to recall the name of the floral shop. Enjoy the flowers...

Saw some of the flowers that was being used in some of the above pics in this nursery called JM at Thomson Road - got some exotic blooms - of cos, not forgetting the popular Far East Flora too.

Neck to Neck

How to choose a Necklace to match your gown's Neckline.

No matter how beautiful a necklace is, if it's not well matched to your gown's neckline, it may not look quite right.

The neckline of your gown will be the main determination as to which style of necklace will look best.

So here's a guide to the type of necklaces that compliments the different type of necklines.


STRAPLESS
With this neckline, the options are endless! To accentuate the shoulder, wear a choker or round necklace.
The only thing to remember is to keep your necklace under 18 inches so that you don't clutter the neckline.
Necklace top choices :

• Choker
• Lariat
• Multiple layers
• Y-style
• Pendant
• Princess length

SWEETHEART
A sweetheart neckline may or may not be strapless and the same rule for a strapless gown applies to sweetheart gowns.
Since the sweetheart neckline dips in the middle of the chest, you are able to wear a necklace that echo this design detail.
Necklace top choices :

• Choker
• Princess
• Y-drop
• Pendant
• Lariat

SQUARE
The square neckline really draws attention to your neck.
Chokers are particularly flattering - contemplate a multi-strand choker.
In addition to the choker, the single and double strand necklace styles also compliment this style nicely.
A necklace with one or more short drops would go well too.
Necklace top choices :

• Choker
• Princess

V-NECK
The trick with a V-neck is to follow the shape of the neckline and draw attention to your cleavage.
A Y-style necklace or a pendant style necklace will be my first recommendation.
A single or double strand necklace or a choker style necklace will work just as well.
Necklace top choices :

• Y-drop
• Pendant
• Choker

SCOOP
Almost any style of necklace that fits close to the neckline will flatter.
A round necklace is recommended for this neckline as it mirrors the scoop neckline.
The first choice to wear with this style of gown is a multiple strand necklace which accent the scoop neckline very well.
A single or double strands are also good choices as well as the choker style.
Necklace top choices :

• Princess
• Chokers

ASYMMETRIC
With this neckline, you do not want a necklace. Add fabulous earrings, a bracelet and a tiara for a great look!




PORTRAIT OR OFF-THE-SHOULDER
Accessorise this neckline with a necklace style that are close to the neck. Choker is especially flattering.
Necklace top choices :

• Choker
• Multiple layers
• Pendant
• Princess length

HALTER
The design of this halter neck gown does not really suit a necklace.
The best combination is a chunky bracelet, chandelier earrings and hair accessories - this look is very glamourous and flattering to the halter style.




BATEAU / BOAT NECK
This neckline calls for a simple necklace of one or two strands worn close to the throat.
Necklace top choices :

• Choker / collars with or without a pendant
• Princess

(illustrations by Donna)

Bridal Veil Guide

Ask any of your married friends when they first felt like a bride, and they'll tell you it was the moment when they put on their veil. There's something about a floaty, dreamy white fabric that transforms you from a normal persona to ...... a bride!



Blusher
Typically combined with other length, this is a short single veil worn over the bride's face.
It extends below the chin but usually drops no farther than the wrist (so as not to interfere with the bouquet).
It is worn over the face during the wedding ceremony and lifted by your partner for the kiss.



Shoulder length
A short veil, this one lands on the shoulders usually with a piece called a "blusher".
This veil is an excellent choice for brides who want to highlight the details on the back of the wedding gown.
This style goes with almost any dress.



Elbow or Waist length
Generally used for gowns without a train and will show off any detailing at the waist of the gown.
Best compliments a gown with a full skirt.
The wedding veil should end below a low back but above the start of the skirt.



Fingertip length
It falls right at the fingertips of the bride if her hands are at her side.
This veil can be worn with almost any wedding dress, except dresses that come above the ankles.
For brides under 5' 4", a fingertip veil is not recommended because this veil usually ends about mid-thigh on a petite woman and would visually cut your leg in half.



Chapel length
A chapel length veil either barely dusts the floor or is a few inches longer. It's length makes this chapel veil an ideal complement to a formal gown with a chapel or sweep train.
Generally used in formal weddings.



Cathedral
These are formal veils most often worn with those wedding gowns having a long train. The length of the bridal veil usually exceeds the length of the dress train by at least 6".

(Illustrations by Donna)


Useful Tips for Veils

• Make sure your "blusher" veil is long enough to flip over your head.

• Colour of veil should match. Don't choose an ivory veil for a white dress. Even though the difference may look slight, the contrast will show.

• Veils shouldn't be strewn with too many rhinestones because often rhinestones photograph like black dots. Even pearls, tiny satin bows and other embellishments may look spotty in photographs, so be sparing with these ornaments.

• Beware of ribbon-edge veils that hit at your middle - they can create a horizontal line, making you look shorter.

• A simple, unembellished wedding veil flatters an elaborate wedding dress best, while a classic gown can be paired with a plain or an ornate veil.

• Always check your rear view when trying on a bridal veil. To show off the back of your wedding gown, choose a sheer or single-layer design.

• Take your face shape into account when making your veil selection :
  
  - A veil that falls straight down narrows a round, full face.
  
  - A square jaw benefits a longer veil.
  
  - A waterfall design adds width to an oblong face.
  
  - A heart-shaped face looks best with a veil that falls behind the neck.

Crowning Glory

How to choose a Tiara/Head-Piece

A tiara is a glamorous accessory to wear with your bridal outfit as it brings attention up to the face.

You could be wearing a beautiful gown but you won't look like a bride without a headpiece.

With a tiara/headpiece, everyone will know, looking at the photographs, just who the bride is.

You should choose your wedding dress, then choose your accessories to compliment it.

Considerations for choosing a Tiara/Head-Piece are :
Face Shape
Hair-Styles

FACE SHAPES
Round face : To make your face appear longer, choose a taller tiara or one that comes to a peak in the centre.

Long face : Choose a headband or a lower tiara.

Oval face : You are lucky, most styles suit you. Choose lower tiaras, headbands, side hair-combs or hair-pins.

Heart-Shaped face : Your hair and/or accessories need some fullness at the jawline. This is probably best achieved with hair or a veil complimented with a lighter more subtle tiara.

Full face : Choose a tiara that comes to a peak in the centre.

HAIRSTYLES
Short hair : Tiaras look absolutely stunning with short hair! You can also go for headbands or lighter more delicate tiaras which won't require too much pinning.

Upswept hair : A taller tiara will be needed so that it doesn't look lost. If choosing a headband, a wider more elaborate one will look best. You could also use hair-combs and pins as an alternative to a tiara.

Hair Down : You can choose a headband to keep the hair off the face. Shorter tiaras can look great too, although you could also easily carry off a taller design - depending on the look you want to achieve. Asymmetrical styles look stunning too !

TIARA
Tiaras offer the most impressive effect. They are a gorgeous accent to any style of gown, from simple and contemporary to a ball gown style. Tiaras can be worn with or without a veil.

HEADBAND
For brides who want to wear their hair down, a headband can be used to keep her hair away from her face.
It can also be worn to accent upswept hairstyles and looks gorgeous with shorter hairstyles.

COMB
A comb can be worn with almost any hairstyle and can be worn on different parts fo the head. Depending on the style, it can provide for a less formal look.

HAIR-PINS
Hair-pins are also very versatile. They can be used for any hairstyle, whether formal or tussles, up or down.