Get ready, because you'll want to bookmark all of these classic wedding cakes. While so many today come in all different shapes and styles, we're loving timeless cakes that you'll want to bite into even when looking at pictures of your big day years from now. We're talking cascading flowers, ruffles, lace, and more dainty details. Ahead, check out the sweet stunners.
It wasn't too long ago that wedding food options were limited to beef, chicken, or fish with a champagne toast and frosted white cake to follow. Of course, with infinitely creative couples finding new ways to set their celebrations apart, there's no longer a set formula to the American wedding menu. Drawing upon traditions from other world cultures, couples can honor their diverse backgrounds or create new traditions that define them as a pair. We've rounded up several customs worthy of consideration for your unique nuptials!
The rice toss originated as a way to wish the newlywed couple a good harvest, but there are so many other creative, fun, and bird-friendly ways to revamp the tradition. Here are 20 sweet, sentimental, and silly ideas for your guests to send you off after you and your new spouse say "I do." And share your own rice toss alternatives in the comments!
When it comes to liquor and weddings, people (especially guests!) have their opinions. Are you for open bars and against the idea of a cash bar? Do you feel like every wedding should have a Champagne toast, or do you think it's unnecessary? Now's your chance to dish about where you stand on drinking at weddings with these poll questions.
Why shouldn't his cake be just as involved? These days, groom's cakes are just as important as the main wedding cake. The main departure from a traditional wedding cake is that the design is usually a little lighter, and many reflect personality and hobbies. That said, we've searched the web for some tasteful cakes that are worthy of any groom on his big day. From gadget to hiking themes, we bet you'll find something for your guy that's full of personality without being cheesy. Have a look!
It's St. Patrick's Day, and we can't help but feel the Irish love. We're all about green beer, shamrocks, and leprechauns, but there's a lot more to Irish tradition than the commercialized side of the holiday — especially when it comes to Irish wedding traditions. You don't have to be an Irish bride-to-be to appreciate these sentimental Irish and Celtic traditions, which have inspired some of our most well-known big phrases like "tying the knot" and "honeymoon." See how you can add a little luck o' the Irish to your wedding now!
Love was truly in the air in Scotland this Valentine's Day as numerous couples tied the knot at one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world: Gretna Green Blacksmiths Shop. People have been getting hitched at Gretna Green since the 18th century, and more than 5,000 weddings take place in the area every year. The destination is especially popular for eloping or "runaway marriages," a tradition that began in 1754 with the arrival of Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act that declared the parent of an under-18 minor could prevent a marriage from taking place. Since the rule only applied to England and Wales, Scotland's loose marriage regulations made it an appealing spot for these elopements. Scottish law also stated that pretty much anyone had the authority to conduct the wedding ceremony, so the blacksmiths in Gretna earned the nickname "anvil priests." Nowadays the blacksmiths shop and its anvils are still a part of the Gretna Green tradition.
The Scottish venue has also been mentioned in popular culture. Jane Austen included it in two of her stories: in Love and Freindship [sic] the protagonists convince a naive girl to elope in Gretna Green, and in Pride and Prejudice a couple elopes, leaving behind a note that they're headed to Gretna Green. More recently, Downton Abbey's Lady Sybil Crawley and her chauffeur-turned-husband Tom Branson were en route to Gretna Green to elope before her sisters convinced them to change their plans.
See what the Scottish wedding tradition looks like in modern times — kilts, bagpipes, and all — with pictures of today's Gretna Green nuptials now!
We've been showing you how to add some history to your wedding with our weddings through the decades, beginning with the Victorian period of lace and silhouette portraits and ending with the era of neon, big hair, and mix tapes — the '80s. And then in the middle, we've got ideas for fans of Downton Abbey, Mad Men, and The Great Gatsby. If you're looking for some ways to incorporate the traditions, trends, and fashions of the past century, check out these weddings through the decades!
Following the free love of the '70s was the playful culture of the 1980s — a decade filled with neon shades, big hair, and pop music. WIth Nintendo, Pac-Man, the Brat Pack, New Kids on the Block, and the boombox, the '80s were all about bright colors and punchy energy. Hoping to bring some retro fun to your big day, or maybe your bachelorette party? From music-inspired accents to bold, bright decor, here are some unique ideas to spark your creativity.
In the wake of the conservative, buttoned-up 1950s came the flower power counterculture of the '60s: civil rights, the sexual revolution, and the women's liberation movement. While marriage held the utmost importance in the '50s, the role of women and wives began to change in the following decade. Along with Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique came the rise of feminism, which questioned women's position in society. Meanwhile, legendary musicians were at the top of the Billboard charts: The Beatles, The Supremes, Grateful Dead, and Bob Dylan. Men started adopting the mop-top hairstyle, while women wore everything from beehives to Twiggy-inspired pixie cuts. Hoping to channel the '60s for your big day? From mod styles to daisy accents, these creative ideas will kick-start your inspiration.
