Wedding Cakes

The wedding cake is the center of the reception

and represents both your wedding and personal style.  A wide range of options are available and you may have a tendency to get carried away with the possibilities.  Remember to stay true to the style and look of the wedding, but feel free to let your personalities show through as well.

A number of details and decisions go into choosing a cake and making a few determinations before consulting a decorator will keep the stress levels downs and the budget in line.  Like the majority of decisions, the cake should be no different in staying with the color scheme, formality and theme of the wedding.  Before you talk to a decorator, determine the budget for the cake.  The guest list has a major impact on the size of cake you will need.  The cost of a wedding cake is based on a cost per slice, and can range anywhere from $1.50 to $20, depending on the final decoration.  Based on the number of guests to serve, determine the number of tiers needed and overall size.  As a standard, 50 to 100 guests are served with a three tier cake.  From here factor the per slice cost you can afford, and work with your decorator to embellish the cake based on budget.   Finding the right top to finalize the cake is a personal preference.  There are a number of options to choose from: porcelain figurines, plastic bride and grooms, or fresh flowers.  Many brides are choosing to be sentimental and incorporating a family heirloom into the top.  Whether using the cake top her mom or grandmother used, or a family broche, adding a family treasure brings an emotional and personal feel to the cake.  Whatever top you choose, consider the weight the cake will hold.  You don’t want the top to sink into the cake because it is too heavy.  Share your choice as soon as possible with the decorator to ensure it will work.

As the cake is the centerpiece of the reception, make sure it is on adequate display for everyone to view.  The cake table should be prominent at the reception and effort should go into decoration for the table.  It does not have to be elaborate and can include a flower arrangement, fresh fruit, pictures, colorful tablecloths, etc.  The motif and decoration of the table should blend and complement the look, while showcasing the cake.

Once you have found a decorator, sit down with them and work to design the look.  As you consider frosting colors, ribbon designs, gum paste roses, etc., don’t forget the cake should have exceptional taste.  Traditionally, wedding cakes were white cakes, white frosting with a few colored roses.  Cake design has evolved and become more elaborate making the options unlimited.  Instead of traditional white or chocolate cakes, choices have opened up to include key lime, carrot cake, strawberry swirl, chocolate mint, cherry vanilla almond, with a wide variety of fillings as well; mango, coconut, cream cheese, mocha-praline, etc.  Each tier can be a different flavor, allowing both the bride and the groom to have their individual tastes accounted for or more than one of their favorites to be included.  The combinations of cakes, fillings and frostings available allow for enough differentiation that all taste palettes can be catered to. 

You can find Bakeries and sample cake at one of the following

Bridal Showplace Bridal Shows for 2017:

Jan. 22 - The Queen Mary, Long Beach

Feb. 22 - Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel, Buena Park

April 23 - Hyatt Regency, Long Beach

May 7 -  Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio

Aug. 6 - The Queen Mary, Long Beach

Sept. 17 - Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa, Huntington Beach

Oct. 8 - Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel, Buena Park

Oct. 22 - Marriott Long Beach Airport Hotel

www.bridalshowplace.net

Just Engaged?  Bridal Shows Are A Great Start!

If you are newly engaged, then congratulations are in order. Planning your wedding can be a fun and exciting time but you’ll also have to make many important decisions in the upcoming months. The first decision that you make should be to go to a Bridal Show.  There you can see bridal shops, bakeries, musicians, photographers, florists and lots of other wedding vendors gathered all in one place. It’s the best way to see examples of their work, taste samples of cakes and foods, and collect brochures and literature. You can spend the whole day walking around talking to vendors and gathering information about their services.

The highlight of these events is usually the fashion show. If you’re like most brides, you’ll want to check it out. But these seats will fill up quickly so plan on seating before the show starts. And if you already have your gown picked out then its a good idea to use this time to talk with the vendors that you are most interested in. Since most brides will be watching the fashion show, you should have their undivided attention. Also if you’ve already picked out your gown and wedding party dresses, make sure you bring a swatch. Many vendors will be able to make suggestions on how best to use your colors in other aspects of the your wedding.

Here’s a couple of things to keep in mind before you head off to your first Bridal Show that will make the experience more enjoyable. Bring the people that you think will help you make the best decisions. Whether you invite your family or your friends or a combination of both, you should surround yourself with positive influences. Definitely wear comfortable shoes. You’re going to do a lot of walking and be on your feet almost the whole time you’re there. Bring address labels with you. They can save you a lot of time when filling out contact information for the wedding merchants or for contests. And bring a pad and pen to take notes or jot down ideas.

And remember to have fun. Wedding planning should be an exhilarating time of your life and a Bridal Show is a great place to start.

We Invite You to Attend Bridal Showplace Bridal Shows-SoCal

2017 Schedule

Jan 22 - The Queen Mary, Long Beach

Feb 12 - Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel, Buena Park

April 23 - Hyatt Regency, Long Beach

May 7 - Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio

Aug 6 - The Queen Mary, Long Beach

Sept 17 - Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa, Huntington Beach

Oct 8 - Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel, Buena Park

Oct 22 - Marriott Long Beach Airport Hotel, Long Beach

For more information, visit the website:  www.bridalshowplace.net

Planning the Perfect Spring Wedding

Spring is the perfect season for new beginnings. It is also the perfect time to celebrate the wedding of you and your husband (or bride) to be. When you think of spring, you think of flowers blooming, the sun shining, and the sound of wedding bells. Flowers are the key element to a stunning spring wedding. Here are some tips for planning the perfect spring wedding:

1. Spring showers

The saying goes, "April showers bring may flowers." If you are planning a spring wedding, don't let the rain deter you. You can still throw a beautiful spring wedding despite the chance of rain. If you dream of having your wedding outside you can find a wedding vendor that can provide a tent for your big day, just in case things do get a bit rainy. If you opt for an indoor wedding, you can find a place where the décor has a whimsical feel that can be decorated in an enchanted way. The more flowers the better if you are throwing your spring wedding indoors.

2. Pick your colors

Many brides choose to go with pastels for their wedding. The soft colors are perfect for a spring wedding theme. You can also give a twist to the traditional pastel palette and add contrasting colors. Lime greens, corals, and dark browns pair great with muted tones. You can also choose brighter, bolder, and more vibrant colors.

3. The Décor

When decorating for a spring wedding, the flowers are the focus. You can accent your tables with fresh and colorful floral arrangements. A tiered cake topped with real or faux flowers adds the perfect spring touch to your reception. When choosing the venue, a place that has natural beauty, like a beach or garden, is the perfect setting.

4. Dress the part

Spring is the perfect time to where light chiffons and lace gowns that are reminiscent of a Midsomer’s Night Dream. Many brides are choosing to go a more non-traditional route with their dress. This is the perfect time to choose a dress with a hint of color. Baby pinks and light minty greens are perfect for this season.

For more inspiration for your perfect spring wedding, visit one of our bridal shows coming to a city near you.

The Perfect Wedding Bouquet for Any Season

When it comes to choosing the perfect flowers to create your bouquet, there are many factors to take into consideration. Among the most important to consider are color, budget, and season. Luckily, the gorgeous California weather gives you many more options to choose from!

www.stylemepretty.com

Spring: If you are celebrating in the Spring, the most popular colors are bright blues, pinks and yellows. Some brides choose to feature pastels in their  wedding bouquet arrangement as well. Anemones are available in most months, except for summer. In recent years it has been featured in black and white themed weddings. A Star Gazer Lily offers a bit of dramatic flair to a bouquet because of their large blossoms. A peony is one of the most popular picks for a Spring bride. Spring colors are perfect for a California bride.

www.stylemepretty.com

Summer: If you are having a wedding during the summer months, the most important thing to consider when choosing your flowers is whether or not they can withstand the California heat. The most popular choice is the Gerbera Daisy. It is inexpensive, comes in a wide assortment of bright/summery colors, and is widely available. Sunflowers are a great choice for a late-season, California wedding. Other perfect summer flowers are forget-me-nots, hydrangea, and asters.

www.pinterest.com

Fall: This is the season with the most limited flower options. If the wedding is planned closer to Summer, many of the flowers are still available for California brides and will still look just as stunning. Many late-season brides choose to get more creative with their bouquets and add pumpkins or gourds to fill in for the flowers. Marigolds come in red, orange, and yellow and are the most common picks for California Fall brides. Chinese lanterns are a gorgeous addition to a rustic fall centerpiece. Dahlia's are a great combination of a rustic look with vibrant color.

www.theweddinghouse.info

Winter: Many may be surprised to know that Winter has an abundance of flowers to choose from. Many tropical flowers begin to bloom during this season which are perfect for a California beach wedding. Some spring blossoms become available for your bouquet. Poinsettias are perfect for a wedding in a warmer climate. Tulips are a popular pick because of their bright colors. Many brides add holly and hypericum berries for a wintery twist to their California wedding.

If you’re still looking for a floral designer for your wedding ceremony, feel free to browse through the ones on our website.

Planning a Bridal Shower: Things to Remember

Planning a bridal shower for a friend can be an exciting process. Especially if you have already thought of new ideas on how you can celebrate her engagement, you will find that the planning stage can go by in a breeze. But if you’re like the many who do not know how to go about with the bridal shower of your friend, here are some tips on how you can plan one:

Pick a Theme

One of the first things you have to remember when planning a bridal shower is the theme. While the common type of bridal party is to have a mini-gathering with the bridesmaids and go clubbing, there are other ways to celebrate it too. Especially if the bride-to-be is not into that type of celebration, you can opt for other ways to celebrate such as a spa date or a brunch. When you have picked one out, you can start incorporating a theme to it.

Guest List

Traditionally, it is the Maid of Honor’s job to plan the bridal shower and the family members do not host it. But because there are some factors that may hinder this, following tradition is no longer an applicable issue. While the party is usually for the bride-to-be and her bridesmaids, there are some cases wherein the mother of the bride and mother of the groom get invited too. Make sure you check with your friend if this is something she is comfortable in doing.

Choosing the Date

The best time to have a bridal shower is a week before the wedding day itself. This will give everyone in the entourage enough time to get to know each other. At the same time, the memory will still be fresh from the event. As such, the attendees will be able to relate well with one another.

Activities

Lastly, you have to make sure that you have planned the party carefully. See to it that you plan some activities like games and music to make the party a fun one. This way, everyone will enjoy and remember how much fun they had throughout the night.

When the party is over, you can thank those that attended by giving them gifts. Check out some of our recommended vendors for some gifts to give to the bridal party.

Tips for Planning Your Daughter’s Quinceanera

Just like weddings, Quinceaneras are large events often attended by 150 to 300 people. Because of this, many choose to have their event organized by a professional event planner. For some people who are on a budget, however, planning a Quinceanera should be done on their own.

If you are planning your daughter’s Quinceanera, here are some tips on how you can make the event a success:

Best Time to Start Planning

When you’re planning a Quinceanera, the best time to start doing it is ten to twelve months before the event. Since these events are important, it is best to be thorough with the plans instead of just letting them run on their own. Otherwise, you may end up with more costs to pay.

Get Help

While you may not have the budget to hire a planner, you can still have your immediate family members help you with the planning. The first thing you have to establish, however, is when the Quinceanera will take place. After that, you will have to determine how much your budget for the event is.

Once you have determined how much the budget for the Quinceanera is, you can already start looking for a venue, musician, caterer, and the decorations for the party. You can also check out our upcoming Bridal & Quinceanera Showplace on February 1, 2014. This is the best place where you can get all the help you need in planning your daughter’s Quinceanera.

At the February 2nd Bridal & Quinceanera Showplace at the Embassy Suites in Downey - you will find 100's of ideas and services for your Wedding, Quinceanera and all special events in your life. 

Enjoy scrumptious cake by Portos Bakery and hors d'oeuvres, breathtaking displays, entertainment showcase, dazzling Bridal and Quince Fashion Shows, designer gown sale and so much more.  Enter to Win $1,000's in Door Prizes including 3 Luxurious Honeymoons, Wi-Fi Tablets, Hotel Stays, Photography Packages, Gift Certificates & more.  Bring your party, family and friends to spend a fun day making dreams come true!  All Brides & Quince Girls will get complimentary Wedding Planners, magazines, samples & money saving coupons.

First 50 Brides & Quince Girls at the door will receive a "SWAG BAG". The first 50 Grooms will receive a Certificate for a Getaway including airfare. 

11am-3pm (Free Parking) Register now at:  www.bridalshowplace.net

Bridal Showplace 2014:

2/23 - Knott's Resort Hotel, Buena Park

3/02 - Sheraton Fairplex Convention Center, Pomona

3/23 - Sportsmens Lodge & Event Center, Studio City

4/06 - Radisson Hotel, Whittier

5/18 - Hyatt Regency, Long Beach

8/10 - Queen Mary, Long Beach

9/21 - Westin Hotel, Long Beach

10/12 - Knott's Resort Hotel, Buena Park

11/02 - Hilton Hotel, Pasadena

Tips for Picking a Good Photo Booth Company for Your Wedding

Nowadays, a photo booth has become a part of weddings. In fact, there are plenty of couples that ensure they will have a photo booth for their wedding before making any other plans. Since this is something that wedding guests enjoy, they see to it that they can book a photo booth rental for their big day.

But with the number of different photo booth businesses that offer their services, finding one can be quite a struggle. In fact, it is important to know how to find a good photo booth rental company when choosing one for your wedding day. Here are a few tips on how to pick the best photo booth business:

Browse through their samples

One of the best ways you can find a good photo booth company is to look at their previous clients. This is something that you can use to help you in making your decision because you can pick out a company that can provide quality service. There are some companies that do not offer samples of their previous work on their website. This is why you need to request it from your prospective photo booth provider.

Ask for the type of service they offer

There are some photo booth companies that do not provide manpower in operating the camera. Make sure that when you are choosing a photo booth provider, you pick out someone that can provide you the type of service you need for your big day.

Check what props and special effects they provide

One reason why photo booths have become an enjoyable addition to weddings is because of the number of props they provide during the event. Your guests will enjoy getting photographed with the numerous props. Make sure you already have an idea of what props and special effects the photo booth company can provide for your wedding day.

There are plenty of different photo booth companies available today. Make sure that you ask for these things so that you know what you are getting from the package you are paying for. Check out our recommended photo booth providers that can help you with your wedding.