All weddings have certain basics in common and the wedding cake is among the most important.  Whether you’re planning a small family gathering or a large, gala affair, the wedding cake normally takes center stage when it comes to reception decorations.  

Just like almost every other wedding detail, wedding cakes also follow popular trends.  In past blogs, we’ve discussed the trend toward geometric shapes instead of the traditional round cake.  We’ve also touched on more popular cake flavors, and which cakes tend to freeze best for that one year anniversary celebration.  Now we want to share the preferred frosting type for the 2010 wedding.

In past years, fondant has easily been the bride’s favorite because of its versatility and clean look.  However, fondant can be found lacking when it comes to taste and can also be quite costly.  The new frosting choice for 2010 has returned to buttercream.  Today’s bakers have found ways to make this flavorful frosting with the same smooth, clean look of fondant without the extra expense. 

So when it comes to today’s most popular frosting choice, you can have it all with buttercream.  Lower costs, beautiful versatility and delicious taste;  it’s truly a ‘buttercream dream’ come true!

Bigger is not necessarily better for everyone.  In fact, when it comes to the newest trends in weddings, the backyard get-together is making a fairly good showing.  The economy may play a part  in a couple’s decision to down-size their wedding celebration, however, it is not the only factor.  Couples are starting to bring back the basics of family and intimate friends. 

The whole idea of a backyard wedding is quite nostalgic for me ~ my parents were married in my mother’s childhood home and the reception was held in the backyard.  There’s a cozy, endearing quality about a more intimate celebration.

The more practical side is also important to consider.  Families and friends tend to be spread out all over the country; after all, you need to go where the jobs are, right?  So when you finally are able to get everyone together for a celebration, it’s nice to actually be able to spend some quality time with them.  Couples that have a larger guest list rarely have time to talk to anyone other than in the reception line. 

The cost of this type of wedding is also a plus.  You can still provide a lavish meal with wonderful decorations, but keeping with the smaller size and the more quaint accommodations, will really help to stay within a more limited budget. 

Weddings that are held around a holiday can be extremely festive since the celebration tone has already been set by the holiday itself.  Whichever holiday you’re planning your wedding around, you’ll want to incorporate part of that holiday’s essence, not only into the decorations and reception atmosphere, but also into the wedding ceremony.  Let your vows reflect that holiday’s spirit and meaning.

  ~  A New Year’s wedding is perfect for focusing on new beginnings.  Your vows can communicate the wonderful anticipation of what is to come; a new journey to be traveled together. 

  ~  A Valentine’s weddingis already the perfect backdrop for a romantic’s dream.  Vows can incorporate selections from any one of a thousand classic poets. 

  ~  A Thanksgiving wedding lends itself nicely to expressing the immense gratitude you feel for the gift of your spouse.  You can also extend that thankfulness to your family, friends and guests as well.

  ~  A Christmas wedding brings with it a wonderful picture of God’s blessed gift to mankind and to you as a couple.  Acknowledging your commitment to Him and to each other in your marriage reflects the absolute love and commitment which was manifested on that first Christmas day.

There’s nothing that says weddings have to be formal.  Sometimes, even as adults, it’s good to let that inner child out, and a teddy bear theme is the perfect way to do that.  For this type of theme, it’s all about the decorations. 

Let your flower girl carry her petal basket that has been adorned with a tiny teddy bear.  A bear-shaped pillow can carry your rings tied onto each paw.  Embellish your reception tables with centerpieces that feature different bears or try making several pairs of beautiful ‘bear’ fresheners to set around the reception hall.  A stuffed pair of bride and groom teddys can even keep guard at the gift table.  Teddy bear cake toppers are readily available at many online wedding shops as well as unique wedding favors to send home with your guests.  HINT:  If you can’t find bear-theme wedding favors, look for baby shower favors.  Some may even be able to be personalized with your names and your wedding date.

Ask your caterer about customizing your reception foods into teddy bear molds or arrangements.  You may even want to complete the look with a teddy bear ice sculpture. 

If you are looking for a truly unique theme, this ‘Love Bears All Things’ (1Cor. 13:7) wedding theme is a particularly sweet idea. 

Want to be ‘in style’ when it comes to your reception foods?  This year’s trends offer up a variety of tastes to fit most everyone’s budgets. 

With today’s growing health conscious mindset, it comes as no surprise that reception menus consisting of organic foods are gaining in popularity.  Seek out caterers that serve organically fed beef or chicken for your main course.  Or, if you prefer, keep a totally vegetarian menu.  Look for local organically grown produce for your salads, fruits, garnishes and juices.  Check with your caterer regarding meatless entrees that provide a wonderfully elegant presentation without the higher cost of steak or fish.

Specialty sandwiches are another trend that can help to keep the cost down.  Gourmet meats, cheeses and sauces add an ethnic flare without costing an arm and a leg.  It’s also a wonderful way to let your guests try several different flavor combinations, giving your reception a truly unique style. 

Another idea that is gaining in popularity is the appetizer reception.  Instead of a sit-down meal made up a several courses, a table filled with trays of appetizers would be set out in a buffet-style arrangement.  Again, this type of reception allows your guests to relish a variety of different flavors and at the same time, helps you to stay within your budget.

Today’s trendy wedding bar is now being stocked with an assortment of specialty drinks created with energy drinks such as Red Bull.  These popular high-energy concoctions  sparked the imagination of many bartenders and the results are not only creative but tasty.  Not into energy drinks?  Ask about unique healthy drinks made with teas.

There may be nothing new under the sun, but every once in awhile you see something a little different come along.  This year, a new trend for wedding receptions will be in the area of entertainment.  Instead of just the typical dinner and maybe some dancing until it’s time to go home, new forms of entertainment seem to be popping up.

Karaoke is finding its way into receptions, as well as other activities that will keep the guests involved.  Trivia games, guessing games, and drawing games are all great ways to lure guests into actively participating in the celebration.

Some couples are hiring artists to do candid sketches of their guests as prizes or take-home keepsakes from their wedding.  If this idea appeals to you, check into finding budding art students that might be interested in making a few extra dollars.

Wine & cheese tasting, or sampling different coffees or desserts is another idea that is gaining in popularity.  Use your imagination; be creative.  Just remember, when it comes to this year’s receptions, ‘interactive’ seems to be the buzz word.

Wondering how many people to invite to your wedding?  Of course the final number is totally up to you and your fiance, however, if you’re one of those people that like to follow the trends, then you’d better be prepared for a fairly good-size wedding.  According to Kate Aspen, a well-known and respected manufacturer and wholesaler of high quality wedding favors, about 40% of brides surveyed are inviting 100 - 150 people.  Nearly that same percentage, 36%, are planning on inviting 150 or more guests to their wedding.  It seems like even in these difficult economic times, brides don’t want to ‘pinch pennies’ when it comes to their weddings.

Don’t feel bad, however, if you happen to be in the group that prefers a smaller wedding.  There’s something very special about a small gathering of truly close friends and family members to help you celebrate the beginning of your married life.  The true meaning of the wedding day isn’t as easily lost when the focus is kept on a smaller scale. 

At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter how many people were invited or what size your wedding reception was.  The important thing to remember is that the wedding day is only the beginning with a lifetime of tomorrows to follow.  Ultimately, it’s the marriage the counts!

Yes!  Birds seem to be swooping in as a popular favorite when it comes to 2009’s wedding trends.  These lovely little creatures are beginning to be found everything in the wedding decor, from centerpieces to the bridal bouquet. 

If the idea of birds doesn’t quite appeal to you, you can still be up-to-date with today’s latest trends by incorporating just the feathers.  The feather’s intricate details can be a beautiful touch on wedding invitations, wedding cake decorations, and wedding favors.  Using the plumage from more exotic birds can add an interesting touch to centerpieces and bridal party bouquets. 

Another unique wedding decorating idea using the bird theme would be to use small wire birdcages or nests.  Bird eggs made from soap, displayed in tiny nests make wonderful favors that are not only unique buy also practical.

Having your guests throw birdseed instead of rice, is not only a trendy eco-friendly idea, but many reception halls prefer this option.  If this idea appeals to you, you’ll want to check out the rules at your reception hall to make sure this is allowed.

One wedding theme that is gaining in popularity in 2009 is the eco-friendly theme.  Lavish centerpieces are being replaced by more simple arrangements of bark, moss, herbs and rocks.  Other eco-friendly centerpiece ideas are made from various fruits, nuts or pine cones which can be arranged in vintage tins or baskets for a nice earthy touch.

The trendy colors of green, turquoise and yellow work well into an eco-friendly theme.  Wedding favors are following this trend with plantable favors embedded with wildflower seeds or favors made from bamboo or seashells.  Even smaller versions of the centerpieces can be given as favors.

Another earth-friendly idea is wedding invitations and thank-you cards made from recycled paper.  Instead of including response cards, which use more paper and cost more in return postage, set up a wedding website where guests can log in and relay their intentions.  Using the website to give directions and area hotel information will also cut down on additional paper and postage.

The traditional round white wedding cake will always be in style, but a few new trends are starting to spring up.  Depending on your wedding theme, your cake can fit easily into the new ‘in’ colors.  Black and white cakes incorporate a truly elegant, chic and sophisticated look that is very much in style for this year.  Pastel hues in the blue, turquoise and green families are perfect for spring or garden weddings.  Pink is still a longtime favorite and shows no signs of losing that distinction.

The shape of wedding cakes is another area in which today’s trends are differing.  Square, hexagonal and other atypical geometric designs are replacing the more traditional round or heart-shaped cake.  Although they can be very traditional-looking , these new shapes can also give the cake a very modern and contemporary look, in addition to adding a lot of visual interest to any reception.

Wedding cakes made entirely out of cupcakes is a fairly recent concept that more and more brides seems to be intrigued with.  The newest twist to this idea is in the shape of the cupcakes.  As with the wedding cake shape, square cupcakes, as well as other geometric shapes, are replacing the typical round cupcakes.