Sneak Peek: Jennifer & Steve on Coronado Island

We are in love with this image of clients Jennifer + Steve! It captures the pure romance they were radiating at their Loews Coronado wedding. We hope you are enjoying Hawaii!

Stay tuned for more photos! *Photo from Llanes Weddings

Celebrating Tradition: The Groom's Cake, Courtesy of Marry You Me

We're so excited to have the wonderful and lovely Annie of Marry You Me guest blogging for us today! You might have seen our post a few days ago on the age-old tradition of the wedding cake pull for the ladies. Today Annie sheds some light on the tradition of the groom's cake. Take it away, Annie!:

I love these pictures of a "favor cake," and I just had to point out the charming tradition behind it. Very different from what we think of a groom's cake as today, the traditional groom's cake is an old wedding tradition that began to fall out of favor in the late 1950's. The groom's cake was a favor for guests to take home with them and was "wrapped in foil and boxed in tiny, white, satin-tied boxes" according to Amy Vanderbilt in 1952. It did not need to be an elaborate cake - it was traditionally a heavy fruitcake soaked in liqueur. This is the cake, according to tradition, that unmarried female guests would take home and put under their pillows in order to dream of their one true love.

*Image 1: Martha Stewart *Image 2: Martha Stewart

For brides that are looking for something vintage and unique, who would like to have a groom's cake, and are planning on having favors - this accomplishes all of that! Slip a note in the boxes explaining the tradition to your guests, and to save on the cake cutting fee that many venues have, simply cut the cake prior to the wedding and put into the boxes.

From Martha Stewart Weddings regarding Image 1: "Assembled in the shape of a three-tier layer cake, store-bought boxes hold individual slices of the groom's cake, ready for the guests to take home; tucked between the white boxes are ranunculuses, sweet peas, hyancinths, and lilies of the valley."

Here are some good resources for cake slice boxes: Assorted colors/finishes -Bayley's Boxes (wholesale and bulk pricing), and white quilted boxes from WeddingFavors.com.
 Check out these great books on vintage wedding traditions: Your Vintage Wedding by Nancy Eaton and Vintage Weddings by Daniela Turudich

Thank you, Annie! We appreciate this sweet, sweet post and love what it stands for! Brides and grooms-to-be; we'd love to hear if you'll be incorporating your own spin on this old tradition!

*Be sure to visit Marry You Me!

'Round the World: Real Wedding, Japanese Romance

We are just thrilled to bring you this wedding from Japan. Bringing you unique weddings from around the world is great fun; we can't get enough of traditions, beautiful couples, and amazing details. Chung Li brought us that charming Martha's Vineyard wedding earlier this week and today brings us this romantic wedding rich in Japanese culture.

Toshi {the groom} grew up in Japan and studied in California from 2003-2005 for his MBA {and met Chung Li}. Shortly thereafter he returned to Japan where he met Yukari. They incorporated many aspects of Japanese culture during their ceremony and banquet celebration in Japan.

Yukari wore a tradition Kimono {her dress}, and the Tsunokakushi, Japanese wedding head wear. Made of white silk, it symbolizes the bride's resolve to become a gentle and loyal wife.

Their traditional ceremony was held at the Nezu Shrine, established in 1705 and located just outside of Tokyo City.

According to Chung Li, Toshi and Yukari's wedding ceremony was just a bit rare. These days, many couples opt to have a more Western wedding in a hotel. The fact that they said "I Do" in traditional fashion at a relic like this speaks volumes. 

Talk about wedding hair accoutrements! Yukari's headpieces are all just so remarkable.

After the wedding ceremony guests were treated to an extensive Japanese meal and celebration at a garden restaurant near Ginza.

The table decor is so formed, so intricate, and so aesthetically appealing. It's reminiscent of a Japanese friendship or botanical garden.

 Guests indulged in Japanese sushi and beer while celebrating Toshi and Yukari's nuptials.

In Japan brides can change into various outfits throughout the celebration. Yukari opted to don a more Western-style wedding dress and adorned the gown with some beautiful and delicate netted gloves.

 Chung Li, we just love your work and are so honored you have chosen to share it with us and our readers! We appreciate this look into Toshi and Yukari's lovely Japanese wedding and learning even more about the traditions!

 Please visit Chung Li's own site to view his work!

A Fresh Look at an Old Tradition: Wedding Cake Pulls

We just love when our clients teach us something. This past weekend our lovely clients, Jennifer and Steve had the coolest tradition at their wedding. Jennifer is from New Orleans so we subtly incorporated her roots throughout the wedding {with a palette of muted Mardi Gras colors: butter, sage, and lavender, we adorned the aisle with a Fleur-de-Lis rose pattern, and used the Fleur-de-Lis throughout their wedding stationery}.

One tradition we were unaware of: having a "cake pull" ceremony before the bride and groom cut the cake. This tradition dates back to Victorian times and is especially popular in New Orleans.

What is a cake pull? The cake baker gently inserts Victorian charms {a vintage key, an alligator, and other goodies} into the base of the cake. The bride calls up 10 of her nearest and dearest ladies and one by one they pull out one charm by the ribbon it's attached to.

Each charm signifies something special and the bride announces what each lady will be granted. For example, an anchor means a steady and true relationship. A a picture frame means a lifetime of memories. An airplane means a lifetime of travel and adventure. One of the ladies pulled the key, which signifies comfort in a new home. What's amazing: she just bought a new home!

We just love this Victorian tradition and hope it catches on! It's something that anyone can incorporate into their big day. You can order special cake pulls yourself from this Victorian site.
Cheers {and stay tuned for more photos from Jenn + Steve's wedding}!

Cake: The French Gourmet

Photos: Llanes Weddings

Real Wedding: Love on Martha's Vineyard, Part Two

We know you loved Part One of Meredith + Michael's timeless and lovely Martha's Vineyard ceremony. So with great pleasure we bring you Part Two, their celebration! We wanted to kick of this post with this image. It's quite possibly the sweetest moment we've seen between a bride and groom!

Every detail of this destination wedding was so thoughtful. How fun is it that the guests and family members seemed to all coordinated with the happy couple's chic palette of Caribbean turquoise, smooth sand, and pale raspberry? Love it!

This lounge space is utterly fabulous! Love the contrast of the stylish and sleek furniture against a rustic backdrop.

Guests visited here and watched the festivities on the dance floor.

Again, we just love this name of the reception site. How fun!

We know you all loved the gorgeous baubles Meredith's girls donned {à la Part One}!

One can never tire of a celebratory au revoir, especially one with sparklers!

Again, thank you kindly to the amazing Chung Li for sending this sweet and timeless summer wedding our way! We are excited to feature more of your work soon!

Planner: Patrie Grace of With Grace- Marthas Vineyard

Flowers: Louise Sweet, Flowers on the Vineyard- Martha's Vineyard
Cake: Cakes by Liz- Martha's Vineyard
Tents/lounge: Big Sky Tents- Martha's Vineyard
Bridesmaids dresses- JCrew
Bridesmaids necklaces- Custom- contact ctdesigns1@hotmail.com
Flower Girl Dress: Us Angels