Cake Table Decor: Bride’s and Bridesmaids Bouquets

Mother of the Bride, have you and your darling daughter discussed décor for the cake tables yet? Remember, you will have two tables or areas to decorate—the main cake table and the table for the groom’s cake as well. Yes, the cakes will be decorative in themselves, but something more is really needed to add color and beauty to the white tablecloths you’ll more than likely use.

One smart and gorgeous solution is to use the bride’s and the bridesmaids’ bouquets to add beautiful accents to the cake tables. Since you already have money invested in the bouquets, why not use them beyond the ceremony?

Not only will the bouquets already be stunning, they will provide coordinating color, already be paid for, and will require no extra work. Just tell the bridesmaids ahead of time where they are to place their bouquets as soon as they arrive at the reception. Or have someone else assigned to gather the bouquets as soon as the post ceremony photos are taken so she can get them to the reception site asap.

MOB, this is one of those times you can kill two birds with one stone. Take advantage of it and move on to the next item on your to-do list. After all, you’ll probably be adding to that list as fast as you check things off, right?!

*You might also like to read Cake Table Tip for Weddings: Display Engagement PhotoTable Décor Finishing Touch: Fresh Rose Petals, and Wedding Table Décor: Add Pizzazz with Confetti.

0307*Top photo by Flowers Photography; bottom photo by Chris Humphrey

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

Wedding Planning: Two Cake-Knife and Server Sets

Mother of the Bride, add this to your “to-do” list: Find two cake-knife and server sets. That’s right, you’ll need nice sets for both the main cake table and the groom’s cake table. It’s easy to forget about needing a set for the groom’s cake so put it on your list now and save yourself from a last minute cake-serving crisis. Heaven knows you want to avoid as many last minute glitches as possible, right?

I would suggest borrowing both sets or perhaps buying one beautiful set as a shower gift and then borrowing the other set. The one you buy as a gift could be used for the main cake table, and the other set for the groom’s cake.

Asking the groom’s mother if she has a set that could be used for the groom’s cake is an excellent way to help her feel included. If she doesn’t have a set herself, she might be able to borrow a set. If you’re trying to borrow both sets, you can ask other family members and friends or even check with your caterer to see if she has a set available for your use. You could also check with your church.

So MOB, line up your cake-cutting utensils now—and then prepare to enjoy the yumminess of both cakes on wedding day!

*You might also like to read Cake-Cutting Wedding Day TipWedding Savings Tip: Borrow!Make the Mother of the Groom Part of the Team, and Mothers of the Bride Pay It Forward.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Photo by Chris Humphrey

Wedding Centerpiece: A Watering Can!

Mother of the Bride, if you and your beautiful bride-to-be daughter are looking ahead to a spring or summer (or even fall) wedding and she hasn’t decided on centerpieces for the guest tables yet,  I have an idea that just might catch her decorating fancy.

A watering can centerpiece, like the one shown above, is super cute and could be appropriate for several wedding styles or themes. This unique centerpiece featuring a watering can, flowers, and kerchief (or bandana, depending on your terminology) would be the perfect addition to weddings featuring rustic/country, cowboy/western, or picnic and other casual outdoor themes. As shown above in reds and blues, it could even be a great choice for a Fourth of July wedding.

This adorable centerpiece could be done in a variety of colors, too. Kerchief/bandanas can be found in tons of colors so if you and your daughter can find them in one of her wedding colors, MOB, just start from there and work up. If you can’t find watering cans in one of your daughter’s colors, just go with a standard metallic finish and then tie your colors in with flowers in the wedding colors.

Why not show this creative and fun idea to your darling girl, MOB? Your centerpiece search might just be over!

*You might also like to read Centerpiece Idea: Mirror MagicCenterpiece Idea: Flower Ring and CandleWedding Cake Trend: Multiple Mini Cakes, and Wedding Centerpiece: Cupcake Bouquets!

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by katinalynnCreative Commons License

Wedding Cake-Stand Idea: A Glass Stand

Mother of the Bride, once your daughter chooses the design for her wedding cake, she’ll still need to decide what kind of cake stand she’d like to use. And believe it or not, there are several varieties to choose from—everything from silver-plated to acrylic to wood and lots of options in between.

One simple but still beautiful option is a glass stand. Not only does it look classy, but it gives you the opportunity to further add to the presentation of the cake by placing décor of some sort under the glass. Glass crystals are pictured under the stand above, but you could use flowers, pearls, or any number of other items.

You or someone in your family might be able to fashion a glass stand on your own, but your wedding cake designer will have cake stands available to rent too. If your daughter likes the glass option, be sure to ask your designer if she has one available and what the rental price is. Also be sure to search online because you might be able to purchase one for about the same price. Then you’d be able to use it again or sell it and earn back the purchase price.

Of course, glass pedestal stands offer another great option for all sizes of cakes but could work especially well with smaller cakes and cupcakes. See below for one example. You can still scatter decor under this style of cake stand too.

If you’d like to show your daughter other possibilities for cake stands, have her check out these links for more ideas:

etsy.com/market/wedding_cake_stand

pinterest.com/explore/wedding-cake-stands/ 

Get creative, MOB, and have fun brainstorming options with your precious girl!

*You might also like to read Wedding Cake Trend: Multiple Mini Cakes and Cake Table Tip for Weddings: Display Engagement Photo.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Top Flickr photo by the-icing-on-the-cake. (Jo)Creative Commons License; Second Flickr photo by smcgee, Creative Commons License

Cupcake Bouquets as Wedding Centerpieces

Mother of the Bride, have I got a super-creative, super-yummy centerpiece idea for you and your sweet girl today—wedding centerpiece cupcake bouquets!

What’s not to love about a centerpiece that will definitely not go to waste? And what can be be more exciting for guests than cake at their very own tables? This is definitely a win-win idea!

Ask your cake baker/designer to frost the cupcakes to look like roses and then select whatever color will work best with your décor plan. You can even go with different color bouquets scattered throughout. For an extra touch of variety, you can offer multiple flavors of cake—but nothing is wrong with one divine flavor either!

A variety of bases and numbers of cupcakes in the bouquets can also be used. A pail is used in the examples pictured here, but flower pots, baskets, crystal glassware, or even wooden crates can work as well. A pretty ribbon wrapped around the base also adds a nice touch.

So MOB, see if this idea appeals to your daughter—and then have fun brainstorming cupcake bouquet ideas together!

*You might also like to read Wedding Centerpiece With a Rustic Flair, Centerpiece Idea: Mirror Magic, Watering Can Wedding Centerpiece, Centerpiece Idea: Flower Ring and Candle, and Wedding Cake Trend: Multiple Mini Cakes

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, comes out today. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

Flickr photos by clevercupcakesCreative Commons License