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

Wedding Photo Speaks Volumes: The Minister’s Bible

Mother of the Bride, some of the simplest shots your photographer captures on wedding day can speak volumes. No elaborate background set-up, no gathering of the bridal party or family members, just some ideas in mind and a photographer’s great eye.

The minister with his Bible is one such photo that conveys deep meaning. I love the shot above that focuses on the Bible and not on the minister himself. It speaks of the importance of the day and the holiness of the ceremony. It says God is here. It says this marriage is founded on the instruction and wisdom of God. Yes, this simple shot speaks volumes.

So, MOB, when you’re compiling a list of shots for the photographer to take on wedding day, be sure to include the minister-with-his-Bible idea along with other artsy-type shots you might have in mind. Just tell the photographer some general ideas you’d like included, and he’ll be ready to work his magic. Bet you’ll be pleased!

*You might also like to read Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer and Wedding Photography Tip: Candid Shots of the Guests.

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

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out tomorrow. Sign up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Photo by Chris Humphrey

Wedding Planning Help During July Blogging Break

Mother of the Bride, I’m taking a blogging break during July but never fear—I will not leave you without some help. Below you’ll find a variety of ideas and links to help you with you and your sweet girl’s wedding planning while I allow myself a little blogging vacation.

So here you go—hope you find tons of ideas that will really help!

Here are five resources from yours truly:

  1. Read my book Mother of the Bride: Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride. Allow me to be your friend for the journey!
  2. Look through the list of Favorite Posts on the sidebar and click the links to the ones that spark your interest. (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find the sidebar items.)
  3. Use the drop-down feature in the Archives to spot some posts that might be especially helpful to you at this stage in your Mother of the Bride journey. You’ll find the Archives on the sidebar on my home page so use the directions above to find it if you’re on a mobile device.
  4. Check out my Pinterest pageAmong other things, it features eighteen wedding-related boards!
  5. Glance through the roundup posts I’ve written. They are listed below. Roundups can be very helpful:

Wedding Photography: Bridal Portrait Roundup

Roundup: Popular Mother of the Bride Blog Posts

Bridal Bouquet Roundup

Wedding Cake Roundup

Wedding Registry Roundup

Wedding Photo Ideas Roundup That Star the Groom

Finally, if your daughter is in the beginning stages of gathering ideas and investigating her options, try Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, and Brides.  And if she wants a rustic wedding, check out Rustic Wedding Chic.

Hope this helps you and your sweet bride-to-be daughter, MOB!

*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 with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, comes out in early August. Sign-up is free and to the right! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by smcgeeCreative Commons License

Mother of the Groom: Part of the Team

Mother of the Bride, have you reached out yet to help the mother of the groom feel included in the wedding preparations? Remember, the wedding you’re helping your daughter plan is a very big deal to the mother of your little girl’s beloved too. This is a major milestone and celebration in the life of their family as well.

True, unless the groom’s family is helping in a significant way financially and thus in charge of certain aspects of the wedding, you and your daughter will take care of most of the wedding preparations. However, you can enlist the MOG’s help for certain things.

Here are a few ideas to help make the Mother of the Groom feel like she’s part of the team:

1) Ask her to be in charge of providing the card box/container to use on wedding day for any cards guests may bring.
2) Invite her to help decorate the church and/or reception venue the day before the wedding.
3) Ask if she can provide some needed items such as cake knife and server set (since one will be needed for the groom’s cake as well) or a champagne bucket.
4) If a problem arises with some aspect of the wedding prep, is there some way she might be able to help? If so, call on her.
5) Is there an errand she can run? For example, if you need to find multiple items of a certain component of the centerpieces, can she check to see if more of the items you need are available at the store in her location?

MOB, these are just a few possibilities for including the MOG. I’m sure you’ll be able to think of others. The important thing is to reach out, to make her feel included. The joy will be that much greater during wedding weekend if you’ve built a bond ahead of time. Don’t miss out on this special blessing!

*You might also like to read Kicking Off the In-Law Relationship.

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

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early August. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by Or HiltchCreative Commons License

Full Length Mirror for the Bridal Dressing Room

Mother of the Bride, your daughter and her beloved may have already secured their wedding ceremony venue since that’s one of the first things that needs to be done before other wedding planning. But chances are they didn’t think too much about the bridal dressing room when they made their choice. After all, other factors are indeed more important.

But now that the venue has been selected, be sure to tour it soon with your daughter. Not only will you want to see the area to help plan décor, but be sure to view the rooms the wedding party will use to get ready in and  await the big moment.

In addition to wanting a bridal dressing room large enough to accommodate the bride and all her bridesmaids, another must is a full-length mirror. The bride and her maids will want to check their appearance before walking down the aisle, and they will want a full-length view. They’ll want to make sure they look perfect, not to mention delighting in their beautiful appearance for a minute and tucking it away in their memories. The bride especially needs the opportunity to do this. The groom and his guys will need a mirror as well, but you and I both know it won’t be quite as important to them, will it?

So, MOB, if a full-length mirror is not already part of the bridal dressing room, add that to your to-do list. Arrange for one and make sure your baby girl gets the view of a lifetime on her special day!

*You might also like to read Preparation for Decorating Wedding Reception Venue.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, 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.

*Flickr photo by Corey AnnCreative Commons License