Traditional wedding cakes are round, white, layer cakes with white or cream colored frosting in a tiered format. Many brides choose to accent traditional cakes with real or silk flowers that complement their wedding colors. Traditional cake toppers often feature a miniature bride and groom holding hands.

More and more modern brides, however, are finding new ways to break with tradition, opting for new and interesting arrangements, different flavors and designs, and even colored cakes. The wedding cake is a primary focal point at the reception, and like all the other ‘pieces’ of your wedding and reception, you want it to be spectacular.

Beyond Butter Cream: Fillings and Frostings

While butter cream frosting has been one of the most widely used wedding cake frostings, you cab opt for almost any variety of frostings and fillings. Although more expensive in most cases, a rolled fondant icing has a firmer texture that lends itself to carving and intricate details. If you and your groom have a favorite cake or dessert, consider using that for the cake flavor. Chocolate mousse-filled cakes and the Italian casada (strawberry and custard) cake are popular cake flavors.

Throughout the years, wedding trends come and go, but most experts in the multi-million-dollar bridal industry agree that this special day remains the bride’s show. With so many bridal magazines, TV shows, Internet listings and specialty shops, planning a wedding might seem intimidating. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and, when necessary, seek advice from the experts.

After all, the bride’s dream-day shouldbe perfect in every way. As the wedding industry continually changes, modern brides do retain some tradition in their plans, said Ana Maria Soler, director of catering and events at the  Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. “Maybe it’s a toast, or a traditional gown, but tradition is still there in some form.”

An experienced planner and caterer can take a lot of stress out of the planning process and offer selections and ideas to keep a particular budget intact. Let the experts figure out a floor plan that works best for your reception guests. As the wedding date nears, the experts easily manage important details like these.

What are the main differences between first and second marriages? Well, it might seem a simple enough question to answer but, as you delve deeper into the subject you will discover the contrary. For starters- all second marriages come with some sort of emotional baggage. Secondly, most come with children- both little and grown up. Thirdly, finance and inheritance. So, when put in a nutshell we can say that getting married a second time is far more challenging.

I remember how hard I had swallowed to get rid of that lump in my throat when I came to the part in Oliver’s Story where after spending the night with his new found love Oliver is sitting alone by the lake. His lady love puts his arms around him understandingly and says, ‘I know you’re feeling bad because you thought of Jenny (his wife who had passed away) when we were together last night. But it really is alright. I understand’. And while continuing to stare at the lake Oliver replied, “no I am feeling bad because I didn’t think of her.” Well, that is lesson number one, if you are contemplating starting a new relationship, do not look for familiarity. Because, no relationship can be replaced. Only new ones can be built. And comparing or looking for glimpses of the old relationship in the new one will only result in unhappiness and dissatisfaction.

I have always been fascinated by stuff like astrology, tarot card reading, numerology and face reading. A friend of mine, Vikramjeet, who shares my interests, just dropped by the other day and over a cup of coffee he revealed to me the connection between numerology and colours. He said that we all have what is known as a birth colour. This colour is determined by one’s birth number. Each of the numbers 1-9 are represented by a colour. And these colours can reveal your personality. And believe you me I was in for quite a surprise at the accuracy of the predictions.

What is important for us to understand is the fact that your personal colour need not be your favourite colour. Another important difference between your personal and your favourite colour is that while the latter may change from time to time, the former remains constant.
 
Intriguing isn’t it? So, here’s the magic formula for you. According to numerology, the birth colour of number one’s is red. Number two’s are orange, three’s are yellow, four’s green, five’s blue, six’s white, seven’s purple, eight’s black and nine’s brown.

The adage “thin is in” seems to be loosing ground to a more realistic woman who does not sport an anorexic look. However, fat is still out. What is more acceptable though is a healthy, good-looking woman who loves herself for what she is - body, mind and spirit.

This concept has been widely accepted by fashion designers, fitness gurus and plus sized women alike. And this acceptance is evident from the increasing number of plus size clothing stores, which even have designer lingerie. So, finally the time has come for larger women to celebrate themselves.

So, if your big day is not very far away and despite all the best slimming programmes you have put yourself through you have not been able to lose enough weight (or so you think), you need not despair. Just read on………