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Your Dream Cake
Your Dream Cake
We talk to two professional bakers who make it all happen
The Food Glorious Food Special An Interview With:
2012
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Brides On A Budget Carlisle Issue 1
INSIDE ISSUE 1:
2 In this issue 2 Wedding Myths and Traditions 3 Food Glorious Food Special 7 Best DIY Bridesmaid Gifts 8 An interview with: UniqueBridesUK 9 At The Reception 10
IN THIS ISSUE:
By Sophie Ritson
In this issue we shall be talking about the importance of Wedding myths and traditions, how to make the perfect favours in Food Glorious Food and we get two exclusive interviews: one from two amazing cake makers on how to pick your dream cake and the other from a Very Unique lady on how to pick your dream gown, read on to find out more.
Bridal Q&A
11 Top 20 Funniest Marriage Quotes 12 Top 7 Most Romantic Poems “Married
in white, you have chosen right”
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Your Dream Cake
A Word From The Editor Welcome to the very first issue of Brides On A Budget In Carlisle! The Food Glorious Food Special, for our readers who aren’t in Carlisle don’t worry as there are still plenty of features in the magazine to make and do We are so excited to finally see this magazine out in the world after what feels like a long time! I first decided to start this magazine when I noticed that no matter how many wedding magazine’s are out there, none are being published exclusively for Carlisle, and more importantly, none for brides who are on a budget, even though the recession is over money is still a little tight, but why should that mean you can’t have a fabulous wedding? All you need to do is have a little savvy and some DIY projects, and you can make your dream wedding at a fraction of the price! In each issue there shall feature a multitude of DIY projects for you to try, don’t worry if some aren’t quite to your taste, there are plenty to choose from. I hope you enjoy the first issue, and many more to come! Happy reading Sophie Ritson
A Word To Husbands To keep your marriage brimming, With love in the loving cup, Whenever you’re wrong admit it, Whenever you’re right shut up. Ogden Nash (1902-71)
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Wedding Myths And Traditions By Sophie Ritson There are many wedding myths and superstitions that pass through generations, with no one quite knowing where they've stemmed from! Some are supposed to mean good luck, others bad ... but how do you tell the difference? Like all superstitions wedding myths have no factual basis but for some, it's important to be aware... just in case! Otherwise it seems it’s just an old ruse to make sure you buy a white dress! Each issue we will feature a different wedding myth or tradition and discuss where it comes from and if there is any truth in them. Married in White Married in Blue Married in Pink Married in Green Married in Red Married in Yellow Married in Brown Married in Grey Married in Black
The Wedding Dress You have chosen right. Your lover is true. Your fortunes will sink. You will not long be seen. You'll wish you were dead. Ashamed of the fellow. You'll live out of town. You'll live far away. You'll wish you were back
Only a virgin can wear a white wedding dress The Wedding Day Brides have also traditionallyMonday worn their for"Sunday health, best" on their wedding day prior to the current wedding Tuesday gowns. According for wealth,to From Times Past at http://www.fromtimespast.com/wedding.htm, Wednesday's the best ofwhite all. bridal gowns were made popular in the 1840s by Queen Victoria whocrosses, selected to wear white rather than Thursday brings the traditional royal silver dress. colour white is associated with purity and AndThe Friday losses, modesty, hence its association with virginity. But Saturday - no luck at all. Today brides can elect to wear white, whether they are virgins or not, and whether it is their first marriage, second or third. Brides today are often selecting the popular colour ivory for their wedding dress. Some brides are even choosing to wear colours aside from white or ivory. The wedding gown today can be anything from a full length gown with chapel train to party dresses, tea length [Type text] dresses and even sun dresses or shorts for beach and the park weddings.
Your Dream Cake
Wedding Myths And Traditions
Brides must wear veils and only virgin brides can wear one. The veil has been a symbol of youth, modesty and virginity since ancient times. The tradition of wearing a veil has other meanings. It dates back to times of arranged marriages when the groom had never before since his bride to be. Fearful if the groom did not like his bride's appearance, parents had their daughter wear a veil which was not lifted until the groom had already made his commitment and the dowry had been exchanged. According to hitched.co.uk, this tradition has also been thought to ward off evil spirits, and it has long been said that it is bad luck for the groom to see his bride before the ceremony. The veil helps to keep her face covered from him. According to OurMarriage.com, in ancient Greece, the veil was yellow in colour, while in ancient Rome, it was red. Brides traditionally wore veils that shrouded their entire bodies from head to foot as a symbol of woman's subservience to man. It has also been said that the lifting of the veil is a sign of male dominance over women, and if the woman lifts it herself, it is a sign of independence. Today veils come in many different lengths from chapel length to shoulder length, or even a short veil to cover only the eyes. Many brides today are also forgoing wearing the veil for practical purposes, because it is not their taste to do so or because they do not believe in the need to cover her face prior to the ceremony or because they feel the tradition is antiquated. Other options are available for head pieces such as tiaras, combs and flowers. Whether a bride is a virgin or not has no bearing on whether she is able to wear one, although etiquette says a bride on her second marriage should not wear a veil.
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Your Dream Cake
Your Dream Cake: we talk to the people that make it By Sophie Ritson, with Sharon Callaghan all happen from Sprinkles and Sparkles and Lisa Wheatcroft from The Sweet Dream Cake Company
Okay you lucky Ladies i have two Interviews from two very amazing cake makers first up is Sprinkles and Sparkles, We will be talking about how they take customers through choosing their cake, the designs and getting a peek into the world of professional baking
Hi Sharon! When did you first decide you wanted to be a professional cake maker? I decided to go pro just under 2 years ago after making cakes as a hobby with a friend. At first it was cupcakes and giant cupcakes and the I went further with celebration cakes and wedding cakes. Your cakes look stunning! Tell me, how do you come up with the designs? I come up with a lot of designs by taking to brides about their theme of wedding, where their wedding is etc and sometimes they already have pictures from magazines to show me. Can you do a custom wedding cake, or are there a set number of designs to choose from? Most wedding cakes are priced by the slice and then I add £ to how much much work is in the designer i.e. hand-made flowers or fresh, butterflies and lace made from icing. I try to do custom cakes and feel all of mine are, although one cake I made last year I’ve had numerous orders for but I make slight changes to make it theirs. How much does it cost to deliver? I don’t charge to deliver in Carlisle but outside of Carlisle I charge by the mile Do you have or can you rent items like cake toppers, stands, tiers, fountains, and cutters? Will the customers be billed extra? I have lots of stands to hire from funky to china tea stands along with towers for cupcakes
Above: The sprinkles and sparkles logo Below: Sharon Callaghan from Sprinkles and Sparkles. Next page: Examples of Sharon’s stunning designs
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If customers want to use fresh flowers on the cake, will you coordinate with the florist, or will they have organize getting the flowers to you? Fresh flowers have been used quite a lot and the bride tends to sort that out herself so all the flowers are the same at the wedding What ingredients do you typically use? What kind of icing do you use? Typical ingredients I use are butter, sugar, eggs flour, vanilla bean paste, cocoa powder and fresh fruit for lemon and orange cakes What is the wackiest cake you have ever had to make for a wedding? There was once a cupcake tower in silver and black with a lego bride and groom, the groom was in an ac/dc t-shirt!It was really cool though and really suited the bride and groom How adaptable are wedding cake designs, especially due to budget Concerns? I think my prices on wedding cakes are very reasonable and to be honest colours, themes can be changed and there isn’t a lot of price difference. A bride can have what she wants on a budget I always think!! If you would like to order from Sharon you can contact her at: Phone:07769253088 email: sharon@sprinklesandsparkles.co.uk 89 Currock Road Carlisle [Type text]
Your Dream Cake
Your Dream Cake: We talk to the people that make it all happen We talk to Lisa Wheatcroft from The Sweet Dream Cake Company
Hi Lisa, When did you first decide you wanted to be a professional cake maker? August 2011, after the birth of my Daughter I decided I needed to start a career that would let me work and look after her at the same time Your cakes look stunning! Tell me, how do you come up with the designs? Mostly the ideas just come to me as I'm creating the cake, some things can't be planned and just happen. I always have a rough idea of what I'm going to do through consultations. For weddings I find seasonal inspiration and match the cake to the bride’s personality Are your wedding cakes priced by the slice? Is there an extra cost for special fillings or details? Will you charge extra for a personal design Each cake is priced at around £2 pp although extra may need to be added for decoration. There's no extra charge for fillings though Can you do a custom wedding cake, or are there a set number of designs to choose from? Each cake I make is totally different to the one before, I have no set designs How adaptable are wedding cake designs, especially due to budget concerns? Extremely, you can have a beautiful cake on your wedding day regardless of budget. Going to a cake decorator just because they are cheap is definitely NOT a good option. Always see what kind of work they have done before, get samples etc and make sure you are 100% happy with the work not just the price.
Above: Lisa Wheatcroft from The Sweet Dream Cake Company. Next page: Just two of her amazingly intricate wedding cakes.
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How much does it cost to deliver? Nothing, delivery is always free Do you have or can you rent items like cake toppers, stands, tiers, fountains, and cutters? Will the customers be billed extra? We make custom cake stands for our Brides; I don’t personally like the look of the Perspex ones. We can usually source most things If customers want to use fresh flowers on the cake, will you coordinate with the florist, or will they have organize getting the flowers to you? Due to our terms and conditions, the florist and bride would need to co-ordinate to have the flowers delivered to the venue for the morning of the wedding. What ingredients do you typically use? What kind of icing do you use? All our Ingredients are fresh and organic. We use different types of sugar paste to cover the cakes, matched to each occasion. What is the wackiest cake you have ever had to make for a wedding? Nothing too unusual wedding cake wise yet, there's still plenty of time yet though! It's the novelty birthday cakes that are always the strangest! If you would like to get in touch with Lisa you can contact her at: UNIT 33 Carlisle Enterprise Centre, James Street CA2 5BB Carlisle, Cumbria Phone 07706 852014 Email
chels77@live.co.uk
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Your Dream Cake
Food Glorious Food!
There's nothing quite like freshly cooked doughnuts - and you'll never be short of friends when you go to the trouble. By Sophie RItson 1 tbsp yeast 4 tbsp caster sugar We all love food, most of the time we just can’t help 150ml/5¼fl oz milk, warmed that little treat at the end of 225g/8oz plain flour, plus extra for dusting the day, and what better ¼ tsp salt favours to give your guests. Learn how to make some 50g/2oz butter, melted heavenly treats with our 1 free-range egg, beaten amazing cookies, 300ml/10½fl oz vegetable oil, for deep-frying doughnuts and truffle jam of your choice recipes Preparation method 1. Mix the yeast with half a teaspoon of the sugar and two tablespoons of the warm milk. Place in a warm place to rest for 15 minutes, or until frothy. 2. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Stir in one tablespoon of the sugar. 3. Make a well in the flour and pour in the yeast mix, the rest of the milk, the melted butter and the egg. Mix to make a dough and then knead, cover the bowl and leave to stand for 45 minutes, or until the dough has doubled in size.
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Food Glorious Food! 4. On a floured work surface, 5. knead the dough for five minutes, 6. then divide into 12 balls and 7. place in a 8. warm place for 30 minutes, or until they 9. have doubled in size. Heat the oil in a deep papan until it reaches 190C/375F, or a cube of bread dropped in sizzles and turns golden in 30 seconds.
(CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave Wrap your doughnuts in paper unattended.) Gently lower the dough balls one at a time into the hot doilies, making them oil, in batches of two or three, and fry for 3-5 minutes or seem like a little gourmet treat. until golden-brown, and then carefully turn over. Remove from the hot oil with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Roll the hot doughnuts in the remaining sugar. Make a small slit in the doughnut with the tip of a knife, and fill with a teaspoon of jam.
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Your Dream Cake
Food Glorious Food!
By Sophie Ritson
DreamLovers Heavenly Chocolate Truffles 280g good-quality dark chocolate - 70% cocoa solids 284ml pot double cream 50g unsalted butter Makes 50 (easily doubled or halved) Preparation and cooking times Prep 30 mins Cook 5 mins plus 4 hours chilling Chop the chocolate and tip into a large bowl. Put the cream and butter into a saucepan and heat gently until the butter melts and the cream reaches simmering point. Remove from heat, then pour over the chocolate. Stir the chocolate and cream together until you have a smooth mixture. Add any flavourings to the truffle mix at this stage (divide the mixture between bowls and mix in liqueurs or other flavourings, a tsp at a time, to taste. Try bourbon, Grand Marnier, coconut rum or the zest and juice of an orange), or leave plain. Cool and chill for at least 4 hrs. To shape the truffles, dip a melon baller in hot water and scoop up balls of the mixture, then drop the truffles onto greaseproof paper. Or lightly coat your hands in flavourless oil (such as sunflower) and roll the truffles between your palms. You could also use a piping bag to pipe rounds onto greaseproof paper. Coat your truffles immediately after shaping. Tip toppings into a bowl and gently roll the truffles until evenly coated, then chill on greaseproof paper. Try: crushed, shelled pistachio nuts; lightly toasted desiccated coconut; or roll a truffle flavoured with orange zest and juice in cocoa powder. To coat in chocolate, line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Melt 100g milk, dark or white chocolate for 10 truffles. Allow chocolate to cool slightly. With a fork, pick up one truffle at a time and hold over the bowl of melted chocolate. Spoon the chocolate over the truffle until well-coated. Place on the baking tray, then chill. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days, or freeze for up to a month. Defrost in the fridge overnight. To give as presents, place 8-10 truffles in individual foil or paper cases inside small, lined boxes tied with ribbon. Keep in the fridge until you're ready to give them.
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Food Glorious Food! Delicious Cookie Recipe The trick to making it unique is in the packaging, like this cd envelope which showcases the cookie quite nicely. Use twine or ribbon with a nice tag to spruce it up. These delicious cookies are easy to cook and taste as good as the real Millies cookies, with a crisp outer layer and a gooey centre these treats are best eaten warm but last well...if they last that long!!!
Preheat the oven to 180째C, gas mark 4 1. Cream butter and sugars, once creamed, combine in the egg and vanilla. 2. Sift in the flour and salt, then the chocolate chips. 3. Roll into walnut size balls, for a more homemade look, or roll into a long, thick sausage shape and slice to make neater looking cookies. 4. Place on ungreased baking paper. If you want to have the real Millies experience then bake for just 7 minutes, till the cookies are just setting the cookies will be really doughy and delicious. Otherwise cook for 10 minutes until just golden round the edges. 5. Take out of the oven and leave to harden for a minute before transferring to a wire cooling rack. These are great warm, and they also store well, if they don't all get eaten straight away!
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Your Dream Cake
Food Glorious Food!
We all know the 3 ingredients that make up a delicious S’more, now all you have to do is package them up in cellophane bags to make individual servings, and you’ve got a sweet little wedding favour! Add in this little recipe (just in someone has forgot how to make them!)
This American classic is everyone's favorite childhood treat! S'mores are thought to have gotten their name from frequent requests for "some more" whenever they were made. There is no "right" way to make a S'more. Anyway you like it, is the right way.
Graham crackers, broken into squares 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 bag of mini-marshmallows
Pre-heat oven to a broil (high heat) with baking rack 5 inches down from the top of the oven. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or aluminium foil. Take one (1) large graham cracker and break it in half (one for top cracker and one for bottom cracker). Notice graham crackers are scored across the middle, creating two subcrackers. Break apart at this part. Repeat with additional graham crackers. Place graham crackers side by side in rows without any gaps on prepared cookie sheet. Spread mini-marshmallows evenly across the graham crackers that will be used for the bottoms. Top each one with chocolate chips. Place the cookie sheet in the oven with the door slightly cracked. Broil for approximately 5 to 10 minutes, carefully watching them so they don’t burn. When the marshmallows have turned a golden brown on the edges, remove the cookie sheet from the oven. Place the remaining graham crackers on top of the broiled s’mores; press each one down gently. Allow them to cool for a few minutes and serve.
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The Best DIY Bridesmaid Gifts As this first issue is a Food Glorious Food special we have sourced some extra special foodie gifts for your extra special bridesmaids, but not to worry we shall be featuring lots more DIY goodies for you to make for your brilliant bridesmaids First, we have a recipe for Scottish tablet so easy and simple to make, wrapped up in cellophane with a twirl of ribbon or dropped into a pretty jar and voila! Instant bridesmaid gift! Knob of butter 450g (1lb) caster sugar 120ml (4 fl oz) milk 1 small tin (397g) sweetened condensed milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Preparation method Prep: 1 hour 5 mins | Cook: 15 mins 1. Grease a square baking tin (with tall sides) with butter. 2. Heat sugar and milk slowly in a heavy based saucepan till all the sugar dissolves. 3. Add the condensed milk and bring to the boil. 4. Boil for about 15-20 minutes until it becomes pitted like a moon base. 5. Then boil for another 5 minutes until it comes off the sides of the pan easily. 6. Pour into the greased tin. 7. Leave to cool for ten minutes, mark into squares of desired size and cut when completely cool.
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Your Dream Cake
The Best DIY Bridesmaid Gifts Seeing these on http://www.redonline.co.uk I didn’t dare leave them off the list! They are so stunning! They are quite time consuming but if you are willing to have a bit of patience then they will certainly be worth it! 250g of white sugar flower paste (try Squire’s Kitchen) Small amount of white vegetable fat Icing sugar or cornflour, for dusting 1kg white sugar paste Green food colour 16 miniature cakes (5cm/2-inch diameter), made from a 25cm (10 inch) square of basic Victoria sponge mixture, flavoured and soaked to your choice, covered with marzipan and a thin layer of white sugar paste Edible glue Small amount of royal icing Equipment: Small plastic board Small rolling pin Small stephanotis cutter Cling film Stay-fresh mat Foam pad Flower/leaf shaper tool Cake smoother Small kitchen knife Small artist’s brush Paper piping bag Scissors Method 1.To make the flowers (you will need about 30 per cake), knead the flower paste with a little white vegetable fat until smooth and pliable. 2. On a plastic board lightly dusted with icing sugar or cornflour, roll a small piece of flower paste out very thinly. Cut out the little flowers using the stephanotis cutter. Keep the remaining paste covered in cling film to prevent it drying out.
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The Best DIY Bridesmaid Gifts
3. Keeping the flowers not being used covered with the stay fresh mat, place a few at a time on the foam pad and push a line from the middle down each petal using the shaper tool. This way the petals will slightly curve inwards. Let dry. 4. Pipe little dots of royal icing into the centres of each flower. Let dry. 5. To make the flower stems, divide the sugar paste into four even pieces and mix three of them with various amounts of green food colour to give three different shades of green. Leave the rest white. 6. To make the stems, roll a small piece of each colour green out to a thin sausage using the cake smoother, and cut into pieces long enough to cover the sides of the cakes. 7. Brush the sides of each cake with edible glue and stick the stems around in alternating shades of green. Push them flat on to the side of the cake using a cake smoother. Trim off excess at the top with a sharp knife. 8. To finish the top of the cakes with flowers, roll a small piece of white sugar paste to a ball, and push it down to a dome shape. It should be large enough to cover the top of a cake. Stick it on top using a dab of royal icing. Do the same for the other cakes. 9. Using little dabs of royal icing, stick one layer of flowers all over each dome. Stick a second layer of flowers in between the gaps of the first. Let dry.
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Your Dream Cake
With an exclusive interview with Karen Reilly, and we talk you through the best dress shapes, styles and fabrics
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Finding Your Dream Dress: The Low Down When you go to look for a wedding dress, it can be very overwhelming with so many types to choose from, so I have made a quick guide for you to help decide on the style that is right for you.
Styles: Princess: The most popular style this type looks great on all shapes and styles, most choose this for the “fairy- tale ” look. A-Line: Extremely flattering on both small and large busted ladies and suits most figures whether tall or short. Two Piece Dresses: This is good for brides who may not necessarily have their upper torso in proportion to their bottom half, an advantage to this style is that you can buy it in two separate sizes and tailor it to fit without having to squeeze into something too small (or large) Fishtail: A wonderful choice for curvy figures with a small waist ,big hips and bottom Straight Cut: This type suits a range of shapes, it particularly flatters straight tall figures with small busts and hips
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Fabrics Chiffon: A very light fabric, but it’s mainly used as a top layer for sleeves and necklines. Duchess Satin: The opposite of chiffon, duchess is one of the heaviest fabrics, beautiful to look at and touch, it should be avoided in hot climates because of the weight. Silk Georgette: Like chiffon it is light but usually used as a top layer, it is a gorgeous fabric to touch with a lovely floaty texture Lace: Sometimes lace can look tacky when used in dressmaking but when it’s used in the right way it can be very beautiful to have on your gown but once again it’s mainly used on the top layer for sleeves and necklines
Your Dream Cake
An Interview With Unique Brides UK
Today we talk to Karen Reilly about her home consultation company Unique Brides UK in East Kilbride, specializing in providing an incredibly unique service of helping brides to be choose their perfect gown in the comfort of their own home Hi Karen Talk us through how you help brides choose their dream gown? For home consultation I build a rapport on first contact. This gives me the information I require such as size, budget When I visit them I bring a selection of dresses (to try on and show quality) we sit down and discuss what they are looking for and how they want to feel walking down the aisle. We also discuss (information provided by the bride) what they dislike regarding their body. This gives a better insight to the type and style of dress. All brides are shown dresses below budget first and if required above. They are offered a unique payment plan that suits their monthly budget and all fitting are done in the pleasure of their own home. Most of my customers have a fair idea what dress they want and like they can change any part of their dress to suit them i.e. more sparkle, straps to halter neck or train to longer train. Wow that sounds great, do you provide accessories too? I've looked in accessories but have not found a good supplier as of yet. But I do have a lady who can make veils and suits if required. We also provide bridal lingerie.
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So, what gave you the inspiration to set up your company? When my friend was getting married I noticed the looks we got while in some bridal shops (very excited girls) I was over-weight and hated trying bridesmaids dresses on, just didn't like the vibe we got either. My friends mum in law did further adjustments to my dress as I fell pregnant (It felt so much more comfortable within the house) this gave me the idea of a service to provide. That is such a brave thing to do! What would you say to brides or bridesmaids in that same position? Any words of wisdom?: Don't be afraid of your body weight/shape as you are beautiful outside as well as inside. Never allow anyone make you feel any less than what you are. If you would like to make an appointment or just have a chat contact Karen on: Mobile: 07712556271 Home : 01355522702 Email: Karen.reilly@live.co.uk Or find her on Facebook at UniqueBridesUK www.uniquebridesuk.com
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Your Dream Cake
Bridal Q&A- Without The JargonWho Should Pay for the Wedding? Okay ladies, we have, especially for you, a one of a kind article on the most popular questions I get asked as a wedding planner
In the past it was traditionally the bride's family that paid for the wedding. However, today there really aren't any rules for who "should" pay for the wedding. Many Does my Maid of Honour have to be a relative? couples cover the cost of their Traditionally we may think of the bride and groom each weddings themselves, while others having one person standing as a witness by their side. The have families that pay for all or maid of honour and best man were to serve as witnesses part of the wedding and reception. to the marriage and sign the marriage certificate, as well as be the two people who plan the stag parties and assist At the bride and groom's table, where does the bride sit? the couple in their wedding preparations. The bride is seated at the groom's The purpose of having a bridal party was historically to fool evil spirits. The bridal party dressed similarly to the right. bride in order to confuse any evil spirits that may be With divorced parents, who present to harm the bride. Today the bridal party often attends the reception? helps the bride with planning, attends her shower and bachelorette party and generally helps decrease her stress Both may attend if agreeable by all, or separate receptions may be level during her wedding day. given. In ancient times, men often captured women to make Who reads the congratulatory them their brides, taking with them their strongest and messages aloud? most loyal friend to help fight the woman's family. This friend, known as the "best man" to select from his others has since come to mean the groom's closest friend whom The best man reads any congratulatory messages that are he want to stand witness to his marriage. Today, brides and grooms can choose to have more than received. one maid of honour or best man, or even to forgo the Who proposes the first toast? custom all together. Brides choosing to have more than The best man proposes the first one maid of honour, can call them her "honour attendants". Any person witnessing the marriage ceremonytoast to the bride and groom. can sign the marriage certificate Who cuts the first piece of cake? The bride, with the groom's right What is the latest time I can send out invitations? hand over hers, cuts the first piece According to etiquette You should have your wedding list of cake. The couple breaks the completed and begin writing your invitations four months slice and eats it together. A friend or waiter then finishes serving the before the wedding date. This means you should have cake. chosen and ordered the stationary five to six months before the wedding. Do not assume that you can write all of your invitations in one weekend. If you try, you will make yourself and those around you miserable, so give yourself more time.
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At The Reception
With all of the stress that goes into planning a fantastic wedding, have you thought about doing something a little less traditional? Why not throw something fun and whimsical into your special day? Have some laughs and relieve some of the pressure. Here are some fun, unique ideas:
This is a great ice-breaker that will make it easy for your guests to strike up a conversation and have them laughing at the reception. Set a single flower at each place setting and wrap a ribbon around each stem with a small note. Type out a funny quote or joke specifically related to weddings. This will make for easy conversation, especially if a lot of your guests have never met. Instead of the traditional bouquet and garter toss meaning, put your own meaning behind it and be sure to announce it first. For instance, you can have a prize for whoever catches the bouquet, like a gift certificate or wrapped present. This way everyone can get involved! Or, you can tell your wedding guests that your bouquet was made with a new special meaning, like fame or prosperity instead of the bride passing on her fortune in marriage. You can also ditch the bouquet toss all together and replace it with another amusing game. If you plan on having a lot of children at your wedding, set aside a separate, fun area for them. At my friend’s wedding she sectioned off a part of the reception hall just for the kids, with bean bags, books, snacks, games, bubbles and so forth. This kept them happy and occupied, giving the adults a chance to mingle. Take some time during the reception to play a few games and get your DJ involved. My favorite is the Couples Quiz Game. Get at least four couples involved including the bride and groom. They are each given a small dry erase or chalk board. The DJ will ask a question and each participant will write it down. The couples with the same answers will get points for that round. No Cheating! Whichever couple has the most points at the end wins a prize! Another laugh-out-loud game is with the use of Barbie and Ken dolls This is a fun, not-so-serious compatibility test. Have the bride and groom stand together, back to back so that they cannot see each other. They will each hold a Barbie bride doll (representing the bride) in one hand and a Ken groom doll (representing the groom) in the other. The DJ will ask several questions, such as “Who is most likely to pay the bills on time?”, and the bride a groom will both lift the doll that they think is the best fit. It’s fun to watch what they think each others’ roles will be. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a memorable wedding reception. Get creative and make it your own! [Type text]
Our Top 20 Funniest Marriage Quotes Just for you ladies, I have trawled the internet and books to find the funniest marriage quotes that you can take inspiration from to read at your wedding, or just whenever you have the (inevitable) first row with your new hubby, whatever the occasion they will be guaranteed to make you laugh 1: “It's a funny thing that when a man hasn't anything on earth to worry about, he goes off and gets married.” -Robert Frost 2: "The man who says his wife can't take a joke, forgets that she took him." -Oscar Wilde 3: "I never knew what real happiness was until I got married. And by then it was too late." -Max Kauffmann 4: "Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays." -Henry Youngman 5: "An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets, the more interested he is in her." -Agatha Christie 6: “My mother said it was simple to keep a man, you must be a maid in the living room, a cook in the kitchen and a whore in the bedroom. I said I'd hire the other two and take care of the bedroom bit.” -Jerry Hall 7: "I never married because I have three pets at home that answer the same purpose as a husband. I have a dog that growls every morning, a parrot that swears all afternoon and a cat that comes home late at night." Marie Corelli 8:“Marriage is a wonderful invention: then again, so is a bicycle repair kit.” Billy Connolly 9: “Alimony is like buying oats for a dead horse.” -Arthur Baer
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11: “I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought jewelry.” - Rita Rudner 12:“Car Manufacturer's formula for a successful marriage : Stick to one model!” - Unknown "13:Marriage is give and take. You'd better give it to her or she'll take it anyway." -Joey Adams 14: "What's for dinner is the only question many husbands ask their wives, and the only one to which they care about the answer.” -Mignon McLaughlin 15: “When a man opens the car door for his wife, it's either a new car or a new wife.” -Prince Philip 16: "I require only three things of a man. He must be handsome, ruthless and stupid." -Dorothy Parker 17: “When a girl marries she exchanges the attentions of many men for the inattention of one.” -Helen Rowland 18: “Alimony - The ransom that the happy pay to the devil.” -H.L. Mencken 19: "A husband's last words should always be, OK buy it." -Unknown 20: "My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe." -Jimmy Durante
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Your Dream Cake
Top 7 Most Romantic Marriage Quotes and Poems Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things; endures all things.� Sometimes we forget how much we love someone, Life gets in the way and you can grow apart without knowing it. but if you can recapture that first flush of love, it can carry you through the rest of your days together. All marriages have their ups and downs - Its how you deal with the downs that counts My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love is deep the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite. From Romeo and Juliet- William Shakespeare From this day forward, You shall not walk alone, My heart will be your shelter, And my arms your home. Anon
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When your hair has turned to winter, And your teeth are in a plate, When your getter up and go, Has gone to stop and waitI’ll still be loving you, When your attributes have shifted Beyond the bounds of grace, I’ll count your many blessings, Not the wrinkles in your faceI’ll still be loving you.
No mistake I know that you were made for me And I was made for you A wise old owl up in a tree Told me this was true I asked him only yesterday If I could marry you He answered - “I can safely say You’re not a Twit to Woo” Martha Sims (1963-)
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When the crackle in your voice Matches that within your knee, And the times are getting frequent That you don’t remember meI’ll still be loving you Growing old is not a sin It’s something we all do, I hope you’ll always understandI’ll still be loving you. C.David Hay (1936-)
Your Dream Cake
Well that is it for issue one ladies and gents, I hope you enjoyed the first issue and many many more to come, we would love to hear your feedback and what YOU would like to see in the upcoming issues, Get in touch by post, text, email or Facebook: Brides on a budget 7 Osborne Avenue Carlisle CA2 7BL castalias.carlisle@facebook.com www.CastaliasBrides.com castaliasweddingservices@hotmail.co.uk 07547542594