Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Thank you to SoireeLaura
SoireeLaura has graciously allowed me to use some "how to" articles she's written. If you're wondering why cake cutting and boutonnières... that's easy! These are the two most frequently asked non-photography questions I get at weddings... and until I read Laura's articles I was as in the dark as my brides and grooms.
How to cut a wedding cake by SoireeLaura
At every wedding, I ask my brides and grooms if they'd like a cake cutting lesson before they attack the cake. While some couples want to just dig right in, others are concerned with making their photographs look great and will take a few seconds to learn how to do it right.
1. Decide which side of the table you will stand on. Look at the background behind you. Is there an ugly painting there? Or a mirror? Or a window? Ask your photographer which background they prefer. If your cake has a definite 'front', slice from the side or back to showcase the detail of the cake.
2. The bride will stand slightly in front of the groom. If you are both right-handed, you will probably stand a bit more to his left side. This way both of your faces will show in the photo and your beautiful gown will be on display.
3. Put your plate close to the edge of the cake where you plan to cut it. It will be easier to hit the plate if the cake doesn't have to go airborne after removing the slice.
4. The groom will hold the knife regularly in one hand (probably his right). The bride will place her dainty hand on top of his, just for show. No squeezing fingers or double-fisting, please.
5. Aiming for the bottom layer of the cake, put the knife in as far as you can towards the second tier and slice all the way to the bottom. Pull the knife out and reposition at the top of the tier. Try to make a triangular slice by placing the knife tip near the furthest point on your last cut. Your two cuts will make a "V" shape and you'll be able to pull out one nice, clean wedge of cake. No cake stabbing necessary.
6. Pull the wedge on to one plate and hold it chest-height. You and your groom will feed each other a little bite, either with your fingers or with forks if they are provided. If you want to play fair, agree to feed each other at the same time. Otherwise, the groom should feed the bride first and then the bride may feed her groom. If he values his life (and his wedding night luck), he will have more incentive to keep the frosting in your mouth and not up your nose or down your dress.
7. I personally think linking arms and drinking champagne is a little outdated, but if you'd like to do this it's not too tricky. Pick up your own glass in your right hand. Groom does the same. Extend your arms towards each other then bend them back, linking at the elbows. You'll drink from your OWN glass. Just remember to bring your glass with you, if you had previously used it during toasts at your table.
8. Once you've completed your cake cutting ceremony, plan to have another event immediately after. There's nothing worse than a cluster of guests staring at you during an awkward silence while you nervously say "mmm - the cake is good." Have the DJ announce for everyone to hit the dance floor, invite your father to the floor for the father-daughter dance, or perform your first dance if you haven't already. Trust me - this will save you some embarrassment.
Soiree Special Events Blog
Soiree Special Events
1. Decide which side of the table you will stand on. Look at the background behind you. Is there an ugly painting there? Or a mirror? Or a window? Ask your photographer which background they prefer. If your cake has a definite 'front', slice from the side or back to showcase the detail of the cake.
2. The bride will stand slightly in front of the groom. If you are both right-handed, you will probably stand a bit more to his left side. This way both of your faces will show in the photo and your beautiful gown will be on display.3. Put your plate close to the edge of the cake where you plan to cut it. It will be easier to hit the plate if the cake doesn't have to go airborne after removing the slice.
4. The groom will hold the knife regularly in one hand (probably his right). The bride will place her dainty hand on top of his, just for show. No squeezing fingers or double-fisting, please.
5. Aiming for the bottom layer of the cake, put the knife in as far as you can towards the second tier and slice all the way to the bottom. Pull the knife out and reposition at the top of the tier. Try to make a triangular slice by placing the knife tip near the furthest point on your last cut. Your two cuts will make a "V" shape and you'll be able to pull out one nice, clean wedge of cake. No cake stabbing necessary.
6. Pull the wedge on to one plate and hold it chest-height. You and your groom will feed each other a little bite, either with your fingers or with forks if they are provided. If you want to play fair, agree to feed each other at the same time. Otherwise, the groom should feed the bride first and then the bride may feed her groom. If he values his life (and his wedding night luck), he will have more incentive to keep the frosting in your mouth and not up your nose or down your dress.
7. I personally think linking arms and drinking champagne is a little outdated, but if you'd like to do this it's not too tricky. Pick up your own glass in your right hand. Groom does the same. Extend your arms towards each other then bend them back, linking at the elbows. You'll drink from your OWN glass. Just remember to bring your glass with you, if you had previously used it during toasts at your table.
8. Once you've completed your cake cutting ceremony, plan to have another event immediately after. There's nothing worse than a cluster of guests staring at you during an awkward silence while you nervously say "mmm - the cake is good." Have the DJ announce for everyone to hit the dance floor, invite your father to the floor for the father-daughter dance, or perform your first dance if you haven't already. Trust me - this will save you some embarrassment.
Soiree Special Events Blog
Soiree Special Events
How to Pin a Boutonnière by SoireeLaura
If you hire a wedding coordinator, you'll probably never need to learn how to pin a boutonnière. The only two times you'd ever need to know this are prom and weddings, one of which you've hopefully already done. Pinning a boutonnières isn't necessarily tricky but it does look harder than it actually is. Here's the play-by-play:
1. Make sure you have a boutonnière and at least one pin (I prefer two).
2. Pins go in your mouth, holding them with your lips. Try not to stab yourself.
3. Place the flower on the man's left lapel so the area where the stem and bloom meet covers the buttonhole in the jacket. Angle it slightly outward so it gently follows the shape of the lapel's edge.
7. Ask the wearer if it feels secure. Tug on the stem a little to see if it budges. If it moves just a little, try pinning it again until it's stuck on the lapel for good.
As a reminder, the following folks should receive a boutonnière: Groom, Best Men, Groomsmen, Fathers, Grandfathers, Ushers, Readers, and other important gentlemen who have a significant a role in your wedding.
When pinning corsages, the same rules apply but there is usually no lapel to hide pins. I try and include a little bit of bra strap, especially when the woman's dress is a sheer or light material. Instead of aiming the pins horizontally, I typically stick the pins more vertically and leave the pointy part inside of the stem so it doesn't stab it's wearer. I can usually secure a corsage with 2 pins but you might want to have 3 on hand just in case.
Soiree Special Events Blog
Soiree Special Events
1. Make sure you have a boutonnière and at least one pin (I prefer two).
2. Pins go in your mouth, holding them with your lips. Try not to stab yourself.
3. Place the flower on the man's left lapel so the area where the stem and bloom meet covers the buttonhole in the jacket. Angle it slightly outward so it gently follows the shape of the lapel's edge.
4. Make a flower hot dog. Pick up the lapel's edge and roll it towards the man's right side. Standing opposite the gentleman, you'll fold it from the right to the left, covering the flower.
5. Holding the fabric tight against the flower, stick the pin in straight towards the gentleman, aiming towards the top part of the stem. Make sure you get a good chunk of stem but not too much so that the pin shows on the front side of the lapel. "Look ma - no pins!"
6. Repeat #5 with your second pin, this time closer to the bottom of the stem. Try not to stab your victim wearer. Tell dad to smile for the photograph.
7. Ask the wearer if it feels secure. Tug on the stem a little to see if it budges. If it moves just a little, try pinning it again until it's stuck on the lapel for good.
As a reminder, the following folks should receive a boutonnière: Groom, Best Men, Groomsmen, Fathers, Grandfathers, Ushers, Readers, and other important gentlemen who have a significant a role in your wedding.
When pinning corsages, the same rules apply but there is usually no lapel to hide pins. I try and include a little bit of bra strap, especially when the woman's dress is a sheer or light material. Instead of aiming the pins horizontally, I typically stick the pins more vertically and leave the pointy part inside of the stem so it doesn't stab it's wearer. I can usually secure a corsage with 2 pins but you might want to have 3 on hand just in case.
Soiree Special Events Blog
Soiree Special Events
Monday, December 3, 2007
Welcome
Welcome to Vermont Blog for Brides. I'm looking forward to this blog becoming a resource for planning a wedding in Vermont. Vermont Brides (past or furture) - do you want to share pictures or ideas from your wedding? Vendors - Would you like to share articles that would help couples plan their Vermont wedding? Would you like your location or services featured here? If so you can contact me at melissareidphotography@yahoo.com.
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