Brides and grooms may pour over every detail of their weddings, but few components of the festivities may be as fun, especially for foodies, as deciding what the wedding cake will look like. Couples who want to deliver show-stopping visuals often express some measure of their creativity and personalities through statement wedding cakes.
Many couples now eschew the classic three-tiered white cake in favor of a dessert that garners instant attention. Whether the cake is brightly colored or hand-painted, a towering architectural marvel or shimmering in metallics, couples are opting to make a statement with their confections. Apart from clever cake-toppers, here are ways to stand apart when dessert is served.
• According to the Perfect Wedding Guide, a rising trend in cakes is to cover a white or naked cake with translucent glaze tinted in the couple’s wedding colors. This artistic expression can be especially stunning in boho-chic weddings.
• Statement tiers also are popular. The cake may be traditional in nearly every way, but couples then set the cake apart  by featuring an elaborate design or a different hue in one tier.
• Martha Stewart Weddings advises that more than just color can be used to make a statement. Lifelike sugar flowers can really set cakes apart. Guests may not be sure if they can consume all aspects of some cakes. But delicate sugar flowers taste as good as they look.
• Hand-painted tiles on a cake are another way to add panache. A bride and groom may be inspired by a  European vacation or the stained-glass effects of religious windows and want to add that feel to the tiers of the cake.
• Sometimes a statement comes by way of texture. Even an all-white cake can be dressed up with interesting textural effects. Ruffles, lace, embossing, and 3-D rosettes are different textural components that can be incorporated in cake designs.
• Couples also may want to tell their unique stories with cake. Individual tiers designed to reflect various milestone moments from the couple’s relationship can be quite engaging.
• Capitalizing on the trend of edgier weddings, couples may opt for darker hues on their cakes — even a black tier — or nontraditional geometric shapes to the cake itself or its design elements.
Statement cakes can really say something about the couple getting married. Much like other wedding elements, cakes provide a window into the minds of happy couples.  

Weddings may focus on the couples getting hitched, but weddings also are special thanks to the many family and friends couples involved in the festivities. Some of the more successful weddings are ones where couples honor their guests and let them know how much they appreciate. Couples can let their guests know how much they’re loved by incorporating these ideas into their wedding ceremonies and receptions.
• Arrange seats at the ceremony (if practical) in a circular pattern around you so that everyone can have a great view when you exchange vows.
• Create a bathroom convenience basket for both the men’s and women’s bathrooms. Stock items that might come in handy, like mouthwash, toothpaste, first aid items, spare pantyhose, hair spray, sanitary products, moisturizer, gum, and other niceties.
• Provide prearranged to-go boxes so that guests can take home tasty tidbits from the meal or dessert table. 
• Offer transportation between the ceremony and reception.
• Customize “do not disturb” door tags for overnight guests so they can ensure they get enough shut-eye after partying into the wee hours of the morning.
• Make sure the photographer takes photos of everyone at every table and then share those photos on a wedding website or via social media. Create a hashtag unique to your wedding so that guests can easily find the photos.
• Provide inexpensive slippers or flip-flops so that avid dancers can rest their toes in between songs.
• If valet parking service is not included, ask for an add-on so that guests get door-to-door treatment.
• Always be considerate of special needs by seating guests in places where they’re most likely to be comfortable. Keep elderly guests away from speakers and near exits to facilitate trips to the bathroom.
• Be mindful of all food allergies or requirements and have accommodations set up in advance.
• Honor those people who could not be at the wedding in a special way, including deceased family and friends.
• Include information about how guests can request songs at the reception. Pass on the information to the band or DJ.
• Encourage guests to get up and dance by making it fun. Put song lyrics from different songs on each table. When that song is played, that table has to join you on the dance floor.
• Remember to thank everyone for coming and follow up those in person sentiments with handwritten, personalized thank-you notes after the wedding. 

Weddings dot the social calendars of millions of people across the globe. Evenings are the most common time of the day to host a wedding, but that does not mean a daytime wedding cannot be a beautiful event and make for a party to remember.
Couples are increasingly customizing their weddings to be a reflection of their personal styles. One of the ways couples are customizing their festivities is by moving the wedding to various hours of the day that meet the couple’s needs. A wedding that takes place in the late morning or afternoon may be the perfect fit for some couples. Here’s how to navigate the specifics of a daytime wedding.

• Secure accommodations. An early wedding means guests may have to travel from afar the evening before to be able to attend the festivities. Daytime weddings can be complemented by working with a hotel or bed-and-breakfast to ensure guests will have a place to stay and get ready to arrive at the early wedding in time.

• Don’t be afraid to negotiate prices. You may find vendors are more amenable to price discounts or offering greater value for daytime weddings. That’s because demand for their services is reduced during the day. Similarly, venues may have more availability during the day than at night, and, as a result, they’re more flexible on prices, especially since brunch foods generally cost less than dinner entrees.

• Hire the right photographer. Be sure to contract with a photographer who is a pro at handling photos in daylight and natural light. While many photographers are skilled in any light, many are used to shooting in churches and venues with low lighting. Be sure to see picture samples taken during the daytime to gauge a photographer’s daytime experience and skill level.

• Employ color to add dimension. During evening weddings, lighting or candles help set the mood. Those same elements will be ineffective in daylight. Choose bright colors for your decor and flowers to brighten up spaces.

• Choose alternative entertainment. Chances are guests are not going to feel as comfortable dancing during daylight hours. Consider other entertainment, such as lawn games, karaoke or a comedian. A guitarist or pianist may be a nice musical touch.

• Plan food accordingly. Just because the wedding is early does not mean the food should be. Guests still will need to eat. If you are only opting for light appetizers and cocktails, be sure to mention this on the invitation so guests can plan ahead and won’t go hungry.
Daytime weddings can be successful with a little tweaking of traditional evening wedding planning.

 Wedding favors have changed — and in many cases for the better. Favors have evolved from the inexpensive trinkets purchased in bulk into more personalized mementos that guests can cherish.

Today’s couples are interested in customizing their weddings and offering guests something meaningful, or at the very least, edible, so that favors don’t immediately get relegated to the trash can. Favors have moved from “goodie bags” toward items that are experimental and fun. Here are some wedding favor trends that couples may want to incorporate into their own celebrations.
 
Experience gifts
Instead of a candle or a monogrammed cake server, think of experiences to offer guests. A coupon for free drinks at a nearby brewery, a tour of a local attraction while guests are in town or a group excursion for guests attending a destination wedding can be fun and will help guests create lasting memories.
 
Welcome bags
Rather than take-home bags, welcome bags have replaced the traditional favor trinket at some weddings. Many weddings have become multiday events that ask guests traveling from out of town to attend a wedding weekend. To help greet them and make their experience memorable, couples may fill a gift bag with items guests can use or enjoy during their stay — like a bottle of locally produced wine or some handmade soaps from a nearby shopkeeper.
 
Charitable donations
Some couples feel that favors are wasteful and would rather set aside a portion of their wedding budgets toward giving back. In such situations, a donation to charity in guests’ names can be the way to go. Guests can vote on two favorite charities advertised on a special table at the wedding reception. The one with the most votes will get the proceeds.
 
Late-night snacks
After a night of celebrating, some guests may want the festivities to continue, but may need some extra sustenance to make it through a few more hours. Some couples are eschewing traditional favors in lieu of making room for extra food or beverage expenses that can include after-party treats. These may run the gamut from wood-fired pizzas to food truck vendors to extra desserts. A tasty take-home option also may be given, such as fresh zeppolis or beignets, or even a personalized bottle of wine. Even if the food and drink is not consumed right away, there’s a good chance it will hit the spot when guests return to their hotel rooms.

Wedding favors are changing to keep up with the times and keep guests feeling extra special.

While your wedding is a period of ecstasy, joy and fulfillment for you, we understand that certain inevitable circumstances such as Covid-19 may prove to be an obstacle. A wedding is the most critical turn in an individual's life, a special occasion that one has had dreams of for years.  You may have plans of spending it with those who matter, and we want to help you while you do that.
Therefore, we present this article specifically dedicated to all you folks who are getting ready for their momentous day and fear that the pandemic may hinder your dream wedding. You don't have to put an end to your ambitions; however, you need to take a few precautions, and we, as your helpful wedding guides, will be of assistance in this regard. Let's get started!

1. No-touch policies:

We realize that on your special day, you will be emotional. However, this policy is particularly crucial—no-touch policies include handshakes, hugs and kisses. You never know who may have been infected because the symptoms associated with the virus take several days before they become noticeable. It is, therefore, best to refrain from any physical contact.

1. Sanitization and Masks to the rescue:

At every entrance and exit station of the wedding hall, there should be sanitizers. No guest should be allowed inside the wedding hall unless they have correctly sanitized their hands and are wearing masks.
We know that a mask does smudge the lipstick, but we have to be cautious, right? Remember! Prevention is always better than treatment, and we don't want you to get infected at any cost! There is no rulebook as to the ways one can look glamorous while prioritizing their safety.
Be it maxi dresses or shimmery gowns, anything will look good; however, safety procedures are of immense significance in the pandemic. (Hint: You could mention these safety protocols on your wedding card before sending them to your close ones) That way, they have no chance of forgetting to wear masks on your extra-special day.

1. Safe seating:

During a wedding, everyone will sit down, chatter, eat, and drink. It is of paramount importance that while your guests engage in this, they do so from afar. Tell your wedding planners to set chairs 6 feet apart from one another.
That way, no opportunity for anyone to get infected and complain later on. Instead, your efforts in having conducted your wedding in such a smooth, thoughtful way will be appreciated by people. Safety first, and after that comes the fun guys!

1. Digitalize:

Had we been in the Flintstones' era (yes, we love that show), we may have been woeful and teary-eyed for not spending our memorable day with our loved ones. Thankfully, social media comes to save us. You can live stream your wedding instead of asking everyone to attend it physically to ensure their safety.
Virtual events have become mainstream during the pandemic anyway, so why not take advantage of this opportunity. Send your loved ones their wedding invitations, and ask them to keep their WIFI connections, food, and drinks ready for your day.

1. Showcase those skills:

It wouldn’t be a wedding without your wedding stylist. However, during the pandemic, you may need to rethink that option – if you're good at make-up – then this is your time to unleash your inner James Charles. Practice the make-up look you want to go with on your wedding beforehand, and blow everyone's mind away with the impeccable way you style yourself.
From make-up to fancy hairstyles, you can do anything with just enough practice. Doing this will eliminate any outsider's physical contact with you and diminish your chances of getting infected.

1. Embrace the outdoors:

Rather than opting to plan an indoor wedding, why not think about an outdoor one instead? Imagine you with your life partner in an open area, surrounded by nature and greenery all around you. The birds are chirping their way through the light blue colored sky with strokes of yellow sunlit clouds here and there. That would be a breathtaking sight to behold and be a significant step towards your new experience as a married couple.
Conclusion:
Following a pandemic, precautions do not mean you have to compromise on all the arrangements you had in mind for your wedding. It means that you have to exercise caution and deliberation in your wedding planning. You have to prioritize safety and health above all.

No two weddings are the same. Some couples go to great lengths to personalize their weddings, while others make a few minor tweaks to traditional components to make ceremonies and receptions more reflective of their style and the sentiments they hope to convey.

Embracing modern trends is one way couples have looked to set their weddings apart from traditional ceremonies. There are no rules governing weddings, and that affords couples certain freedoms as they seek to incorporate a modern sensibility into the festivities. For example, couples can modernize certain components of their weddings while remaining loyal to more traditional elements, or they can fully embrace a modern aesthetic. That choice of how modern to make a wedding is up to the couple tying the knot, but the following are some ways to give weddings a modern touch.

· Leave a small carbon footprint. Eco-conscious couples can embrace an environmentalist ethos when planning their weddings by doing everything they can to eliminate waste and promote conservation. Send electronic invitations and save-the-date cards in lieu of paper alternatives and choose a reception venue that serves only locally sourced food and beverages. In lieu of wedding favors, which tend to be individually wrapped, make a donation in guests' names to a local environmental group and share that information with loved ones. When picking a hotel for guests, find lodging that incorporates sustainability into its day-to-day operations.

· Retire certain traditions. Couples need not feel pressured to incorporate traditions that no longer reflect modern sensibilities. It's up to couples to determine which traditions to retire, but customs like the garter toss and bouquet toss may no longer resonate with modern couples or their guests. In addition, brides who want to be walked down the aisle by both of their parents, as opposed to just their father, should not hesitate to do so.

· Look for a modern venue. One of the most awe-inspiring ways to give a wedding a modern touch is to choose a venue that reflects a modern aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows can create a clean, modern feel. Outdoor ceremonies also can create a modern ambiance.

· Adjust your attire. Black tuxedos and white wedding dresses are among the first things to come to mind when imagining traditional weddings. Couples can stay formal but embrace a more modern look by choosing more colorful tuxes for grooms and groomsmen and picking a wedding gown with a flair of color. Brides also can allow bridesmaids to pick their own bridesmaid dresses to expand the modern look even further.

Couples who want to find the best photographer for their wedding day can ask several questions before making their final decision. 

Various components combine to make weddings beautiful and memorable. Couples rely on photographers to capture the smiles and moments that helped make their events unique and to ensure the big day is remembered for years to come.

The trusted wedding resource The Knot notes that an internal study found that, among 27,000 couples who got married in 2021, an average of $2,400 was spent on a wedding photographer to document their big day.

Couples who want to find the best photographer for their wedding day can ask several questions before making their final decision.

What style do you specialize in?
Photographers may be able to shoot various styles of photos, but may specialize in a specific type. For example, some photographers specialize in photojournalism, while others may excel at portraiture. Going with a photographer who has the most expertise shooting the style you prefer will help produce the desired results.

Who will be shooting my wedding?
Certain photography studios have several photographers working under one roof. Just because you meet with one does not necessarily mean that photographer will be on site, unless it is specified in the contract.

Have you ever worked at my venue before?
Photographers may be familiar with several local wedding venues and houses of worship. A photographer who has experience working in the locations where couples will tie the knot and subsequently celebrate might produce the best results, but lack of experience with particular venues need not exclude other professionals.
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Can we see a full gallery of a recent wedding?
According to Brides magazine, unlike an album or a highlight gallery, a full gallery provides a better sense of a photographer's style and attention to detail.
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Will photos be color balanced and retouched?
Skilled photographers are capable of capturing winning photos. But photos can be enhanced further in the studio with retouching software to bring out specific effects. Some photographers will polish all proofs, while others only will work on the images ultimately ordered. Confirm retouching details before signing the contract.

What's included in the photo packages?
A detailed price list helps you compare one photographer to another and decide which elements are covered. Additional prints, having a photographer's assistant, ordering albums for the parents, or ordering a large framed print can alter costs significantly. Explore all prices to ensure you're getting the best value. In addition, consider how many hours of event coverage are included in the price.

What is the payment timeline?
Photographers may accept deposits for their services but expect a different timeline of payment. Some may require payment in full before the wedding, while others may offer a payment plan that includes a final payment when picking up proofs or albums.
Wedding photography is one of the essential elements of a wedding and helps tell the story of couples' special day.
​Asking key questions can help couples find a photographer who will produce the desired results.