easy and cute wedding cake designs

Traditionally pies have been the dessert of choice for a Thanksgiving meal with the pumpkin pie being the gold standard for any meal. However there are several types of cakes that will go well with a Thanksgiving meal, many that incorporate the flavors and ingredients of similar pies.

Here are 3 great Thanksgiving cake ideas that will please your guests and your palate this holiday.

Four Layer Pumpkin Cake - This cake will be the centerpiece of your dessert table and can serve as a replacement for the pumpkin pie. This cake is semi-homemade as it does take the time saving step of using a packaged mix and other ingredients readily available.

This cake uses a yellow cake batter with pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices added as well as a cream cheese/whipped topping frosting. Using 2 9" rounds, each cake layer is baked in a 350 degree oven 28-30 minutes, then cooled. After cooling, the layers are cut in two lengthwise then each layer is iced with the cream cheese filling with a generous sprinkling of pecans on each layer. Easy to prepare and not as time consuming as making a pie from scratch, this cake will be a crowd-pleaser for sure.

Orange Cranberry Upside Down Cake - This cake takes the cranberry to a whole new level. Forget the cranberry sauce this year and serve this cake! This cake is a spin on the pineapple upside down cake with cranberries and oranges taking the place of the pineapple.

A yellow cake batter, made from scratch, is baked over a layer of the fruit that is combined with brown sugar and butter (375 degrees for 35-40 minutes). This cake does call for fresh whole cranberries to be halved and this can be time consuming during the preparation of the ingredients but is well worth the effort when you taste this treat.

Sweet Potato Cake - this cake takes your "yams" to higher ground. Common in the South, Sweet Potato Cake is typically a yellow cake with sweet potatoes added in the batter as well as the appropriate spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. This cake is always served with a coconut pecan icing that is a great addition to the overall flavor of this cake. Easy to bake (25-30 minutes, 350 degrees in 2 8" rounds) and prepare, this will be another prize in your dessert arsenal.

There are many more variations on the traditional desserts and flavors of Thanksgiving but these Thanksgiving cake ideas will take your ho-hum desserts and turn them into a new sensation with all your guests asking for the recipes. The main thing is not to be afraid to get away from the mundane and try one of these variations on classic desserts.

shamrock wedding cake designs

In a previous article, I listed numerous Irish customs that couples can incorporate into their wedding ceremony. In this followup article, I will describe other Irish customs for a wedding reception.

Decorating the Path. In nineteenth century Ireland, it was common for people to decorate the way from the bride's home to the church on the day of her wedding. Floral garlands, evergreen boughs, lanterns, and torches were often used to lead the way to the church.

In Irish Wedding Traditions, Shannon McMahon Lichte offers several suggestions on how this tradition can be adapted for more modern weddings, to help guests find their way to the church and from the church to the reception (42). You could decide to attach flower bouquets to trees and signposts, or less expensive balloons and bows. For a more distinctive Irish touch, you could use Irish symbols such as the Tricolor flag, shamrock, harp, or the Claddaugh to adorn trees and signposts along the way.

Reception Decorations. Placing a pot of shamrocks in the center of each table would be very Irish and very festive. But if you prefer traditional flower arrangements, talk to your florist about having flowers native to Ireland, such as the Burnet rose, violets, hydrangeas, foxglove, Bells of Ireland, daisies, Irish orchids, ivy, ferns, and primroses.

Food and Drink. Talk to your caterer about serving Irish dishes. You can find numerous recipes in a Irish cookbook at any major bookstore. For drinks, have plenty of Irish whisky and Guinness on hand. Also, make sure your bartender knows how to make Irish cocktails, such as Irish Spring, An Irish Dog, An Irish Highball, An Irish Seaman, An Irish Lady, and Irish Lady Champagne Punch. The recipes for these drinks can be found in Lichte's Irish Wedding Traditions.

Wedding Cake. A traditional Irish wedding cake is fruitcake. If you prefer not to use fruitcake, you can ask your baker to decorate it with Irish symbols, such as swans, a harp, or the Claddaugh and green ribbon and flowers.

Music. Music has always been an important part of any celebration in Ireland, and weddings are no exception. Having traditional Irish music at your wedding presents little problem. If you prefer live music, search for Irish musicians in your area. Or if you decide on a disc jockey, prepare a play list to include Irish musicians such as The Chieftains, Celtic Thunder, Gaelic Storm, Da Danaan, Christy Moore, James Galway, U2, The Wild Rovers, Loreena McKennett, Altan, Druid Stone, and Enya, to name a few. Compilations of Irish party and dancing songs are also available for purchase. Two of these are titled "New Irish Dance Party" and "130 Irish Party Songs" by Rego.

Toasting. In Ireland, it's customary for the bride and groom to share a cup for their first drink as man and wife, rather than two separate wineglasses. An internet search can direct you to many sites which sales chalices and goblets with Irish designs. And rather than sharing the usual champagne, why not toast each other with mead?

Kissing. In her book, Irish Wedding Traditions, Lichte describes a wonderful variation to the custom of guests clinking a glass with a spoon to induce the bride and groom to kiss. She reports that at a recent Irish wedding, guests were asked to stand up and sing a song or recite a poem with the word "love" in it whenever they wanted the newly-wedded couple to kiss (Lichte 140). This involvement of the guests is in keeping with the ancient Irish tradition of storytelling and merrymaking.

Sharing Riches. In Ireland, it is customary for the bride and groom to make a donation to a charity, as it is believed that they will have bad luck in their marriage if they do not. Lichte offers several suggestions for couples to re-create this custom at their own wedding. You may decide to have a supply of Irish pence for you and your spouse to throw to guests when you leave the reception, you could give each guest a small pouch filled with Irish pence and confetti to toss rather than rice, or you both could make a donation to the charity of your choice in your spouse's name to ensure good luck in your marriage.

These are only a few suggestions on how to incorporate Irish customs into your wedding; there are many, many more which can be found in a book on Irish weddings, of which there are several on the market.

best wedding cake designs

Putting together everything for a wedding can be stressful to say the least. You will have todecide on many on everything from the date of the ceremony to the colors the attendants willwear. Picking out just the right wedding cake does not have to be one of the difficult challenges.

Many couples see the wedding cake as one highlight of the festivities that can be as fun andwhimsical or as upscale and traditional as they might desire. Deciding on the ideal cake shouldbe a team effort that's fun.

Before settling in on a flavor or a particular style, there are some questions that you need toanswer:What bakery do you intend to use? If you haven't picked one, do so. Once you decide on abakery, it's easy to get them to give you samples of cakes they excel in making. They might evenhave a specialty or two you haven't considered. Plus, most bakeries will offer samples to help acouple decide. If a friend or relative is making the cake to save a little money, find out what theirspecialties happen to be if you don't know. Consider a tasting party to help make the flavordecision.

How many will the cake need to serve? This is important. Anyone making the cake be it aprofessional baker or a friend who is a whiz at whipping up classy creations will need thisinformation to begin.Is there a price limit? Wedding cakes can be a lot more expensive than some people mightthink. With some cakes costing as much as $6 or more a serving, setting a budget is a smart thingto do indeed!

With a few boundaries set, it's time to build the perfect wedding cake. Remember, marriage willinvolve compromise. Picking out the cake might be a great place to start getting some practice in.For example:Flavor. If he has a favorite flavor, perhaps you can pick out the design. If neither of you wantsto budge, consider a tiered cake that has different flavors on each pillar. There is nothing wrongwith this approach and it can, in fact, be a real crowd pleaser, providing a taste of somethingeveryone will enjoy.Appearance. Again, the fine art of compromise might come into play here.

If she wants atraditional tiered cake with satin white frosting, but he wants something a little more fun, thinkdecoration. She can have the tradition with the appearance and the frosting. His desire can be metwith the topper. There is nothing written in stone that says a tiered, white wedding cake can'thave a whimsical topper.Options. Some couples go out looking for a perfect wedding cake and come back withsomething different all together. There's nothing wrong with choosing an unusual dessert. Fromspecial pies to custom-made cupcakes, the perfect choice is in your hands. Pick out what makesyou both happy.

Picking out the perfect wedding cake doesn't have to be a nightmare. Go with something thatmakes you both happy and have a little fun doing the deciding!

wedding hairstyles with curls

So you're getting married and of course, this is the most important day of your life. You want everything to look perfect - the flowers, the invites, the dresses, the photos - but perhaps nothing is quite as important as your wedding hairstyle. As the bride, you are the focal point of the day and your wedding hairstyle must be perfect. Your wedding hairstyle will be noticed by everyone that attends this very important event. And because the wedding hairstyle you choose is so important, it is necessary that you spend some time choosing the best wedding hairstyle for you.

How to choose

The most important thing to remember when choosing a wedding hairstyle is to never lose your personal identity. While many women tend to put their hair up in a fancy up do for their big day, this may not be the best wedding hairstyle for you. Think about what you like best; up or down; flowing or big; dark or light. Think about what wedding hairstyle you would be most comfortable moving around and socializing in all day and night. What kind of wedding hairstyle best suits you and your personality?

Other factors you might want to consider when choosing your wedding hairstyle are your hair type, the style of your wedding gown, the type of veil you will be wearing, jewelry, and how your bridesmaids will be wearing their hair. You should want your wedding hairstyle to stand out from everyone else, but never be too flashy. If your gown has a low cut neckline with bare shoulders and chest exposed, you might want to opt for a long, flowing, wavy wedding hairstyle. For high necked gowns, an up do might be a better wedding hairstyle for your dress.

Other ideas for wedding hairstyles

During this overwhelming time of decision making, try to aim for sophistication and elegance when choosing your wedding hairstyle. Some classic styles of wedding hairstyles never go out of style and will always make a statement at a wedding. Up do's that are sprayed or pinned securely in place with elegant pearl clips or tight curls at the base of the neck in an up do are striking wedding hairstyles.

For a more glamorous wedding hairstyle, wearing your hair in a topknot is a wonderful choice. This wedding hairstyle actually frames your face and will certainly draw attention to your facial features such as your eyes or lips. This wedding hairstyle is very popular for women who want to make a bold and gorgeous entrance.

For women with shorter hair, there are many options for your wedding hairstyle as well. Combing your short hair straight back with the application of mousse will create a full look. You can then take the hair and pull back smoothly, and pin down with well chosen clips. This sleek wedding hairstyle is a good option for women with very short hair. Another option for short hair wedding hairstyles is to utilize a curling iron. Delicate curls framing the face or falling just over the veil are a simple way to add glamour to your wedding hairstyle. Use decorative bobby pins or same colored bobby pins to secure your new wedding hairstyle in place.

Another simple and creative way to enhance your wedding hairstyle is by adorning your hair with jewelry or decorative hair clips, pins or wraps. For those simple wedding hairstyles, one well placed hair clip can create the most beautiful look. Accessories such as lace bows or ribbons can take an ordinary wedding hairstyle and turn it into an unforgettable wedding hairstyle. The key to achieving the most amazing wedding hairstyle ever is creativity and thought. With careful consideration and practice, you can have the most unforgettable wedding hairstyle you ever imagined!

wedding hairstyles half up do

If you have long hair, you are in luck! There are numerous great looking ways in which to wear your hair for your wedding day. To help you narrow down the options, check out these gorgeous wedding hairstyles for long hair.

The key with long hair is to select a style which will keep your tresses under control all day long. You also want to take your veil and bridal hair jewelry into consideration when meeting with your stylist for a hair trial. By pulling back at least the front of your hair, you will give your veil a secure place to anchor so that it does not simply slide down the back of your head as you glide down the aisle. The more elaborate your hairdo, the more options you will have for bridal hair jewelry, as you will be able to fasten any type of comb, hairpin, or headband somewhere into the hairstyle and know that it will not move around.

One of the top trends in wedding hair right now is asymmetry. This is in keeping with the current obsession with asymmetrical wedding gowns, such as the glamorous one shoulder style. Just like the one shoulder gown, the prettiest off-center bridal hairstyles are chic and elegant. It needs to be polished enough to show that the hair is intentionally left-of-center; a messy 'do will just looked like you put it together in a hurry and misplaced your bun or twist!

Low twists are among the most fabulous asymmetrical wedding hairstyles for long hair this year. Have your hairstylist gather all of your hair near the nape of your neck. Let the pulled back part be smooth and tidy, which allows you to tease the twist part without getting that overall messy appearance. The gathered section of hair at the nape of the neck can either be arranged into a loose twisted bun or a more polished smooth spiral. Complete the effect with a glamorous feather headpiece or a cluster of Swarovski crystal hairpins.

A ponytail can serve as the basis for several other stylish hairdos for long hair. A high ponytail wrapped in a piece of your hair is a fetching style that can look surprisingly polished and elegant. Somehow, in the hands of a professional, a bridal ponytail will look nothing like the casual pony that you throw together at the gym. The key is backcombing the top of the hair before pulling it back and smoothing it out to get a little lift off of the crown of your head. Leave the pony as is, or have it worked into a chic chignon.

Soft curls can be created to make a romantic wedding hairstyles with long hair. Loosely pinned curls and waves are soft and feminine for an "undone" updo. Or pull back the front of your hair, and allow cascades of soft curls to flow down over your shoulders. One caution: this style can quickly turn into a frizzy mass on a humid day, so it is a bridal hairdo best reserved for indoor or cool weather weddings.

There are so many fantastic options for long wedding hair that you will be able to find the perfect one. The best bridal hairstyles complement the style of the gown, the texture of your hair, and the shape of your face. Work with your favorite hairstylist to design the hairdo which will make you feel absolutely beautiful and chic on your wedding day.

wedding hairstyles

Summer is prime wedding season. Between the heat and humidity, it can also be one of the worst times of the year for hair! Check out these ideas for summer wedding hairstyles to keep you looking your best all day long.

In general, the prettiest styles for hair in the summer months are those which are unfussy and not too contrived. Very elaborate and formal hairdos simply don't fit in with the relaxed vibe of summer, especially at an outdoor wedding. On the other hand, throwing your hair up in a ponytail to keep it off your neck like many of us do on a typical steamy August afternoon does not exactly cut it for a wedding. The answer lies somewhere in between, neither too formal nor too sloppy.

Brides with curly hair may have problems with it turning frizzy on a humid day. To combat this, your best bet is to use de-frizzing styling products before your hair is arranged. The key is to work with the nature of your hair, rather than trying to force it into a style for which your hair was never intended. A soft updo tamed with an anti-frizz serum with a few loose pieces near the face is ideal for a summer bride. By working with your hair rather than against it, you can achieve a style with staying power. Add some elegance with pretty bridal hair jewelry such as a scattering of hairpins.

Even brides whose hair is normally smooth and well-behaved may have trouble with it on a hot day. The humidity can turn smooth silky tresses into a limp mess. Rather than leaving your hair down, choose a style which will get it up off of your neck. A low bun is chic and pretty, and looks wonderful with this season's most popular type of bridal hair jewelry, the slim headband. Choose a headband which is jeweled with crystals or pearls to match the rest of your bridal jewelry.

Summer is a time for ponytails, and if done right, this can be a great style for a bride. The basic pony that you pull your hair into as you run out the door to the gym is not what we are talking about here; a special occasion ponytail is very smooth and flawless, and should be done by a professional. Most of the time, the crown of the hair will be backcombed before the tresses are smoothed over the top with a light pomade for a perfectly sleek look which also has a touch of lift off the crown. The ponytail itself should also be smooth as silk to give it the appearance of elegance. Cover the elastic band by wrapping a small section of your hair around it. A fresh flower or a small spray of white feathers will be the perfect hair ornament.

An excellent bridal hairstyle for any hair type is a braid. Braids have been making a comeback lately, and they are a terrific way to keep summer hair looking pretty and under control. Best of all, braids can be created to work with the natural texture of the bride's hair. Smooth hair can be plaited into a low sleek braid or curly hair can be more loosely woven. A variation on this is to create several small braids which are then twisted into a low bun. It is a classic hairdo which will be able to withstand any type of summer weather beautifully.