Wedding Tradition, Cake Toppers are the 'Cherry on Top'

Indisputably, the finishing touch on any wedding cake is the topper. This seemingly simple addition to your confectionary masterpiece is an essential part of not only your wedding cake but your wedding day as a whole.

The tradition of placing a decoration on top of the wedding cake started in the eighteenth century, when couples began putting wooden figurines on top of their cake to symbolize unflinching devotion to one another. These wooden figurines gave way to more modern plastic replicas of the bride and groom.

Today, figurines are still popular among many couples, but with many options out there, more and more people are choosing alternative cake toppers. The possibilities are nearly endless for what can function as your wedding cake topper. Your wedding should be focused on you and your new spouse, and your cake topper should reflect your styles and personalities, as well as your wedding theme.

There are no limitations on wedding cake toppers, however, there are some topper alternatives that are more popular than others. For example, a trend that is growing in popularity is using the couple’s new monogram as the cake topper, with simple or ornate letters stuck into the top tier of the cake.

Another popular idea is to set a lightweight vase on top of the cake, and use flowers to mirror those of the other centerpieces at the reception. It is important that your vase not be too heavy, or it may sink into the cake!

Photos make a popular cake topper as well. With photo cubes and unique frames, you can have a picture of you and your new spouse as the focal point on your cake.

With the many options available (these are just a few) there is no reason for your wedding cake to be boring! Remember that your cake topper, just like the whole day, is about more than just ribbons and bows, it’s about starting a new life with a person that you love.

Visit Wedding Staples for a full selection of alternative wedding cake toppers. Wedding Staples is a one-stop-shop for all your wedding planning needs--whether you’re the planner or the bride or both--Wedding Staples is the only online store you need to find the perfect wedding and reception decor and accessories.

Wedding Garters are More Than Accessories

Wedding garters, and subsequently the wedding garter toss, is a tradition that has been carried out for centuries, but its practices and rituals have differed through different civilizations and different times.

In ancient times it was believed that a bride’s clothing would bring good luck to anyone who got a hold of it. This became a little upsetting to the bride, since her guests would demolish her dress in order to have a piece of it, and its presumed fortune.

Obviously over time, this tradition began to change. Soon the good fortune, it was only associated with the bride’s garter, which guests would fight over. This too turned out to be dangerous, as the bride would often be knocked over by drunken male guests trying to remove her garter. In current times, only the groom removes the garter, and then tosses it to the unmarried male wedding guests.

Of course this all is based on the process, but the tradition itself is steeped in symbolism. It’s an iconic emblem towards the surrender of the bride’s virginal girdle to the groom, the tossing away of a groom’s single life and embracing a married life, good luck for the guest lucky enough to catch the garter.

But why is the garter often blue, you ask? In several ancient cultures, the color blue was considered symbolic of wealth and prosperity, so both the bride and groom would have a blue band around the bottom of their garments. As style and tradition have changed, so has this custom, so that now the garter is often blue.

The most common garter practices involve two garters: one that is tossed away, and another above it that is for the bride to keep as a memento. These garters are a valuable keepsake, and can be kept as a reminder of your special wedding day for years to come.

So, whether you wear a garter out of tradition, duty or simply for fun, know that it can be tailored to you and an extremely fun part of the reception.

Visit Wedding Staples to shop for a full selection of wedding garters in a variety colors and styles, many with the option of complimentary personalization. Wedding Staples is a one-stop-shop for all your wedding planning needs. Browse our best-selling products and categories to find the perfect decor and accessories for your wedding today!