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!

How to Make a Bridal Veil

Making your own bridal veil is easier than you may think. To get started, you will need the following materials; all of these items can be found at an art supply store or a fabric shop.

1. Tulle in 108" width - Tulle is sometimes referred to as "bridal illusion". Tulle is recommended because it requires no finishing. You can use other fabric, but you'll have to finish the raw edges. The length of tulle needed depends on your height and the style of veil. Use the following guidelines to get the perfect length, keep in mind you may want to purchase extra: Shoulder Length ("blusher") 18" - 24", Waist Length 30", Fingertip Length 38" - 40", Floor Length ("chapel") 60" - 72", Cathedral Length 108" or longer.

2. Needle and Sturdy Thread - Make sure the thread color matches that of your tulle.

3. Fabric Scissors

4. Dressmaker's chalk or a soft pencil

5. Weighted objects such as books - These will be used to anchor the tulle while you work with it.

6. An Attachment - This is a mechanism such as a comb, clip or headband that will be used to secure the veil.

7. Adhesive - This can be either a hot glue gun, glue sticks or fabric`glue.

8. Decorative Elements - Items such as pearls, beads, sequins and crystal can be used to make your veil beautiful and one of a kind.

To get started on making your veil, lay the tulle on a clean, flat surface. Fold the tulle in half lengthwise, and place weighted objects along its edges to keep it still. Use the dressmaker's chalk trace a curve along the bottom edge of the tulle. Use the fabric shears to cut along the line you drew, then unfold the tulle.
Next take the needle and thread, and sew the top straight edge using a running stitch across the entire length. Once you have reached the other end and stitched across the full length of the top edge of your veil, you want to cinch the two outer edges together by pulling the thread out and pushing the tulle in. After the tulle is cinched, knot the open end of the thread securely and cut off the excess. This step is important because it will make the top of your veil small enough to fit securely on your attachment comb or headband. The next step is to glue or sew the top of your veil to the attachment mechanism.

The structure of your veil is now complete, the final step is to decorate it! This is your chance to be creative and customize your veil. Save leftover material from your dress, if you have alterations, to decorate your veil; this will allow you to match your veil to your dress. You might also want to use a ribbon, fabric or extra beading to cover the comb or headband on your veil to make it look polished.

For a wide selection of wedding ceremony accessories, be sure to visit Wedding Staples! Wedding Staples is a one-stop-shop for all your wedding planning needs. View our beautiful selection of bridesmaids gifts, cake toppers, ring pillows and unity candles, and find the perfect accents for your wedding today!

How to Address You Wedding Invitations

Addressing your wedding invitations can be a tedious and time consuming task. It is best to start the process about 3 months before your wedding date, and possibly earlier if you are using a calligrapher or have a guest list above 200. If you are not planning on using a calligrapher, it is appropriate to ask your bridal party for help with addressing your wedding invitations. This can be done in a party format, where you serve snacks and beverages. You can also ask your wedding consultant for help with this task.

There are typically 2 types of envelopes that need to be addressed in a wedding invitation, an outer envelope with a guest name(s) and full mailing address, and a smaller inner envelope with only the guest name(s). The inner envelope, which fits inside the outer envelope, remains unsealed and is positioned with the flap away from the person inserting. The inner envelope contains the wedding invitation and all of its enclosures facing the back flap.

The following details are a guide for addressing the inner and outer envelopes of your wedding invitations for your different guests.

Husband and Wife with the Same Surname

Inner Envelope
Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Outer Envelope
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Husband and Wife with Different Surnames

Inner Envelope
Ms. Johnson and Mr. Smith (wife's name first)

Outer Envelope (wife's name and title first)
Ms. Emily Johnson
Mr. John Smith

Husband and Wife with Children Under 16 Years of Age

Inner Envelope (list children in age order)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
John, Richard, and Mary

Outer Envelope
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Single Woman of Any Age

Inner Envelope
Miss/Ms. Johnson

Outer Envelope
Miss/Ms. Emily Johnson

Single Woman with Guest

Inner Envelope
Miss/Ms. Johnson
Mr. Smith or "and Guest"

Outer Envelope
Miss/Ms. Emily Smith

Single Man

Inner Envelope
Mr. Smith

Outer Envelope
Mr. John Smith

Single Man with Guest


Inner Envelope
Mr. Smith
Miss/Ms. Johnson or "and Guest"

Outer Envelope
Mr. John Smith

Unmarried Couple Living Together

Inner Envelope (list names alphabetically)
Ms. Johnson and Mr. Smith

Outer Envelope
Ms. Emily Johnson
Mr. John Smith

Two Sisters Over 16 Years of Age

Inner Envelope
The Misses Johnson

Outer Envelope (list names in age order)
The Misses Emily and Elizabeth Johnson

Two Brothers Over 16 Years of Age

Inner Envelope
The Messrs. Smith

Outer Envelope (list names in age order)
The Messrs. John and Michael Smith

Brothers and Sisters Over 16 Years of Age

Inner Envelope (list girls in age order first, then boys in age order)
Mary, Jane, John and Richard

Outer Envelope (list girls first)
The Misses Smith
The Messrs. Smith

Widow

Inner Envelope
Mrs. Smith

Outer Envelope
Mrs. John Smith

Divorcee

Inner Envelope 
Mrs. Smith

Outer Envelope (list maiden name first, then former husband's surname)
Mrs. Johnson Smith

Visit Wedding Staples for a full selection of beautiful Do-It-Yourself Wedding Invitation Kits, Wedding Stationary, Wedding Gift Card Holders and other accessories for your wedding ceremony and reception! Wedding Staples is the only site you need to visit for all your wedding planning needs. Browse our product selection today!

Wedding Toasts and Selecting the Perfect Bride and Groom Wedding Champagne Glasses

Speeches and toasts are a key component of any wedding reception. Classic wedding toasts are often rousing, funny, thoughtful and sentimental. As you are planning the sequence of events at your wedding reception, keep in mind that you will want to allow time for at least one of the following toasts.

The Best Man's Toast: The best man's toast is a wedding staple. If you only want one speaker at your wedding, it should be the best man. The best man should try to make people laugh a little bit, and maybe even cry, as he talks about how much he loves the couple and adds some wise thoughts and hope for their future.

The Maid of Honor's Toast: It has never been traditional for the maid of honor to speak at a wedding, however, it's becoming increasingly common for both the best man and the maid of honor to offer a toast. The maid of honor's toast is similar to that of the best man, but may include some unique anecdotes about the couple.

The Parents: If the bride's father pays for the wedding, as the host he should offer a brief toast to welcome everyone and thank them for attending. If both families contributed to the wedding expenses, both sets of parents may stand together as one of them offers a welcome on behalf of all of them. If the couple has paid for the wedding entirely, then they can give a welcome without toasting.

The Bride and Groom: This should be a brief speech, that allows the couple a chance to thank everyone for coming, and to thank their family and friends for their love and support.

Be sure to ask anyone you would like to speak at your wedding far in advanced. This will allow your speakers time to prepare their toasts and practice orating. You might also want to request that they bring a hard copy of their speech with them to your reception, so that each speaker has something to reference.

You will also want to invest in a nice pair of champagne glasses for your wedding reception. Bride and groom champagne glasses are a traditional part of most wedding celebrations. These glasses make wonderful keepsakes that can be used in anniversary celebrations for years to come. These are sometimes thought of basic and traditional, but modern bride and groom champagne glasses come in many styles and themes to provide the perfect accent to the rest of the wedding reception decor.

As you are preparing for your wedding day, be sure to visit Wedding Staples! Wedding Staples is a one-stop-shop for all your wedding planning needs. Whether you need a few last minute wedding gift table decorations or everything from bridesmaids gifts and cake toppers to ring pillows and unity candles, you'll find everything you need for your dream wedding in our selection.

Create the Perfect Website for Your Wedding

While creating a website for your wedding is not mandatory, in today's digital age it is a great way to keep your guests informed of details for your ceremony and reception. You also don't need to be a technical genius to create a wedding website; there are many web services, such as Wedding Wire, that will provide website templates and hosting for free.

Below is a summary of content to include in your wedding website; organizationally, each of these items can be on a separate page of your site.

Date and Time - Include a separate for the wedding ceremony and reception

Ceremony Location - Be sure to include a street address, directions, and any requests you may have for your guests. If your ceremony venue has a website, you might also want to include a link to it on your website.

Reception Location - Like the Ceremony Location page, be sure to include the full street address and directions to the Reception Location. If your reception venue has a website, add a link to the site on your wedding website. If your wedding ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can combine the content in one web page. You can also inform guest of the attire for your wedding reception here.

Hotels and Accommodations - Most couples have out of town guests attend their weddings, however, it can be confusing for guest who don't know the city where the wedding is taking place. Help them out by posting travel details (i.e. how to get to your wedding by train, bus or plane), and which hotels are close by the wedding venues. If you have arranged for a group rate at a certain hotel, be sure to inform your guests here.

Bridal Registry - While it is not good etiquette to include details of your registry in your wedding invitation, your wedding website is the perfect place for it! Most retail sites have online registries where gift availability is current; be sure to include links to all the stores you are registered at here.

About The Bride and Groom - Personalization is always a nice touch. Consider including something about you and your partner, such as how you met. You may also want to include some photos of the two of you together.

Be sure not to include anything too personal in your wedding website. Remember it can be viewed not just by all your family and friends, but anyone in the world can access it.

The last thing to consider is that you need to find a way to inform your guests of the address of your website. You might not want to use social media to inform people of your wedding website, as it may reach too wide an audience and you can risk offending people who are not invited to your wedding. An easy alternative is to include the URL to your wedding website in either your Save the Date or as an insert in your Wedding Invitation.

Whether you are looking for beautiful Do-It-Yourself Wedding Invitation Kits, Save the Date Cards, or other Wedding Stationary, be sure to visit Wedding Staples today! Wedding Staples is a one-stop-shop for all your wedding planning needs. Browse our online selection today!

How to Make the Perfect Wedding Gift Card Holder

Having a gift card holder at your wedding reception is vital. Without one, you can be stuck carrying and keeping track of cards throughout your reception, or worst, you could risk losing your wedding gifts.
Gift card holders can take on many forms, but using an actual box is most common. If you chose to go that route, make sure to use a box that has a minimum depth of six inches. Remember, wedding cards tend to be large, and if you choose a box too shallow you can risk cards not fitting or overflowing from your card holder.

Another thing to consider is that you can easily make a gift card box to use at your wedding. Making your own gift card holder is not only inexpensive, but will allow you flexibility in color and design. Follow the below steps to make your own card box.

1. Find the right box - When choosing a box, consider color, shape and size. A craft store is a great place to look, since craft boxes can easily be transformed into a box for your wedding cards. When selecting a box color keep in mind that traditional white will always work, but you can also use a color that is in your wedding.

2. Measure a slit in the top of your box - To do this, first find the center of your box lid (if you are using a square or rectangular box trace 2 diagonal lines on the top of the box from opposite corners - the center will be where the lines intersect). Then measure a straight horizontal line that goes through the center of the box; this line should be 1 inch long, such that it is above the center by half an inch and below the center by half an inch. This 1 inch line represents the height of your slit. Now you can measure the length of the slit, by lining a ruler perpendicular to the width line you drew, and tracing a 6 inch line so that the center of your box lid hits in the middle and 3 inches are on either side of the center line. The final measuring step is simply extending the 1 inch height on either far end of the width line. This will allow you to easily draw a straight length line above and below the width. The final result will be a rectangular slit that is 1 inch in height by 6 inches in width that falls in the center of your box lid. Use the below diagram as a reference.

 
3. Cut the slit - Use a box cutter here for best results. Start by poking a hole with the box cutter in the center of your slit outline. Then slowly drag the box cutter to the edge being careful not to go outside the slit outline. Finally use the box cutter to trace the full outline of your slit.

4. Decorate your box - This is the fun part. You can be creative here, using wrapping paper, lace, ribbon, beading or sequins. These are items that can easily be found in either a craft shop or party supply store. A few details to consider when decorating:

• If you are using a gift box with a top and bottom, and want to decorate it with wrapping paper, you might want to wrap each part separately. This will allow you to easily dismantle the box after your wedding reception. 
• Whether you are wrapping your box or using another decoration, be sure to cover all the visible edges, making extra effort to ensure that the edges around the slit are not seen.
   

If you would rather not make a gift card holder or use a box, think creatively. Everyday items such as a vase with a wide opening or a simple silver tray can be used as gift card holder. If you are looking for something more unique, you can even use a birdcage card holder for your wedding reception.

If you are shopping for the perfect wedding gift card holder be sure to visit Wedding Staples! Wedding Staples offers a variety of wedding gift card holders at newly reduced prices! Wedding Staples is a one-stop-shop for all your wedding planning needs. Visit Wedding Staples to find everything for your wedding day!