A good and way to create inspiring wedding decor is to set a theme first and the rest will follow. It is such a simple way to create an easy and uncomplicated decor, girls! You can think out of that boring box, I’ve seen lovely weddings based on many different themes that were original; my favorite one being the “butterfly theme” where everything was spring-like and airy, gorgeous patterns on the different wedding table decorations emulating the wings of the butterflies with rich deep colors.

There is no doubt that the most popular decorative elements for a wedding that prides itself are always the versatile flowers and flower bouquets (you could buy cheap flowers and still be able to arrange them in a beautiful way!).  Floral wedding decorations can always add something unique to any wedding reception. A famous Spanish novelist once said: “Even in flowers we can find a main dual difference: some are fantastic as ornaments in life, others are appropriate to adorn death”. And flowers, appropriately, have their role when it comes to a wedding. One of the most outstanding floral elements in this big event is the bride’s bouquet.

There are many possibilities when it comes to the versatile floral wedding decoration. Personal taste will always determine whether the bride chooses a bouquet which needs to rest on her arms – more traditional – or a round one that needs no support. Also, colors that dominate that particular season will be crucial to determine which flowers we will choose.

Wedding decoration styles and trends have a living cycle of around ten years – which is more or less when people start applying new and innovative wedding decor styles. If we look back and remember when our cousins or other members of the family got married (look at photographs) we will see the incredible change in fashion. Previously, the decor at weddings did not have a central role and it was considered as a very “minor detail” that was hardly taken into account and it was barely given any importance. A little flower here and a few there was more than enough.

Nowadays things have changed. Wedding decor is a huge and essential part of the event, almost as important as the ceremony itself. Brides want – and need! – to achieve desired effects and the decor helps to accomplish this. Yes, flowers are the most popular elements when it comes to adorning the event, but these girls also want to achieve a look that is fresh, elegant and glamorous. Strategy comes into place when it comes to wedding reception decorations, having replaced flamboyancy ornamental techniques from the past.

Refinement and simplicity are also key to achieve the desired elegance when it comes to the decor. White is still the most popular color when choosing wedding cakes and most of the decorative elements– white has always been attached to “purity” – but has also been over-used in the past almost in a detrimental fashion. To create contemporary design looks, mixing white with other bright colors might be the key, complimented by the right accompanying textures.

Using fewer but more elaborate ornaments such as candlesticks with prisms, lamps and exciting floral arrangements are a better option than just the unoriginal flowers and candles. Minimalism style might be too stripped and simple to be successful when it comes to big events like this one. Being simple is not about being scarce, and for simplicity to work in any wedding decor we need to be clever when we mix textures, colors, shapes, size and even aromas.

Successful wedding reception decorations are not difficult to achieve if we put in the thought and plan things accordingly. If you find that it is just a bit too much to take on board the whole decor of your big day it will really pay off to hire a professional. These people know what they are doing and they usually have a natural flair for achieving fantastic results in a short period of time.

As a last thing I would like to add is not to forget about the fact that wedding cake decorations should also compliment the rest of the style and look of your reception. Bakers are usually in charge of this task, you have to make sure they do know what theme is your chosen one, what colors will dominate and if you have a particular style in mind. You don’t want to have a traditional all white cake and all white lovely decorations on it and a red and black wedding theme!

Wedding cakes ARE the cake and topping of any wedding. Out of any of the elements that create this magnificent event, the wedding cake is by far the most symbolic one. Yes, by far. Wedding cakes represent the realization of a union, a fertile union that is, and there is a lot of “symbolism” and history behind the meaning of wedding cakes and wedding cake decorations. But of course, what we really want, is not to celebrate whatever that symbolism means, but rather to have a spectacular wedding cake that makes our guests fall of their chairs when they see it! (and show the wedding cakes pictures to their friends) Yes, that’s right, it’s all about the guests, it’s all about the wow! factor and it’s all about brides having the biggest smile because they have the best ever wedding cake at their wedding reception!

So, after such an introduction on the importance of having a fantastic wedding cake, let’s have a look at a few ideas that might help choose the right one for you.

You can choose from two major styles: traditional wedding cakes and contemporary (or modern) wedding cakes. The traditional cake is exactly what you are thinking of: a three tier cake with white icing and also white wedding cake toppers; usually elegant in style whether there’s been lots of decoration on it or not and sitting on traditional wedding cake stands. The ingredients consist of raisins, currants and sultanas; glace ginger and cherries, brandy, treacle and sponge. Add beautiful red chocolate roses scattered around the cake or as the ultimate glorious topper.

Modern wedding cakes are a completely different story. People have changed their “tastes” over the years and seem to demand new styles to cater for new wedding themes that arise all the time. Times have also changed as we have innovative wedding ceremonies taking place every day. Same sex weddings acquire different types of wedding cakes and wedding cake toppers, as they want to move away from traditional ceremonies and thus make new statements. This is good in the sense that trends are being created all the time and history re-models itself.

The color of the wedding cake does not have to be white. I personally love the white traditional cake, but that is my taste as I love the elegance and style of that particular color. Everything should match when it comes to your wedding decor. If the chosen theme is: “pink” then obviously your wedding cake must have at least shades or variants on that tonal range. Find a baker that is good and well known for baking fantastic wedding cakes. Tell him what you are looking for, or hints on how you would like your wedding cake to look like. He/she will know out of experience. Now, I say choose a baker that is well known because usually two things happen when it comes to your wedding cake: either the cake is fantastic but ugly as hell, or it looks gorgeous and that’s about it. No flavor whatsoever. Remember that wow factor we spoke about at the beginning? Well, if you want to achieve it 100% the cake MUST LOOK GOOD and MUST TASTE AMAZING. Simple as that. Even if the baker charges a bit more than an unknown one, it is worth just for the hassle of not going through stress thinking it might not be “good enough” for your big wedding day.

Think of possible wedding cake designs and flavors. Into chocolate? People love chocolate fountains. Also, you can have your wedding cake made with chocolate sponge and icing and boast about it on your wedding website. People usually love chocolate, so you can’t go wrong there. That type of wedding cake will fall for sure into the ‘modern’ category. What about fairy tale wedding cakes, designer and custom cakes, miniature cakes, one for your pink wedding, or black and Red Wedding…  or just one that just looks too good to be eaten! You also have the new trend: wedding cupcakes. They are a cheaper option if you are on a tight budget and you can also create fantastic towers.

You see, the beauty of “moving away” from traditional wedding cakes is that you can do… whatever pleases you! Nowadays, really, is all about having the wedding YOU have been dreaming of. Not your grandma.