15 BEST HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

The DOs and DON’Ts of choosing your wedding dress

Walking down the aisle!

CakesBeautiful wedding cakes for every season!

How to plan your wedding reception menu

Reception

Santorini, Maui, Venice, Kauai, Bora Bora... Which one is for you?

November, 2014

CONTENTS

ReceptionPick the dining scenario that whets your appetite, and order it up for your Big Day.

Walking Down the Aisle!10 tips that will help you to choose your wedding dress.

HoneymoonFind out which is the best honeymoon destination for you.

Once Upon a TimeThe 6 most momentous weddings in fiction.

Cakes15 beautiful wedding cakes for every season of the year.

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EDITORIALDus dolo berioreicto et perissi nistios mi, inum

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Chef EditorIngrid Oliveira

Art & DesignIngrid Oliveira

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RECEPTION

How to Plan Your Wedding Reception

MenuPick the dining scenario that

whets your appetite, and order it up for your Big Day.

Sit-Down DinnerWho should choose it:Couples celebrating at a catering facility, club, or ballroom, as well as oenophiles who want topair each course with wine.

Who should avoid it: Party animals. Dinners take time - spent eating, not dancing or clinking glasses with anyone bey-ond your table.

What to ask:The real price difference between seated dinners and buffets. You may assume plated dinners are pricier, but often they are not, because the caterer knows exactly how much food to order and prepare, whereasbuffets have to accomod-ate multiple trippers.

BuffetsWho should choose it:Those who want to offer several entrées. Planning a day wedding? Brunch dishes like muffins and fruit platters look lovely on a buffet, and omelets can be made to order.

Who should avoid it:Couples with a 100-plusguest list (lines will form)

What to ask: How long the food will sit out. Typically, buffets have a shelf life of about 2 to 2½ hours - for both taste and health reasons. Also ask how the waitstaff will direct buffet traffic (it’s best to invite tables to head to the buffet one at a time) and clear dirty plates.

Cocktail PartyWho should choose it: Duos on a budget. You can offer hors d’oeuvres for less money than a sit-down meal. (Just be sure to keep the party under three hours. If you go longer, the cost difference between the two parties is negligible.) This may also appeal to couples with a 300-plus guest list and second-time-arounders.

Who should avoid it:Brides seeking the spot-light. Cocktail parties te-nd to skip introductions of the couple, first dan- ces, and dances with parents.

What to ask: The best time to sche- dule it. An 8 p.m. recep-tion clues in guests to grab a bite before, wher-eas a 5 p.m. start time signals supper.

Casual BarbequeWho should choose it:Couples with close-knit friends and families who would enjoy the infor-mality of a backyard, a barn, or a park wedding.

Who should avoid it:Control freaks. If your friends are firing up the park grill themselves, burgers may be burned, food may go cold, and wayward Frisbees might come your way. You could hire a caterer, but staff may be trampling through your kitchen if you host the barbecue at your home.

What to ask:Will the caterer have to bring in a cook tent? Even if you have access to a great gourmet kitch-en, it might not be up to catering standards.

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WALKING DOWN THE AISLE!

The DOs and DON’Ts of

Choosing Your Wedding Dress

If you’re feeling so much pressure to find the wedding dress of your dreams that you think you may be going nuts, don’t worry. We chatted with experts and brides who know exactly how you’re feeling, and we asked them to spill their tips for finding the perfect wedding dress. Read on, stress less and spend more time on the rest of your wedding planning to-do list. (Like tasting cake.)

by Lexi Petronis

DON’T! 3 DON’T schedule your wedding dress appointment late in the day.

The early bird gets the worm—er, in this case, the early bride gets an energetic, fresh bridal store staff that hasn’t dealt with the concerns of a million clients already. “If you get the first appointment of the morning, the store will likely be less crowded, and you’ll get the full attention of your consultant,” says Camille McLamb, owner of Chicago-based wedding planning service Camille Victoria Weddings.

4 DON’T forget about the top of your wedding dress.

A long, gorgeous wedding

dress with a fancy hem is to die for. Just remember that the top of your dress is what people will notice most—and what will show up in most wedding pictures. “The majority of wedding photos that guests take of you are from the waist up,” says Margee Higgins, 30. Higgins picked a Lazaro gown with straps and a high belt, both of which you could see in all her photos.

1DON’T pick a wedding dress just because it’s trendy now.

Trendy wedding dresses won’t necessarily stand the test of time—flip through your parents’ wedding album for evidence of that. “A gown should be timeless,” says Erika Unbehaun, owner of Flutterfly Events, a wedding planning company in London. “When you feel sexy and glamorous in a gown that has both modern and traditional elements, and you feel like a better version of yourself when you’re wearing it, you’ve found your timeless gown. It’s something that will never go out of style.”

2 DON’T feel like you must bring an audience when you try on wedding dresses.

Wedding TV shows make it look like you need to bring every one of your female relatives, your neighbor and your kindergarten teacher with you to help with the dress search. “I felt pressure to bring a group of girlfriends with me,” says Breen Halle, 28, from Miami Beach, Fla., who was married in February. “The result was negative. Too many opinions, thoughts and coordination. I found success going to the salon myself and selecting my gown. And I learned it’s perfectly normal to go alone—not to mention stress-free.”

5 DON’T freak out about wedding dress sizing.

“I’m a bridal consultant, but

even I was alarmed by how big the dresses were when I was trying them on,” says Gail Johnson, of Gail Johnson Weddings. “Bridal gowns run two to three sizes larger [than your regular size]. Once you get your head around that, be realistic; pay attention to how it looks, not what the label reads. It took me some time to deal with that myself—I actually cried because of the size!”

6 DON’T forget that all wedding dress and accessory sales are usually

final.

Gulp—no pressure, right? But it’s a realistic reminder that you should stay serious in your search for your wedding dress and accessories. “I had an impulse buy of a fun fascinator,” says Lori Lenz, 40,”Now I’m realizing it doesn’t really work with the rest of the wedding and I should just get a simple veil. Only now, I have a hundred-dollar clip-on hat that I didn’t realize was nonreturnable.”

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DO!1 DO focus first on finding

the best wedding dress silhouette for you.

Details are important—a long row of teensy pearl buttons and a well-placed ruffle or two can mean the difference between a good wedding dress and a great one. But before you start nitpicking the details, “first figure out the silhouette that works best for you,” says gown designer Amsale Aberra. “Try not to get caught up in the trend of the moment, but instead focus on your personal

style and what flatters you most.”

2 DO bring your camera wedding dress shopping (if the boutique allows it).

Embrace your inner Cher Horowitz (we all have some of the Clueless character in us) and photograph your dress possibilities instead of putting all your trust in the mirror. “Mirrors are used to sell dresses—cameras don’t lie,” says Richard O’Malley, owner of the O’Malley Project, a company that offers consulting services for event planners. “Because you’ll be looking at the photos of this dress for years to come, know how it photographs from all angles. One potential hiccup: Some boutiques don’t allow dress photography. Call ahead to see if you can take a few snaps for decision-making purposes only.

3 DO try on as many wedding dresses as you need to…

According to Nicole Janowicz, celebrity wedding stylist, almost any dress can look gorgeous on a hanger (or it can look terrible). Resist snap judgment. “Once a dress is on a woman’s body, it takes on a different shape and look,” she says. “This means that a bride will try on many dresses, and she should. I had a celebrity bride try on 27 dresses at a fitting in order to find the perfect reception dress. Just as it takes time to find a husband or wife, it takes time to find the perfect gown.”

4 DO ask lots of questions while trying on wedding dresses.

You should ask questions of the boutique owner and staff—but also of yourself. “You should always ask yourself a few questions to make sure the dress you love not only makes you feel spectacular but also works for the activities of the day,” says Nicole Brewer, David’s Bridal style council member and celebrity stylist. “Make sure you have the answers to these: Do I feel beautiful, confident and comfortable? Can I dance in it? Can I sit down? Am I self-conscious about any part of my body in my dress?” Although a gown may be gorgeous, if you can’t move in it all night and feel trapped, mummy-style, it’s not the right one for you.

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#3 VeniceWhy go:The city ofcanals, gon-

dolas and Ita-lian cooking,Ve-

nice has earned bragging rights as a long-standing honeymoon favorite. Just note: Because of the city’s popularity, stays at luxury hotels can lean toward the pricier side.

#2 MauiWhy go:With jungles to explore,

volcanoes totour and trails

to hike, Maui makes a great pl-ace to stretch your married legs. For some R&R, sprawl across miles of shoreline and take advantage of all the perks that come with a luxurious resort stay.

#1 SantoriniWhy go:Known forits brilliant

sunsets, rich Greek food and

romantic hotels, Santorini is al-most tailor-made for those who've just said "I do." Honeymoo-ners can lounge on red- and black-sand beaches or visit the island's wineries.

HoneymoonAfter reviewing expert opinions and

thousands of traveler sentiments, our editors have compiled a list to help you determine the best place for a postnuptial getaway. Though many beach locales nab

the top spots, the U.S. News rankings of the best honeymoon destinations offer a versatile range of action-packed, culture-focused and relaxing getaways around the globe.

Tahiti, French Polynesia

#4 KauaiWhy go:The hawaii-an island of

Kauaifeatures private villas on

secluded beaches, which makefor wonderfully relaxing honey-moons. But adventurous coup-les can also hike through the Na Pali Coast, explore Waimea Canyon or kayak down the Wailua River.

HONEYMOON

Best Honeymoon Destinations

#5 CreteWhy go:The largeGreek isle of

Crete is brok-en into four dis-

tinct regions that offer varied experiences, from jungle adven-tures to beach bum lazing. The sands are sublime, as are the hotels, spas and cuisine

#6 Bora BoraWhy go:

Bora Bora’s scenery is just

the tip of the iceberg (or, rather, the volcano). Newlyweds have their pick of several over-the-water resorts. Hotel rates are high, but can you really put a price on a memorable honeymoon?

#7 MaldivesWhy go:If you and your sweeth-

eart truly wa-nt to get away

from it all, head to the Maldi-ves. Far from your new in-laws, this remote island chain oozes romance. And Maldivian resorts know only one standard of luxury: extravagant.

#9 MartiniqueWhy go:

Mar t in ique has all the class

of Paris with the added bonus of beautiful beaches and pleasant weather year-round. You’ll alsofind delicious cuisine and varied lodging options, ranging from charming inns to luxurious re-sorts.

#8 FlorenceWhy go:Florence is acity of renow-

ed art and mo-uthwatering Ita-

lian cuisine. Spend your days walking hand in hand through the labyrinth of stone streets and exploring the greenery of the Boboli Gardens. Save your nights for sipping wine.

15#10 Tahiti

Why go:Though a lit-tle more rug-

ged than its sister Bora Bora

Tahiti is no less romantic.Couples can hole up in seclud-ed resorts, lounge along dark sand beaches and sample worl-d-class French cuisine in Pape’ete, the island’s capital.

#11 Turks & CaicosWhy go:Catering to

an upscale cli- entele with high-end hotels, Turks & Caicos features prime snorkeling andscuba diving spots. Plus, noth-ing says “honeymoon” like lounging along a Caribbean beach.

#12 British Virgin Islands

Why go:The BVIs are

pretty expensive, but their exclusivity is part of their appealNewlyweds will have 60 islands and cays to explore, with enou-gh white-sand beaches to keep them busy — or relaxed — for the duration of their honeymoon.

#13 BaliWhy go:With tower-ing volcanoes

and stone te-mples Bali pro-

vides a memorable backdrop for a honeymoon. You can explore beautiful beaches or visit Sumantran elephants. Or, catch up on some R&R in a beachfront suite.

#14 FijiWhy go:Fiji’s serene beaches ma-

ke postnuptial relaxation a bre-

eze. Luxe resorts and activities like snorkeling with manta rays in the Yasawas or surfing near the Mamanucas particularly stand out to new couples.

#15 St. MartinWhy go:This island is

known for its beaches and its

blend of Dutch, French and Caribbean cultures. You’ll find several cute towns to explore, and the local cuisine is said to be some of the best in the Caribbean).

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ONCE UPON A TIME

The 6 Most Momentous Weddings in FictionWord to the wise: don’t model your own nuptials on these events, because most of them are unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.

The Red Wedding in A Storm of Swords, by George R. R. Martin

Few scenes in literary history have achieved the kind of notoriety enjoyed by the Red Wedding. I mean, this event is seismic in its reach. The wedding-turned-bloodbath broke the hearts of Martin fans everywhere—then we were forced to relive it last year in Season 3 of Game of Thrones. We can only hope that Martin throws the Starks a bone in the upcoming books, because that clan seriously deserves a break.

Annie and Viveca’s Wedding in We are Water, by Wally Lamb

After 27 years of conventional marriage and family life, Annie Oh falls in love with her art dealer, Viveca. Her adult children have trouble accepting her newfound sexual orientation, but Annie and Viveca cannot be dissuaded from tying the knot. Lamb delves deep into the personal side of a battle that is widely seen as political, and captures the cathartic relief that has accompanied the marriage equality movement.

Claudio and Hero’s Wedding in Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare loves to casually make his comedies into harrowing tragedies for a few scenes, and Claudio and Hero’s wedding is the ultimate example. Convinced by the lying Don John that his betrothed isn’t a virgin, Claudio ruthlessly humiliates Hero in front of all their guests. The scene is a relentless tearjerker, and it’s followed up by some of the best digs of any Shakespearean play. I mean, is there anything more badass than Beatrice saying, “I would eat [Claudio’s] heart in the marketplace”? Of course, the play seamlessly becomes a comedy again, and ends with an epic double wedding. All’s well that ends well, as some playwright or other once said.

The Rochester/Eyre Wedding in Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë

Jane and Mr. Rochester have the perfect romance…that is, until their wedding day. As they are exchanging vows, a man in the crowd objects to the marriage, claiming that Rochester is already married to his sister. Awk-ward. As with Claudio and Hero, the second time is the charm for these lovebirds.

Any Wedding in Mythology

Talk about a bunch of crazy parties! When it comes to mythological weddings, even the sky isn’t the limit. These bridal ragers include the Moon marrying the Sun, the Sky marrying the Earth, and the constellations marrying each other. Even the more grounded nuptials are nuts: Hades, the King of the Underworld, up and makes off with Persephone, the Princess of Spring, and everyone just has to deal with it. And let’s not even get into the marriage of Oedipus and his mother. When it comes to outrageous matches, mythology takes the wedding cake.

Lycius and Lamia’s Wedding in Lamia, by John Keats

One of Keats’ most famous works, Lamia depicts a whirlwind romance between the mysterious beauty Lamia and a Corinthian youth named Lycius. Too bad at their wedding feast, a nosy sage reveals that Lamia is actually a giant snake-woman-demon-thing. We hope they had a good pre-nup!

Did they

lived happily

ever after? - By Becky Ferreira

What’s your favorite fictional wedding? Let us know! beckyferreira@sayes.com

The Red Wedding, from Game of Thrones

Jane Eyre, wedding scene from the 1996 movie

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CAKES

Beautiful Wedding Cakes for Every Season!

Heather Lee handpicks her favorite wedding cakes, from three-tiered homemade creations to glam,

couture-inspired confections.

Modern White Wedding CakeNeon Wedding Cake in CitrusRomantic Ruffled Wedding Cake

SPRING!

Peach Wedding Cake with Sugar-Flower Cascade

This wedding cake comes to us from Bakermama Cakes, located in Kodiak, Alaska. Owner Althea Heussnere tells us that the design's inspiration came directly from the bride, who requested a confection that complemented the wedding's color palette of orange, pink, and green. "She also asked me to make a cascade of flowers to match the blooms in her bouquet," says Althea. The end result featured modern square-shaped tiers cove-red in peach-colored fondant andadorned with a lush cascade of roses, hydrangeas, and spider mums, all carefully sculpted from sugar gumpaste.

Marie Antoinette-Inspired Wedding Cake

This wedding cake comes to us from Ceri Olofson of Olofson Design, an amazing bespoke cakeboutique based in London. Chan-neling the decadence of the era ofMarie Antoinette, the cake featur-es sugarpaste swags and pearls, as well as quilting and hand-piped royal icing. Each tier was designed differently and drew inspiration from a variety of sources. "The top tier was inspired by an arched do-orway at the Palace of Versailles," says Ceri. The intricate details were hand-painted using edible gold and blush-pink luster dust, while fresh flowers added vibrancy and extra depth to the tiers.

Romantic Ruffled Wedding Cake

This wedding cake is a wonderfully romantic design by Coco Paloma Desserts in Austin, Texas. Owner and pastry artist Paloma Efron said the inspiration for the cake came from a bride: “The bride came in with an inspiration photo of a ruffled cake, but she also loved a cake we had done that was decorated with sugar flowers. So we decided to combine the two ideas.”The ruffles are made from a 50/50 mixture of fondant and gumpaste. The mixture is rolled out into strips, which the cake designers individually shape and frill by hand. The ruffles are then left to dry for about 15 minutes—that way they won’t wilt.

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AUTUMN!

Mint Green Wedding Cake with Heart Topper

How sweet is this mint green wedding cake photographed by Birds of a Feather? Created by Sheri’s Edible Designs, a bakery located on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the two-tier wedding cake combines ombré shades of green and a subtle wave pattern fashioned from buttercream. The homespun cake is crowned with a custom wooden cake topper by Etsy vendor Better Off Wed.

Elegant Daisy Wedding Cake

I love lace wedding cakes, and this design by Zoe Clark of London’s The Cake Parlour might be my favorite, yet! Here, Zoe hand-cut dainty flower appliques from fondant, then affixed each sugar bloom onto the pale coffee-colored tiers. The square tiers add a modern touch to the overall design, and I love how some of the flowers dip below the base of each tier—to me, it resembles the hemline of a gorgeous lace skirt.

Rustic Fall-Inspired Wedding Cake

If you’re hosting a fall wedding, check out this wonderful fall-inspired wedding cake by Wild Orchid Baking Company in North Hampton, NH. The smooth fondant-covered tiers are covered in a cascade of gumpaste leaves and branches ablaze in fall hues (and don’t miss the tiny sculpted bird on the top tier!). The finished confection is displayed on a tree-stump base that’s actually edible, too! It totally had me fooled.

SUMMER!

Modern Square Wedding Cake with Heart Topper

Silhouettes are a popular wedding motif, but usually imply a vintage theme. Which is why I love this fresh, modern take on the silhouette by New York City bakery Eat Cake Be Merry. The hand-cut gumpaste silhouette of the bride and groom is playful and full of personality; paired with a bright red heart, it’s the perfect topper for this crisp two-tier cake. As for the rest of the cake decor: the two square tiers are covered in fondant and Swiss dot piping, then decorated with an edible black-and-white gumpaste banner.

Yellow Wedding Cake with Daisies

This cheerful confection by New Hampshire-based Wild Orchid Baking Company features daisy-shaped fondant cutouts affixed to the top and bottom tiers (which were covered in yellow fondant), along with a textured fondant bow wrapped around the center. The final touch: a posy of handmade sugar daisies, sweetly tucked beneath the bow. I love this charming wedding cake for a more casual wedding celebration—maybe a backyard bash or a summertime reception on a rustic farm.

Pastel Macaron Wedding Cake

In Manhattan, we’re lucky to have an outpost of Paris’s famed patisserie Ladurée, which means I have easy access to my favorite French macaron cookies. Here, pastry chef Zoe Clark of The Cake Parlour, in London, baked dozens of macarons in soft, sunset shades and used the cookies to decorate matching fondant-covered tiers. The result is warm and romantic, and the lucky guests get not only a slice of cake, but a sweet macaron treat, too!

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WINTER!

Winter Wedding Cake with Pinecones and Berries

Calling all winter brides! If you haven’t decided on your wedding cake design, please consider this beautiful wintry confection created by Erica OBrien Cake Design in Connecticut. A simple two-tier cake is decorated with a cluster of sugar flowers and foliage. I love the attention to detail: the incredibly realistic looking silver brunia berries and the frosty mini pinecones. The design beautifully captures the romance of a magical winter wedding.

RomanticBlack-and-White Wedding Cake

This wedding cake comes to us from Jeremy Harwell of Georgia-based Harwell Photography, who shot this stunning cake by Classic Cheesecakes & Cakes in Atlanta. Each tier is decorated with icing to resemble delicate lace, then embellished with a bold black-and-white-striped ribbon made from fondant. For a final touch, they added two sparkly (non-edible) brooches to the top and bottom tiers for the perfect amount of bling. I could easily envision this cake on display in an elegant ballroom or historic mansion, don’t you think?

Modern White Wedding Cake

If you ask me, there’s nothing more chic than an all-white wedding cake. And this stunning confection by pastry chef Zoe Clark of London’s The Cake Parlour certainly proves my point. Inspired by paper-flower pom-poms, Zoe decorated a simple two-tier cake with feathery sugar details designed to look like paper-flower petals. The bottom tier is entirely covered with rows of petals, while a sugar-flower topper on the top tier adds a touch of whimsy. Completely done in white, this beautiful cake is clean and simple, and would easily complement a wedding held in a modern setting, like an art gallery or raw space.

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