WEDDING BLOG

Travel Update- Wednesday, September 24th- Today we say goodbye to Victoria Falls and head back to Lusaka for a few days at my Dad’s house. I’m looking forward to really checking out the town, eating my dad’s favorite local foods (the popcorn from the street vendors and the deliciously fried “village chicken”) and logging some serious hammock time. My family is all about hammocks, and I love them for it. 

Today’s blog post is from Blair, showing off some sublimely simple wedding cakes. I think I’m in love with the pink and red one in the top row. I’m such a big push over for pink and red together, this inspiration board is my desktop wallpaper!

When it comes to wedding cakes, simple shapes with floral accents are all the rage. Whether the flowers are freshly picked, made of sugar, or painted right onto smooth icing, we’re seeing more and more delicious and beautiful cakes made to match a bride’s wedding flowers and the floral decor of her reception. Above are some of my favorite simple and elegant cakes. Each one has silky fondant icing with little or no piping and a creative floral accent to die for. I especially love the cake pictured in the middle of the top row with the huge red frosting camelia on top, and the one in the middle of the third row with red and pink peonies airbrushed on it. They’re classically beautiful but decidely modern at the same time. Faboo! Which cake is your favorite?

Top row:
Curling calla-lily tower cake from MarthaStewart.com
Wendy Kromer’s pink fondant cake with gum-paste camellias from MarthaStewart.com
Square cake from Grace Ormond

Second row:
Round wedding cake with polka dot ribbon trim photo by John and Joseph Photography
Parrot tulip cake quartet from MarthaStewart.com
Four tier wedding cake photo by John and Joseph Photography

Third row:
Miniature truffles from MarthaStewart.com
Painted flower cake from Grace Ormond
Wedding cupcakes by Jen’s Desserts, photo by Positive Light Photography 

Bottom row:
Round cake with fresh flowers
Garden of sweet delights cake from MarthaStewart.com
Pink cake with fresh roses and orchids by Margie Danz, photo by Positive Light Photography

Travel Update- Friday, September 19th-  Today we’re crossing the border to Botswana’s Chobe National Park for game drives and boat trips in one of the most concentrated areas of wildlife in all of Africa. We should see giraffes, zebras, impalas, wildebeests, buffalo, warthogs, and elephants!  I can’t wait!

Today’s gorgeous blog post is from Blair, all about the exotic, dreamy event tenting and decor from Raj Tents. Truly stunning and memorable!

Without a doubt, I adore Raj Tents! Every time I see one of their gorgeous designs, I am transported to a place of absolute ease and luxury (my current fantasy is to have one permanently set-up in my backyard). Inspired by distinctive themes from the palaces of India and Morocco, to the chateaux of French Provence, each tent is draped with opulent fabric and can be exquisitely appointed with chandeliers, stylish low-seating vignettes, and hand woven rugs, all available at Raj Tents. Talk about a dream come true!

To make your own unforgettable wedding style statement, choose a modern, yet classic tent for cocktails like the one pictured above, or a simple, sumptuous tent for your beach ceremony like the one shown in the image below…

or choose a whole suite of lavish tents to transform your reception space into a space of unparalleled comfort and beauty.

Play up your passion for color, with richly saturated tangerine orange, ruby red, and saffron yellow…

or choose a palette of topaz blue, aquamarine, or rich rosy pink.

 

No matter what you’re looking for in tenting, from expansive entertainment spaces to intimate spots for dressing, relaxing, and spending time with your groom, there’s bound to be at least one that delights your inner princess!

All images from Raj Tents, except the image above, from Brides.com.

Raj Tents is located in Los Angeles and San Francisco for weddings and events all over the world.

Travel Update- Wednesday, September 17th- I’m back in Lusaka at my Dad’s house today. Gonna soak up some serious R & R, and get an idea of their everyday life here. I can’t wait to see my dad in action at work. He’s been traveling to Africa my whole life, and this is the very first time I’ll get to see a first hand look at what he’s been up to over here for all those years!

Today’s blog post is from one of my Junebug partners in crime, Blair. As the resident Junebug genius, Blair has an absolute wealth of knowlege about weddings, ettiquette, and all things sweet and special. Today she’s talking about kids in weddings, and what you should keep in mind when including the little ones you love in your big day. Enjoy!

 Including kids in your wedding is the guaranteed way to add extra sweetness to your day. What could be cuter than a little girl all dressed up in tulle and ribbons scattering flower petals from her basket, or a little boy suited up in his tuxedo taking on the important job of the bearing the rings to the bride and groom? If you have children in your life that are between the ages of four and eight those are perfect jobs for them and with enough practice and encouragement they can carry out their roles with pride and passion. Should you have older children that you would like to include, they make great junior bridesmaids, groomsmen and ushers. 

Images top to bottom by GH Kim Photography, J. Garner Photography and John and Joseph Photography

Little children, especially toddlers, are unpredictable and adorably spontaneous. If you plan on including them, be sure to stay flexible and keep your sense of humor. Sometimes they’ll be with you and sometimes they’ll be in their own world, playing with their toys while you say your vows, or hiding from the camera when the photographer wants to take your group photos. To help kids stay comfortable follow these easy tips:

• Get the kids to practice their roles at your rehearsal and several times before your ceremony.
• Have your flower girl and ring bearer walk down the aisle together. Having a buddy can help calm jumpy nerves.
• Seat parents in the aisle seat where their kids can see them.
• Be sure children have an extra change of clothes in case they can’t wait to get out of their fancy duds.
• Arrange for child-care during the reception for toddlers and elementary school children. Create a play area with snacks, toys, and appropriate videos. Consider setting up a changing and nursing room for moms and little babies.
• If you’re blending families, be sure that all the kids are included. Have them with you during the ceremony and be sure that the officiant calls them out as an important part of your union.

Images top to bottom by Jenny Jimenez Photography, J. Garner Photography, Positive Light Photography and J. Garner Photography

Without a doubt, no matter how you choose to include kids in your wedding they’re sure to bring big smiles to your guests and look too precious for words in your pictures, making any minor accomodations made for them well worth it.

Image by GH Kim Photography

Speaking of well worth it! If you have a pet that is as adorable as the one pictured below, by all means deck them out in wedding attire and have your photographer include a photo of them in your wedding album. Kids and puppies, it really doesn’t get any cuter than that!

Image by John and Joseph Photography