Manolo for the Brides

One of the issues that makes it difficult to express individuality in all areas of wedding planning is that guests have tastes, too. While no bride should spend more than a moment wondering what grouchy Uncle Ernie will think of her dress, she and her groom-to-be should consider whether the majority of her guests will enjoy platefuls of strong curry or a cake flavored with straight Grand Marnier. I mean, hey, guests gotta eat, know what I’m saying?

Still, once food allergies and such have been noted, there is no reason not to get creative where cake are concerned. I understand that you can’t go wrong with bland vanilla and uninspired chocolate cake, but at the same time, people do not need cake to survive. While I see compelling evidence to suggest that ensuring that guests get something to eat is an important part of any wedding that occurs during mealtimes, I say, “Let them not eat cake!”

If they don’t like the flavor, that is. Teresa Palko, a cake artisan located in Merritt Island, Florida will make you a gorgeous cake in flavors like white chocolate, red velvet, Chambord, Framboise, Frangelico, and Amaretto. And she’ll fill it with good stuff like white chocolate buttercream, white chocolate ganache, lemon cream, cream cheese, or chocolate peanut butter cream cheese. Y-U-M.

By all means, brides and grooms, provide a fruit plate, chocolate dipped strawberries, or biscotti if you are afraid people won’t dig into your cake with gusto. Or serve a subdued groom’s cake on the side. But don’t hold yourself back! Get creative!

Stay tuned for a review of the wedding I attended this past weekend!

In case any of you folks missed it, check out the winners of Cheap Chic Wedding’s 2006 Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest. Though some of the dresses featured have obviously been crafted out of TP, a few look like they belong in the pages of Modern Bride. I can’t even figure out how the winning dress (lovingly designed by Stephanie Stutzenberger of Cumming, Ga.) was put together, as it looks relatively seamless. Glue? Paste? We may never know.

Erin, over at A Dress A Day, had some wonderful things to say about Hanah Kim, whose elaborate TP creation won second place.

In the “just because it’s costly and has a designer tag doesn’t means it’s necessarily nice” category of gowns, we have this satin, chiffon, silk, and tulle number from Monique Lhuillier. Here’s a thought: When your key wedding gown embellishments outnumber your key wedding guests, you have a problem.