The Search for Your Wedding Cake

Cakes By Gina

Through our experiences, research and expeditions as a wedding planner and coordinator, we have gotten the opportunity to see some fascinating wedding cakes. When you are ready to start selecting your wedding cake, get an idea about flavors you like and designs that appeal to you. Ask the professionals about cake flavor and cake filling combinations. Also, ask about how your selected baker does fondants and butter cream icings. Don't believe everything you hear about the taste of fondant or the so-called limitations of butter cream. See actual designs and taste actual samples to determine what you, your fiance and your guests will enjoy.

Cake Couture by Tiffani-Janelle

OpulentCakes.com

For Heaven's Cake - Houston

Choosing The Right Cake Presentation  (excerpt from Chiff.com)

A wedding cake is a personal choice. Today's couples choose cakes that reflect their personality and lifestyle. The bride who chooses to wear her mother's wedding gown will probably value the same sort of traditional display when it comes to the cake. Chances are that the bride and groom who choose bold colors or miniskirts for the bridesmaids will want a the same non-traditional statement when it comes to cake design.

For Heaven's Cake - Houston

Traditional cakes are tiered and white, but many couples are foregoing the classical cake in favor of more modern and elaborate pastry. Cake designers offer a wide range of cake flavors, fillings, colors, heights, shapes, toppers and other decorations to make your wedding cake truly an original.

Some brides incorporate their dress patterns or the wedding colors into the cake design. Others drape the cake with real flowers or sugar imitations of the bridal flowers Many couple are going with a nontraditional tier arrangement, so you may see a table decorated with tiers at various heights instead of a towering cake. 

Individual or "table cakes" have made an appearance in the last few years and are frequently chosen by modern brides. A cluster of wedding cupcakes or petite, individual cakes to serve the guests with a small bridal cake for the cutting ceremony is another trendy alternative.

Other decorations may include real ribbons or faux fondant ribbons, jewelry, actual functioning water fountains and odd shaped or mismatched tiers added to create the wedding cake. As brides move away from the traditional white, designers are seeing more dark chocolate as frostings although some sweet loving couples will use white chocolate to have their favorite flavor and still keep the traditional white frosting look.

Take a look around in bridal magazines and online to see what the trends are and when you find a look that matches you... take a photo or drawing to the designer to show exactly what you have in mind.

Hope you find the above information helpful in your quest for your perfect wedding cake.

Alpha Prosperity Events 

Houston Event & Wedding Planner

Thank You For the Review!

Evaluations, reviews, thank you cards, testimonials, accolades. Whatever you want to call them, we need them. Without reviews or evaluations, how does one know whether they hit the mark or not. You can't improve if you don't know where you fall short. At Alpha Prosperity Events, we take reviews and comments very seriously. We strive to provide great customer service no matter what, and for the third time in our fourth year of being in business, our brides say we got it right.

With that, we are so excited to announce that Alpha Prosperity Events has won the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards for 2012. This our third straight year of winning this award and we are so honored that our brides are happy with the services we have provided to them. We have been blessed with the absolute, best brides one could have. They each have challenged us (in good ways), and made us step up our game. We met their challenges head on, learning a lot, stretching our creative abilities, as well as getting to know some new wedding vendors out there, and man, there are a lot of new vendors. I must say with so many vendors, both old and new, it is wonderful to be recognized by those you serve.  

This award means that we are in the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide! The WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the Bride's Choice Awards are determined solely by the reviews of over 1.2 million newlyweds like ours.

Check out our profile on WeddingWire. You will see some of our work via photos and video as well as read some of the great reviews from our wonderful brides.

Event & Wedding Planner

Alpha Prosperity Events

Houston ~ Missouri City ~ New Orleans

Follow us On Pinterest

Have you checked out Pinterest yet? If not, where have you been? Pinterest is all the rage for saving great photos,designs and information. Its an online pin board where you can organize just about anything you find on the internet. If you are planning a wedding, its a great way to save photos of dresses, centerpieces, floral; all in one place, accessible wherever, via the internet. Be careful, though. Like may of us, you may find yourself addicted to "pinning."  Need an invite, just comment to this post and we will make sure you get one.

Come and see what the rage is all about. You can find us as well as many other event and wedding planning professionals on Pinterest. Following us will give you an inside look to what inspires us. Come on, see what the Pinterest rage is all about.

It's Going to Be Busy Year!

Happy New Year and Congratulations to all of the newly engaged couples out there. If you have been paying attention to the news, you have noticed that there have been a lot of high profile engagements already this year, to include Justin Timberlake, Steven Tyler, LeBron James and Aretha Franklin. It appears that 2012 is going to be a busy year for weddings. 

If you have just recently joined the ranks of the newly engaged, we have a just few words to share before the real planning begins. Becoming engaged is a big deal and can be quite overwhelming, so take a breath and let it sink in. You are joining your "self " with another person, for life. Don't be blinded by the bling of the ring. Marriage is a commitment and that commitment should not be entered into lightly. Next, communicate and then communicate some more. Make sure you and your fiance are on the same page about marriage, finances, wedding planning and dreams. Don't be in a rush to talk about the specific details but do ask and listen and then listen some more. He may not have all of the same dreams and that is okay. Compromising is a tool that will serve you well. Don't become that "bridezilla" that everyone starts to hate, because you think everything is about you. Be considerate of your fiance's wishes and plans. It's his wedding too. Learning to communicate through different opinions is what marriage is made of. And lastly, when you decide that it's time to start planning, hire a wedding planner or consultant to advise you of  venue and vendor selections, best date options and other ideas to help save you time, money and stress. I promise, it's worth it. 

Okay....ready.....set.......start planning!

Event & Wedding Planner
Alpha Prosperity Events
Houston ~ Missouri City ~ New Orleans

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

This will probably be our last blog post for the year. because we are deep in the planning and coordination of a wedding the day before Christmas Eve. With the holidays upon us, we know many men will be busy trying to figure out a way to propose to that special lady in his life. So many wedding proposals happen during this time of the year, and why not. Christmas and New Year's Eve are a very festive and memorable time. A party or gathering of friends and family is inevitable at this time of year.  Eleven years ago, I was blessed by God to have the wonderful man in my life, propose to me on Christmas Day in front of all my family. A few close members knew what was happening but it was a complete surprise to me. Naturally for the rest of the day, my then fiance and I became the center of attention, and I loved every minute of it.

If you should find yourself included in the group to become engaged during the holidays, make sure you enjoy it.  Enjoy the dreaming, excitement and laughter of those around you because the planning, decisions and budget discussions will come soon enough. And when you are ready to buckle down and tackle that wedding planning checklist, don't worry, we are here for you. Here to make your wedding day dreams a reality, to help the day flow effortlessly, and for the celebration to shine brightly.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!



Event & Wedding Planner
Alpha Prosperity Events

The "DIY" Bride that Got It Right!

Every now and again I get to work with a bride that is a true "DIYer" or creative spirit, as I like to call them, but I have not worked with one as detailed and creative as Fiorella. Fiorella and David were recently married at the Amor Mansion, in Dickinson, Texas. I came onto the scene as the "Day of" Coordinator, specifically because Fiorella wanted someone to come in handle the details, and to make sure none of her design elements were missed. She worked very hard on her wedding, creating and designing many things herself. She had a vision for her day and knew exactly what she wanted, right down to specific color and detail. She also recognized that she wanted to enjoy her day along with her future hubby, family and friends, so she called in reinforcements, none other than Alpha Prosperity Events.  We are so glad to have been a part of this gorgeous wedding and to have met such a beautiful bride, who made our job so easy. Check out some of the photos from amazing photographer, Bryan Anderson of Beauty in Art.

This bride did all the special touches herself like the table signs, the items for the guest book table, signage for the photo booth, a pretty basket of flip-flops for her guests, and even the pins for her place card display board. She consulted with professionals on other details, so that everything flowed, beautifully. I can't list enough pics to show the beauty but I think you get the idea. The important part is that as a DIYer, she recognized when she had done enough and when it was time to call in the experts. I think she had an amazing time; I know her guests did.

Thank you Fiorella and David for allowing us to be a part of your special day. You make a beautiful couple and I wish you both all the best. I know I will be calling on you in the future Fiorella, to tap into that creative juice that flows from you so easily.


Wedding Coordinator & Event Planner

  

Alpha Prosperity Events

www.AlphaProsperityManagement.com

Guest Post from Houston Design Expert Shandra Ward

 We are so excited to have a wonderful design expert as our guest blogger this week. Yes, I said, guest blogger. This is one of those ideas we learned at the Wedding MBA recently and I was so happy when Shandra Ward of Signature Design Studio agreed to be our first guest blogger. Check out her posting as she enlightens us with her overall design experience.

Now that the Wedding is Over…it’s time to Merge!

Creating a home you both will love

By Shandra Ward

You have planned your wedding down to the finest detail and it was a dream come true. The wedding is over and now your journey as husband and wife begins.  You are ready to begin creating a home you both will love and enjoy.   A home should be comfortable, cozy and inviting.  How are you going to merge your two very different styles without breaking the bank or contacting a marriage counselor? Here are a few tips and suggestions to help both of you find your signature style.

Communicate - Communication is the key to any successful relationship, so talk about what your needs are before you begin shopping and tossing things out.  Having conversation will keep you from becoming an impulsive buyer and making hasty decisions.  Making rushed decisions will leave you spending too much money only to become frustrated with purchasing something that does not work well with your design.  Then you have to deal with the unpleasant task of returning or exchanging. So make sure you thoroughly discuss what you plan to buy and what you plan to keep just as you would before making any other major purchase. Get to know your home before you start furnishing.

Design a Plan - It is much easier to design your home when you have a plan.  After you have agreed on a budget, begin prioritizing your needs.  Don’t buy what you do not need. Decide where you want to shop and maybe divide the responsibilities, such as, who does the research, legwork, or who gets the place ready for the furniture. You may both want to work together to decide on the final concept.

Create your Signature Style - What is your style preference?  Traditional, contemporary, mid-century modern, classic, ethnic, country, shabby chic, eclectic, global and the list goes on.  A simple way to find out what’s your style is to inventory what you already have.  Discovering your design preference can be found anywhere and a great place to explore is your wardrobe.

Mix it up - It is important for both of you to feel equally happy in your own home. Use furniture and accessories that reflect your new life together, and dispose of what no longer fits your lifestyle. If you know the basic elements of interior design, you will be able to create a space that looks fabulously stylish and functional.  Line, space, color, shape, texture, form, and value are the basic units of a visual image.  By using each element carefully to pull together the design of a room, you can create a beautiful and inspired space. It is important to understand these elements and how they work together to create the right style and design for your home.  Combine this knowledge with practice and experimentation and you are well on your way to designing a beautiful home.

Create the Home You Want - Don't be afraid to dream big even if your budget is small. Find ways of creating the home you want. You can explore department stores when they are having a sale, discount stores, flea markets, and consignment shops. Think about refurbishing and re-purposing items you already own. These are elements of green design. This suggestion allows you to rethink how you can save money and the planet. Designing your home can be a fun experience. Your design choices create a backdrop of your lifestyle, make it work for you.    

Download a complimentary guidebook to learn more about the basic elements of design.

Elementals: The Smart Guide to Creating Your Signature Style

 
 

About the Author

Shandra Ward is a designer and freelance writer.  With over 20 years of experience, Ms. Ward has made a name for herself as a skilled designer and creative event stylist.  After earning two interior design degrees and having an extensive background in art and design, she was prompted to start her own design firm, Shandra Ward Signature Design Studio.  Ms. Ward also shares her design expertise through freelance writing for blogs, online and print publications. In 2010, she launched Signature Style Design & Lifestyle blog.  This blog is a resource of innovative ideas, tips on sensible decorating, stylish entertaining and a go-to site with inspirational ideas for creating your signature style. 

To learn more about Shandra, log on to her:

Blog:  Signature Style: Design & Lifestyle

Facebook: Shandra Ward Signature Design Studio

Twitter: @SignaturStyle

Website: www.shandraward.com

Create a Beautiful Table With Any Budget

With so many event opportunities, we often get asked about table decor, and how to make the room pretty. And now with the holidays quickly approaching, we believe that to be a fair question. Our response to this is if you want the prettiest table decor, for any event, at any price point, start with a proper place settings. We believe this to be true no matter what type of budget you are working with. A proper place setting, which includes plates or chargers, all of the stemware and eating utensils, make a beautiful table, no matter what type of budget you may be working with. All you need are the basic items and a little imagination. We even provided a cheat sheet to help you.

Check out the difference in the two tables below. Adding stemware, napkins and utensils provide that little extra sparkle to the table. Those items coupled with colorful table linens, a glass bowl and floating candles make quite a prettier table. Setting a complete table, using the items that your guest will need to use anyway, makes more sense, both visually and financially. Of course, you can add more to the table for the extra wow factor, but if the budget is tight, it may not always be necessary.

Thought we would throw in a couple of additional photos to show how simplicity would work for your wedding reception or other event. The tables below don't utilize a plate in the setting because this event was a buffet but the use of a colorful table linen, stemware, utensils, napkins and a wedding favor, surrounding a simple floral centerpiece, make for a bright and cheery wedding reception.

These beautiful place settings below come from the editors of House Beautiful, that challenged several designers to create a beautiful place setting with classic white china. So as you can see, it doesn't cost much to create a beautiful table. 

When planning for your next event or holiday gathering, consider going for the simplest wow factor of all. Just set a beautiful table. Add wine glasses and water glasses, and dinner plates and salad plates, and... you get the idea. Your guests will ooh and aah, and you will look like the trendiest bride in the know or the holiday hostess with mostess. Either way, job well done, and your table decor didn't have to cost a fortune. 

Wedding Coordinator & Event Planner

  

Alpha Prosperity Events

www.AlphaProsperityManagement.com

Sangria Wedding in Clear Lake - Part II

As we continue the beautiful wedding story of Diana & Jason, married at the Webster Presbyterian Church, we must include some photos of two of the most important details of the day - the bride and groom. As the wedding coordinator, we strive to make sure that all of the details and wishes of the bride and groom are met. After all, they have gone through months of planning, vendor meetings, many issues of magazines and internet searches to create their perfect wedding; and for them the details are important. But they also want to have fun, and they want their guests to enjoy themselves, having a memorable time. I really enjoyed being a part of the planning for Jason and Diana. Their family and friends were so awesome. I got a chance to get to know them personally and I was kinda sad to see all of the wedding planning and coordination end. But I know this is one couple that will always be close to my heart. We planned for a great event, and we celebrated an even greater event. You've seen the wedding details  in last week's post. Now, enjoy the details of a relaxed bride and groom, enjoying their special day. I think a great time and dancing were had by all, especially the bride and groom. Wouldn't you agree?

We send a huge thank you to Pink Dot Photography for all of the wonderful photos used in this post and to RC's Artistic Entertainment, for keeping everyone on the dance floor. But we can't close out this post without sending a tremendous "Thank You," to our beautiful couple, Diana and Jason, for allowing us to be a part of your wedding day. I feel like you all have welcomed me into your extended family and I look forward to many more wonderful celebrations. I wish you many, many years of joy and happiness. 

Alpha Prosperity Events
Wedding Planning & Coordination
Greater Houston & New Orleans Areas