One of the most exciting parts of planning any wedding is planning the shower. A properly planned wedding shower is a delight for everyone involved, including the bride to be, her proud groom, her family, friends and coworkers.

If the task of planning such a wedding shower has fallen on to your shoulders, chances are you are wondering about appropriate shower wedding favors. The choice of shower favors is an important one, and it is important to shop around, and to solicit ideas from many different sources.

== Family Members, Friends And Coworkers ==

The most obvious sources of advice about shower and wedding favors are family members, friends and coworkers.

These folks, especially if they have recently attended or planned a bridal shower of their own, may be in the very best position to give you advice about the favors that worked well, and those that went over poorly, at the showers they attended.

== Using The Internet ==

If you are not lucky enough to have a friend or family member who has first hand experience planning the perfect bridal shower, it is still possible to plan the perfect shower.

Thanks to the power of the internet, it is now possible to network with huge numbers of people without every leaving home.

The large number of newsgroups and web sites on the internet means that you can find great ideas for shower wedding favors from the comfort of your favorite desk chair. So be sure to check the internet for great ideas on the very best shower ideas.

== Start Shopping Early ==

No matter what ideas you choose for your shower, it is important to start your shopping early.

It is important to have plenty of time to receive your shower gifts, especially if you are ordering them through the mail or online. Once you have your shower gifts in hand, you will be ready to throw the best wedding shower ever.

Shaunta Pleasant is a professional writer and editor on wedding planning topics. Visit my site to learn more about planning the perfect wedding at

It’s happened….Your Engaged! You have probably been dreaming about your wedding since you were a little girl. Well now it’s time to make those dreams come true and start planning your wedding.

Your very first step should be to plan your budget. To help you get started here is a list of who traditionally pays for what.

Bride and/or Family Expenses

Hosts first Engagement Party Cost of any wedding consultants you hire Bridal Gown, veil and accessories Gifts for the bridesmaids Wedding Stationary – includes: Invitations, Thank You notes, Wedding programs Groom’s wedding ring Pre-wedding Party and Bridesmaids Luncheon Bridesmaids & Flower Girls bouquets and corsages Photography and/or videographer – Wedding guest book and other small accessories Total cost of the ceremony – includes: location, flowers, music, any rental items Total cost of the reception – includes: Hall, flowers, music, food, beverages, cake, party favors and decorations Cost of transportation for the bridal party to the ceremony and reception Expense of any medical test the bride needs for the marriage licenseGroom and/or Family Expenses Bride’s wedding ring Groom’s family may host an engagement party (should follow any engagement party hosted by the bride’s family) The groom’s formal wear and all accessories The bride’s bouquet and going away corsage Boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party Corsages for all mothers and grandmothers (Including the Bride’s Family) Marriage license and officiant’s fee Rehearsal Dinner All Honeymoon expenses Gifts for the groom’s attendants Cost of any medical tests the groom needs for the marriage licenseBridesmaids / Maid of Honor Expenses Purchase of bridesmaids’ dresses and all accessories Wedding gift for couple Hotel accommodations and travel expenses if necessary Shower and/or luncheon for the brideBest Man and Ushers Expenses Rental of wedding attire Transportation to and from location of the wedding Gift for the couple Bachelor party/dinner for the groom Hotel accommodations when necessaryRing Bearer and Flower Girl Expense Children’s’ parents are responsible for the cost of all wedding attire Parents are responsible for any travel expenses (including hotels if necessary)

Jasmine Macdonald is the designer of several wedding themed websites: windsor.weddingwindow.com windsor.weddingwindow.com You can visit Jasmine at her daily wedding blog: funweddings.blogspot.com funweddings.blogspot.com

So you want some nice wedding favor and you are not sure what to choose. Well I have put together a list of some of the top wedding favors that are available out of the thousands that are being sold.

Cake candle wedding favor

These cake candle wedding favors have been around for years and still are just as popular as ever. You can usually find these cake candle wedding favors in many different shapes, styles and colors. Most are finely detailed and come in very nice display boxes.

Garden glass gel candles

You can easily be overwhelmed when choosing a glass gel candle as your favor of choice. They come in many styles such as beach themed, calla lily, spring, fall and many more. So know that you can easily match these candles with your decor.

Perfect pair silver pear

Each pear-shaped resin mini box is ready to be filled with treats for your guests including candies and more. Delightfully decorated with scattered rhinestones for extra shine, these Perfect Pair boxes will make a cheerful addition to your guests’ homes. Each is pear is perfectly packaged in a clear box tied with a white organza bow and has a heart shaped Perfect Pair tag attached.

These are just a few of the top wedding favors around. We are sure you will easily be able to find the perfect wedding favor for your wedding. Just browse around the many different retailers that are selling favors and keep in mind your budget and style and you will be able to find the perfect fit for your wedding.

Yolanda is the owner of Yolandas yolandasweddingfavors.com wedding favors and wedding planner. She enjoys seeing all the different table decorations and wedding party favors that go along with the reception. In her online store she sells many different yolandasweddingfavors.com wedding favors and wedding accessories such as bridesmaid gifts, yolandasweddingfavors.com/weddingguestbooks.html wedding guest books, toasting flutes, flower baskets and many more.

On my blog, readers often ask me for a quick way to become better around women. They aren’t ready to try The Guide yet. They just want to take baby steps and get a general direction for improvement. Not only is this fine, but it’s exactly the right attitude for men who are just starting out with taking their love lives to new heights.

The Bumpy Soap Method is my answer. It’s something that we all instinctively know, except it leaves us when we need it most. When you become consciously aware of it, you’ll find it’s the best way to get anything you want out of life.

I always think best in the shower. For whatever reason, when I’m there my mind tends to wander and thoughts flow freely. Like yesterday, for example…

I had a little sliver of soap left to use. It had gotten so small that most people would toss it aside and unleash a new bar. Not me. And as it slipped out of my hand a third, fourth and fifth time, my mind began to wander again.

What is happening? Soap keeps slipping. Why? No bumps on it to grip onto. Maybe I should make a soap that stays bumpy and see if that works.

Granted, sometimes I come up with less brilliant ideas in the shower. Yet for all the spaceships and processors and amazing achievements in this world, the Bumpy Soap still eludes us.

But soon I drifted away from the actual result of my thinking, and instead focused on the method.

Essentially, it’s the method every inventor uses to improve a product. It’s the method every video gamer uses to beat a game. It’s the method every scientist uses when he tries to explain the world. And yet, when guys try to improve with women, this all-powerful method – deemed Bumpy Soap – completely disappears from our minds. Weird.

Bumpy Soap is a 4-step process:

4) If there’s still a problem, repeat till you find success.

Here’s how it works out for those trying to become better with women…

Step 1: Identify the problem.

Simple: “I’m not attracting women.”

Step 2: Then, identify one main reason why this problem occurs.

When I was just starting out, my problem was “I’m not meeting enough women.”

My friend Brad’s problem was “I’m staying in the friend zone.”

Many of my students have said “Women look down upon me.”

There are a few other possibilities, but normally it’s one of these three.

Step 3: Next, adjust accordingly.

Put on your thinking cap, or inventor’s cap, or scientist cap, or gamer’s cap, and try to figure out how to stop that problem from happening.

“I’m not meeting enough women.” For me, it was simple. Go out and meet more women. I decided to walk around outside and start a conversation with every woman who passed by, and see how that goes.

“I’m staying in the friend zone.” Brad decided the best way to get out of the friend zone was to tell his friends his true feelings. He’d do so, and also be more direct about his intentions when meeting new women, and see how that goes.

“Women look down upon me.” My students decided to be more confident in who they are. (Yes, it’s as easy as that. You’d be surprised how easy it is to change when you logically realize confidence gives you a better chance.) They would do so around women, and see how that goes.

Step 4: Testing and Re-analyzing.

Then, we tested. Chances are, you’ll be surprised how accurate you were on your first adjustment.

“I’m not meeting enough women.” I’ve always been an engaging, upbeat person, so I thought it was likely I’d get a few numbers just by overcoming my crippling anxiety. I was right. I approached ten women in public the next day, and got two numbers. I’d tasted blood.

“I’m staying in the friend zone.” Brad made his intentions clear. Sure enough, one of his friends (Stacy) felt the same way back and never thought he’d ask.

“Women look down upon me.” Many of my students, while being more confident, found immediate success with women – getting phone numbers and dates that night – for the first time at bars and clubs.

Successive Testing.

We still had a lot to improve at. While our first attempts won us success, we still weren’t “great” with women. Day by day, we simply tried new things and solved new problems. It was fascinating to learn step by step, and we’d get to be pretty darn decent around women in just a few week’s time. I did it longer, and now I teach it to other men.

What Most Men Do Wrong.

For as much as we use Bumpy Soap in our everyday lives, you’d think it would come naturally to us in the dating world. Not so.

Those who struggle tend to set their sights on one and only one woman in particular. Like a football player in his only Superbowl, he says “I HAVE to get this one or I’m a failure!”

And when they don’t, they delve into all the possible reasons why.

“I’m too fat.” “I don’t smile enough.” “There’s other guys that are better than me.” “I have a scar on my left ear.” “I don’t tell funny jokes.” Yada yada yada. This kind of behavior is destructive, and causes them to look backwards instead of forwards.

Let’s use the video gamer analogy to see how ridiculous this behavior is.

If you start out trying to beat a new video game, the last thing you’d do is tell yourself “I HAVE to win it on this try or else I’m a failure!” Imagine someone who did that and failed. He’d immediately start naming all the things that went wrong, that he should’ve done, and he might be unwilling to try again.

But the overall goal is not to date one particular woman. The overall goal is to become better with all women. That includes your mail lady, your teacher, the cute bartender, the librarian, your friend Jenny, the waitress… any woman that comes into your life. You don’t have to attract all of them, just be engaging, be interested in them as people, smile and win them over.

You’ll have some successes and many failures, but you’ll be learning, tinkering and improving all along the way… and eventually you’ll get it. At that point, it’ll be that much easier to end up with Mrs. Right.

One final note. Many of my students came to me believing their looks were the reason why they didn’t attract women. Trust me on this, the reason is rarely “he’s not good looking enough” or “he’s too short” or “he’s too young.” I’ve seen guys with shriveled hands, lazy eyes, and scars across their faces attract the women they want. You have no excuse.

Stick to what you can control (your personality, your courage, your drive), keep developing it day by day with Bumpy Soap, and hone your skills till you know you’ll be ready when Mrs. Right enters your life.

Rick Dalton is a Chicago dating coach who personally helped over 200 men find the love of their lives. For a step-by-step guide to getting a girlfriend and achieving your goals in life, download The Guide at howtogetagirlfriendguide.com howtogetagirlfriendguide.com

The primary reason for the incredible popularity of internet dating is the ease with which singles are connecting with one another all over the world. Many singles are saying that dating is much easier because of the anonymity provided by the internet and because finding someone that they are compatible with is also easier on an online dating service.

Dating can be a difficult task for many singles, particularly if they are older or are a single parent. With that in mind online dating has made the world a smaller place, giving even the shyest of singles the ability to connect with that special someone with just the click of their mouse button. With all the tools that dating services have produced over the years it is becoming easier and easier to successfully use their features.

Another reason internet dating sites are connecting singles is sheer numbers. Internet dating is growing by leaps and bounds every year simply because the number of single people looking for love is increasing. Over 40 million American singles are currently using online dating sites and 84 percent of those prefer finding and building a long term relationship over the internet. So much so that they spent more than 460 million dollars on online dating services.

If you are new to this type of dating then it only makes sense that you may find it intimidating, just like regular dating. But unlike going out on your own an online service will help you every step of the way. Online matchmaking services also give you the opportunity to look at all your options and make an informed decision about who you would like to make contact with. What this means simply is that you will know something about the person or persons you are interested in the first time you contact them.

Of course the problem you may have is making a choice as to which service to use simply because there are so many to choose from. There are two way to look at this. It can be an overwhelming problem or it can work to your advantage. The reason it can be advantageous is many of these sites cater to a specific group. Figure out which group you identify most with and start looking there. Just that act alone will make it easier to find potential dates who share your same interests.

Connecting singles is the mission of any online dating site. It is a great way to have fun and meet a future love interest. There’s no need for any single individual to go through life alone with the ability of anyone to find someone special online.

If you are looking for a singles connection and are interested in trying an online dating site then visit romancinghearts.com RomancingHearts.com by Clicking Here. With dating advice, romantic tips, and information about how online dating works romancinghearts.com romancinghearts.com can be your first step to a successful dating experience.

What could be more fun than pretending to be glamorous actresses at a bridal shower you are hosting with your best friends? Assign each one of your guests a famous name from a well-known movie era. Encourage your guests to wear gloves, rhinestones, hats, feather boas, flashy clothes, retro sunglasses, or anything that will make them “look the part.” Each “actress” will introduce themselves, show their picture, brag about their Oscars, husbands, movies, and even their scandals!

Pick either “The Talkies” (1930s) or “The Golden Age (1940s)

The Talkies ~ The Golden Age
Carole Lombard ~ Elizabeth Taylor
Greta Garbo ~ Vivien Leigh
Marlene Dietrich ~ Ava Gardner
Jean Harlow ~ Ingrid Bergman
Joan Crawford ~ Lana Turner
Norma Shearer ~ Betty Grable
Bette Davis ~ Katharine Hepburn
Mae West ~ Judy Garland
Loretta Young ~ Ginger Rogers

Hollywood invitations, favors, decorations, and candles can all be ordered online from various websites specializing in party favors. Decorate your table with a bag of silver and black confetti, with Lights, Cameras, Movie Reels and Star designs. Buy mini plastic Hollywood streets signs and miniature gold plastic trophies. As a gift for the attendees, you can purchase Hollywood Walk Of Fame Certificates, licensed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The cost if $5.00 and they let you select from 70 titles and inspirational inscriptions.

Serve your guests sparking cider in plastic martini glasses. Arrange the food platters to resemble a post Oscar party. Some suggestions are: Eggplant “Caviar”, Salmon Mousse, Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, and a chocolate “fountain” with fruit for dipping. Out of all the bridal showers your friends will attend, this will be the one they remember best!

Kathleen Terrana is the owner of beautiful-bridal.com Beautiful Bridal specializing in discount tiaras, veils and bridal jewelry.

A quick foray into a bar or a nightclub reveals some of the major shortcomings of looking for romance in such places. A combination of booming bass and shrieking laughter bombards you aurally, while a potent mix of cigarette smoke and spilt beer assails your olfactory senses. Eventually, amidst the human chaos of the locale, a figure from the opposite side of the room piques your interest. You fight your way through the crowd in the general direction of him/her and suddenly find yourself screaming in their ear because of the aforementioned noisy surroundings. The best case finds you exchanging hastily-scrawled phone numbers with the other person or following them out the door, while the worst case finds you feeling rejected and dejected. Even the “middle” options are less than desirable; often, the person that attracted you physically does not do the same mentally or emotionally, and you’re stuck at an impasse with a minimum of things to talk about.

The truth is that dating in the traditional sense and settings is a distinctly hit-or-miss affair, and a largely impersonal one at that. You find yourself drawn to another person not because of their intellect or their personality but rather because they are physically attractive. As anybody who has lived and loved can attest, meaningful relationships are not built solely on the foundation of physical attraction. You don’t know the person at the other end of the bar from a stranger, however, and thus you have no idea if their beauty is in fact skin deep. Furthermore, even an indication that there is something else beneath the surface is hardly cause for relaxation; given the uncertainty of the other party’s history, there is no telling what sort of baggage you might be leaving with.

Online dating offers solutions to these problems in many cases. For one thing, instigating romantic contact online markedly increases in your favor the odds that the other party is interested. Think about it: How many times have you browsed online classifieds without the barest trace of purpose or desire? Having a receptive partner is half of the battle in itself. Beyond that, online dating increases the likelihood of finding something beyond the initial attraction to sustain prolonged interest. That’s not to say that physical attraction plays no role in online dating; photos are often associated with online personals, and as in life the most powerful impulses are often the visceral ones. However, the pace of online dating allows you to find out a bit more about the other party than you would be able to in a different setting. By the time you read their personal ad and their writing and (hopefully) exchange correspondence with them once or twice, you will probably have a decent idea as to whether the other person is the type that you would like to continue contact with. If no, it is an easy affair to cease contact since neither party is intimately involved. If yes, however, the base for a successful relationship has already been laid by communication.

Suffice it to say, online dating today has lost its “taboo” status. Rather, it represents a viable alternative to those singles who are tired of continually finding the wrong person in the wrong environment.

online-dating-tips-guide.com online-dating-tips-guide.com – Provides advice and tips about online dating.

Wedding party decisions are perhaps the toughest wedding-related tasks you’ll tackle. Must you include the groom’s horrid sister? Will having twelve bridesmaids make you look too Liza Minelli? Do you have to pair your beautiful favorite sister with that drunken slob of a best man? What to do about eight-months-pregnant Donna? And should you force your nearest and dearest into ugly bridesmaid’s dresses for sheer retaliation? (Hel-lo giant royal purple taffeta butt-bow!)

Phew! A girl could elope just thinking about it.

If you haven’t yet chosen gifts for your bridal party, you’re in luck. Read this and you’ll have one less wedding dilemma. The perfect solution not only doubles as wedding attire but will thrill your bridesmaids and stay in style forever. This wonder gift? Pearl jewelry.

Before you flip out and cross the filet off your list, consider this: Real pearls are extremely affordable, especially when they’re freshwater cultured pearls. And no, that doesn’t mean they’re Rice Krispie-shaped either. For years now, the Chinese have been producing high luster, round freshwater cultured pearls that rival the beauty of Japanese akoyas. Gift your bridesmaids with pearls and not only will their accessories match on your big day, they’ll be thrilled with a gift they can actually use.

For gorgeous quality pearl jewelry your bridesmaids will flip over, keep these pearl buying tips in mind:

• Size counts. Pearls are measured in millimeters. A larger pearl takes longer to form, and the chances of finding a perfectly round, large pearl are slim. After the 7.5-8mm mark, prices rise dramatically. Choose a 6.5mm strand…it’s lovely and affordable, or, if you love the look of a larger pearl, pick a more affordable pendant.

• Pay attention to luster and surface markings. The higher the luster—seen in the sharpness of the reflection off the pearl’s surface—the more desirable it is. As for surface markings, if a pearl is perfectly smooth, it’s likely faux. Minor surface characteristics are natural and don’t detract from a pearl’s beauty. That said, avoid large pits, dents and obvious dimples.

• Check for shape: Round pearls are the rarest, and of course the most expensive. To test for roundness, roll a strand on a table or desk. It should roll smoothly. Any bobbing up and down means the strand has some clunkers and hasn’t been carefully matched. Don’t like round? The baroque pearl is a more affordable and unique option. Baroque pearls have no obvious symmetry, but are quite lovely to look at. In fact, baroques have been favored by jewelry designers for centuries. When you’re shopping for pearls, be sure to check out baroque pearl strands…they might just appeal to you.

• Nacre thickness is important. Nacre, the same substance as mother-if-pearl, is what makes the pearl a pearl. It should be sufficiently thick; if it’s thin it will flake and peel, and eventually the bead nucleus—the implanted object which irritated the oyster and started the pearl growing process—will show through. Many freshwater pearls are made from tissue-nucleated mussels, not beads, making them solid nacre. Freshwater pearls also tend to have beautiful luster. Ask a trusted jeweler about nacre thickness, as it is nearly impossible to tell nacre quality just by looking.

• Choose color carefully. A classic white strand is always in style and perfect for weddings, but pearls come in gorgeous pastels too. A lavender, pink or peach strand might work well with your bridesmaids’ dresses, but be sure to consider skin tone. Lavender strands in particular look beautiful with most skin tones and are “in” according to InStyle magazine.

• In a pearl strand, such as a bracelet or necklace, uniformity is important. This is called matching. While no strand will be absolutely perfect—subtle variations are to be expected from a natural gem—they should be very similar in size, shape, luster and color. Pay attention to the clasp area, as unscrupulous jewelers have been known to hide imperfect pearls near the clasp.

When it comes to style, the sky’s the limit. Pearls’ newfound popularity with designers has given way to tons of unique styles and unexpected gemstone combinations. Classic pieces are always in, but many of today’s modern styles are sure to become classics as well. Depending on the style of the dress, a beautiful pearl cuff bracelet, pearl dangle, stiletto or drop earrings, a pearl pendant or a pearl-and-gemstone combo style could look absolutely stunning. For a totally polished look, choose a pearl jewelry set which includes a pearl strand and matching earrings (sometimes even a bracelet!). Pearl sets are great as your bridesmaids can later wear them to work, parties, and other functions—classic pearls go with everything.

If your style is more Vogue than Town & Country, don’t get stuck on the traditional stuff that’s showcased in bridal magazines. Browse vintage shops, local jewelry stores and poke around the internet until you find something that grabs you.

Remember, freshwater cultured pearls are gorgeous and very affordable. There is absolutely no reason to buy faux pearls. Your friends did shell out big bucks for wedding attire, accommodations and travel, and they’re planning to throw you a killer shower. Thank your bridesmaids with a gift of timeless and affordable pearl jewelry…and please don’t make them wear a big purple bow!

Amy Drescher is a fashion writer and accessories buyer for moonriverpearls.com moonriverpearls.com. She welcomes your questions. Reach her at mailto:adrescher@moonriverpearls.com adrescher@moonriverpearls.com, and visit Amy’s Style Café at cafestyle.com cafestyle.com.

I have seen this topic in many forums being discussed heatedly. The scenario is thus. Somebody is in love with a married man/woman. The married person is also in love with our man/woman. But does not want to give away the marriage. What should be done?

Those who fall in love with a married person get trapped. That is the trap of dishonesty. Such relationships will never be happy. The married person is having dual commitments and is hiding his love from his/her spouse. What use is that marriage? The thought that I am cheating my spouse is enough to kill all the joy. Dishonesty never gives joy.

Even if the married person wants to have dual commitments, he/she should make it very clear to the spouse. There should be no hide and seek. Once you tell your spouse, your spouse has to decide about whether the relationship should continue or marriage be broken. Don’t be surprised if the spouse the other relationship to continue for love of his/her partner.

As far as the unmarried lover is concerned, he/she should stop seeing the lover unless the married end is sorted out fully. Otherwise you will again have the guilt of cheating. Such relationships are heart breaking and need tremendous understanding. Me and my own, that is the principal of life for most of us. No body wants to share his /her spouse with others. It was not uncommon in earlier days. But today, the whole idea seems difficult to imagine. Love and relationship are not easy to live with. Our emotions and feelings can bring us pain at any time.

The author C.D. Mohatta writes fun quizzes and fun tests at funquizcards.com/ funquizcards.com/ on topics like love, personality, dating, relationships, friendship, movies, tv, music, business, etc. The author also writes for ecarduniverse.com/ ecarduniverse.com/ which has free ecards on holidays, birthday, love, friendship, family, expressions, celebrations and all events and occasions. The author also writes articles, advice and ideas at yourromanceguide.com/ yourromanceguide.com/ on topics like love, dating, marriage, relationships, break-ups, etc.

Making your own wedding cake can be enormously rewarding. As the bride, only you and your spouse-to-be have such a intimate connection to your own nuptials. There is perhaps no better way to express your love and appreciation to your family and guests than to share your wedding cake creation with them at your reception. Here are a few tips to help your creative process go smoother.

Traditionally, within the cake is a framework of wooden dowel rods that support the tiers above them. Start with the largest tier. Attach it to the sturdy base board using glue or glucose (corn syrup). Try to avoid using butter-cream, as it can allow the tiers to shift during transportation. Now, using cardboard the exact size of your next tier, mark the top of the icing with the cardboard.

Insert a 1/4 inch wooden dowel rod into the bottom cake, about 1/2 inch in from the circle indentation, and mark it at the top of the icing. Pull the rod out and cut with pruning shears for a straight, even cut. Using your first rod as a guide, cut five other rods to the exact length of the first. Insert the rods around the circle, about 1/2 inch inside the circle you marked with the cardboard.

Now, position the cardboard you used to mark the circle back on the cake, making sure it’s centered. Add some glue or glucose, then place the next tier onto the cardboard. Add the rest of the tiers the same way – marking with the circle, cutting and inserting rods, and gluing the next tier.

If you’re using a plastic plate between tiers, you still should have dowels in the lower tier and a cardboard circle between the plate and the tier below. Remember, plastic can and does break.

Once the cake is completely stacked, stand back and make sure it’s standing straight. All the edges should be even. If any adjustment is to be made, this is the time.

Decorating the cake is the easiest part of making your wedding cake. First, cover all of the cardboard. Using a thin pipe, a flat line of icing against all the cardboard edges is made. This presents a nice white surface on which to begin the borders.

To look exquisite, wedding cakes need small borders, swags and decorations. Borders that are too large can make the cake appear messy or sloppy. If you have to cover a large area, over-piping two or three borders or swags looks much nicer than one larger clunky border. Never use large tubes to decorate the sides.

Eliminate the need for borders by using side ruffles, made with a tube, and pastel pink cornelli lace. Cornelli lace is a type of Australian decorating. The “lace” is actually a wiggly line that doesn’t cross over itself or stop anywhere until the end. It does not have an exact pattern, and the icing line crosses over the edge and onto the sides. This also is a nice technique to use to cover the top plate so the plastic isn’t so noticeable. Using color in the cornelli icing yields the effect of a colored background.

The green in the leaves looks like a light olive green, but it matches the flowers well. To create greenery that matches any flower perfectly, start with a light, leaf-green color, then add a spatula-full of the colored flower icing, pink in this case.

As you can see, taken in steps, anyone can do a wedding cake. Wedding cakes allow the decorator to become a true artist and pastry specialist.

L Hayes is a wedding professional and owner of Wedding Favors Emporium. They carry an extensive line of unique