Wednesday, November 24, 2010

New Trends in Wedding Cakes


Wedding Cake Trends from eleGala.com


Inspire your imagination with this list of today’s top trends for wedding cakes…
Much more than a sweet finale to the reception meal, wedding cakes are a major style statement. And trends in wedding cakes, like all other wedding details, evolve with the times. The wedding cake presents a perfect opportunity for creative brides to play with shape, color, and embellishments. For those of you who need a little inspiration, consult this list of top trends for wedding cakes.
Back to Buttercream Buttercream was once the traditional frosting for wedding cakes, but sleek cakes came into favor, and rolled fondant became the frosting of choice. Not anymore, thanks to advanced tools and techniques that allow buttercream to look as smooth as fondant, cakes iced in buttercream are again the norm. We love this trend, since buttercream frosting tastes better, has natural ingredients, and costs less than fondant. Now you can literally have your stylishly sleek cake – and eat it, too.
Keeping it SimpleAs brides look for creative ways to meet their budgets without sacrificing style, simple cakes are making a comeback. Classic ivory fondant embellished with ribbon or flowers is a gorgeous and safe choice, but many brides are taking things to the next level with contemporary and fun “messy” icing. These cakes have gorgeous texture and a truly modern look while requiring less labor, which will help keep costs down.
Creative ToppersWhile unique cake toppers like pinwheels, paper rosettes, and bird nests are adorning contemporary cakes, many couples are going back to the traditional bride and groom but with an interesting twist: completely personalized toppers that bear a likeness to the couple themselves. Etsy artist, Milk Tea offers a plethora of pre-made toppers to choose from, but will also create a completely customized mini version of you and your honey.
Blue RulesShades of blue have been dominating the wedding decor palette, and your wedding cake is a perfect canvas to incorporate this cool shade. Consider a cake saturated in turquoise, periwinkle, or even navy, and embellish it with complimenting colors like silver, white, gray, or yellow.
Square Mini-CakesCupcake towers in lieu of wedding cakes have been around for awhile, but brides are making cupcakes interesting again by playing with shape and size. Brides are stacking square shaped mini-cakes (slightly larger than cupcakes) adorned with flowers or dressed as presents for a completely different take on the cupcake frenzy.
Think PinkPink – the perpetual hot color for weddings – had begun to fall out of favor as brides experimented with more non-traditional hues like browns, grays, and even black. But soft pink is back in a big way, and brides are incorporating the blush tones throughout their wedding cake designs. Pink instantly freshens up classic white. Tone down an all-pink cake with real ivory flowers or lace details.
Groom’s CakeThe old Southern tradition of the groom’s cake is shedding its regional trappings and growing in popularity throughout the nation. And no, it doesn’t have to be the iconic red-velvet armadillo from Steel Magnolias. Today’s groom’s cakes, now just as elaborate as the wedding cake itself, often reflect the groom’s interest in a dramatic and whimsical expression: a deer grooms cake for an avid hunter, shaped like a race car for an diehard Nascar fan, or decked with his favorite sports team logo.
Photo courtesy of Walk Doyle

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Dickens Christmas Weekend




Dickens Christmas Weekend, Dec 10-12
The holiday season is always exciting here at the Rosewood! Our wonderful old inn seems to have been made for decorating. Each year we look forward to our "Spirit of Christmas" presentation, as thousands of twinkling lights and the aroma of gingerbread get us in the mood for the festive season ahead. Our weekend begins on Friday evening with a get-acquainted hors d'oeuvre party. After a hearty breakfast on Saturday, you'll be ready for a brisk day of Christmas shopping, or cutting down your own tree at one of the local farms. Saturday evening will be festive as we enjoy a holiday buffet dinner. After dinner, as we sit by the fire, we will be entertained by professional storyteller Rebecca Rule, with tales of Christmases past. Package includes two nights accommodations, hearty country breakfasts, holiday buffet dinner, and storyteller.
Rates start at $49 per person (inclusive of tax and gratuity) over room rate

New Year'sEve Getaway




New Year's Eve Weekend
Dec. 31-Jan 2

Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind...spend New Year's Eve in the country. The tavern room windows glow with candlelight and the air is pungent with wood smoke. It's the kindof place that beckons you to hurry inside on a snowy night. The fireplaces blaze brightly and the candles cast
a warm glow.

The highlights of this package are a quiet romantic celebration on New Year's Eve complete with an hors d'oeuvre and dessert buffet with champagne and truffles by the fire at midnight.
On New Year's Day enjoy a late brunch, then, perhaps an afternoon of snow shoeing on miles of our woodland trails.
In the evening we'll enjoy a Chef's Choice farmhouse supper as we cozy up by a warm fire.
Package includes:
~2 nights lodging
~heart breakfast each morning
~New Year's Eve Buffet
~Fireside supper New Year's evening

$49 pp over roomrate

HARVEST HOME Thanksgiving Package



Thanksgiving Getaway, Harvest Home, Nov 24-28
Thanksgiving at the Rosewood offers a chance for far flung families to meet, and those without to make new friends. Join us during this special time and let our home be your home this holiday. This four night package is chock full of things to do! Arrive on Wednesday in plenty of time to rest up for the the days ahead. Thursday: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast...but save room for that glorious turkey dinner with all the fixins' at the Millstone Restaurant. Friday: Awake to a full gourmet breakfast served before a crackling fireplace, then off for a full day of "tax-free" shopping. There are church fairs, bazaars and antique and country artisan's shops to explore. When you return to the Inn all that's needed to wrap your holiday gifts will be waiting...wrapping paper, ribbon and bows, while enjoying hot mulled cider and light hors d'oeuvres. Saturday: After a hearty country breakfast we'll be busy getting the Inn all dressed in all her holiday finery for the Christmas season ahead. In the evening after the trees are all trimmed we'll relax by the fire with a glass of wine as we enjoy a delicious farmhouse supper. Sunday: Enjoy a leisurely "candlelight & crystal" breakfast while planning your final day's activities. Return home with all your holiday shopping bought and wrapped! What better way to rejoice in the holiday season ahead.
Package includes:
four nights lodging
hearty country breakfast each morning
$75 gift certificate for Thanksgiving dinner at the Millstone Restaurant
Friday evening wrapping party with light hors d'oeuvres
Saturday afternoon lunch while tree trimming
Saturday evening fireside supper
Standard room rates start at $516 per couple; Fireplace Suites start at $676 and Luxury Fireplace and Jacuzzi Suites start at $796

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Unique Wedding Invitations for Every Season by eleGala

Unique Wedding Invitations for Every Season
Take a cue from the seasons with these unique wedding invitation ideas for fall, winter, spring, and summer.

Unique Wedding Invitations Ideas for Fall
The weather is getting colder outside and the leaves are turning. Entice guests with a warm and cozy invitation suite…
Your fall motif – Acorns and maple leaves are timeless choices, while the silhouette of Queen Anne’s lace, fields of wheat, or
playful trees will also evoke that fall feeling.
Consider color – Browns, rusts, deep reds, and oranges work well for either your paper or inks.
An added touch – Sprinkle silk fall leaves into each envelope.
Play with texture – Heavy weight kraft papers and those with unfinished edges create a wonderful fall feel.
Unique Wedding Invitations Ideas for Winter
Invoke the cool feeling of the winter months…
Your winter motif – Silhouettes and
bold designs are key. Trade in the traditional snowflake for chandeliers, owls, birch trees, or a sweet and simple Douglas fir.
Go white on white – Create a snowy first impression with variations of ivory, and use this
Unveiled inspiration board for ideas.
Add metallics – Jazz it up with a hint of sparkle.
Unique Wedding Invitations Ideas for Spring
Celebrate new life, new colors, and blooming flowers…
Your spring motif – Make a butterfly theme modern with ideas from this
Unveiled inspiration board, or add whimsy with lanterns and bird cages. Don’t forget that sometimes simple is best.
Consider color – Use paper or inks in a spring color palette, like blush pinks or bold pops of green.
Get whimsical – Find a
fun, flirty font to evoke a festive spring feeling.
An added touch – Insert a sprinkling of bright confetti for a fun surprise.
Unique Wedding Invitations Ideas for Summer
Invite guests to conjure up images of bright sunny days spent at the beach or relaxing in the garden…
Your summer motif –
Bright, whimsical flowers or little lovebirds will bring warmth to your stationery suite, while bold fonts paired with polka dots create a classic summer look.
Go wild with color – Now’s the time for paper or fonts in bolder tropical hues, such as turquoise or mango.
Destination detail – Create a custom postcard from the island or country of your wedding destination.