Butterfly Release and Other Wedding Trends

The tradition of a bride and groom departing their wedding reception in a cloud of thrown rice has long since past. Not only is the concept of rice throwing an old trend, but it also presents problems for the environment with birds eating it, and it makes a HUGE mess for the venue to clean up (meaning extra costs for you).

Looking for a dramatic send-off?! There are lots of several unique trends in wedding send-offs that are fun and mess-free. A growing favourite among wedding parties has become the release of live animals. Dove releases have been a part of different ceremonies throughout history. However, doves are expensive and must be handled by professionals, limitied guests involvement. In lieu of releasing birds, one of the newest trends is to release live butterflies.

Releasing butterflies has many different options for who you want to be involved. Some couples prefer to have the bridal party send out a cluster of butterflies, but it is becoming more common to see each wedding guest release a single butterfly. A great advantage to butterflies is that they can be handled by all of your guests, without age restrictions. Many companies provide the inexpensive butterflies in individual boxes or other personalized butterfly favours for guests to take home. Guests will love to see the beautiful butterflies floating from bouquet to bouquet or landing on a guests' shoulder. These all make for fantastic photo opps as well!

Butterflies also carry a heavy symbolic weight. Because of their transformation process from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly, they represent a transition and renewed life. Just like the butterflies, the newlywed couple are emergine to take their first steps in their new life together. Butterflies also symbolize celebration and happiness -all very fitting for your special day!
kkkkkkkkkk
k
k

Like the idea, but want to integrate it differently or in additional ways to your wedding?! Try these ideas...



During the Ceremony, couples may choose to release 2 butterflies representing themselves as part of an outdoor service in place of lighting a unity candle.
kkkkkkkkkk
k
k
kkkkkkkkkk k
k
At the Reception, you can have anything from ...
k
butterfly themed wedding cakes to













k k
favours to













decorations, thank you cards,









k
k



and even place card holders.











Butterfly releases or favours will not be forgotten anytime soon by guests or the couple. It does not matter where they appear throughout the day, a butterfly release promiuses a unique experience that is sure to showcase the special day in an all-new light.

Wedding Cake Style Ideas

Here are some fresh ideas, and a few bold statements, that you can make with your wedding cake. These are great new trends that we are seeing lots of now to add a spice of personality to this traditional element of your wedding.



Graphic Sugar Appliques
Big sugar flowers are still lovely, and very popular, however the latest in wedding cake add-ons isn't your typical garden show anymore. More abstract sugar-made designs seem to be bursting from the cakes. A few pretty applique ideas can be seen below, as well as paisley, ruffles, lace cutouts and starbursts are coming to the forefront.

Creative "Stamped" Patterns

For a unique, one-dimensional look, ask your baker to "stamp" a fun pattern onto your cake using a paintbrush or edible dye and a stamp. The bold result creates a very different look. Don't go overboard - you'll want to limit the designs to just a few tiers to keep it from looking too busy.

Chandelier Inspired

Always loved lighting and chandeliers?! Have your wedding cake reflect your interest. You can ask you baker to include chandelier elements on the cake, or even have it set up to look like a chandelier on display.

Fabric Fun

Skip the typical allover buttercream swirls - the new way of texturizing a wedding cake is with fabric-like elements, like all-over white fondant designed to look like eyelet or crocheted lace. You can work in the design of your dress to make the cake look similar in style. Ask your baker to frost delicate lace-like accents around the tiers or to use sugar appliques to create a ruffle look.

Retro Accents and Colours

It really is true that trends come back around, and now we're seeing retro make an appearance on cakes. Go for black-and-white, or even a mint green-frosted cake, softened with a small, black bow on the bottom tier for a funky '50s look. Or get a classic Grace Kelly-inspired style by askign for a white cake banded with champagne ribbon and accented with a sparkly silver brooch. In the same way, throw back to the 1920s with pink and gold-toned frosting and flapper-esque accents, like edible beads and sugar-painted feathers.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Cake Buffets
There's no rule saying that you are only allowed to have one cake, so order what you want. You can have a trio of coordinated cakes for your cake table, or an assortment to offer guests. This is great if you have specific dietary needs, such as lactose intolerance or gluten free. To get the cakes to match, come up with a design, motif or colour scheme to work with, and ask you baker to vary the design from each cake. It's eye-catching and a great alternative to a stand-alone.

Middle Tier Treatments

Traditionally the focus on the wedding cake is all on top, but this does not need to be the case. Consider moving the cake topper or some decoration elements to the middle cake tier for an entirely new look.