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Awkward! Wedding Planning With Fiancé Causing Tension

TresSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 07:00:00 -0700

I know a very modern bride who is beginning to wonder if she really knows the guy she's marrying. It's not that she's having second thoughts - it's just that planning their wedding is highlighting differences of opinion about tradition and convention she didn't know were there.

For example, this bride is hip to the fact that weddings are not unique events. Lots of people get married. At the same time, she wants her wedding to have a personal, nonconformist touch. This is where the conflict with her more traditional fiancé has come in. He values conformity and sees it as a social good. Unlike his fiancée, he actually cares what other people think.

So what are the differences of opinion they have about how they should plan their wedding? To find out read more.

First off, she doesn't want name cards at the table. He thinks they're classy; she thinks they're an unnecessary cost and a waste of paper.

Secondly, both have agreed to cupcakes instead of wedding cake (OK, so traditional guy is a little nonconformist), but he wants vanilla (because "it's supposed to be that way") and she likes chocolate because . . . it's more delicious.

Last but not least - the guest list. The bride wants to give their moms a guest limit so that they don't invite too many people and overrun the wedding with people they don't know. He doesn't want to tell his mom that there's a limit and, in addition, he thinks having a lot of diverse people will make them look good to other people.

Should weddings conform to traditional wedding etiquette at the expense of personal touches, practicality - or the bride's wishes? How should this bride and groom get over their differences and celebrate their union? And finally, have you ever experienced something similar?

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Girl-Grooming Is Booming. (Or Is It?)

BellaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:00:41 -0700

Do you remember the first time you became interested in beauty products? While I played with peel-off nail polish and occasionally painted my mom's nails, it wasn't really until I was in junior high that I busted out the Bonne Bell and Rave hairspray. Anything beyond that just wasn't allowed via my parents' strict rules.

These days, girls get grooming much earlier. A recent Newsweek article reports on the growing trend of today's youth taking it to an obsessive, way-too-mature level. Pop culture has long valued appearance, but the pursuit of "perfection" means that girls are worrying about their looks long before they hit puberty. With fourth-graders receiving $50 haircuts, kindergartner pedicure parties, and 8-year-olds getting bikini waxes, haven't we crossed the line into scary territory? Experts blame Photoshop, makeover programs, and the prevalence of cosmetic surgery (and, I'd add, porn culture).

For my take on the issue, read more.

As therapist Susie Orbach notes in her recently released book, Bodies ($11), the danger of appearance obsession is that girls won't develop self-esteem from their skills, talents, and accomplishments. "It primes little girls to think they should diet and dream about the cosmetic-surgery options available to them, and it makes body the primary place for self-identity," she says.

Then again, the "girls are growing up too fast" meme is a perennial favorite for magazines, and I have to wonder how common these girl-grooming activities are. While I definitely think girls grow up faster these days than I did, the girls I know are more into books, soccer, and drawing than primping. Are they the exception or the rule?

I know it seems strange for someone who loves beauty to decry girls' obsession with their looks, but here's the thing: my parents encouraged me to be creative and to study in school, so I found most of my value in accomplishments instead of the way I look. As an adult, primping is something fun, but my day isn't ruined if I have a few pimples. (Beauty is just the icing on my cake of self-esteem.) So whether glamour girls are everywhere or not, what can we do to help them develop confidence that doesn't rely on fitting an impossible beauty ideal?

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Do Tell: What's the Most Interesting Wedding You've Been To?

TresSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:00:00 -0700

It's Wedding Planning Mania time on the Sugar network, and as brides-to-be surely know - it may be one of the most stressful times they may ever experience. From planning the guest list, to deciding the registry, to choosing a location for the big day - it's almost understandable that some women go into Bridezilla mode.

But for some daredevils (or financially strapped and/or free spirits), there's a way of getting married - short of hightailing it to Vegas without telling anyone - that can turn the day into a near-spontaneous and yet memorable and poetic event. Want to hear about one such wedding I attended? Now read more.

Years ago in New York, a boyfriend's coworker invited us to his wedding. He told us it would be simple, short and sweet. Not expecting much, I was nevertheless, floored by how lovely the ceremony was. To this day, after attending many weddings, I cite it as one of the most magical I've attended.

The venue? Sleepy Hollow, a village in Westchester County, New York on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, only thirty miles north of midtown Manhattan. (Take a peek at it in the picture above.) The wedding took place late afternoon, and as soon as we got off the train, I knew this was going to be special.

As we walked toward the woodsy locale (it inspired Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow), strains of a solo violin could be heard. Soon after, the bride and groom (both struggling theater actors) read carefully selected poems to each other while we all tried not to choke up. Sunlight was still visible through dappled leaves.

After the ceremony was over, there were delicious passed hors d'oeuvres, champagne toasts, and, of course, wedding cake. As it began to get dark, we all said our goodbyes as the forest cooled in the night air. Simple and beautiful. I remember it like it was yesterday.

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A Fab Wedding in Zihuatanejo, Mexico

FabSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:00:22 -0700

I recently experienced my first destination wedding. And I don’t think any of my other friends' weddings will compare (sorry!). I was invited by the sister of the groom and it was in fun-but-hard-to-pronounce Zihuajanetejo, Mexico. The bride and groom chose this particular destination because they felt it's Mexico's best kept secret; they love the tropical surroundings and the quaint feel of the town. The closest friends, myself included, all stayed at this amazing house that the ceremony and party took place at as well. Cabin fever? No way, no how. The house can best be described as a luxurious tree house; everything was made out of wood, it spanned a whole cliff, hammocks and open air abound and an infinity pool overlooked the bay. It was, to say the least, fabulous.

Who: Pamela & Colin
Where: The Tree House, Zihuajanetejo, Mexico
When: May 2, 2008
What the bride wore: Sue Wong gown, Rene Caovilla shoes (the splurge) and her salsa after party dress was BCBG
What the bridesmaids wore: One wore a Nicole Miller dress and they both changed into Victoria's Secret dresses for the salsa after party. They swapped wearing orange and green for the reception then the party (cute idea, huh?)
What Fab wore: Check me and my friend out
Where to next for Pamela & Colin: Greece

The intimate ceremony of about 30 people was cozy and comfortable. Since the bride and groom come from mixed ethnic backgrounds they celebrated the union of all the cultures. It was such a site to witness overlooking the beautiful Mexican bay.

To hear more details about the fantasy wedding, read more.

The sweet ceremony and tropical cocktail reception - sangria margaritas anyone? - were just the beginning. The dinner was delish: frosty melon soup, Peruvian ceviche, pork tamales, red snapper machaca, and lots more. The dessert was just as lavish; the wedding cake was one layer mocha and chocolate, one layer mango and chocolate. As well, there was chocolate mousse, churros, and flaming Mexican coffee. And a candy bar! What fun for the little and big kids alike. The wedding colors were green and orange - so festive - and the candy bar was, too. Needless to say I had a tummyache by the end of the night (quick fix: a tequila shot!).

The bride and groom did an outfit change and performed a sexy salsa dance. Then we all danced the night away . . . I’ll spare you the excess tequila-induced details but it was quite the relaxing and invigorating wedding and vacation. And these pictures really help tell the story so enjoy!

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Mario Kart Wedding Cake Pwns

GeekSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:00:17 -0700

I literally did a huge geek gasp when I saw this exquisite Mario Kart Cake on Flickr the other day. Stop me if you've heard this before but, this one has to beat all the other yummy geek cakes I've ever seen!

This chocolate decadent cake, filled with chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, ganache, and buttercream, was made to celebrate the bride and groom - and their love of Mario Kart! Flickr user M.A.L. tells us how they came up with the idea:

We were looking for ideas to make our wedding different and our own, a unique wedding cake was one of the things we came up with. My wife suggested the idea of having a video game cake after we saw one online. We wanted a game that we both enjoyed and decided on the game series we have spent the most time playing together. Coincidentally, the latest Mario Kart game was released on the same weekend of our wedding.

How sweet - a celebration of love and gaming! Who could ask for a lovelier day? Check out more pics of the amazing Mario Kart cake, complete with a Rainbow Road, triple mushrooms, snowy mountains, and Yoshi's Mach Bike when you .

View 10 Photos ›

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Trend: Geeky Wedding Cakes

GeekSugar — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 07:30:00 -0700

With wedding season in full swing everyone has been talking about my favorite things: rings, dresses and cakes. I tend to keep up on tech and cake news so I should have realized that a surge of geeky cakes, like the iPhone cake and the Super Mario Bros. cake would influence the wedding cake market and give birth to beauties like this Nintendo wedding cake I found on Flickr. I am going to attribute the trend to a couple things, one being the Ace of Cakes show on the Food Network, which details the joy of a finely designed and decorated cake, and the other being the fact that nothing looks more delicious than a giant Nintendo.

There are many things to be said here, starting with kudos for the non-traditional cake (my Flickr snooping tells me the rest of their wedding was pretty traditional and elegant). The caption explains that the groom is a big Nintendo fan (no doy!). I say, that bride must be amazing.

There are two other delightfully geeky wedding cakes, read more

This Super Mario Bros. wedding cake was entirely edible except for the Mario and Princess on top. "It even tasted good," said the Flickr user who put it up. "It was seriously the coolest wedding cake I have ever seen."

View 2 Photos ›

The Star Wars Wedding cakes are in my humble opinion, the highest pinnacle of the geeky wedding cake pyramid.

If you check out the album on Flickr, you will see the couple went all out with a full Star Wars theme - Jedi and all.

View 4 Photos ›

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Hair disorders

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:55 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Hair disorders is a broad category that includes the following conditions:

Alopecia: the loss or thinning of hair. There are two types of alopecia: scarring, in which hair follicles are destroyed, and nonscarring, which can be reversed.
Male-pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia): This is the most prominent type of hair disorder affecting, to varying degrees, half of all men over 50 years of age.
Hirsutism: excessive male-pattern hair growth affecting 8%of adult women.
Hair shaft disorders: usually hereditary abnormalities.

Signs and Symptoms

Hair disorders are accompanied by the following signs and symptoms, depending on the type:

Alopecia (nonscarring) involves hair loss all over or in circular areas, a receding hair line, broken hairs, a smooth scalp, inflammation, and possibly loss of lashes, eyebrows, or pubic hair.
Alopecia (scarring) is limited to particular areas. Symptoms are inflammation at the edge and follicle loss toward the center of lesions, violet-colored skin abnormalities, and scaling.
Hirsutism is male-pattern hair growth in women, irregular menstruation, lack of ovulation, acne, deepening of voice, balding, and genital abnormalities.
Symptoms of Hair shaft disorders are split ends and hair that is dry, brittle, and coarse, as well as skin and other abnormalities.

What Causes It?

Hair disorders can be caused by any of the following:

Alopecia (nonscarring) -- skin disorders, certain drugs, certain diseases, autoimmunity, iron deficiency, severe stress, scalp radiation, pregnancy, or pulling at your own hair.
Alopecia (scarring) -- skin disorders, diseases, or bacterial infections.
Hirsutism -- excess of androgen (a steroid hormone that stimulates development of male sex organs and secondary sexual characteristics). This overproduction of androgen could result from certain drugs or conditions.
Hair shaft disorders -- overprocessed hair (coloring, permanent waves, excessive heating) or certain diseases.

Who's Most At Risk?

People with the following conditions or characteristics are at risk for developing hair disorders:

Alopecia -- male gender, genetic predisposition, pregnancy, physical or emotional stress, poor diet.
Hirsutism -- genetic predisposition, lack of ovulation.
Hair shaft disorders -- genetic predisposition, damaging grooming practices.

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with a hair disorder, you should see your health care provider. A physical exam can help identify the type of hair disorder, and laboratory tests can reveal any underlying diseases. In the case of hirsutism, imaging may help diagnose the cause.

Treatment Options

Prevention

Having a well-balanced diet and avoiding potentially damaging hair treatments can help prevent some types of hair loss.

Treatment Plan

The primary goals of treatment are to treat the underlying cause, re-grow the hair when possible, and correct damaging grooming practices.

Drug Therapies

Your provider may prescribe the following medications:

Alopecia:

Minoxidil (Rogaine), for hair regrowth and possibly to prevent further loss
Tretinoin (Retin-A), to decrease thick scalp layer and increase minoxidil penetration
Topical or injectable steroids

Hirsutism:

Steroids
Oral contraceptives

Hair shaft disorders:

Minoxidil
Drugs for underlying diseases

Surgical and Other Procedures

Cosmetic therapies, such as surgical placement of follicle-supporting plugs or folds
For hirsutism, possibly removal of ovarian tumor

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

A comprehensive treatment plan for hair disorders may include a range of complementary and alternative therapies.

Nutrition and Supplements

Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:

Eliminate potential food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, soy, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test you for food sensitivities.
Eat foods high in B-vitamins and iron, such as whole grains (if no allergy), dark leafy greens, and sea vegetables.
Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squashes and peppers).
Avoid refined foods such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy) or beans for protein.
Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.

You may be able to address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:

A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1-2 capsules or 1 tablespoonful of oil daily, to help decrease inflammation. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources.
Vitamin C, 500 - 1,000 mg two times daily, as an antioxidant.
L-lysine, 500 - 1,000 mg daily, for hair loss.
B-complex vitamins, 1 tablet daily, for symptoms of stress.
Melatonin, 2 - 5 mg before bed, for sleep and relaxation.

Herbs

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to get your problem diagnosed before starting any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, you should make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted.

For alopecia and hair shaft disorders:

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed standardized extract, 80 - 160 mg two to three times daily, for detoxification support.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) standardized extract, 40 - 80 mg three times daily, for antioxidant support and blood flow.
Kava kava (Piper methysticum) standardized extract, 100 - 250 mg 1 - 3 times a day as needed for symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Relora, 250 mg 1 - 3 times a day, for adrenal stress.

Topical applications of essential oils may benefit skin infections and stimulate new hair growth. Use three to four drops each of peppermint (Mentha piperita), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ), and sage (Salvia officinalis ) in 1 tablespoonful of vegetable oil or olive oil. Massage gently into affected area one to two times daily.

For hirsutism:

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) standardized extract, 160 mg two times daily, for hormonal support.

Homeopathy

Some of the most common remedies include Ignatia, Pulsatilla, and Sepia. Acute dose is three to five pellets of 12X to 30 C every one to four hours until symptoms are relieved.

Acupuncture and Massage

Acupuncture may help alleviate symptoms or hair loss. Acupuncture may help enhance immune function, normalize digestion, and address disease conditions.

Although not all abnormal hair loss is associated with stress, psychological stress can alter thyroid and sex hormone levels in the body, potentially leading to hair loss. Yoga, prayer, guided imagery,and a variety of other methods may help retrain your body's response to stress. Group support can also be a vital component of any stress reduction plan and can have measurable physiological impact.

Supporting Research

Abraham KC, Connor KM, Davidson JR. Explanatory attributions of anxiety and recovery in a study of kava. J Altern Complement Med. 2004;10(3):556-9.

Beattie PE. The patient with hair loss. Practitioner. 2003;247(1643):128-30, 132-4.

Behrman RE, ed. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders; 1996.

Bilia AR, Gallon S, Vincieri FF. Kava-kava and anxiety: growing knowledge about the efficacy and safety. Life Sci. 2002;70(22):2581-97.

Cabrera C, Artacho R, Gimenez R. Beneficial effects of green tea--a review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2006;25(2):79-99.

Cecil RI, Plum F, Bennett JC, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 20^th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders; 1996.

Dambro MR. Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult. 1999 ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.; 1999.

Dawber RPR. An update of hair shaft disorders. Dermatologic Clinics. 1996; 14(4).

Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al, eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14^th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.

Fiedler VC, Alaiti S. Treatment of alopecia areata. Dermatologic Clinics. 1996; 14(4).

Fontani G, Corradeschi F, Felici A, et al. Cognitive and physiological effects of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in healthy subjects. Eur J Clin Invest. 2005;35(11):691-9.

Goroll AH, ed. Primary Care Medicine. 3^rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincot-Raven Publishers; 1995.

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 3^rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book; 1996.

Lawless J. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatics in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health & Well-being. New York, NY:Barnes & Noble, Inc.; 1992:199.

Middlekauff HR, Yu JL, Kui K. Acupuncture effects on reflex responses to mental stress in humans. Am J Physiol Regulat Integrat Comp Physiol. 2001;280:R1462-R1468.

Mock DM, Baswell DL, Baker H, et al. Biotin deficiency complicating parenteral alimentation: diagnosis, metabolic repercussions, and treatment. J Pediatr. 1985;106(5):762-9.

Morrison R. Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms. Albany, Calif: Hahnemann Clinic Publishing; 1993.

Pandi-Perumal SR, Srinivasan V, Maestroni GJ, et al., Melatonin. FEBS J. 2006;273(13):2813-38.

Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Altern Complement Med. 2002;8(2):143-52.

Rai D, Bhatia G, Sen T, Palit G. Anti-stress effects of Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng: a comparative study. J Pharmacol Sci. 2003;93(4):458-64.

Rakel RE, ed. Conn's Current Therapy. 50^th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders; 1998.

Rotsein OD. Oxidants and antioxidant therapy. Crit Care Clin. 2001;17(1):239-47.

Rushton DH. Nutritional factors and hair loss. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2002;27(5):396-404.

Simopoulos AP. Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002;21(6):495-505.

Sinclair RD, Mallari RS, Tate B. Sensitization to saw palmetto and minoxidil in separate topical extemporaneous treatments for androgenetic alopecia. Australas J Dermatol. 2002;43(4):311-2.

Sufka KJ, Roach JT, Chambliss WG Jr, et al. Anxiolytic properties of botanical extracts in the chick social separation-stress procedure. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001;153(2):219-24.

Wang SM, Kain ZN. Auricular acupuncture: a potential treatment for anxiety. Anesth Analg. 2001;92:548-553

Yamada T, ed. Textbook of Gastroenterology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott-Raven Publishers; 1995.

Yoon JH, Baek SJ. Molecular targets of dietary polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties.Yonsei Med J. 2005;46(5):585-96.

Zuckerman-Levin N, Tiosano D, Eisenhofer G, et al. The importance of adrenocortical glucocorticoids for adrenomedullary and physiological response to stress: a study in isolated glucocorticoid deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86(12):5920-4.

Review Date:
8/6/2006
Reviewed By:
Ernest B. Hawkins, MS, BSPharm, RPh, Health Education Resources; Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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Maker Faire: Interactive Wedding And Birthday Cakes

GeekSugar — Mon, 21 May 2007 08:30:02 -0700

JiSun Lee's booth at this weekend's Maker Faire featured my favorite "science faire meets real life" art pieces. Lee pulled my boyfriend and I out of the crowd, pinned a white wedding veil on my head and put a bow tie on my boyfriend in record time (he didn't even have time to panic!) then led us to her interactive wedding cake. We were then instructed to push the buttons on the outside of the three-layer cake until the small bride and groom figures on the top of the cake got close enough to one another to kiss. It took us a few tries, but each try was filled with romantic geekiness. When we finally found the right buttons, the cake, which was made of plastic and all wired up, lit up and sang the traditional wedding song.

JiSun Lee created the interactive wedding cake and a more simple birthday cake with YouJeong Paik with the idea that they could increase the enjoyment of significant moments in people's lives. "I designed this cake with my baby and friend in mind," says Lee. "The birthday and wedding cakes need the user's input to turn on and blow out the LED candles. At the end of the user's experience, he or she will hear the greeting messages accompanied by music."

For a gallery of photos of the wedding and birthday cake, as well as a video of the cakes in action, read more

View 7 Photos ›

Instead of pushing buttons like the wedding cake, the birthday cake is a sort of building blocks game for children. When a child completes assembling the birthday cake blocks, he or she can light the LED candles and listen to the traditional "Happy Birthday" song and applause.

The How-To Lounge: Reception Speech and Toast Etiquette

DearSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700

While the toasts at a rehearsal dinner are casual, the wedding reception usually has its own set of more formal speeches. Having planned speeches at your wedding is in no way mandatory, but if you don’t account for them, they’re likely to happen anyway, so before the big day, it’s best to sit down for a few minutes to plan them out. To check out my tips on reception speech etiquette, read more

It’s a good idea to check in with your parents, maid of honor, and best man to see who would like to make a toast versus those who’d rather not. Usually at least one parent from either side will give a thank you toast to the guests and some words for the future. However, often parents like to propose a toast together, so talk with them to decide what works for your wedding.
Once you know who’ll be speaking, decide the lineup. Usually the best man will begin the process and the bride and groom will end it, but the order is truly discretionary.
The bride and groom should set aside an appropriate time for speeches - typically they take place just after everyone has been seated for dinner and all of the drinks have been poured, but it’s fairly common to have them after the cake has been cut as well.
It’s important that everyone speaking takes some time before the big day to prepare. This doesn’t need to be typed out and printed, but it’s smart to at least have an idea of what you're going to say.
Perhaps most important is to keep it short! I’d recommend no more than three to five minutes per person. Obviously, if you’re only having a toast or two, they can be longer, but watch out because speeches really can add up. Guests will get antsy if they go on too long, and really, who wants to waste the reception toasting when you could be dancing?
For the family and attendants: Don’t try too hard to make it extra funny, cute, or sentimental. You really don’t need a shtick to make a good toast. While it’s typical to include a small anecdote, make sure your stories don't get too personal. It’s best to keep things general so all the guests can appreciate what you’re saying.
For the bride and groom: Make sure to thank your guests for coming and being part of your important day. And don't forget to take a few seconds to acknowledge the people who put in the most time and effort.

While many people end up winging their speeches and toasts, I don’t recommend it. Just a touch of foresight can still leave room for some spontaneous words without the worry!

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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The Chocolate Laptop Wedding Cake

GeekSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:00:08 -0700

A big thanks to geeksugar reader mf cohen, who sent us this yummy edible geek laptop creation! This is what she had to say about it: "A grooms cake is a southern wedding tradition. In addition to the wedding cake, you have a grooms cake to celebrate the grooms hobbies or interests, so you can be assured there's at least one thing at the wedding that's about them. Since my husband is a software engineer, I couldn't think of anything more appropriate than a laptop! I was really pleased that the pastry chef at Santa Rosa Golf and Beach Club took the challenge. Our guests including my husband's boss were dually impressed. If all laptops were made of chocolate, I might be interested in becoming a software engineer too! P.S. This was in 2005!" What a great, delicious idea! Now I can't help but try and figure out what brand of laptop the chef was replicating... Dell, Compaq, or maybe a Toshiba? What do you think?