JUST about everything in a wedding is symbolic from the ring, to the colour of the bride's dress to name a few.
Wedding cakes are also symbolic both in their flavours and the number of layers they have.
For instance, in the old days many people chose fruitcake for weddings said to be an English tradition.
Veteran pastry chef Eceli Rosa said the English probably chose fruitcake because they could keep it for long.
"They preferred fruit cake maybe because they had no refrigeration in those days because it stayed good for long.
"Those who want tier cakes have to go with fruit separated with pillars because they need to stand up firm.
"If you go for a sponge cake it will fall over.
"Cakes supported by pillars need to have a firm base.
"I suppose that is another reason the English chose fruitcake because it is a firm cake and the significance of a marriage firm and steadfast."
Mrs Rosa also explained the meaning of the layers.
"Normally some people keep the top layer for their first anniversary or the birth of their first child," she said.
"The second layer is normally given to the two families and the bottom layer is given to the guests.
"When you talk about weddings people automatically have this picture in their heads that it has to be something standing like a centrepiece and normally standing on top of each other (tiers) supported by pillars or directly on top of each other, elaborately or simply decorated.
"It's normally something that will catch the eye, dressed up with sugar roses or artificial flowers edible."
Mrs Rosa said it was important that the colour of cake matched the wedding theme colour.
"The colour of the wedding cake normally matches the colour of the bride and bridesmaid's dress," she said.
"If the bride is wearing white and the bridesmaids are wearing red I would make the cake white, with, say red ribbons or red roses on the side."
Mrs Rosa said people who married these days planned differently.
"That was the tradition but now I think people change it to modern day themes and colours significant to them.
"Nowadays a lot of people I know don't like fruitcake, my sister is one she does not like fruitcake so they opt for their favourite like sponge, chocolate anything goes."
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=77973
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Making memories
Weddings are (usually) a once-in-a-lifetime event. Couples today are taking creativity to new levels.
You don’t really have to spend millions to make a wedding memorable. What’s important are the personal touches and attention to detail that will make a lasting impression on your guests,” says Chris Abishegam, creative director of X2, an events management company.
Abishegam should know – she’s been planning weddings and events for more than 20 years. The events she organises are always an occasion to be remembered.
“I don’t know how to do anything simple. I am very good with details, and that is my speciality. Even if the wedding is for 20 people, I will go all out to ensure that the guests go home with a memorable experience, something they would want to talk about for a long time,” says Abishegam.
She and her husband Andrew Abishegam, in their 40s, got married in 1996 at Carcosa Seri Negara.
“We were the ones who pioneered chair covers, ceiling drapes, personalised banners and confetti canons that are now commonly used by hotels. There was even a bagpipe performance by the old boys of Victoria Institution.
“Wedding invitations during that time were just plain white cards but I wanted it to be different. I designed the card myself and created a personalised invitation that represented the both of us.”
Her elaborate wedding cake was made out of two structures, a church and a palace tower. The grounds were decorated with water fountains, steps and a bridge, all sourced from America. There was even a figurine of the couple.
The cake, designed by a Swiss pastry chef from Istana Hotel, told the story of the couple’s wedding in the church and of their journey to their new palace. Abishegam is now an expert in designing unique cakes, usually 6ft x 6ft in size, for clients.
“I believe that the success of a wedding is measured by how much the guest has been touched. It is very important that each guest feels involved. I’ve been to expensive, lavish weddings that are emotionally empty, and guests can’t wait to go home.
“That’s quite sad actually as so much money was wasted on an event that nobody would remember the week after.
“All the hotels that I have had my events at were very obliging and they said they had never seen an event like mine. A wedding is all about the memories you create for yourself and your guests.
“Always pay attention to emotion. Personalise and customise wherever there is an opportunity. For example, you can transform a normal dinner by renaming your dishes according to your theme and creating a story behind each dish. Handcrafted wedding favours are important, too, as that is what the guests will take back as remembrance,” says Abishegam, who sources hers from all over the world.
Her company even has a couture arm that designs bridal wear for the couple, their flower girls and ring bearers.
“The couple shouldn’t be stressed by details. I take care of everything from the food, decoration, themes and music to what you wear. X2 Couture creates gowns for everyone involved in the wedding, and sometimes, even the guests as they want to fit in with the theme.”
Abishegam takes a few months to plan a client’s wedding but her own events may take up to a few years.
“It will definitely help if the couple informs me of their wedding plans months in advance. Invitations should be sent out a month in advance, if not earlier, so that guests are able to prepare their attire.
“My personal events are a different matter all together as I am very particular about how I want things done. I roughly know what I want to do for my twin daughters’ Sweet 16 birthday and they are only six now!”
“My guests always ask me how am I going to better myself and if I ever run out of ideas. I don’t think I could, as creativity is an ongoing process.
“Event planning started off as a hobby but it has taken a life of its own and grown into a successful business. I put my whole heart and soul into every event, and that’s why it is so successful.
“You must love what you do and do what you love. Each event is unique. We pride ourselves in never doing the same thing twice,” adds Abishegam.
Abishegam’s weddings usually cost between RM100,000 and RM200,000, but she says that she has also planned weddings that cost millions.
“It doesn’t mean that you have to splurge to create beautiful memories, but money does help of course. No matter what your budget, we can always come up with something that you will cherish forever,” says Abishegam with a smile.
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/1/5/lifefocus/19450131&sec=lifefocus
You don’t really have to spend millions to make a wedding memorable. What’s important are the personal touches and attention to detail that will make a lasting impression on your guests,” says Chris Abishegam, creative director of X2, an events management company.
Abishegam should know – she’s been planning weddings and events for more than 20 years. The events she organises are always an occasion to be remembered.
“I don’t know how to do anything simple. I am very good with details, and that is my speciality. Even if the wedding is for 20 people, I will go all out to ensure that the guests go home with a memorable experience, something they would want to talk about for a long time,” says Abishegam.
She and her husband Andrew Abishegam, in their 40s, got married in 1996 at Carcosa Seri Negara.
“We were the ones who pioneered chair covers, ceiling drapes, personalised banners and confetti canons that are now commonly used by hotels. There was even a bagpipe performance by the old boys of Victoria Institution.
“Wedding invitations during that time were just plain white cards but I wanted it to be different. I designed the card myself and created a personalised invitation that represented the both of us.”
Her elaborate wedding cake was made out of two structures, a church and a palace tower. The grounds were decorated with water fountains, steps and a bridge, all sourced from America. There was even a figurine of the couple.
The cake, designed by a Swiss pastry chef from Istana Hotel, told the story of the couple’s wedding in the church and of their journey to their new palace. Abishegam is now an expert in designing unique cakes, usually 6ft x 6ft in size, for clients.
“I believe that the success of a wedding is measured by how much the guest has been touched. It is very important that each guest feels involved. I’ve been to expensive, lavish weddings that are emotionally empty, and guests can’t wait to go home.
“That’s quite sad actually as so much money was wasted on an event that nobody would remember the week after.
“All the hotels that I have had my events at were very obliging and they said they had never seen an event like mine. A wedding is all about the memories you create for yourself and your guests.
“Always pay attention to emotion. Personalise and customise wherever there is an opportunity. For example, you can transform a normal dinner by renaming your dishes according to your theme and creating a story behind each dish. Handcrafted wedding favours are important, too, as that is what the guests will take back as remembrance,” says Abishegam, who sources hers from all over the world.
Her company even has a couture arm that designs bridal wear for the couple, their flower girls and ring bearers.
“The couple shouldn’t be stressed by details. I take care of everything from the food, decoration, themes and music to what you wear. X2 Couture creates gowns for everyone involved in the wedding, and sometimes, even the guests as they want to fit in with the theme.”
Abishegam takes a few months to plan a client’s wedding but her own events may take up to a few years.
“It will definitely help if the couple informs me of their wedding plans months in advance. Invitations should be sent out a month in advance, if not earlier, so that guests are able to prepare their attire.
“My personal events are a different matter all together as I am very particular about how I want things done. I roughly know what I want to do for my twin daughters’ Sweet 16 birthday and they are only six now!”
“My guests always ask me how am I going to better myself and if I ever run out of ideas. I don’t think I could, as creativity is an ongoing process.
“Event planning started off as a hobby but it has taken a life of its own and grown into a successful business. I put my whole heart and soul into every event, and that’s why it is so successful.
“You must love what you do and do what you love. Each event is unique. We pride ourselves in never doing the same thing twice,” adds Abishegam.
Abishegam’s weddings usually cost between RM100,000 and RM200,000, but she says that she has also planned weddings that cost millions.
“It doesn’t mean that you have to splurge to create beautiful memories, but money does help of course. No matter what your budget, we can always come up with something that you will cherish forever,” says Abishegam with a smile.
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/1/5/lifefocus/19450131&sec=lifefocus
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