What’s Your Flavor

Selecting the flavors and fillings of your cake can be as tricky as deciding on its decorations. Most bakers offer about 15 cake flavors and 20 fillings, so we asked Nina Asadoorian of Truli Confectionary Arts in Philadelphia, 215-856-9206, truliconfectionaryarts.com, for some advice on choosing wisely. "Brides are requesting rich, fudgey chocolate cake with ganache and mocha espresso or hazelnut buttercream," she says. "I wish more couples would consider airy genoise sponge cake with passion fruit curd and macadamia nut buttercream." Truli’s fondant-frosted cake (left) with handmade sugar parrot tulips and fondant swags feature the "delicious deviation" of genoise sponge cake with guava curd and strawberry buttercream.

Lighting Effects

A lighting designer may not rank high on your list of must-hire vendors, but we think one should. Though the average cost for lighting a reception space is over $1,500, strategic lighting goes a long way toward setting a mood, highlighting your decor and camouflaging your less-than-favorite parts of a room. For a recent wedding at the Down Town Club in Philadelphia, 215-925-2040, downtownclub.com, lighting designer Brian Toner of Eventions Productions, 610-485-9300, eventionsproductions.com, transformed this traditional ballroom into a romantic, sophisticated space.

Serve a Sexy Cocktail

When we heard that bartender Nancy Vong Banbith of the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia, 215-928-1234, pennslanding.hyatt.com, recently created a fruity-tasting, fuchsia-colored martini, we were compelled to try it. We were wowed by its intriguing flavors and adore the color—a tray of them will look divine in your reception photos. But if it’s too trendy for your "scotch-and-soda" guests, serve it at an after-party instead.

Bridal Passion
3/4 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
3/4 oz. Stoli Ohranj
Orange juice
Cranberry juice
Garnish with a lemon twist

Shoot from Above

Pretty maids all in a row is standard, but kind of boring. Wedding photographer Faith West of Faith West Photography, 215-508-WEST, faithwest.com, knows how to jazz up formal wedding-party photos while keeping them wedding album–friendly. "I took this while standing on a step stool, aiming my camera downward, which is a flattering perspective when you’re shooting women because it lengthens necks and smooths out chins," says West. "Women also look great when they’re seated close together, with their heads angled toward each other. It makes the moment appear warmer and friendlier."

Serenity in the City

If you are looking for the convenience and energy of the city, but still want tranquility and a spot of green, we suggest the Morris House Hotel, 215-922-2446, morrishousehotel.com. When celebrating in the colonial gardens of this refurbished 18th-century town house, guests will feel miles away from the bustling metropolis that surrounds them. The on-site restaurant, M, provides nouveau American cuisine; and small parties can take place inside the casually elegant dining room. Capacity: 125 in the garden, 45 in M Restaurant. Rental fees: $1,800 for four-hour parties ending before 8 p.m.; for parties ending later, you must rent all the hotel’s guest rooms (cost: $7,000). Catering: $110 per person and up.

The Helicopter Getaway

We love this idea for a dramatic and extremely efficient reception exit: flying off in a luxury helicopter—the kind a celebrity or government official would use. Philadelphia Helicopter, 215-464-4708, philadelphiahelicopter.com, can pick you up at your reception, provided the site has a suitable landing spot—a flat, open space with a 150-foot radius that’s free of obstructions like telephone wires (open fields and parking lots work well). Once onboard, you’ll take an aerial tour of Philadelphia or New York City while munching on finger foods and drinking champagne. Cost: $1,500 per hour.

A Taste of Things to Come

For their non-denominational ceremony at the Appleford Estate, Jamie Gulick and Erin Becker wanted to include a spiritual ritual that was meaningful to them and interesting for their guests to observe. The couple decided to include a "tasting ceremony" during their service, a custom of the Yoruba people in Africa. First, four cups are filled with liquids that represent marital experiences—honey for sweetness, lemon for sourness, cayenne for passion and vinegar for bitterness. Then, the cups are displayed on a table in front of the bride and groom. After welcoming the guests, the officiant explains the meaning of each liquid. Last, the bride and groom take turns tasting each liquid. After they’ve tasted all four, the ceremony continues with the exchanging of vows.

Alternative Bridal Blooms

Hydrangeas, calla lilies and cymbidium orchids are popular bridal flowers, but some lesser-known blooms are far more stylish and distinctive. We asked Donna O’Brien, owner and creative director of Beautiful Blooms in Philadelphia, 215-736-9100, beautifulblooms.com, to identify some cool bouquet elements she’d like more brides to try. Clockwise from left: Gloriosa Lilies are wavy-shaped flowers that look fabulous dangling off a bouquet. They come in vibrant oranges and pinks. Scabiosa is a prickly flower that adds an unexpected texture to bouquets. They offer a lot of style for a tiny bloom. Succulents, a large, cabbage-like plant, has an eye-catching structure and an unusual, organic appeal.

Not-So-Prissy Pink

Pink can be a little tween, a little fussy, granted, but you can make it sophisticated enough for your groom not to be embarrassed. In this invitation suite from Robin K Design, 609-689-9199, robinkdesign.com, Robin Kornett pairs the ultrafemme color with black and a fleur-de-lis-esque design to give it a vintage Parisian feel. For extra glamour, Kornett added a white satin ribbon and a miniature antique-style brooch to the invitation, and a sleek black satin ribbon to the program. Black trim on the brunch invite, RSVP card and escort card modernized the design. Cost: $1,200 for 100 invitation sets.