Keep Calm and...eat Cake!

Now this has to be one of the hardest things for a bride to decide on for a number of reasons.

1. Your favourite cake flavour may not work for your guests (imagine you love hazelnut and some of your guests have nut allergies...mmmyeahhh)
2. If you're not familiar with the baker and you're judging their work by their portfolio, all you're seeing is the icing, there's no guarantee of the flavour.
3.  That portfolio may be filled with work that's not theirs (gasp!)
4.  Even if you're familiar with the baker, they may be a one trick pony, i.e. you may love their vanilla swirl, but their chocolate cake may suck!
5. You may have champagne tastes and mauby pockets, a Bajan (people from Barbados) saying which means what you want you can't afford.

Now, while you may not be able to get a personal reference to help you make your wedding cake decision, luckily sites like Facebook now have widgets that allow people to rate the product and leave comments - this is your lifeline, especially if you're a destination bride.  I've had some beautiful cakes taste no better than sawdust, at least some reviews from a few customers can give you an idea of the calibre of company you're dealing with, even if you can't taste the real thing.  However, whenever possible, ask to have a cake tasting so you can be assured that the cake tastes like what you imagine it would.

Now, to the fun part:

ANNALISE CAKE DESIGNER

Facebook page













SINNFULLY SWEET CREATIONS

Facebook page


















WITH LOVE BY ESTHER JAMES

Facebook page



















AS CUTE AS A CUPCAKE

Facebook page

Picture Perfect! (Photographers)

Quite a few 'former brides' have told me that something WILL go wrong on the day; I'm hoping against hope this isn't the case, or that if it is, I'm the exception to the rule.  Not likely, but a girl can dream!

Yet, if worse comes to worst, I'm making sure there's a great photographer to capture everything - the goodness and the madness. I'm not just talking about the wedding ceremony - photographers should be there for the pre-wedding getting ready, engagement dinners, engagement sessions (for your signing photo), even your bridal shower or stag party! After all, years down the road, all you'll have is the memories.  Here's a list of photographers in Barbados and their websites/Facebook pages.  Next to a personal reference, a look at a vendor's portfolio can put your mind at ease and let's you see their work - and style - first hand (well, second hand). Remember I'll be adding more, so stay tuned!:


ANDREW BROWNE PHOTOGRAPHY

Andrew Browne website

Andrew Browne Facebook











MARK ATKINS PHOTOGRAPHY

Mark Atkins Photography website

Mark Atkins Photography Facebook








GINA FRANCESCA PHOTOGRAPHY

Gina Francesca Photography Facebook

Gina Francesca Photography website








PASSIONNE PHOTOGRAPHY

Passionne Photography Facebook










DKM PHOTOGRAPHY

DKM Photography Facebook










DLIGHTFUL MEDIA

DLightful Media Facebook 

Take it Away (the responsibility, that is) - Wedding Planners

If there's one thing I've learned from planning a wedding it's this - you shouldn't plan your own wedding.  I could leave the post at that but I'll explain.  Wedding time is stressful, no matter how much help, money, or focus you have.  I've scrolled the life out of Pinterest and you know what? Even the best decorating maven or DIYer needs a little help from her friends - or better yet, a professional.

Now I say this because I remember reading a post from a DIY bride who said a major regret she had on her day was that some family members and friends weren't in pics because they were helping keep things together behind the scenes.  I can only imagine her regret; that said, here are a few wedding planners in Barbados.  They source vendors for flowers, rental gowns, cakes, lighting, venues and much more.  Remember, I'll add to this post so be sure to check back.


NSPIRATION PLUS

Wedding coordination is the name of the game and Nspiration Plus promises to meet all your needs.  Their website highlights the range of Nspiration's portfolio, from outdoor and beach themed weddings, to church halls and other event sites.




SANOJAH'S

Sanojah's covers many bases in the wedding planning realm.  They offer full coordination services, but also provide event rentals and their signature 'wedding in a box' package provides you with all your event based needs.  In addition, they use many local products so that's a plus for any conscientious bride! See their work on their Facebook page or their blog.











ISLAND BLISS

If heaven had a wedding, Island Bliss would be the wedding coordinator.  Truly, the pictures say it all.  Based on their posts, they work with the premier vendors on the island, from flowers to cakes to venues, rest assured that they can make your dreams come true.  See their Facebook page and website pages





AFFORDABLE WEDDINGS

If you're a Barbados bride-to-be on a budget, Affordable Weddings may be worth a look.  They'll take the stress of wedding planning away and keep some pennies in your pocket for the honeymoon; and if you're wondering what you'll do with your dress after the wedding, the company also offers dress rentals.  Check their Facebook page for more info.









SOULMATES BARBADOS

Soulmates Barbados features a team of planners that are not only experienced, but have the certification (Wedding Planners Institute of Canada) to boot.  Their website gives you an idea of what their company offers, including 'day of'' wedding planner services.








EXQUISITE DESIGNS

Exquisite Designs will help outfit you - and your venue - from top to bottom. They offer wedding packages, gown rentals and a bit of everything in between.  There's also a print design company on site to help you with wedding invitations and programmes.  See more on their Facebook page.













WEDDINGS BY MALISSA

Destination brides are sure to have come across this name, as Weddings by Malissa is one of the more known names in destination wedding services.  This company works with the creme de la creme of vendors on the island and offers packages for those who want to take the guess work out of getting married. More of her work is accessible on the Facebook page.








WEDDINGS BEYOND YOUR IMAGINATION

Many moons ago, the local tourism authority had a slogan for the island: "Barbados- Just Beyond Your Imagination".  This event planning company aims to meet that mark, with a Facebook photo set of their work that will have you running to book the first flight out.

Say it (I Do!) with Flowers!

I'm not a flower girl - I'm a bride! I jest...honestly, I prefer plants to blooms however I know that a bridal bouquet is expected to be floral and bountiful.  Here's a list of florists that have either websites or facebook pages to get you on track with your decision on what you'll be holding on to (besides the hubby-to-be) on that first day of the rest of your life;)  Revisit this post as other flower vendors will be added.

FLORALS BY PATRICIA'S EXOTIC CREATIONS

Patricia Estwick runs this floral outift and you'll get a good idea of her work from her facebook page - it has  more photos than you can shake a stick at! If it involves flowers and weddings, she does it.
















HASTINGS FLOWER MART

 A known name in flowers on the island, Hastings Flower Mart will cover the gamut of your flower needs and also offers rentals of vases and other items to add to your display.

Barbados Bride to Be!

I'm a bride and let me tell you, the struggle is real.  In addition to what all brides go through (people inviting themselves to your wedding, people telling you what you CAN'T do because it's not 'done'-you know the drill), the additional difficulties I've faced have come because of my location - Barbados.

Don't get me wrong, my native land is as beautiful as can be; but finding relevant information on vendors has been challenging, mainly because the information is not listed beautifully in a directory, like you get in the U.S.

So that's the raison d'etre of this blog - to list as many vendors as I can to help other brides - whether Barbadians or destination brides coming to spend their special day in Barbados!

Hopefully, this will make the struggle just a bit easier for one or two brides - perhaps even you!



Nikki