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Jeanette Shinn asked:




People tend to relax and talk more around food than just about anything else. That is huge advantage of edible wedding centerpiece displays. With the warm and engaging nature of food it is just natural for people to relax and talk when one of the most basic human needs is provided for abundantly. It is human nature, and a wise bride will look for every advantage to help her plan her big day. She could rely on the wedding dinner to provide the warmth and reassurance of food, but why not take advantage from the moment the guests enter the reception with edible centerpieces?

Who doesn’t relax at the smell of fresh bread? Who can resist the mouth watering allure of a tantalizing treat? By making use of edible centerpiece displays a bride is building her decor on more than just a visual level. By adding taste, smell, and touch she creates an emotionally warm and welcoming effect for each of her guests.

Dig in. There is nothing more inviting than the warmth and comfort of food, which makes edible centerpieces a natural for wedding receptions:

Cookie Bouquets: Many pastry chefs will be delighted to craft large ‘cookies on a stick’ and a skilled craftsman can decorate them in some pretty remarkable ways. Either have them arrange the cookies in bouquets for the reception coordinator to place on your tables or it can easily be done by an enterprising bridal party. This is not the least expensive way to go and it probably will not fit an elegant reception, but it can be a lot of fun, quite tasty, and provide the mothers with small children an easy way to keep their little ones happy.

Chilled Wine: Serving wine? A tasteful wine bucket with a nice bottle of wine can make a centerpiece that is attractive and functional. If the cost of a wine bucket is too steep, someone with a bit of crafty know how could use something along the lines of plastic ice cream buckets wrapped in waterproof decorative gift wrap to create an inexpensive, disposable version. Accent the centerpiece with wine themed wedding favors to further the theme and express love and gratitude at the same time.

Hot Bread: Have a basket of fresh baked bread placed on the table just before the guests enter. Who is not warmed and set at ease by the sight and smell of hot fresh bread?

Cheese Board: Arrange a cheese board with your favorite cheese, crackers, and fresh fruit at the center of each table.

Tower of Truffles: For someone with a loved one who is a wizard in the kitchen this is a natural way to get them involved if you choose not to purchase your truffles from your favorite chocolate manufacturer. Either way, a display of truffles is a delightfully inviting centerpiece for a wedding reception - just do not forget to supply decorative favor packaging (you can easily find packaging to fit nearly any decor) for your guests to take a few home to enjoy afterwards!

There are so many possibilities. Have fun with it. Mix and match. There is no right or wrong when it comes to mouth watering edible centerpiece ideas for your reception tables, only what works within the framework of the theme and fashion you are trying to accomplish for your wedding.

Mary Wollard asked:




Whether you are working with an attorney, a mediator, or on your own, a divorce settlement can be an emotional and overwhelming experience. It’s easy to get so caught up in how the details of a settlement will affect you, that you forget about how they will affect your children.

An easy way to assure that your children remain the main focus of all your divorce work is to bring photos of the children to your discussions. Find photos that show the children with each of the parents; photos that show them laughing or playing. When you get bogged down or frustrated with the small details of an agreement, it can help to take time out to look at these photos and refocus.

It is especially important to keep your children in mind when working on the parenting plan. When you’re thinking about where the children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent, look at the photos and think about how these decisions will affect the children. If you are working together amicably, the photos will help you keep that up. If you are arguing over something, looking at the photos will help you keep the issues in perspective.

Having photos of your children at the table also helps you to hear yourself though their ears. Would you say what you’re saying if your children were in the room? If not, it’s time to make an adjustment.

When you’re working on your divorce settlement and parenting plan, remember that your children love both of you. Use photos of the children to honor that love throughout this difficult process.