Just a reminder that if you haven’t registered for our free giveaway of a new Palm Z22 handheld organizer, December 31st is your last day. Just like our wedding planning software, the Palm Z22 is easy-to-use and can help you keep track of what needs to get done for your wedding day.

Unlike the long standing guy’s last hoorah of the Bachelor’s Party, the more recent trend of a bachelorette party can leave the maid(s) of honor in a quandary. They sometimes can’t decide if it’s really a feminine version of the stag party or an opportunity to fall back to ultra-girly high teas.

If you’re the party planner, the best advice is talk to the bride! An honest discussion of her preferences is key to a successful soiree. After all, the bride may think the stagette party (complete with “Officer Joe” stripper and anatomically correct party favors) is the best idea you’ve ever had or she may be horribly embarrassed. Dinner and a movie or a concert might be more her style.

Alternative choices for girl’s night? Consider some of the following:

• Pamper the bride - check out your local spas for a little luxury treat, facials, wraps and massages to name a few.
• Nature girl - if the bride to be is the outdoorsy type, maybe an overnight camping trip complete with campfires, marshmallows and sleeping bags is in order.
• Pajama party - an old fashioned sleep over complete with manicures, oldies music and hair braiding (note: not a good time to try a new permanent hair dye color on the bride!)

Consult the bride and/or wedding planner for a good date/time to host your party to make sure you won’t conflict with other events. The most often suggested time is about a month prior to the big day with four months prior being the initial invitations date. After all, you want plenty of time to make sure the bride’s chosen friends can be there.

Here is a helpful party checklist from Bridesmaid101.com.

In any case, the bottom line is this is a chance for the bride and her closest friends to acknowledge and celebrate the beginning of a new stage in her life as well as the lives of their friendships.

Do you know royal icing from fondant? Whipped cream from buttercream? Or do your eyes glaze over when the discussion wanders into piping, pulled sugar, and marzipan? You may find yourself swimming in sugary details and wondering if that fruit choice was really better than the flowery one. Selecting your wedding cake (don’t forget the groom’s cake too!) can sometimes be a sweet annoyance if you aren’t prepared.

The first thing your wedding planning calendar should include for cake is an appointment with your chosen baker. Ah, you don’t have one? Ok, back up a step, and shop around! Ask your friends, family, co-workers, let your fingers do the walking and the clicking. Websites will often have galleries of their work that will give you a great feel for the type of cakes they do and what they may be better at. Some bakers are better at whimsical, some at elegance. Kosher bakeries can also be found!

You might be surprised to find a touch of celebrity in your neighborhood! Dallas/Ft. Worth wedding planners can check out Frosted Art Bakery & Studio (http://www.frostedart.com/index.htm) where you can find works by award winning Chef Browen Weber. Chef Weber has made a number of appearances on the Food Network and in magazines such as Brides Magazine and Here Comes the Cake. Pop over and see her beautiful prize winning cake, “Bombay Romance.”

Quick tips:

1. Order in advance - baker’s requirements vary anywhere from one month to six months to a year!
2. Type and size of cake - a cake containing mousse is bad idea for outdoor, summer weddings! Select for taste, time of day and other meals or food being served.
3. How many people are you planning for? No, this will never be an exact figure, but remember, you sent 200 invitations that means possibly 400 guests! Ask your baker what percentage of your guest list they recommend counting on. (A wedding with more local guests may have higher attendance.) Keep them updated on changes.
4. Appointments, appointments, appointments! Schedule time to meet & greet, taste, and coordinate! Don’t forget your baker may ask to coordinate with your florist on setting up! (Have your people call my people)

And finally, you can always toss tradition out the window and pick a cake you LIKE. Who said only the groom’s cake could be chocolate? And if you still can’t decide, pick a different flavor for each layer! I’ll have a slice of each, thanks!