Frosting Your Wedding Cake (Day #15)

When you finally decide to visit a cake designer to create the most photographed item at your reception, the wedding cake, there are some cake frosting/icing terms that you should know:

Whipped Cream.
Cake Designed by BomBon Cake Gallery

Buttercream - a smooth, creamy icing that stays so its easy to cut. Can be used as a filling or for decorations.
Fondant - a sweet, elastic icing that's rolled with a rolling pin and draped over a cake forming a smooth, firm base for decorations.
Whipped Cream - a heavy cream that is sometimes used as a filling. If used as an icing, it's not recommended for hot weather.
Royal Icing -  is a thick paste made from egg whites and sifted icing sugar. This is the icing that is used to create beading, latticework, flowers and other creations that need to stay firm.

Fondant.
Cake Designed by Karen Scobbie Cakes

Buttercream and crystallized sugar.
Cake Designed by Dessert Menu

Fondant and Royal Icing.
Cake Designed by Delish Cakes

 
Until tomorrow...WEDologize

(photo credits - www.rushphotovideo.com)

WGC Partyscape: Cocktail With Details

I had the most fabulous team of vendors to help me in creating my latest Partyscape for Wedding Guide Chicago which I titled "Cocktails With Details".  The inspiration comes from an increase in the number of cocktail receptions to celebrate a couples wedding nuptials. Rich colors, gorgeous flowers and delicious desserts makes this style of reception over-the-top fabulous! Take a look:

I'd like to personally thank my team of vendors for bringing this vision to life:

Location: Eaglewood Resort & Spa		Photography: Artistic PhotoGraphics		Floral Design: Jane's Blue Iris
Cake: Luscious Layers Bakery		Invitations & Favors: CT-Designs & Calligraphy		Tableware & China: Classic Party Rentals		Linens: Classic Party Rentals
Videography: Wedding Connections

Look for our newest Partyscape coming to Wedding Guide Chicago in December!!!
 
Until next time...WEDologize!

Ice Cream Is My Friend!

In honor of July being National Ice Cream Month and Sunday, July 21st being National Ice Cream Day...I salute you...one of my favorite year-round treats!!!

A sundae bar would make a GREAT interactive treat for your wedding reception guests.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credits - http://www.blog.weddingpaperdivas.com/; http://www.mcpeeksmith.com/. http://www.ecreamery.com/)

Happy Macaron Day 2013!

Just providing some visual stimulation this first day of spring, in spite of it being cold in Chicago, and to celebrate Macaron Day 2013!  Simply delish! Enjoy!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits:  www.insidevancouver.ca; www.thierrychocolates.com; www.theknot.com; www.tumblr.com; www.etsy.com)

Wedding Cake Choices

I love WEDDING CAKE!  I love wedding cake tastings with my clients! I love how all the wedding guests come to see the bride's attire at the ceremony and the fabulous wedding cake at the reception! Again, I love wedding cake!

As you begin the journey of selecting a cake designer to create your reception confection masterpiece, there are some things you want to think about in addition to cake flavors:

• Figure out the shape you want for your wedding cake - square, circle or more modern shapes like a hexagon, oval or heart shaped.  And have an idea on how many tiers you'd like.
• Know your frosting. Buttercream and fondant are the most popular frostings for wedding cakes with fondant being more expensive.  Buttercream does not hold up well in the heat, but if the most flavorful of the two.  Fondant holds it's shape firm and smooth as it's rolled out and draped over the wedding cake.
• Top the cake or not.  Decide on if you want an actual cake topper on the wedding cake or would you like the florist to add fresh flowers to the top tier or the cake designer to create sugar flower blooms?
• Decide how you want your wedding cake displayed - a cake table in the center of the dance floor or on a dessert buffet perched on a silver, gold of jeweled cake stand.  Will you add candles and rose petals around the cake?  Or use vases holding the bridesmaids bouquets to surround the cake?

 

So many decisions to be made...but this is the fun part of wedding planning, in my opinion.  Why?  Because you get to eat cake!  Yep, I love wedding cake!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - Project Wedding; The Twisted Sifter Cake Shoppe)

...I Found It, You Pin It...Friday!

Who said that during a wedding reception that you have to walk into the venue and see a wedding cake prominently displayed on the dance floor?  Imagine being presented with a tiny piece of heaven gorgeously displayed on a lavish gold stand with a thank you note attached!  Now that's ART!

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(Photo credit - Tim Chin Photography + Design)

Savvy Wedding Dessert Displays

If you have been following this blog, you know I'm a sweets, cake, cupcake and dessert junkie!  I've posted about the beauty of wedding cakes, exciting grooms cake, how to display wedding cakes and plenty more.  Well as I traveled the Internet this week, I found a few pretty cool ideas I'd like to share to spice up your dessert presentations.  Check them out:

Instead of having the cupcakes displayed on a tower, serve them to your guests
in wine glass with a personalized ribbon tied at the base.
STATEMENT PIECE!

Remove the plain white stick from your cake pops and add
WOW FACTOR by adding BLING sticks!

Really want to make those delish cupcakes and tasty treats
stand out in the crowd...or dessert table,
place them on these adorable pedestals!!! FABULOUS!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credit: black & white cupcake; bling sticks; pedestals)

A Spin on Wedding & Event Desserts

Today's blog is not about what types of desserts to serve during the wedding or event reception, but how to present them to your guests.  In many cases, you'll have some nicely monogrammed napkins or a small china dessert plate to collect your sweets, but consider some of the vessels below to add more design to your dessert service or display.

Ceramic ice cream bowls w/ ceramic spoons

Mini martini glasses w/ paper straws

Porcelain Spoons

Upside down votive candle holders

Wine glasses

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: wine glass; mini martini glasses; votive holders; ice cream bowls; trio of desserts)

Cake For The Groom

I, of course, love a groom's cake!  It's another way for me to place an awesome piece of confection somewhere within the reception environment.  But what is this "groom's cake" idea?  It's a tradition created in the South where the bride would gift her groom a small cake.  The cake would be dark in color... chocolate or liquor-soaked...since the wedding cake was typically white like the gown she was wearing.  Today, you'll see groom's cakes in all kinds of shapes and sizes reflecting the groom's hobbies, lifestyle or career.  Check out some of these pretty cool groom's cakes!

You could display the groom's cake along with the wedding cake during the reception, have it cut and served as dessert or have it displayed on a sweets table.  Also consider serving it at the rehearsal dinner.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit: tuxedo - http://mimisgarden.blogspot.com; 2 tier cake - www.theknot.com; Steelers - www.hudsoncakery.com; tool belt - www.delish.com; trailer - www.weddingbee.com)

Reception Alternatives To Fit The Budget

Saturday evenings are usually the first to go when couples are selecting their wedding date and plated dinners are the standard among meal service  But know that both of those options are the most expensive when budgeting out your reception.  Below are some reception "meal" alternatives when hosting that sit-down dinner just does not work with your wallet.

Brunch/Breakfast Alternative - Regardless if you serve buffet-style or plated, this meal will always be less expensive because of the time of day and the amount of food that needs to be prepared.

Lunch Alternative- Like breakfast, the time of day decreases the cost.  Plus the portions are smaller which will certainly drive the cost per plate down a notch.

Tea Service - Mostly seen at a bridal shower, this meal service option works best in the late afternoon and requires much less food.  Your guests will dine on small sandwiches, finger foods and savory teas.

Champagne + Dessert Only Alternative - A fun way to celebrate after your "I Do's" with tasty treats, wedding cake, cheeses, fruits and delicious champagne.  Hosting this style reception is wonderful for the afternoon and will allow your guests to have the evening free to have dinner where they chose.

Regardless of the meal service you select for your wedding guests, you do not have to eliminate any of the fun activities, photo opts or traditions from your reception.  Have fun with it and serve the meal that works best with your budget!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits:  brunch - www.laurenblairphoto.com; lunch - www.weddingclan.com; tea - www.intimateweddings.com; champagne - www.projectwedding.com)

Slicing The Cake!

I've posted about desserts and sweets, wedding cakes and their outer coverings, cake stands and cupcake liners, and how to cut that wonderful reception confection.  But I have never addresses pairing wonderful cake flavors with delightful fillings so that your wedding guests will not only talk about how beautiful the cake looked but also how it tasted.

Consider these wonderful combinations when planning out your wedding cake design.  Plus, look how beautiful they are when sliced.  I'm sure your guests will be WOW'd...and isn't that the point?

Lemon Orange Chiffon Cake

Carrot Cake with a Coconut Cream Cheese Filling

Chocolate Cake with a Raspberry and Chocolate Mousse Filling

Yellow Cake with a Lemon Curd Filling

Red Velvet with a Cream Cheese Filling

You could have each tier of your wedding cake a different flavor, but this works best when the cake is plated and displayed on a buffet.  This then allows the guest to choice the flavor they like best.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.southernliving.com; www.brides.com; http://www.flours-sf.com; www.nyccakedecorators.com)

More Than Just Candy

I've talked about the candy buffet in numerous posts during my blogging career :)  The first time being in July 2010.  But I realized that I was doing my readers a disservice by not giving you more on the anatomy of a candy buffet and suggestions as to how to expand the display with other tasty treats.

You first need to think about the PRESENTATION for your guests.  The best idea is to select a color scheme that blends with your overall color palette.  Dress the candy buffet table with nice linens that blends well with the guest tablescapes and use vases in different sizes and shapes...some with lids and some without.  But don't just limit yourself to vases, include platters and baskets to create height and drama.  And make sure to spice up the containers with tags, ribbons and embellishments identifying the names of the candies or desserts.

Now when selecting the CANDY offer your guests variety.  Having gummy, hard, soft, and chocolate candies ensure they will like at least one of the offerings on your candy buffet.  But be mindful, if your reception or event is outdoors, don't select candy that will melt.  That won't do anything for the look of your table :)  And if you really want to make your buffet shine, don't limit yourself to candy.  Add cookies, miniature cupcakes, macaroons, dessert shooters, marshmallows, cake pops, and/or fruit to your design.  Or should you really want a creative way to display your wedding cake, have it become the centerpiece of the candy table.

Last but not least, don't forget the UTENSILS such as scoops and tongs for your guests to collect their candy and the bags or boxes for your guests to hold all their treats.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.hostessblog.com; www.flickriver.com; www.weddingideas2.com; www.alieentran.com; www.pastrystudio.com; www.austinweddingblog.com; www.stylemepretty.com)