Happy Anniversary Stefanie + Jim

Stefanie & Jim

May 24

Stefanie + Jim had a quaint little ceremony and reception that was just lovely! We provided day-of coordination, floral design and décor rentals for their gorgeous wedding, and we enjoyed everything about the beautiful pink, black and white color palette she chose! Stefanie looked beautiful, Jim was completely charming, and the wedding was all around beautiful! Happy Anniversary to Stefanie + Jim!

  

Non-Traditional Cake Toppers

The wedding cake topper became popular in the 1950's. It was a traditionally dressed bride and groom that symbolized togetherness, and it's one of the items from the wedding that's put in the treasure chest and kept for years to come. These days, it can still be a treasure that's kept for years to come...but the design and creativity has blossomed into some amazing creations!

Flowers are always a favorite wedding cake topper for brides! While fresh flower cake toppers aren't something that's normally saved (though it is possible), it does make for a beautiful display at the reception! Sugar flowers are an alternative to fresh flowers, but sometimes they can end up more pricey depending on the complexity.

Themed and seasonal cake toppers are also a popular choice and are something that can be kept as a memento after the wedding. No matter what your theme is, you can find a creative and eye catching cake topper to top it off!

While the bride and groom cake topper is still a traditional choice, couples are personalizing the toppers more and more! Funny poses, bobble heads, sports teams and other personalized details are something we've seen our couples choose....

Photo by Terra Sol Studio

Photo by The Mamones

Planning Tips :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: Cake

For some, the cake is the most important part! The suggested budget for your cake is 5% of the overall budget, so a $20,000 wedding should have a $1,000 cake. Keep in mind that you can subtract from other areas of the budget you're not using if you'd like to add to the cake budget and make it higher.

Remember that if you're serving desserts other than cake at the wedding, you can order a smaller cake. or even cupcakes If the wedding cake will be your only option for dessert at the event, be sure to order enough servings in your cake for every wedding guest. If you're having other desserts available, the suggestion is that  you can cut your cake by 30%. (If your wedding has 100 guests and your caterer offers a dessert with the meal, then you can order a wedding cake for 70 guests.) With an additional dessert included, you should be covered so everyone has what they want!

Photo by Becky's Photography

:: TIPS ::

1. Meet with several bakers to find exactly what you want. Schedule tastings and sample what they offer, compare cost per person, and see what different ingredients and styles they offer. Each baker can make suggestions to you as to options to keep your cost down. Fake tiers, fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers, sheet cakes in the kitchen for additional servings versus a huge wedding cake...each baker will have many suggestions! 

2. If you're getting a groom's cake, see if the baker offers a package deal. Also, make sure to inquire as to any delivery fees or set up fees for your cake (or cakes).

3. Occasionally a venue or caterer offers wedding cakes included in or available in addition to their packages. Be sure to inquire when you book your venue and your caterer if wedding cakes are available, optional or included in your package.

Photo by Lambert Photographs

Previous Post :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: Wedding Planner

Happy Anniversary :: Heather + Rob

Heather + Rob

June 19

Heather + Rob had are a sweet and bubbly couple who threw a gorgeous tropical themed wedding to celebrate their union. Everything from the favors (mini palm trees) to the centerpieces (tropical flowers and leaves) to the wedding cakes (Hawaiian shirt) carried on the tropical vibe! It was completely classy and bright! One of my favorite parts was a surprise serenade by a wedding guest during the Dollar Dance....and he did an amazing impression of Sinatra! It was a fabulous wedding all around! Happy Anniversary to Heather + Rob, and best wishes to your family!

Dollar Dance Video

16 Seasonal Unique Wedding Cake Flavors

I'm all for spicing thing up and putting a little personal twist on tradition. That being said, a wonderful way to do that is by choosing a unique wedding cake flavor, and you can make it seasonal or themed with your wedding! Here are some ideas for unique wedding cake flavors to wow your guests at your wedding...

Spring Flavors

Lemon

Mint Julep

Pink Champagne

Hummingbird (banana pineapple spice)

Summer Flavors

Key Lime

Pineapple Mango

Coconut Cream
Tropical Guava

Fall Flavors

Pumpkin

Caramel Apple
Peanut Butter

Orange Grand Marnier

Winter Flavors

Ginger Spice

Caramel Vanilla

Coffee & Cream
Peppermint

11 Alternatives to the Traditional Wedding Cake

In my daily browsing online, I found this on Brides.com and I couldn't agree more!

"We've said it before, and we'll say it again: a traditional wedding cake will never go out of style. But why settle for a classic white confection when your wedding day should be an event that is uniquely yours? After all, you've customized every aspect of your day, starting with a meaningful ceremony and ending with a handpicked playlist of your favorite tunes. And yet when it comes to the wedding cake, couples often forgo personality in favor of tradition."

While I absolutely love the tradition behind the wedding cake, I believe that this is your day and you should spice up the tradition with your own personal twist!

Ice Cream Cake
I've done a few weddings before where the bride & groom chose ice cream cake versus a regular wedding cake. There is more involved with this style of wedding dessert, such as making sure its kept frozen until being displayed and served...but when you see your guests light up for ice cream cake it will be worth the extra planning!

Pies
Pies are a great dessert offering if you don't want to go the wedding cake route. Pies also have another bonus...you can serve many more flavors than you can with a traditional wedding cake!

Oreos

I don't even have words! They make so many different varieties of oreos you could pull this one off so many different ways! And look how gorgeous they stack up! :)

Croquembouche
Croquembouche is a French twist on the traditional cake. Beautiful, delicious and different!

Donuts
Who wouldn't love donuts as a dessert? You can display them in a variety of ways and provide many different flavor options for your guests!

Cupcakes
Cupcakes are probably the most seen alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Multiple flavors are available this way, and as you can see you can still incorporate a small cake for the bride & groom to cut.

Cake Pops
These are always so pretty! Different colors, different flavors, beautifully displayed and available for your guests to help themselves!

Rice Krispy Treats
Now this one I LOVE! I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't like Rice Krispy treats! They can still be fashioned into the style of a traditional wedding cake and easily cut for your guests!

Whoopee Pies
Delicious desserts arranged for your guests to help themselves!

Gourmet Cheeses

Diabetic? Allergic? Not a fan of sweets in general? Go opposite with savory. This cheese tower looks traditional and serves the purpose, but gives the guests something different to munch on!

Pancakes

Breakfast or brunch wedding? Have pancakes instead of cake...or along with the cake! It's perfect!