Pretty Pretty Cakes

Wedding cakes are such an art form and just when you think you've seen everything, you spy some cakes that just take your breath away!  These beauties are from Bobbette & Belle Bakery located in Toronto, ON.  Even if you're not going to be up ol' Canada way they provide great inspiration!

Garden Wedding Mood Board

It's about 8 degrees outside this morning in Minneapolis with a -7 degree wind chill.  Needless to say, I'm glad to work from home today and not have to go out into it!   Still I'm starting to get really bogged down by all the snow and cold so I thought today I'd give myself a tiny break and do a inspiration board for a summer garden wedding!  Until I can get myself over to the Como Conservatory to be surrounded by lush green tropical plants, this will have to do!

Cake Pops!

Have you heard of cake pops?  Move over cupcakes, I predict cake pops taking center stage as the trendy new wedding reception dessert!   Cake pops are so cute and just the right amount of cake & frosting.  Who even likes that dry boring sheet cake anyways?   At the end of a wonderful wedding meal you just need a little something sweet to finish and cake pops, well, take the cake!  Just look at these great photos of cake pops and try to tell me you don't want one! 

Pretty Pretty cupcakes

HAD to share these from photographer Paul Barbera.  Too beautiful to eat I think!

Black and White Stripe Wedding

Check out this very cool wedding over at {BlackWhiteYellow}.  There is something very timeless about and black and white striped ribbon.  Maybe the most famous example is from the movie My Fair Lady.  To see the full post click here.

Autumn Tablescapes

This time of year makes me want so much to get out in nature, partly because it's so beautiful out but also because I know that soon Minnesota will turn into a horrible frozen wasteland.   I'm going to be throwing a small-ish shindig out at my family's cabin in the woods soon and even though it's going to be a super casual day it still gets me thinking about menu planning, and how everything is going to look when spread out over the big wooden table by the fire pit.  So with that in mind, here are some of dreamy autumn tablescapes!

Casual Chic Wedding

Just have to point you to a wonderful wedding over at Snippet & Ink!  Reading the couples perspective about their wedding reminded me so much of our own feelings 4 years ago. Basically of how they tossed around the idea of eloping but ultimately realized that weddings are in many ways more about your families coming together and connecting than about you two.  This couple kept it casual & relaxed yet very chic to reflect their personal style.  Here's a sampling of pics from their wedding.  You can see more here.

Balloons!

Normally when I think of balloons at an event I think of cheesy prom decorations, retirement parties,.... not something you'd like to include in your wedding in other words.  But these beauties beg to differ.  Instead of the common shiny egg-shaped balloons you can buy at the supermarket, go for a big, perfectly round, matte balloon in a color to coordinate with your wedding.  Even just a single round balloon can be the perfect photo prop!   Scout around locally first but you can also order some here.

Ice Cream at a Wedding?

Okay so it's ice cream week over at The Kitchen and while I've resisted the temptation to go out and spent all the groceries money on frozen confections, all the pretty pics of gourmet ice cream has made me wonder why more people don't serve ice cream at a wedding.  Sure cake is traditional but most large weddings serve the guest sheet cake, and does anyone above the age of 10 actually like it that much?  Why not serve a few flavors of ice cream in a pretty dish or set up an ice cream buffet with sprinkles and the like.  Perhaps it's too messy and melty for a wedding but I know I'd welcome the alternative to the standard butter cream frosting.  What could be more refreshing at a hot late-summer wedding than ice cream after all?   Don't believe me?  Maybe the photos below will convince you!

 Rose Geranium Ice Cream with Pistachios - Find the recipe here.

Red Plum Sorbet with Lemon Verbena - Find recipe here.

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream - Find recipe here.

 Coconut Ice Cream with Roasted Cherries - Find recipe here.

Dessert Bar

I love the idea of doing a dessert bar at a smaller wedding or bridal shower.  This one over at Sunday Supper is almost too pretty to eat!  I love the lavender Cream
Croquembouche.  Tres Chic!   

Pets at the Wedding?

For many of us our pets are some of the most important individuals we know.  I know I love our to kitties Tabby and Groucho like they're my children!   So while your parents are inviting distant relatives you've never even met, it might feel strange for you to leave your pets, who've been by your side through thick & thin, out of your big day.  Our cats were not involved in our wedding because, lets face it, most cats get skittish & freak out when in a crowd. But dogs can be much more social!  If you can't imagine the wedding with out your baby sitting by your side remember there are a few things to consider first. 

First, your pet will need to sit still at the alter with you for 20-30 minutes!  Start training early and be realist about her behavior.  Second, you might want to assign a young relative to attend to your pet.  You're going to be very busy during the reception and there's nothing hot about having to scoop the poop in your wedding gown.  Which leads me to another point; if your pet doesn't show the utmost doggie decorum when it comes to body functions or *Ahem* leaving guests leg alone you should probably forget about including Fido altogether!   It just spells disaster and embarrassment.    Lastly, just as your chose stylish dresses for your bridesmaids, do your pooch a favor & don't dress him in tacky wedding costumes.  A new leather collar, a bow tie or a ribbon can look very chic!   Keep it simple & you'll have one classy Lassie! 

{via thetheory.com}

{via BridesGuide.com}

but please....

Cupcakes!

Many brides and grooms are bypassing the traditional tiered wedding cake for something more fun, cupcakes!  Cupcakes are a great dessert option if you are doing a more informal reception or if you just want to add a dose of cuteness!   A popular trend, cupcake stands are becoming more readily available in a variety of styles or you could collect and stack vintage cake stands.  But unless you're planning to go the DIY route, be careful because many elaborately decorated cupcakes can be much more labor intensive than one traditional cake & your baker will probably charge you accordingly!  To keep the cost low & style high, try toping each cupcake with a small bloom from the garden! 

Fresh from the Garden

It's summer time and one way to bring summer into your wedding is by using flowers. I know you're thinking, "Gee Laura, flowers at a wedding? Boy, how original! Duh..." But I'm not talking about bouquets or center pieces. I'm talking about edible flowers! There are actually many different edible flowers and beautifully shaped herbs. In the days before elaborate fondants, shaved chocolate, and spun sugar sculptures it was common to decorate cakes and garnish food with flowers fresh from the garden. My 92 year old grandmother still presses Black-eyed Susan's into my mothers birthday cake each summer. You can even freeze tiny blooms into the ice cubes for cocktails! Not every flower is safe (or desirable) to eat but Better Homes and Gardens website has a great list of edible flowers. (And of course never use flowers that were treated with pesticides.) Using edible flowers can give even simple foods a home-spun feel that's also very elegant! Below are a few examples.

Lavender Ice Cream

Flowers garnish champagne cocktails and daiquiris.

Rose petals on white chocolate fudge, marigold vanilla cupcakes, violet topped meringues, & sugared rose petals on almond cupcakes.

Mint is a delicious & beautiful addition to lemon bars or vanilla ice cream.