YumSugar

Find the Perfect Wedding Cake - Part 2

YumSugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:58:31 -0700

Once you have your cake design planned and your flavors picked out, it's now time to figure out different costs. Cakes are usually priced by the slice. Will the cake be large enough to feed your guests, or will you need to purchase another sheet cake to serve? Would it be cheaper for you to have a smaller cake and a larger sheet cake? Some even offer a fake cake (with real top tier) and a sheet cake in order to cut the costs. Also, what about the flavor/filling combos - you might love the fresh mixed berries, but if you're on a budget, replacing them with something else might be a good idea.

If you're going for floral decorations, make sure the baker is supplying them all, and if so, do you have a better connection that can get them at a better price? (Now's when I should also add, make sure the flowers you use are edible).

Don't overlook things like cake stands, cutters, toppers, either. Find out if they come with the cake (a cake always looks so much prettier on a cake stand), or if they require a deposit.

To read the last few tips, read more

Be sure to find out how busy the bakery is and how much time/attention they give to each cake. If they have a small staff and have several cakes needed for your wedding day, ask how they plan on pulling it off. Also, find out how far in advance the cake is prepared. The cake portion can be made up to a week in advance, but the icing shouldn't be more than a day or two.

One really important, and sometimes overlooked, fee is the delivery charge. Is there one? Does the place even deliver or will you have to pick it up (which to me, sounds like a recipe for disaster). Does a decorator accompany the cake delivery, or do they use a service. The ideal situation is one where a cake decorator accompanies the cake, this way if something slips during transportation, they'll be able to make any necessary repairs. Is it delivered whole or placed together on spot? Will the company travel to your location, or is it out of their delivery range? If they will, is it going to cost extra? Be sure to figure this stuff out, so that there are no "hidden" costs later.

Finally, have fun, be unique and be yourself - but don't skimp out, make sure it lives up to your expectations. As cake designer Edith Meyer (who created the two very different cakes shown here, and the one from yesterday) states, "Remember, it's the last thing your guests are going to remember from the reception, and it should be as special as the rest of your day."

Be sure to check out part one of how to find the perfect wedding cake!

Do you have any great tips on what to ask when choosing a cake designer? Or how about any great cake-tasting tales? Let us know below!

Find the Perfect Wedding Cake - Part 1

YumSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:06:54 -0700

We've talked about a few different wedding cake trends, and maybe you already have the perfect cake in mind, but how do you go about finding it? What kind of questions should ask your baker? What do you do at a cake tasting? To help you out, I've talked to brides who've been there/done that as well as several of my favorite bakers who were able to tell me what to ask/look for.

First of all, when you begin your cake hunt, give yourself plenty of time (they say 4-6 months minimum) and visit as many vendors as you can. Some high-demand bakers charge for individual cake tastings, while others do them for free. Other bakers also do a large tasting for many potential clients at once, so check with your desired bakery to find out before hand. Ideally a free one-on-one consultation is the best, however if you know what you want, then book the appointments. To learn about the different types of tasting appointments, read more

There are two types of appointments, one is a pure tasting, where you can taste the cake and frosting combinations that the bakery offers. Right now, some of the hot flavors include bittersweet chocolate, meyer lemon, pistachio and vanilla bean or coconut in lieu of a traditional "white cake." It's a personal taste thing, so know what you like and don't get talked into something that you don't enjoy. However, be sure to try the flavors you're not used to, these folks have been tweaking their recipes to perfection, so even though it sounds different, it might be fantastic. Also, use this time to find out what kind of ingredients they use. If you had your heart set on organic (which is also a growing trend right now), see if they can make it happen. Finally, be sure to ask about whether or not you can get different flavors for the different tiers. Most couples can't agree on just one flavor, so it's a nice way to spread it out - besides just because you loved the lime/chocolate combination, doesn't mean Aunt Marge will.

The other kind of tasting is a sit-down consultation. It's always good to have a few ideas as a starting point (a simple google image search for wedding cakes is a great place to start), but be prepared to be blown away - most cake designers want to create something unique just for you. Which reminds me, you should also ask to see a portfolio and get references as well. Once you have those, be sure to call the references, the last thing you want is someone who makes a fantastic cake, but is impossible to deal with.

Be sure to check back tomorrow morning for more tips on how to find the perfect wedding cake (costs, baking times, delivery etc.)!

Cake by Edith Meyer.

Gail Simmons's Advice For the Ultimate Wedding

partysugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 03:30:59 -0700

When judging Top Chef, Gail Simmons isn't afraid to express her opinion. So it's only natural that Simmons, who also works as special projects director at Food & Wine magazine, has strong opinions about weddings. She watched all of her friends walk down the aisle before she finally got married last August, and has plenty to say about planning the perfect big day. Recently I spoke with Gail about all things wedding. Here, you'll find details from Gail's Summer soirée (she didn't have a cake!) and learn her tips for a fabulous wedding reception. Source

View Slideshow ›

Yummy Links: From Pac-Man Cupcakes to Dog Meat

partysugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:00:04 -0700

Wow your geek friends with a Pac-man cupcake cake. - Slashfood
Suggestions for making the perfect wedding toast. - Chow
Speaking of weddings, here are five tips for picking the best caterer. - GlamDish
What exactly is fondant. - Baking Bites
Do you have what it takes to win a Major League Eating competition? Find out when you play Nintendo Wii's new Major League Eating: the Game. - Serious Eats
Use a bundt pan to easily remove corn kernels from the cob. - Simply Recipes
Celebrate the season's first tomatoeswith rosemary, garlic, and a grill. - The Kitchn
Chinese officials have confirmed that dog meat will NOT be served at any restaurants connected to the Beijing Olympic games. - The Epi-Log

Source

Come Party With Me: Engagement Party - The Look

partysugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 05:59:13 -0700

One reason to choose a long engagement after your man pops the big question is so you can have an engagement party. This week I'm planning one for julieulie and her fiancé Scott who recently got engaged, but aren't getting married until Memorial Day 2008. I thought it would be fabulously fun and original to throw a dessert party instead of a typical dinner or cocktail party. Desserts as meals are an up and coming trend, and more and more restaurants that are devoted to only desserts are showing up all over the place.

Julie & Scott's close friends and family have received their invitations to the fiesta that will start on a Saturday night at 8:30. The menu will consist of a dazzling array of divine desserts including brownie cupcakes, strawberry shortcakes, and a cheese and fruit plate. The champagne will flow like water as the invitees toast Julie and Scott's eternal love. I've painted a pretty picture of this party, but what about the decor? To see my romantic, chic, and elegant ideas, read more

A bride that knows what she wants, Julie has already selected the colors of her wedding (light blue, white, and black), so I will use these to guide me in my decorating scheme. No worries if you have yet to decide the colors of your wedding, a simple color scheme of white, black and a bold or metallic accent color will work wonderfully. Likewise, there should be no pressure to stay with these colors if you suddenly change your mind and opt for different colors.

First find the location of the party. Will it be held in the intimate living room at the bride's parents' house or the large, modern kitchen at the groom's aunt's ranch? Walk around the space and envision a party there. Where can guests sit and chat? Where should the buffet be set up? Are there tables/counters for the champagne buckets and flutes? These are the types of questions you should be thinking when you envision your fete.
To adorn the dessert buffet, begin with a long flat table that will be your canvas to create a beautiful presentation of candies, cakes, fruits, and cheeses. Place upside down cardboard boxes and large pots on the table. With an over-sized satin tablecloth, or piece of light blue fabric, cover both the table and boxes/pots pressing the fabric down the sides of the boxes/pots. The look you will achieve is one with various heights and dimensions. Now the platters of brownies can be placed on a square box and the strawberry shortcakes in martini glasses can rest at a different height on a circular pedestal.

Fill small clear bowls with the couples favorite grocery store candies: white m&m's, silver chocolate kisses, blue jelly beans.
Large clear vases in diverse shapes, a few oval, a few square, maybe one triangular, will create a stunning background when filled with water and one simple long stemmed flower such as a white orchid or gardenias. Place the flowers on each end of the buffet tables and on windowsills, banquets, or small coffee tables.

Don't forget small white plates, white napkins, and silver spoons for the dessert table.
Black accents in the form of satin ribbons, velvet pillows, and mesh runners will add a touch of mysterious sophistication.
A glowing and warm atmosphere is necessary and to achieve, so light as many candles, votives, tapers, pillars, and the like as possible. Keep the look uniform with all white candles and black votives and candelabra.

White or light blue tiny Christmas lights can be wrapped around the windows, the rim of the room, or any pillars and columns that enhance the architecture.

Got a decoration idea perfect for Julie's party? Please share it with us below. Tomorrow I'll talk about the appropriate music for an engagement party. Equally important to the look of the engagement party is the correct behavior. If you are attending, hosting, or planning an engagement in the near future, I highly recommend reading DearSugar's tips for proper engagement party etiquette.