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9.25.2012

{wedding wednesday: the cake}

So, I know I was going in some order for these wedding posts, an order that actually made sense in wedding planning, but I was feeling somewhat creatively stifled. So, I'm posting about cakes today. And answering a reader question. 



Now, I'm not the biggest fan of eating cake, but I just can't get over this obsession I have with wedding cakes. Just because they are so beautiful! Don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of terrible wedding cake, and I much prefer pie or cupcakes at a wedding. There's just something about a traditional wedding cake that I love!


1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

Here's a tip about wedding cakes that all the bakers out there probably don't want me to tell you: you don't need a piece for each guest. I know, gasp! But it's really a great way to save money. Don't have slices served to each setting {unless you're having a really formal wedding, and people expect to be served}. Instead, place pieces out on a table to take as they please. This way, you can get away with getting fewer pieces than the number of guests. Am I so terrible for saying that? No, don't answer that...

And now, a question that is completely non-wedding cake related, asked by Ashley from Ashley Nicole Catherine:
What has been your worst experience with wedding planning? 
I don't know if I've told this story here before, but I'm telling it again. I honestly feel very fortunate that my worst wedding experience was my very. first. wedding. 
It was summer in Santa Barbara, which can be pretty finicky. The day before the wedding, which was in the bride's parents' backyard, it was cloudy. And of course, it started raining on the wedding day. They didn't want to spend the money on a tent, so everyone got wet. The ceremony itself took place on the beach, but I couldn't be there to help with anything, since the groom had forgotten to pick up appetizers and I had to run to the grocery store to pick up as many veggie trays as I could.
Robert bartended with me {it was his first experience bartending too}, and they bought a lot of vodka and wine, but nothing else. Not even water. Oh, and then there was the champagne favors. By the end of the night, the guests were shaking champagne bottles and popping them at each other, including the bride {who was actively participating}. Needless to say, they sent me home around eight o'clock, for which I was entirely grateful. I really didn't want to witness the moment the bride got too drunk and fell in the pool. 
So there it is. My worst wedding story. But again, I'm thankful that I experienced something like this. I did the wedding for free, so I didn't really feel all that bad about not fixing everything. And everyone was actually having a good time, which was the important part.

Do any of you have terrible wedding stories? I'd love to hear!


There are no real rules for Wedding Wednesday, I just ask that your post be wedding related {it doesn’t need to be the same topic that I’m posting about}. I also ask that you try to visit a few other blogs to say hi. Oh, and if you’d use my button, that would be fantastic!

21 comments:

Unknown said...

those cakes are so beautiful! and oh my, i can only imagine how that day must've been like for you! but i'm happy to hear everyone had a good time! :D


<3, Mimi

Unknown said...

Good lord, ALL of those cakes are so beautiful! LOVE! And ohhh I hope I can avoid having a terrible wedding story for as long as possible while I'm a photographer at these weddings! I'm sure I'll run into a disaster sooner or later... fingers crossed for later...

Unknown said...

I also love how wedding cakes look, but will probably go for simple cupcakes for the reception at my own wedding. Thanks for sharing the tip - I've never really thought about it until now, but I feel like most guests don't really indulge in dessert at the reception as they are too busy dancing or chatting away. In fact, I don't know if I've ever eaten dessert at a wedding I've attended.


xxx
Jenna

Unknown said...

we had ice cream at my wedding! I hate how cake tastes, so this only felt natural, but I totally understand the appeal of a cake like that. they're so prettyyyy!

and I linked up and would love to use your button, but I can't find it anywhere. am I blind?

Unknown said...

Yum! One of the many favorite parts of our job is helping the bride pick out a cake...and sampling them! xoxo

Unknown said...

This is one of the things I can quite make a decision on! Too many flavors & designs to choose from! :)

Unknown said...

truly stunning cakes! The painted one is amazing!

Unknown said...

yay you picked my question! but wow, those poor guests!! well, hopefully it was a really young crowd and they only cared about partying, but still. and i'm totally with you on the cake. we were going to do cupcakes because they're cute and less expensive, but our venue included the cake in the price. we worked with a local bakery and it was actually really delicious. almond with chocolate buttercream. so good.

Unknown said...

Haha um, no. You're definitely not blind, I'm just losing my mind apparently! Here is the code for the button:



And I love having ice cream at a wedding! I would definitely appreciate that ;)


xoxo,
Joelle

Unknown said...

I know, it was terrible! I think most of them were okay with it, and the older guests definitely left early. They had a good time, that's for sure (which is really what matters most).


And cupcakes are always a good option, but you have to find a good place to get them! I've had quite a few bad cupcakes in my experience to :/ Glad you got a good cake through your venue though. That always helps!


xoxo,
Joelle

Unknown said...

Isn't it?! I kind of fell in love with it as soon as I saw it :)

Unknown said...

It is a hard decision! I did a tasting recently, and there were twelve cake flavors AND a whole bunch of fillings and frostings. Way too overwhelming!

Unknown said...

Oh, that's my favorite part too ;)

Unknown said...

It's true! I rarely eat cake, or Robert and I will share a piece. I always see so much cake go to waste!


By the way, where is your wedding going to be? I have a few recommendations for great bakers if you're doing it here!

Unknown said...

Haha I'm pretty sure it does happen to everyone, but I feel like that wedding was mine for at least a few years. It was absolutely terrible! I'm crossing my fingers for you too...hopefully it won't be too bad!

Unknown said...

Haha thanks! It was not a fun day for me, that's for sure. But they had a good time, which is all that matters :)

Unknown said...

I know that cupcakes, pie, and dessert bars are super trendy and popular right now, but I am a cake person through and through, it's always been my favorite part at weddings! The issue I'm running into is these days, everybody's brother/cousin/neighbor fancies themselves a cake baker--so we've been bombarded with people saying "oh such and such makes cakes and they're great!" well any time we've tried to follow up with those people, we get nothing...and now we're almost two months away and we don't have a cake!!!

Unknown said...

I've been hearing that a lot lately too, and to be honest, a friend doing your cake isn't the best idea. There are a lot of elements that go into making a cake, and I'm speaking from personal experience when I saw that cakes are hard to make. Really hard.

I'd definitely look into other bakers in the area, since they'll start filling up soon! Check out Wedding Wire if you want to find someone that specializes in wedding cakes :)

Unknown said...

I love the first cake. It's so delicate and feminine.
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I love looking at wedding cakes! My favorite is #1. It's so elegant. And I love the simplicity to it too. The only thing I find with wedding cakes is that they are usually always dry. It's such a bummer because they are so pretty.

Unknown said...

omg LOOK at #5! I actually really missed not writing a WW post this week - but I've got the whole next month of wedding posts planned, so I look forward to linking up next week :)