Baby Cakes

Posted Monday, December 10, 2007 7:01 PM

I love love love small cakes. While they're perfect for a small, intimate affair, they're also perfectly appropriate for a larger wedding. With a large group, have a cupcake display or a dessert buffet and then use the small cake for your ceremonious cake cutting.

Another idea: order petite cakes for each table to work as table markers. Later in the evening, have your caterer cut the cakes and serve slices to each table. Then, encourage guests to mix and mingle by taste-testing the other tables' cakes.

The cakes show here: Jennifer and Pierre's wedding in Kennebunkport, Maine (cake by Confection Art, York); Katie and Robert's wedding in Jacksonville, Florida (cake made by the bride's mother); and Sanny and Oli's wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (cake by Denni’s Catering, Cabo San Lucas).

Garden Party Elegance

Posted Friday, November 16, 2007 11:38 AM

There's just something so pretty about this cake (made by Wuollet Bakery) from Sarah and Joel's St. Paul wedding.

The perfect way to complement a garden ceremony and reception, the green fondant captures the setting while still looking eatable, and the buttery roses on top -- made out of white chocolate -- bring in a sweet organic element.

Click here to see all the photos from Sarah and Joel's at-home wedding.

Calling All Philologists...

Posted Tuesday, November 13, 2007 2:24 PM

 
Crossword gurus, grammar fanatics, and lovers of words alike, check out this red fondant Scrabble wedding cake by Pink Cake Box Specialty Wedding Cakes in New Jersey.

Order one just like it in your wedding colors, or get the toned-down version, and order a simple wedding cake with an all-sugar cake topper Scrabble piece, boasting your new last name monogram.

Not sure you want to dedicate your cake to the game of Scrabble? Serve cupcakes, each topped with miniature sugar Scrabble pieces, at your rehearsal dinner or engagement party.

I Heart Cake!

Posted Tuesday, October 23, 2007 6:15 PM

I'm going to go out on a limb and make a slightly risque comment: The wedding cake is The most important part of a wedding reception. There I said it.
I know, I know, it sounds crazy. But hear me out. It's the wedding cake that sets a wedding reception apart from any other party. Yes, I still believe in centerpieces, menus, music, food, lighting, and linens -- all very important and often necessary parts to a wedding reception -- but there's really nothing quite like a wedding cake that says, "This is a wedding celebration!"

Maybe it's that the wedding cake -- whether it's a tall skinny square with a sleek graphic sugar flower or a more traditional round with gorgeous sugar flowers cascading down the tiers -- often works as a perfect reflection of a couple's personal style and sensibility.

Or perhaps it's the fact that while many couples opt out of traditions like garter and bouquet toss, there are very few that nix the ceremonious cutting and feeding of wedding cake -- a tradition that symbolizes the forming of a new life and family.

I first began fawning over buttercream and fondant in college when I took a job working weddings as an events coordinator in college. When I wasn't guiding the bride and groom through the cake cutting, first dance, and toasts, I was in the kitchen putting my journalistic skills to work with the pastry chef, questioning her every move. Luckily the pastry chef didn't mind fielding my questions, and she eventually put me to work during the busiest nights cutting and plating up slices of wedding cake. The experience didn't convince me to change my major from journalism to pastry arts, but it certainly taught me to appreciate a gorgeous and delicious wedding cake.

Now as an assistant editor at The Knot, I've made a niche for myself with wedding cakes. When there's cake research to be done, I'm on it. When a new cake baker arrives on the scene, I hear about it. When we feature a gorgeous Real Wedding in our magazine and on TheKnot.com, I have my eyes on the cake. Now I'm here to offer up a bit of this fun (and valuable) information to you with a brand-new cakes blog.

Each week, I'll fuel my confection obsession by showcasing photos and ideas from cake bakers and real weddings across the country. I invite everyone -- newly engaged and married couples, cake bakers, and cake lovers alike -- to take part. Tell me your ideas, send in your favorite pics, and celebrate the art of great wedding cake!