Royal Wedding Shoot Highlight: Sugar Realm

I thought I would highlight different sections of the Royal Wedding shoot we did yesterday. Where better to start than with the cake?

After all, wasn't it a royal that infamously said

Let Them Eat Cake!

When I received the phone call that the news was interested in doing a story about the royal wedding I started brainstorming about what would be compelling for the viewers. I knew I wanted to represent every aspect of a wedding, and to me, the wedding cake is one of the most important elements of the evening. 

Think about it, what are some of the pictures that you always take as a guest?

• ceremony
• grand entrance
• cake set up
• centerpieces
• cake cutting
• cake smashing {or the hopes of...}

Yes, the cake is important. So who did I immediately call when I realized I needed a cake? Ileana with Sugar Realm - Fine Bakery + Confectioners Design. But wait, I've never actually worked with her before....

So for one of the biggest opportunities TC has had to date, I turned to 

a.complete.stranger. 

Meet Ileana! Gorgeous, huh?

If that doesn't speak to the trust and admiration I have for her work, I don't know what does. The only direction I gave her was that we were looking for an opulent cake that would work with a gold, ivory and sapphire color pallet. How perfect was this:

The design concept was a fashion inspired cake with sugar flowers and accents. Pulling from the world of Couture, Ileana added a glamerous element by incorporating rhinestones and detailed cameos. The rhinestones were added to reflect the light and sparkle under the amazing chandelier. 

The application of color with airbrushing techniques and edible luster powders added an unexpected dimensional element to the cake. While introducing the separators inbetween the tiers is a contemporary interpretation of traditional cake arrangement and creates sculptural volume while playing with the overall composition.

You can achieve a look similar to this by controlling the touches of high end components, such as, sugar gems,rhinestones, specialty ribbons and detailed custom sugar decorations,such as the sugar cameos and textured buttons. This cake as is serves 80. It would be around $1,000 including the rhinestones, delivery, set up and pedestal rental

Ileana challenges you to consider the dual role of the cake as sculptural centerpiece as much as a dessert.
Prime location of cake within the table layout that can be enjoyed thruought the party!

Ileana, thank you for bringing this together and all the work you put in to make the shoot successful. I am truly looking forward to working with you on a 'real' wedding. I'm confident TC clients will be as in awe of your work as I am. 

:::All photographs by Kortnee Kate Photography, flowers by Courtenay Lambert Florals,

shot on location at an available private home in Cincinnati:::

Cupcake bar? Yes Please!!!

Cupcakes are the new cake. Did you know that? Seriously, there's been this huge surge in cupcakes over the past year {or two}. I mean you've got a TV show dedicated to Cupcake Wars for gosh sakes. I'd say they are pretty darn popular.

One night when I was brainstorming on some new ideas for weddings I found myself thinking "why not have a cupcake bar?!" {ok maybe I was watching cupcake wars at the time. And maybe Mindy Weiss was on it....} 

So, I pop on my little computer and start researching...and would you believe it? One of my favorite blogs, Green Wedding Shoes, did an amazing concept shoot last year featuring - you guessed it - DIY cupcake topping bar. For real - in love.

They did a rustic theme but you could easily transform the ideas to fit any feeling your trying to accomplish. My favorite part? The gourmet fillings...

The trick to keeping the fillings in place it to apply the icing in a circle like this:

Seeing as how most guests wouldn't know that, I think the perfect addition to this bar is a how to video of you and your man instructing the guests on how to assemble them. How cute would that be? You could have so much fun and I pretty much promise your guests would love it! It's another glimpse into who you and your hubs are and how much you love each other. And THAT is what makes a good and memorable wedding.

 

mmmmmm....I'll have the first one please ;)

Have you seen this done at any weddings? Is it something you would be interested in? Talk to me!

Cake? Pops? Wedding Cake Pops!

Almost 4 years ago I stumbled on the then unknown blog of Bakerella. There I saw the adorable cake pops shown below. To the delight of my husband and friends I starting making my own. I made them for any occasion or non-occasion I could think of. They were kind of 'my thing'. {confession - mine never look this good. Duh}

At the time we had the most fabulous clients, Cindy and Brent. At a meeting one day I brought Cindy a cake ball {not 'pop' because there was no stick!} and said wouldn't these be fabulous at your wedding?? Cindy jumped on board and we found a baker that would make them for us. So at Cindy's 9.6.08 wedding we had cake pops wrapped up and placed at every guests' seat. 

Now, pop on over to google and search 'cake pop wedding' - wowza! Who would have thought they would become this popular? 

So how do you take it one step farther? Hellooooooo a cake ball CAKE! What? YES! You read that correctly. And now let's see an example...

 OMG! For realsies? Love it. All cakes shown are by Austin Cake Ball - and they're not the only cake ball bakeries. There's a ton all over the country. Man when I remember how that baker looked at me three years ago, she thought I was nuts! Now I hear they sell them in the shop! I think I should get a cut of every ball sold. Who wants to back me up on that??

So thanks, Bakerella, for pushing us to think outside the cake box. and seriously, make them. They're ah-maz-inggggg {simple but time consuming! My favorite combo is strawberry cake, cherry icing and milk chocolate. Bonus if you put chopped up oreos in the batter!}

 

And since this is a wedding blog check out the sweetest post ever.

oh a piece of candy..oh a piece of candy...

So the candy industry has finally caught on to the 'candy bar' phenomenon and there are now a million options online! Most places have several search options including by type - or let's face it, the most important thing - by color! As I'm purchasing items for my niece's upcoming birthday I thought I would share my vendor of choice. Oh Nuts has a ton of choices, great reviews {I always check out what other people are saying before I commit to something!} and fabulous pricing. If you are looking to do a candy bar for your wedding or even just a party at your home I highly recommend them. 

 Anyone know what show the name of this post is quoted from?? Happy Weekend :)

{image from Amy Atlas}

Let Them Eat Cake

Confession: I don't really like wedding shows. I know I know - I should but well, I don't. I do however have a fondness for cake and I'm intrigued on how they come to be. Maybe because I know I have no chance of being able to make them! Plus cake is just yummy. 

So when I watched a re-run of food network challenge - fashion cake I was totally amazed by one competitor, Alexandria Pellegrino of Opera Cake Co. 

Meet Alexandria - isn't she adorable?

You can read more about her and her company here at the Bridal Cafe. Now onto the ammmmazing eye candy. I totally want one of these cakes for my next birthday. Guess I need to start saving now....

Doughnuts can be beautiful, too!

Ok, I looove getting to prove people wrong! {Or rather - shedding light on something new. That's nicer, huh?} Backstory - I was at a final meeting and our bride said she'd like to bring something out towards the end of the evening for her guest to munch on. I mentioned doughnuts and the venue contact looked appalled! I'm like - your not going to bust out a box from krispy cream BUT who doesn't love doughnuts? Especially after an evening of drinking! 

So here's my proof that doughnuts can step out from their dark corner and bask in the light of new acceptance. Notice - in all the pictures below you'll see that the sweets are displayed beautifully. It's all about the presentation. 

These are from Dee’s Mini Doughnuts! 

How fabulous would this be passed at a fall wedding?! I don't even drink coffee and I would partake!!

Or you can always do a cake shaped like coffee and doughnuts! haha - to each their own. 

K - peace out my loves! I'm headed to Buskens......

{confession - we had doughnuts at the end of our wedding. They were made fresh at Ivy Hills and I totally stuffed one in my face before we made our sparkler exit. And I - and our guests - loved it! There's something about a fresh baked doughnut at 1:00 a.m. that takes me back to college... ;)} 

These are not your mom's dessert bar...

We've all seen the 'dessert bar' at weddings but these are not your typical bars - these are design additions to your wedding! They need to be thought out well in advance and items purchased to go with your colors and feel of the event but they are totally achievable. Plus we get to taste lots of yummy desserts! I'm dying to do one so c'mon TC girls - let's make it happen :)

Here's some inspiration to get those wheels turning!

From the originator - Amy Atlas

The rest are from my new fave - My Sweet and Saucy - love her!

Notice - these are not complicated designs or desserts. It's all about the presentation!

Anyone ready to start working on one yet? I'm ready to hit the bakeries!!

My Sweet and Saucy

I stumbled on Melody's blog - My Sweet and Saucy and got caught up for about an hour. She is fabulous!!! The following cakes kept jumping out to me - I think they have the perfect balance of contemporary and tradition. I'm a huge fan. 

Who Says Vanilla is Plain?!

With a focus on contemporary design and taste the Vanilla Bake Shop is quickly climbing it's way up my favorite list! Aside from the gorgeous designs, it is run by a husband and wife team - love that! After graduating culinary school, they started a dessert catering company. After such great feedback, they opened Vanilla Bake Shop. The name was concocted years ago in culinary school. Story is while in class one day, her instructor told her that "Vanilla was the worlds most universally loved flavor." We knew when the time was right, that would be the name of our bake shop. Look at that storefront in Santa Monica - damask!

Vanilla Bake Shop bakes cakes, cupcakes, mini cupcakes, and lots of other sweets! They have some amazing flavors such as: Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Cake, Red Velvet, Passion Fruit Creme, Carrot Cake, Espresso and cupcakes also flavors such as Key Lime, Blackberry Passion Fruit, Strawberries & Creme, and Toasted Coconut. I know flying your cake in from Cali is probably out of question but they do ship cupcakes and cupcake babies! Here's some design inspiration but definitely check out their site for more pics!