A Washington DC wedding very close to my heart.

  Well it has certainly been a while since my last post. To say the least I have been quite busy not only with Cake I Do weddings but helping my oldest daughter plan her wedding. It was such a beautiful day!
  After being in the wedding industry for years I thought I knew just about everything there was to know about planning a wedding. It was a very educational experience for me. I just loved every moment of it.
     I believe that the key to having the perfect wedding is not the dollar amount spent but knowing where to spend the money. A beautiful venue, good food/cake, nice flowers, a great DJ, wonderful photographer/video person an last but certainly not least an amazing coordinator.
     My professional advice to anyone planning a wedding,  Research your vendors, ask questions, use referrals, stay organized and enjoy the process.I would like to thank our amazing vendors for making this day perfect for our family. you were all WONDERFUL!

Carnegie Institute of science
Rex & Regina           Teresa Lee
Design Cuisine         Sarah Gallo   
Freed photography   Pablo
Blue Sky Films        Martin
Petals and promises Lisa Sommer
Shewsical entertainment   Matt Shew        

Wedding Season

Well, It's that time of year again. We are preparing for an amazing wedding season. I will soon be updating everyone on color and design trends for the upcomming season.
Lets not forget about all of the amazing grooms cakes ideas. They can be enjoyed not only at weddings but also at rehersal dinners and pre wedding affairs. Get ready for some amazing pictures!

Mix & Match

In an earlier blog post, "The Icing on the Cake", I reminded you about buttercream iced cakes. I have discussed both fondant and buttercream and laid out the pros and cons to each. However, if you found yourself torn between the delicious taste of buttercream cakes and the unlimited creative options that fondant allows, I have your solution! You don't need to choose one or the other, you can simply choose BOTH!

{Buttercream cake with a buttercream swirl design, fondant flowers around the sides and a fondant flower cluster topper}

When it comes to imitating figures, draping, sculpting ornamental details or creating intricate and realistic flowers, no cake decorator could live without fondant. It is wonderful for making these detailed elements along with bows, pearls, trimming, and more. Yet buttercream has its obvious perks, too! So why not take the best of both and mix and match them to create an artistic, elegant and tasty wedding cake of your own!

This combination is becoming more and more popular and the best part is that your options aren't limited! Trying to stick to only buttercream is quite a challenge, but by adding touches of fondant, you can still have the detailed creative elements you long for without having to have a fully fondant cake!

Spread the Love

Sometimes it is hard to think of a fun and special wedding favor that won't break the bank. Favors quickly add up in price, and often wedding guests don't use or even keep the gift. But, you need not worry! A great alternative is to share the love of your wedding day by donating to charity. Of course, we all love wedding favors like custom candy bars and scented candles. However, making a charitable donation in lieu of traditional favors can be even more gracious and meaningful (price conscious, too!) A wedding is an indulgent expense and on your special day you are showered with love, attention, and gifts--it will do your heart good to give a little back! It will definitely impress your guests, too!

Simply choose a charity that has a special significance to you--or perhaps just one you are passionate about--and contact the foundation to assist with the donation process. You can do things such as planting a tree in the name of each guest at the wedding or purchasing Think Pink (breast cancer research) wristbands for each guest. Then you think of a way to tell everyone! Perhaps at each place setting you have a unique note describing the charity and explaining that a donation has been made on their behalf (you can even add a personal touch by telling why the organization is important to the bride & groom!) Get as creative as you want!

Charity wedding favors are in great taste and will make both you and your guests feel good :)

CakeIDo has chosen to support Charity Water--a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Check out www.charitywater.com for more information. Maybe this will be the organization you choose to donate to for your wedding favors!

Think Outside the Box

Embrace the unconventional!

Twenty years ago it was all about simple, classic wedding cakes--and almost always white on white--but times are changing! Though many brides still opt for a more "traditional" style wedding cake, others are getting more imaginative.

One of the easist ways to incorporate your personality into your wedding is through the cake. If you can dream it, Cake I Do can make it! Brides are starting to think outside the norm and conjure up some awesome artistic ideas.

These unique and ornate wedding cakes may be unconventional, but they are still gorgeous! For this lavish wedding cake, each flower was handmade--no two are alike--and with each added layer and detail, the cake became more and more stunning and personalized.

Don't be afraid to do something different, there are no rules.

What do you think of these unconventional wedding cakes? Would you "think outside the box" for your wedding cake!?

The Icing on the Cake!

Fondant cakes have definitely been front and center in the public eye--but don't forget about buttercream!!

Fondant covered cakes leave a gorgeous, smooth, and shiny finish. But buttercream iced cakes can be every bit as gorgeous, and even tastier! This delicious and creamy frosting gives an elegant and natural feel and one just can't help but want to taste it!

I hope that these pictures of beautifully frosted buttercream cakes allow you to see what can be done without fondant. So if you're not a huge fan of fondant or its taste, don't panic, you have other options!

The fondant vs buttercream debate is ongoing. Neither is truly better, it's merely a personal preference.