Sweet Spring Wedding [Scott & Lindley]

Oh my gosh what a beautiful weekend! I mean, Mother Nature was a bit confused about what she wanted to do, as one moment it was sunny and warm and the next was cloudy and cool but all the same, it still felt like spring and I got to cater a pretty spring wedding for a lovely couple so that was awesome!

 

When I brought a sampler box over to Lindley and Scott, their only stipulations were that there be lime flavor! And with that, I already knew this display was going to be great! Such an easy going couple... and I love that because it makes my job so easy. 

Scott and Lindley were doing a simple color pallet with blues and tans and incorporated rustic elements into their decor with touches of lace which definitely added a bit of softness! It was super pretty, and I was definitely a fan of the twine wrapped wine bottles! 

Burlap lace was a nice touch to the porcelain plates. 

This adorable chalkboard sign is a new find I scored at Michael's last week and I couldn't want to incorporate it this weekend! 

The cake pops were dipped in a mix of blue and peach/cream chocolate.  The calla lilies were an ode to the Bride's bouquet, and the roses to her Maid of Honor. 

I like incorporating different shades into a cake pop display to mix it up a bit.  The wedding's color scheme didn't have any peach, but knowing it was rustic and incorporated burlap, I knew peach would play well with the other colors without overtaking the display. 

I just love the final product! I was told they were a hit so I can't complain when I get great feedback, it makes my heart flutter!

Congrats Scott & Lindley! 

-Elena

Mangini Wedding - Saltwater Vineyard

The thing about desserts that breaks my heart is that most people don't care about them.

"What flavors would you like?" I will ask the client.  "Oh, I don't care" is usually the response. Then I go ahead and make them the usual vanilla/chocolate/red velvet cake pops after telling them all the delicious flavor combinations, but people are afraid of desserts.  They get a bad wrap now because of calories and sugar... and generally people just have them because you have to offer them! It is hard to find people who share a true love for something sweet...

But then there was Brittany and Will...

Brittany and Will came to their tasting HUNGRY.  I gave them a box to bring home their samples and they didn't even need it. They ate everything. They raved and ranted about the flavors, and ended up picking the one flavor EVERYONE wrinkles their nose at when I suggest -- lemon rosemary. It was their favorite! And I was SO EXCITED they chose it as a cake pop flavor AND their wedding cake flavor!  They were very concerned over having something that was delicious and different to offer their guests, and I promised them they wouldn't be disappointed! I've known Brittany since high school, and after some mutual friends had me cater their wedding, she asked me to design something great for their modern vineyard wedding.

And oh my gosh, was this a beautiful wedding! 

Located in Southern Connecticut, Saltwater Farm Vineyard is a picturesque venue with a dark wooded tap room and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the vineyard.  It was breath taking!

I made sure the display was classy and elegant.  The grape lights from my Aunt's company, GKI Bethlehem Lighting just added perfectly to the vineyard theme.  This display included 150 cupcakes and 150 cake pops in four flavors -- Chocolate, Red Velvet, Lemon Rosemary and of course Pumpkin Spice for fall!

Brittany loved my romantic buttercream rose cake so she requested that and order the most adorable lettered cake topper from Etsy!  I love the look of this romantic cake on top of the rustic wine barrel.

Pure romance!

This couple's deep love for each other is evident the moment you get them together. I wish them a lifetime of happiness!! So honored to be a part of their special day!

-Elena

Love is Sweet [Maureen's Bridal Shower]

Saturday was Maureen's bridal shower, and what a beautiful day it was!

It was cool and dewy, the sun popped out, the house was decorated, food was delicious, and the desserts were of course, sweet!

We went with a vintage country theme because that is "so Maureen" :) I love the additions of the burlap, chalkboards and doilys... Country but elegant!

These napkins from Wedding Paper Divas are just to die for! 

"H" for Hartmann!

For favors, Megan and I made chocolate lollipops, because who doesn't want to leave with something sweet and delicious!?

A stunning tablescape done by Maureen's Mom. The china is just beautiful!

The bride with her MOH and bridesmaid!

I just love her and couldn't be happier for her!

It was truly a stunning day filled with so much laughter and love!

I can't wait for 9.12.15! 

A Bridal Planning Weekend

Oh such a fun weekend filled with wedding details! 

I spent the day Saturday with my best friend and the bridal party shopping for our bridesmaid dresses!  It is so exciting to pick out styles and colors and try on all of these gorgeous dresses!  After we went out for lunch and drinks, and had a blast talking over details of the upcoming wedding. It is thrilling to watch your best friend so happy... I literally can't contain my excitement for them, and can't wait for September!

Sunday I met with a bride and groom for a cake pop testing for their October wedding!  They are getting married at a vineyard in southern CT and I can't wait to see this place all done up for their big day!  They are going with deep, rich purples and shades of gray with pops of pink, all mixed in with the rustic winery and wine barrels.. It will surely be gorgeous! 

They are an adorable couple, so clearly in love and very excited! 

I put together a tray of flavors for them to try with an array of colors from their color palette and they were just beautiful.  I love hydrangeas, and Brittany told me she will have purple hydrangeas in the centerpieces so these cake pops matched perfectly!  I also love the contrast of the deep purple with the white hydrangea.  

This wedding will surely be gorgeous and I am so happy they've chosen me to contribute to what sounds like their happy ever after, dream come true fairy tale :)

Needless to say, my mind was in the clouds this weekend! So much planning, excitement... I can't wait for my turn ;)

-Elena

The Birch Tree Engagement Cake

In 6th grade, we became best friends.  Inseparable best friends.  Our teacher knew it, and she would let us "take a break" and go for walks around the school to get all of the chatter out of us so we'd stop talking in class... Middle school came around and it was all about planning school dances, watching the boys we liked play sports after school, and having sleepovers.. High school brought us the most fun, filled with parties, Chinese food nights blaring Paula Abdul, and tons of memories I'll never forget.. Growing up with Maureen was FUN.

Our 17 year old selves got in the way, and we didn't see or speak to each other for four years.  One fateful "sighting" prompted her to give me a call, and ever since that call Maureen has been the most important friend in my life.  All of my best memories of the later years of college, summers, birthdays and all of our milestones are with her. We sit for hours with each other, drinking wine and talking about life.  It's the best, and she truly is the sister I have never had.

The most important milestone thus far, is Maureen's engagement to Caleb, her boyfriend of 9 years. I met Caleb as soon as I reconnected with Maureen, and instantly I could see the connection the two shared.  Their love for each other radiates from them both... Even when he's outside doing his thing, and she is inside doing her thing, he pops in and gives her a quick kiss and you can tell just being around each other makes them happy.  I am so friggen happy for the both of them, and so excited to be a bridesmaid in their wedding!

Yesterday we celebrated their engagement with all of their families and friends, and I made a cake for the two that I think encompasses them as a couple.. Rustic, fall-themed, and sweet!

I am still new at covering cakes in fondant.. My fondant bubbled a bit which after researching I've found out what I did wrong.. but I think it actually worked for this cake as the birch isn't supposed to be perfect.  Distressing the fondant and painting it to give it a birch tree look was scary but I think it worked!  I also created the leaves using real leaves and pressing the fondant into the leaves to get the veins to show!   The cake was a spice cake with pumpkin spice butter cream, since those flavors are all the rage right now!

The initials were my favorite part.. carved into a tree for all of eternity.. so romantic!

The cake was a hit and they both loved it which melts my heart because that is why I do what I do! To make people happy :)

Many more to come!! Congratulations you two crazy kids!! It is going to be an exciting year!

-Elena

Rustic Sweetness

Back in February, I got a message from Lizzie asking me if I was interested in catering her summer wedding, after she had recently found out the woman she had hired to do her cake wasn't going to be able to follow through with the order (eeek!) ... Of course I jumped on board immediately, and was even more excited as she shared more details of her wedding with me!

Lizzie and her fiancee Eddie wanted a very small cake to keep in tradition with the cutting of the cake, but were looking more for small, individual desserts that people could pick at! I was instantly excited.  Most people assume I want to open a bakery some day, but my dreams are quite the opposite. Catering full dessert tables is what I really want to do, and Lizzie was giving me the opportunity to do my very first one.

From the moment we left Starbucks on the cold morning, until the day before yesterday, we probably emailed eachother about 45 times back and fourth, met up a bunch of times to go over details, sent text messages of pictures of perfect plates, paper, colors, flavors.. You name it, we covered it.  Together, we took Liz's vision and built it step by step into a reality. I was so thankful she allowed me so much creative freedom as well.. The basics were -- summer wedding, to be held at The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, MA--a very rustically beautiful venue with hardwood floors and exposed beams wrapped in white lights.  Her colors were light sage green and peach mixed with taupe and browns... and she wanted everything to be dainty, rustic, and anthropologie-like.  And she wanted an ombre ruffle cake.

I'd say we made it happen..

I could not choose just 5-10 photos for this one, so I posted them all.

 The cake was soft, delicate and feminine with ruffles made from a 50/50 fondant/gumpaste mix.

 Lizzie's florist added hydrangeas on top, and I included a birch piece underneath the plate to tie into her centerpieces.

 

The cake pops included peach, greens, white and browns with wild flowers, hydrangeas, and sprinkles.  Lizzie and Eddie chose mint chocolate, peanut butter, cherry chunk, vanilla  and lemon rosemary.  The cupcakes were vanilla and cherry chunk with a french vanilla whipped butter cream.

 My porcelain plates were lovely on top of my crocheted place mats, which my yia yia made for me.  They were perfect for this rustic, romantic theme. 

 Lizzie found these crates which were rustic and perfect for adding height to the display.

 Lovely gold birch paper was found at the paper source in Boston, and matched the birch trees cut for her centerpieces.

 The flickering light of the white enamel lanterns added a homey feel to the display along side the peach roses and baby's breath. Delicate and just simply elegant.

 

This was the final product!

 

  About a month before the wedding, we decided to basically double the order, and add a cake pop to every seat as part of the guest's favors!  172 individually wrapped, tagged and ready to be devoured!

This venue was just a dream.. 

Congratulations to the beautiful couple! I can't thank Lizzie and Eddie enough for letting me sweeten their special day!  My first dessert table was a huge success, and I was told today there wasn't one cake pop or cupcake left.  There is no better news I'd rather hear! Catering a wedding was a overwhelming but so rewarding.  I loved being at the venue, helping to create a magical day for two people who love each other, and I already can't wait for my next adventure!

Though I will say... I made around 2,000 mini desserts and three cakes since March.. I am ready for a little break :)

-Elena