Thursday, September 29, 2011

Ivory, Champagne, and Red






This wedding reception took place on the largest of the St. Croix riverboats, The Majestic Star.  The interior of this tri-level yacht consists of a lobby/lounge area, dining room, and then a partially open-air roof complete with a bar (yes, Nick and I were snooping).  Besides looking out the windows, it doesn't feel like you're on a boat!



When bride Billie and her fiance Jake came for their tasting appointment, they definitely wanted centerpiece cakes in their chosen color scheme of ivory and champagne.  Billie's bouquet would be red, but they weren't using the color much else.  For every tasting we do at Fresh Fields, I create mini cakes in the flavors the couple has requested and decorate them however I feel that day.  When I brought out Billie and Jake's cakes, they loved the piping on them so much, they decided right there that's what they wanted!

Each table had a 6" Amaretto cake, with an ivory base and champagne piping.  Some had bubbling dots, swirls, swags, the squiggle pattern seen on the head, two-tier cake (I can never remember what that technique is called?!) and Fleur de Lis by request of the bride.  I love how the single red flower on the two tier pops, keeping the look fresh and modern.

Many, many thanks to Jeremiah of J. Satterthwaite Photography for sharing his photos of the cakes, otherwise I would have never been able to see the tables completed with the gilded frames and rose petals (everything was bare when we delivered).  These dreamy closeups look good enough to eat!

Congratulations to Billie and Jake! 

xoxo,
Rachel

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tealicious

Just received these sweet images from Katie Fears at Brio Art.  I'm still in love with this cake!




Thank you Katie!  

xoxo,
Rachel

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Timeless

Marit was a bride that knew what she wanted coming in to the tasting.  She brought me a picture of a cake with multiple tiers, a clean, dot design, and oodles of fresh roses separating the layers.  This classic and dramatic look suited her reception at the Saint Paul Hotel perfectly. 

Image created by A Truth Be Shown Photography
Image created by A Truth Be Shown Photography
Image created by A Truth Be Shown Photography

When Nick and I arrived with the cake, the room was shimmering with champagne linens, crystals, and the bustling activity of catering staff.  We assembled the tiers on site, and placed 5 dozen of the largest and most fragrant roses I have ever encountered.  I would like a pillowcase filled with the petals to sleep on every night!

These amazing images were brilliantly shot by Gina Kieffer of A Truth Be Shown Photography.  You know that butterflies in your stomach sensation you get when falling in love?  I got that feeling when I saw these photos for the first time.  It's no wonder Gina has received numerous awards and accolades for her work. 

Image created by A Truth Be Shown Photography

Image created by A Truth Be Shown Photography

Imaged created by A Truth Be Shown Photography

Image created by A Truth Be Shown Photography

Image created by A Truth Be Shown Photography

Marit was also adamant about having eat tier a different flavor.  From the top down:  Carrot cake with cream cheese filling, red velvet cake with cream cheese filling, white cake with vanilla pastry cream and fresh strawberries, and chocolate cake with layers of ganache and chocolate buttercream.

Image created by A Truth Be Shown Photography

It never gets old seeing a lovely couple enjoy such special moments.  This timeless wedding will look as lush and lavish 50 years from now as it does today.  Congratulations Marit and James!

Thanks again to Gina and A Truth Be Shown Photography for these priceless photos!

xoxo,
Rachel

Monday, September 19, 2011

Full Tilt Wedding Season

The weekend I left for Korea, we had three weddings, and this week ended four.  It takes a lot of focus and organization, but Nick and I are MACHINES.  I wait with great anticipation to receive professional shots from wedding photographers (processing can take up to 8 weeks) before posting them here, but sometimes I just can't wait!  Here's a mix of smaller wedding cakes from the past month or so.


Check out those sharp edges...Hazzah...

Lauren and Nick at the Prom Center, Woodbury.  Can we get a better look at her dress?
Holy field of dreams - it's fabulousPhotos courtesy of Happily Ever After Photography   

The Historic Stillwater Courthouse is one of my favorite reception venues, and was also the side of Jess and Paul's jade-themed wedding {photo taken from a previous wedding}.

Working with my photo reference from The Knot magazine.

How cute is this topper?  Jess actually made and painted it herself!  The little dress has glitter on the bust and bottom trim.  So fun and unique!

Photos courtesy of Me and my Samsung Focus.


I've worked with several brides this year who had the challenge of planning a wedding while their fiance is deployed.  Tara and Josh were one such couple.  The stresses of wedding planning may be amplified without the assistance of your other half, however, the payoff:  Marrying a man in sharp formal dress makes him look even more like a prince.

Photo courtesy of Marah Cole Designs
Definitely seeing a return in classic designs like this.  Clean lines, small details, adorned with luscious fresh flowers.  The florals and styling were provided by Marah Cole Designs, a Minnesota Brides Magazine nominee for Best Florist.


This final little gem seems just in time for fall.  The foliage is meant to mimic grapevines and leaves used in bride Johanna's bouquet.  Unfortunately, I was in a rush this day and didn't take a close up shot to show the imprinted veining I did on each leaf.  With just a touch of gold luster, they had more depth and detail than you see here.  Hopefully I can snag something from the photographer.



Love always,
Rachel

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Korean Vacation

Sanrio store at Coex, the largest mall in Korea that is also underground.
I spent last week in South Korea visiting my brother Richard and his wife, Katy.  It was my last chance to visit them before they relocate to another Air Force base in Belgium.  This trip couldn't have come at a better time - I was getting burnt out at work and in desperate need of a change of scenery.  I also hadn't seen my brother since October of last year.  I have to say it right now: Thank you, Richard and Katy.  This trip was eye-opening, fascinating, inspiring, rejuvenating, FUN and it wouldn't have been possible with out you.

Before landing in Seoul, I wasn't really sure what to expect.  Obviously, I would be in the minority, being American and speaking only English.  I had seen pictures and done a little bit of research, but I was prepared to do most of my learning once I got there.  The flight from Chicago was 12 hours, and I slept most of the time, waking up to eat and read (which put  me back to sleep).  I credit this hibernation period for my lack of jet lag.
The view from R. and K.'s apartment, Singtan.              Main road in Singtan.
When traveling abroad, I like to spend just as much time off the beaten path as sightseeing tourist spots.  This trip was that glorious mix, between visiting cultural sites, mall shopping as well as small shops and street vendors, trying traditional and nontraditional meals, skeezy local bars, and enough down time to relax reading The Island.  We had a daily drive down narrow side streets, hardly avoiding collisions and pedestrians.  Most taxi drivers/cashiers/clerks don't speak English, so you point  directions or on a menu.  I found it interesting that even if a menu had English translations, that doesn't mean the employees will understand it.

Katy and I on a tour bus in Seoul.
Food is never hard to find, as there are food carts, convenience stores, and restaurants around every corner.  For some reason I had it in my head we'd be eating rice at every meal, but international cuisine is prominent, and one of my favorite meals was a simple but expertly prepared pasta dish in Songtan.  Besides the common cabbage kimchi, I enjoyed the cucumber and zucchini varieties.  I also just had to try the Sweet Potato Latte (Koreans like their coffee shops, too).  It's Thanksgiving in a cup! 

These fancy cakes are available at your local Baskin Robbins in Korea!

Shopping in Korea is a dream....for me, at least.  Everything is made for little people!  In the metropolis of Seoul, women's fashions trend on the very ladylike side - ruffled skirts, sheer blouses, Peter Pan collars, bows everywhere, muted colors, and tailored dresses, with dainty accessories.  Men are well dressed, and Katy informed me "macho" isn't part of their vocabulary.  State-side, their style may be referred to as "metro".  Nerd glasses were in abundance.

Outside the Korean War Memorial Museum.
Inside.
On Thursday we visited the Korean War Memorial Museum.  It's no secret I'm behind on my world history (Cuban Missile Crisis?  Yep, I failed that test), but I was completely in awe of Korea's war-torn past.  The country has seen more crisis than peace.  Just 50 years ago, Seoul and the surrounding areas lay in rubble and famine.  Without allied assistance, they would currently be under the communist rule of North Korea.  Katy and I were blessed to have a conversation with a volunteer at the museum, Mr. Moon, who shared his memories of being 5 years old during the Korean War and his pride in how the country has recuperated.  He emphasized several times how grateful he is for the help the United States has provided and considers us friends.

Food was a topic that came up in conversation.  After the war, his family of five was given minimal rations. They survived mainly on a daily diet of noodles they had to roll by hand with only salt to flavor them with.  "Pastry Chef" didn't translate well for Mr. Moon, but he lit up at the mention of chocolate.  He recalled American soldiers handing Hershey's out to children.  Today he enjoys it in moderation, along with flour, to avoid weight gain.  Such a charming little man and conversation I won't soon forget!



And finally, experiencing the off-base nightlife in Songtan...
 
Richard and I.
This dance club was run by a bunch of older ladies, and the grandson of one of them was going to town on the dance floor when we arrived.  It was early still (9 pm), so the rest of the club was empty.  We were entirely entertained watching him sing and dance, then after finishing our "African Slushies," Jen, my brother's coworker, led the way and we were all dancing with him!   

Jen, Master Flow, and Katy working the dance floor.

Glow-in-the-dark shots consisting of Soju, Sprite, and an energy drink.

Katy serves up a "Kettle" drink that tastes like Creamcicle.
Such a great time!  I feel so blessed!

xoxo,
Rachel