Mallory's Wedding Cake Inspiration

My best friend from since middle school is getting married in July.  God, just saying that makes me feel old.  This is the girl I spent every weekend with as a teenager.  She's known me through my best and worst times, supporting me through breakups, cheering me on as I pursue my dreams, and making me laugh every moment in between.  We've come a long way since the days of barking like dogs out the windows of my parents' minivan and coloring our hair over the kitchen sink (her's blonde, mine blackish brown).  I still have a {locked} box of notes we passed in class, my favorite being the drawings of which outfits we would wear to the Britney Spears concert (What the hell was I thinking with those zebra shorts??).

After high school I moved to Colorado to attend pastry school, but Mallory and I kept in touch.  She set the standard of what I look for in a friend (sense of humor, big hands), yet could never be replaced.  Lucky for me, she's stayed close to the Rogue Valley, so we were always able to visit when I went home.

Needless to say, Mallory holds a special piece of my heart.  Mal deserves every happiness life brings her way, and her fiance Nate has been nothing less than a blessing.  There wasn't really a question as to whether or not I would do her wedding cake - I couldn't imagine it any way else.  I used to bake for Mal quite a bit (shortbread and cheesecake are her favorites), and she had a huge impact on my decision to go into the pastry field.  Thinking about it now, there was never a time since we've known each other that I wasn't obsessed with food and opening a bakery.

Making cakes for people you know is as nerve-wracking as it is fulfilling, and you know I will be stressing over every detail until July 7th!  She has just a few simple requests:  Red Velvet cake with an all black and white exterior.  How cool is that going to look when they cut into it?!  Oh, and Nate prefers square tiers.  The wedding is being held at the River House in Shady Cove, Oregon, and needs to be able to hold up outside.  Other than that, I have free rein.  I've been scouting out inspiration on Pinterest based on the other details she's shared with me regarding her dress, invites, and flowers:

Invites similar to Mallory's, via Etsy.com

Close-up of a flower from her wedding dress (which is a frothy, dreamy confection in itself!)

Rose and carnation bouquet inspiration from conroysflowersdowney.com

These are some cakes I'm pulling inspiration from.  Mallory sent a few of them to me, others I found on Pinterest.  I want to create drama for her evening wedding, but without getting to formal or stiff.  Being the fun couple Mal and Nate are, it needs to have some playful elements.  I'm seeing black lace/damask details, asymmetrical draping strands of black pearls, a chic monogram, topped with gum paste white roses and carnations....perhaps in a vessel of some sort?  I would love to play with the proportions of the tiers as well. 

Follow me on Pinterest for more cake and floral inspiration, fashion picks, hair musings, recipes, and some Hello Kitty too :)  There is a entire board dedicated to Mallory's wedding!

I'm still working on sketches, then I will submit them to Mallory for approval.  I think the final pick should be a surprise, don't you?

xoxo,
Rachel

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Vera Wang White Collection for David's Bridal

I'm a little late on this one, as I believe Vera Wang's White Collection, exclusively at David's Bridal, debuted in the spring.  Nonetheless, I just took the time to feast my eyes on these gorgeous designer gowns at a reduced cost.  Speaking of, many of them are currently on sale!  Are you listening, Miss Mallory?!  :)

The collection of gowns also includes interchangeable sashes, headpieces, veils, and accessories, giving you options for a complete, customized look.  Here are some of my favorite pieces.

 

V-Neck Ballgown, $1400

 

Mermaid Gown, $700 

Corset Gown, $400 {My favorite}

Horsehair Sash, $58,

Floral Sash, $78

Nick, our intern Angelica, and I had a great time yesterday working The Perfect Wedding show at The Prom Center in Woodbury, MN.  We gave away a free groom's cake AND a $100 gift card, met some cool new vendors (can I have a brooch bouquet just to play with?), and shmoozed with some really fantastic 2012 brides.  Black and white color schemes look to be alive and well next year!  Sweet...

Love,

Rach

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 fabulous!  Photos 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

Unique Wedding Dresses

Let me begin by saying I am not getting married any time soon.  Yes, I love Mr. Scott with the fire of a thousand suns.  No, I will not consider going to the courthouse.  End of story. 

However, I have to think about weddings every day, so obviously I'm going to see things I like (I'm a girl, for crying out loud).  For example, the wedding dresses at BHLDN.com.  So unique, some of the least cookie-cutter dresses I have ever seen at a med-level price point.  BHLDN, short for "Beholden," is an a new off shoot of the mall favorite Anthropology, so you know it's going to have that mix of whimsy and shabby chic.

 

All images from BHLDN.com

I'm not sure how a lot of gals feel about shopping for a wedding dress online, which I think is the only way to get a hold of one of these.  Double check that return policy.

Love,
Rachel