Hope & Adam’s Vintage Chic Wedding

Posted on July 29, 2011 by thecouturecakery

Hope and Adam were married at the beautiful Peter Allen House. Hope did not miss one little detail in her planning and put together the most stunning wedding. It looked like it came right out of a wedding magazine. Starting with the the bureau she decorated. Guests were invited to select a tag and write their happy wishes.

After the guest filled in the blanks on the vintage tag, they were asked to tie it to a wooden ladder next to the bureau. The note in the frame on the bureau requested the advice from their friends as they climbed the ladder of life (click the photo to enlarge to tag). The adorable flower pot of lavender even had a strip of fabric tied to it with their names printed in it.

Catering, florals, wedding coordination and event design were provided by the talented team at C&J Catering. Everything looked just amazing.

The sweetheart table was so cute. I loved the shabby chic, vintage and romantic look of the whole vignette.

The sweetheart table had a beautiful tray of tiny vases in various colors with pretty flowers in them. Champagne on ice and like I said all the details were fabulous.

The escort card display was so pretty. Guests names were written on purple tags attached to a fabric sachet of lavender with Hope and Adam’s names and wedding date printed on them.

The framed note for the guests said, Find you seat and take some time to smell the lavender. How cute!

Hope and Adam were engaged in Maine, so in honor of that, they had a lobster basket with candy lobsters lolipops for the guests to enjoy. The centerpieces and DIY table numbers were just perfect for the look of the reception.

They even had doggie treat favors from their dogs 🙂

The wedding cake was a buttercream covered cake. It was a white cake with raspberry buttercream filling. Delicate scrolling and pearls decorated with cake along with the beautiful fresh flowers. I just love ranuculus. Melissa Pearl with C&J Catering went above and beyond and refinished the vintage vanity that the cake was placed on. I may have to borrow that sometime 🙂

I stayed with the cake like it was my baby because it was about 98 degrees outside. After all the photos were taken and guests got to take a peak at it after they entered the tent, I put it in the caterers refrigerated truck until cake cutting time. Just a tip, if you have an outside wedding on a hot day or humid day, make sure you have a plan. Either cut the cake early or keep it refrigerated until the cake cutting. The last thing you want is a melted cake.

Hope surprised Adam with a groom’s cake too. He’s a huge Phillies fan and was so excited when he saw it. It was red velvet with cream cheese filling.

Like I said, Hope did so much herself in making this her dream wedding. She styled this beautiful candy display. I did the tags for her, but she did a great job with the props and design. Here mom made the pretty “sweets”bunting.

What an amazing wedding. I didn’t even post all the other details she incorcorated. You’ll have to wait and see (mattnnat) Photography‘s photos 🙂 They are so talented.

Congrats Hope and Adam!!!

Dream Team of Vendors:

Venue: Peter Allen House
Catering, event design, wedding coordination & florals: C&J Catering
Photography: (mattnnat) Photography
Make Up: Carmina Cristina
Pre-Wedding Day Spa: Polished Day Spa
Bridal gown: Tara’s Bridal
Band: Smooth Like Clyde
Cake and Groom’s cake: The Couture Cakery

24 Hour Sugar Rush Adventure in NYC – Day 2

Posted on July 28, 2011 by thecouturecakery

After completely stuffing ourselves on day one, we got up early to visit as many places as possible before heading home so Emily could get to class that evening. We first went to Grand Central Market in Grand Central Station. I wanted to stop by my favorite spice company Penzeys Spice to pick up cinnamon (they offer at least 4 different varieties) and some lemon extract. There are some wonderful fresh fish, meat and fine food vendors in the market too.

In the Grand Central Station dining area, we enjoyed a delicious New York bagel and had cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery…the breakfast of champions. We tried the Red Velvet with a buttercream frosting (not sure if there was really butter in it) and a devil’s food with cream cheese frosting. The consensus was the cake was awesome. but the frostings were just okay. A little too sweet.

I wanted to take Emily to Eataly (another favorite spot of mine) and on our walk over we passed through the Union Square Greenmarket. The beautiful displays of local veggies and fruit were amazing. Yummy looking breads and florals filled the square. I loved these sunflowers. Bees were buzzing all over them.

The vast selection of vegetables and fruits were so colorful. I especially loved the purple hues of the eggplants in the basket and the stacks of radishes and carrots.

We next went to Eataly. If you are in New York, it’s a must go to spot. Amazing fresh pasta, breads and much more you can purchase, plus several delicious dining areas. Check out the $227 small bottle of balsamic vinegar! I’d be afraid to use it 🙂

My favorite thing at Eataly is getting a cup of espresso. Watching it pressed out of the enormous espresso machine is worth the trip there. Love it!
We had about an hour left before heading home, so we jumped in a cab and headed to Chelsea Market. In addition to the Food Network shows being filmed there, the market has the most amazing shops. Pretty cupcakes at Eleni’s.

The theme cookies at Eleni’s were pretty amazing too!

We also tried some of the delicious chocolates at Jacques Torres Chocolate. Decadent and delicious!

If you want the best preserves, stop by Sarabeth’s. Their restaurant near Central Park is another favorite spot of mine. As our trip was coming to an end, I spotted the very cool looking il Laboratoria del Gelato near the hotel. I have a total weakness for gelato and tried the buttermilk and the green tea flavors. They were very good.

A couple of slices of Ray’s Pizza for the car ride and we were ready to go.

What an amazing 24 hour foodie trip…so much fun, but I’m not eating for 2 days!

24 Hour sugar rush adventure in NYC…Day 1

Posted on July 27, 2011 by thecouturecakery

So, I think many of you know that I have had a summer intern helping me this year. Emily is almost done with the pastry arts program and I wanted to do something special to thank her and congratulate her on her upcoming graduation. We left yesterday for our whirlwind 24 hour foodie and cupcake adventure to NYC. I seriously can’t believe all we did in such a short period of time. I booked our stay at the East Houston Hotel. It’s a lovely, modern, boutique hotel close to, Soho, Little Italy and China Town. I really loved it and would highly recommend it. There is a beautiful rooftop lounge and the view was pretty awesome. I had a blast taking all these pictures while we ran around NYC.

So, after we made it into the city without getting side swiped (yes I drove) and parked the car, we had a short walk to the hotel and happened to pass Bisous Ciao Macarons. I’d never been there before and it was a beautiful shop, so of course we had to stop in and make sure the macarons passed inspection. They were absolutely delicious and we actually went back to get more before we went home.

After we checked into the hotel, we decided to grab a bite to eat before a very important appointment at 3 pm. One of my favorite spots in NYC is Le Pain Quotidein. Just the most delicious fresh food with great atmosphere. I always get their giant meringue cookie…light, airy and yummy.

The restaurant was just around the corner from the most wonderful part of our trip to New York..a visit to Ron Ben-Israel Cakes. I was so excited when Ron said he would have time to give us a tour of his bakery and sugar flower studio. He’s truly my biggest inspiration as a cake artist. I had the opportunity to take his 3 day sugar flower course earlier this year in Savannah at Minette Rushing Custom Cakes. Ron greeted us with his infectious smile and a big hug. He looked adorable in his pastry jacket and plaid bermuda shorts. Visiting his bakery is a memory I will always cherish. Oh…we actually got to sample the delicious vanilla cake with lemon buttercream filling he created for Martha Stewart’s birthday party. For a great read, Ron’s right hand person Rebecca writes a fantastic blog about the adventures of working at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes. Here it is: http://nyccakegirl.wordpress.com/

We were two very lucky girls! Thank you Ron and Rebecca 🙂

Ron helped develop and is teaching a new cake design program at the French Culinary Institute just down the street. He arranged for us to get a tour of the amazing school and also have dinner at the chef and student run restaurant L’Ecole later that night. All I can say is that the 5 course dinner was one of the most wonderful meals I have ever had. If you are in town you should definitely go…you won’t be disappointed.

Before dinner we walked around Soho and stopped into my favorite paper store…Kate’s Paperie. They have the most beautiful papers and stationery.

Down the street was Dean and Deluca. A must stop spot for any gourmet food lover.

We then made our first cupcake stop. One of my favorite spots is Billy’s Bakery.

The decor in the shop was retro and adorable and the cupcakes did not disappoint.
We had the red velvet with a sweet vanilla buttercream frosting and a banana cupcake with vanilla buttercream frosting. They were both yummy. Moist cakes with sweet traditional buttercream frostings.

Ron suggested we stop by two of his friend’s shops, so we went on the hunt for Francois Payard Bakery and Jacques Torres Chocolates. Did I mention we walked about 10 miles yesterday?? Maybe it was a little less but it felt like it! Yes…we found Francois Payard Bakery on our journey.

He is an amazing pastry chef and has several beautiful books out. We tried the Eclair Caramel…OMG…super delish..very rich, but the salted caramel filling… just decadent.

After gobbling down the eclair, we went on the hunt for Crumbs Bake Shop. Yes! we finally found it too. Unfortunately, I could not stuff another cupcake into my body, but Emily could 🙂

Crumb’s offers mostly jumbo cupcakes, but some regular size versions too. They are not fancy, but just fun. Oh look…the cupcake above is only 870 calories 🙂

Emily went with the red velvet. It was probably only 800 calories. Crumbs was voted #2 cupcake shop for the day after Billy’s.

After all the cupcakes, sweets and walking we went to dinner!

Day 2 on the blog tomorrow!

Sarah & Kevin’s beautiful wedding at King’s Gap Mansion

Posted on July 25, 2011 by thecouturecakery

Sarah and Kevin had the most beautiful wedding at King’s Gap Mansion high in the mountains overlooking the Carlise area. The JDK Group, coordinated by Amanda Savory, did a spectacular job from event design, florals to the catering.

Here’s the amazing view from the mansion’s stone patio. It seemed like you could see forever!

The guest tables looked so elegant and the food and presentation looked delicious.

Erika Hegedus created the most beautiful floral designs including tall vases with branches and lemons…

to pretty lower designs with florals including yellows, ivory and hints of purple.

The romantic ivory buttercream wedding cake was decorated with fondant lace accents which complimented Sarah’s gown.

The flavors included white cake with fresh lemon curd and vanilla buttercream fillings and a spice cake with caramel buttercream filling.

The very talented Mike Miller with Mixed Up Productions provided the DJ services for the reception and there’s no doubt he kept the party going all night.

Saran and Kevin looked just stunning and so happy together.

I also created a surprise groom’s cake for the rehearsal dinner. I was so happy Kevin loved it! I’m guessing the Superman cake was because he looks pretty much like Clark Kent 🙂

Congratulations Sarah and Kevin!

Vendors:

Catering, Event Design, Linens, Florals:
The JDK Group
(Amanda Savory – event designer, Erika Hegedus – floral designer)
Venue: King’s Gap Mansion
Photography: Krisha Martzell Photography
Wedding Coordination: Susan Moran – That’s It Wedding Concepts
DJ: Mike with Mixed Up Productions
Wedding & Groom’s Cake: The Couture Cakery

Loni & Jay’s Wedding at the Harrisburg Country Club

Posted on July 24, 2011 by thecouturecakery

Loni and Jay were married at the Harrisburg Country Club and I had the honor of creating a cupcake tower incorporating sunflowers and their wedding colors or purple and yellow.

Fresh flowers were incorporated on the cake topper.

Cupcake flavors included vanilla cake with lemon curd filling and strawberry butteream frosting and chocolate cake with mocha buttercream frosting.

The beautiful florals were provided by Hammaker’s Flower Shop.

Loni customized the vases. They looked adorable.

Melissa with Made to Keep designed the table numbers to coordinate with the wedding theme.

Instead of favors, couples are donating to charities which is so nice.

Congratulations Loni and Jay!! I loved working with you.

VENDORS:
Stationery: Made to Keep
Florals: Hammaker’s Flower Shop
Venue: Harrisburg Country Club

Jessica & Nathan’s Wedding Cake

Posted on July 21, 2011 by thecouturecakery

Jessica and Nathan were married on Saturday and had their reception at the Hershey Lodge. Their wedding colors included clover green and white which looked very pretty together. I used several different techniques including quilting, stenciling and scrolling. The cake flavors included vanilla cake with chocolate hazelnut and almond buttercream filling and chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream filling.

A present bow on top and tiny flowers decorated the top tier.

Congratulations Jessica & Nathan!!

Kate & Mark’s Irish Inspired Wedding

Posted on July 20, 2011 by thecouturecakery

Kate and Mark were married and had their reception at Kate’s parent’s property in Palmyra. A stunning setting with a celebration rich in tradition. The wedding colors included lavender, purples and apple green. The wedding theme incorporated their Irish and English heritage. The cake topper was an Irish claddagh as the cake topper which is a symbol of love.

The cupcake flavors included chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter buttercream frosting, vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and red velvet with cream cheese frosting.

The decorations on the cupcakes included white, lavender and white sugar blossoms.

Floral design was created by the very talented Melissa Pearl with C&J Catering. The purple irises were so pretty on the shimmery lavender linens.

The beautiful memorial and escort card table designed by C&J Catering was a wonderful tribute to their families. The fabric draping, dangling crystals, photo frames and floral balls were so pretty.

Pretty escort card presentation.

The sweetheart table included a stunning floral arrangement and I loved the way the shear overlay was accented with the satin rosette.

A shot of one of the bars.

Pretty vases on shepherd hooks accented the inside of the tent.

The team at C&J Catering really did an amazing job.

Congratulations Kate and Mark!

Vendors:
Catering, event design, florals: C&J Catering
Photography: Grace Lightner Photography
Cupcake tower: The Couture Cakery

Sharon & Aaron’s contemporary white wedding cake

Posted on July 19, 2011 by thecouturecakery

Sharon and Aaron had their reception at the Hershey Lodge this past Saturday. They wanted something clean and elegant with a modern touch. The tone on tone of whites looked so pretty. Some of the flowers were dusted with luster dust so the cake had an elegant shimmer.

The cake flavors were red velvet cake with lemon buttercream filling and white cake with fresh lemon curd and vanilla buttercream fillings.

Congratulations Sharon and Aaron!

Heather & Shawn’s Wedding at Riverdale Manor

Posted on July 18, 2011 by thecouturecakery

Heather and Shawn had their wedding and reception at the beautiful Riverdale Manor in Lancaster. One of my very favorite team of photographers was there to capture these amazing photos. MattnNat are not only incredibly talented photographers but the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

The wedding colors were hot pink, light pink and black. The florals included gerbera daisies which were incorporated on the cupcakes as decorations. The cupcake flavors were chocolate cupcake with Oreo buttercream frosting, chocolate cupcake with peanut butter buttercream frosting and vanilla cupcakes with strawberry buttercream frosting. Heather did a great job creating her candy display too!

The black linens with the pink napkins looked fun and elegant.

Heather was such a stunning bride. I love this shot.

Pretty programs and florals.

What a beautiful couple!

A stunning shot of Riverdale. Love it.

Congratulation Heather and Shawn!

Click here to jump over to MattnNat’s blog post of the wedding with more amazing photos.

Vendors:
Venue: Riverdale Manor
Photographers: MattnNat
Cupcake Tower: The Couture Cakery

Jacque & Dan’s Fun Summer Wedding

Posted on July 18, 2011 by thecouturecakery

Jacque and Dan had their wedding and reception at the beautiful Colonial Country Club. The decor of the reception was just fun. Bright pink and orange accents with pink uplighting created a festive and beautiful reception room. I had a blast creating a sweets table including cupcakes and wedding cake for the guests.

The wedding cake was chocolate cake with Oreo buttercream filling and white cake with strawberry buttercream filling. The cake design included a swirl design that was part of their invitation design.

I love the special sign that Persnickety Invitation Studio created for the sweets table.

Sweets included marshmallow pops, Hershey kisses, Whirley pops, rock candy, pink gummi pigs, orange slices and more. I also created the tags that incorporated their wedding invitation design.