I would like to update everyone about what has been going on. . .this year has been a learning process for myself and my staff!  We have a lot of goals and ideas on how we can do more =)  But with doing more comes learning how to balance everything out.

From going back to school, to getting engaged, to moves and changes and additions and losses our team had to sit down and re-evaluate.  

The decisions:  We will all be rotating and writing blogs, anything from favorite recipes, got-to-love weddings picks, tricks, and DIY’s, to inspiration to the hottest and latest things…and we would LOVE to hear from you.  Any ideas, questions or thoughts. . .bring them on!  We will also be getting a little more personal and sharing with you a bit of our lives, from wedding planning, to our own attempts at DIY projects, to baking tricks we use and more!

We are bringing back our monthly specials and will be adding a mail – it – out option.  The holidays are coming up fast and with that will be a new menu, and great holiday gifts!  

I hope that everyone enjoys the changes that are soon to come!

Ciao~

This year you will see:

An updated menu – we have refined our menu to bring you the best of everything we offer!  All of our cakes now come with a standard simple syrup soak.

We are adding a full chocolate menu this year!  We are also able to ship chocolate from us to anyone you want to make smile!

We are adding a menu for your four legged friends and family members!  This includes their wedding day needs!

We are going to have a research page where you can see what we are working on to offer you more of what you need – including wheat free, gluten free, and dairy free options!

I have also added two wonderful woman to the team! Rocio Escobar – Head Pastry Chef for the Austin division and Mandi Boyette – my Asst. Pastry Chef and lead design consultant!  Check out their bio’s and pic’s on the Meet the Chefs page!

If you have any suggestions or there is anything you would like to see please send us a comment or email!

Happy Baking!

My Cake World -

I want you to tell me how you got engaged; where are you on the planning stages; anything you feel another bride should know….Already married? Share your knowledge!!

Are you a groom who wants to tell how he popped the question?  Are you thinking about popping the question but you aren’t sure how?  Write in and share!

I will compile your comments, questions, and stories into a blog later this month!

Thanks to everyone!

Okay so let’s start with the why: Besides being a cost effective option cupcakes can adapt to any celebration or any event that you are hosting!  You can have multiple flavors and fillings throughout your order and have specialty designs that are completely unique to your event!

Now the how; in my opinion this answer goes back to the dollars and cents.  It is easier to pay a couple bucks for a cupcake “treat”  that just happens to contently be on the side of the road on your way home from a long day at work than it is to spend a Jackson on a not quite so delicious small cake at your local super market!

At any rate; you can make of this craze as you will – I recommend cupcakes for your next event!

Happy Baking!

Kevin Walkers: You asked “Can brides be more realistic these days with their budgets?”

- ABSOLUTELY!  Many brides are able to cut their budgets tremendously by DIY projects which can include anything from the invitations, to center pieces, and even the day of decorating!  If you give yourself extra planning and doing time; making sure to include your partner in the decisions, planning, and doing you are likely to spend less money, have less stress and your compromise skills will go way up!!  I hope this helps you out Kevin – and any other budget brides!!

Speaking of budgets – if you are looking to spend a little bit more cash on a few areas the top three choices should be:Food; Dessert; or a Planner.  PLEASE REMEMBER: If you hire a planner, be it a party planner or a wedding planner, please be courteous by remembering a few key things to help your relationship be a smooth and healthy one!

1. Listen to what they have to say; they are the professionals – they have been around the block more times than you can count – they really know what looks good and what looks not so great!
2. Persons in specialty careers work really hard ALL of the time.  There are many many many behind the scenes steps that need to be taken that you don’t know about!  Trust your planner (or any specialist you hire!) and give them the thanks that they deserve for their hard and dedicated work!
3. Remember, you are not their only client!  While you may feel like you are, that is just a great sign of an amazing professional!  It is their job to make you feel like the most important person, however, there is a good chance that someone else’s event is going on and they deserve the attention at that time.

This is a common area of stress in the wedding professional’s world and one we commonly talk about!  Give us a little room to do our jobs and your wedding will come out better than you can imagine!  Remember, you are hiring us because you like our work!

Lastly, if you are looking for wedding ideas in any of the following categories check out www.theknot.com

Wedding Planning, Venues, Decorations, Dresses, Speeches, Color Combination’s, Budget Helper and much much more!

I hope that this helps you guys out!  Keep reading and sending me your questions!!

Keep baking!

-MCW

M = Mood – Think about the mood you want your wedding to have..

Elegant and Romantic? -Go with grey’s and deep notes!
Afternoon Garden? – Look to Nature for inspiration!
Warm & Intimate? – Gold’s and Chocolates are the way to go!
Modern? – Try pairing together a neutral color with a bright color; like Black and Teal!
Trying to open up a smaller space? – Use cool tones to make a small space feel bigger!

B = Balance – Most brides have two to three colors…however it is important to balance out how much of each tone is used and where to use it!  If you use one color for the bridesmaid’s dresses, try using the other one for your flowers!  If you have a third color use it sparingly throughout your table settings and bouquet ribbons.  Remember, if you still aren’t sure on the colors you have picked try asking random people, they will give you the best opinion since they aren’t tied to you!

T = Tone – If you are having a late summer wedding yellows and reds are perfect…and also screams Ronald McDonald’s!  Don’t fret, just tone down the colors a bit and you are left with claret and copper…100% grown up and very elegant!

Still need a bit more help? No problem!  Try these websites out:

1. For random color inspiration check out the color wheel at: brides.com
2. If you want some meaning behind your colors try this: colormatters.com
3. Want to design your own color board and order swatches? dessy.com/pantone
4. Here is a fun one – pick a color palette based on you and your fiance’s birthdays! colorstrology.com

Happy Baking!

Enjoy the pictures and thanks for all of your loyal support!

Enjoy the view…The Bridal Cake included ribbon, roses, and a monogram.

The grooms cake was adorned with matching flowers and chocolate covered strawberries all centered around a “bride and groom”!

I hope that you enjoy these pictures!  More wedding to come soon….