CHOCOLATE!!

Is there really anything better than chocolate? There are so many gorgeous wedding cakes out there, but don't forget taste. Chocolate cakes are so rich and fulfilling. Kudos to the couples who choose them, it's a bold statement. We talked about having a chocolate cake, but chickened out and went with a more traditional choice.

Here are some cakes you can practically taste!





The simplicity of a single flower is a great way to showcase the chocolate frosting itself.













Cake by Scrumptions. Chocolate covered strawberries are a great compliment to a chocolate wedding cake. Actually, they're a great compliment to just about anything. Mark my words, serve chocolate covered strawberries at your reception and you will have happy guests.












GORGEOUS. Elegant. Chocolate can be fancy too.












Cake by MaryAnn Ninger. Marzipan apples add color and theme to this chocolate concoction. They also bring an element of autumn to the cake.










Cake by Fleur de Lisa. Brown and pink has been a trendy color combo for weddings. What better place to showcase your colors than on your cake? These bright flowers really pop against a darker cake.









Cake by The Cake Studio. I could really go for a piece of this! Cracked chocolate over chocolate frosting. Could there be rich chocolate cake underneath to make it a trifecta?













Cake by Ramasola. Another hot color combo is brown and green.. and this case proves why it's a hit. The flowers between layers add to the grandeur of this chocolate tower, and the matching dots pull the whole thing together.

Falling in love.

AUTUMN is here. My favorite season. Apple cider, pumpkins, football, leaves.. love it. Originally I had wanted a fall wedding. I think it's the perfect wedding season. Naturally beautiful with the leaves, not too hot or too cold. Especially for people wearing formal attire; it is nice to not face 80-90 degree weather when you're in a tux or a wedding gown.




Pick of the day! If we had had a fall wedding, this would have been a top contender. The mini pumpkins are an adorable topper, and the hay-like spun sugar adds a perfect autumn touch.

































Cake by Highland Bakery. While I wouldn't use this as the only wedding cake, how perfect would it be for a fall groom's cake? So skillfully done, this just looks like a pumpkin from Hagrid's garden.










Cake by The Cake Girls. In my fantasy, unlimited budget mind, The Cake Girls would have made our wedding cake. I just love Mary Maher on all the Food Network Cake Challenges. Add Challenge judge to my list of dream jobs. This cake is perfect for a fall couple who doesn't want to make fall the theme.









Cake by Vermont Cake Studio. Simple and elegant.












While I like the design of this cake, the construction looks sloppy. Even my untrained eye can spot the flaws in the fondant and the gap between tiers.













Cake by Sweet Traditions. Love the mini gourds (and also the word gourd).














Cake by White Flower Cake Shoppe. I love the warm color palate here.
















Cake by Retro Bakery. Love the leaves. My one complaint is the underlying color. If you're doing a fall wedding, I think ivory or cream would be a better color than white. White just seems so stark. Even a somewhat softer shade of white would have complimented the leaves better.











Again, I think the white stands out like a sore thumb. Also, I think these leaves are too small, they get lost in the size of the cake.















Cake by The Chefs Kitchen Cakery







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Here's another great option for couples having a fall wedding who don't want a fall theme. Fall has the most beautiful colors, and the flowers here really show that off. Not nuts about the round flower cake topper.. but the flowers cascading down and on the table are just perfect.

Ribbons and Bows

Using ribbon on cakes is an easy way to incorporate a splash of color. Many brides have been using ribbon to line the base of each tier, while others are having more intricate fondant bows made for the cake.



Cake by Sedona Wedding Cakes.
















Cake by Pink Cakebox. If I had to guess, I'd say the pleats are made to match the bride's dress.. and really, is there anything better than a dessert that coordinates with your outfit? I say we should start doing that all the time! If your purse and shoes are expected to match why not your sweater and cookie?











Cake by Big Wedding Cake Company. The bow on top is great, but don't miss the more subtle ribbon lining the bottom of the tiers. What an elegant way to make the cake look more polished and to hide those little gaps between tiers.



























The bow really makes this cake. Without it, the cake would be too dark.. but the green really brightens it up.












Cake by Gail Watson. Photo by Mary Ellen Bartley. Such a sweet twist on the ribbon/bow trend. I love the delicate feel of the tiny ribbons. The whole cake is lovely!











As with any trend.. don't go overboard. Less is more. It's like a where's Waldo game... can you spot the cake under all the fondant bows?















Perfect sophistication. See, ribbons don't always have to be casual.










Pick of the day! The top two lace-inspired tiers give the cake a graceful feel, the ribbon adorned lower tiers add a glamorous touch, and the broach really pushes the whole thing close to perfection.

Flower Power

Two of the best things about weddings--flowers and cakes--get even better when paired together.
But be careful: take steps to make sure the flowers don't wilt and avoid poisonous flowers (ask your florist).

While you're planning, give some thought to the overall look of your cake table. A little bit of effort will ensure that a beautiful cake isn't lost in a sloppy set up. Some of these pictures are great examples of how to use flowers to dress up the cake and table. I know flowers can be expensive; cheaper options include candles, nicely draped fabrics, and decorative cake stands.



Photo by Andrea Polito Photography. Cushions of flowers like this placed around the base of the cake not only add to the romance, but also lead to a more polished look. No one likes to see an immaculate cake set atop nothing more than some metallic cardboard.







Cake by TribecaRooftop. Without the flowers, this cake would be nothing to write home about. But the flowers take it to a better level adding elegance and grace.












NOT RECOMMENDED. This is just a cautionary picture. Don't let flowers take over a small cake. Mostly, this is avoided by selecting both a bakery and a florist with good reputations and strong portfolios. Make sure you look not just at the style of a baker's work, but also at the quality. Is the piping sloppy? Is the fondant smooth?











These next three cakes show a great way to make a small cake look more grand. Flowers layered between tiers add color and height. Perfect for a bride on a budget who doesn't want to give up the impressive aesthetic of a large cake.











































Make sure to take extra care with hydrangeas, they are notorious for wilting very easily. Nothing ruins a cake faster than dead or dying flowers--not the symbolism you're going for at the beginning of your marriage. Consider silk hydrangeas instead.







Cake by Angel's Food Cakes. The yellow orchids here really brighten up the cake--a cheerful color for a cheerful occasion.












Cake by Rosebud Cakes. These flower clusters provide pops of color and dress up the cake without overwhelming it the way a cascade of flowers might.










Cake by Mrs. Goodman's Baking Company. Peonies might be my favorite wedding flower, and they make a perfect topper here.












If you want a floral look but are working under a budget, petals are a nice choice. Soft rose petals strewn over anything carry a romantic feel.











Cake by Renaissance Cakes. What a stunning color palette! I love the contrast of the bright pink flower petals with the green of the ribbon and orchids. This one is my pick of the day. Although, the buttons and borders aren't as clean as they could be.

Something old, something new, something borrowed ...

Blue is a great wedding color. In my book there aren't many colors that seem appropriate year round for weddings, but blue breaks the mold. Different shades can be perfect for winter or spring/summer weddings. Fall may be the exception--because if you're getting married in the fall (my favorite season) you're practically obligated to use the rich hues of autumn.








from Martha Stewart. This is a spectacular example of use of color on a wedding cake. It combines a soft vintage feel with a classic, subtle shade of blue. I like that you can see other reception decor in the background; you really get the feel of a sophisticated wedding. Oh Martha Stewart, will you ever cease to amaze us?












Mini cakes by Cheryl Kleinman Cakes. Everything is cuter in miniature form. These could be used as table centerpieces at either a wedding or a shower. And look--monograms! What did I tell you guys? Monograms are in.










Tiffany cake by Studio Cakes. Blogging about blue cakes I felt bound to throw in a Tiffany cake, but let me tell you, I have some big reservations about these suckers. Before you get the wrong idea about me, let me say that I do not make a habit out of watching Bridezillas. In fact, I think that show is terrible. But I do remember seeing one episode in which a very trashy bride demanded a cake that looked like a Tiffany box. It struck me as odd because her engagement ring came from Wal-Mart.. ok, so they didn't say that, but I'm guessing I'm not too far off on that one. In my opinion, if you don't have a ring from that jewelry store, why would you make it such a big part of your day? I think the cake should convey your theme or at least related to the couple, and really, if a cornerstone of your relationship is a jewelry store, it's time to rethink the marriage. Generally, I don't care for the Tiffany cakes.. one cute exception though: showers. I came across this blog about a Breakfast at Tiffany's themed shower, and I have to say, it sounds adorable. I'm much more on-board with a shower centered around a classic movie.
http://newportnuptials.blogspot.com/2009/03/thats-right-im-just-crazy-about.html







Light and airy, this cute cake works well with a midday spring wedding.
















Another Martha Stewart cake. I imagine that this intricate swirl design was inspired by the barbed wire on the fences at Camp Cupcake. Hands-down, Martha is my favorite felon cake designer.













Beautiful modern cake by Vanilla Bake Shop. The sultry blue of the flowers turns this otherwise cheerful, causal cake into a more dignified dessert. Is this color "indigo," the lost member of the ROY G BIV forgotten shortly after second-grade?












Fantastic cake. A wedding is well-coordinated if you can look at one element and easily envision the rest. Here, I can see a New England beach wedding: bride in a flowy white dress her hair in loose messy tendrils, groom barefoot in linen pants and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
On a side-note: if your cake conjures up images of a wedding very different than the one you're planning, change cake designs. The cake should not stand out as significantly more or less formal than the rest of your day. Recently I saw a wedding that featured stunningly elegant formal invitations, programs, and other paper products. The entire wedding seemed classy and up-scale. Then, the cake was incredibly playful and childlike. My advice: do not pair a brightly colored polka-dot, cupcake cake with a black-tie affair. If that's the cake you want, choose other whimsical elements to incorporate.







This sweet cake is complimented well by the pale pink flower topper.
















This stunning creation is one of those cakes that makes me (momentarily) wonder if I chose the right cake for my wedding. The timeless elegance of this cake evokes 50's Hollywood glamour while maintaining a delightful simplicity. Although the top cake gave it a run for it's money, this is my pick of the day.

Swirls of Love (or buttercream, chocolate, fondant, and sugar)

Ever versatile, swirls can be playful and fun or elegant and romantic.



Red swirl cake by Manassas Cakery.
The swirls here look well-done, and I'm glad the middle layer is different. Three tiers would have made the red seem overpowering and angry.












Gorgeous swirls, such soft romance and elegance. You can practically smell the hydrangea when you look at this cake.














Celebration swirls. The explosion of swirls on top of this cake is an edible manifestation of a joyful wedding reception.














Awesome cake by Just Fabulous Pasteries -- and how aptly named; this cake has FABULOUS written all over it. The varying heights of the tiers is brilliant, and the overall height of the cake is nothing short of majestic. The swirls here add a charmingly playful element that saves this cake from edging near boredom.











A lively cake is by Indulge Desserts. This cake will really brighten up a shower or reception; it's hard to look at it without smiling.
















This cake marries a sophisticated color scheme with a lighthearted swirl design.















LOVE this one. Great colors, and a fantastic chocolate swirl design. This is my pick of the day!