Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu
My sister, and her partner of many years are getting married - a formal blending of hearts and families.
It was mostly girls on Sunday as we came together to celebrate my sister's upcoming nuptials. The weather was great, the food was divine and the company was gut-busting fun - but one expects nothing less when a giant trampoline is involved.
It's always a treat to see my sister and nieces. Since they moved to another city, visits have gone from weekly to a few times a year. Also gone, is frequent access to my sister's amazing desserts. Where I have to try in the kitchen, she is a natural.
My aunt did a fabulous job organizing the event - she had tents set up so that we could keep everything outdoors and arranged for entertainment to keep everyone engaged and light tasty food and drinks for the health-conscious bunch. I, the least health-conscious of the bunch, was responsible for desserts.
I had so many great ideas pop into my head that included a sweet table boasting cake pops, push pops, macarons, cookies, a three-tier cake etc. - but had to quiet them due to lack of time. Plus, we really would not get through all that sugar. So, I kept it simple, and even that had its challenges.
The venue for the wedding is a historical building and so I thought I would go for a vintage feel. Purple is a big part of the wedding's colour palette, so I have incorporated it in all three sweets.
First up, something for our guests to take away. I used my favourite cookie recipe, covered them with a fondant circle and decorated with fondant abstract bride and groom silhouettes inspired by this pin. Cutting each out freehand was time-consuming, but I only needed two dozen. A little sanding sugar, and crumbs, and voila! I found the cookie packaging at Michael's. They came complete with little bags for the cookies, polka-dotted envelope cases, ribbons and do-it-yourself print labels. You gotta love anything that aims to make life easier!
Next on the list, cupcakes. My Red Velvet cake seems to be a hit among the adults and kids alike, so I went with that. I topped them off with a very light cream cheese/white chocolate frosting and adorned them with dragee-centered, fondant sugar flowers in a vintage purple. I found these great cupcake liners at Fancy Flours. The flowers were very simple to make and the addition of dragees added interest and bling.
Finally, the cake! Rog and Ali have four beautiful girls between them; three separately and the fourth they created together just over three years ago. There is a whole lot of parties involved in blended families, and with that sometimes comes a little drama, but more importantly a whole lot of love. It's like having three sets of parents and all the associated relatives - a community of people with a shared interest. Add grandparents, aunts, uncles and there is never a shortage of love.
The cake represents all the love this union brings to the couple, their kids and the extended family. The purple hearts are his, hers and theirs. All the hearts link to make one big heart that contains their love, or in this case, cake.
May sound corny to some, but that's just me, corny! I love a happy ending and I try to look for meaning and good in everything and everyone.
I used a peony cutter and a mix of fondant and gum paste to create this ruffled flower. I dusted it and added dragees to the center. The cake is small around but very tall - I used two 6" x 3" pans. Filled and covered, it stood around 8" high.
The photos aren't my best, but are a testament to how occupied I was enjoying the food entertainment and most importantly, the company - I did not have a chance to take photos while the light was good.
Ali and Rog, I wish you both the very best and look forward to your big day!
Keep an eye out for a post-wedding post!
Paula Kelly-Bourque says
The cookies are great, the cupcakes are beautiful and this cake is stunning. I just love how you do not just bake a cake but you bake a beautiful story into it. Best wishes to your sister and her soon to be husband and to their lovely blended family. The upcoming nuptials celebration party sounded like a ton of fun.
Al says
It was an absolutely fun day. Thanks for the beautiful cakes and words.
I Sugar Coat It! says
Thanks, Paula! It was a wonderful day.
I Sugar Coat It! says
Pleased you enjoyed it, Al! The credit goes to Debbie for all the planning/food.
Yvonne Robberstad says
Stunning cake that also looks yummy! Any chance of getting the recipe..?
I Sugar Coat It! says
Thanks, Yvonne! My apologies - I thought I included a link to the recipe in this post. It's from one of my earlier posts here https://www.isugarcoatit.com/2011/08/vanilla-bean-dulce-de-leche-surprise.html. Just omit the Dulce de Leche addition and of course bake in round pans as indicated above!
G Pavao says
Love the ruffled flowers
Dawn says
Jacquee, this cake is stunning and I love the story about it. It's not called 'corny', it's called 'romantic' and I am right in there with you! Your flowers are really something else - they look so real!