It's a bride's cake, it's a groom's cake...how about a gride's cake?  Well, maybe not.  But, it is a fun idea!  Thanks to a pinterest inspiration, Rebecca decided to create a cake that was half white and half chocolate.  This gives the impression from one angle that it's a traditional bride's cake and from another angle a traditional groom's cake.  But, when you look at it from the center, it creates a fun contemporary cake design, combining both cakes into one! 

So, what was the flavor?  Well, they chose to save their top tier for their first anniversary and went with French Vanilla with Strawberry filling.  The second and bottom tiers were also French Vanilla with Strawberry filling, a very popular and widely loved flavor combination.  The third tier was one of my personal favorites, Chocolate with Bailey's Chocolate Mousse filling!

Just another idea for those who want something a little unique.

The Austin area was blessed with a little extended winter this year.  I was a bit shocked when I was wearing a jacket to my son's April football games.  While I'm not a fan of cold, it sure was a nice surprise for the spring bride's who yearned for an all outdoor wedding.  But, the heat is coming!  Well, no...it's here!  And while we are still far from the August sauna, it's time to put the cakes inside!

Outside cakes are beautiful!  Really, they are!  The photographs are breathtaking.  But, once 80 degree weather hits, it's not worth the risk and here's why:

Icing Melts. Yes, buttercream is made of butter.  When left out in direct sunlight or heat it will get soft.  If it gets too soft it will slide off the cake.  Even though some suggest otherwise, fondant melts and cracks too in higher temperatures.

Wind Blows. Usually the wind is only a problem in spring months, but it is still a problem.  The wind would have to be blowing pretty hard to actually knock a cake over.  But, it doesn't have to blow very hard to pick up a light object (maybe some light table decorations) and hurl them into the side of the cake, leaving an ugly gash in your beautiful dessert!

Bugs Like Sugar!  Yes, they do.  Especially gnats.  The bugs are out and they are hungry!  I can't tell you how many times I have picked gnats off of cakes as I set them up and often wonder how many guests accidentally eat a little critter who is just cruising for a little sugar sample himself.  Mmmm...does that have you craving dessert now?

So brides, as much as we love those beautiful backgrounds that come with placing a cake outside, let's not run the risk.  Let's find a beautiful spot inside your venue to show off your wedding cake!

I'm usually pretty leary about DIY weddings because of all the behind the scenes happenings that most brides don't know to plan for.  However, I wanted to share with you Dyana's Cindo De Mayo wedding!  She had a small casual ceremony and reception in the backyard of her parents beautiful Victorian style home.  The ceremony was simple.  Rented white chairs stood along an aisle that ended underneath a beautifully decorated arch.  Paper flowers both large and small adorned the sides of the chairs and arch.  A rented canopy housed several tables and white chairs, covered in white tablecloths.  Small bunches of fresh flowers were gathered in the middle of the center of the tables.  Hanging from the ceiling were beautifully hand made paper flowers.  And in the center of the raised back porch stood one square table, elegantly draped with a blue table cloth.  On this table was placed her French Vanilla and Cream Cheese wedding cake, decorated to look similar to a traditional Hispanic dress.

So, what did I love so much about this wedding!  One, was the couple.  You could tell they were so in love and so happy to be getting married.  Second, family and friends!  Everyone chipped in and helped and everyone seemed to be having a blast doing it.  And third, all the color and culture!  Being a Hispanic bride, she chose to to use Cinco De Mayo as a way to incorporate her heritage into her wedding.  All the colors, from the cake to the paper flowers to the fresh flowers, all matched perfectly.  The theme flowed effortlessly through the entire backyard.

What a perfect casual Sunday afternoon wedding!  Congratulations to the bride and groom!  Everything was beautiful and I