The Bridal Extravaganza is over and now it's time to reflect over piles and piles of brochures!  Rather than doing that, come join us for our Grand Tasting and let your taste buds do the choosing!  Regardless if you attended the Extravaganza or not, you do not want to miss this! 

Our Grand Tasting is just as it sounds...a buffet table filled with some of our most popular flavors and fillings.  Hop in line and fill your plate with an assortment of cakes!  Snag and seat and dive in!  Once you've eaten (or before, there are no rules) walk around the venue and get ideas on how to decorate your cake with our inspiration tables.  We will also be walking around answering questions, so come with photos and ideas.  Many brides like to use our Grand Tasting as an opportunity to have a mini consultation with us, design their cake, and book their date!  So come prepared in case you decide to reserve  your date too!

So, what are the details?  Our Grand Tasting will be held at Chateau on the Creek in Round Rock between 5:30 and 7:30 pm on June 7th.  It's a come and go event, so come whenever you like and stay as long as you want.  Please RSVP on the front page of our website.  We don't want to run out of cake!

And the flavors?  Ahhh!  The best part!  This tasting we will be serving:

• French Vanilla with Bavarian Cream Filling and Buttercream icing (a traditional favorite)
  
• Rosewater with Strawberry Filling and Buttercream icing (a new trendy selection with a pop of a floral taste...come sample and you'll fall in love)
  
• Butter with Raspberry Filling and Buttercream icing (a fall/winter favorite, creamy and rich)
  
• Banana Foster with Cream Cheese Filling and Buttercream icing (a delicate cake rich in flavor and moisture...banana bread anyone)
  
• Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Filling and Cream Cheese icing (a creamy and rich chocolate based southern favorite)
  
• Chocolate with Peanut Butter Fudge and Chocolate icing (this is a peanut butter cup on steroids)
  

In just a few short days the greatest (in my humble opinion) wedding show will be here!  This is a perfect one stop shop for all your wedding needs!  But, it's a lot to take in.  Many brides get overwhelmed.  So, let me help you.  Here are a few tips to stay organized and get the most out of the show!

1. Arrive Early.  The show starts at noon.  I would arrive about 15 minutes before to find parking and get in line.  You will want to spend the entire day at the Palmer. 
   
2. Do not eat.  Caterers are bakers will have plenty of food.  And  you definitely want to taste to see which ones are  your favorite.  I promise you will be stuffed when you leave.  So don't grab lunch prior to the show.
   
3. Start from one end and work your way to the other.  Don't try to zig zag or catch certain booths first.  You will be able to see everything, but if you hop around you might miss something.
   
4. Spend the most time with your most needed vendors.  Do a little homework before the show.  Prioritize what vendors you need.  Skip vendors you have already booked or won't need.  Spend time talking to the top 3 vendors you do need.  Get to know them, sample their products, make notes on their brochures.  Make sure to get brochures and eat least some information on the least priority vendors.  That way you have a starting place when it's time to book their services.
   
5. Bring two bags.  You will get tons of information and they can all run together.  When talking to a vendor jot down notes on their brochures.  If you really like them maybe place a star or other marking.  If you liked them and want more information place them in your "yay" bag.  If you didn't care for them or they are out of your price range place them in your "nay" bag.  This will help you later on when you are going through all your goodies.
   
6. Relax and then go through the info.  After the show go out for drinks with your girls.  Relax and unwind.  Then, a few days later you can start sorting through your "yay" bag.
   
7. Have Fun!  Don't stress.  Enjoy seeing all the details and decorations in the booth.  Taste the various flavors, smell the flowers, listen to the music and watch the fashion shows.  Enjoy this time with your closest friends and family as you plan your wedding.
   

Need information on the show?  Check out their webpage here.  See you on Sunday!

Let's be honest.  We all want our cake to look amazing, right!  But, we also want our cake to taste amazing too!  Guests will remember the design of your cake...somewhat.  They will remember it looked really beautiful, but can't quite give you details after your wedding day has passed.  But the flavor...now that's something they will talk about for years to come!  No pressure right!  So how do you select a cake flavor that everyone will love?  It's not as hard as you think. 

First things first.  Think about your meal.  For larger/heavier meals choose lighter desserts, like a French Vanilla or Peach.  You don't want your already full guests to have an even heavier dessert.  Rather than dancing the night away, you may find them slumped over in their chair ready to curl up in a warm blanket.  If you are having a lighter meal, then by all means...go for that Black Forest or Italian Cream! 

Second, think about your season.  There are some desserts that are seasonal.  If you are getting married in the fall, add that extra little touch to your wedding by choosing a yummy spice cake!  Or maybe a Strawberry cake in the spring! 

Lastly, think about your guests.  If you are having a larger wedding or a wedding with lots of guests who you really don't know too well, consider something more basic, like a vanilla or butter cake.  Those not only appeal to the masses, but you have less to worry about when it comes to allergies.  You don't want to order a super tasty Italian Cream cake when 1/3 of your guests don't eat coconut and another 1/4 are allergic to nuts.  If you are having a smaller affair or if you know your guests through and through, then think about what the majority will like.  Are they choc-holics?  Then maybe a German Chocolate cake might be a great choice?  Or a chocolate cake with a Bailey's chocolate mousse filling...a favorite among my house!   

But don't spend too much time stressing over this.  Unless you are going to be on "4 Weddings", your guests won't be picking apart your wedding and critiquing every little thing you do.  They will be there enjoying and celebrating with you and whichever dessert you choose, they will love!!