Fab 5: Groom's cakes for every personality

A Southern tradition, groom's cakes have recently become very popular in Western Pennsylvania and across the county. Brides present the cake as a gift to their groom, and usually choose a design that fits their new husbands' personalities. The cake itself is typically richer than the wedding cake--choosing a chocolate groom's cake, for instance, can provide a flavor option for your guests if you're serving a white wedding cake. Though typically served at the reception, you could also use the groom's cake as dessert at the rehearsal dinner, or even a Sunday brunch.

While groom's cakes certainly aren't a necessary component, I love the fun designs and options available. It's also a great way to reward your guy with a little bit of his personality, after a year of putting up with wedding planning. And so here are five creative groom's cakes, each fit for a different kind of guy.

1. The Poker Player
   
   He's got the guys over every weekend for some Texas Hold 'Em, so why not present him with a cake fashioned after his favorite game? This miniature poker table cake is complete with the playing cards and poker chips.
   Image from Hot Breads & Cakes
   
   
2. The Gamer
   
   If your groom's always glued to latest video games, serve up a cake shaped after his favorite game system. This XBox 360 cake (pictured for use at an XBox anniversary party) looks real enough to play.
   Image from IGN
   
   
3. The Car Nut
   
   Your groom's the kind of guy who spends his weekends under the hood, and never misses a Nascar race. Give him a cake designed to look like his favorite classic or race car.
   Image from Cakes by Sam
   
   
4. The Partier
   
   His favorite pastime is, well, drinking. He links to hang out with the guys at the bar, tailgate before football games and relax with a cold one in front of the TV. Get him a cake that looks like a can or bottle of his favorite brew.
   Image from Cakes by Graham
   
   
5. The Sports Fan
   
   He lives and dies with his favorite sports team, so get him a cake that shows his passion: a football helmet, hockey puck, baseball and glove or college mascot will do the trick. This Terrible Towel cake was originally designed for a birthday, but would be a great Steelers groom's cake as well.
   Image from Cake It or Leave It
   

You might be interested in:
The Ultimate Wedding Planner & Guide:
Everything the happy couple needs to plan their wedding with ease!
Compiled and written by a bride, this e-book includes ideas, wedding guest list, budget & checklist, contact list, reception ideas, gift list and more!

Second marriages: Getting the kids involved

The other night, I was watching an Ace Of Cakes repeat that the TiVo had caught, and one of the featured cakes was a very interesting wedding cake. The couple, both married previously, dropped their two kids off at the bakery with free reign to design whatever kind of wedding cake they wanted.

The kids rose to the challenge and came up with a cake featuring a Jeep, a skunk and green gorilla for the bride and groom, and four pairs of boots. Surely there was some sort of inside joke here, which didn't get explained on the show, but the bake shop worried about the parents liking their cake, which was about as far from traditional as you can get. The parents loved it though, and clearly understood the insides jokes none of us were privy to.

(Try as I might to find you a picture of this crazy cake, I couldn't do it. You can see other Charm City Cakes or watch the TV listing for repeats of Ace of Cakes' "Wishes Granted" episode.)

What I loved most about this story was how thoughtful the parents were to make sure that their children were an important part of the wedding. A marriage with kids involved is about a lot more than the couple, and it's definitely important to make the kids feel like they're part of the celebration. And what better way to include them than by letting them choose probably every kid's favorite part of the wedding--the cake?? It didn't matter how crazy the cake would be; only that the kids created something that represented their new family.

Image from Food Network

Fab 5: Halloween Edition

In honor of Halloween this week, I searched the Web for five fun photos for Halloween weddings.

1. Masquerade Ball
   
   Keep it formal and classy with gorgeous masks for the bride and groom. You can provide less expensive simple versions for your guests as favors.
   Image from Inside Weddings
   
   
2. Wedding Pumpkin
   
   Add a glow to your decor with a pumpkin carved with a custom image of your wedding. This one features the silhouette of a bride and groom, but you could also carve your monogram or a portrait of the two of you.
   Image from Yankee Halloween
   
   
3. Spooky Wedding Cake
   
   How cool is this cake? Be playful with your wedding cake and add some Halloween whimsy to your reception. I love this design, inspired by Nightmare Before Christmas.
   Image from gnyc.net, Cake by Let Them Eat Cake
   
   
4. Table Settings
   
   Go all out in Halloween colors--the orange and black pop off the blue linens here--and add in the details. Use a pumpkin as a vase for flower centerpieces.
   Image from The Knot
   
   
5. Costumed Guests
   
   Invite your guests to dress up for the affair. Make it optional, but anticipate a lot of fun and crazy costumes on the dance floor at your reception.
   Image from The Knot
   

Fab 5: White Wedding Cakes

What could be more traditional than a white wedding cake? Unfortunately, a traditional white cake probably brings to mind three tiers of buttercream icing with buttercream piping and buttercream roses, and a plastic bride and groom on top.

Luckily you can have the white cake and still have a more modern style. Here are five fabulous cakes, all in white.

1. Modern Elegance
   
   Modern square tiers draped with smooth fondant serve as a backdrop to a cascade of gorgeous sugar orchids.
   Cake by Collette Foley Specialty Baking, Image from In Style Weddings
   
   
2. Winter Wonderland
   
   Perfect for a winter wedding, this sparkling white cake features edible snowflakes and a topping of ribbons.
   Cake by Carlo's Bakery, Image from Brides.com
   
   
3. Tradition Redefined
   
   Never mix white and ivory? No way! Four alternating tiers of ivory and white look simply gorgeous. Fleur de lis, fondant swagging and sugar paste roses decorate this wedding cake, topped with fresh flowers.
   Cake by Polly's Cakes, Image from Wedding Channel
   
   
4. Roses and Dots
   
   This simple and classic cake, iced in vanilla, features white Swiss dots all over and a decadent amount of white roses between each tier.
   Cake by Scrumptions, Image from The Knot
   
   
5. Detailed Design
   
   Created locally in New Castle, this hexagon-shaped cake features detailed piping design that alternates around the sides and tiers of the cake. One tier features the bride and groom's monogram.
   Cake and image from Jody's Pantry

You might be interested in:


The Ultimate Wedding Planner & Guide:
Everything the happy couple needs to plan their wedding with ease!
Compiled and written by a bride, this e-book includes ideas, wedding guest list, budget & checklist, contact list, reception ideas, gift list and more!