WINTER / SPRING 2012 $5.99Display until March 6, 2012

seattlemetbrideandgroom.com

Dream Dresses,Stylish Receptions, Luxe Desserts

And19 Pages of Inspiring Local Real Weddings

BeautyBold

CakeIcingn the

The

Classic white cakes are the ultimate canvas for showing off popular decorating

tips and techniques

PHOTOGRAPHS BY Danielle Leavell EvEnT STYlinG BY SHEEnA KAlSO Of The Invisible Hostess

SHOT On lOcATiOn AT THE wOOdmARK HOTEl

Formal FondantElegance and playfulness at the same dessert table? Jenny Keller of JENNY COOKIES (425-346-5424, jennycookies.com) pulls it off with sculpted fondant flowers that cascade down a white chocolate and caramel cake—and a side of blingy, sugar-crystal-covered cake lollipops.SWEET TALK Engage your baker in a fondant recipe discussion. It’s true that some fondants aren’t delicious, but many can be quite good—and it’s the only way to go if you want an ultra-smooth look. GOOD TO KNOW Some cake designers may recommend forgoing fondant flowers in favor of real or gumpaste variations. Made from sugar, cornstarch, and gelatin, gumpaste creations can actually make a lasting keepsake if stored properly. Plates and forks ( for rent), the Invisible Hostess. Antique crystal platter and silver charger ( for rent), Vintage Ambiance. Tablecloth ( for rent), Choice Linens. Kate Spade serving implements and Chilewich runner, Macy’s. Ceramic pedestal, Rosanna Inc. See Resource Guide for vendor information

McKenzie Powell of the event design company of the same name used lush, light pink peonies, raspberry-toned hanging amaranthus, sweet snowball berries, and a variation of hydrangea called “antique” to create a soft, muted palette that carries an unmistakable richness. Brass and silver vases from her collection as well as Scout Vintage’s complete the look.

SEat tlE MEt BrIdE & GrOOM: wINtEr/SprING 2012

seat tle met Bride & Groom: winter/sprinG 2012

Regal Royal IcIngin the early 1900s in england, Joseph lambeth perfected a style of cake decoration that would one day bear his name. will and Kate asked their baker to employ Great Britain’s favorite tech-nique, so the lambeth method might be more popular now than ever. it took dan mikosz of deCadenCe CUstom CaKes (206-909-3789, decadence customcakes.com) more than 15 hours to pipe royal icing —made with egg whites, lemon juice, and powdered sugar—into floral embroidery, delicate strings, and scalloped ruffles. a swiss-made white-chocolate fondant serves as a base. SWEET TALK discuss cake and filling options with your baker; they’re likely to be somewhat limited by the fact that lambeth cakes sit out for hours on end during the over-piping process. Histori-cally, these cakes were highly preserved, brandy-soaked fruitcakes; mikosz’s is a dense, hearty, almond butter cake. GOOD TO KNOW Because of the skill level and time commitment involved, you’ll want to budget a little extra cash if you’re in love with the lambeth look. Vintage cake topper, silver platter, stem-ware, and pedestal ( for rent), Vintage Ambiance. Tablecloth ( for rent), Choice Linens. Forks, Rosanna Inc

seat tle met Bride & Groom: winter/sprinG 2012

Lush ButtercreamJennY CooKies (425-346-5424, jennycookies.com) baker Jenny Keller offers a plush, romantic design rendered in buttercream. rosy cupcakes and sugar cookies round out the dessert buffet; overall, it’s a fuss-free look that invites guests to enjoy the sweet things in life.SWEET TALK this cake covering is made by creaming butter and powdered sugar together, but some bakers might replace costly butter with other fats. Be sure to chat about recipes with the vendors you’re considering; margarine-based “buttercream” just doesn’t impart the same flavor.GOOD TO KNOW Buttercream is a common, affordable, and tasty option for icing, filling, and decorative touches. But, because of that butter base, you’ll want to avoid this option altogether if there’s no safe refrigeration options available and your celebration is of the end-of-summer, outdoor variety. Cake platter ( for rent), the Invisible Hostess. Tablecloth ( for rent), Choice Linens. Pedestal and serving tray, Macy’s

seat tle met Bride & Groom: winter/sprinG 2012

Bewitching ButtercreamKasey Brown of KaseY’s Kreations (503-269-2518, kaseyskreationsllc.com) gave a nod to today’s over-the-top bridal fashion when she used buttercream to form row after row of ruffles on this three-tier sweet. Buttercream is a oft-used, afford-able frosting, but be warned: it tends to become a gloppy mess in warm or humid weather. not only are gumpaste creations like this sugar magnolia (made from sugar, cornstarch, and gelatin) heat tolerant, they make a lasting keepsake if stored properly.Dressed up: add an extra dose of deca-dence with plates of piX patisserie’s (503-282-6539, pixpatisserie.com) pink mini Jane avrils and a pedestal of the bakery’s Framboise pyramids and assorted macarons. wildflower linen’s frilly table-cloth completes the lush look.

Stripe it richBecause cakes have to be beautiful on the inside, too. 1) as a balance to the rich buttercream frosting, JennY CooKies’ light coconut cake has a nutty coconut filling. 2) light, frothy fillings like chocolate mousse don’t hold up well inside lambeth cakes because of the labor involved, so deCadenCe’s cake is filled with plum preserves and thick almond buttercream. 3) this lemon-poppyseed slice from BaKed is complemented by a layer of homemade blueberry jam and vanilla bean cream. 4) inspired by a memorable crêpe, CaKe enVY’s fillings are hazelnut and strawberry buttercream; the cake is vanilla buttermilk. Plates ( for rent), the Invisible Hostess. Forks ( for rent), Vintage Ambiance. Tablecloth ( for rent), Creative Coverings. Chilewich table accents, Macy’s

2

3

4

1

TexTural ITalIan MerIngueFor this European take on buttercream, white sugar and water are heated to what bakers call the soft ball stage. That mixture is added to whipped egg whites, and butter is then creamed into the resulting meringue. Kristina Serfass and Natalie Vorpahl at BAKED (206-307-4847, custombakedcakes.com) piped the frosting into a very popular pattern that resembles softly folded ribbons. SWEET TALK This type of buttercream is not as sweet as regular buttercream. Some folks love it; others don’t. Bakers worth their sugar will offer a full tasting menu of specialties; be sure to request Italian meringue if you’re considering it. GOOD TO KNOW Cakes of this nature shouldn’t be served straight from the refrigerator. The texture is much better when the butter has reached room temperature and the frothy nature of the meringue is back in action. Plates ( for rent), the Invisible Hostess. Pedestal and forks ( for rent), Vintage Ambiance. Tablecloth ( for rent), Creative Coverings. Chilewich table accents, Macy’s

SEAT TlE mET BrIDE & Groom: wINTEr/SprING 2012

seat tle met Bride & Groom: winter/sprinG 2012

Grand Ganachea monochrome palette need not be staid. take, for example, this textural showpiece from BeaVerton BaKerY’s weddinG sHop (503-941-2259, beavertonbakery.com). three tiers of smooth white chocolate ganache frosting are surrounded by slim, architectural white chocolate “cigarettes” and topped with white chocolate truffles. wedding shop manager lauren agee notes that ganache—a rich combination of choco-late and heavy cream—is quick to soften in heat, so keep your cake refrigerated or in an air-conditioned space to prevent the details from slip-sliding away.Dressed up: little cellophane bags of Cacao’s delectable white chocolate buttons will ensure guests go home with sweet mem-ories. say a few words with studio olivine’s dainty favor tags tied on with pink ribbon.

ThorouGhly Modern FondanTintricate yet clean, stylized but simple, CaKe enVY’s (206-453-3337, cake-envy.com) white-chocolate fondant-enrobed dessert is a sweet and stylish example of the embossing technique, in which texturally decorative motifs are pressed into the moldable confection. For this distinctive design, owner and baker Helen noh used an eyelet-cutting tool over fondant made from scratch with milky, creamy white chocolate.SWEET TALK perhaps your baker can riff on heirloom lace, the trim on your gown, or the pattern of a key décor element. Keep in mind, however, that embossed fondant desserts will cost more than those that are plainly iced; because the sugar dough dries quickly and can crack, it’s tricky to work with. GOOD TO KNOW Fondant doesn’t melt, so it’s a great choice for outdoor soirées in late summer.Silver platter ( for rent), Vintage Ambiance. Pedestal, Rosanna Inc. Glassware, World Market. Kate Spade serving pieces, Macy’s.