Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

The Beauty, Elegance & Whimsy of Sylvia Weinstock Cakes

It’s an “oh and ah” moment StrictlyWedidngs.com fans! We captured these amazing cakes from Sylvia Weinstock’s blog to end your week with admiration for the incredible talent of this cake artist. (A must see is her Beauty & The Beast cake).

Sylvia Weinstock has created celebratory cakes for 30 years. She was motivated to produce not only beautiful cakes but also the most delicious cake. She uses crème de la crème, finest butter, heavy cream, fresh fruit and imported chocolate to create the most memorable delectable creations.

Not a wedding cake, but goodness, this is painted onto butter cream! Just incredible.

StrictlyWeddings.com NYC – Welcome Partners – Margaret Braun – Wedding Cakes

In the next weeks, we’ll showcase our new luxury wedding partners from New York City. Today, it’s New York City Cake designer, Margaret Braun.

Margaret Braun – Author of Cakewalk (Rizzoli), is a Sugar Artist who has redefined the art of cake decorating. Internationally renowned for her distinctive, boundary breaking style which fuses food and the fine arts, Margaret has influenced and inspired dessert and design enthusiast for years. At the same time, her emphasis on classical technique places her in the realm of genuine artisans from centuries past. Born in New York to a family of musicians and food lovers, Margaret spent the better part of her early life drawing on napkins, jeans, shoes, desks, and walls, until she found herself in a pastry kitchen where she began drawing on cakes. Then she discovered food coloring and from that moment on Margaret went on to create some of the most beautiful and delicious edible creations ever seen.

Seasonal Catering Choices

There is no rule that you have to have standard fare at your wedding when planning your wedding reception. Here are a few ideas to think on (and it’s a Monday and slow news day!)

For starters, a butternut squash or tomato basil soup instead of salad. Want both? Think smaller servings and add bell peppers, walnuts, cranberries or a smoke cheddar to your a salad of fresh greens.

For your main course, there’s certainly nothing wrong with the old standards of beef or chicken, but if you are going for a different flavor try rack of lamb or surprise your guests with individual Cornish game hens.

And fall vegetables can add a cornucopia of color to any plate, think steamed carrots, multi-colored squash, cauliflower and broccoli with small red potatoes.

For dessert, we’ve seen the trend of dessert bars in addition to the wedding cake. If you are looking to stray from tradition entirely, many brides are opting for pies, tarts or even cheesecake.

No matter which menu choices you make, there are no right or wrong choices. Whether you choose the traditional, seasonal favorites, or opt for the favorite comfort foods of the bride and groom, your reception menu will be delicious.

Photography: Butternut Squash soup MyRecipes.com; Dessert Bar Blue Plate Catering

Wedding Dessert Tables …so much more!

As we research unique luxury wedding planners in New York City, we came across the phenomenal talents of Amy Atlas‘ and her oh so special wedding dessert tables. Yumm-o! Made us want to get married all over again.

We encourage you to visit her website to view the hundreds of photos that she has of all her sweet treats. Definitely worth the time to marvel at the creativity and (no doubt) flavors that can be experienced from her many goodies.

Photographs courtesy of Gemma Commas

Your Ideal Wedding Cake

When meeting with your cake designer, bring photographs of cakes you love or fabric swatches of your color scheme to help them design the perfect cake for you. Also bring ideas for your groom’s cake. It should be designed to reflect a particular hobby or personality trait of him.

Here are some questions to ask your cake designer:

• Do you specialize in any certain styles or flavors?
• Do you recommend a certain type of cake for an outdoor or seasonal reception?
• Can you create individual cakes to be used as favors?
• Can you create specialized cakes for certain dietary needs?
• Do you offer a tasting?
• How much time do you need to prepare the cake at the reception?
• Do you offer instruction on how to cut the cake?
• Will you supply a proper container in which to freeze the top of the cake?
• Will you charge for any supports or bases on the cake?
• May I return the supports and bases for a refund? When?
• Are the cakes priced by the slice or by the cake? Do you have a price list?
• How far in advance must I book your services?
• What is your cancellation policy?
• Is a deposit required? If so, when and how much?