Every so often there comes a trend where you just have to stop and stare in awe. Some times you stop and stare because you can’t believe someone did that. And, some times you stop and stare because you love it and want it in your wedding!

At Weddings: The Bridal Show, I had one of those moments, and it was fabulous. But I was warned.

Ashley had told me before the show, “be sure to check out The Bake Shoppe” and I’m glad I did. They’d worked with Arzelle’s Bridal to find the five most popular wedding dresses. From there, The Bake Shopped used the gowns for inspiration to give Nashville brides and idea of how you can take your dream gown and use it to inspire your wedding cake!

We got the exclusive and are elated to share the entire, delicious process with you - from the gown and the sketch - to the final, inspired cake.

First up - An Alvina Valenta bridal gown (Style # 9609). This gown is perfect for the bride who wants to add drama to her wedding. It is ideal for a night wedding with candlelight surrounding the bride and her groom. The sash is a perfect touch to add just the tiniest bit of romance.

In the sketch below, you can see how the cake designer picked the sash as the focal point. It drapes down the cake just as the sash drapes down the dress.

You’ve seen the dress and the design; now, see the final product. It is a beautiful cake that accents the high point of the dress without overtly pointing it out! How incredible!! I’m still in awe.

Next - The Cotton Bride by Chris Kole bridal gown (Style # B1047). This gown is fitting for an outdoor setting in the summer. It is made with a light fabric and would be quite comfortable on your big day. No need to worry about “glistening” {since we fine Southern ladies do not sweat}.

There is no sketch to go with this gown/cake transformation, but you really don’t need one with it anyway. You can see which detail the designers chose to showcase, which is the intricate pattern. With the cake, they used soft spring color hues that would look lovely at an outdoor wedding.

Then - a Watters & Watters bridal gown (Style Positan0). This gown is for the pure bride who dreams of the simple and beautiful. This gown makes a statement but isn’t overwhelming. It is a perfect destination wedding gown.

For the cake, the designers chose to highlight the intricate details throughout the dress. The centerpiece of the cake is definitely the simplicity of the design.

After seeing the dress and the cake design, you will not be surprised to see the end result. The designers took their time and really thought about how to make it all flow together just like the pattern on the dress flows.

Check back tomorrow to see the other two cakes. You won’t want to miss them!

Today’s blog was written by Cassandra, an ABG bridal blogger. She is also a Nashville bride-to-be and writes from her unique perspective! Read more about Cassandra’s here.

I love cupcakes. I’m not going to lie, I don’t think I want to see the cupcake trend go away anytime soon.

Naticakes is in a quaint, cozy coffee shop on Main Street in Downtown Franklin. It is locally owned and operated by Nicole Sloan who founded naticakes to honor her niece Natalie who, at just 23 months, passed away. According to their website, “Nati’s gift of laughter and love for sweets was the perfect recipe to inspire her aunt Nicole to create a cupcake concept that is almost as sweet as this little girl.”

(Photo source: McLellan Style)

(Photo source: naticakes)

(Photo source: McLellan Style)

With cupcake names like Pretty Princess, Tuxedo, Opera Cake and Hi Hat, this is not your ordinary cupcake shop with run-of-the-mill flavors. The frosting is light and tasty, and the cake is dense enough to be substantial, but not so heavy that you can’t have more than one. The flavors are all distinct, and you’re not left with an overwhelming sugar rush that brings you crashing down. You can tell that good ingredients were used, and the cakes taste like no other. Especially if you’re a fan of Italian buttercream icing - this is the cupcake place for you.

(Photo source: naticakes)

Naticakes caters events and can accommodate large orders. Not only are their cupcakes delicious, they’re visually stunning as well. These pretty liners are such a great touch - it’s a cupcake cake table fit for a deluxe bride.

(Photo source: naticakes)

(Photo source: McLellan Style)

I like to support local entrepreneurs and support fellow local businesses. With 10% of Naticakes’ profits going to the Natalie Wynn Carter Foundation to improve the lives of children, not only will you be supporting a local entrepreneur, you’ll also contribute to a worthy cause. What a tasty way to help others - the ultimate win/win.

Jay of Maples Wedding Cakes, was honored to be asked to create this timeless, romantic cake for Martha Stewart magazine. Jay was so excited and humbled by the experience. I’m excited because I know the talent in Nashville - from cake artist to fab photographers - but now Martha knows. Don’t sleep on the Nashville wedding industry - we’re fierce! Congrats Jay. We’re oh-so proud of you.

Love This: Banana Pudding Dessert Shots

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE just about anything with bananas. So, when I saw these banana pudding dessert shots by A Catered Affair, I had to share. Don’t visit the site until you’ve had lunch. All of the yummy is making me hungry!!!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I chatted with Amy at the Bake Shoppe to discover what’s hot in decadent dessert trends.

The Bake Shoppe has been in Nashville for a long time and are quite established in the business. They offer basic, designer and custom cakes. All their cakes are very well designed but with the custom cakes - the sky’s the limit.

They will do multiple consults with you to create the cake of your dreams. Designs themselves have become a lot more elaborate - lots and lots of mini, hand formed flowers, pearls, hand shaped sugar flowers, just very very intricate designs. The more labor-intensive the cake, the more unique.

Just looking at these cakes is enough to make you wish you could have a taste right now.

This cake is my favorite - it’s simple but extremely elegant all at once. It’s almost ethereal looking.

Other indulgent trends that the Bake Shoppe has seen lately are the cake bars where brides offer guests up to 20 different sizes and types of cakes. Some brides have done family recipe cookies (the Bake Shoppe will happily follow and bake), people still love candy bars, and let’s definitely not forget cupcakes which I think are still going strong here in Nashville so we should be seeing more of those with cake trends.

Here’s one more I just had to share.

How’s that for a cup cake?

Now, if you want to kick things up a notch and give your guests (and yourself) a cake you won’t forget, The Bake Shoppe can customize the fillings within the cake to really enhance the flavor. Make your cake a reflection of your sophisticated palate and think beyond just traditional white cake and buttercream by adding heavenly fillings like caramel or chocolate ganache. I tried the chocolate ganache and it was incredible!

{Cake photos courtesy of Divine Images.}