Dos, Don'ts, Answers and Advice Series - "The Groom's Cake"

Part of my job as a planner, is to give advice to my clients about wedding dos and don'ts.  I decided to create a new series for our blog to help answer some of the sommon questions that we get.  I hope you enjoy. 

When doing cake consultations with a brides-to-be, I often hear the question.... "What is a groom's cake?"  and "Is it tradition to get the groom a cake?"

Well, I have heard many different answers so I decided to do some research.  Here is what I found out.  The groom's cake is part of an old southern tradition. It was tradition for the bride to surprise the groom by buying him a cake as a gift - "the groom's cake".  Usually the groom's cake is chocolate or some other dark flavored cake and/or soaked with liquor.  However, today's groom's cake can be any flavor the couple desires.

The cake can be cut and put in gift boxes for guest to take home or served as an alternative flavor in addition to the wedding cake at the reception.  It can also be used to serve to the wedding party and close family as a late night reception snack.  Another good idea (the one I like the most) is to have the groom's cake at the rehearsal dinner. The bride can surprise her groom to be with the cake during the dinner.

Crazy groom's cake legend:  it used to be said that the groom's cake should be cut and given to single women who attend the wedding to take home.  Once they get it home, they are instructed to put it under their pillow as they sleep.  Legend has it that this will cause them to dream about their future groom-to-be.

See below for some really cool groom's cake examples.  Now a days the cake is usually fashioned after the groom's favorite things, hobbies and interest.  But please keep in mind...the groom's cake is an option not a must have. It is also usually much cheaper than the wedding cake...especially if ordered from the same bakery as the wedding cake.

In the picture below, the bride had a really good idea to incorporate the groom's cake with the wedding cake.

All pictures are from the www.pinkcakebox.com site.. this lady is awesome...I use this site alot for cake inspiration for my clients. Other sources: The Wedding Channel and The Cake Channel

In the Spotlight: Magnificent Floral Events

Lisa of Magnificent Floral Events, is not only a friend of mine, but a very gifted wedding and events florist within the Metro Detroit area. If you are looking for a florist with real talent, and an eye for creativity, then Lisa has it. I recently asked Lisa to particpate in our new blog spotlight series by providing a few pointers on what a bride and groom should look for, ask, and expect from a wedding florist.

Q.  How long have you been in the business? 
A. 15Yrs

Q. What is the big misconception about your services/industry?
A.  The cost of flowers

Q. What are some of the things a client should look for when interviewing with a florist?
A.  Look at their recent photos, you want a florist that is willing to work with you and satisfy the designs you have in mind.

Q. What should be in the contract?
A.  It should included some basic things like your name, address and phone number, contact person's name, address and phone number for every delivery location, and more importantly an itemized list and description of every floral arrangement, the number required, color of ribbons The total cost, your deposit and the amount still owing and the date for the last payment

Q.  What type of training should a Florist have?
A.  Some basic floral and floral arranging training and should be able to develop a great rapport with customers

Q. What type of training do you have?
A.  I have had 12 weeks Floral training at the Genesee vocational Center, Floral Design classes at Mott Community College, 12 weeks in Advanced Floral Design at the Royal Oak Technical Center, and continuing education floral classes thru the MFA (Michigan Floral Association)

Q.  How can a bride save money when deciding on what services they want from a florist?
A.  Ask about using flowers that are in season that are in the region (local) or using filler flowers and greens. Consider using masses of inexpensive flowers like white carnations or chrysanthemums instead of roses. Put the bulk of your budget toward flowers for the reception site. Create something dramatic in a few key spots rather than placing numerous smaller items here and there.

Q.  When a bride/groom first comes to you for a consultation, what should they bring with them?

A.   Bring as much information as possible:Color swatches, pictures of dresses, pictures of flowers and arrangements that you like (magazine clippings or websites) if available, a picture of your reception room, a list of who needs flowers

Based on my own experience in working with Lisa, I know that she will go the extra mile to include all elements in her designs such as, lighting, pipe and drape and even some extra bling.

A good wedding planner needs a good decorator/florist to collaborate with to bring a design to life. And by the way, check out the LE Real Wedding for Tanesha and DonLarae...Lisa helped make my vision a reality by providing lighting, flowers with bling and pipe and drape.

Check out some samples of Lisa's work:

Maria B. Stanfield - Fabulous at Forty

Happy New Year from Lavish Events.  We are so excited to think about what 2010 will bring.  Over the New Years weekend, Lavish Events had the pleasure of designing and planning a 2 day event for Maria Stanfield.   Maria came to us and asked that we help make her 40th Birthday a classy affair. When we plan an event, we first sit down with our client and talk about what they like, what are their passions.  That helps us understand the person and what type of event they desire.  Maria is really into fashion.  She loves Gucci.  So we decided why not design an event that represented her love for fashion. Our inspiration for the color scheme came from the Gucci bag and ribbon that the store uses to wrap purchases.  LePenn Designs help us design a logo and a box invite that set the tone for the rest of the event.  Another person that was very instrumental in the planning of Maria's celebration is Sheri Walker.  Sheri was very instrumental in securing the venue and logistics at the 24 grille.  Our team had a great time planning this Fabulous Affair. Maria is a smart and classy women. Cheers Maria!

Here are some of the places and people that we worked with to create Maria's Fabulous at Forty birthday New Years weekend celebration:

 Theme: Fabulous at Forty

Colors: Gold

Day 1- "A day with my girls" @ The Gucci Store at Somerset Collections, The Woodhouse Day Spa, The Studio 88

Day 2- A "Fabulous at Forty" Affair @ the 24 Grille in the Westin Book Cadillac

Event Theme Design, Planning and Management: Lavish Events, LLC


Event Planner: Sheri Walker - 24 Grille

Signature Drinks: The Maria-Tini

Photographer: Mantrell Goodrum

Invites, logo and stationary: Lepenn Designs

Cake: Lakes Cakes

DJ:  DJ Vern English -The Tandem Entertainment

Make a Smilebox slideshow