To Cake or Not to Cake?

As someone who is very traditional in her tastes, being an event designer and wedding planner allows me to explore many options on behalf of my clients. Recently, a client reached out about our thoughts on the design of her cake. It sparked a discussion among the members of the LPF Team about the significance of a cake in 'today's wedding'.

With the advent of candy buffets, take out trucks of 'midnight snacks' and the advent of pies, it begs the question, how important is the wedding cake? With out a cake, what do you cut? What happens to the ceremonial 'icing-smeared-all-over-face' photo?

When prioritizing your sweet snacks, consider your dessert set up: Will you be serving other delights in addition to cake? If so, consider a small cake, that you can cut, if you'd like. And have fun with it--do something with color, pattern, and spend less.

photos courtesy of Night Kitchen Bakery
 

If your cake is your dessert, do something with various flavors, and serve a variety of options. Do something dramatic with the display--a special table,with unique display. Perhaps a platform, or a canopy overhead.

photo courtesy of Brides.com

Are you less traditional? Go for sweet bites instead of one big cake. Include some family recipes, and some delicacies that can go home with your guests at the end of the night. Use this as an opportunity to put some fun into your décor.

photos of Iced Events's recent work, copyright Spark Creative Photography

Sugar and Sparkle Soiree

Carly
December 2010

Abington, Pennsylvania
Old York Road–Congregation Beth Am

Invitations, Flowers, Decor and Accessories by La Petite Fleur
Videography by James Boburka Cinematography for La Petite Fleur

Photography by Karen Carey for La Petite Fleur

Photography for La Petite Fleur, courtesy of Lori Gail

A Sugar & Sparkle Soiree

What’s in a name? Well, for this Bat Mitzvah… inspiration for decadent decorations and spirited atmosphere.

Lovingly nicknamed “Carkly Sparkly” by her family, Carly’s penchant for confections (and fashion) is almost as big as her fun-loving personality.

Seizing this creative cue, the La Petite Fleur Design Team—led by owner and creative director Leigh Karsch— produced a “Sugar and Sparkle Soiree,” which beckoned guests to celebrate in style with Carly and her family (just like they were kids in a candy boutique).The event’s playful palette boasted metallic golds and, of course, pink in all its most fabulous shades—from raspberry and fuchsia, to a pale iridescent.

From there, LPF designed a sweet, yet sophisticated, invitation— presented in a white metallic pocket finished with a flirty pink organza bow— that incorporated preppy pink stripes and a beyond cute, custom-designed Carly logo.

The LPF Design Team went on to transform Congregation Beth Am, which played host to this sweetest of soirees, into a fanciful representation of all that Carly loves—from family and friends, to confections and fashion.

As guests entered, they were greeted with a portrait of Carly that invited them to sign-in and share “sweet sentiments” about her. Place cards, tied with ribbon to pink organza bags filled with chocolate gelt, were displayed on silver tiered cake stands dripping with crystal accents and pink roses. Cocktail tables were also dressed to party in pink linens and flouncy gold organza bows.

Warm lighting filled the reception room, courtesy of our beloved buds at Synergetic Sounds and Lighting, while Carly’s name (in lights nonetheless!) beamed at party-goers from the stage. Gold chiviarri chairs wrapped excitedly around the tables.  Adult tables were topped with towering glass trumpets filled with crystallized pink water and adorned with die-cut, shimmering gold-metallic table numbers, some were dressed with tall, gold rectangular vases filled with bouquets of pink rock candy and others were filled with perky fuchsia gerbera daisies. The teens’ tables featured a collection of beribboned candy counter jars filled with adorably-tempting— color-palette-perfect—sweets. 

And speaking of ribbon, it played a leading role in this Soiree’s production by playfully tying-in every detail that made this event as unique as its guest of honor—making an appearance on every vase and container in various forms—from layers and delicate knots, to flouncy bows and streaming tails.

In fact, ribbons shared center-stage with Carly—adorning her chair, which was branded with a hand-crafted glittered initial (“C,” of course) placard. 

Blushing Bride (and Groom)

Amy and Dan
November 2010

Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania

Flowers & Decor by La Petite Fleur

Cairnwood Estate

Photography courtesy of Costello Photography

Falling In Love

Laura and Gary
October 2010

Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

Flowers, Decor, Invitations and Accessories by La Petite Fleur

Blue Bell Country Club

Photography for La Petite Fleur, courtesy of SAS Becker

Green and Aubergine Hit the Scene

Amanda and Wesley

September 25, 2010

Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania

Flowers, Decor and Accessories by La Petite Fleur

Huntingdon Valley Country Club

Photography for La Petite Fleur, courtesy of Lori Gail

Amanda and Wes knew they wanted to collaborate with a wedding design boutique as unique as their simple, yet sophisticated, square invitation. So the couple selected La Petite Fleur, weddings and special events, to help them realize their big day vision with style. 

LPF’s team of floral and décor designers pulled from the couple’s affinity for clean, sophisticated lines and rich colors to create a striking scene in green and aubergine for this early September wedding at Huntingdon Valley Country Club. 

A rose petal aisle led the couple across the club’s lush green courtyard to a set of grand wrought iron gates, which were adorned with wreaths of deep green lemon leaves and rich mango roses.  Lining the aisle and framing the couple as they exchanged vows were bright green mum pomanders suspended with purple organza from shepherd hooks.

While Amanda’s bridesmaids carried tight bundles of mini lavender and aubergine calla lilies; she carried a collection of deep aubergine, mango and lavender calla lilies, that were accented with thin loops of grass blades and finished with a rhinestone cuff. Complementing the ladies’ flowers were the groomsmen’s mini calla boutonnieres. 

The reception tables boasted a beautiful display of plum napkins set against Darcy Green apple damask cloths—topped with arrangements of mango, green and deep aubergine blooms, accented with cymbidium orchid satellites.  Cocktail tables were topped with lime and plum striped cubes filled with bright green grass amidst twinkling candles.

The mango rose wreaths and green button mum pomanders, positioned atop varying sizes of glass cylinders, made an encore appearance upon the ballroom’s walk-in fireplace, which served as the backdrop for the sweetheart table. 

Forget Me Not

Ann and Shawn

May 2010

Elkins Park, Pennsylvania

Flowers and Invitations by La Petite Fleur

Photography courtesy of Jeffrey Shurak

Juicy Citrus Couture

Christina and Mike

August 28, 2010

Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania

Flowers and Decor by La Petite Fleur

Photography for La Petite Fleur, courtesy of Lori Gail