15 September 2010

my first (and maybe last) wedding cake

fondant pearls
Remember these?

They were for this.
wedding cake 1

My baby brother got married last Saturday. He and his bride asked me to make their wedding cake. Nothing gargantuan--Costco sheet cakes for the guests--but since his lovely bride can't have gluten, they wanted a small gluten-free cake that they both could enjoy.

I was honored to be asked, and happy to oblige.

I made a practice cake in July, to get all the details worked out.
I persuaded a friend to help me hand-roll hundreds of fondant pearls.
I made the cakes, made the buttercream, made the fondant.
I transported two separate fondant-covered tiers (nerve-racking!), and assembled on location.
wedding cake 2wedding cake 3
As you can see, I had an assistant (a gracious volunteer) 
to help with ribbon and pearl placement. 
(That's me in the black sweater and curly hair.)
I used royal icing to secure the pearls, because I did not want them popping off.
I also used royal icing and some fondant "cushion" to secure the couple's cake topper.
wedding cake 4
There it is. A little lumpy and bumpy in a few spots, but overall I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I didn't expect to feel such pressure making a cake, but as the wedding day neared, I really worried about messing up THE displayed wedding cake.
For that reason alone, I'm not sure I'd take on another wedding cake. 

Well, maybe for family. And with a lot more practice.
I think I could handle making birthday cakes, though. 
Not so much pressure there.
wedding cake 5
At any rate, my brother and my new sister-in-law were very pleased with the cake.
And I'm very pleased my brother chose the right girl.
(And that she chose him, too.)
wedding cake 7
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. B!
May you have a long and happy life together.
wedding cake 6