Q & A: How Much Cake Do We Order?

{Steven Miles Photoworks}

What's up Thursday? What's up? That was to the tune of Sir Mix-a-lot's Jump On It. No? Well anyway it is Thursday which means almost the weekend. Next week is going to be pretty amazing on Lovebird Productions. It may include a few new how-to videos. Just maybe.

Now on to Q & A Thursday!

Q. My fiance and I are starting to do a few cake tastings at our favorite bakeries. My only concern is I do not know how much cake to order. Can you help?

A. Of course I can help! Oh the woes of wedding cakes. It is baffling how a detail like cake can be stressful. What flavor do you pick? What type of frosting is best? How many tiers do you need?

Let me just stop you right now because cake tasting and the overall decision should be one thing you truly enjoy. You get to eat cake. You get to eat lots of cake. Let me encourage you in enjoying this piece of the wedding planning process. Yes, other things may be difficult along the way but enjoy the cake. You can have your cake and eat it too. How many times can you say that?

When it comes to picking your cake, there are so many different ways to go. Chocolate? Square? Two tiers? Fondant  Cream cheese? Smooth frosting? Forget the cake and stick with pie? Here are a few tips to help with how much cake you really need plus finding your best baker and deal:

1. Research your baker. This is so important. It can make a difference not only in your quality of cake but also your overall price.

2. Ask other brides. I am a firm believer in word of mouth referrals. Other brides have planned and conquered. Let them pass on their advice. It can really help out and make things more simple.

3. Have a guess when it comes to your guest count. When ordering your cake, the baker is going to understand that you do not have a final head count but a guesstimate allows them to tell you just how much cake you will need. We invited around 250 people and I guessed that 150 would attend. There will be various shapes and sizes to work with when it comes to people versus cake.

4. Ask questions. This point goes with any vendor you hire for your wedding day. Make sure you know exactly what you are agreeing upon. What time will they deliver the cake? Do you need to pay for the cake in full or just put down a deposit? Can they adjust the size if more guests RSVP than originally planned? Where do they store it? Do not be afraid of your thoughts. The more questions you ask, the better you feel.

5. Show them your bookmarked favorites. Whether it is a photo on your phone from Pinterest or a tear out from your must have bridal magazine, a picture is going to help your baker. It gives them direction and something to build on. A majority of bakeries also have a portfolio on hand. They will be able to take a certain thing you like from one cake and add that to another photo that you like. Get creative!

6. Order a bit less than what the baker recommends. Now I am not saying order half of their recommendation but I could have easily gone done a small tier. Not all guests are going to eat a piece. Also bakers have a round about amount for how much your ideal cake can serve i.e. a three tier cake can serve anywhere between 80-120 guests. That is a wide range. Let them know your budget and expectations.

I hope this helps and good luck cake tasting! For more lovely little cake related posts like how to cut your cake or how to even get started on picking your cake design click here and here. Happy Thursday!

New Vendor: Ann Potter Baking

Happy Tuesday loves! I hope that you all enjoyed this holiday weekend! I spent it filming a wedding, sleeping (lots of it), a surprise trip to Dallas, attending our first Rangers game and a hotel stay. Rusty and I even enjoyed a very nice dinner Sunday night after the game. I even put on eyeshadow. If you know me or don't because I am going to tell you anyway, I love staying in hotels. I am also going to confess that I was asleep by 8:45 p.m. on Sunday evening. I know. I am exciting.

So you may recognize the name Sarah Eaton DeClerk from this post here, here, here and here. Yeah, she has been on the blog a lot. Not only was she the first bride brave enough to allow me to film her wedding, she is also a dear friend of mine. One meeting with Sarah and you realize just how special this lady is. She is witty, a Southern gem, comical and a girl who will be a good friend to you always. She is also one of the first people I told about my dream of LB Productions. She has always been encouraging me, commenting on blog posts, sending me sweet notes and pushing me to keep going in the hard times. She is such a forever friend. Sarah also has major baking talents. A baker since a young age, Sarah is following her dream of baking goodies and making brides, couples, friends and clients smile with her homemade treats. She is so creative! She makes cakes, cupcakes and cookies for weddings, birthdays, baby showers, holidays, football season & bachelorette parties. You name it, she can create it. Meet Sarah y'all!

1. Give us a little background about you and your family.

I am a newly married (one year on May 14th) lover of crafts, baking, and decorating. My husband, Brady, is the dream guy and he is the best best best roommate ever! Ha! :) I have one sister, Meghan, who is my best friend, my sounding board, and my number one fan. My parents are fabulous people that I learn from daily. I attribute my stubborn don't give up attitude to my father and my domestic goddess skills to my mother. Growing up in Vicksburg, MS (my Dad's job transferred the family there when I was in 3rd grade) taught me all about Southern charm- but moving back to Arkansas after college was a dream come true as I have always claimed the Natural State as home.

2. How did you get started with baking?

I started cooking at a very early age with my mother. We always baked together because baking is all about exact measurements and I love math- I might also have a slight OCD streak :). I have always been pretty decent at baking and realized, much to my dismay, that some people think it is tedious, boring, or just plain difficult. This was kind of my "in". My first batch of iced cookies were for a family Halloween and I've been doing them ever since.

3. What is your favorite part of your job? 

I am creative by nature so I absolutely love doing new designs and creating something unique for each individual order.

4. What do you hope to offer brides and other clients? 

I want to offer custom designed cookies, cakes, and cupcakes for my clients. I want them to be satisfied not only with how they look but also the way the taste and the quality. It seems that a lot of bakery products look better than they taste and I want my clients to be pleasantly surprised when they take that first bite.

5. Tell us a few things about yourself!

• Random #1: Most people ask me "Where did Ann Potter come from??"- I chose Ann for my niece, (which is also my middle name) and Potter for my puppy Lily Potter. I have a mild obsession with Harry Potter so I named my golden retriever baby after Harry's mom. 
• Random #2: I am one of those annoying do-it-yourselfer types that see something handmade and try to do it themselves. This is really how I started making iced cookies, and jewelry, and painted pillows, and curtains… Literally- I have wayyy too many hobbies!
• Random #3: I have two blogs: A baking blog (Ann Potter Baking) and a personal blog (Sarah DeClerk). The reason behind this is my personal blog can be a little snarky and sometimes features choice language if you know what I mean. Because of this reason, I chose to have a separate business blog. 

How could you not love Sarah? Now that you know she is the perfect vendor here is how to contact her:

• Facebook: Ann Potter Baking
• Twitter: sarahedeclerk
• Email: Annpotterbaking@gmail.com

Please go and show Sarah some love. She really is a true talent and beyond kind. It is always refreshing to work with a vendor who loves what she does. It makes the process very enjoyable and memorable.

Now it is time for more goodies of cute cookies and cakes:

{Ann Potter Baking}

Wedding Cake Help - For the love of frosting!

Happy Monday! Today marks my 140th post since this little blog started back in March. 140 posts! I seem to have a lot to say and even more for the future. I didn't watch the VMA's last night but I did catch one of my favorite performers, Adele. She is fabulous and this performance proves it.

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Adele

Man oh man. That moves me! I love her voice and am happy to celebrate a real musical talent. I wish more artist were like her!

Now onto even more fun things. Wedding Cake...Yummy wedding cake. Regardless of if you have a large dessert table with the added bonus of cupcakes or a large wedding cake to serve your guests picking the perfect bakery treat is important and easy to do! Until I started searching for my perfect cake I had no idea what to expect. I was a bit behind on the process so I thought I would share a few tips to help make your decision easier!

Photo Source: Ronin Studio Photography

1. Do your research. Before you get to the bakery, you need to have an idea of what you want. Yes, you may have a handful of questions but knowing what direction you want to go in is important. You can look in pinterest or the knot.

2. Take your other half. This is probably the one thing your groom is going to love! Cake testing is fun and yummy plus his opinion matters. The idea of a groom's cake is a big southern tradition. This is the time to let him have fun and choose what he likes. He may be like my husband and opt out of a personal cake but none the less let him have a say too!

3. Take your time. Here is the thing. The first bakery you try cakes at may not be the one that you select. Do not feel rushed when ordering your cake. Many bakery's need final numbers a week or two before the big day. Not that you should wait that long but know that you are not rushed. Your cake is a big deal. It is a moderate chunk of change and all guests love cake. Make sure you choose exactly what you want! Hey, it is your day!

4. Browse photos. Ask the bakery for photos of past cakes you like. When creating my cake I combined things I like in other photos. Bakers are creative. Ask for their help in design. You can also check out the internet or your favorite bridal magazine for more pictures. Take those with you!

5. Pick a style. After looking at cakes pick your style. Is your cake going to be trendy and stylish or elegant and timeless? Whichever style you choose make sure it resembles your wedding style too.

6. Ask questions. Lots of them. Here is the thing. Unless you are a baking expert, you don't know the difference between buttercream and fondant or how much three tiers will feed. Ask away! Bakers are use to it. If they get irritated with the questions then maybe they are not the bakery for you. Make sure you ask about setting up the cake. Some bakers have fees for driving a certain amount of miles for setup. These people do this for a living. Make sure you ask!

7. Find ways to save. Of course I love this tip! Many couples are opting for a gorgeous yet smaller two tier cake then serving sheet cake. This cuts down on cost tremendously! Embarrassed by a sheet cake? Go ahead and cut the pieces, place them on plates and set them around the cake table. No one has to know! Besides if you are saving moo la...who cares! You can also ask about ways to save with referrals. Ask the bakers if you refer another bride can you get a discount or get 10 friends to like their Facebook page. Anything helps!

8. Remember details. This step is important! Now that you have selected your cake and are arranging the design of it, make sure you keep in mind where you want it for the reception. Most cakes are on display. Make sure that the table that displays the cake flows with your reception decor. Keep the details in mind of your cake plus the wedding reception. You want everything to fit including the topper!

9. Remember the weather. This one is pretty self explanatory but keep it in mind. When asking your questions, make sure the bakery knows the estimated temperature. This can affect the type of frosting you have to even the decorations on the cake. Bakers are advanced these days but don't let the weather ruin your cake!

10. Enjoy! Are your surprised this is on here? Yes, I know I include enjoy on almost all tips for this blog. But seriously try to enjoy yourself. This is the one thing that your soon to be husband will love plus you get to sample free cake! Hello...that's heaven!

For the Love of Cake Stands

Recently I have noticed a trend on dessert tables - colored cake stands. I know this has been around for a while but I L-O-V-E this idea. I think you can easily incorporate your wedding colors via a cake stand. I seriously could look at cake stands all day. I know...it would be the life. Here are some that caught my eye:

Photo Source: Danielle Davis Photography

Photo Source: Martha Stewart Weddings and Style Me Pretty via Wendy Laurel

I especially love this one. It is very simple to DIY. I saw it on Pinterest and thought I could totally make that. You just need candlesticks and cake pans. How simple and inexpensive. You can also check out this Etsy vendor Olivia Dru with Delightfully Lovely for more eye candy!

Photo Source: Pinterest via Mary Janes and Galoshes

A Taste of Southern Charm

Happy Monday! I attempted my first inspiration board this weekend. Most people do a color scheme which I hope to attempt but I thought I would compile pictures that spotlighted a bit of southern charm. I love being from the south. As in L-O-V-E it. I hale from the land of southern hospitality, sweet tea and where saying y'all is the norm. Isn't it great? I hope these pictures inspire you and make you smile!

For more on each photo, follow the links below!
Birch vases: Here
Back of lace bridal gown: Here
Sign: Here
Wedges: Here
Chalkboard: Here
Invitations: Here 
Mason Jars: Here
Cake: Here

I hope that you all have such a great day and even more exciting week!

Inspiration: Pretty in Pale Pink

Picking the colors for your wedding is always a challenge. It is just as important as your wedding theme. I just love the elegance and softness of pale pink. Soak it all in! I hope that you all had a fabulous extended weekend with your friends and family. Lovebirds Productions has some big news to let you in on soon!! Enjoy the touches of pink!

Photo Sources:
1. Cuff Links, 2. Favors, 3. Dresses, 4. Cupcake, 5. Cake, 6. Stationary, 7. Table Decor

Jumbled Thoughts

I have three things to cover today:

1.  Rent the Runway is now offering BCBG plus they also sent me an email proclaiming 6 ways to celebrate spring:  Weddings, Bridal Showers, Mother's day, Easter, Graduation and Passover.  We all have at least one of those to attend so browse through their amazing and affordable selection.  No, they didn't pay me to say this but maybe one day?  A girl can dream!

2.  I am an avid follower of wedding blogs and websites and I came across this idea on Martha Stewart's site, frosting-less wedding cakes.  I know, I know; the icing is the best part but these cakes are done in pastel shades and are adorable!  Check them out here:

Photo source:  Martha Stewart Weddings

And for #3 - This might be the highlight of today's post.  Wait, you mean something is more interesting than cakes with frosting and pretty dresses?  Yes!  This is probably the funniest thing I have seen on Youtube in quite some time.  I watched this with Kendra, my awesome co-worker, yesterday and I think we laughed for about 20 minutes.  The best part comes to about 1:40 in the clip but you need to watch the whole video.  It is life changing!

Now everyone perfect your lion.  You can thank me later for this 2:50 minutes of your life you will never get back but at least now you have a great workout from the neck up!