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Something brand new for Brenda's Wedding Blog . . . everyday I either see or hear about truly amazing dessert and food inspiration and I thought I should dedicate a section on the blog just for it. Plus, I love when a bride and groom goes for something a bit untraditional and puts their own twist on the wedding food. Maybe instead of cakes, they choose pies for dessert. Or, several wedding cakes displayed on cake pedestals. Or, maybe it's a self-serve taco bar for dinner. Whatever it might be, I'll start showcasing some great wedding food for you here {with recipe links when available}. So, here it is - hope you like it.

And . . . I have just launched the Sweet Treats Directory. This is a growing list of bakeries, cupcakeries and cookie shops across the US, Canada and International countries. If you would like to be listed, please email me at bestweddingsites{at}gmail{dot}com

Tuesday, March 16
12:12PM

St. Patrick's Day Entertaining Decor and Goodies

Loving these great ideas for St. Patrick's Day entertaining. My favorite is definitely the rustic napkin with twine and clover. And, of course, I couldn't do a post without a few sweet treats too.

All of the Above from Better Homes and Gardens

Napkin: You can make a rustic napkin ring for an Irish gathering using rough twine, raffia, cording, or ribbon. Then embellish with a real (or artificial) shamrock leaf.

Festive Napkins: Make a striking tablecloth out of chartreuse raw silk or cotton. Set the place setting with simple white plates and inexpensive green glassware. For the festive napking, wrap white napkins with a square of green netting or organza before placing into a napkin ring.

Bowl of Apples: Stack green apples in a bowl and you can even hollow out a few apples to use as votive candleholders, making sure to coat all cut edges with lemon juice.

Plant: Display little pots o' luck with Oxalis plants (commonly called shamrocks) in jars, cups, or bowls.

Shamrock Cookies from Organic Bouquet, St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes from Martha Stewart

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Monday, March 8
7:35AM

Easy Springtime Party {under $10 per guest}

I know it's still winter, but it's finally warming up a bit in the northeast and I can't seem to resist anything that reminds me of spring lately. Including this lovely springtime party from Southern Living. It's perfect for bridal shower and even an engagement party. And, it can be done for less than $10 per person. For the entire party how-to with recipes, please click here.

The tablecloth above is actually a king size sheet and the table runner and napkins are made from a remnant of decorator fabric. Beverages are served in old canning jars and displayed in an antique baby's bathtub.

Feta Cheese Truffles are served with cucumbers, tomatoes, almonds, and olives.

I just love the dip above, sounds yummy. It's Sweet Dip served with cookies, fruit and chocolate. Southern Living writes that it's reminiscent of buttercream frosting secretly swiped off a cake. Recipes and more details are here.

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Friday, March 5
7:31AM

An Elegant Cake with a Garden Rose Sugar Flower

A short and sweet post to end the week with . . . here's another beautiful creation from Sweet and Saucy Shop, in CA {whose sweet delights I just love to look at}. I haven't been able to actually enjoy them personally since I'm on the opposite coast, but if you are nearby, I give you permission to have one for me :)

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Monday, March 1
7:32AM

Wedding Menus for Those with Food Allergies

When this email landed in my inbox I knew I had to feature it. As we recently went gluten free with my daughter, I'm always interested in finding great recipes that fit the new daily menu we now have. 

For many brides, planning a wedding menu can be difficult just in itself. Especially when you have extended family with food allergies. And, when you throw in a challenging gluten-free diet, it can be even more difficult. But, according to Mike Lathbury, Owner and Chef of High Pointe Catering in Lake Tahoe, CA, a "gluten-free cuisine can be just as tempting and delicious as standard party fare and guests will be none the wiser". Lathbury says "gluten-free menus can be creative and sexy and still be as tasty and eye-appealing as any regular party menu. We offer 100 percent gluten-free menus that allow the gluten-free host to be worry-free and really enjoy the party,".

Lathbury suggests hiring a caterer who is well-versed in the idiosyncrasies of gluten-free cooking. Lathbury says, "Many professional chefs are aware of gluten in bread, but they don't realize that is also found in many common ingredients used during cooking, including sauces with flour, glazes, MSG, modified food starch and textured vegetable protein".

Gluten-free hosts need to be mindful of cross-contamination if they are offering a few items with gluten. To cross that worry off the list, Lathbury suggests a 100 percent gluten-free menu. Do you think gluten-free food can't provide the celebratory vibe that good party food evokes? Think again, says Lathbury, whose specialties range from Dungeness Crab Cakes to Roasted Garlic Brie on Flat Bread with Blueberry and Apricot Puree. Oooooh, both sound delicious!

"Great parties feature great food, and everyone – the host and the guests – should be able to join in the fun" Lathbury says.

A favorite of High Point's customers is the gluten-free recipe, Dungeness Crab Cakes with Mango Relish, which Mike has been so kind to share with my readers today.

Click to read more ...

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Friday, February 26
8:00AM

Boutique Cupcake Boxes

I love these cupcakes boxes from Jules Cupcakes {who also happens to be listed in my Sweet Treats Directory}. They're perfect for sending your guests home with a sweet little treat. As, an owner of a cupcake business, Jules knew that the standard bakery boxes weren't going to make the cut during transport. So, she created her very own "fun and whimsical, yet practical, cupcake packaging". For more details and pricing, please click here.

PS: If you would like to submit your Sweet Shop for a free listing in the Sweet Treats Directory, please click here.

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Monday, February 22
7:35AM

The White Wedding Cake {re-interpreted as a cheese-cake}

According to Cypress Grove Founder and Master Cheesemaker Mary Keehn, there's a trendy new wedding idea with an all-new intrepretation of the White Wedding Cake. The multi-layered "cheese-cakes" pictured below were made using a variety of award-winning Cypress Grove Chevre goat cheeses – including the American original Humboldt Fog and the new Truffle Tremor. Mary actually served one of these "cheese-cakes" at her own wedding in Northern Califoria last year.

Mary says "the "Ultimate Cheese-cake" can either be served along side or instead of a sweet wedding cake after dinner, during cocktail hour or as a cheese course providing guests with something savory to savor on their big day, at the rehearsal dinner and/or as a unique groom's cake".

Gina Freize, President & Cheese Wiz at Venissimo Cheese, was inspired by Cypress Grove Chevre and now creates and sells her own custom "chevre cheese-cakes" which are a popular new item among brides-to-be at her four stores located throughout Southern California.  

Below, Gina offers basic directions to create your own "cheese-cake" along with ideas on how to get creative and add your personal touch.

To assemble:
1. Order wheels of your favorite cheeses from your local cheese shop or specialty gourmet store
2. Stack wheels from large to small; if desired, separate layers with cake boards or parchment paper
3. Decorate in your event color palette with edible flowers, fresh or dried fruits, nuts or candies
4. Refrigerate; take cheese-cake out one hour before serving to give the cheese time to soften

To serve:
1. Use a thin blade, soft cheese knife with holes (look for a knife with large holes); do not use a serrated knife
2. Simply slice out a nice piece from the top layer and work your way down
3. Wipe the knife clean after each cut

Suggested Pairings and Accompaniments:
1. Delicious with fig jam, honey or dark chocolate atop artisan breads, flatbreads or crackers
2. Pairs well with Sauvignon Blanc or Champagne 
3. Serve alongside scoops of Laloo's for a gourmet take on "cake and ice cream" (all made from delicious and nutritious goat's milk!)

And, of course, if you'd rather leave it to the experts, Venissimo will work with you to create your ultimate cheese-cake with the cheeses of your choice and decorate it to match your wedding colors. Venissimo's most popular Chevre Cake is a smaller version, with Cypress Grove's 1-lb mini Humboldt Fog topped with Fog Lights (8 oz disk). Serves 20-25; average price: $75. Three-layer cakes serve 20-40; four-layer cakes can easily serve 100+ guests.

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Thursday, February 11
7:45AM

Mini Meringue Ice Cream Cone Fortunes

While this idea was presented for Valentine's Day on BHG.com, I think this sweet treat would be perfect for a bridal shower anytime of the year. You simply need sugar cones, melted chocolate, nonpareils and pink meringue cookies with strips of paper for the fortunes. Below are the brief directions, to see the complete how-to, please visit Better Homes and Gardens.

1. Print love fortunes on pretty paper and cut them into strips. Roll the note and tuck in the bottom of a cone. For an extra little surprise, you can sprinkle a few nonpareils inside the cone on top of the note.

2. Make Your Cookie "Scoops" by using a pastry brush and coating the bottoms of two store-bought meringue cookies with melted chocolate chips and stick them together.

3. Seal Your Note by coating the top inside of the sugar cone with melted chocolate, then set the meringue cookie "scoop" on top. Be sure to let the chocolate set before serving.

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Monday, February 8
8:02AM

A Decadent Chocolate Wedding Bar

Madeline's Weddings and Events in Canada is well-known for their amazing candy bar displays, but when I saw this one, I knew I had to showcase it for you. I love the candy bars, dessert bars, and cookie bars. But, here's a chocolate bar display for you that's laid out beautifully.

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Friday, February 5
7:31AM

Mini Wedding Cake with Matching Cupcakes

Over on the main blog today, I'm featuring some beautiful eye candy from Caroline Tran. I decided I'd carry some of the eye candy from the same wedding over to the Wedding Edibles section today. Isn't the mini cake just adorable? Of course, this cake wouldn't feed the 200+ guests, so matching cupcakes were made. I love the frosting on these cupcakes, so different and unique than the typical piped frosting. And, the signage is from Indigo Bunting and the cake was created by Beverly's Best Bakery.

To see more of this wedding from Caroline Tran, please click here.

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Wednesday, February 3
9:01AM

Decorating your desserts has never been easier . . .

Decorating soft-frosted cakes, cupcakes, brownies and cookies has now become so much easier. The new decorative edible sheets of icing from ticings™ are as simple as "peel and press" to add modern design features to your desserts. You can purchase your edible icing sheets in either full single sheets or rounds. And, the best part about ticings™ is they are manufactured in the USA and they are FDA and kosher approved and gluten-free.

 

Special for Valentine's Day: You can buy (1) standard ticings™ valentine assortment sheet plus your choice of (1) valentine sugar or natural artisan raspberry sugar for only $15.95 + tax/shipping (while supplies last). That is enough to decorate one dozen standard size cupcakes! And, if you order by February 6th, you will receive it in time for holiday delivery.

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