PopSugar

Ann Wood's Adorable Handmade Cake Toppers

YumSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 11:58:31 -0700

Every now and again I will find a product that stops me in my tracks, takes my breath away, or makes me squeal a super-high pitched "I neeeeeeds it!"

Well, these little birdie wedding cake toppers by Ann Wood actually made me do all three. Made from mostly vintage fabrics, trims and laces (including some from old too fragile to wear wedding dresses), these little birds will look absolutely darling on top of your wedding cake. They're handmade, and each set is pretty unique, she even does different variations - the standard bride/groom, as well as bride/bride and groom/groom versions. Each set is absolutely amazing and will look great on just about any wedding cake. However, since they're so unique and personal (she can actually do custom orders incorporating your own fabric and ideas), be prepared to spend a little bit of money on them - the sets start at $240 and top off at $400. But it's your big day and you're worth it, aren't you?

Source: Oh Joy!

15 Horribly Tacky Cake Toppers

YumSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:27:19 -0700

First of all, let me start by saying I'm really sorry if you used any of these cake toppers at your wedding. Maybe I just don't get your humor. Secondly, let me add to that by saying these are some truly tacky cake toppers. From mermice - yes mermaid + mice = mermice! - to fighting couples, I think I can guarantee that you won't find these cake toppers on any 2008 trends list.

View Slideshow ›

Geeky Weddings: How Far Will You Go?

GeekSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

With wedding mania in full effect here on the Sugar Network, we have found some pretty geeky ways for you to shop for those engagement rings and streamline your engagement announcements with technology.

Now that we're moving into the wedding planning stages, how geeky are you willing to go for your big day? Would you have a cake master create the ultimate geeky wedding cake, or even don some uber geeky cake toppers like this (totally awesome) Robot Couple from Etsy? Will your wedding be geek friendly, or totally traditional, despite your geeky ways?

If you want to see more of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar!

Source

Mii Wedding Cake Toppers: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:00:48 -0700

Why get bride and groom cake toppers that only vaguely look like you - or are rudely preoccupied with their cell phones - when you can have Wii Miis made in your image?! I'm not even kidding, this is a kind of reasonable compromise on geeking out just a little bit for your wedding - juuust a little, tiny bit, to let your wedding guests know of your Wii-loving status on your big day.

MiiSculptures will create your cake toppers from your pictures and/or Miis, for $140. I'm loving them. How about you? Oh, and for more wedding-planning mania, check IDoSugar!

Cell Phone Couple Cake Topper: Love or Leave?

GeekSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:00:14 -0700

If you're getting married, then I imagine you're spending a lot of time on your cell phone, but this much time?

These cake toppers are for the kind of geeks who are literally attached to their phones, so much so that their cake-gracing avatars must have them, too. I hope they're at least talking to each other and that this is not a new trend - I don't want to hear about exchanged vows via text message! It's not every day I tell inanimate objects to get off the phone, but come on (although they might be cute on a Kindle cake). What do you think?

Saving the Top Tier of Your Wedding Cake

YumSugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:00:15 -0700

It's de rigueur for newlyweds to save the top tier of their wedding cake to enjoy on the first anniversary. The idea behind this tradition, which dates back as far as the late 19th century, is for couples to savor the cake once again - as well as the memories of the big day and the first year of marriage.

Enjoying a well-preserved piece of wedding cake should be a pleasant reminder of your big day, so make sure it isn't ruined by a dry, smelly cake wrought with freezer burn. Learn how to properly store the top layer of cake when you read more.

To store the cake:

Designate a person to save the top tier once the cake cutting begins.
Set aside any fragile and large ornaments or decorations, such as the cake topper.
To avoid a stale cardboard taste, ensure the cake sits on wrapped cake board. A cardboard cake board should be wrapped with foil.
Place the cake in a freezer until the icing becomes firm, 20 minutes to three hours, depending on the icing.
Cover all of the cake's surface area with a generous amount of plastic wrap, avoiding air pockets.
Follow plastic wrap with two layers of aluminum foil.
Place wrapped cake in an airtight storage container and freeze for a year.

To enjoy the cake:

One day before your first anniversary, begin defrosting the cake: transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator.
After two hours, remove the cake from its wrapping. Continue to defrost in the refrigerator.
Bring the cake to room temperature before consuming.
Serve and enjoy.

If you know you'll be moving within your first year, lack the freezer space, or simply don't want to bother with the process of freezing your wedding cake, order a small, six-inch anniversary cake from the same bakery. Ask for similar cake flavors and fillings and have it adorned like your wedding cake (you can even save your cake topper to be placed on it). Use the cake knife and serving set from your wedding, and enjoy the memories of the special day with fresh cake.

Did you celebrate your first anniversary with the top tier of your wedding cake? What are your cake-preserving tips?

Source

Find the Perfect Wedding Cake - Part 2

YumSugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:58:31 -0700

Once you have your cake design planned and your flavors picked out, it's now time to figure out different costs. Cakes are usually priced by the slice. Will the cake be large enough to feed your guests, or will you need to purchase another sheet cake to serve? Would it be cheaper for you to have a smaller cake and a larger sheet cake? Some even offer a fake cake (with real top tier) and a sheet cake in order to cut the costs. Also, what about the flavor/filling combos - you might love the fresh mixed berries, but if you're on a budget, replacing them with something else might be a good idea.

If you're going for floral decorations, make sure the baker is supplying them all, and if so, do you have a better connection that can get them at a better price? (Now's when I should also add, make sure the flowers you use are edible).

Don't overlook things like cake stands, cutters, toppers, either. Find out if they come with the cake (a cake always looks so much prettier on a cake stand), or if they require a deposit.

To read the last few tips, read more

Be sure to find out how busy the bakery is and how much time/attention they give to each cake. If they have a small staff and have several cakes needed for your wedding day, ask how they plan on pulling it off. Also, find out how far in advance the cake is prepared. The cake portion can be made up to a week in advance, but the icing shouldn't be more than a day or two.

One really important, and sometimes overlooked, fee is the delivery charge. Is there one? Does the place even deliver or will you have to pick it up (which to me, sounds like a recipe for disaster). Does a decorator accompany the cake delivery, or do they use a service. The ideal situation is one where a cake decorator accompanies the cake, this way if something slips during transportation, they'll be able to make any necessary repairs. Is it delivered whole or placed together on spot? Will the company travel to your location, or is it out of their delivery range? If they will, is it going to cost extra? Be sure to figure this stuff out, so that there are no "hidden" costs later.

Finally, have fun, be unique and be yourself - but don't skimp out, make sure it lives up to your expectations. As cake designer Edith Meyer (who created the two very different cakes shown here, and the one from yesterday) states, "Remember, it's the last thing your guests are going to remember from the reception, and it should be as special as the rest of your day."

Be sure to check out part one of how to find the perfect wedding cake!

Do you have any great tips on what to ask when choosing a cake designer? Or how about any great cake-tasting tales? Let us know below!

Something Old, Something New, Something Geeky, and Something Blue!

GeekSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:00:57 -0700

Don't want to make your geek wedding statement with cell-phone lovers or Mii cake toppers? Want some geek paraphernalia that you can wear on your big day? I've dug up some subtle and not-so subtle attire that you can sport on your wedding day, for the bride and groom! For all of our network wedding coverage, be sure to check out I Do Sugar!

View Slideshow ›

What's Yummy This Week - YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 10:19:57 -0700

Live it up like the celebrities. Go on a photo tour behind the scenes at Les Deux, one of Hollywood's hottest night clubs. Plus, find out what co-owner Sylvain Bitton has to say about it.
We've rounded out the final week of our wedding planning coverage, and have brought you everything from a full wedding plan, with invite ideas and meal suggestions, to tacky cake toppers.
What did you think of this week's Top Chef? How about Hell's Kitchen? As always, we've got exclusive interviews with those that were booted off, be sure not to miss out on those!
Jazz up regular peanut butter cookies by shoving mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups into the center.

Would you eat this animal part?
Can you identify the real limited-edition flavors from the fake?
Finally, live every day like it's Earth Day, with our tips and ideas.

Edible Geek: Personalized Mii Cake Decorations

GeekSugar — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 04:00:34 -0700

In preparation for her upcoming wedding, one woman sent the makers of Mii Sculptures her and her fiance's Miis and had them make some super geeky wedding cake toppers.

I couldn't find any photos of what the couple looks like in real life, but everyone knows I'm a geeky cake fanatic. I say these two are a match made in heaven.

Inspired to make your own Mii - perhaps just electronically? - join the geeksugar Mii Challenge group and make your Mii online! read more

Need help?
Visit Nintendowiifanboy

Don't have a Wii?
You can make on online

And I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the geeksugar Mii Challenge
Click "Participate!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "food and entertaining"
Add keywords (for example mine for this post "Mii, Nintendo, Wii" etc.)
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the geeksugar Mii Challenge and start sharing your awesome Miis. I'm hoping for some Christina, Britney and Mandy. Just a starting place.