We just created two great cakes (if I do say so myself) for a set of twins, Candi and Shayli. Their families, a wonderfully large gathering, celebrating their 1st birthdays. What was special was, instead of doing one cake for both of them we did a cake for each of them. To make sure they looked like they belonged at the same party, we did a different predominate color on each, then accented with the color from the other cake. Candi had a "purple" cake with pink accents, and Shayli had a "pink" cake with purple accents. That way the cakes co-ordinated on the table and complimented one another.
We have done this in the past for other occassions. Where there are two or more birthdays, you still want there to be a complimentary, and intigrated color scheme.
This was actually done for a double wedding of two sisters a number of years ago. They each wanted a different cake design, and a different color. It was possible to take elements, in this case, edible pearls and the same accent color and incorporate them into each design. In this way the cake display had a very "together" feel, and was very attracted.
The moral, it can be different and yet the same.
Coming next, more on
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Planning your cake budget.
Congratulations! If you are interested in how to best order a wedding cake, then you are planning a wedding (or know someone who is). To start the cake planning process there are a few preliminary steps that will help make it go a lot smoother, for you and your designer. The first is your cake budget. To help determine that, you will need some information.
Usually what happens is a couple will just pick an amount they think is right...out of the air. What occurs next is sticker shock, just like buying a car..or anything else you have never priced before.
Better approach, as with the rest of your wedding budget, is to do some research in your area. It helps to look at the magazines, and the websites...but every area has its own economic makeup.
Do not make appointments yet, call for information. Keep a list of who you call and their responses to your questions. Call the full range of cake providers in your area. Start with the grocery stores, then traditional bakeries, and then the cake specialy shops.
When choosing a cake provider there are several basic essentials for your financial, and stress-free well being, as well as the safety of your guests. You want to make sure your cake designer has a current health inspection certification, business insurance, and worker's compensation insurance. As the hosting party you are the final target financially, if something is wrong with that cake or there is an injury in relation to the cake or its delivery.
As you are calling, you want to find out about their prices, designs, and their services. Find out the starting price and what that includes: the type of icing, number of cake flavors, and type of design. What are the charges for delivery. Compare the pricing with the type of decorating they do on their wedding cakes, go to their websites to do this.
This will give a good idea of what the pricing range is for your area and the types of cakes.
Now you have to decide what is important to you, taste, design, service, price. All play a part in the final decision. Your choice of a budget for your cake will reflect at what level you want each of these areas to be preformed. Keep in mind, just in any other product the cost is influenced by the amount of labor, the ingredients, and the level of service. You are the only one who can determine the importance of each of those.
Finally, be realistic, a decorated cake (or specialty dessert) that functions both as the centerpiece for your reception and the dessert for your wedding day, is going to cost more than a piece of pie at the local cafe.
You now have an idea of where you are going financially, next we will tackle what you would like for your cake on your wedding day.
Usually what happens is a couple will just pick an amount they think is right...out of the air. What occurs next is sticker shock, just like buying a car..or anything else you have never priced before.
Better approach, as with the rest of your wedding budget, is to do some research in your area. It helps to look at the magazines, and the websites...but every area has its own economic makeup.
Do not make appointments yet, call for information. Keep a list of who you call and their responses to your questions. Call the full range of cake providers in your area. Start with the grocery stores, then traditional bakeries, and then the cake specialy shops.
When choosing a cake provider there are several basic essentials for your financial, and stress-free well being, as well as the safety of your guests. You want to make sure your cake designer has a current health inspection certification, business insurance, and worker's compensation insurance. As the hosting party you are the final target financially, if something is wrong with that cake or there is an injury in relation to the cake or its delivery.
As you are calling, you want to find out about their prices, designs, and their services. Find out the starting price and what that includes: the type of icing, number of cake flavors, and type of design. What are the charges for delivery. Compare the pricing with the type of decorating they do on their wedding cakes, go to their websites to do this.
This will give a good idea of what the pricing range is for your area and the types of cakes.
Now you have to decide what is important to you, taste, design, service, price. All play a part in the final decision. Your choice of a budget for your cake will reflect at what level you want each of these areas to be preformed. Keep in mind, just in any other product the cost is influenced by the amount of labor, the ingredients, and the level of service. You are the only one who can determine the importance of each of those.
Finally, be realistic, a decorated cake (or specialty dessert) that functions both as the centerpiece for your reception and the dessert for your wedding day, is going to cost more than a piece of pie at the local cafe.
You now have an idea of where you are going financially, next we will tackle what you would like for your cake on your wedding day.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Cake Season for Brides
We are well into cake season for our our 2010 brides. As we answer e-mails and telephone calls, there are many of the same questions popping up. So, we want to try to help make the process easier and definitely more fun, by giving some information so you can make informed decisions about your cake.
Keep in mind that the bar has been raised regarding wedding cakes. Your guests have seen all the TV shows and magazines, the designs are more "Wow" and the taste factor is expected to be special. Does that mean you have to spend a fortune to get a great cake, no, but you do need to be prepared with information.
Over the next number of weeks we will be giving the various steps to take to insure you have a fun experience making your selection and a wonderful cake the day of your wedding.
The information in the bridal magazines is not always enough, so we are going to round it out using our 38 years of experience in the wedding industry.
Some of the suggestions will not pertain to you, but much will, so take what you need and pass on the rest.
Any questions? We would love to hear from you.
We will be doing two posts a week during this series..so keep in touch.
Keep in mind that the bar has been raised regarding wedding cakes. Your guests have seen all the TV shows and magazines, the designs are more "Wow" and the taste factor is expected to be special. Does that mean you have to spend a fortune to get a great cake, no, but you do need to be prepared with information.
Over the next number of weeks we will be giving the various steps to take to insure you have a fun experience making your selection and a wonderful cake the day of your wedding.
The information in the bridal magazines is not always enough, so we are going to round it out using our 38 years of experience in the wedding industry.
Some of the suggestions will not pertain to you, but much will, so take what you need and pass on the rest.
Any questions? We would love to hear from you.
We will be doing two posts a week during this series..so keep in touch.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Textures are gaining popularity!
We are noticing an increase in the requests for textured cakes this season. The advantage is that they create a trendy look on the icing without the time-consuming designs that are shown in many magazine layouts. This translates into cost-savings for the bride, without sacrificing a "new" look and an interesting background for either fresh flowers, butterflies, or fruit. The textures range from a subtle Tuscan plaster feel, to the deep swirls of icing our grandmothers used to make on our favorite cakes. The look also included more of a spackle look that is great in chocolate icing. Another advantage is that these new "designs" give the cakes that truly luscious look of a wonderful dessert. We are really enjoying this trend.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Hi, welcome to our cake information blog!
Welcome to LaStarr & CO's new cake and wedding blog. Hopefully, we will be able to help with questions as you plan for your special dessert. We will also be sharing new ideas, and suggestions for making the process easy and help you create something really special and memorable for your guests.
You are welcome to join us with questions, ideas, and experiences. We want this to be a fun and helpful interactive blog for everyone.
Along the way we may throw in some special tidbits from others vendors, special events we have done, and share some unique projects with you.
Your feedback is welcome and encouraged. But, because my first love is creating beautiful creations for you to eat...I may not answer right away or give a general answer that encompasses several questions at the same time.
You are welcome to join us with questions, ideas, and experiences. We want this to be a fun and helpful interactive blog for everyone.
Along the way we may throw in some special tidbits from others vendors, special events we have done, and share some unique projects with you.
Your feedback is welcome and encouraged. But, because my first love is creating beautiful creations for you to eat...I may not answer right away or give a general answer that encompasses several questions at the same time.
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