Dessert Table: Christmas Cookie Swap

I'm already giving some serious consideration to this year's Christmas decor, and this Liebersbotschaft cookie swap dessert table is even more motivation for me to get the ball rolling. An edible cookie garland, cocoa stir spoons, and gingerbread men are welcome additions to this seasonal sweets setup.

images via Liebesbotschaft

DIY Halloween Care Package

Want to give a good spook to a far-away loved one? This Halloween care package from Lovely Indeed, is perfect. A skull garland to decorate the doorway, some candy corn pumpkins, and pretty wrapped candy is a fun way to celebrate the season.

images Lovely Indeed

DIY Snow Cone Garland

If this party decor idea doesn't scream "Summer!" then I don't know what does. Creature Comforts featured this easy tutorial to make your own snow cone garland. Or, if you don't have the time to make lots of little faux treats, just make one to adorn a gift.

See the entire how-to right here.

DIY Candy-esque Garland

Jordan Ferney, founder of Oh Happy Day created this twisted, bright garland, which would be perfect for a dessert table backdrop. Jordan's right when she says the folding technique she used makes the crepe paper look like chains of candy.

images via Oh Happy Day

Dessert Meets Design: Ribboned Romance Dessert Table Pt II

As promised, I'm back with a few more pics of the Ribboned Romance table I shared with you earlier today. These pics were taken by some of the photography students that Emily Steffen was instructing. I think you can agree, they did some lovely work.

Jennifer George shot these pretty images. She really zeroed in on the buttercream's texture and the pearlized pink and antique blue sprinkles on the cupcakes.

Jessica of Jeff Loves Jessica got a lot of great pics of the cake toppers. I created the flags, while Potter + Butler created the poms. She also focused on the textured white chocolates I made.

It's easy to see that these photographers are both well on their way to successful careers. Thank you both for sharing your images with me and the Sweet Tooth readers!

Dessert Meets Design: Ribboned Romance Dessert Table Pt I

Last weekend, I met up with several talented vendors to create an inspirational wedding shoot. I designed this pink, platinum, and antique blue dessert table to try to capture the soft, romantic vibe evident in the rest of the event. Lisa of Simply Fabulous Event Design came up with the concept and color palette, and she wanted to channel a Spring-y (but not Easter-y) feel. Emily Steffen shot these beautiful images.

Since this design is full of muted pastels, I chose to emphasize the texture of each dessert. Swirled buttercream adds an uncomplicated finish to two cakes, while the shape of the bundt cake, custom chocolates, meringues, and cupcake frosting all mimic each other.

Here are some more photos from the shoot, to give you an idea of how the dessert table meshed with the overall design without being matchy-matchy. I incorporated the ruffly hem of the bride's dress and the tissue paper poms into the tissue paper pom cake toppers.

I had the fortune of working with some really talented people on this project. Be sure to check out their sites for more images from this event, and other pics of their work.

I'll be back later today with some of the images that Emily's photography students took. They captured some really wonderful details, as well.

event design, concept and styling: Lisa of Simply Fabulous Event Design
photos: Emily Steffen Photography
venue: Mpls Photo Center
flowers: Sadies Floral
pom poms cake toppers: Potter and Butler
linens & rentals: Linen Effects
hair & makeup: Aubrey Thoren
paper goods: Birdy Blue Design

Week In Review & All-in-One Cake Toppers

We've all weighed in on the cake toppers issue recently our favorite types of cake toppers like bunting, flags, and pinwheels. Well, this cake via 100 Layer Cake shows that you don't have to choose just one type of paper decoration. You can combine toppers and garlands for a crafty, DIY project.

This week on Sweet Tooth:

I showed you some of these peacock-inspired cakes that I'm drooling over right now.
We learned a little about Will & Kate's royal desserts.
Many of you admitted to designing these types of framed dessert trays for your tables.

This week on The Sweet Life, I wrote about this new dessert coming to Target Field this year.

Consider using pinwheel toppers and wrapping each layer with bunting. Then again, flags and letter garland could be a lovely combo.

I got a lot of great feedback from you all this week, and we had some fun conversations going here, on Twitter, and on Facebook. Thanks for joining in and keeping the chatter going! 

Have a great weekend!

Homemade Cakes Get Festive

These homemade cakes featured on Once Wed are perfect for a simple party or DIY wedding. Add in some colorful garland and coordinated risers to elevate each chocolate-y cake. Here, it's all about the presentation, not about creating perfect desserts.

Three small cakes means there's something for everyone to enjoy. Here, guests are treated to chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry cake. Ashley Meaders of The Flashdance styled this shoot, while Meagan Gibson photographed each beautiful image.

Dessert Table: Fabulously Fabricated

Inspiration for a dessert table's design can come from anywhere. April Foster Events and Megan W Photography chose a light teal and khaki brown, abstract floral patterned fabric to focus their table's design. You'll notice that the cake's design perfectly matches the pattern on the lampshades for the dining table.

The paper goods were also fitted to the table's design. 

The simple treats on this table are made fab by the mixing and matching patterns that bring the look together. I think the meringues are my favorite. What a lovely hue. 

What's your favorite part?

images 1-4: The Sweetest Occasion, images 5 & 6: Elizabeth Anne Designs

Dessert Table: Paper Crafts Whimsy

Today's dessert table feature is the most DIY-able one I think I've ever seen, but don't for a second think that means it isn't just as fabulous as a more complex design. Susana of Simplesmente Branco and Ana of Pinga Amor designed this whimsical, vibrant display, which was featured on Somewhere Splendid.

This design is a great example of bringing what you do best to a project. If you haven't mastered intricate frosting work or fondant skills, simply incorporate a craft (like paper fans and flowers) that you can do well to make a bold statement. Simple desserts are the perfect compliment to such a visually arresting backdrop.

This small side table only features three mini bundt cakes, one unfrosted cupcake, and some cookies. But when combined with the hot pink, white, and kraft brown garland it becomes an amazing display.

We also get a little extra oomph with help from some little friends. I love that the little deer gets a cake plate all to himself.

This simple design has so much personality. What's your favorite part?

Dessert Table: Vintage Ribbon Garland

Green Wedding Shoes featured this vintage-themed dessert table. The bride created a ribbon garland with framed pictures to create a personalized backdrop for the table.

Working with Sweet and Saucy, the couple selected a variety of cupcakes, fruit tarts, and other sweets to accompany their simple cake.

In today's 10 Days of Craftsmas post, I'll share another DIY project that would also make a lovely dessert table backdrop. So be sure to come back later today to see that project.

images: Jeff Wallace

Dessert Table: Vintage Sunshine

This sunny dessert table featured on The Sweetest Occasion is one of the brightest and cheeriest I've seen. I love the few splashes of aqua mingled in with the white and yellow to add a cool, vintage vibe. The little tissue pom poms look like sunbursts. Photographer Nicole Hill Gerulat took full advantage of the natural light streaming into the room.

Sweet & Saucy Shop designed this beauty for the In The Now Weddings + Events bash.

Check out Cyd's full post for more pics here.

Dessert Table: Red and Teal

I was searching for images of garlands this week for part of my Bridal Party display and came across this DIY one from a crafty bride.

 

 

Bride Cheree spray painted foam balls and strung them on fishing line over her dessert table. The fiery red makes a vibrant contrast to the cool touches of teal and soft cream and pink. While the table is simple, precut cake slices on pedestals instead of a traditional grooms cake adds a twist.

Custom printed favor bags and lollipop cones echo the whimsical feel of the garland.

Images (Martha Stewart Weddings)