Dessert Meets Design: Sweetly Surprised

Yesterday, I gave you guys a sneak peek of a modern yellow, black, and white dessert table I designed. The bride and groom were totally surprised by the display, which you can see written all over their faces when they got their first glimpse.

The table was a surprise and a gift for them from their new sister-in-law Emily Steffen, who also took these gorgeous pics. Custom shortbread cookies, damask cupcake liners, and custom chocolate bars all mimicked the designs on the couple's invites. I incorporated graphic black and white striped ribbon to break up all the yellow found throughout the table.

I designed these candy bars and tucked one into each guest's napkin.

Thanks to all the wonderful vendors who helped bring this design together, like Knokes candy store, Sugar & Flour, Cocoa & Fig,

Dessert Table: Graphic Goodness

Photographer Mylene Chung of Photo Kitchen captured this bold dessert table by Diana Louise "Punky" Porca. It's not often that you see this black, white, and yellow palette for a wedding, but the bridal couple made a daring, gorgeous choice.

This design is proof that a dessert table doesn't have to be elaborate or full of exotic desserts to be a bold centerpiece for any event. The color palette does most of the work here. Graphic black and white gets a burst of color from punches of intense yellow.

Be sure to check out Mylene's post for even more sweet pics of Punky's dessert table.

Dessert Table: Light Up the Night

Yesterday, I shared this intimate backyard affair with you. Today I'm back with another backyard bash that was featured on Green Wedding Shoes and shot by Mark Brooke Photography. Although both parties were intimate backyard affairs, the two events couldn't be more different. Yesterday's laid-back, bonding experience is a stark on contrast to this exuberant, lively fete.

The couple's initials light up the dessert table and the night, while their rings find a happy home nestled in a whoopie pie.

Guests feasted on a small cake made by the bride's friend and other desserts made by her mother. White ceramic jars from CB2 and Anthropologie held cookies of all kinds.

The couple danced the night away with an intimate group.

So tell me, which type of intimate bash do you prefer? This raucous gathering under the stars or yesterday's refined afternoon soiree?

*Want to show off some of your own great backyard bashes? Visit the Shauna Younge Dessert Tables Facebook fan page and upload your pics to share them with your fellow sugar addicts*

Pass the Beer & Pretzels: Unusual Caramels

I love salty/sweet combinations, but I've never considered adding a third, yeasty element to the equation. Heather of Sprinkle Bakes shares the recipe for soft caramels made with pretzels and beer. After lost of trial and error, she's perfected the process to create a caramel that is equal parts salty and sweet, while still having a hint of ale.

Check out more pics and the oddly simple recipe here.