Dessert Table by Domestic Arts

We celebrated my daughter's 2nd birthday party on Sunday and boy did we have fun!  She wore her pink princess party dress with a cupcake on it and boy did she look cute (but I'm not biased or anything) ;)


Tanya from Domestic Arts (custom cakes & sweet things) made Kennedy's birthday cake & cupcakes to go along with it.  Think strawberry cheesecake, lemon, chocolate, and my favorite...coconut mango!!!


One (of the many) things I love about Tanya is that she has chickens on her property and uses her own eggs in all of her baking creations - so eco-friendly!


Tanya completely exceeded my expectations - I gave her creative freedom with just a basic theme and look what she did...


Tanya - I cannot thank you enough!!!!! <3 <3 <3

courtney@petalsplanningco.com
www.petalsplanningco.com

Something Blue

Last, but not least is "Something Blue."


I love all the unique touches and details that can be captured by these four traditions!  What is going to be your something blue?

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Reese Witherspoon wore a blush colored dress, how about a pale blue dress?  

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Christian Louboutin?  Yes Please!!!! 

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Finally, an inspiration board full of all things beautiful & blue...

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courtney@petalsplanningco.com

http://www.petalsplanningco.com

Green & Eco-Friendly Dessert

By green & eco-friendly dessert, I mean companies who take pride in using the most fresh and local ingredients available to them.  As a small business owner I take pride in working with and promoting fellow small business owners within the Ann Arbor community.  We have some amazing talent, and I am proud to work alongside them! 

Sweet Heather Anne

Heather's tagline is "lovely cakes made with local ingredients" and that truly says it all.  Heather is one of the sweetest, talented, and sincere people I have ever met.  She takes great pride in her work and her business, and is such an inspiration! 

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Domestic Arts (Custom Cakes & Sweet Things)

Tanya Luz, owner of Domestic Arts, is one amazing person.  I met her recently at a networking event, and then shortly after found out one of my clients was (unexpectedly) doing a cake consultation with her!  I couldn't have been happier ; one unique thing about Tanya and her business is she uses her own home grown eggs from chickens that she raises on her property.  Tanya's customer service is out of this world, my clients walked away from the consultation feeling like family, and also with way more cupcakes than they knew what to do with!  Good thing I am 9 months pregnant and happily indulged in their leftovers :)

Gwen's Cake Decorating and Etc.

I had the pleasure of working with Gwen on Jessica & Brian's wedding last year at the Dearborn Inn.  Gwen works out of Saline, Michigan and her cakes are wonderful!  All night the guests kept complimenting the cakes and asking who the baker was!

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Michelle Vincent of "Let Them Eat Cake"

Michelle is relatively new to the cake business and has turned a hobby of hers into some beautiful and breathtaking creations.  She is from the small town of Manchester, and makes everything from scratch, every time.  She did a gluten-free cake last summer for one of our clients, and hit it spot on...gluten-free cherry chip, and none of the guests even knew it was gluten-free!  So if any of you out there are looking for an out of this world gluten-free cake...Michelle is your gal - you can contact her at redm57@aol.com

courtney@petalsplanningco.com

http://www.petalsplanningco.com/

Real Wedding 2010 ~ Tecumseh, Michigan

I feel like I say this in every real wedding blog post, but I truly do love every single one of our clients.  Lindsey & Nick are no exception.  Every detail of their wedding was a true reflection of their personalities, style, and love for each other.  Lindsey's color palette was very natural, brown, ivory and green.  Her cake was one of my favorite details of the day! 

Lindsay & Nick were married in her parents backyard in Tecumseh, Michigan; a very intimate and beautiful setting.   They were married by their close friend Carlos, and incorporated their sweet little pooch into the evening.  Without further ado...here are some pictures of their fabulous day!

Wedding Planning & Coordination - Kate & Alyssa - Petals Planning

Catering - Pilar's

Photography - Ryan Gorby

Cake - Michelle Vincent "Let Them Eat Cake"

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!!!

We are so amazingly blessed to live in a country that supports women business owners, and allows us to chase after our dreams.  This year has been fabulous so far, we have had the opportunity to work with amazing clients and outstanding vendors.  A GIGANTIC thank you to all of you who continue to cheer us on!  We are streamlining processes, and brainstorming for ways to serve each of clients and vendors better!  We have some new marketing materials on the way, and will be doing some giveaways the beginning of next year...stay tuned!!!

While the 4th of July is certainly an inspirational time for weddings and the use of the colors red, white, and blue...it is also an inspirational time for yummy BBQ treats!  If you wish to forego the traditional wedding cake and have something a little more unique to serve at your wedding, rehearsal dinner, or backyard bbq, here is one of my FAVORITE summer treats...

FRUIT PIZZA

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1 3/8 cups cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

Directions

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12 inch pizza pan.
* To Make Crust: In a large bowl, mix together flour, butter and sugar; dough should be dry. Spread into pizza pan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until brown. Allow to cool completely.
* To Make Filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Fold in whipped topping. Spread into cooled crust. Top with fruit.
 
And of course you need cocktails at a 4th of July celebration!!!  Here are some of my favorite:
 

Ingredients *for one drink*

3 Oz Vodka
4 Oz Pineapple Juice
2 Oz Cream of Coconut
1 Teaspoon Confectioners' sugar, or more if desired
1 Cup Crushed Ice
2 Slices Pineapple, speared with 2 maraschino cherries on toothpicks, for garnish

Directions

* Combine the vodka, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, sugar, and ice in a blender.
* Blend on high speed until frothy and well combined, about 30 seconds.
* Pour into 2 chilled glasses, and garnish with the pineapple slices and umbrellas.

Ingredients


1 ounce watermelon schnapps
1 big splash cranberry juice
1 very thin slice jalapeno or serrano pepper
1 slice lemon
1 slice lime
1 1/2 ounces tequila
1/4 ounce blue curacao
1/2 ounce simple syrup
Watermelon wedge, for garnish (optional)

Directions

* Mix the schnapps and cranberry juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass.
* Muddle the jalapeno pepper, lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue curacao and simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill) in the shaker. Slowly strain into the glass over the red layer. Garnish with watermelon, if desired.

HAVE A VERY HAPPY & SAFE 4TH OF JULY!!!

courtney@petalsplanningco.com
http://www.petalsplanningco.com/

Real Wedding 2010 ~ Vanessa & Derek

Photo Credit

Vanessa & Derek's wedding was full of personal touches - from the pictures hanging in the tent for all the guests to admire (and laugh at), to the kids tables with butcher paper, crayons, and markers, every detail was thought of and provided by Vanessa; including the invitations, the programs, the signage for the welcome table, food, the runners for the tables in the lounge (pictured below).  She is AMAZING!

Photo Credit

Their wedding and reception venue was the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  The wedding took place outside in the Beer Garden and the latter part of the reception took place inside in the lounge. 

When we met a few days before the wedding we were all a little nervous that it could rain (50% chance).  However, the day of the wedding it was a beautiful, beautiful day, clearly meant just for Vanessa & Derek.

CONGRATULATIONS Vanessa & Derek!  Thank you for letting us assist in your special day!

Event Management:  Courtney, Kate & Lyndsay of Petals Planning Company

Wedding & Reception:  Corner Brewery

Tent:  Andrew at Classic Tent

Catering: Aubrees Pizza & Tavern

Wedding cakes: Sweet Heather Anne

Flowers:  Lisa at Pot and Box

DJ:  Ben Ludy

Photographer:  Mirak Habbiyyieh

Double Duty Centerpieces!

Looking to spice up your reception? Not into flowers or just want to make a different statement? Use cakes as your table centerpieces!

First pick out your wedding cake, scale it back a bit, just the right size for the wedding party. Have a tier to eat at the event and a tier to put in the freezer for the first anniversary celebration. To make the wedding cake the focal point of the reception, place it on a pedestal on an elegantly decorated table with the bridal bouquet.


Then, have your baker make a cake for each table at the reception. Two layers are sufficient; 8-12 inch cakes depending on how many will be seated at each table. The cakes could be a simpler version of the wedding cake or could be in similar colors to the wedding to compliment to the wedding itself. For instance, the cakes could match the bridesmaids' dresses and bouquets. Or they could all be metallic to match the wedding rings. A simple fondant covered cake with a beautiful ribbon around the base to tie in with the wedding theme. A group of mini cakes or collection of cupcakes might fit your theme better. Maybe the cupcakes could be decorated like the flowers in the wedding? Put a charger or small stand of choice in the center of each table, and then put the cakes on top.


After the customary cutting of the cake photo session, the guests don't have to wait for cake. They are also able to control portion sizes and don't have to be embarrassed about going for seconds.

In regards to cost, your wedding cake is smaller than normal and the guest table cakes eliminate the need for extra sheet cakes. The individual guest cakes also take the place of whatever you would have spent on the centerpieces such as flowers, vases, and ribbons. The money saved therefore helps offset the price of the cakes. The chargers can be purchased in a bulk, at a discount store or rented and the cake knives & servers might be included in the table setting price. The unique idea of using small cakes as centerpieces will not only help personalize your wedding reception, but your guests will thoroughly enjoy the edible centerpieces.

Did you have a traditional wedding cake?  Or did you do something unique?  Cupcakes?  Unique flavors and/or colors?

kate@petalsplanningco.com
http://www.petalsplanningco.com/