Hi,

My boss just ordered a cake from me, for her son and his fiancee's engagement party.

He's in veterinary school, and his fiancee loves animals too.

They also want to convey the theme of the two families coming together, becoming one big family.

Help! How do I:

1. Incorporate the animals but not make it too cutesy, childish or tacky? I think it should be classy and more mature.
2. Incorporate the theme of joining families? Anything I can do other than the intertwining hearts?

TIA!!
Miriam

how about a PET family tree?

can you get pics of or make figures of the pets the families own?

the pets are the stand-ins for the people

can have them as far back as they can tell you.

and it all comes down to them at the bottom joining.

Hey MiriamG!

Maybe you could do dog bones or a fish bowl with two fishes kissing,
I like the family tree idea - or maybe a two tier cake with tree branches and leaves... orr You could try their initials with cut out dog bones or paws around the sides of the cake(s)

http://cakesomeonehappy.com/images/January%202008%20062.JPG

Dog bone cake -
http://media.cakecentral.com/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/590063/dog_bone.jpg

Paw cakes - Maybe with their initials on the top?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4509281730_9e6c93b066.jpg

Ooooh! I like the idea of kissing fish! But why not take it a little further? There are some amazing animal "couples" in nature. Kissing fish, Love birds, puffins mate for life, as do adelie penguins, foxes, wolves, beavers...etc. Why not try to do a cake that features animals that mate for life? Just a thought...good luck!

Thanks all for the great ideas and advice!! I think the tree idea has real potential.... And my boss told me today that her son is particularly fond of chameleons, so if I can figure out how to do those out of gum paste or fondant, I'll make those the happy couple.

Thanks again!!