I have a bride who wants to see 2 different designs of wedding cakes. She's very unfamiliar with stacked versus separated and what not. I had purchased a lot of cake dummies and needed some for display so I made her two designs using her topper and my gum paste flowers she wanted to use as well as 2 different cake stands. So now she can see her visions and I have 2 dummies to show other clients, I can just replace the toppers!
NOW ALL HONESTY IS NEEDED!!!! Tell me what you think. I need to get and hear constructive criticism so give it to me, I can take! 
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=573013
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=573003
I think they are both very pretty... Just tell her the difference in how they are served (separated not having to mess up the lower cake and no dowels in the cake to work around)...
but... I have SOOOOO little experience with big cakes, so take this with a grain of salt, but are these stands sturdy enough for heavy cake? They just look so flimsy that I would be afraid of one of the legs bending in under the weight and the cake tipping over or leaning bad....
As I said, I'm inexperienced, but taht's my only though with these stands (which you didn't ask about, but it was my first thoguht when I saw the cake!).
Melissa
I think they're gorgeous! Smooth icing, pretty ribbon, great stands, realistic flowers. The only comment is maybe some scroll work or something on one of them would have been nice to show her different options (unless she particularly asked for plain) She should be really happy!!!
I have used both the separators and the candle light stand with up to 14 in cakes and no trouble with bending or wobbling..... 
anyone else have trouble with stability on these? I know they are going to sit on this big rustic buffet during the reception in a tree reserve plantation's courtyard area.
That is why she wanted "something soft looking, flowers but not fru-fru, light sage green ribbon and as she called it "bubble borders". She also wanted some kind of white metal scrolling type stands for the cake.
I do appreciate the honest answers people...I 'd rather someone say "hey what the heck?" than "oh, it's so pretty" and really be thinking else wise ya know? Plus these are my first so I NEED to get better.
I thought I'd show her some scrolls or cornelli lace to poss use on sides of cakes if she wanted to dress them up more. These were starter points and me using my dummies before my hubby threw me and them out for letting them sit here so long! 
Personally, I think any scroll work or cornelia lace would take away from the delicacy of the flowers. This is such understated beauty - perfection, really... Plus, then why use fondant if you are going to cover it all up with "stuff, you know?
I think these are GORGEOUS! I might have chosen some like this if I ever had a wedding cake, but I don't plan to get married again! LOL
Melissa
they both look lovely! I really like the stacked design.
i really love these cakes, but I think I would ditch the ribbon or got a thinner one. But, I'm not a big fan of having ribbons on a cake that needs to be taken off before it can be cut into.
I guess if I were forced to choose, I would choose the one on the stands, but that's really the bride's choice.
Also, was she wanting to see the same design just one stacked and the other separated? Maybe making another one in a different design will give her more options - though WHY she would want something different is beyond me! LOL
Melissa
I thought about covering the boards too but I just ran out of time! 
Of course if she prefers it I would, or to tie it in better. I just got excited and wanted to be sure all the flowers were ready and the fondant was the right ivory color and all that stuff you just have swimming around your head all at once.
Thanks for all the feedback...keep it coming I am learning.
The border was made with fondant oval pearls. The bride didn't want any sparkle or "shiny stuff" as she put it on the cake so I didn't pearl dust them or anything.
well i like the stacked personally but they are both just fabulous, i agree you made it hard for the bride they are both great.
She knew what flowers she wanted, she knew the color of fondant and she had her topper. She was just wanting to see different options on how to present the cake, stacked, separated but she did not want any pillars, too traditional to suit her tastes.
I like both stands, but has anyone had trouble with stability with either of these or heard of problems with them?
She'll have the bottom tier in a 12in double layer, 2nd in a 8 in double layer.
You saw the topper, really light. The flowers are like air so no problems there.
Also it was her choice on the light sage green ribbon, she picked it out of my millions of spools of it I have. Darn stuff on sale I can't pass up!
She hated the fondant ribbon idea....too much fondant she said.... um. ok.
It's her cake!
She really seems to like simple, clean lines and soft colors with elegance. That she said sums up her cake dream.
So I really tried to make her vision as well as make it as "my own" design as I could. Does that make sense? I know it's their cake, but it is my baby till I release it to them ya know?!
Well, it seems the bride knows what she wants and you made two stunning cakes - I think she'll be giddy with excitement when she sees them. You'll have to tell us her reaction...
and, um, stop saying you need to practice more -I don't see a SINGLE flaw - GORGEOUS!!!!
Melissa
I do appreciate the honest answers people...I 'd rather someone say "hey what the heck?" than "oh, it's so pretty" and really be thinking else wise ya know? Plus these are my first so I NEED to get better.
I know you are looking for 'honesty' and not just compliments, but I think it would be quite a stretch for anyone to honestly critisize your cakes. I mean....wow! What beauty. You are truly talented and you have given me inspiration to create dummy cakes also. After all, I don't think my family can eat any more......
They're beautiful, Tuesday!! Absolutely flawless! Personally, I'm not crazy about the topper either, but if that's what the bride wants, then she shall have it! I prefer the stacked cake, but the seperator is gorgeous, too. I just generally like stacked cakes better.
Whatever she chooses, she will be a very lucky bride, you are extremely talented!
First of all, you did a great job! Now for my opinion - I like the stacked version better. It is more elegant and "clean". Personally, though, I do not like the topper - I think flowers would look better. But that's just my opinion.
LOL I agree, but since the bride brought it in... sigh... I guess the bride loves it. I think most toppers are tacky!
Melissa
I think they are both very elegant, very pretty!
Both cakes look great. Which one did she decide to go with?
She'll be here in 10 minutes to taste and see my dummies!!!! 
Now to set out my different cup cakes and see what she likes. Oh by the way, I did charge her 2.00 for anything over 2 flavors for the icing and cup cakes.
I just thought that was a bit much she wanted 3 different cake flavors and 3 different icings too. Oh, did I mention
I HATE THAT TOPPER!!!!!!! 
O.K. now I must put on my sweet little baker smile and charm their little hearts out....Her mother, Fiance and his mother are all going to be here with her!
Wish me luck....
They've gone!!!!
Well let me start by saying : to each his own own, but these mothers were nuts! 
First they get here in 2 different cars him with his and she with hers.
Then they come in and sit that way too. Moms in the middle of them.
So we go through the chit chat and decide to go look at the dummies. I had set each up with some tables and cake servers champagne glasses etc.
His Mom says: Both cakes are pretty, but do have to take the topper?
Her Mom replies: Yes, the topper is the one I bought for them as a gift!
I politely excused myself to set up the samples with the tea, coffee and ice water in the kitchen......
So I can hear the moms going at it and in walks the Bride and Groom.
She and he say the would like to start the tasting and when their moms are done "discussing" their ideas they'll join us!
So they loved the samples and bought 6 of each to take home to their fathers and families.
Then they decided to have me make the stacked one on the garden stand in 16 in and 12in!
Now I just don't think this would look right with their topper and choice of flowers too! Too much cake for that! But we could add to those thing s to complete the design.
Well then they said maybe they could do 12 in and 8 in instead.
So I asked again how many servings....oh just 35 to 40!!!!
Good lord would they have had left over cake or what????
So it's too hard now to decide which flavors!!!
So I said you can go home and think it over and give me call tomorrow....
Now the mother's have decided to pay to have both! Both cakes done the same way I did them on the dummies.
That way they can have all 4 flavors of cake and icing too.
They signed the contract and left me 2 separate checks for the balance in full on both cakes due to "they wanted this thing paid for so they could forget it!"
I am still reeling from this one!
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%