Have Any Thoughts About This Situation?
Decorating By krysoco Updated 22 Sep 2006 , 2:10pm by krysoco
I'm very excited that my SIL asked me to make a cake for her blessing ceremony. I believe its what I'm thinking of as a marriage blessing. I'm now on a man-hunt for cake ideas for a couple who eloped. They are not religious so that's pretty much out. I could do something general like flowers but would like something more personal being she's my SIL. To add to it, I'm a 'green' baker/cake decorator. So it can't be something too skilled.
I know that sounds like a lot of restrictions. So if anyone has some ideas about what would be appropriate for a couple already married but is late on celebrating? They will have been married 3 months by the time of the ceremony. So I feel kind of silly doing something wedding-ish being its after the fact. WDYT?
I looked up 'marriage ceremony' and 'blessing ceremony' in the gallery and nothing came up.
TIA
You need to look under wedding cakes. You'll find some really unique works there. Also try "other cakes". You may be inspired by some of the ideas there.
Consider, also, what kind of hobbies they enjoy together, or anything else they may have in common. For instance, where did they go on their honeymoon? (beach, mountains,etc)Are they into art or music? Cute cake, modern or elegant?
There are so many ideas out there, and you may get inspired by one from a gallery or web site that you never expected.
Good luck. I'm sure you'll come up with just the right design. I look forward to seeing the pics.
Since you want it to be more personal maybe you could try adding elements that have to do with where they eloped to, where they had their first date, a history of their relationship, or something along those lines. Or you could have a theme based on where they are having the ceremony or honeymoon if they're having one. One way is by using molds. It's really easy and it gives a great effect. For instance a beach theme - seashell molds (I love these).
If they didn't have a wedding cake at the time of the ceremony, I don't see anything wrong with doing one now. You can easily keep it simple with some fresh flowers or a satin ribbon. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I'm sure you'll do great!
I just HAD to take a look in your pictures...your Tow Mater cake is awesome and I really like the purse you did. It seems you're fairly comfortable working with MMF.
Don't be intimidated by the thought of doing this cake. Your SIL will love it just because you put so much thought and effort into making it.
I would definitely try to incorporate some of their personal interests, or perhaps a place that is special to them could be worked into the theme.
I second the idea of a wedding style cake, especially if they did not have one when they were formally married. It might be something they feel like they have missed out on by not having a wedding. Don't limit yourself to the traditional styles though, make sure it reflects the couple, that is most important! You may be "green" on experience, but from your pictures...I KNOW you can tackle this - no problem!
You didn't say how many people were invited. I have seen marriage blessings and the like, go very quickly from a few people to 40 or 50 as people who would have happily attended the wedding had it not been an elopment when they find out about the blessing, start inviting themselves or dropping hints the size of elephants. Warn your SIL that this may happen and to just to go with flow. It can turn out to be a great deal more fun than some super well planned reception mainly because the people who push for an invitations really want to be there and wish the couple well.
As far as the cake is concerned give them the wedding cake they didn't have. You do fondant so go for a simple fondant covered cake with either fresh flowers or those beautiful gumpaste flowers that you can order. If you don't do stacked cakes yet, make however many cakes you need the same size (note you don't have to buy more cake pans.)
place them on matching cake plates, and then place them on different level platforms assembled from stacks of books, large cans, pots or what ever you have handy which you cover with a spare white tablecloth. Just pretend you are Martha Steward and make up something that works.
Omigosh, you gals, have such wonderful ideas. Thanks a bunch. I guess I needed yall to get my idea wheels spinning. I do love MMF and BCI. Haven't done stacked cakes yet.
I do not know her husband at all. They didn't have a honeymoon either. She flew out of state to marry him by a justice of the peace at the court house where he was completing basic training. She doesn't know how many ppl are attending. So it might just be a 'go w/the flow' type thing.
I asked my SIL what specifically she wanted. And of course being a typical 19 yr. old, she answered "whatever"!
Yall have great advice for me. I really appreciate it. Thanks again.
If you are leaning toward the wedding cake, don't forget about the groom! You said, "She flew out of state to marry him by a justice of the peace at the courthouse where he was completing basic training..." You may not know him very well, but every military person I have ever met is very proud of their service. It you decide to do a groom's cake of any type, I would bet something representing his branch of the armed services would be loved and admired by all!
I vote for a wedding cake. Stacking cakes is pretty simple but of course there are stands and such that don't require stacking. Find a bride and groom set that comes in his branch of the service, I don't remember where I've seen them but they're out there. The design doesn't have to be elaborate, simple is often better anyway.
Make it something special since chances are they will either be living somewhere far away from you or he will be sent somewhere she can't follow.
http://www.weddingcakespeoria.com/buttercreamgallery.htm
This is the sorce of the this picture. This is the sort of thing I had in mind.
(if you look closely at the cake it looks like she placed a circle of parchment paper on the cake to protect it from the stawberries and fern leaves.)
http://www.weddingcakespeoria.com/buttercreamgallery.htm
The above is the source of the this picture. This is the sort of thing I had in mind about stacking at different heights and draping a white tablecloth around. The strawberries look lovely.
(if you look closely at the cake it looks like she placed a circle of parchment paper on the cake to protect it from the stawberries and fern leaves.)
Combat boots and a veil? Since they will necessarily be on the move, this is a nice verse (or use part of it)
Ruth 1:16-17
But Ruth said, "Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if even death parts me from you."
On a personal note, I was married 18 days before I left for basic training. When the pastor said this verse, the waterworks started. He even reversed it, adding that "Well I guess where SHE goes you will go" to my new husband.
When I got married, I eloped to Las Vegas 
when we returned from our trip, one of our friends (who we had let in on the secret) planned a party for us. He got a tiered cake that was really bright and fun, it sort of reflected where we got married... he also got really cute figurines for the cake topper that weren't a bride and groom. I didn't feel like it was inappropriate to have a fancy cake at my doo!
http://www.weddingcakespeoria.com/buttercreamgallery.htm
The above is the source of the this picture. This is the sort of thing I had in mind about stacking at different heights and draping a white tablecloth around. The strawberries look lovely.
(if you look closely at the cake it looks like she placed a circle of parchment paper on the cake to protect it from the stawberries and fern leaves.)
Do you think this would work w/like 6, 8, and 10 in. pans? It is very pretty.
Actually, it looks like it might be a six, 2 eights and and a ten. The middle two look like they might be the same size to me. Actually, three cakes would looks a bit better than four; odd numbers usually do. So, yes I do think those three sizes would look good. I was a bit astonished by how lovey and simple those cake were. Some parchment paper, a few ferns and a couple of quarts of strawberries and Wow!
Actually, it looks like it might be a six, 2 eights and and a ten. The middle two look like they might be the same size to me. Actually, three cakes would looks a bit better than four; odd numbers usually do. So, yes I do think those three sizes would look good. I was a bit astonished by how lovey and simple those cake were. Some parchment paper, a few ferns and a couple of quarts of strawberries and Wow! If you like taste of strawberries, you could use white cake and a strawberry filling on at least one of the cakes. That would just complete the look. Since there are three cakes, favorite flavors could be used for the other cakes.
Krysoco, when is the blessing going to be held? If fall, you could do the cake Narie showed but use flowers in the center to match the time of year.
Either live, fondant or silk. You could also put the flowers in a basket.
You can also use different size candle sticks as stands for each cake.
Good luck, Chrysb
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