Thank You, Thank you, thank you to CC and all the help I got here! It turned out so pretty that I kept going over to look at it. I just couldn't believe that I'd made it!

I assembled it onsite and when I got there the bride was supposed to have some pearls that she wanted around the base of the tiers and flowers for the top and sides. Well, she didn't! The florist used all the pearls and nobody thought to order flowers for the cake!?! The florist had flowers left over (it was a friend of the family who did them in the church kitchen). So I snagged some and faked it. Keep in mind I don't know the first thing about flowers! (I did put some plastic wrap under them since I don't know what's poisonous and what's not).

Later, when it was done the photographer (who knew I was nervous about doing the flowers) told me it was every bit as beautiful as any cake she'd seen and that it looked professional. That made me feel a whole lot better (especially since I know she's been to tons of weddings).

When the bride and the mother of the groom saw it they both gasped and exclaimed and loved it (Okay, so the mog is my sil but it still felt great! lol)

And then it got better!

They started to eat the cake and all over the place I heard people exclaiming how great the cake was. The photographer came over and told me that she'd tried a lot of wedding cake in her time but mine was the best she'd ever tasted (and that she didn't even normally like cake!) She told me I should be charging a lot for my cakes and when I told her I wasn't in business she told me I should be. I had several people ask me for my business card and the photographer later asked me if I did birthday cakes because she wants me to make her birthday cake from now on.

Melvira, thank you so much for your tutorial on making the frosting smooth. I don't know who all I should thank individually besides her because you all helped me so much. From the cake itself (WASC) to assembling it, to making sure the frosting didn't slide off in the heat. I was nervous because it was a first (and I've only made about ten cakes total!) But all the info on here and the ability to ask questions made me feel like I could do it. So, thanks again!

Your cake looks beautiful! Great job

Really a lovely cake Fran. Every detail is perfect, the cakes are all level, no lopsidedness, the icing and piping are flawless. The design is understated and elegant. Congratulations on the first success, there will be many to follow I'm sure.

EXCELLENT Job! Here is to many more to come for you.......it's really lovely.

Your cake looks great, so elegant and classy. You should be proud and then to have people say it tastes good, how much better can it get. Congrats

lovely cake ,you should be very proud of your self.FLAWLESS

What a beautiful cake! Definately should feel good and give yourself a pat on the back! It turned out amazing=) Jen

Very nice, clean work. Simple, yet elegant. Great job on your first cake.

I'd like to thank the acadamy...

lol

Thanks everyone!

Absolutely beautiful! Great Job.

Wow, that is your first wedding cake, it is absolutely beautiful.

Fran ...your cake is breathtaking....You did a great job on it. What tips did you use for the border? Plus your flowers turned out great too!

Teri

That's a beautiful cake ...be very proud of that one!!!
There will be many more to come...that's for sure!!!

Great job

Congratulations! Your cake iw beautiful. You must have a very steady hand!! Wow!! I wish my was!

Great job!!! I am sure that after this, you will be kept very busy with your cakes!!! Wonderful scroll work and "Way to GO!" for keeping your cool under pressure - "No pearls...No problem!!!"

Have fun with wherever this path takes you!!!
Lish

Gorgeous! My first wedding cake is coming up in 2 weeks and I'm really nervous. You are great inspiration!

Your cake is absolutely gorgeous! I'm so glad it turned out to be such a great success!

Bec

Wonderful! Absolutely beautiful! I am impressed. Your scrollwork is amazing!

A Big HUGE CONGRATS to you on a job extremly well done

It is absolutely gorgeous! What a cool head you kept dealing with the pearl and flower situation. I wish I could stay that calm!!!!!! Congrats!

Gorgeous!!!!! My first wedding cake is in a couple of weeks, I hope I do half as well as you did!

Kathi

Great cake!!

Your cake is absolutely beautiful! I love the scrollwork also. WOW!

WOW!!!! This is a beauty, I can just imagine if this is your first cake what your next cakes will look like.

Your cake is beautiful!

Great job! Very well done.

Great job! This is beautiful. Would have never guessed it's your first. It is very elegant.

So elegant. You are very talented.

Its so beautiful. Great Job. May I ask how much did you charge for this first wedding cake? Again, Its beautiful.