CAKES

Refined Texture

Picture-perfect confections sure to be a focal point of any reception

BY ANDY MYER PHOTOGRAPHED BY THERESA CASSAGNE

A Southern classic — white almond cake with almond mousseline filling, finely piped Ameri-Swiss buttercream icing and pearl borders, La Louisiane Bakery, lalouisianebakery.com.

Two-tiered, Funfetti cake filled with strawberry buttercream and frosted with vanilla bean buttercream in white and a lovely soft pink, Bittersweet Confections, bittersweetconfections.com.

Old-fashioned almond pound cake with pineapple filling, iced with a classic buttercream wave and swirl, Swiss Confectionery, swisscakes.net.

Seated Sip Pairings

Safety-forward serving methods steeped in personalization and personality

BY AMY GABRIEL

At many wedding receptions, it’s pretty much an elbow-to-elbow race to the open bar once the I do’s are done. Since current times aren’t well suited for crowding with cocktails, it’s a perfect opportunity to think outside the bar and seek alternative ways to get guests to toast.

“It’s clear that satellite or ‘open bars’ are not safe right now because of the lack of social distancing,” said Braithe Tidwell, beverage director at Brennan’s. “It’s much better for guests to be seated and served by someone wearing a mask. This type of service is a natural component of wine service, so it makes sense that wine and cocktail service are a better fit in the climate.”

Tidwell suggests presenting seated guests with a mix of paired wine and cocktails as a way to elevate the intimate mood of the reception, as observed at a recent reception.

“We announced a description of the pairing between each course, which added a personal touch and an engaging element for guests,” said Tidwell, referencing combinations like Turtle Soup with German off-dry Riesling and Gulf Fish Amandine with a White Burgundy.

“There’s so much you can do with beverage pairing that will enhance any dining experience, but for a wedding it’s particularly celebratory!”

Tidwell notes that in most instances, the approach will heighten your guests’ imbibing and eating experience.

“There’s a lot to be said for getting your favorite cocktail at the bar, but a great wine pairing can often enhance the memories you make at the event. Not to mention that being waited on, rather than waiting in line at a bar, is a more relaxing experience.”

Katie Morris, co-owner of Black Pearl Catering, views this type of pairing service as a way to present yourselves as a couple to your guests.

“I think there’s a unique opportunity here to be creative and add some touches that reflect your personal story, and what’s important to you and your family when it comes to food, drink, and celebrating together,” said Morris, observing that some couples utilize this type of beverage service as a way to showcase their shared interests.

“We’ve had couples choose wines from different countries they’d traveled to and paired each with a dish from a similar region,” said Morris. “There’s so many routes you can go, I think the important thing is to think about how to tell your story in a meaningful way.”

Walker Geoffray, executive chef and co-owner of Black Pearl Catering, believes that it also lends itself to a more memorable reception, as witnessed during a course-pairing themed on clarity, which showcased a translucent Satsuma Ice Box Pie with a clarified milk punch from Cocktail & Creative. “When you want the story [of the couple] to come across to the guest, it’s so helpful for them to see consistency with all components in front of them,” said Geoffray.

He notes that seated reception dinners with chosen pairings are a way to create an intimate experience. “You can take your guests on this really meaningful food and drink journey that’s specific to your story together. I think at this time especially, we’re all cherishing every minute we can spend together and the menu can enhance this in a really thoughtful way.” b

Petit Gâteaux

Individual mini wedding cakes are the icing on top

BY AMY GABRIEL

When you envision your perfect wedding reception, you see a series of wow moments that will have your guests gushing and hashtagging throughout the celebration. You can bet your buttercream that a creative dessert moment is a golden opportunity to impress partygoers, and petite, individual wedding cakes will do just that.

“It’s a great opportunity for a couple to have individual servings of something sweet that’s special to them,” said Ryan Haydel, co-owner and third generation baker at Haydel’s Bakery, who views the unexpected addition as a way to up the dessert experience.

“The sky is the limit of what can be done to make it unique and creative,” said Haydel, noting ideas like three-tier petit four cakes. “Individual cakes require similar attention as large wedding cakes, so it definitely presents an upscale experience.”

It’s also a way to customize the dessert concept further by catering to individual dietary requirements of guests.

“Couples could send menus with R.S.V.P. cards with (flavor) options to choose in advance or dietary options for each,” said Haydel, acknowledging that bespoke requests might be easier with a smaller number of guests.

Cheryl Scripter, owner of Bittersweet Confections, sees mini wedding cakes as an opportunity to create a dramatic moment.

“I think that a presentation with all the cakes served at the same time — putting them on little silver platters with a lid on each and delivered to the table — is super exciting for guests,” said Scripter. “Not only is there this amazing dessert just for you, but the little cakes show that the couple went out of their way to make the guests feel special.”

She also sees the potential for a couple to be artistic with design choices, playing up the color story of the event. “Some people are very much about coordinating and matching elements,” said Scripter. “But if you are doing a buttercream cake, it could be a fun idea to do different designs for each. Sort of like bridesmaids all wearing a different shade of the same dress.”

The idea of individual cakes doesn’t mean you have to forego the tradition of the centerpiece cake, reminds Haley Kennel, catering sales manager at the Windsor Court Hotel.

“It’s fun to do the new and different, but there are still ways to have those traditional moments,” said Kennel, who recently helped with an intimate wedding where the couple had a smaller scale wedding cake that featured a cake topper and bottom for the formal cutting.

“Every single guest there was served an exact replica of the big cake topper. It was beautiful and it was a wow factor that set the night off.”

Keeping in mind safety issues and minimizing contact between servers and guests, for those comfortable she also suggests providing send-off slices for a sweet finish to the evening.

“Having go boxes with individual slices from the larger cake available for those wanting to take them is also an option to consider. The guests will feel at ease and be appreciative for feeling taken care of while still having choices.” b