Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Love is Sweet : Wedding Cake Alternatives


Let's get right to the sweet stuff, and then I have a little announcement to share regarding the fact that we've finally picked a wedding date. (Hint: early fall!)

If I had to choose one word to describe how we picture our wedding, I'd go with 'non-traditional.'  (Since this is a vague term, we'll throw in a dash of 'simple,' 'vintage,' 'DIY,' and 'eco-conscious' too. 'Inexpensive' is only being excluded due to the fact that I can't seem to find much about wedding planning that involves the use of that adjective).  So when it comes to the cake, we'd like to stick with the non-traditional, and have been keeping our eyes out for ideas for unique sweet treat alternatives.  Here are some of our favorites:

Homemade fruit pies are so cozy and would be perfect for an early fall wedding. (source)

I love the idea of doughnuts!  Even a simple basket of freshly made cinnamon and sugar doughnuts and some hot cider would be so lovely for an early fall wedding. (source)

A table full of handmade caramel apples would be so unique and ideal for fall.  They'd also make lovely favors for guests to take home.  (source left; source right)

There are endless options with cookie buffets, and it would be easy and inexpensive to make a really pretty display.  Like the caramel apples, homemade cookies would also make wonderful favors.  (source left; source right)

Wedding candy bars are so cool, and using old-fashioned drug stores candies would fit in wonderfully with our vintage theme. (source)


I know, I can't believe it either.  My regular readers are aware of how challenging this has been for us with my fiance's unique work schedule (he's on the road with a band for half the year) and our goal to get married this year.  Somehow, we've finally been able to pencil something in (a mere three months after the proposal)!  The big day, dear readers, is October 1st. I've always envisioned a summer wedding because it's by far my favorite season, but I think early fall will be beautiful with the vivid leaves and cooler air.  Now we're working on finding an affordable venue that will allow us to do our own food and decorating.  If you have suggestions, please share!








22 comments:

  1. I love this!!!! The donuts are my kind of wedding.
    Wonderful ideas ;) -Lizzy

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  2. I love the idea of a non traditional wedding cake... I feel like most people spend all this money on a gigantic fancy cake that barely gets eaten!

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  3. I love the doughnuts and pies! And congrats on picking a date! I think that's perfect, right in between summer and fall :-).

    Jess

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  4. Congratulations! This is all v. v. exciting.

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  5. congrats on picking a date! That's so exciting. Fall will be beautiful I'm sure!

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  6. Yaaayy! Congrats! I love the wedding cake alternatives. I like the idea of wedding cupcakes.

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  7. pies, doughnut tiers, candy table! love love and SO darling! congrats!

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  8. For the love of donuts! I can not get over that doughnut picture!

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  9. I love the old fashioned candy table idea!

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  10. I'm with jade, I love the old fashioned candy idea! It looks so fun and colorful.

    And an October wedding will be lovely with all the autumn colors. Congrats on setting the date!

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  11. Found you from etsy blog team! Now following! =)

    ~Kim
    http://2justByou.blogspot.com

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  12. Congratulations!!! I love the doughnut and old fashioned candy bar idea! I know that whatever you choose, it will be great!

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  13. I LOVE wedding cake alternatives. I've always told myself that someday when I have a wedding...it won't be traditional and I'm defintely have something other than a wedding cake...these are great ideas!

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  14. Congrats on setting the date! I love the idea of non-traditional wedding cake. I went to a wedding that had a selection of cupcakes, mini-tortes, individual servings of different stuff, all decorated with their color scheme. It was super cute and according to them, much more affordable. And you get to have all different flavors.

    As to inexpensive locations, I've seen a lot of pretty weddings happening at old barns the past few years on the internet. I would've never thought barn and wedding go together, but with the right setting and decorations, it can be very pretty. Also having a wedding outdoors and reception in a tent is always an inexpensive option as well.

    I look forward to seeing what you find!

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  15. Thanks so much for the input everyone! Hideaway, we'd LOVE to do something outside, but October (even the beginning of it) is pretty cold in Chicago. And we were actually hoping to find a barn (I loooove rustic weddings), but there isn't much available within an hour from the city. We're still looking though! :) We're also considering renting a vacation house with lots of rooms, if we can find one big enough that would allow us to do a wedding/reception there. We want it to be super casual, so something like that would be perfect. I wish we knew someone here who had a big ole' house we could use! :)

    xoxo,
    m

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  16. I am all for pie as it is easily my favorite desert, however given that you are going vintage, this would be great! http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/blogs/wedding_style_file/archive/2009/11/18/a-cake-alternative-a-gigantic-rice-krispie-treat.aspx

    Congrats on setting the date. we got married 11 months after the proposal and it was a whirlwind of fun.

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  17. yay for wedding dates! I like all those desserts you shared. we went with a traditional cake, but I like the idea of trying other things as well.

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  18. Melissa, are. you. serious? I totally did the bottom photo's garland like an hour ago, xo abbelaine
    http://makedoseebe.blogspot.com/2011/03/garland-of-glee-and-wrapped-in-green.html

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  19. Congratulations on picking a date. I love pie and caramel apples and would be thrilled to find them at a wedding.

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  20. last aug i went to a wedding that a candy bar among other desserts. all your ideas ms. melissa are very clever & fun! so excited for u :)

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  21. Congratulations!! So excited for you and Robbie! We are also doing pies for our reception. Great minds think alike! :)

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  22. I found you on EBT, and LOVE your blog!

    A good friend of mine doesn't like cake and really wanted pies at her wedding. I had never seen it before and all the guests just loved it. I think it is such a cute idea!

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