Well its time to get moving on one of the tastiest parts of wedding planning... the cake! This should be easy. Or at least that's what I thought when I was putting together a list of things to do and their priority. I thought, do the hard stuff like the photographer first and then you'll breeze through the fun details like the cake. But, its very difficult to begin the process when you're still so torn on what you even want!

Andy and I are going with this whole cocktail party style for the reception food so we'd actually like to keep the desserts in this same vein. I don't want one big cake that everyone waits for, I want lots of delicious nibbles with a small cake for ceremonial purposes.

But, I'm having a hard time figuring out what I envision. First, I don't really know how big of cake to get. I'd like a small cake but I want it to still serve as the centerpiece for the dessert spread so it needs to be something tiered. I think I'll put some sort of box in the middle of the table, drape a tablecloth over it and then place the cake on a cake stand on top of that. Then, all the other desserts can be around this.

Now,  the other big question, what should the other desserts be? I feel like this is one place we can really infuse a southern element into our wedding because there are so many wonderful southern desserts. Then, once I narrow down my ideas, I can go to the pastry chef at my catering company and see if they can transform these ideas into more cocktail style nibble. At least I have ideas about this part ;)

THE CANDIDATES....

Breading pudding! Maybe with some bourbon sauce, pecans and Georgia peaches?

Very southern. I mean, when you google "bread pudding" the first hit is a Paula Deen recipe.

Red Velvet Cake.

Maybe this should be my wedding cake because it is just AMAZING. Chocolate, food coloring and cream cheese icing. But, if I want to be more traditional, Andy would have a groom's cake and it'd be red velvet. Maybe I could have mini red velvet cupcakes for the groom's cake? I don't need a whole separate groom's cake but it is a nice southern tradition. Plus, Andy wants mario mushrooms so maybe red velvet mario mushroom cupcakes? Alright, next idea, this one is getting out of hand.

Bananas Foster.

This one was invented in New Orleans by the famous Brennan's Restaurant. I like the story behind this dessert although I'm not sure if its true. Its said to have been developed because New Orleans is a port city and had an abundance of bananas and rum coming in from the Caribbean. Sounds plausible to me!

Mississippi Mud Cake

haha, google "Missisippi Mud Cake" and your first hit will be Paula Deen again.

I must have chocolate, my family is a chocolate family (you're welcome Uncle Tom).

Beignets

I can hardly imagine life without some sort of fried dough and this French import fits the bill so nicely. If you happen to find yourself in New Orleans you MUST have some at Cafe du Monde.

Best part, you can eat them for breakfast or midnight snack. YUM!

Maybe I should bring out beignets and coffee as a late night snack. Once again, I'm coming up with more ideas than I actually need. Oh well, its a fun idea.

I am so hungry that it isn't even funny! But, that's a sign I'm off to a good start, right? Now hopefully I can get these ideas in miniature form!

Anyone else consider a dessert spread instead of just the traditional cake? Anyone have experience with these? I know that Dan and Teresa's Italian desserts at their wedding last August still make me swoon.... a good cannoli makes me weak in the knees.

I've been surfing the 'net a lot and I just keep finding so many wonderful wonderful things, I thought I'd share. The problem is how to narrow things down from my long long list of things I love to things I'll actually use for my wedding.

I'm browsing lots of invitations lately from traditional to funky. I came across this one and thought it was so cute. Its non-traditional which I really like. I never knew there were so many designs to choose from. I see them on Etsy, online and in the onslaught of catalogs I'm now getting in the mail! I guess I need to pick a direction first and then narrow it down. I definitely think non-traditional is the way I'm leaning.

I love these aqua class mason jars. They are amazing! I see them in all sorts of wedding magazines but I don't know what I'd do with them. But, I'll still drool over them. They're more on the rustic side of things and my wedding it a little more formal. Maybe I can just use them in my house?

I've been thinking about a dessert spread with lots of little finger foods to go along with our cocktail reception theme. These beauties from Save On Crafts are only $9. That's right, nine bucks! I need to meet with my caterer to discuss the desserts and what I'll need but these are on my short list.

I'm also on the lookout for a card box and I've fallen in love with terrariums! It'd be adorable for cards and then I could have it in my house as a reminder of our wedding! I really like the idea of being able to use a few wedding pieces in our home. I know people do cake servers, etc but I want something that I'll see and use more than once a year on our anniversary.

Now, I need to start narrowing things down but I just can't with SO SO SO many wonderful ideas and items to be discovered. Judging from the enthusiasm of some of my already married friends, even after I get married I'll probably still come up with ideas :)

Anyone else enjoy the idea gathering stage more than the actual buckle down planning?

As many of you know, I'm currently on a mini vacation in Puerto Rico with my friend Natalie. We had a conference in San Juan last week and we decided to stay for a few extra days to enjoy the sights since we already had a plane ticket paid for!

But, being in the Caribbean has made me think a lot about what Andy and I should do for our honeymoon. (Also, I've been inspired by the aqua water since its technically a pastel teal color!)

We've had a couple friends do honeymoons at the all-inclusive Sandals resorts in Jamaica and St. Lucia, so those have been on my list to investigate. I just want to go someplace tropical. I think the Caribbean is easy to get too and probably more budget friendly than places like Hawaii and Fiji.

At first, I was really leaning towards a big all inclusive type resort because it seems so easy. But, this trip is making me re-think that plan because Nat and I are having a really good time. We rented a car and got a room at a B&B. Now we're out planning day trips to the rainforest and the beach. We're on trip advisor and lonely planet looking for restaurants. And in the evening we're relaxing at our small B&B where there are only 9 rooms and its very quiet and serene.

Now I'm really torn! Should be venture out on our own or stick with the all-inclusive? I need to do a good cost/benefit analysis because I'm not sure we're actually saving money doing it on our own. But, what I am really concerned about is that we'll feel trapped at a resort. I watched tour buses today in the rainforest and was very thankful I was in my own car, going at my own pace. I fear I'll feel this way at a resort. But on the other hand it may be nice to know the overall trip price up front and not have to waste time planning and get to relaxing?!

Any one have any suggestions on how to find the right style honeymoon?

1. Did you join a gym? Every bride is on a diet, its a fact. Just because we all know its true doesn't mean she wants to talk about it. If she wants to join a gym its fine, if someone asks her, it implies she NEEDS to join a gym.

2. I went to this wedding, they did XXXX, can you believe it? Whatever XXXX is, she may be considering doing it. Unless you've been to every planning session, don't tell her what you hated about a wedding unless she specifically asks you. Maybe conga lines are her favorite, you never know!

3. Oh, when's the wedding, I need to put it on the calendar? Don't invite yourself to someone's wedding. She's probably already struggling on how to whittle her list down, don't put unnecessary guilt on her.

4. I have no money since I'm saving up for your wedding. Weddings are expensive for the bride-to-be and the guests. Either happily shell out the dough or decline, but don't complain to the bride that you need to get a hotel room, no one is forcing you to attend.

5. When seeing a picture of her dress, Oooh, so you're wearing your mom's old dress? She may have picked out a brand new but old fashioned dress. That would be sooooo awkward.

6. Are you pregnant or something? Yep, this happened to me. Nope I'm not pregnant, I'm just fat, thanks for asking. Whether the answer is yes or no it will always be awkward!

7. How much did you pay for ...? I was once with a newly engaged friend and stood there as an acquaintance asked her how much her engagement ring cost! I will admit I've asked some of my closest friends these details in private but only a few select ones I know intimately and only for a purpose i.e. I really liked your reception, would you mind telling me how much your venue rental was and explained how I was trying to see what I could get for the money. Never, let me see your ring, how much did he shell out? tacky.

8. Don't get married! I can't believe anyone would warn you against marriage when they hear you're engaged but I've been told now by a couple friends that they've had someone tell them not to get married. And, no, I don't think these people had real concerns with the couple but more of great dislike of marriage in general. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

Anyone have other gems to contribute? (real or hypothetical!)

If it hasn't been evident, I LOVE MY BRIDESMAIDS. They are all super supportive, fun and making wedding planning a great experience so far. I love that they get excited about my dress, shoe and accessory choices for them because I do hear other brides feeling disappointed that theirs don't give feedback.

But, just to stir things up a little, I have to wonder.... ARE THE LYING?

First, my sister thinks I am the least fashionable person on the face of the planet. Well, with one exception, I have these gold high heels that she'd die to own. For this reason, I wonder if she truly likes the dress I choose. If she doesn't, she's a very good actress.

Second, I've heard at least 3 of my other bridesmaid discuss ugly bridesmaid dresses they've had to wear. So, I know they have opinions.

Now, I keep thinking I should test them and send them something really ugly in one of my next emails. Of course, now I've blogged about it so they're all onto me.

So, do I have fabulous taste in bridesmaid dresses? Or, do I have fabulous friends who will do anything for me, including wearing ugly dresses?

P.S. My Aunt still has her bridesmaid dress from my Mom's wedding.... AWESOME.

If you happen to be a shoe addict then I'm proud to say that today I'm giving you a fix. I'm still scouring the internet for teal shoes and I'm coming up with more than ever! How will I ever decide?

More importantly, how will I ever get my real work done when there's so so so many teal shoes left for me to find!?

They're all so cute I don't know where to even begin. I love the teal ones with the flower, probably only because they are called "Getting Hitched". This is much akin to my sister's desire for shoes called Erin from Bakers or the Coach bag called Ali that I've always liked. Clever marketing people....

Any thoughts or suggestions on shoe style for my big day?