The cutting of the cake has been a wedding institution for years, but many couples are choosing to ditch the traditional cake for something with a bit more panache. Today, many are going for a variety of desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth, wow guests and make a statement. The dessert station is rising in popularity among couples, in many cases replacing the towering feat of skill and frosting that is the traditional wedding cake. It has become the must-have attraction for the modern wedding.

With a variety of colors, textures, and shapes at your disposal, the station is a way to continue the theme of your big day—it’s an extension of the celebration and another chance to show off identity and personalize. Going well beyond the traditional 3-tiered wedding cake, the dessert station gives guests variety, from candies and pastries to dessert bars and cupcakes, the options are endless and your guests will appreciate the ability to choose beyond the typical sweet treat.  

If a dessert table is in the cards for your next celebration, we suggest going the extra mile to make it extra special for your guests. Why not think way outside of the box? How about freshly made doughnuts and a chocolate fountain? How about an Ice cream sundae bar? Get creative! Work with your caterer to come up with something fun and memorable.

At Pepper’s we are constantly adapting color scheme and textures to the menu laid out for your guests. The beauty of working with dessert materials such as flour, fondant, glucose and white chocolate is the verstilitie in color affording to our expert bakers. With a little bit of food coloring, we can tie in the décor of any wedding to really make the dessert station stand out.

And for all you traditionalists out there, don’t worry, we offer delicious cakes, too! In fact, a dessert station can include a small cake in addition to other treats, so the bride and groom can still take those memorable photos of feeding one another the first bite of cake as a married couple! 

Fresh flowers, locally grown fruits and vegetables, warm nights and beautiful sunny days – these are just a few of the reasons why we love summer weddings in New England.  From botanical gardens with beautifully restored mansions, to rustic barns or beach front ceremonies, any Boston catering company will tell you summer provides the most wonderful backdrop for your event. 

Gardens are beautiful summertime venues. Their bright blooming flowers and wafting sweet smells will add another dimension to your party. Instead of bringing flowers to the venue, you can bring the venue to the flowers! The Tower Hill Botanical Gardens, which is located in Boylston, Mass., is spread out on 132 acres of beautiful terrain overlooking Mount Wachusett and the Wachusett Reservoir. The Orangerie at Tower Hill is an impressive room with a high vaulted glass ceilings and a great sense of openness, truly bringing the outside in.

Museums are always great places to hold a classy summertime event. The large halls and great rooms leave a great impression upon guests. Add in fresh flowers and beautifully set tables, and you have a breathtaking space custom designed for your unique affair.

Many museums also feature outdoor space for entertaining. The Fruitlands Museum, located in Harvard, Mass., showcases amazing panoramic views of the Nashua Valley. It features 200 acres of manicured grounds and boasts beautiful sunsets all year long.

Whether you’re planning an elegant dinner, or just a fun outdoor barbeque, consider the EcoTarium in Worcester, Mass.. The EcoTarium is a Science and Nature Museum featuring both indoor and outdoor space. The entire museum, including three floors of exhibits and a planetarium, is available after regular business hours. The EcoTarium offers a wide range of ambiance, making it a great venue for just about any summer event.

At Pepper’s, our favorite summer time venues are the ones we work with our clients to create from scratch.  Nothing gets our creative juices flowing quite like transforming an empty field or quiet back yard into a stunning wedding reception.  Building your wedding or special event from the ground up allows you to execute your vision without compromise – ensuring every detail is just as you imagined it.  Working with our extensive network of tent, rental and lighting professionals – we can truly tailor each function to your taste, no matter how formal or casual it may be.   When you think of summer time, think of celebrations – hopefully we’ll see you there!

By: Tori N

"Let them eat cake” is no longer something all brides must say! Although traditionalists may insist on a classic white, 3 tiered cake, many modern brides and grooms are turning to more unique catering ideas for their big day, including what they serve for dessert. 

When deciding what is right for your wedding reception, there are many factors you will want to consider, such as the formality of the event, your guest count, even the season, or the time of year.

Cupcakes arranged on tiers are a wonderful and fun option, especially for guests who may be too busy dancing to stop for a piece of cake. 

One of our favorite ideas was a fall wedding where the bride and groom cut a small ceremonial cake and had us serve the guests warm apple pie with homemade cinnamon scented ice-cream, using her grandmother’s blue ribbon recipe.  We also love tables of mini sweets and candy as an alternative to a traditional served wedding cake. 

No matter what you decide, just remember that dessert is everyone’s favorite part of the meal! 

by Tori N. 

We believe that no catering menu is complete unless every item on the bar is tailored to our clients’ specific tastes.  From a champagne toast to a perfectly paired dinner wine – beverages are a very important part of any wedding celebration.  Leave no stone unturned when it comes to planning your wedding menu, and use our drink suggestions as a guide or jumping off point for your big day.

One of my favorite ideas is to offer a “signature drink menu” of wedding themed cocktails:

Something Old – A classic cocktail such as a Gin & Tonic, Manhattan or Sidecar

Something New – A more modern cocktail, like a Cosmopolitan or a Flirtini

Something Borrowed – A cocktail from your favorite restaurant or vacation spot

Something Blue – There are so many fun ideas for blue cocktails – we’ve included some recipes below to get you started!

“Something Blue” Cocktail Ideas

Blue Kamikaze

1 part Vodka

2 parts Blue Curaco

Splash of Lime Juice

Shake over Ice and Strain into Martini Glass – Float Lemon or Lime

Blueberry Fizz

1 part Vodka

2 parts Blueberry Passion Fruit Schnapps

1 Part Sprite

Combine and serve over ice

Blue Lagoon

1 part Vodka

1 part Blue Curaco

1 part Lemonade

Shake over ice and strain over a cherry into a Martini Glass. 

List the cocktails (be sure to include a brief explanation of their significance to you) in a pretty frame to put on the bar – Our Pepper’s event design team is here to help with beautiful décor that aligns with your vision.

Getting creative and taking time to personalize your wedding food and drinks will go a long way towards personalizing and adding cohesion to your event.  Your guests will notice and appreciate the extra thought you put into it and you’ll be thankful that you did.  

We look forward to raising a glass to you on your wedding day!

By Linda L.

The ruffle wedding dress cake is complete and I’m excited to finally share it with you all!

It was quite an experience, and I learned some great new techniques in the process, techniques that I already plan to incorporate into future cake designs.  The client requested that her wedding cake mirror the look of her wedding dress, a delicious, detailed gown. My goal in designing the cake was to make fondant act and look like material, a challenge I was all too happy to take on.

Sources of inspiration come from all over—but I find craft stores to be particularly great places to cull ideas due to the bevy of materials and their range of applicable uses. Walking through the craft store, my eye struck upon some crystals. These crystals, while not suitable for the cake part of the gown, made a wonderful addition to the train, giving the skirt dimension and sparkle. If you desire more bling, edible gems are also available and can be quite fun to use!

I hope you enjoyed the photos of the outcome. This cake was a great reminder that there are so few limitations when it comes to cake design and application. All it takes are a few good creative minds to come up with a fantastic idea!

Stay tuned for my next blog, where I will chronicle the answer to this question: What do plastic piping, Sculpey clay and cake have in common?  Once I get underway, I’ll have some great links for those of you interested in the mechanics of cake design. 

By Heidi

Wedding planning ideas come from a myriad of sources. If a couple is overwhelmed by the endless possibilities before them, we are well-versed in finding ways to arrive at a concept that accurately represents a couple’s love for one another and their vision of the event.

Sometimes the jumping off point comes from the client themselves, as was the case with the wedding of James and Andrea. Andrea and James arrived at our 2nd meeting at Pepper’s Fine Catering with a sample of centerpieces they created themselves. 

Punched Tin Luminaries made from extra large tomato sauce cans, slices of oak logs to place them on, old mason jars filled with votive candles displayed in a grouping.  Next they opened a box containing hundreds of vintage keys that Andrea’s mom had been collecting for years.  As a wedding planner, these vintage/antique items set off a creative spark. I had an immediate sense of what they were looking for and how I could help them build on their vision.

We used old iron gate to display tea stained escort cards, each hand written and attached to antique keys from Andrea’s collection.  As a special surprise for the bride and groom, I made small tin can flower arrangements and tied them, with twine, to the aisle chairs for the ceremony. 

I designed a huge cheese display with the local artisan cheeses.  We served the cheese on rustic slates set on old bricks and antique barn board risers.  Crackers were placed in rustic country crocks.  We finished the display with potted herbs grown in Pepper’s organic gardens and a huge display of wild flowers in a 3-gallon reproduction mason jar tied with a gorgeous eggplant satin and burlap bow with a 6-inch antique key hanging from it.  Even the description cards, mounted on scrap booking card stock that I found online, were printed with antique keys.

Having gotten to know James and Andrea over the months of planning their wedding, I knew they would appreciate an added whimsical touch to the table displays. I placed a “parade” of 10, 3-inch hand crafted iron ants that marched over, under and around the table.  The bride was so thrilled with the added detail that I had to politely whisk her back to her guests, as she was spending a little too much time examining every inch of the table in delight.  

After the cocktail hour guests were invited to the barn for dinner.  It was absolutely magical.   Twinkling tiny white lights were everywhere. Guest tables were covered in beautiful eggplant moiré table linens. The punched tin luminaries that James and Andrea had lovingly made were lit and looked beautiful.  Each guest was seated in a different antique chair that we sourced from a quirky, long-time collector in Connecticut.  They ran the gamut from rustic shabby chic look to refined mid 19^th century tiger maple ones and ornately carved gothic-looking throne chairs.  Our staff had so much fun watching guests seek out their favorite chair and quickly scoot in to claim it.

After a delicious plated dinner, guests were invited to a coffee and dessert station that featured hundreds of cupcakes served on large tree trunk slices and a big copper caldron of fresh berry crisp complete with a homemade vanilla mascarpone whipped cream.  I designed this table to compliment the look in the barn.  Eggplant and sage linens were mixed with burlap overlays.  Large glass columns held candles and tiny keys attached to satin ribbon formed a garland that draped along the edge of the table.

As a final, whimsical gesture, I asked two of the wait staff to retrieve just one iron ant from our prop box.  Just before our bride and groom cut their cake, I perched the ant peeking over the edge of the cake stand so only Andrea and James could see it.  As a Wedding Event Planner there are so many moments that make all of the work worth it,  but none more so than when a client, upon noticing a special touch, searches you out in the crowd to make eye contact and share a knowing, appreciative smile. 

According to our baker, Linda LaBarge, great wedding cakes are more than delicious flavors. It’s about injecting the style and personality of each couple into the cake design. Wedding cakes may be elegant and classic or whimsical, with personal touches or motifs—anyway you slice it, a wedding cake should convey something special.  

Sometimes the design relates to the wedding party theme or décor, sometimes it speaks more about the personality of the couple and sometimes brides have other ideas which we incorporate into the design. For a recent cake creation, the bride requested that the cake (chocolate fudge layered with dark chocolate shavings and Graham cookie bites with marshmallow buttercream!) be a reflection of her wedding dress. Linda designed a cake full of cascading ruffles, bringing a softness and expression of tactile elegance.

Baking and designing cakes has changed dramatically over the years Pepper’s has been in business. The level of design, complexity and materials available are staggering.  Today, cake is an artistic event and bridal couples have increasingly challenging requests and interests. 

“Each year as I look at the web, cake magazines, TV shows and wedding and dress style information, I find a new technique to explore or teach myself,” says Linda. “One year it was the use of color and color application, the next molding figures with rice krispie treats, and this year the use of fondant in a textural direction.  I have many interests and I try to extract from those applications for cake design.”

Linda recommends that brides come in with some designs of interest to jump-start the conversation. “Each couple has a different approach to their cake and I try to listen to discover and work with that interest.”  Together, they sketch out the final look which incorporates both the creative energy of the bride and groom and Linda herself, resulting in a breathtaking creation that tastes as stunning as it looks!

By Deborah A.

It’s the day of your wedding. There you stand looking like your usual radiant self—but better. The ceremony music cues and you’re about to take that first step down the outdoor pathway, when all of a sudden a big gust of wind comes and brushes your hair across your face. Quick! You need the bobby-pins in your emergency kit! Your bridesmaid fastens them in at lighting speed. Before your grandmother can blink back her tears of joy, your hair is neatly set once more and you glide down the aisle perfectly coiffed.   

What’s this emergency kit, you ask? It’s one of your wedding planning essentials, full of tissues, the oft overlooked but ever important bobby-pins, a needle and thread for that stubborn bustle button that just won’t stay put.

One week prior to ceremony is a great time to put together these essentials, as well as scissors, tape, mirror and safety pins!

There are so many details included in planning a wedding and so little time. At Pepper’s we seek to lighten the load in every way we can. Follow our wedding timeline to leave no stone un-turned and no hair out of place so you have maximum enjoyment and minimum worry on your big day!

7-9 months prior:

• Work with your caterer to decide on a menu
• Begin to look at Honeymoon options
• Schedule an engagement photo session

4-6 months prior:

• Begin a review of details with all of your wedding professionals
• Order invitations
• Finalize music selection for the ceremony and reception

2-3 months prior:

• Finalize catering, bakery & floral arrangements
• Order wedding rings
• Make appointments with hairdresser for your wedding day hairstyle and Manicurist/Pedicurist

4-8 weeks prior:

• Mail your invitations
• Final fittings
• Get Marriage License

1 week countdown!

• Pack for the Honeymoon
• Check final details with all your wedding professionals
• Check rehearsal dinner plans
• Pack your day of emergency kit

1 day until matrimony!

• Set aside everything you need at the ceremony site: gown, headpiece, veil, accessories, shoes, stockings, slip, emergency kit, purse, brush and hair spray
• Give each other wedding gifts
• Get a good night’s sleep and enjoy your wedding day!

The Importance of a Wedding Tasting

Juggling all of the details involved with wedding planning can be difficult, to say the least, but one thing you should definitely make time for is a food tasting.  A wedding tasting is about the food, yes, but it’s also about building a comfortable relationship with your caterer.   

Wedding tastings are offered either in a group setting or private.  A formal “one-on-one” wedding tasting allows you to request specific foods versus tasting a choice of the most popular items offered which is typical for a group tastings. Group tastings can be more lively and provide the opportunities to meet other couples in a relaxed setting. Whether you go for the group tasting or private they both allow an opportunity to meet with the chef who can answer menu questions and/or provide recommendations to suit your needs.  Your event coordinator will also use this time to go over other important details with you, such as color schemes, linen and china choices, florals, and timeline execution to name a few.

Keep in mind that wedding tastings, whether formal or group, are usually scheduled after you’ve booked with a caterer/venue and your menu has already been established.   Tastings can be very labor intensive, not to mention the cost of food, so you will usually encounter a reasonable per person fee.  But don’t let that discourage you from scheduling a wedding tasting.  Food usually consumes the biggest percentage of your wedding budget.  Having peace of mind that you’re going to receive the freshest and most flavorful fare far outweighs the tasting fee.  Your wedding day is important, so you want to be confident that the food you are providing for your guests is top notch and memorable. 

Helpful Tips for a Successful Tasting Event

• Get the Details.  Not all tastings are free, so make sure to inquire about a cost when making an appointment.  Consider the needs of your guests – do any of them have special dietary needs or food allergies?    
• Come prepared.  Bring a copy of your menu and other important details for discussion.  The more information you have available to you, the better you can make of your time.
• Bring your fiancé along.  It’s your tastes that really matter so, if at all possible, you should both be part of the decision-making process.  It’s not uncommon to bring parents or future in-laws too, but be careful; sometimes too many opinions can make the decision-making process more difficult.
• Take notes.  Taking notes will help refresh your memory when it comes time to make a final decision.  How does the food taste? How was it presented?  What did you like?  What didn’t work?   Note any suggestions/recommendations and maybe take some photos for reference.
• Provide feedback.  Feedback is critical to the success of your menu so don’t be afraid to speak up.  Great chefs are ready and willing to challenge the taste buds if you’re looking for bolder flavors or creative combinations.  Food allergies, dietary needs, religious or ethnic requirements are also important when creating the right menu.
• Be flexible.  Seasonal or specialty items may not always be available or fit into your budget.  Your event coordinator and/or chef can provide you with creative ideas and suggestions to design a menu that is both exciting and cost-effective.
  
  Photo Credit (Cupcake): Deborah Zoe Photography 

Wedding Cake Design Consultation

When Pepper's Creative Consultant, Melissa Brunis, first met with Jennifer Elliot and Don Beaton, their two great danes came up in conversation. They explained how Mina, the female, was angel-like and well behaved, but Chancer, the male, was a real trouble maker… always getting into something he shouldn’t. Melissa presented a picture of a cake that Peppers had previously done for a groom's cake of three beagles eating a cake, and they loved it!

Jennifer and Don decided they wanted to do something similar for their wedding cake. Jennifer envisioned a traditional two tiered white cake with Mina sitting primly on top. Chancer, on the other hand would have gotten into trouble…running circles around the cake and chomping into it leaving crumbs in his wake and smearing frosting on his face!

Wedding Cake Design and Construction

To begin the design process of making the dogs, Pepper's head baker, Linda LaBarge, met with Jennifer and Don to capture their unique and personal vision.

Then Linda began construction with the dogs' internal structure - Floral wire and popsicle sticks begin to provide support, movement and personality.

Next, rice crispy treat material was modeled around the internal structure with attention to every detail like facial structure, muscle tone and any other characteristics that we want to stand out. The dogs were then painted with Royal Icing, allowed to dry and then sanded smooth, making sure all components fit.
    Next Linda covered the dogs with fondant, brushed the figures with water and added additional pieces, such as ears, eyes and tail.
         The figures with were finished with a painting of food dye, paying close attention to shading and the little details, whiskers, eyes and noses.

The final photo shows the finished cake after Chancer "got to it". Not shown in the photo is Mina, the other (well-behaved) dog, who couldn't be placed on top of the cake until after transportation to the reception hall.

"One of the star attractions was our wedding cake which was the subject of a lot of laughter and many photos with our niece Ava busily explaining that Chancer one of our two dogs (Chancer and Mina) had already helped himself.

 We would like to add our thanks and appreciation to the staff at Peppers who helped make this an exceptional day."

-Jennifer and Don Beaton

Thanks Linda for making this day fun, personal, delicious and definitely memorable!