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Monday, September 5, 2011

Beach Wedding Cake and Dessert Table



I spent this past weekend at the beach... not sun bathing or collecting shells, but baking, frosting and decorating!  Of course sun bathing is nice, but when you love baking as much as I do, then having a fun reason to do what you love is pretty great too!  I was honored to have an extra "sweet" part in a friend's ocean side wedding.  I've been asked to make wedding cakes for friends in the past, but have always said no!  I really have very little experience with "big" cakes, and making (and transporting!) someones wedding cake sounds way to stressful for my taste!  But when a friend mentioned that she wanted just a small cake to cut, and then a dessert buffet for the guests... I thought I was up for the task!  So last week I baked, and baked, then packed up my car and drove 5 hours to Pacific Grove (near Montery, California) to set up a beautiful beach themed dessert table, and my very first (even if it's small) wedding cake!

I had contacted the reception location  (Gatherings) ahead of time to get the exact dimensions of the table I would be able to set up the desserts on.  So I was able to chose the dishes I would need, and do a mock set up at home ahead of time.  I was so happy that it came together exactly as I had planned!

The wedding cake was a simple, rustic cake made of vanilla cake, with vanilla-almond buttercream, decorated with blue fondant flowers and white chocolate shells and starfish. 


~ Dessert Table Menu ~
Decorated sugar cookies (in shell, starfish and monogram designs)
Lemon Squares
Custom designed chocolate dipped oreos (from Sweeties by Kim)





You may (or may not) have noticed that all of the photos of the table were taken from an angle... well, since there was a big mirror above the dessert table the only way to get a shot from the front was this...

Hi!  =) 
So, this is a photo of me, my work, and my love. 

Prop notes...
All the dishes are from my personal cake stand (and platter) collection.  The candle holders on top of the cake stand, and beside the wedding cake are from glassybaby. 
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53 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 6, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    How nice! Everything looks gorgeous!

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  2. SharnelSeptember 6, 2011 at 1:39 AM

    Stunning Glory, just beautiful. I can see the love that went into the entire set up.
    x

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  3. Cecilie GSeptember 6, 2011 at 2:13 AM

    Beautiful : ) I love it!

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  4. Anna's kitchen tableSeptember 6, 2011 at 3:36 AM

    Oh, how beautiful!

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  5. Cakes, Cookies and moreSeptember 6, 2011 at 4:03 AM

    Gorgeous!

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  6. LexySeptember 6, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    You are such a creative, talented, and generous baker. Thank you for all you share and how you inspire oh so many every-day bakers.

    May I ask what depth you roll your cookies and what size cookie cutters you prefer to decorate. Photography can make very small cookies look gigantic and vice-versa. Thanks for any extra advice.

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  7. UnknownSeptember 6, 2011 at 4:41 AM

    Beautiful work Glory.Those chocolate shells came out beautifully, I always struggle with modeling chocolate,yours turned out stunning. Love the cake, and you really covered all the details.
    My favorite is the last one though, it is nice to see you enjoying your hard work.:-)♥

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  8. AriSeptember 6, 2011 at 5:06 AM

    Just Beautiful!!!
    wonderful!!!

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  9. UnknownSeptember 6, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    wow, this is beautiful...actually my favorite photo, like Hani, is the one of you taking the photo -- that is so REAL! Everything is so pretty, you must be proud.

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  10. SweetSugarBelleSeptember 6, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    Breathtaking. ABSOLUTLEY. I wish more than anything I could have been there....

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  11. Karen TrippSeptember 6, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    Graceful beach style, just perfrct!

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  12. Michelle HrudowskySeptember 6, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    Beautiful!!!! Great job on your first wedding cake!!!

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  13. StephanieSeptember 6, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    Absolutely gorgeous!! Everything looks fantastic!

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  14. StephanieSeptember 6, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    How beautiful!!! I just did my first dessert table for a wedding this weekend too! The most stressful thing in the world! Glad I didn't have to make a wedding cake too :). Amazing work!

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  15. midnight hysteriaSeptember 6, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    your work is lovely ... the table is so pretty as is the cake ... just beautiful ... darlene

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  16. Kelly @ Kell's KitchenSeptember 6, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Everything looks beautiful and delicious!

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  17. TammieSeptember 6, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Simply beautiful!!!

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  18. Cristin (Pinkie)September 6, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Oh my gosh Glory! I was so close to you! I went for a bike ride in Monterey on Friday. Wouldn't it have been so cool if I ran into you and finally met you?! I would have LOVED that! Your wedding cake and all those goodies and the display were amazing! Beautiful job! I'm sure your friend truly appreciated the extra touch! Great job!

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  19. Elizabeth L in Apex, NCSeptember 6, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Gorgeous is right! Beautiful and delicious-looking. Sorry we weren't invited! I know the bride and groom were grateful.

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  20. UnknownSeptember 6, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    All the treats are so pretty. I love the display, so inviting.

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  21. RainyB in San DiegoSeptember 6, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Absolutely beautiful!! You did a great job : )

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  22. Jim GratiotSeptember 6, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Glory... since I have 3 daughters, I'm officially reserving you for the summers of 2024, 2027, and 2031. (And depending what pops out in a couple of months, maybe 2035 as well.) :)

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  23. Patricia @ ButterYumSeptember 6, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Stunning array - love the way you displayed and tagged everything. LOVE IT ALL!!

    :)
    ButterYum

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  24. CeciliaSeptember 6, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    This turned out so well! I do love to see your glassy baby candle holders! One of these days I'm going to order some of those chocolate dipped oreos! Love you!
    ~Cecilia

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  25. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    I want one of everything, I really like the labels on the treats too! From Lacie

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  26. Pampered Sweet ToothSeptember 6, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Stunning and beautiful table, Glory! Thanks for sharing with us.

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  27. cookies and cupsSeptember 6, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    Gorgeous table Glory!! Love the colors, and the cake is so pretty!

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  28. Joy AdamsSeptember 6, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Looks beautiul. I am sure that the bride and groom were very happy. =)

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  29. NaiaSeptember 6, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Glori,
    You and your many talents never cease to amaze me...thank you for sharing such beautiful confections with all of us,
    Naia

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  30. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    I can official say that everything was amazing! I am truly blessed to have Glory as a friend and am humbled by her love and generosity. Our guests we in awe of everything. Thank you just doesn't seem to be enough.

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  31. Mary @ Sea QuiltsSeptember 6, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Wow ... I am all about the beach meeting the sugar so beautifully.

    Mary

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  32. SueSeptember 6, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Your dessert table looks like the work of many, but you are a one woman show, Glory! Amazing!
    BTW, My husband and I LOVE Pacific Grove! It's our dream to open a bed & breakfast there and then I can bake to my heart's content for all the guests:)

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  33. Angie - Big Bears WifeSeptember 7, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    everything looks wonderful!! great job! love the colors!

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  34. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    You're setting and treats look so wonderful! Can you please share you're recipe for the lemon bars?

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  35. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Your setting and treats look so wonderful! Can you please share your lemon bars recipe? Thanks! :)

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  36. Las Tres CSeptember 8, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    Me encanta tu trabajo, es precioso, soy de España y te sigo,un saludo.

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  37. Tummy DelitesSeptember 8, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    every thing looks awesome.... I just love the way u do everything.......its very very beautiful.

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  38. Mary BergfeldSeptember 8, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    Your work is spectacular and I am in awe. I'm so glad I found your blog. I'll be back. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  39. LianSeptember 8, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    this is sooooo beautiful!! just lovely

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  40. EmiSeptember 8, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Beautiful as always Glory! I did my first batch of cookies. I will send you pictures! Are you going to share your lemon bars recipe?

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  41. Grace BaxterSeptember 8, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    Wow, everything looks wonderful! What a beautiful presentation.

    Grace

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  42. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    Everything looks so wonderful! I love your work. Just LOVE it!

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  43. KayleneSeptember 8, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Amazing dessert display! Just beautiful!

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  44. Mandy Schneider 97September 9, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    She looks so familiar to me..hmm..I live in Hollister ..anyways the dessert buffet is gorgeous!
    Mandy

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  45. GregSeptember 9, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Your creations are just amazing!

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  46. Kathy RotheSeptember 9, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    Where did you get the name holders?

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  47. Glory/ Glorious TreatsSeptember 9, 2011 at 3:40 PM

    Re: Lemon bars- The lemon bars are from Trader Joes (in the freezer section). They're deliciosu!

    @Kathy Rothe- The little holders for the food labels were from Pier 1 a couple years ago. I've seen similar ones at Michael's and Aaron Brothers.

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  48. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    beautiful table decor, delicoius sweets

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  49. AnonymousSeptember 10, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    Your sight is gorgeous. Wonderful marvelous perfect, and tempting.

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  50. AnonymousSeptember 11, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    wow!!!! You baked your little heart out! That is a lot of work-- everything turned out so beautiful though- these are great recipe ideas for wedding showers too! I am SO impressed!!! :)

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  51. TrishSeptember 29, 2011 at 4:36 AM

    I bet your girlfriend and her new husband were thrilled they asked you to bake for their special day. You have done an amazing job Glory! You contributed in a big way to making their day perfect I am sure.

    Beautiful.

    Trish x

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  52. MarisaOctober 25, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    How do you manage to bake everything yourself?! What do you bake ahead of time? I live in mexico and want to do a dessert table but dont know what to do first and how many days before to start baking...

    Love your blog!

    Marisa

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  53. UnknownApril 11, 2014 at 7:45 AM

    lovely cakes, these Wedding cake designs are so beautiful, i don't to cut... you are an

    amazing artist

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