More sweet treats for your eyeballs from Washingtonian Bride & Groom.  I love me a good sweet table and these are beyond gorgeous.  I love all the color palettes but something about the citrus one really makes me happy.  I think it’s that makeshift orange tree and how the shape is echoed in the polka dot linen.

I am totally in awe of these gorgeous, modern cake silhouettes by Maggie Austin Cake.   This is truly art in the sugar medium.  The simplicity is stunning and I love the asymmetrical, clean lines on them. Maggie studied under some of the foremost pastry artists in the world so I suppose these stunning creations shouldn’t be a surprise.  But in the wedding world often plagued by a “more is more” philosophy, these designs are such a breath of fresh air!

Notice the use of pedestal cake stands to elevate these beauties to a whole new level, literally and figuratively.  Take a page out of Maggie’s book by asking your baker to display your cake on an elevated stand.  (hint:  eBay search “milk glass pedestal cake” and you’ll get lots of options).

Do you have a favorite?  I think mine is a toss-up between the black pearl one and the Tiffany stained glass creation.

I fell in love with Nicki’s Cakes after seeing their work featured on a fabulous Style Me Pretty “Inspiration to Reality” challenge that showcased all North Carolina vendors.  You might recall, I blogged about it here? Yes, of course I’m biased but I have to say it was my favorite Inspiration to Reality feature they’ve done yet.  I just love the whole look of this wedding (kudos to the gals at Salt Harbor Designs!)

Today’s post is a all about the women behind the gorgeous cake in that feature, Nicki McRae of Nicki’s Cakes.   Nicki grew up in South Africa and moved to the States in 1985.  She’s a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and has lived in Wilmington with her hubby for the last 15 years.  She was gracious enough to entertain a few questions which I hope will be helpful to all you planning brides-to-be out there still looking for a baker.  But first, a look at these beautiful cakes!

How did you get started baking?  Was it always something you loved to do?
Nicki:  “I started decorating cakes after taking a cake class at Michael’s craft store.  I loved it and ran out and bought books on cake decorating.  I would practice all the time.  I started making simple cakes for friends and slowly started working my way into wedding cakes.  My love of decorating came first and then the baking.”

And how long have you been in business?
Nicki:  “I’ve been in business for 5 years now.”

How many cakes, on average, are you doing a week?
Nicki:  “I do one or two wedding cakes per week during wedding season and  I work out of my home so I can spend time with my children after school.”

Do you have some favorite flavors that get requested again and again?
Nicki:  “My most popular flavors are plain vanilla pound cake and my chocolate fudge cake.  My chocolate icing is really good- it has ganache and Godiva liqueur in it and folks just love it.”

Lastly, I have to know…with all these cakes, do you have a favorite that stands out?  One you thought, “wow, I can’t believe how good that looks?” or a really fun request?
Nicki:  “I think for my most ‘fun’ cake request, I would say the surf board cake.  It was for a very cute couple who loved surfing and wanted to reflect that in a more original wedding cake.  I made a woody car toting surfboards and surrounded it with surfboard crowned cupcakes.  They loved it!”

And for your “favorite” cake?
Nicki:  “That would probably be my white chocolate ‘plastic’ cake.  It’s not really plastic of course!  It’s rolled out strips of white chocolate that I hand ruffle in layer upon layer upon layer to achieve this totally decadent and over the top look.”

OMG, all that chocolate!  That has to take forever!  Have you had any requests to make it again?
Nicki:  “Yes!  I’ve done it 4 times since the first one.  I think brides love that not only does it look unique and very special, but of course it tastes divine.”

Mmmm…and isn’t that just the holy grail of wedding cake aspirations?  I hate when a pretty cake tastes like cardboard…what a let down!

Thank you so much Nicki for sharing some time with White Thread!  I am absolutely in LOVE with the modern, minimalistic aesthetic that Nicki favors on many of her cakes.  They’re gorgeous without being gaudy, “about to crash under the weight of sugar flowers” creations.  And I also love that she’s still a small shop, giving personal attention to each bride and really focusing on every cake that goes out that door personally.  That kind of attention to detail is so wonderful to have.  One of those “must consider” things when picking vendors!

…and now, I’m starving!

I am totally smitten with this adorable ice cream parlour created by Amy of Eat Drink Chic.  Yes, all manner of candy buffets have been the rage for a few years now in the wedding world.  If you’re feeling like they’re a little played out for your wedding, consider the ice cream parlour a  fantastic alternative.   Amy has made it just about foolproof with her stylish label templates, resource links and tips for how to execute this gorgeous table.  Too informal for your wedding?  I think this would be such a blast at a rehearsal dinner or even a lovely afternoon bridal shower.  All you spring and summer 2010 brides, bookmark this idea for later!

For the record, I did not wake up today determined to post about all things sugar and sweet.  But one thing led to another in my adventures around the web (as they often do!) and I landed on such a treasure, I just had to share.  Behold the most incredible cookie creations I’ve seen in a long, long time from SweetAmbs Cookies via Etsy.

Seriously…more edible houndstooth?  What did I do to deserve such a day? From Amber’s Etsy shop:

My Orange Vanilla Spice Cookies are about 3-1/2″ in diameter. They are made from a basic sugar cookie recipe, which is then flavored with fresh orange zest, vanilla beans, and a hint of cardamom. The royal icing has a dash of vanilla extract to bring together the wonderful flavors of the cookie.

I have to say I consider myself a bit of a pastry connoisseur.  I’ve been known to drag my poor husband around a city in an effort to satisfy a sweet tooth (trips to Paris with me are really fun).  But I have truly never seen anything like that painted frosting flower petal design.  That is some serious pastry tip skills!

So lovely and best of all cookie artist extraordinaire Amber can customize the design to be just perfect for your wedding.  Her blog is one jaw-dropping cookie after another.  You’ll get lost in it, don’t say I didn’t warn you!  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to her Etsy shop to order those embroidered flower petal cookies…they will be mine!