volunteer-cake-maker-do-gooders
My mom scared the bejeezers out of me the other day when we were discussing wedding cake. You would be surprised how effectively such a delicious confection can strike fear into the heart of an old wedding-planning-pro like me. But it can — ohhh, it can.
On top of throwing us a reception in Ottawa upon our return from our South African safari elopement (and in fact encouraging us to take that leap), my mom will be making our wedding cake.
– I can hear brides around the world sucking in jagged breaths as I type. –
Yes, she will be baking and decorating the cake. The WEDDING cake. (And just to be fair, we are asking FH’s mother to make cupcakes for our Niagara reception — that should scare Betty Crocker right out of her tree, let alone all you knowing brides out there).
No need to remind me. I too have heard the stories of volunteer-cake-maker-do-gooders making a mess of things. I too have seen the photos of those well-meant but oh-so-ghastly disasters: the melt-o-cakes, the not-quite-done-yet cakes, the god-awful-fugly cakes.
But I have a secret. It’s my invisible weapon… I don’t care! Boy, it’s so refreshingly freeing to say that! I don’t care if it turns out to be a flop. I don’t care if it gets smashed and we have to pick up an ice cream cake at Dairy Queen on the way to the reception. I just don’t care!
Making the drastic switch from the big fantasy wedding of my dreams to something so private and unique has really put things into perspective for me. I know what my priorities are. I’m actually ENJOYING not having to worry about the details. I just don’t care anymore! It’s glorious!
Keep in mind, though, that by the end of this hullabaloo I will likely have had at least two, if not three, wedding cakes. 1) A small, scrumptious, sugary sweet for two after our nuptials and candlelight dinner on the game reserve will serve as our “official” wedding cake. 2) A bunch of cupcakes in a tree by FMIL will be enjoyed at our Hollywood-style Niagara reception. By the way, I generally hate cupcake trees for weddings but 3 cakes (omg, how many times can I say "cake" in one entry???) is a little much. Something different is definitely in order for one of the events and FMIL happens to make yummy, moist cupcakes (and we NEED to keep her occupied) so problem solved! And finally, 3) for the Ottawa reception, a tiered, fondant-covered gateaux (ha!!) made with love.
It’s also noteworthy that ma mere has completed a cake-decorating course and that I have sampled the final exam. I was worried then but I’m not now. At least about the taste of the thing…
I believe it was the phrase "little silver paper leaves… you know, like for a 50th anniversary" that turned my spine to ice.
Okay, so perhaps I do care… just a little.