No Joking on Game Day, Even About Cupcakes.

The day you are getting the goods together for a party, the catering kitchen can be a very tense place. The light humor that usually accompanies our work kind of takes a smoke break for the day. When we would be cooking to get a party out the door, if you would ask John at Catering By Design, "Do we really have to wrap 300 shrimp in basil and proscuitto?!", he would say "No joking on game day."And that meant business.

Let me set up the real story.  Meg's wedding was fast approaching.  Meg is a best friend of mine and it was my great pleasure to help her orchestrate her wedding.  We had been working on it for nearly a year.

We were totally prepared to set up and cook for Meg's wedding.  My daughter had been dropped off with grandparents for the weekend, all groceries were bought, prep lists were made.

Then, the unexpected thing that would throw off all of our plans, that we knew would likely come up; happened. Our cake maker had a major family emergency.  No cake.  No wedding cake.  Cupcakes, actually. Two-tiered, red velvet and strawberry, individually decorated cupcakes. The idea was still alive and well in our minds, but the baker and executor of the cakes was no longer in the picture.

Now, in a matter of minutes, I was the cake maker. I scrambled.  Found a VERY competent baker and tracked down some papers and decorations.

So, many hours later, here we are.  The night before the wedding. I was working with my baker, Amy Shapley.  We were doing a couple trial cupcakes for Meg's approval.  In our overtired state, we were joking and giggling and testing out icing tips and snacking on the crunchy edges of reject cupcakes.  Amy was taking pictures of our progress and snapped one of a particularly homely cupcake that had been eaten on, and had various clumps of cream cheese frosting here and there.

We thought it was the funniest thing we had ever seen.  Meg being our close friend, we thought she would get a laugh if we sent her this picture  via text of the cupcake "prototype".


Hours later, she still hadn't replied.  Finally, we hear from her.  "Looks great. But, will it also get a second layer?"

We got her reply and both froze.  She doesn't actually think we think that cupcake looks good, does she?  Is she delirious?

She didn't get the joke.

We were kind of embarrassed by the thought that she might be trying to make nice and settle for this pathetic little bastard child of a cupcake we made in our own delirium.

Then the words of my old boss rang in my head.... "No joking on game day."  The night before a girl's wedding is no time for silly pranks.

No matter how well you know someone or how funny you think it may be, the hours before a person's big day, is not a good time to try to get a laugh.  Lesson learned.

And in the end, the cupcakes did turn out beautifully.   

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Cakewalk Event Planning and Consultation is here!

What is Cakewalk? What is The Kitchen?

Not afraid to try something new and buck tradition? We encourage people to dream big, then we do everything we can to bring those visions to life.  In a way, we look at your event like an art installation that just requires you and your guests to bring it to life. 

Cakewalk Wedding & Event Planning helps brides and hosts define and actualize their dream event; from food to flowers and from printing to photography, We are a one-stop shop for hip, cool and artfully minded. A 15 year veteran of the catering and event planning business as Catering Manager at a high-end caterer in Kansas City. 

Photo by Deirdre Hanlon Jones at Lo and Behold Photography

Photo by Deirdre Hanlon Jones at Lo and Behold Photography

Photo by Deirdre Hanlon Jones at Lo and Behold Photography

Our mission is to help the artfully-minded, independent host or person(s) of honor define and actualize their event vision. We provide day of coordination, monthly "keep-on-track" meetings, or the full meal deal, in which we take care of all aspects of planning your day with you. 

Photo by Deirdre Hanlon Jones at Lo and Behold Photography

Working in Kansas City for over 20 years, we have built an excellent list of vendors that we trust and fully recommend. We can provide suggestions or work with your chosen vendors.

We love a challenge and are excited to help you realize your vision!

Photo by Deirdre Hanlon Jones at Lo and Behold Photography

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What is essential to a great wedding...and what isn't?

Should it Stay or Should it Go?

Programs in an antique suitcase.  Photo by Lo and Behold Photography.

When you start planning a wedding, all ideas should be on the table!  It's your day and should be as close to your vision as possible. Many of us have dreamed of this day. We have specific ideas of a gorgeous, absolutely flattering dress, a bounty of flowers, delicious dinner, amazing pictures, heartfelt, tear-filled exchanging of vows. And on and on.

As you start adding the costs of all of these small details that exist in your wedding fantasy, it can be overwhelming to see the bottom line.

One of the best things your wedding consultant can do is help you EDIT.

Here are the essential ingredients of a good wedding:

1 - A fiance that you are totally in-love with.

2 - A space that suits your guest list (more on that later) and the attitude of the wedding.

3 - Clothes that fit perfectly and that you feel great wearing  (no matter the color, shape or size).

4 - An experienced and reliable photographer who will capture the mood of your wedding accurately.  My favorite is Deirdre at Lo and Behold.  http://www.loandbeholdphoto.com/

5 - Good music that creates atmosphere. 

6 - A memento for your guests.

7 - Something for your guests to eat and drink.  It does not have to be a four course, gourmet feast.  Even heavy appetizers can do the trick if you plan it right.

8 - The presence of everyone you love there with you to share your happiness.

Love sign made out of plastic sign letters, an old breadbox and some battery powered twinkle lights.  Genius!  Photo by Lo and Behold Photography.

The rest is negotiable.  Hell, you don't even need a ring... you could get tattoos or bracelets or whatever suits you.

Don't be afraid to buck tradition.  Weddings are different these days - and believe it or not, there are no wedding police. No one is going to report you if you don't have a big fancy cake, a champagne toast, or a pristine white gown.

It's your day. Don't be persuaded to spend money on things that don't matter to you.  Splurge on those things that are important to you.

So brainstorm like crazy and make the list of all the things you want when you start.  Then go back through that list and circle the 5 or 6 things that are the most important to you. If you are like me and like order, you could even prioritize every item on that list from most to least important.  Try to imagine that day with just those essential items from your list and I will bet you would be happy with just those things.  The rest is icing on the proverbial cake.

What is most important to you and what tops your list of essential wedding day must-haves?

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