I love designs with natural elements: willow twigs, fiddlehead ferns, butterflies, and wood designs. Here are a few cakes that inspired me the most.

I made our wedding cake. I did it for a variety of reasons, the least of which was to save money. Incidentally, after I purchased all the equipment, practiced  for 7 months, and made the final 4 tier cake for the wedding, I found it would have been cheaper to buy a small 3 tier cake to feed my 60 guests. Nevertheless, my grandmother baked and decorated elaborate, multi-tiered cakes. She died when I was young, but I have missed her fiercely over the years and this was a way to remember and honor her at our wedding. That, and I have long found  time in the kitchen relaxing. What started as a money-saving strategy turned into a personal quest for perfectly buttercream because I actually didn't save money.

Two days before my wedding, when I made the filling. The following day, I made the cakes and buttercream. The act of making my own wedding cake relaxed me. It felt like an act of love for our guests–those family and friends, most of whom had seen one or the other of us grow up. It was quite an intimate and emotional experience. I know I'm likely in the minority here. A friend of mine who married 9 months before I did issued stern warning about not adding to week-of-wedding stress by attempting to make my own cake. For me, it was the opposite; making our wedding cake was one of the most memorable and joyous parts of the my wedding prep.

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We designed our own wine labels. To find fun fonts and Photoshop brushes check out www.dafont.com and www.brusheasy.com Note: The bird woodcut was a Photoshop brush. The design was done in Photoshop and the Final Layout was done in InDesign. You should be able to download a 30-day trial at www.adobe.com

Step 1: Make sure you have a well-ventilated work space. I worked outside on my lower deck. I made sure to pick a day that was not windy and had a low pollen count. I cannot stress enough the importance of working in a well-ventilated workspace. The fumes from the adhesive and sealer are strong, even outdoors.

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We decided to customize our wine labels for two reasons. 1) Like many couples, we wanted our wedding to be an expression of who we are 2) We were on a tight budget and could not afford super expensive wine. We bought a few cases of 2-buck chuck from Trader Joes and added our own labels.

I looked and looked online for instructions for removing wine labels and tended to find posts for removing label after drinking  the wine, which entailed using hot water. Using cold soapy water, we got the labels off without ruining the wine.

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When I was planning for my wedding, I was fascinated with signature drinks. Signature drinks are an elegant way to keep liquor costs down, while still offering your guests elegance and a unique experience that says something about you as a couple. Instead of an open bar during the cocktail hour, offer a signature drink that matches the colors or theme of your wedding. Also check out The Wedding Workroom for more ideas.  I love, love, love watching K Sherrie+Company for her Siggie of the Month. Here’s my pick for a winter wedding.

In winter, I look for a pop of color and bright flavors that are in season. Pamplemousse, which means grapefruit in French, is a classic and welcome winter flavor. The pomegranate, which is still in season, lends this cocktail splash of color.

Try Pinnacle Vodka for a premium flavor without the price tag. Pinnacle Vodka is made in the same distillery as Grey Goose vodka. They taste pretty much the same.

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