things are better with a parrott

Displays + Backdrops

{Images via Carter & Cook Event Co.}
  
There are two things I have on my brain with regards to our wedding {well two out of hundred or so...}: The escort card display & the dessert table backdrop.  Our reception venue is just waiting to be customized.  It has a soft, neutral color palette with little, to no decor so I cannot wait to make it "us."  However, to make it "us" is going to require some work & a few props {so happy Rich, my father, & brother-in-law are all very handy men}.  These props are going to have to travel well, be quick to put up, & even quicker to take down  because we have to have everything out right after our reception. 

In these two photos I love the re-use of old household items - doors & shutters.  The doors may present a challenge, but the shutters are small & easy to take down.  I also like the candles & up-lighting, which may be necessary as we are told it can get quite dark in the room {third thing on my brain - what to hang from ceiling that is not a lantern but still has lights...that is a later post}.   Well, at least I know the desserts that are going on the actual table.  That is a start!

Red Light Studio Cake Toppers

{Images via Red Light Studio}

These cake toppers by Red Light Studio are adorable! Each piece is hand sculpted with paperclay, an all natural, non-toxic, & biodegradable material, so they are eco-friendly as well.  The birds, or owls, are hand painted & customized to your specifications.  I love the beautiful flowers on birdie bride & the little boutonnieres on the grooms.  So cute!  If you are like me, & not having a cake, these would be perfect next to your dessert of choice! 

Birds & Blooms

{Images by You Look Nice Today via Ruffled} 

Gosh!  Look at those huge & ruffley dahlias & roses.  They are gorgeous!  The flowers were designed by Bohemian Bouquets, specializing in uniqe, edgy, & eco-friendly design.  Every time I see a version of this cake I fall in love with it all over again.  The vintage birds, wood base, simple buttercream frosting, & perfectly bare twigs just sing to me.

Middleburg Folk Art Cake Toppers

{Images via Middleburg Folk Art Studio} 
  
I am not even sure how I happened upon Middleburg Folk Art Studio's shop, but my goodness everything is adorable!  I think it has been decided we are not having a cake...BUT, we are having a croquembouche, a groom's cake, cupcakes upon cupcakes, & other yummy deserts, all to be baked & styled by my sister.  So, suffice to say there will be a large table for all these delights, which calls for decoration. Middleburg has the cutest bird cake toppers which would work perfectly well set on the dessert table.  The Love Birds & Blue Birds are two of my favorites, however if we were going with a squirrel theme, I would get this pair in a heartbeat!  Of course the front of the table needs to be embellished as well & the dogwood garland or magnolia garland would be just lovely.  I love dogwoods & magnolias, but they are not in season in September so this would be a perfect way to include them, & I know just where to put these after the wedding - my studio!

Nothing Bakes Like a Parrott

{Images by Clare Norton Photography}

I am not sure about you, but I wish I had a cupcake right about now!  My sister, Jessica, is the self-taught baker behind Nothing Bakes Like a Parrott, a custom cake studio based in Portland, Maine.  For their wedding, Jess & Jay each created something for the cake & cupcakes.  Jess made & decorated all of the cupcakes, including all of the small sugar flowers. She made the groom's cake, which was a Boston Bruins hockey jersey {Jay is a big fan}. 

A plant stand that we purchased at a local greenouse was used to hold the cupcakes.  Jay modified the stand by adding one more tier to the top to hold a smaller cake.  Jay, who is an architectural engineer, constructed the cake topper which was a scale replica of Spring Point Lighthouse where they were engaged.  The lighthouse was complete with a working, rotating light! 

Needless to say Jess & Jay are really talented!  Jess will be making our cupcakes, groom's cake {I know this is supposed to be a surprise, but Rich already guessed my idea) & the croquembouche.  Jay will be making our cake topper as well.  Can you guess what it may be...?