CREATING YOUR OWN DESSERT TABLE

We can't all have Amy Atlas create a spectacular dessert table for us but here are a few tips from the expert herself to help you create your own:

- Take something that inspires you and create your dessert table around it. The design can be inspired from something as personal as a family heirloom to as simple as the pattern on the host’s invitation. Let the dessert table tell a story about the event so that the dessert not only becomes functional, but becomes part of the event design.

- Create a beautiful backdrop for your dessert table. Décor elements complete the look of a dessert table and a fabulous backdrop is the perfect way to incorporate artistry to the table.

- Pick beautiful linens and unique vessels to dress up your dessert table. Since your sweets will be the star of your dessert table, the linens and vessels should have a coordinated, tailored look.

- Always sample your dessert vendors before using them for your event. A beautiful cake is not always the best tasting cake! The key is to find the right balance.

- Pick desserts that not only look good together, but provide a balance for your guests’ palate.

- Incorporate some type of tag element to dress up the dessert table. This will show your guests how personal your dessert table is. You can do this yourself, or have a graphic designer create personalized tags for you.

- Provide goody bags for your guests as take-home desserts. It is always a treat to give your guests something to take home to remind them of how sweet the day was.

Photo Credits: Amy Atlas

INSPIRATION - AMY ATLAS

Amy Atlas, a highly sought after NYC event planner, is the queen of eye-catching custom high end dessert tables. Keeping the overall theme and style of your event in mind, she pairs tasty treats with unique vessels, striking linens and magnificent backdrops to create a visually stunning dessert display. See for yourself…

Photo Credits: Amy Atlas

THIS MONTH'S VIVA LA WEDDING Q&A

Q – Are cupcakes and candy buffets a thing of the past?

A – The cupcake craze hit the wedding scene when brides decided they wanted a unique alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Candy buffets soon followed. Not only are cupcakes and candy buffets still holding their own, they're now also appearing together along side the wedding cake and a variety of other tasty treats. May I present to you… the dessert table. Looking for inspiration? Stay tuned for my next post on the queen of eye-catching high end dessert displays.

CALCULATE YOUR WEDDING CARBON FOOTPRINT

TerraPass let's you calculate your total wedding carbon footprint by taking into account four different sources of emissions:

1. Airline emissions from guest travel - For most weddings, this is by far the most important category of emissions. Planes burn a lot of fuel, and these days most weddings bring together people from all over the country and the world.
2. Automobile emissions from guest travel - Cars aren't likely to be a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions for your wedding but if you have a lot of local guests, they will collectively burn a modest amount of gasoline getting to the event.
3. Energy use in hotel rooms - Hot showers, lighting, and air conditioning all require electricity. For large weddings, this energy use can add up.
4. Energy use for the wedding itself - The DJ, the caterer, temperature control, lighting - whether you have your wedding on the beach or in a banquet hall, the event itself requires some energy.