Under the Sea with Blue Straws and Cupcake Wrappers – Dolce Designs

This was a birthday party for a tween girl who adores the ocean and the color blue. I created a “blue room” by hanging up blue curtains in the window and a curtain of tri-colored streamers in the arch separating the party room from the next room in the house. The circle streamers and balloons were there as “bubbles”, and the fishing net and sea shells scattered throughout further enhanced the oceanic atmosphere.

The decor as well as the cake were kept simple and “grown up”, and I stayed as far as possible from the cartoony ocean theme usually seen for little boys. I wanted this to be a girly ocean theme, and the birthday girl love it!

 Tell us how you got started in the event planning business? 

I’ve been baking and decorating cakes for years, and I’ve always loved planning my family’s birthday parties…so it was natural for me to go beyond just making the cake  to designing the entire event. I’ve always gone all out with birthdays even if we had just a handful of guests. I want the image of mom slaving away in the kitchen baking countless cupcakes and cakepops engraved in their little minds.

About two years ago a friend of mine showed me a picture of a simple but beautiful dessert table, and I knew it was something I would love doing. I started making decorations that same day and couldn’t stop. I spent a week making fans, pom poms, banners, you name it. And this was before I even knew about Pinterest! (back in the day when you needed an invitation to join, remember?). Now the inspiration found online from other designers is endless!

We noticed you have a lot of cupcakes, cakes and macaroons in your displays. Do you bake all your own goodies? 

I sure do! I started making cakes and cupcakes years ago, then when cakepops first came out I thought they were adorable and followed a tutorial on the Pioneer Woman’s website (love her). Once I got the basics down I stared experimenting with my own recipes and flavors. The frosted sugar cookies followed, and lastly, I just HAD to master zee Fwench macaron. It took me three tries but I’m glad I looked failure in the eye and kept on piping. They are always a big hit.

The neat thing is, all of my baked goods can be converted to gluten and/or dairy free for those on a special diet. Over the years after being disappointed with gluten free recipes I’d find online, and the sugar laden GF cookies I’d buy at the store, I just decided to develop my own. Most people are none the wiser. I usually wait until they finish something to tell them it’s gluten free and they can’t believe it.

What are your best selling event theme?

By far everyone loves vintage/country chic. Which is great considering I live 5 min away from a huge antique mall. I want to be dropped off there and left to shop (with no children next to me asking “what’s THIS for?” every five seconds) for an entire week. It is my favorite style as well.

What is one tip you would give to a bride planning her wedding dessert 

My husband and I eloped 12 years ago and didn’t tell anyone we were getting married. And even though it was romantic, I didn’t think at the time that years later, I’d wish I had a big wedding with a beautiful wedding gown and a big cake. So my advise would be, go for the wedding of your dreams! Whether you want a grand dessert table with lots of gorgeous desserts or you want simple chic with just a few delicious goodies, it’s about what YOU want. Years later you’ll look at the photos and remember everything was exactly how you wanted it.

What’s your favorite cupcake flavor? 

My favorite cupcake flavor is anything citrusy (made with real orange and lemon peel please!), and if it has warm Italian meringue on top, even better! Reminds me of Lemon meringue pie. But of course rich chocolate is a close second.