Farm weddings and birch tree cakes...

annie1992

11 years ago

Yeah, OK, so the Redneck Bonanza is in the past, and a young couple asked if they could get married at the farm, she wanted to be married in my big old barn. I explained that I actually had a working farm, not just an empty barn, but she was OK with that. Then she asked if they could just have the reception in my pole barn. I told her, jokingly, that she'd have to clean that. She was OK with that too. Ahem. So, today there's a pig roaster in front of the pole barn doors, a tent outside, and I baked the cake. She wanted it to look like a birch log, that's apparently the big deal now.

So......I went to work. The bottom layer is white almond sour cream with a raspberry filling. Middle layer is chocolate with white chocolate mousse and the top layer is dark chocolate with peanut butter cup filling, all made from scratch (see cake mix thread, LOL).

My competent "assistant" was on hand to help, of course...

They put up signs...

And a tent, of sorts...

Yes, that's a "porta potty in the background, bright orange, LOL. Makayla made decorations for the tables.

The wedding was an hour and a half ago, the reception starts in another half hour. The girls got dressed at the Town Hall, the guys dressed in a horse trailer, LOL. Tuxes have camo vests, of course, it's another fashionable thing here, and everyone is a "horse person" at this wedding, thus the horseshoe/cowboy hat cake topper.

They will have a bartender, this is his "bar". Yeah, that's my air compressor in the corner, but it's hardwired in, so I can't move it. The bartender is going to be "Pat", obviously, so for all I know, it could be a girl, LOL, but they're starting with a keg of Miller's Light, a bottle of vodka shaped like a gun and some Orange Sunkist. Wanna make a guess on how many will be sick before the night is over?

Actually, they're nice kids. The groom works for Dave as a mechanic, the bride went to school to be a diesel mechanic, but dropped out when she got pregnant with their son, Zane. The baby is 4 months old or so, and money is tight, so the cost to rent a "venue" was not in their budget, nor was a wedding cake. The reception will be our typical "pot luck" reception, Amanda is taking a big pan of au gratin potatoes. The kids will be married, a party will be had and no one will be paying bills for years for a reception/wedding that no one could afford anyway. A cousin has a small "garage band", so the music is live, the food is good, the kids are happy, and there's cake. What more could a newly married couple want? (grin)

Hey, maybe I could start a new business, farm weddings!

Annie

Featured Answer

User

11 years ago

Timely post - My recently engaged nephew was here both yesterday & today by 7 a.m. He's a stone mason and we hired him to install a retaining wall & backyard patio. Ours is a weekend side job for him. His fiancée works in a medical office full-time and cleans houses on weekends. They are paying for their wedding - her parents are older and not well off financially and he doesn't feel right accepting money from his folks who are nearing retirement. Their goal is to have a "nice" but reasonable wedding and come out with no debt and they are willing to moonlight to do it. They're in their mid-twenties and I am so impressed by their maturity and work ethic.

Your generosity toward your newly married friends is equally remarkable. Even with your workload and Elery's recent surgery, you've again extended yourself for someone's benefit. What an example you set for your grandkids as well as that young couple!

BTW, the cake looked beautiful and sounded delicious!!

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Comments (26)

shambo
11 years ago
Wow! The cake looks super cute and the description of the layers makes me want a slice of each. A cute idea all around. And, yes, I think you could start a viable business. I bet couples would be flocking to your new venue.
sooz
11 years ago
Wow, great photos! What a lovely memory the bride and groom and their guests will have!

I love a good WASC cake and that raspberry filling is right up my alley! Mmmmmm, chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse is to die for too, and bringing it all home with dark chocolate cake with p-nut butter filling is a hit right outta that park!!

What a great job on the birch tree look! You have some major talent there, missy!
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Here is the recipe for scones that I used. It comes from a National Trust Traditional British Recipes book I bought from the BBC.. Measurements have been converted to US. (Only to be eaten with a large hat on, a cup of tea, and listening to the English national anthem of course.) Scones: 1 cup flour 1 tsp baking powder One half stick butter (I used low fat) One half cup brown sugar One half cup raisins 1 egg One quarter cup milk (again, low fat is fine) Milk to brush the tops Preheat oven 450. In large mixing bowl, sift flour and baking powder and gently combine. Rub in diced butter w finger tips until like breadcrumbs. Add sugar and raisins and combine evenly. Make well in center of mix and slowly add milk and egg (already mixed together) Stir mix w fork to make smooth dough. Knead slightly to make ball and put on floured surface. Roll to about 1 inch thickness and cut into circles w cookie cutter etc. Put on greased baking tray; brush w milk. Bake 15 mins. Also works if you add nuts, cranberries etcÃ¯Â¿Â½ (but less English that way!) Serve warmed up and cut in half, with butter then dollop of strawberry jam, and some type of whipped cream on top. Yum. Oh, and DH is a fully trained professional Dignitary Protection person... It's like having my own body guard. :-)
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plllog
11 years ago
Definitely looks like a nice party, but it takes "horse people" to appreciate a working barn, aroma-wise. :) Beautiful cake! Felicitations to the bride and groom.
mustangs81
11 years ago
So nice of you to make their wedding happen. Great job and yes, sounds like a cottage...I mean barn industry.
User
11 years ago
Hey, maybe I could start a new business, farm weddings!

Apparently there's a market. Was reading about it on another forum.

Love your cake!

Vodka bottle shaped like a gun? Why???
annie1992
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Thanks, Sooz, fondant is actually kind of fun, like play-doh. And, I get to practice and see what I'd do differently the next time. (Use cake pans that are more different in size, those were too close together and didn't give me a nice "ledge" for the tiger lilies, which matched the bride's bouquet. I missed the wedding which is unfortunately, because I've never seen Heather (the bride) in anything except blue jeans and boots. But Elery had that hip replacement last week and no way could he navigate the farm/barn/gravel driveway/etc. with his walker, so we begged off.

Cindy, I really don't get the vodka thing, the "kids" were laughing and talking about "shooters", so maybe it's a liquor industry pun? I was focused on Sunkist orange and vodka, LOL, the kid version of a screwdriver?

plllog, the barn doesn't really have a smell, I keep it open and the animals go in and out as they wish, I don't have dairy cattle, I raise beef, and the horses are free to roam the 40 acres of pasture with the cattle. The pigs, now, that's a different story, LOL, and the chicken coop is right next to the barn. Fortunately there was a high temperature of 60F today, and so little to no smell, other than the pig roasting. I'm still wondering how the guys got dressed in a horse trailer, though....

Ah yes, that pig. It's actually "mystery meat", which is most commonly a pig stuffed with venison. The fat from the pig keeps the venison moist, and everything just gets served together and people take what they like.

Cathy, they're nice kids and work hard. I wanted them to have a nice party, at least.

So farm weddings are now "cool"? Wow. I hate to say it, but I'd far rather deal with animals all day than crazy stressed out brides and their hapless grooms. This young couple is extremely casual and will take what comes, but if I started charging people for the barn I know the demands would start.

That's why I only bake for friends and family, I won't sell cakes. If a ruffle is 1/8 inch off, I don't have some ticked off person explaining how they spent xxxxx for a cake and it had better be perfect.

Annie
l pinkmountain
11 years ago
Did Mr. Haney show up to officiate?? :) My best friends got married in a barn in 1989. I guess they were ahead of the curve. I was looking at wedding venues up your way the other day and I saw an add featuring a barn, just that, an empty barn, saying it was available for weddings. Nice work if you can get it!
plllog
11 years ago
LOL! Annie, it's my citified nose. :) I like the smell of hay, but the haybarn on the ranch at high Summer was too much for me. I actually prefer the smell of horse stalls, but that's not a wedding-ish smell either. Glad to know the horses were out enjoying the cool weather. :)
annie1992
Original Author
11 years ago
Nope, they had a pastor, driving a big white Ford truck, Laurie.

Here's a nice picture of the groom...

and one of the bride...

Yes, that's Bud in the striped shirt, dancing. (grin) Here is where the wedding was held, right inside those big barn doors in the background.

So congratulations to Cody and Heather, may they have a long and happy life, and always be as casual about "how things are supposed to be" as they were today.

Annie
lindac92
11 years ago
Looks like a great party!....Beach weddings with all the party barefoot and in casual beachy clothes are all the rage.....I guess farms and barns are next!
I have stumbled upon several "different" wedding ceremonies....one in the courtyard of the Taos Inn in new Mexico....where they knocked on doors to find witnesses and the groom and "pastor" wore new Levis. another on the top of a mountain in Vail, the groom was the tennis pro at a resort there, and when the couple kissed all the guests threw tennis balls instead of rice.
As long as the marriage "takes", who cares what the wedding is like, as long as they are happy!
l pinkmountain
11 years ago
That camo vest and tie, be still my heart. Handsome couple and looks like tons of fun. Does remind me of my friend's wedding. Theirs took pretty good, 27 years and counting.
Islay Corbel
11 years ago
So much nicer than a formal wedding IMHO. Lovely!
sally2_gw
11 years ago
Annie, as always, you're the best. What a good friend you are to do that for the young people. This wedding looks like it could just as easily have been in Texas.

We're going to my nephew's wedding this November in California. It's at his bride's parent's ranch, which also happens to be a wedding venue. I guess it has become a thing for ranches and farms to host weddings.

Sally
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
11 years ago
I want to see youtube videos!

Better yet, invite me the next time. :-)

This is a real and meaningful wedding. I have been to too many fake, pretentious and expensive weddings.

dcarch
susan_in_nc
11 years ago
You gave them a nice start and sounds like they got just what they asked for -- you are such a sweetie to help them out! I was talking today about community and how we all used to have friends that supported us, neighbors and family. Sounds like you still believe and live that.
CA Kate z9
11 years ago
My age will be telling, but I remember going to many an older cousin's wedding where the dance was held in the hay barn. It was fun sitting on the bales in the loft watching the elders dance below us. Wedding in the church, meal on long tables set out on the lawn and the dance in the barn. Thanks for the memories, Annie.
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
11 years ago
I do like un-pretentious weddings. Such pressure on family. Your cake is gorgeous and i'm sure appreciated. No need for fancy expensive.

We went to city hall 26 yrs ago and had a big party a few months later.

We hosted a wedding on our farm a dozen years ago and have been asked to do it for others but not a chance in heck/no way...they were/are good friends and it was so much work...but i would not do that for anyone else. (fun for good close friends).

Love a wedding without such high expectations for perfection. Go with it and have fun as it should be. The whole point is to celebrate the beginning of a new family.
Solsthumper
11 years ago
I like all weddings, formal, informal, and even the crazy expensive ones :) After all, it's not like I'm paying for it.

But, I particularly love weddings where I don't have to do anything, except play guest. I was lucky my clients were, for the most part, sane and reasonable people. However, I do not miss any of it. The wedding cake business is extremely stressful - but only from its conception to its destination :)

Anyway, the cake is wonderful; especially the 'heart carved into the tree.' The couple will always appreciate the effort you put into their wedding.

Sol
Tracey_OH
11 years ago
A fun wedding with family and friends and a beautiful cake....what more could you want? Great job on the cake, Annie!
grandmamary_ga
11 years ago
Just perfect. Congratulations to the bride and groom. May they have many years of happiness. Your young assistant did a fantastic job with the decorations too.
bcskye
11 years ago
Annie, you are such a great person. You are always there when someone needs you and you do beautiful things with cakes. I just love this one. Yes, you could do cakes for a side business, but you do so much already. The young couple had their wish come true and will have such wonderful memories. When Darrell finally out and out proposed, a different story, I knew we had to have our wedding at my mom and dad's house. My dad had never seen any of his children get married. My first marriage took place in Tokyo, but the others were local. I decided if we couldn't get Mohammed to the mountain, we'd get the mountain to him. We were married in their living room in front of their white fireplace by candlelight. Mom and I used to do wedding cakes, so she made ours, the punch, etc. I made my sister's and my peasant style gowns from material I had had kept when I closed my fabric shop in Virginia. At the last minute I got my sister and I each a rose with baby's breathe. All under $100. It's lasted almost 43 years so I guess it was a good one. I hope this young couple is as fortunate. Oh, and when we made wedding cakes, one couple didn't tell us the wedding was actually taking place in her parents' back yard. Hot June day. We tried to tell her the four tier cake would melt, but she didn't care. Sometimes they aren't so picky.
coconut_nj
11 years ago
Annie you're so great! What a wonderful thing to do. So proud of you. Bet your eyebrows got quite a workout talking to her/them about it. LOL. Glad for them to have a friend like you.
annie1992
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Thanks, but all I really did was bake the cake and let them clean out my pole barn. I got the lawn mowed, the weeds whipped, the pole barn hosed down, the barn door put back on the track and a nest of hornets eradicated and neither Elery nor I had to do any of it. So, it was all win-win for me, I just had to let a bunch of kids follow me around for a day and decorate a cake, plus Elery and I snacked on the cake scraps!

The porta potty is still there, though, I'm not sure when that's going away, LOL.

Annie
Laura Allen
10 years ago
The cake is so beautiful! I had a similar cake at my wedding last month here in South Florida and it was baked by mother as I was adamant that she would bake my wedding cake rather than buying it from outside.
annie1992
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Thank you, Laura. I've made the wedding cakes for both of my daughters. One had fondant because she wanted her cake to "look perfect". The other had buttercream because she didn't care if it was perfect, she wanted it to "taste good". Both had homemade from scratch cake, so it was only the fondant that was disgusting, although the kids seem to love the stuff.

And as for that wedding, I still haven't found all my fencing supplies and I had to buy new grooming brushes for the horses because I never did locate those either. That's what happens when someone else cleans out your pole barn!

I have had two people who wanted to hire me to make similar cakes, but I have no intention of being at the mercy of a bridezilla who doesn't want to pay me because the ruffle on her cake is 1/16 of an inch lower on one side or something. Ugh. I bake for friends, for family and for the fun of it, I do it in my own time, my own way, and at no charge.

Annie

Farm weddings and birch tree cakes...

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