The Grooms Cake

Wedding grooms cake shapes, traditions and etiquette.



The history of the grooms cake or wedding grooms cake is hard to trace. Some articles note that recipes for grooms cake began appearing in American cookbooks in the early 19th century. These were usually fruitcakes, and traditionally more substantial and more alcoholic than the bride's cake (what we call the wedding cake), which was a lighter, more delicate confection.

Today, the grooms cake doesn't have to be a fruitcake, though it will still differ from the bride's cake and is usually smaller with darker filling and icing. For this reason, the wedding grooms cake is often a chocolate, carrot, or spice cake.

Nowadays, the bride often orders the cake with the grooms favorite filling and icing, and then keeps it a secret. A new tradition is for the bride to have the grooms cake made in the shape of something that represents his personality or interests. Since the wedding and reception are very much focused on the bride, the wedding grooms cake honors him in a special way.

Some wedding-etiquette consultants take the view that the groom's mother should bake the cake herself. This is a nice way to credit "mom's cooking." Other consultants aren't strict on this. Some even say that the groom may, if he prefers, order the cake and keep it a secret from the bride.

Often the grooms cake will be in the shape of something not very wedding-like, such as a football, car, or guitar. This is why it is sometimes served at the rehearsal dinner. Still, many prefer to share it at the reception, usually on a table separate from the wedding cake.

Traditionally, small pieces of grooms cake were wrapped and sent home with unmarried female guests. It was believed that if a maiden tucked the cake under her pillow, her dreams would reveal the man she was to marry. If you'd like to revive this tradition, wrap pieces of wedding grooms cake in foil and net or small gift boxes, and attach a note describing the superstition.

The wedding grooms cake may cost less than the bridal cake. But if it is ordered as a "groom's cake", it will likely cost more than if it were made exactly the same but called a "birthday cake".

While considering the grooms cake, you may want to consult with your fiance' to see how he would prefer this tradition to be carried out. After all, the purpose of the wedding grooms cake is to honor the groom!

June -- A Special Month

As we know the month of June is a special one...
We have Graduations, We have Birthdays, We have Weddings,
However we can't forget, We also have Fathers' Day....

Yes we are giving homage to those Fathers that are true Fathers....

To be classified as a father does not mean you had to be in on the creation. As a comedian once said it takes a special man to step in a raise a child that is not his. We pay homage to the single dads that have been there from beginning to now to be apart of that child's or those children lives.

"For Those Mothers that have to be the "Mother and the Father" we give you special thanks... Many women have raised their daughters and their sons to be outstanding adults. Some children feel there was a void in their life because they were raised by a single parent. Please by all means that is not the case.

Lets thank those uncles; godfathers; grandfathers; brothers; and even those male role models that have given us the courage to say you are doing good;
I will always be here for you....

My Dad is the joy of my life and means the world to me;
My Husband has been a wonderful father to our children;
My Father-n-law I thank you for creating a son that
that knows what it means to be a man and a wonderful father;
My Brothers - n- law you know how I feel about you guys;
My Male Friends - that are fathers, godfathers, uncles keep up the good work;


To the Brides and Grooms remember the most important day of your life is special as you join your union and become one.....

Because of that special person that has been with you from the time you were small till the time they can see that smile on your face or be with you in your heart remember to tell them thank you and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

The Essence Music Festival

THE ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: New Orleans, Lousiana When: July 4-6, 2008
Are you ready for a super party weekend?

The festival has also augmented its main stage roster with the Essence debut of Rihanna, the Barbados- born singer whose "Umbrella" ranked among 2007's biggest hits; R&B diva Keyshia Cole; neo-soul singer Musiq; and rapper LL Cool J.

They join previously announced Essence headliners Kanye West and Chris Brown, performing on Friday, July 4; Jill Scott on Saturday, July 5; and Chris Rock and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly on Sunday, July 6.

Performance dates for Mary J. Blige, Morris Day & the Time and the new additions are not confirmed.

The superlounges also boast Peabo Bryson, Mint Condition, Raheem Devaughn, Grandmaster Flash, Gill Scott-Heron, Lyfe Jennings, Ledisi, Chrisette Michelle and Solange. Essence also announced the major speakers for its free, daytime empowerment seminars in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. New Orleans native turned film and television mogul Tyler Perry presides over the July 4 session with cast members from his "House of Payne" TV series.

On July 5, CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien hosts a televised interactive forum featuring Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint, the co-author, with Cosby, of "Come On, People: On the Path from Victims to Victors."

On July 6, gospel session features Bishop Paul S. Morton and Debra Morton, the Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Church Choir, Regina Belle and Dr. Juanita Bynum.

www.essence.com/essence/events/