As I stated in the last blog, there was just WAY too much to mention at one time. I’m going to start off by thanking all of my incredible family and friends that helped out for the show. My extremely handsome and supportive husband worked diligently to get my logo printed on chocolate, can coolers, and a new banner. Baby, you rock! His colleague and our friend Billy printed out the pictures that were hanging at the back of the booth with his ginormous printer and he not only had to buy more ink and paper but fix a broken belt along the way that I’m told took 4 hours! I seriously can’t thank him enough.
My mom flew in from Chicago for the show on Wednesday to help out. She has been traveling and packing up my grandmother’s house all summer and has barely been home since May. I believe she was only home about 36 hours before she flew here. In that time she picked up material for beautiful new aprons, MADE a pattern, cut and sewed FIVE aprons for my booth, sent my stepdad to pick up bagels for me (YUMM-O!) and packed again. While she was here she rolled about 1000 cake truffles, cut and packed cake samples, made a mini Oreo topiary, and stood for 5 hours telling brides how great I am. Who could ask for a better Mom than that?
My friends Gina and Amy and my daughter Jessie all worked diligently for no compensation except some sweet treats. Miss Amy started out as a customer of mine and loved my cake so much I think she lives to promote it. Gina is one of my dearest friends and definitely an incredibly high energy and delightful new addition to the show. 
These three women make the show even more fun with their big smiles and their fierce love for my cake.
Now, onto the show…I met some new people and ran into several “old friends” while I was setting up for the show. The beautiful and talented Shannon Hairr was next to me for the second year in a row and she is really a delight to be around. She took my daughter Jessie’s senior pictures this spring and I couldn’t be happier. I have been so busy I have barely picked my favorites, but they are all really good. Her husband Rusty likes the name of my business and I’m sure they were able to sneak a cake truffle or two.
The new proprietors of Hazel Path Mansion were next door as well. They have a beautiful venue and a great package deal for all inclusive weddings. The Hermitage was just across the aisle from me and I love the history in this place. Jess and I also ran into Sam Gilbert who was promoting Historic Rock Castle as well. I love to promote venues like these as they are exactly what I see in my mind for a gorgeous traditional southern wedding. It’s like getting married at Tara from Gone with the Wind.
We tried samples at several different booths including an incredible shrimp and artichoke dip from Bacon and Caviar. I need to stop at this point and let you in on a secret that only the closest to me know…I have traveled the country to find a potato that I don’t like. I have yet to find one. I love potatoes in any way you can feed them to me. Mashed, baked, grilled, hash browns, O’Brien, scalloped, chipped, dipped, chained, whipped, I love them all. WELL, Ribbons of Chocolate Catering had the most AMAZING displays of all kinds of potatoes in martini glasses with various toppings. Muy delicioso. I wanted to try every single one. Instead, I just looked longingly at them and wished I was planning an event JUST for the mashed potato bar!
There were just too many fantastic people to mention! We were parked next to Ace Photography’s photo booth and I have never had more fun than I did with my daughter for those 5 minutes. What a fun addition to any party! Ashley of Ashley’s Bride Guide came in with her bride Jen and we chatted for a few minutes. She’s always cheerful with a plethera of information. I finally formally met Jody Gray of Gray Photography. She and her husband Zach do an amazing job and have an incredible blog.
I spent time talking to many brides, but one who stood out would have to be Louise, the 30 something bride. She was extremely no-nonsense and reminded me a lot of my cousin who tied the knot at 37 after being HAPPY to be single for years. Louise has the most incredibly informative and cost cutting blog tips and although I do not share her ideas about making her own cake, I think you would enjoy what’s on her mind. She wrote a terrific blog about Covered with Icing and I was thrilled when I saw it here.
Thank you to all who came out and enjoyed the show! I know I’m thanking a lot of you. We went through 1100 cake samples and 1000 cake truffles in less than 4 hours!
