Tips for Finding a Gluten and Dairy Free Wedding Cake (and UPDATES!)

I'll probably say this every single time. But time is flying by. 

I have been super busy working full time and life that I haven't kept up with blogging as much as I wanted to but...it happens....so....

Things are defiantly moving along and I'm noticing that I'm getting antsy. I hope that's normal.

I'm also starting to enter panic mode. Hello crazy Bride Moments....nice to meet you...

BUT I'm trying my best to handle it the best I can. Speaking of crazy bride moments...I think I experienced my first one a couple weeks ago. I ordered my dress months ago and I've been pretty calm and not to concerned with anything about it. Then one day I was like....soo when is it coming, I hope I ordered the right color.....which led to OH MY GOSH DID THEY ORDER THE RIGHT STYLE. So yeah that happened. And yes I went to the bridal store and they kindly reassured me it was the right one by looking it up and showing me the picture and told me when it'll be here. Worry gone....okay not totally because well it's not here yet. 

Anyways, we have decided on a cake! Which I'm so excited about because it's going to taste amazing. Caleb and I went to our first cake tasting this past week. You know the bridal moment I just talked about, well yeah something along those lines happened with finding a cake baker and I needed to find one THAT MOMENT. Seriously, I amaze myself how much I can get done when I'm panicking(which I don't recommend) Because with the cake, you can order it the month before and still have plenty of time. I can't say what our cake looks like at all, because well it's a secret. Thank goodness I can tell my close family and my bridesmaids because I'm terrible with secrets. Seriously. I get WAY to excited and just want to tell the whole world. 

This isn't our cake...or what it looks like. Just think it's pretty and I needed some kind of picture :) 

ANYWAYS I have learned a few things when it comes to trying to find someone who makes gluten and dairy free wedding cakes. If you have to be gluten, dairy, or something free and you're like me who lives someone where those words are still foreign, you're going to need help. I learned things the hard way. 

1. Don't panic (I did, but for 5-10 min) 

2. Don't consider making your own...I did..felt way to stressed at the thought.

3. Breathe

4. Call around. The worst answer you get is no. 

5. Consult Facebook? I'm up in the air with this one. Because I did..and didn't get much help. For those of you who did try, Thank You :) 

My best advice would be to call around. That's how I ended up finding our cake baker. One shop I called said no they didn't make cakes like that but check out this bakery. I also had other bakeries offer me advice and say they could try and make gluten free. So sweet. But I'm going to be picky and want someone who is experienced in making gluten free. So after about a day of searching and calling I found someone...an hour away. But at this point I was pretty much out of luck. I'm pretty happy because let me just say, the cake is AMAZING. If you live around Harrisburg or an hour or so away. Check out Betsy's Bakery. Seriously, you won't regret it. She has everything. Now I have only tried the cake but since the cake is so good, I know everything is. PLUS she does vegan options as well. Since everything is gluten free, you won't have to worry about cross contamination. Our cake is going to be gluten & dairy free and vegan. After an hour and half of trying a lot of cake and icing. She drew a sketch that was going to be OUR cake. And I can't wait to see it....I can't wait for the whole world to see it! ;) 

Stay tuned because I have more details coming soon!!! 

Maid/Matron of Honor Duties

Just a month ago...or more, I posted about invitations and guest list...and that we've reached the 6 month mark..

Now we are down to 4 months! Okay, I seriously don't know where month 5 went because time is flying by so fast. There is SO much to do and I have a feeling my life is going to get pretty crazy these next very few months. But I'm extremely excited and nervous. Only nervous because I have been having wedding nightmares...nothing to crazy but things that could actually go wrong. Thank you brain for making me worry about things that I didn't even think of until I dreamt them! "sigh" I just keep telling myself that everything will be okay. Thank goodness I have close friends and family that keep me on track. 

When I first started wedding planning, I said that I didn't want a Maid of Honor because who I chose to be my bridesmaids were all equally important to me. 

Well...the closer it has started to get to the wedding, the more I realize that I did need a Maid of Honor, well she's a Matron of Honor because she's married...there is a difference! 

Anyways that doesn't mean someone was better than someone else or anything like that, I just needed a leading lady to take on tasks that I couldn't do or that I needed help with. There are TONS of duties listed out there for the Maid of Honor...seriously. So I've just taken ones that I feel are really important. 

Maid/Matron of Honor Duties

1. Offer to help with any pre wedding tasks, from addressing invites to picking out the cake. 

2. Leading the bridesmaids. The MOH is in charge of informing the bridesmaids of their duties and all pre wedding parties. Also making sure they all get their dresses and help pick out accessories.

3. Lend an ear. Whether it's about planning, marriage, or venting, the MOH should assure the bride that she is someone who she can confide in, even if that means hearing the same thing multiple times.

4. Host or cohost the bridal shower.

5. Keep a record of all the gifts received at various parties or showers. 

6. Hold the bride's bouquet at the alter. 

7. Make sure the bride eats and drinks something. Before and after the ceremony. 

8. Plan a speech to toast at the reception. Or at the rehearsal dinner. 

9. Sign the marriage license. 

10. Attend the bride's dress fittings, to help learn how to bustle her train.

11. Make sure bridesmaids attend the rehearsal. 

12. Make sure all bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done, or if all attending the same hair studio along with the bride. Make sure they're on time. 

13. Arrange the bride's veil and train before the ceremony begins and right after she gets to the alter. 

14. Plan the bachelorette party with the bridesmaids.

15. Spread the news to where the bride and groom are registered. 

16. There will be emotional times that will require a lot of tissues, hugging, and emotional support. The MOH is a trusted friend and good listener. 

17. Keep the bride laughing through everything. Sometimes the biggest stress reliever is laughing. 

These are just some of the duties a MOH has, obviously she can take on more where she feels necessary. With that all being said, this is when I realized how important a MOH is and that I really needed one. 

Brides: My best advice, choose a MOH. Best option would be a sister or sister-in-law. Or your best friend. Someone who you know will be right by your side through everything. 

Bridesmaids: If you aren't the MOH, you are still just as important to the bride. Don't get your feelings hurt because you are still part of the big day and can be a big help to her. 

*My girls in my wedding party mean literally EVERYTHING to me. And to have all of them up there with me is extremely exciting and I wouldn't want it any other way.