Plan Your Central Florida Wedding

Including a Dessert Bar in Your Wedding

April 01, 2020 Orange Blossom Bride Season 2 Episode 19
Plan Your Central Florida Wedding
Including a Dessert Bar in Your Wedding
Show Notes Transcript

Although we are big fans of wedding cake, there are so many other delicious options that you can include in your wedding celebration. In this episode, we are talking wedding dessert bars with Vanessa Negron of Sweet Miss V's!

Vanessa Negron:   0:00
Yes, you can do a big cake. It's never frowned upon. But recently I've just seen a lot more people that come into their consultations and we do cake tastings and they say we're just not really cake people.

Amanda Schmidt:   0:23
Welcome to the Plan Your Central Florida Wedding podcasts. I'm your host, Amanda Schmidt, editor of Greater Orlando's top wedding publication, Orange Blossom Bride. I'm sure when you said yes, you had no idea you were jumping on this roller coaster that is wedding planning goal of this podcast is to make the wedding planning process less stressful and more fun. We'll provide you with great tips and ideas, along with expert advice from some of the areas top wedding pros. So let's get started planning your Central Florida wedding.  

Amanda Schmidt:   0:55
Now, if you know me, you know that I am a dessert addict. I frequently can be found eating my dessert before and after dinner. And although I'm a huge fan of wedding cake, there are so many other delicious options that you can include in your wedding celebration. In this episode, we are talking wedding desserts with Vanessa Negron of Sweet Miss Vs. Vanessa,  aka Miss V is all about flavor of those delicious desserts that she creates for her couples. She believes that life is full of color and flavor, and your dessert should be to too. With a culinary background as a pastry chef, she loves to create unique wedding cakes and dessert bars that reflect her clients, personalities as well as their heritage. So welcome, Vanessa!

Vanessa Negron:   0:00
Hello!   

Amanda Schmidt:   1:43
 So excited to have you! Vanessa is awesome and we will probably be doing a lot of laughing in this. So just FYI a warning. It's coming. Today we are talking wedding deserts, and you know, most commonly people think wedding cakes. But that is not the case, because there are so many options out there.

Vanessa Negron:   2:07
So many options. So, yes, you can do a big cake. It's never frowned upon. But recently I've just seen a lot more people that come into their consultations, and we do cake tastings and they say we're just not really kick people, which is fine. It's fine by me because I actually have a pastry chef background. I was, you know, classically trained, so I rather do more desserts and more pastries and different things to kind of tie in more variety, more flavor and then also tie in some of that traditional stuff from maybe their childhood. We're family heritage if they're not from here, Um, so for me, I rather them do a small cake and more desserts. It's more of a crowd-pleaser. It gives me more things to do that's more fun. Not just cake and buttercream. Get to different cookies and different many pies and all kinds of stuff, so it's more fun for me. But I also think for a gas perspective, it's more variety for those people who don't just want Kate.

Amanda Schmidt:   3:07
So going into that, what are some different options that you're seeing couples use? Besides, I know you have mentioned like different pastries and stuff, but what are some of your more popular things that they're including along with wedding cake or instead of what in cake?

Vanessa Negron:   3:21
So, along with the wedding cakes, they'll still get a small, to havethat part of the tradition of a wedding and mainly because their parents want them to do the whole cake ceremony. But a lot of people are trying in different pies. Where are many doughnuts are flying off the shelves. They tie in our dessert cups, which are also technically traditional. Um, they are terribly soup cups and trace lay choice cups. Which choice laters is actually Mexican. But a lot of Spanish households will make it, and the tear me sue is more of an Italian dessert. We also have little Connolly's, and these are all bite sized things, so you don't have to you fully commit to a full sized cupcake or full size can only because it's a lot. So we do everything miniature, and we do it with full flavor. It still has all the great stuff, and it's just slightly smaller. The other things that a lot of people are doing are the many pies. And being from Florida, Key Lime is like, um, last tab. But who wants a full slice of key lime pie at a wedding? Kind of a lot. So we have many ones that are three inches there like a personal sized one, and then we also have the bites, which are the size of a mini cupcakes eyes,

Amanda Schmidt:   4:28
and you have mentioned about having the variety for the winning That's why a lot of couples are doing this, and it all goes to part of creating that wedding experience because it's crazy is that maybe some people don't like cake. I don't know why, but they don't.

Vanessa Negron:   4:42
There's a lot of people who don't like cake. And if I can tell you firsthand because I've been a guest at some of these recent weddings, which is always fun for weeks, I never get to see people cut the cake unless I'm a guest. So it's fun to make the cake and being a guest. Um, but first hand, I can tell you when there's a dessert bar, people are more likely to walk up to that bar and take something as opposed to sitting at a table and waiting where K. P's to be cut deserved. I've seen just the dessert bars go completely empty before the cake is even cut because people get excited. They see something that they can walk up and grab at their leisure. They can do it in between dancing. They can take a break, grab something to eat, get back on the dance floor, get a drink, it's it's ah, it's less mess it's more convenient and there's more variety, so they will take more than one. So we do have some packages just to give, like a guideline. Sofer our packages. We have six different desserts in each package, and it will limit you tow How many per dessert item you can do for that package. So for 20 to 30 guests, you have a bite size cookies, mini doughnuts, brownies, K pop shooters, krispie treats. But you only have enough for 20 to 30 guests. So is two and 1/2 desserts per person instead of just one per person. Because I can tell you if I have the option of having a freshly made almond joy crispy tree and a monster cookie, which is M and M's pecans chocolate chips, I'm gonna take one of each. I'm not just gonna take

Amanda Schmidt:   6:11
that in leg, we said. It is a great experience thing, and people can pick. You know what they like. They get to kind of taste test stuff, too, which is fun.

Vanessa Negron:   6:19
It is. They get to taste test. They get to choose what they want instead of someone handing them a piece of cake and saying, this is what we got a deal with it. It's It's nice to have cake for people who like cake and to give them variety on different flavors of cake. You could do a different labor perch here, but to also have those other desserts for people who don't like cake or they don't necessarily want something that's almond or chocolate. They could do a vanilla, or they can do a key lime. Or they can deep into a pumpkin. You know you could do a pumpkin pie. It's just different. The other part of that is if, for instance, we just did a wedding that the bride was from Kentucky. So Kentucky bourbon balls are a big deal in her family. Like that's what they give each other as gifts as a welcome home, all kinds of stuff. So for her party favors for her wedding, we made Kentucky bourbon balls individually, packaged them in little sets and put them on the place settings For each guest. That was like an additional dessert item that was tied into hurt family traditions and where she's from. But it was also an edible favor, so it actually has, like, a dual purpose. They could eat it. It's part of their dessert, but it's also heard of their favor, and it ties in her, um, her traditions and where she's from from Kentucky. So that was a fun thing to do.

Amanda Schmidt:   7:35
And you jumped ahead on me when I was talking about favors. No, no. But that I am a huge fan of edible favors because so often, when you give favors, they get left at the table. If they're, you know not, and I mean edible favors. First of all, I like to eat, and I like dessert. So that's a win win for me. But the fact that you're spending money on something that people are leaving behind, but they're less likely to leave a food item behind no

Vanessa Negron:   8:02
offensive people who make favors. But you can only have so many drink whose ease with people's wedding days on it. So many matchboxes with wedding food, wedding dates on it. You know, I feel like the same thing over and over, and unfortunately you do spend the money on it, and a lot of it gets left there or they just toss it afterwards. So at least if it's an edible thing, you know they're gonna eat it. We've done boxed up many pies. We've done the Kentucky bourbon balls. We've also done many jars of jam or apple butter. We customize it. So it are packages air not set in stone, which is a guideline, and we absolutely will do something special just for our clients. But it's always fun to put them on the place settings because you know they're gonna grab it. It's right there. And if it's at their table, but more likely eat it. Waller at the wedding. They won't save it till later.

Amanda Schmidt:   8:51
Well, and if they do, save it till later. It's a little snack to remember on the way home, so because you know it's not gonna make it home.

Vanessa Negron:   8:58
Yeah, usually that's the customized cookies that have, like their name written on it or the wedding date. Well, we'll save that for later, for the drive home or even the next day is like a little snack,

Amanda Schmidt:   9:07
and I love that so much. So you have mentioned about your bride that was from Kentucky, about tying in heritage and family traditions. So what do you see with that? That's very common when it comes to weddings. How are you seeing people personalized that? Couples personalizing that as they're trying to personalize their wedding?

Vanessa Negron:   9:28
I think it's It's kind of like an homage to their family, the older generations, and I think it's really cute. I've seen people D'oh! For instance, we have a wedding next weekend in New Smyrna and the bride, her family is from the keys, and they own a small restaurant down there. And so we're doing many key lime pies for each of the guests. I've seen people do the Kentucky bourbon balls. I've seen people. We added the finale's to the menu because that was such a big deal to one of our brides, which I loved the idea it just wasn't there before. So we added the Connelly's because her family is from Italy. That's one of their favorite desserts, you know, it's not. They are kind of popular over here in America, but not as popular as they are over there. Apparently, you know, we do a lot of cakes, they over in Europe and stuff. They do more desserts. They do more fruit based of fresh Rudes cheeses, things like that. So we started tying those in? Um, we have a couple of people that are from Hawaii that there is. I know I'm gonna murder the name of it. I want to say it, you bitch. But it's like this route. It's a purple route. So we're gonna actually be making desserts out of that to tie in her traditions, her heritage from being from Hawaii. It's really popular. I've seen it with biscuits. I've seen it with pies. I've seen it with Moose is I've seen with all kinds of stuff, but she wants to tie it into a small something for them. Take home as you know. Hey, I remember you guys. I remember my heritage. I'm not trying to avoid it. I didn't want to do my whole wedding based around it. But here's here's some of that to tie in,

Amanda Schmidt:   11:00
right, because it is. I mean, that's what weddings are. You know, we wantto honor that. Most people want to honor so many parts, but they don't want their wedding taken over by it. So it's a It's a nice little nod to that now, and just sign no Italian American family big time over here, and we love our condolences. So I feel it. I feel a big time. You got me, like wanting to go get one. Yeah,

Vanessa Negron:   11:22
we we did the Mini Connelly's cause. The full size was a little bit much for a dessert bar just because we knew that people would take one or two bites of it. But those the big ones are pretty big. Oh, yeah, so we have a lot better about three inches there, like two bites. They're perfect. And but we still do the pistachio failing chocolate mousse espresso. The classic were caught with chocolate chip me, and it's you know, the world is their oyster. They can choose whatever flavor they want, but to tie that in to make sure that they have it, and it's really important to them. I think it's awesome. We've done little lemon cello bottles or Italian families as their favors, so I think there's a lot of options and it's I like it. I think it's fun we've done, Um, there's a pastry. I don't know if you've ever heard of it, but it is basically puff pastry dough with guava and cream cheese, and they're called Pasta. Litos and their supporters even dessert. And then there's just powdered sugar on the top, and we've done those as well. I'm from my dad's from Puerto Rico, so that was a big deal for me, and they're delicious. They're a little bite sized little snack,

Amanda Schmidt:   12:26
and I mean, that's the really great thing about you having the pastry background, because the couples can come to you and they may not know. You know what if it's not on your menu that they may just think, Oh, well, she doesn't make those. But by having that communication and what's important to them, you can figure that out and really create that customize dessert bar for them.

Vanessa Negron:   12:48
Yeah, I told people, when they come in for their tastings, I always give them the desert, our options and the packages and tell them these were these were just guidelines. It's not set in stone. You're marrying each other. You're not marrying the package, so we can absolutely move stuff around. I don't think that it's set in stone that we customize it, but so not overwhelm people. We do have a package guideline so they can get an idea of how many servings they would need and then we simply just switch it out for different items that they're specifically looking for.

Amanda Schmidt:   13:17
I love that because, like we said, they wanna have some type of customization to their wedding. So, yeah, Now, when it comes to tips on picking that out, of course it goes by, however, many people are actually attending, but making those selections like, how do you advise cause you had said, You know, some couples don't like cake, but they get it just because their parents want to see them cut the cake as you know, the traditional part of the wedding. So how do you, um, figure out like what you're going to include? So

Vanessa Negron:   13:51
we start with looking at a package so that we know how many desserts we will need, and then we go through it item by item and say, Do you want to have cookies or would you rather have something else and that they don't want the cookies? We just skip on to the next thing and say, Do you want doughnuts or do you want something else? So as we go through each item, they pick the flavor for the ones they do want, and then we switch out for things that aren't listed there, or maybe it's something customized, but we make sure it's the same quantity. So if it's two dozen cookies that they don't want, we make sure we replace it with two dozen have something that they do want. And if there's something on the menu, um, that they want a slightly alter. So if they do the dessert cups. But instead of doing tear me sewer translators, they want to do like a strawberry shortcake that soaked where they want to dio um, Moose cup of some sort. Then we just switch that out and we'll be notated and we make sure that we get the right and they're a description of it for them so that we can meet their needs. So we do have the many pies, but we also do tartlets, so tartlets aren't listed, but with their absolutely an option, you know, we just ask them what on your ideal day, what would you want on your dessert bar at the end of the day? If there's anything left over, you're going home with it, so don't worry about pleasing everyone. You won't ever please everyone but get things that are key to your family. And you know that our crowd pleasers and then also including their things that are really key and important to you because of the end of the day, you're the one eating it. If there's any left overs, you're gonna have it with your coffee the next day, which is amazing on, and you're gonna eat it on the drive home. So make sure that you get what's important to you. And then you can tie in the ones that's important to your parents or your grand parents or, you know, whoever is being the credit, but absolutely get the ones that are most important to you. So if not everybody likes can only stand at least get 12 them so that you know you're gonna have

Amanda Schmidt:   15:41
some Well, and that kind of plays on what I was gonna ask you as far as catering to your guests dietary needs cause I know you can customize like you can do gluten free, and you can do all kinds of the, um, custom is ations, but should they go and say Okay, well, this guess has this issue and this guest has this issue or by do you recommend by getting a variety of things. You're kind of solving that problem without doing a poll toe all your wedding guests.

Vanessa Negron:   16:08
So we're doing a variety so fun. Fact of the day I actually personally cannot have gluten or dairy. I know it's crazy because this is like everything I make. But I know the dietary restrictions, and I know how awkward it is to be the person going to an event and always having that restriction. So it makes me happy when they do include them and say, You know, we do have two kids that they can't have gluten. Can we do something special just for them? And I will absolutely make them their own Krispie treats because Rice Krispie treats are gluten free until you start adding more stuff to them. So absolutely make them their own batch of crispy treats or their own batch of gluten free shooters. So it's not a whole tier of a cake, but they still get a gluten free cake. It's just in a cup for them, so it's individual size will make at least six of them so they can have more than one if they want, but you can do gluten free cookies. You can do the brownies that way, or if there's a dietary restriction for the, um, the Jerry. Then we look up different things at different options for them also will go through the menu together and pick out things for those people. And I think that's important because it does show them thank you for coming to our wedding and celebrating less, but also shows them, Hey, you are important to us and we wanted to make sure that you were completely included. You weren't excluded just because we wanted to get everything normal. I think it's a really sweet gesture, and I'm I'm more than happy to fill it.

Amanda Schmidt:   17:31
That's awesome. Yeah, I have a brother who has a lot of food allergies and the pork it. It's always so, so awkward cause we're all eating thing. He's just like twiddling his thumbs because he can't eat anything. So

Vanessa Negron:   17:43
you and from the perspective, the person with the allergy you always feel like it's a hassle. You always feel bad to say, Oh, well, could we order something just for me? Like if you're going out with friends and they want to order appetizers. It's like, Oh, cool, yeah, bruschetta sounds great. I can't eat any of that except the tomato. If you don't want to feel like a hassle, you know. So it's really sweet when the couples will figure out different desserts for their guests that have those allergies, but obviously not order a ton of it, but order it so that they have something. I think it's really sweet,

Amanda Schmidt:   18:15
right? Yeah, well on that note, because we want to make sure all of our guests have a great wedding experience for sure. Now, if they are interested in contacting you to help them with their desserts, whether that be wedding cake or their dessert bar, how can couples get in contact with you? The

Vanessa Negron:   18:34
easiest way is to go on our website or to email us to the Web site. It would be www dot sweet miss these That's Miss and I SS V. As in Vanessa s. Or go to our email account, which is sweet Misty's at gmail dot com. Our instagram is always being updated. Our website is not as updated at supper instagram, because obviously it's easy to post the story or oppose something from your phone. What's a logged into a computer is a little more difficult, but if they're always, there's always being updates. There's always new stories on there, so keep an eye out for those and new things that we're gonna be offering. And if there's something that's not listed but you have a question about, I'm more than happy to look at it and price it out for you because, as as as we already said, we customize everything. So we do have a menu items on there, but nothing is set in stone.

Amanda Schmidt:   19:27
So and when she's talking about her Instagram, you really should go check that out because she keeps you in the loop and you can see her setting up weddings, and it's quite fun to watch. So go check out a red sticker. I'm blatantly honest. Just just just This

Vanessa Negron:   19:41
is a pre warning. Some of the stories we're just me being completely honest with my feelings.

Amanda Schmidt:   19:49
Now you've been warned. You've been warned. Well, thank you so much for talking with us. Vanessa.

Vanessa Negron:   19:56
Thank you for having me. Thank

Amanda Schmidt:   20:01
you so much for listening at this episode of the plane. Your Central Florida wedding podcast. For more Orlando wedding inspiration and tips, head on over to orange blossom bride dot com. And if you're looking for amazing wedding pros to help bring your wedding day together, make sure to check out our wedding vendor directory until next time Happy plan.