Local cake artist, ice sculptor have reception decor tips
By Jennifer Snyder
News-Sentinel Features Editor
An crystal-clear ice swan, lit with lights and surrounded by flowers can sit in the middle of a buffet table, or guests can feast their eyes on an individual table cake while they eat and converse. Couples can also use their creativity to craft their own decorations for their reception.
The reception decorations should reflect the likes and interests of the couple, or decor can include seasonal themes. Poinsettias can add to the festive spirit of a wedding at Christmastime while cupcakes decorated in orange and black can add to a Halloween theme. While some couples prefer more elegant decorations, others might want more flashy decorations. Options are limitless.
One decoration sure to be eye-catching is an ice sculpture. Julio Camberos Jr., a do-it-all chef who started Black Tie Gourmet two years ago, has sculpted ice since he was 20 years old. He learned the craft from his father.
Camberos has been asked to make a variety of figures out of ice, including a Kings logo for a bride who was a Sacramento Kings fan and a cowboy boot and hat for a country-themed wedding. He's even sculpted an antique car. His most common item is a swan. He has also made hearts with doves on top and a vase with flowers. People may also use ice sculptures to hold shrimp -- Camberos has made a shrimp boat. He says ice sculptors also make clams for the same purpose. He also noted that some ice sculptors will even make bars.
A sculpture takes one to two hours to make. Camberos begins with a 300-pound crystal-clear block of ice. He uses a chainsaw to cut the large, straight or slightly curved lines. Next, he takes a semi-circular handsaw to carve the rest of the design. He uses various chisels to cut the detail and bring the creation to life. He makes the sculptures well in advance and puts them in the freezer. The day of the event, he and about three other people haul the sculpture to the reception and put it in a tray that has a drain attached to a hose. Water from the melting ice goes through the hose into a bucket. Camberos said in the winter and cooler weather, the sculpture will last all night, and in the hot weather, it will last four to six hours.
"It melts in proportion -- that's the beauty of it," Camberos said.
The final product, a traditional wedding swan hand-carved by Julio Camberos, Jr. of Black Tie Gourmet is seen on display at Camberos' business in Lodi. (J. Paul Bruton/News-Sentinel)
For new creations, Camberos uses a template, but he's made swans long enough that he has got the design memorized. Sculptures may cost $200 to $400.
The center of attention at the reception is often the cake. The wedding cake usually has a table to itself and may even be set off with a backdrop such as a trellis or decorated arch.
"The cake is a big part of decorating the reception hall," said Joelyn Orchard, of Specialty Cakes in Lodi.
In addition to the cake being artwork itself, the table is often adorned with photos, flowers, greenery, votive candles, rose petals, ribbons and bows, balloons or even pass-down family tablecloths. Orchard noted that some brides don't want balloons -- they prefer a more elegant look.
The cake can be quite impressive with its many layers when fountains or pedestals are used. Fountain water can be colored or clear.
Cakes are often decorated with flowers, and many are ornamented with grapes as Lodi is grape country.
"About 80 percent use fresh flowers rather than silk," Orchard said.
Unique wedding cakes use chocolate or tinted frosting rather than white. Orchard said she has talked to one bride who is quite excited about having an all-chocolate cake because not many people choose this.
Another bride coming up is having a main wedding cake and individual cakes for 10 tables, which she will set on crystal pedestals she purchased, Orchard said.
Individual cakes on tables can be expensive, but it helps defer the decorating cost because the tables don't need much more than that -- perhaps a sprinkling of confetti or flower petals, Orchard said.
Table decorations can also be hand-crafted. The parts can be purchased at craft or party stores, and the bride can have a decoration-making party with her friends. Tami Emslie, of Lodi, who was married in November, bought plant stands from Joanne's fabric store and spraypainted them black. She put yellow roses, ivy, white filler flowers and a white candle in the middle.
Her tip: "If you're going to make your own centerpieces, get them done early."
Orchard said a bride made topiaries with gerber daisies for her centerpieces. She wondered how she made 30 topiaries and kept the daisies fresh, and to her surprise, the bride informed her they were silk flowers.
Other centerpieces can be made of floating candles, a simple candle in a glass jar, a sprinkling of rose petals, a small bouquet of flowers, houseplants, origami and more. The bride should also keep in mind that the centerpiece should not be so tall that guests cannot see each other across the table.
Whatever the decorations may be, the couple should have fun and keep it simple so they can enjoy their day.