Party Recap...

This was an unusual wedding in that the theme was "camping" - not just nature or woodsy, but CAMPING. Hmmm... How to make dirt, ants and hiking boots beautiful and elegant enough for a wedding?

My mind started spinning with ideas. Camping, camping, camping... Obviously s'mores would have to be involved. Maybe trail mix? A plate of gorgeous nature-inspired sugar cookies? We'd figure it out. I couldn't wait to get started.

Working with a palette of chocolate brown, mossy green and a happy pop of orange, I did a lot of research and planning to make camping in the woods elegant enough for an occasion as special as a wedding, while still keeping it loose and playful. Talk about pressure! I started by constructing the tent feature I knew I wanted as the centerpiece of the table, then filled in with all the fun details.

Our "floral" anchors on either side of the table were fab "s'mores on a stick" using hand whittled sticks to skewer jumbo marshmallows dipped in dark chocolate and rolled in crushed graham crackers - so good!.

Another highlight were the "geological layer cakes". The layers: edible chocolate rocks, chocolate cake "dirt" and buttercream "grass" all put together in these adorable miniature mason jars and tied up with amazing birch dessert forks.

We also made toadstool cake pops, a fab tray of sugar cookies, black forest brownie bites and used tree slab platters and risers, pine cones and moss-filled mason jars with tea lights for a little rustic romance. Hanging camp lanterns from Ikea, forest critters and the newly weds moss covered initials topped with two love birds finished off the table.

The camping wedding was elegant and beautiful and fun - a true reflection of, Kim and Steve, the happy couple.