My baby brother Norman got married.
I guess he’s not a baby anymore.
And he married a wonderful woman, Stefanie.
She’s beautiful…
Inside and out.
I love these two.
For the wedding Stefanie’s wish for the favours were wedding cake cookies inspired by this Martha Stewart photo:
Here’s our version:
150 of them (plus ‘in-case’ extras)…
One was put on each place setting at the reception tables.
We also made cupcakes for a cupcake tier.
The top tier originally was supposed to have this super tall cake on top made by Konstadin of Cakes by Konstadin, who is genius at making life like gumpaste roses…
But I’m such a clutz… the cake toppled over (my fault), in transition, and my friend Dianna of Yours to Savour, came to the rescue and whipped up another small cake for me, and I used Konstadin’s rose for the top. Fewf!
A few of my cousins and Aunt, who flew over from Europe for the wedding, helped put all the cupcakes together the day of.
This is how we always dress when putting cupcakes together… Seriously, not really, that was shortly before the ceremony.
Here we are morning of assembling.
Cupcakes flavours were; carrot, vanilla and chocolate. The flowers were from Petra International. (See my flower post on Petra International, here).
*
Making Wedding Cookie Cakes
Guess how many cookies we made?
1000.
Yes, that’s right.
One thousand cookies.
150 guests at the wedding, multiplied by 6 cookies per cookie cake, and 100 extra cookies in case of breakage etc. (Especially with a clumsy person like me around!).
Any ideas how much butter?
This much:
Thanks to all the wonderful people on Facebook who helped me out with suggestions on where to buy butter and the favour boxes!
Here’s my recipe if you like. But, I do have to say that these aren’t the kind of cookies which can be made ahead and stored in your freezer.
The 150+ little gumpaste flowers on top were easy to make though. Here’s a video on the same process. All I did differently with these, was spray them with PME pearl lustre spray at the end. I was even able to make them weeks ahead and store in a cool, dry spot. (Sorry about the photographs again – phone pics).
My cousin Silja from Switzerland, my Mom and I made the cookie cakes together.
The cookies for each tier were 2″, 3″ and 3.5″
After baking and cooling 1000 cookies, we stacked them in matching layers of two and adhered them with white royal icing.
Instead of flooding 500 cookies with royal icing (only covered 3 cookies per cookie cake), I decided to use rolled fondant instead.
For that many cookies, it was much faster to roll the fondant out and use circle cutters.
You’ll notice we cut the smallest circles out of the largest circles to save fondant. The largest circle was going to be covered by the next layer of cookies anyways.
A thin layer of clear corn syrup on each piece of fondant…
500 fondant circles on 500 cookies later, then took all the finished stacks and adhered those together with royal icing, and topped each with a sugar flower.
Thank goodness good family friends (family, really), Pia and Alfons, came to help with boxing them.
It took the 5 of us about 3 hours to finish:
- taping the ribbon to the bottom of each box with a clear circle sticker, to help keep it in place
- gently placing cookie cakes in boxes
- tying first a knot, inserting Love is Sweet tag, and finishing off with a bow
Cutting 150 ribbons to the proper length, assembling the boxes, cutting the vellum paper to fit in the bottom so that the cardboard didn’t get greasy, and punching out the Love is Sweet tags, was done ahead (Thanks, Mom and Silja!).
Oh, and the adorable tags were from the Etsy shop Confetti Printables. Easy to customize to the desired colors and Holly was so prompt and lovely to deal with. After I’d purchased the design in the matching wedding colors, I went to a print shop to have them done on cardstock. The corresponding circle punch was from Michael’s. The clear boxes are from The Box Depot. We used the 4″ by 4″ by 4 1/2 ” box.
All in all it was a fun, community effort getting these wedding cookie cakes done. I realized even more how blessed I am to have good family and friends. How amazing was it as well that eleven relatives on our side alone, flew over from all over Europe to come celebrate! Here they are to the left of Stef and Norm.
And Stef and Norman’s wedding day… so special. (There aren’t too many pics of me because I shy away from photos anyways, and the ones I am in… I’m such an emotional person… I was teary-eyed in so many of them).
And not a beautiful, teary-eyed, like Stef walking up the aisle with her Dad. I love this picture! (Here come my happy tears!)
Isn’t she absolutely stunning!
And my lovely mother and brother walking down the aisle. I don’t know why, that’s what started getting me so emotional… my little brother, all grown-up, walking down the aisle with my Mom. I’m so proud of him.
I love these two.
One of my favorite shots of the wedding, just like one of my own fave wedding photos, is this one where the just married couple gets pelted by traditonal Swiss wedding candies… Under each wrapper is a sweet saying for the couple. Let’s just say that the candies aren’t soft though!
Have I mentioned that I love these two?
If you’d like to see the dance that resulted in this photo, you can click here or below to find it on YouTube. Just a warning, the video is 15 mins long, so I’m mainly sharing it here for family or for anyone who is procrastinating from perhaps any of these; a) cleaning the bathroom, b) writing an essay c) doing your taxes d) all of the above. It’s really sweet (the video), and I enjoyed it, but I’m biased of course, and as I mentioned, I love these two.
All the best to you on your life’s journey together, Stef and Norman! I know your humour, sense of adventure, and love for each other will bring you through thick and thin, and if you ever need anything from your sister, just call.
Love is sweet.
xo,
Marian
p.s. Special thanks to Scarlett O’Neill for letting me use many of her beautiful photographs in this post. She has such amazing photography talent!
paige says
Gorgeous couple and gorgeous wedding and cookies! Beautiful!
Holly - Confetti Prints says
Wow! I am so thrilled and flattered to have had a small part in such a beautiful wedding!
Preeta says
Hi MArian,
Do mind me asking, What size nozzle did you use for pipping and was it a open or closed star nozzle for the cupcakes?
Thanks heaps!
Preeta
Preeta says
Sorry I meant, Don’t mind me asking.Wrote too fast.hehe
Ireeta says
Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories
Maria says
Marian, beautiful wedding cookie cakes, plus the cupcakes,so much work….it all came together. We had lots of fun doing it.
It was a dream wedding. Congratulations!
Amazing post.
ML
Vanessa says
Sorry to trouble you but would you possibly be able to share a draft schedule of how you managed such a gigantic feat? You and your family look and sound so wonderful and full of love and appreciation for each other. Thank you for sharing such a special occasion with us too!
Anita Rao says
The cookie cakes r so pretty. I made similar ones for my brothers first anniversary this past dec. The wedding pics and video r too good. You have an amazing family and I was teary eyed through the whole video. Reminded me of when my younger bro who got married 1 1/2 yr bck.
Im one of your biggest fans and chk your website almost everyday. Its your website that got me hooked on to baking cookies.
Thanks for being an inspiration.
Faizura says
Wish all the best to the gorgeous couple and I love the cookie cakes. Your family is so loving and now I know how come you are so wonderful 🙂
Ashlyn Taylor says
Marian, what a beautiful tribute to your baby brother and your new sister-in-law (and you are, right, absolutely beautiful). They are so blessed to have you and you as blessed in turn. Congrats to all!
Angela Barton says
Your cookies are ADORABLE! Congrats to you and your family with an amazing wedding and what a great addition to the family! The video had me crying, we don’t even know each other! You know for sure they are definitely in LOVE! Congratulations to them, and congrats to you and ALL those cookies!
Angela
Jennifer @ Licious Food says
Thanks for sharing … loved the photos and the video. They look so beautiful together! You can definitely see the love.
Linda says
Marian,
I was quite impressed with ALL those cookies ! I thought cookie and cupcake order were enormous……….100 cookies, 150 cupcakes and a larger cake for top of the cupcake tier! It was for my friends 18 year old birthday….fun colors…Fusia, black and white……BUTTTTTTTTTT 1000 cookies! Amazing. They turned out so lovely and the way they were package, stunning! You are so talented, I have “stolen” so many of your ideas!
Now the video of your brother and bride….felt like I was part of the family and sat here watching with tears streaming down my cheeks. Beautiful, just Beautiful. Many blessings to them both. Thanks for “pouring” your heart and soul into all of your posts. Linda
Kim says
Her wedding dress is beautiful! That is my dream dress! Those cookie cakes are such a brilliant idea but look like too much hard work went into making them! Well done!!
Janelle King says
Where did you get the boxes?
marian says
@ Brantcookies, @ Yuri – Chef Pandita, @ Rita-Greer,SC, @ Caroline @ chocolate & carrots: Thank you so much for your lovely comments!
@ Tesei: Hilarious! That made me smile!
@ Esther Dares: Thank you!
@ niner bakes: That’s too bad you can’t see the video in Germany! I will find out if the creator put it or can put it on vimeo.
Rowaida Flayhan says
Hi Marian,
Congratulations to the beautiful couple. It was a great pleasure watching the video, everything looks wonderful, your mum is so sweet. Love love the cookies, I did not see you in the video! Blessings xx
Jane says
wow! 1000 cookies…you are superwoman. Your “cake cookies” turned out beautiful…I really like the 2x2x2 cookie ratio.
Michelle G. says
Congratulations to your brother and his bride Stef! Thanks so much for sharing this special day and memory. That you could make such beautiful sweets for their day is so special. Both your cookies and cupcakes look AMAZING!!
Deb H says
Thanks so much for sharing your brothers love story. The video was great … the wedding looked lovely. Your cookies, cake and cupcakes looked awesome.
Deb
marian says
Hi @ Rowaida Flayhan: Thank you! About the photos, I know, I don’t like being in photos etc., so shy away from them.
Thanks, @ Jane! It was easier to make them thicker, than make more cookies 😉
@ Michelle G., @ Deb H; thank you so much!
marian says
HI @ niner bakes! The videographer is uploading it to Vimeo (maybe today?), so you can see it. 😉 I’ll come back here and let you know.
Thanks @ Kendra (Royal Cookie Designs),@ Francesca, @ The Partiologist, @ Donna, @ Misty Richmond, @ Francesca Dolcimaterieprime, @ Claudell, @ Kimmie, @ Jen Mc, @ Maria for coming here and commenting! We appreciate it!
@ Debbi Hook: I feel better that I’m not the only one then! I got emotional *again* while writing this post. xo
@ Georgia, @ Jaclyn’s Cookies: Thanks!!
Glad you enjoyed the video too, @ Elena Mayoral:!
Awwww, thank you so much, @ Paula, @ Gaby, @ Sommer@ASpicyPerspective and @ Mari!
Thanks @ Amy! I can’t wait to see all the goodies you’re making for your brother! Good luck getting it all done!
@ Amy: The cake stand is from cakestandz.com, which has now changed to http://www.classikool.com/ It’s in the UK. I KNOW, I’m crazy for ordering from there because of shipping, but I had to … There really wasn’t an option elsewhere when I bought these. (It was about 5 years ago I think). There IS a place closer which, later on, I ordered from… http://icinginspirations.ca/index.php?cPath=84&list_by=product I was very happy with them! Hope that helps!
marian says
Hi @ charlene: Thank you for your sweet comment!
Sniff, thank you @ Stefanie! I’m so glad to have a new sister. xo
@ Mercedes@Satisfy My Sweet Tooth: Hee hee, one of the bigger ones. Making 20 something gingerbread houses took quite a bit of time once.
@ Michiganlass, thanks! If you click on the word “Facebook” in the part of the post where I thank people for helping me with the butter and box suggestions, you’ll find lots of options when you click on that link. (You might want different sizes etc.). Let me know if you want the exact company, and I’ll look through my receipts.
Thanks, @ Kim – The TomKat Studio! xo
marian says
Thank you for your lovely comments, @ Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking and @ Donna!
Glad to hear it, @ Annie!
Aw, I’m so glad to hear that @ Marian N! Interesting background you have =) Sto lat!
Thanks @ ROSA MARY FEIJOO!
@ Karyn – Pint Sized Baker: The robot was my fave part – made me laugh too! =D
@ Sandi: Thank you!
@ Tanja Schuurman Robinson: Glad I’m not the only one who tears up. xo
@ Silja: THANK YOU so much for all your help making the cookies! Oh my goodness, I could not have done it without YOU and Mom!! (Or I would have been working late into the night, many, many more hours!). Thank you, thank you, thank you! Having you there just made everything that much more special. xoxo
@ jOrge: Thanks!!
@ Lorna: Awesome! Just a little advice if you don’t mind. I really think this cookie project should be a family/friend/group effort. It takes a lot of time, and doing it by oneself would, I suspect, be extremely time consuming.
@ Rachel @ Baked by Rachel: Thank you!
@ diana Keller-cannon: Yes, I think they did (practice). I know I would have messed it up. ;-D
@ lexy: I’m so shy really… It takes quite a bit of an effort for me to even make my YouTube videos. I don’t love being in photos either. 😉
Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more says
oh my word that is a lot of cookies, I just found a store in Mississauga I had not been to in ages, near kennedy and courtney park I think, the cookie and cake boxes were great, way better than mcalls! I think it was called creative bags or something.
marian says
Thanks for dropping by @ paige!
@ Holly – Confetti Prints: Your ‘Love is Sweet’ tags were a hit! We got so many compliments on them! Thanks for being so prompt and easy to work with, too!
Hi @ Preeta: If you look on my YouTube videos you’ll see how I ice cupcakes with an Ateco #829.
@ Ireeta: Thank you!!
@ Maria: I could NOT have done it without you! Thank you always for your unwavering support, love and help. You are the best Mom I could ever have. xoxoxo
Hi @ Vanessa: Funny enough, I wrote everything down, down to the hours/time it took to make everything, and I was going to include it in the post, and now I can’t find that piece of paper!! If I find it, I’ll come back with exact stats and for now, I’m going to go back to my Mom and cousin and ask them to brainstorm with me, and I’ll come back here to answer you.
Awwww, @ Anita Rao, you’re making me tear up! Thank you so much for visiting me here… I really appreciate it, and am glad btw, to hear I’m not the only one who gets emotional watching videos like that. Thank you!
Sniff, gosh, @ Faizura, you’re so sweet, thank you! I have to say, I am blessed to have a wonderful family. They have always provided me love and support, and I don’t think I’d be who I am without them.
@ Ashlyn Taylor, @ Jennifer @ Licious Food: Thank *you*! xo
@ Linda: That’s still a lot of work (they sound cool btw), and remember, I had help for all of it! Thanks for being in the teary-eye club with me btw. I can’t help it, and love hearing that I’m not alone in it. xo
@ Kim: I know, I fell in love with her dress too! Thanks for visiting!
Hi @ Janelle King: If you click on the word “facebook” in the post above, it will take you to a list of lots of different places to buy the boxes (gives you different options and sizes etc.). If you’d like to know exactly where I got mine, please leave me another comment here, and I’ll dig through my info. to find where I bought them. Thanks!
marian says
HI @ Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more: Yes, I’ve been there! Lots of great packaging and ribbon. Their cookie bags are nice too btw.
Lee says
Ohhh Myyyy Wow!!!! What an amazing favor idea and such a lot of work!!! Just gorgeous and incredible….thank you for sharing! Thank goodness I have a few years before my kids get married…maybe I should start making these now! LOL 😉
Auro says
Congratulations on getting a new sister, on being part of a great family and on your wonderful work with the cupcakes and the cookies.
I have a question though. I have never heard of vellum paper, where do you get it?
Thanks for sharing!
marian says
Hee hee, sounds good, @ Lee!
@ Auro: Absolutley, vellum paper is clear paper which you can find in the scrapbooking aisle. Any associate at Michael’s will know what it is, if you want to go and ask them to show you it. Hope that helps!
Lisa @ Sweet 2 Eat Baking says
What a wonderful, supportive family you have. Very impressive making all of those cookies with your mom. Many congratulations to your brother, and of course to you on gaining a new sister! I can’t imagine just how happy your brother and his wife were when they saw all the effort you went to. Amazing!
Sue {munchkin munchies} says
AMAZING, Marian! What a true labor of love<3 I have always wanted to make those M.S. wedding cake cookies. Yours turned out perfectly gorgeous! Your brother and his wife make a beautiful pair.
Des says
I just discovered your blog and wanted to say what beautiful pictures! These wedding cookies look absolutely amazing 🙂
Isabel says
Wow, Marian! Really amazing…everything. The cookies you made (1000!) are so cute, your photos with your baby brother… You look the same! How do you make it? Your sister in law…she’s so pretty and your brother so handsome (sorry, Stephanie, but he’s very handsome…)….and I miss a photo of you with the new couple and mr Sweetopia! For sure you had to be so pretty…as usual!
I have a wedding in two months and I’ll try your cookie cakes but they will not be as cute and nice as yours…
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and sweet day!
Isabel says
…and your mom is very pretty too!
Ingrid says
Deffenitly you are great!!!
I really enjoy looking your work!!!
Thank you for helping me to make better my cookies work
Love and bless
Ingrid
Sarah says
wow, thanks for the idea of using fondant instead of flooding the cookies, I did 200 (1200 cookies) of these in January and that tip would have made my life a little…a lot easier. I will use that idea next time for sure!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ Lisa @ Sweet 2 Eat Baking, @ Sue {munchkin munchies}, @ Des, @ Ingrid, @ Isabel: Thank you so much!
@ Sarah: Wow! Did you do them by yourself?! Kudos to you! Would love to see a picture if you’d like to share it on my facebook page. =)
anna says
Wow! everything is marvellous, the cookies, the photos, the bride, your brother, the location, but expecially you with your kindness, your professionality….many compliments and congratulations for everything
Karen @ Sugartown Sweets says
What a beautiful post! Loved seeing all the photos..makes me want to renew my vows! Congratulations to the happy couple. 🙂 …p.s. the cookie cakes are really lovely.
Mary says
Could you please tell me which box size and company you chose. I did look on Facebook, but can’t tell which one you used. They are fantastic and perfect in every way. What a beautiful couple, they are lucky to have you too!
Mary
bridget {bake at 350} says
Oh, that just made me all teary-eyed!!!
A. the cupcakes and cookies are AMAZING!!! You are just a rock star, Marian! Seriously!
B. Is it a requirement that everyone in your family be gorgeous? Because, you all ARE!!!
C. I love this post. ♥
Marian (Sweetopia) says
Thank you so much @ anna and @ Karen @ Sugartown Sweets!
Hi @ Mary: Found the ‘paperwork’… I bought them at The Box Depot:
http://www.theboxdepot.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?search=action&keywords=acetategb&template=Templates%2Facetategb.html
I used the 4 by 4 by 4.5 boxes and turned the gold piece of paper upside down as it didn’t match the look I was going for. I was happy with their customer service and would buy from them again! Good luck!
You are the sweetest @ bridget {bake at 350}! Thanks xo
Erin @ Brownie Bites says
Wowza – that was a heck of a project, Marian! Everything turned out beautifully. I adore the classy way you chose to package the cookie cakes. Thank you so much for your detailed blog post and your willingness to respond to all of the questions in your comments. Your blog is a gem!
Elizabeth says
Thank you so much for sharing these special moments with us! I had to pause the video to get the tissue box 😉 Stunning wedding, beautiful couple and those cookie cakes are awesome! xx
gihan says
Hi Marian, thank you for sharing your great ideas, they are of great help. Your wedding cupcakes have inspired me to accept an order for ’55th wedding anniversary’ and i terribly need your help. Would you please tell me how many tiers do i need to make 120 cupcakes? and were do i get these silver cupcakes paper and the in-between tier supporters? i do not live in Canada but in Egypt, i can make an online order if you just suggest some online sites… thanks a lot, you are so nice and very inspiring i love everything you do.
GiGi 🙂
gihan says
Sorry Marian, i forgot to ask you what is the diameter of every tier, coz i will make them by order! Thanks again, cannot wait till you reply 🙂 <3
GiGi
Sandra says
Hi Marian,
congratulation for your brother´s wedding, the “wedding cookie cakes” was amazing, so cute the big family work (in this moments we can see who love´s us). Thank you for share your experiences with us. Always (when i have a little time) I take a look about the beautiful things you made, and this post is so sweet and delicate that I was teary-eyed.
(sorry about my english errors…)
Sandra