A lot of brides like to give their bakers a photo of their dream wedding cake, in the hopes that they might, in fact, get a cake that looks at least vaguely similar.
However, as you long-time readers know, this can be a lot like asking Francois the painting ferret* to whip you up a quick Mona Lisa. Some of the colors might be right, but in the end it's probably gonna be covered in fur and little poo nuggets. (The painting, that is, not the cake.) (We hope.)
For example:
Amanda C. asked for this, only in white and with a C:
And, in the baker's defense...
...that is most
definitely a C.
Jei gave this picture to the head "chef" at a "luxury" beach "resort":
And she got...this:
I can't decide which is classier: the oozing cake or those water bottles.
Do you think the bride had to spring for those? [chortle]
Candice F. wanted this mushroom cake:
And her baker's interpretation?
Aw, those bakers: such
fun guys.
Joanne and Elena wanted this stunner for their wedding:
And, to be fair, what they got
did leave them stunned:
I would ask what happened to the flowers, but those squiggles have left me speechless.
And finally, Christie D. wanted her cake to look just like this, only with silver ribbon:
Pretty simple, right?
Well, here's an interesting factoid: did you know that "silver ribbon" can be translated as "duct tape"* in some bakeries? It's true. Here's proof:
That's "35 years of experience" right there.
So I'd hate to see what only two decades' worth would look like.
Thanks to brides Amanda C., Jei, Candice F., Joanne & Elena C., and Christie D. for making me feel better about my $80 Publix wedding cake.
*Note: Not actual duct tape. Duct tape is prettier.
*Update from john: Loyal Wrecky Henchperson Shannon S. sent in this helpful illustration:
Quick! Somebody give me a clever ferret pun!
(I love my job)
March 23, 2011 
Hm. Well, it says, "Princess," and there's a scepter and a tiara on it.
Uh...
"Uterus on LSD."
"Uterus with sprinkles"
"This is getting ridiculous."
The magic baby bag.
