Murder Is A Piece Of Cake Part 35

Josie and Ted had time to study their wedding photos now that they were back from their honeymoon. One of their favorites showed Lenore and Whit winning the twist contest at the reception. Lenore gave the hundred-dollar prize to Amelia, but she insisted on keeping the plastic trophy. She displays it in her living room, on the same shelf with a Song Dynasty bowl.

Emily Deaver Destin pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Molly Ann Deaver and Rita Marie Kutchner and avoided the death penalty. She confessed that she'd stolen Lenore's purse at the Blue Rose Tearoom when she took her break, and lifted the pearl-handled pistol. Emily dropped the purse back on a chair at Lenore's table during the confused search. "I had to get rid of Molly," she said. "She refused to go into treatment for stalking. She was ruining my husband's business and my life. She made us laughingstocks." Emily was sentenced to life without possibility of parole. Emily's husband, Brad, sold the house at the Estates in Wood Winds, to the considerable relief of their neighbors.

Molly had left everything to her sister in her will. But after Emily pleaded guilty, she could not profit from her sister's murder and inherit Molly's estate. Aunt Martha inherited Molly's money, which kept her in comfort in an a.s.sisted living facility.

Trudy Sandusky's attorney said the stress of planning her daughter Amy's wedding had triggered her irrational mum thefts. "My client's own plants died when she accidentally sprayed them with weed killer," the lawyer said. "Rather than buy more, she stole mums from Maplewood."

Trudy apologized for stealing and promised to make rest.i.tution to everyone in Josie's neighborhood who had lost their flowers. Charges were dropped against the plant rustler-but not before the story made the St. Louis City Gazette. Trudy also needed treatment for severe poison ivy. Amy, mortified that her mother was known as the "mum-stealing Mum," eloped with her fiance. They married on a beach in the Bahamas.

Denise's Dreams closed following Emily's arrest for the double murders. Denise was right-no bride wanted to shop at a store that had two murder victims. Denise sold the shop, and the little house became a successful coffeehouse and Internet cafe. Denise now sells discount wedding dresses at the Bridal Barn.

George Winstid was promoted to manager of the Brenhoff Carpet and Flooring store in Billings shortly before his marriage to Renee. His mother, Phoebe, traveled to Montana for their wedding and fell in love with the state. She sold her home in St. Louis, and George and Renee helped pay for her move to Billings. Phoebe enjoys volunteer work and taking her two grandchildren canoeing, hiking, and horseback riding.

Ted, Josie, and Amelia faced more changes as they settled in to their temporary home. Festus abandoned his bed in Ted's office and Marmalade would only sleep by Ted's computer when he was working. Now both animals moved into Amelia's room.

A month after their honeymoon, Josie and Ted stood in the doorway of Amelia's room. Her old night-light glowed softly on the framed wedding photos. Amelia kept them next to the picture of her father, Nate, as a boy, with a cat who looked like Harry's twin.

The real Harry was curled up next to the sleeping Amelia. Festus and Marmalade were sprawled at the foot of her bed.

"Does Amelia have enough room to sleep?" Ted whispered. "The livestock's taken over her bed. What do you think?"

"I think it's flawless," Josie said.

Shopping Tips

Your wedding may be the biggest party you'll ever throw-and your most expensive. The average American wedding costs twenty-nine thousand dollars, according to the Wedding Report. That's the down payment on a decent home.

Weddings can be hazardous to your marriage. Couples become so caught up in planning their wedding that they forget why they fell in love. These shopping tips for wedding cakes and flowers will help you survive-and even enjoy-what's supposed to be the happiest day of your life.

Hearts and flowers Bigger may not be better-not when it comes to bridal bouquets. Pet.i.te brides may look lost behind a huge, heavy cascade of flowers. Smaller posy bouquets are lighter and easier to carry. At least that's what some wedding experts claim.

But if your heart is set on a cascade, who cares? Your florist can lighten the heavy look with feathers, beads, or fancy wire.

You may want to tie a photo pendant of an absent parent or friend to a bouquet so you'll have your loved one with you all day. Use a blue ribbon and you've added "something blue" to the ensemble.

You can also give a posy bouquet a "collar" of feathers, foliage, or ornamental gra.s.s. A posy bouquet's stems can be wrapped in silk or ribbon to match your wedding colors. Or skip the heavy stem ribbons and set your bouquet in a vase of water at the head table as part of the decorations. It's economical and eco-friendly. Just remember to dry off your bouquet if you carry it again. The water may spot your dress.

Here comes the bling You may want to add diamante or crystal beads to your flowers or put them on the ribbon handle. These ornaments can accent the crystals on your veil.

Are corsages for the prom?

If you want your bridesmaids, mother, and future mother-in-law to wear corsages, consider their dress fabric first. Heavy shoulder corsages may tear delicate fabrics. Some florists use "corsage magnets" to avoid pins. A small magnet is set in the back of the corsage and a thin metal disk is placed under the material of the jacket or dress to hold the corsage in place.

A corsage will leave your bridesmaids' hands free-but do they really want that? Nervous bridesmaids may feel better holding a bouquet when they make the long walk down the aisle.

It's all in the wrist Wrist corsages work especially well with short-sleeved or sleeveless dresses. You can also pin flowers to a handbag or a hat. Be courteous, even if it is your wedding. Ask the mothers if they'd rather carry a small bouquet or a single flower. Some women consider corsages too old-fas.h.i.+oned. You may want to give your mother and mother-in-law stylish brooches they can keep as mementos.

Fit for a queen Queen Elizabeth I was often painted with her favorite pomander. Pomanders-flower b.a.l.l.s with pretty ribbon handles-can be carried like purses. Young flower girls or junior bridesmaids love them.

For budget-minded brides, pomanders can be made from inexpensive flowers such as daisies, carnations, or chrysanthemums. Crafty brides may want to make their own with silk or paper flowers.

Bored with flower bouquets?

What about bouquets made from antique b.u.t.tons, origami flowers, feathers, candy, or seash.e.l.ls? Some winter wedding parties carry fake fur m.u.f.fs-just brace yourself for the inevitable jokes.

Some of these OffbeatBride.com bouquets are works of art (http://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets).

Wedding Thingz offers alternatives from dramatic parasols to playful pinwheels (http://www.weddingth ingz.com/1/post/2012/05/alternatives-to-bridesmaids-carrying-floral-bouquets.html).

DIY brides can make bouquets and boutonnieres from paper. Paper-Source.com has clever kits.

Boutonnieres If your dude won't wear the traditional flower, give him foliage. Try rosemary (for remembrance, as Shakespeare said), thistle, or heather. A sprig of holly or mistletoe makes a simple holiday boutonniere.

Martha Stewart has this eco-friendly suggestion: "If you and your fiance have a book or pa.s.sage that's especially meaningful to you-your vows, perhaps?-turn it into a boutonniere by photocopying or printing out the text and punching it into floral shapes. It won't merely survive your wedding day. It'll last through your golden anniversary." (http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/226648/punched-out-boutonniere-how).

I loved the steampunk boutonniere at OffbeatBride .com (http://offbeatbride.com/2010/09/bad-a.s.s-bouton nieres). Yes, they're really called bad-a.s.s boutonnieres. You must be sick of syrupy bridal-guidese by now.

Reception flowers Flower arrangements can set the mood for your reception, from small, informal bouquets to impressive arrangements that soar toward the ceiling. Whichever type of centerpiece you choose, make sure your guests aren't hidden behind hedges. They need to see and talk to one another at the tables.

The head table often has long, low arrangements. You can also use a flower runner, garland, or swag. A long head table means the members of your wedding party will be able to talk only to the person on either side. Some couples seat their wedding party members across from one another or at tables for four, with a small arrangement on each table.

Florist-free flowers Check out wholesale flower markets, usually found near big cities, or scout your local farmers market.

Don't forget your supermarket flower section. These flowers may not be as well-cared for as florists' blooms, but you can find flowers for bouquets, table centerpieces, boutonnieres, floral arches, or pew holders. You may want to buy mixed bouquets and take them apart.

Using a professional florist costs more, but it can save you time. Make sure you or the person arranging your flowers will have enough time for your DIY projects. Allow time for last-minute problems, when Great Aunt Susan's plane is delayed and she needs a ride to her hotel, or the sky looks cloudy and your outdoor wedding may have to be moved indoors.

Flowers on the Web Bridesign.com has a "wedding in a box." You choose your bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, centerpieces, and pew holders online, and they're s.h.i.+pped to arrive three days before the wedding. Bridesign.com says couples save "an average of thirty to forty percent." This wedding in a box is only available in the forty-eight contiguous states.

Other florists offer similar flower packages, including Growers Box (http://www.growersbox.com/catalog/wed ding-flowers-3/).

Some online flowers look amazingly cheap, but factor in the cost of s.h.i.+pping and time. You'll need someone to care for the flowers once they arrive, arrange them, deliver them to the ceremony and the reception-and a backup plan in case your flowers don't get to you on time. Even the most reliable companies can't prevent delays from snow, tornadoes, or thunderstorms.

If you're using an online florist for the first time, you may want to order a small test bouquet to check for quality and reliability.

Smooth as silk Some brides choose silk wedding flowers because they're a green alternative. Others are concerned about allergies, or they don't like to kill flowers for their special day. Silk flowers definitely last longer. You'll have your silk wedding bouquet for many years.

Good silk flowers can even fool the experts, but they're almost as expensive as real ones. You may want to mix silk and real flowers for your wedding. You could order silk flower bouquets for the head table or for your wedding ceremony, then use the flowers in your new home or donate them to a nursing home or charity. Silk flower headbands can be worn by your bridesmaids and flower girls after the wedding-or added to a pretty hat.

Tips to trim your flower costs A nosegay can do double duty as a bouquet at the head table. Make sure you have a water-filled vase for it.

Ask your florist if you can rent vases rather than buy them. You may also be able to rent tropical plants and topiaries.

Nip expensive bridesmaids' bouquets in the bud. Consider a single perfect lily, rose, or gerbera daisy.

Use flowers in season. Check out the Wedding Flowers Guide (http://www.wedding-flowers-guide.com/seasonal-wedding-flowers.html). The Bliss Wedding Floral Chart (http://www.blissweddings.com/weddingfloral/) can help you choose flowers by color, season, and region. Stylish hydrangeas are in season in the spring in the East. In the Midwest, you may have to wait until summer. Roses, anthurium, orchids, lilies, and gerbera daisies are usually available year-round.

Love a romantic Valentine's Day wedding? The cost of your flowers may double, some florists say. You may even have trouble finding a good florist, since this holiday is one of the industry's busiest times. Book your Valentine's wedding early and get your flower prices in writing.

Float candles and a single large blossom in a gla.s.s bowl for table decorations at your reception.

Use a single live orchid plant on each table. After the wedding, you can keep the plants or give them to friends or members of the wedding party.

Votive candles and seash.e.l.ls on mirrors make decorative summer centerpieces.

Candles and framed fun photos of the bride and groom make memorable centerpieces and good conversation starters at your reception tables.

Use small trees strung with fairy lights in pots for decoration at the ceremony or the reception. You can plant them in your yard afterward or give them to members of the wedding party.

Concerned about filling a big room with flowers? Martha Stewart recommends these "ginormous paper flowers" (http://thebridesguide.marthastewartweddings.com/2012/03/scene-stealer-oversize-paper-flowers.html).

Grow your own Brides and grooms with a flair for gardening may grow their own wedding flowers. Experts say you'll need one to three years of advance preparation. Growing your own flowers can give your wedding extra meaning-or give you extra headaches. Better Homes and Gardens has this guide: (http://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/grow-your-own-wedding-flowers/).

DIY flower arrangements These can save you money, but make extra work. You'll need to buy vases and get the centerpieces to the reception and the ceremony. Choose flowers that hold up. You don't want to start your new life with vases of wilted flowers. Experts recommend a practice run so you'll know how long it will take to make the arrangements and deliver them.

Green brides Some brides don't want to leave a big carbon footprint when they walk down the aisle. They're concerned that hothouse flowers may be loaded with pesticides and flown in from overseas. Talk to your florist about using locally grown organic flowers. Organic Bouquet has pesticide-free flowers for weddings and other occasions (http://www.organicbouquet.com/).

Another green choice is using potted flowering plants or herbs. Rosemary, lavender and sage look and smell good. Extra green points if you support your local nursery.

Couples can also use centerpieces of colorful citrus-lemons, limes, oranges-in gla.s.s bowls or vases. Baskets of seasonal fruit-grapes, strawberries, peaches, apples-make handsome centerpieces and treats for your guests.

Thorns among the roses Shortchanging brides on the flowers in their bouquets and centerpieces was part of Josie's mystery shopping experience. But that's not fiction. Bridaltips.com says it's one of the top ten bridal scams.

Here's how it works: A florist shows you a stunning sample bouquet, a knockout centerpiece, or a gorgeous photo. You love the flowers and the price is perfect. You sign the contract. At your reception, those stunning centerpieces seem smaller-because they are. The shop didn't deliver what you fell in love with.

Also, watch out when the florist faxes you a price quote and "you try to haggle the price down. If they fax a new quote, check every single item to make sure they did not remove any items," Bridaltips.com says. "Some florists get sneaky and say, *Sure, we can come down on the price a bit.' When you scrutinize their new quote, you'll see your *champagne lace' tablecloth was changed to a plain tan tablecloth."

Check your contract before you sign. Make sure it states the number and type of flowers in your bouquets, centerpieces, and decorations, and exactly how many centerpieces you'll have at the reception and arrangements at the ceremony.

To prevent disappointments, get florist recommendations from your friends. Check with the Better Business Bureau and the court judgments on your county records Web site.

Don't have time to search the Internet? Enlist your groom or a Web-savvy bridesmaid to help.

Beware of phantom florists One bride was thrilled when she found an inexpensive florist at an "awesome" price on a wedding board. She lived on the other side of the country. This bride talked with the florist by phone, but felt uneasy. She went back and checked that message board again. The florist had only one review, no address, and no contact name. The photos on the florist's site were stock pictures. The florist explained that her prices were low because she worked out of her home. She wanted to meet at a coffee shop. The florist supplied good reasons, but the bride knew that some so-called florists took the deposit money and disappeared. She chose an established (and more expensive) local florist with a history of happy brides.

Scratch that idea Some brides get so caught up in the "it's my day" madness, they forget their guests and attendants may have allergies. "The bride chose stargazer lilies for the bridesmaids' bouquets. Two of the girls were highly allergic to these flowers and told the bride ahead of time," a bridesmaid told St. Louis Bride. "But the bride insisted on them. The two bridesmaids sneezed throughout the entire ceremony, all the while getting dirty looks from the bride and her mother."

Balloons make colorful, inexpensive decorations, but make sure none of your guests have latex allergies. They may not be able to attend your reception. Latex allergies are so common, some hospitals ban latex balloons.

Your dinner menu, buffet, or desserts should clearly label any food containing nuts. It puts a damper on your wedding when a guest is carried out of your reception gasping for breath.

Cake flower Fresh flowers or petals can be pretty additions to your wedding cake. Your florist may have a special holder so the flower decorations can be removed when you cut the cake.

If you want real flowers on your wedding cake, make sure they haven't been sprayed with pesticides. Avoid flowers and plants that can be poisonous, including calla lilies, holly, mistletoe, and oleander, or plants that shed pollen or leaves, such as asparagus fern. Amaryllis and poinsettias in pots make pretty winter table decorations, but don't put these poisonous plants near your cake. If you still want these flowers, consider a small bouquet on your cake table.

Silk or artificial flowers are another wedding cake alternative. Some bakers excel at creating lifelike edible flowers (http://www.wedideas.com/).

Tip-top Many of the wedding cake toppers Josie and Jane saw are available online. Here are some sources: Party City (http://www.partycity.com/category/weddings/cake+toppers.do), Wedding Cake Toppers (http://www.weddingcaketoppers.com/), Wedding Collectibles (http://www.weddingcollectibles.com/WeddingCakeToppers.html), Affectionately Yours & ArtStyle Cake Toppers (http://www.funweddingthings.com/).

Hot weddings If you have an outdoor wedding, make sure your cake or cupcakes are served safely. Salmonella is not a good wedding souvenir. Display your wedding cake or cupcakes in a cool, shady place or under a tent. Icing melts in direct sunlight. Some bakers recommend Italian meringue b.u.t.ter cream icing for outdoor events. If you're making the cake yourself, use pasteurized egg whites to be extra safe.

That takes the cake Couples are often shocked by the hidden costs of a wedding cake. You may have a delivery fee of fifty dollars or so, plus a cake-cutting fee ranging from fifty cents to five dollars a slice. That fee covers the cost of plates and forks and their cleanup. Some wedding venues waive these fees if you buy your cake from their baker.

Faking it at your wedding A traditional wedding cake can cost a week's salary or more. Some couples order a wedding cake that has one or two real layers and the other tiers are iced Styrofoam. The wedding guests are served slices of cheaper sheet cake stashed in the kitchen. This can save you major money, especially at a big wedding. Just make sure you slice into the right layer for the cake cutting photos.

If you consider a traditional wedding cake a big, fat waste of money, you can rent a fake cake. Rentals start at about one hundred twenty-five dollars plus s.h.i.+pping, and you supply your own cake for the hidden compartment. Here's one online cake rental company (http://www.cakerental.com/index2009.html).

Just make sure your drunken uncle doesn't try to snitch a piece of your fake cake.

You can serve your guests real sheet cake or some other sweet alternative.

Is the wedding cake dead?

One Web site is gleefully tolling the bell. "Wedding expert Cara Davis has included *Death of the Wedding Cake' in her top eight wedding trends for 2011," it said. "Citing wedding cupcakes as a major reason for the decline of wedding cakes, Cara also attributes dessert buffets as a contributing factor. Personally, here at wedding-cupcakes.org, we love that Cara has officially announced the Death of the Wedding Cake because it takes a significant chip out of what once was the impenetrable wall of proper wedding etiquette: that wedding cakes were the only suitable dessert for a wedding."

This wedding cupcake site may be a bit biased. But there's no doubt that wedding cupcakes are a significant trend. You can display the cupcakes on tiered stands on a traditional cake table, or organize your reception tables by cupcake flavor-the chocolate cupcake table, the lemon table, the red velvet table.

Green cupcake stands for white weddings Cupcaketree.com has recyclable cupcake stands in many shapes and sizes, made in the USA. The stands hold from thirty-six to three hundred cupcakes. Clever wedding cupcake displays are at this Web site (http://www.cupcaketree.com/).

Experts suggest you order about fifty percent more cupcakes than the number of guests at your wedding feast. If you have a hundred guests, you'll want about one-hundred-fifty cupcakes. Some guests are sure to go back for seconds. Your photographer, DJ, band, and other staff might also like a cupcake. Don't forget to ask your caterer to save two cupcakes for your first anniversary.

Sweet memories Have your caterer put out small boxes for the cupcakes near the end of the reception, so your guests can take home this memento. If you have only a few cupcakes, give the leftovers to the helpful staff, the catering manager, or a cupcake-loving friend.

How do you handle the cake cutting, Cupcake?

Some couples cut their cupcakes in half. Others have two cupcakes and feed each other. For couples who still want the traditional cake-cutting photo, use a cupcake stand with a top platform large enough to display a small wedding cake. Make sure your cupcake stand is strong enough for a cake cutting, or have the cake on a separate plate and remove it for the cutting photo.

Beyond the b.u.t.ter cream barrier You're still legally married, even if you don't serve cake at your wedding. Some couples give their guests wedding favors that spotlight their favorite local food-individual gooey b.u.t.ter cakes in St. Louis, apple cider doughnuts in New England, Italian almonds or cannoli . . .

A cookie buffet can be homey and homemade, with lemon bars and chocolate chip, sugar, oatmeal raisin, and peanut b.u.t.ter cookies. It's also a low-cost dessert alternative for a budget wedding.

Or you can serve sophisticated chocolate-dipped biscotti, madeleines, lady fingers, and pinwheels with dessert wine, coffee, or champagne.

Try an upper-crust selection of pies. Peach, cherry, and key lime for summer weddings or hearty apple, chocolate cream, or pecan for winter. Don't forget the whipped cream and ice cream on the side.

Summer wedding guests may appreciate a cool ice cream bar with lots of toppings. You can hire someone to make milk shakes, malteds, and sundaes slathered with whipped cream and chocolate. Or serve chic gelato, sorbets, and ices.

Liquid wedding cake Pearl Vodka has a Wedding Cake vodka that's supposed to taste just like, well, wedding cake. It's a fun way to toast the bride and groom. If you didn't save any wedding cake for your first anniversary, you can toast each other with Wedding Cake vodka (http://pearlvodka.com/).

The groom's cake This Victorian tradition has been revived and given a new role. Today, the groom's cake is a gift from the bride to her groom. It's supposed to reflect his interests. Many groom's cakes feature his favorite sport or hobby. I've seen groom's cakes shaped like guitars, beer cans, CDs, trophy fish, even a replica of Busch Stadium.