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Creative Summer Wedding Cake Trends

When it comes to creating artful wedding cakes, summer’s warm days and bright colors provide limitless inspiration. Today one of Garden of the Gods Club’s wedding cake vendors, Colorado Springs-based Chef Sugar’s Cakes & Confections, shares some of the top wedding cake trends for the summer. Whether you prefer a classic look or something that perfectly captures “you,” Heidi Trelstad of Chef Sugar’s can make it happen. Below you will find more info on some fun summer wedding cake trends.

1. Simple butter cream cakes. “This wedding season, we are seeing many people choose butter cream over the traditional fondant,” Heidi explained. “There is an almost endless variety of things you can do with butter cream, such as using textures, shapes, and patterns to create a unique cake.”

2. Elegant cakes. “On the other end of the spectrum, super elegant cakes are also in style right now,” Heidi said. “It’s interesting how most couples are either going with a very relaxed feel or a very traditional, elegant feel,” she continued. “There’s really not much in-between this season. To create a really classy look, we traditionally use fondant.”

3. Groom’s cakes. “Groom’s cakes are a huge trend right now,” Heidi said. “We’re actually seeing couples go all-out on the groom’s cake rather than the main wedding cake,” she added. “This is a great way to save a bit on the main cake and get really creative on the smaller cake. I’ve made groom’s cakes shaped like an Xbox, an airplane, the groom’s favorite vehicle, and more,” she laughed. “The groom’s cake is a great way to get as creative as you want.”

4. Creative décor.  “This summer, a lot of couples are choosing vintage wedding-cake toppers,” Heidi explained. “For a while, couples opted out of the wedding cake toppers altogether, but creative figurines, such as glass-blown toppers, are really making a come-back,” she said. “We’re also seeing a lot of monochromatic cakes, cakes with fun patterns and textures, and cakes decorated with fresh flowers.”

5. Hand-painted wedding cakes. “Some couples get really creative and opt for a hand-painted wedding cake,” Heidi said. “I once created a cake for a couple who’d gotten engaged in Mexico and had these elaborately painted champagne flutes that they used to toast their engagement,” she explained. “They decided that they wanted a hand-painted cake to match perfectly with the champagne flutes,” she continued. “Many people request a hand-painted cake that is inspired by something meaningful to them, such as a picture, and article of clothing, or another memento.”

6. Color-coordinated cakes. “Many couples are choosing to coordinate both the inside and outside of their wedding cake with the colors of their wedding,” Heidi said. “For example, I’ve had brides choose to make each layer of their cake a different color that matches their flowers or bridesmaids’ dresses,” she described. “It’s kind of cool because it’s like a colorful surprise when you cut into the cake,” she continued. “I’ve also had people get extremely coordinated with a lavender-colored and lavender-flavored cake.”

To learn more about weddings and receptions at Garden of the Gods Club, contact Catering Manager Constanze Strader at 719.520.4978 or cstrader@ggclub.com. If you are looking for an excellent wedding cake vendor, or if you would like to enjoy some delightful pastries, Chef Sugar’s Cakes & Confections offers an excellent selection. To learn more, we encourage you to contact Chef Heidi at 719.260.8600 or info@chefsugar.com.

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Summer Golf Video Series: Developing Core Strength

Congratulations! You’ve made it halfway through the week—to Wednesday! Whether you’re an avid golfer or enjoy another sport, we invite you to continue following along as Garden of the Gods Club Sports Club Manager Lauralee Beerman helps Gene Gabelmann, the Club’s director of golf, get his body back in shape for the summer golf season. After undergoing corrective surgery following a back injury in September 2012, Gene is ready to get back in shape and get back out on the golf course. Today, Lauralee—who is Titleist Performance Institute certified in golf fitness—helps Gene use Pilates techniques to build core strength.

Thanks for watching. If you are interested in learning more about membership at Garden of the Gods Club, we encourage you to contact Membership Director Tracey Kalata at 719.520.4980 or tkalata@ggclub.com. To schedule a session with Lauralee, please contact the Sports Club at 719.329.4009.

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Taste the Difference: Summertime Themed Buffet Nights

Not only do Garden of the Gods Club Members get to enjoy the best view in town, but they are also able to cultivate relationships with one another at our themed dinners and wide array of social events. This summer, Garden of the Gods Club Members and their guests can look forward to evenings filled with delicious, themed buffet nights! In June, Members will enjoy a fabulous “All You Can Fish” seafood buffet, featuring fresh seafood selections. In July, All-American ’50s Night will take diners back in time to enjoy classic American dishes like burgers, fries, and milkshakes. And in August, the savory, hearty fare of Western Buffet Night will leave Members and guests wanting more! To take a peek inside these fun, themed buffet nights, we invite you to watch the video below. Warning: Watching the following video may make you want to get up and dance!

Have we piqued your interest in learning more about social dining memberships at Garden of the Gods Club? If so, we invite you to schedule a time to chat with our Membership Director Tracey Kalata. Tracey will be happy to show you around the Club and help you find your place in the Club community. You can reach Tracey at 719.520.4980 or tkalata@ggclub.com.

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Summer Golf Video Series: Evaluation Part II

Last Wednesday, we began following along as Garden of the Gods Club Sports Club Manager Lauralee Beerman helps Gene Gabelmann, Garden of the Gods Club’s director of golf, prepare for the summer season. After sustaining a back injury and undergoing surgery in September 2012, Gene is working to regain back and core strength to meet his fitness goals for the 2013 summer golf season. Today we have the opportunity to take a peek into the second portion of Gene’s fitness evaluation, as Lauralee–who is Titleist Performance Institute certified in golf fitness–works to create a program tailored to meet his needs.

If you are interested in learning more about membership at Garden of the Gods Club, we encourage you to contact Membership Director Tracey Kalata at 719.520.4980 or tkalata@ggclub.com.  To schedule a session with Lauralee, please contact the Sports Club at 719.329.4009.

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Summer Tennis Programs at Garden of the Gods Club

During the summer season, Garden of the Gods Club’s tennis courts come alive with activity. Set against the base of Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods Club Members and guests enjoy connecting over tennis while taking in the gorgeous mountain views. Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Tom Van De Hey, Garden of the Gods Club’s director of tennis, about what makes the summer tennis programs unique. Keep reading to learn more.

Garden of the Gods Club (GGC): Tell me a bit about the summer tennis programs offered at GGC.
Tom Van De Hey (TV): We really offer something for nearly everybody. In addition to private and group lessons for nearly every tennis level, we also offer adult and junior leagues, a variety of tennis drills, social mixers, and other social events. We try to cover all the bases. If somebody is looking for instruction, we’ve got that, but if somebody is just looking for a great place to hit some tennis balls, we also offer that.

Further, we also work with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), which is a multi-layered organization. This means that tennis players who want to compete can do so at the local level, the district level, the sectional level, and even the national level, depending on their individual progress and goals.

GGC: What is some of the feedback that you have received from GGC Members and guests about the summer tennis programs?
TV: Well, when I first started directing the tennis programs at GGC nine years ago, there was little activity in the tennis department. Since then, we’ve grown the tennis programs tremendously. A Member who brings her two children for tennis lessons recently let me know how pleased she is with the high level of instruction and passion we incorporate into every lesson.

Another GGC Member in his mid 80s, who is used to getting out on the court at least four to five times per week, recently had a knee replacement. He needed some help getting back into the sport, and he has communicated to me his gratitude for the help in regaining his strength.

I think what truly sets the tennis programs at GGC apart from others is the genuine, personalized  service and attention that people receive when they’re here. I’m just passionate about what I do. After spending nearly 40 years teaching, directing, and playing tennis with a wide variety of people, I’ve encountered nearly everything out there. And that’s really shaped my drive to meet people where they are while helping them to develop their game.

GGC: Can you tell me about the tennis pros who you will be working with this summer?
TV: Yes. When I hire the summer tennis pros, I have the opportunity to hand-pick them based on their character. Ethan and Alec, this summer’s pros, are really great guys. I’ve known them since they were eight and nine years old, and they have really developed over the years. They’ve participated in most of the programs that they’ll be helping to facilitate. They are two solid, sharp kids who address more than just the mechanics of tennis when they’re out on the court. They have a personal interest in helping others and in helping kids develop their game. They’re very enthusiastic and attentive people.

GGC: Can you describe the Pikes Peak Pow Wow, GGC’s summer tennis tournament (July 12-14)?
TV: The intent behind this tournament is for both locals and non-locals to gather for a weekend and play as much tennis as possible. The tournament format allows people to come in, play tennis, and meet a variety of other tennis players while enjoying camaraderie with one another. It’s a great, socially competitive weekend.

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The summer tennis programs at Garden of the Gods Club are a great way to develop your game while meeting others who enjoy tennis. To learn more about sports memberships at Garden of the Gods Club, contact Membership Director Tracey Kalata at 719.520.4980 or tkalata@ggclub.com.

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