Posted by Tonia | 0 Comments

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.

Read More

Posted by Tonia | 0 Comments

For Our Readers: Special PPIHC Lodge Offer

Colorado Springs is no stranger to natural beauty! Stunning views of Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains often awake the adventurous side of both residents and visitors. Perhaps one of the most daring events of the summer season is the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), a much-anticipated automobile and motorcycle race in which the face of Pikes Peak morphs into an international raceway.

Also referred to as the “race to the clouds,” the PPIHC is one of the oldest automobile and motorcycle hill climbs in the United States. During this celebrated event, competitors race a 12.42-mile course up to the summit of Colorado Springs’ beloved “fourteener,” Pikes Peak.  National and international racers alike hope to make it to the finish line at 14,110 feet. To view some excellent photography captured from last year’s PPIHC, check out the official online photo gallery.

In honor of this internationally-celebrated race, the Lodge at Garden of the Gods Club is pleased to offer a special guest room rate for those who simply can’t get enough of the gorgeous view of Pikes Peak during the event.  From Thursday, June 27, through Monday, July 1, those who are in town for the PPIHC can enjoy a special rate of just $189 per night for a Club room (a savings up of up to $35 per night!). In addition to this great deal, Lodge guests will also receive a voucher for a 15 percent discount if they stay at the Lodge again next year, during the 2014 PPIHC. Click here to make your reservation now using the promo code “PROHIL.” If you have any questions about this Lodge special, please contact Sales Manager Bliss Krucas at 719.520.4989 or bkrucas@ggclub.com.

---

*This special rate is valid from Thursday, June 27, to Monday, July 1, 2013, is not valid on previously booked reservations, and may not be used in combination with any other discounts or offers.

Read More

Posted by Tonia | 0 Comments

Fun Spring and Summer Events In and Around Colorado Springs

As the weather (finally!) begins to warm up, many residents of Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas look forward to a variety of fun festivals and events. For both residents and visitors alike, festivals and other events are a great way to enjoy art, music, education, wine, camaraderie, and other activities. This spring and summer, grab your family and friends and check out one of these events; you will have a blast!

1. Cañon City Music and Blossom Festival – May 2 – 5. The Cañon City Music and Blossom Festival is a longstanding city tradition, with the first recorded festival taking place in the 1860s. This eclectic festival includes a carnival, a parade (Sat., May 4), a variety of craft fairs, concerts, a 5K race, and marching band competitions. To learn more, click here.

2. 20th Annual Hummingbird Festival – May 11. Bird lovers will not want to miss this fun event! On Saturday, May 11, grab your family and head to the Starsmore Discovery Center in Colorado Springs.  Children will enjoy arts and crafts, magicians, and educational booths. There will also be a silent auction, great food, and live bands. For details, click here.

3. 1st Annual Jackie Bullard Trail Run and Ranch Festival – May 11. This festival is put on by the Fight Against Melanoma Research & Education Foundation, and will take place at the Historic Triple B Ranch in Woodland Park. In addition to 5K and 2K trail runs, there will be a day even open to the public that will feature hayrides, arena rides, a bounce house, and more. Click here to learn more.

4. Passages: Experience the Bible Like Never Before – starts May 16. Passages is a “40,000-square-foot, interactive living-history attraction that chronicles the remarkable story behind the most-debated, most-banned, best-selling book of all time: the Bible.” This exhibit includes the world’s largest collection of rare biblical text and artifacts, interactive activities, rooms, games, and more. For more information, visit the Passages website.

5. Territory Days – May 25. This Labor Day weekend, visit nearby Old Colorado City for the historic Territory Days festival. With an “old west” theme, this festival combines live entertainment, food, crafts, demonstrations, and more to deliver a fun time. Click here for additional information.

6. Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival – June 1. If you are a wine lover, you won’t want to miss one of Colorado’s best wine festivals. On Saturday, June 1, visit Memorial Park in Manitou Springs to enjoy wine samples from 25 Colorado wineries, as well as delicious food and live entertainment. Click here for details.

7. Springs Spree – June 15. The Springs Spree has grown to become one of the most popular weekends in Colorado Springs, with a wide mix of food, music, and vendors. This festival will take place in Memorial Park in Colorado Springs. To learn more, click here.

8. Pikes Peak Celtic Festival – June 28 – 30. The first annual Pikes Peak Celtic Festival will take place in Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, staring on Friday, June 28. This festival will be a celebration of Celtic culture, featuring Celtic rock groups, traditional music, dancers, food, Pipe bands, and more. Click here for more info.

9. Pikes Peak Arts Fest – July 5 – 7. From July 5 – 7, art lovers of all kinds are encouraged to visit America the Beautiful park in Colorado Springs for the 9th annual Pikes Peak Arts Fest. This event is free to the public, and it features more than 100 visual artist booths. Stage performances and other activities will captivate those who are artistic at heart. Click here to learn more.

We hope you have the opportunity to experience one of these fun events! If you will be traveling through the Colorado Springs area in the near future, consider staying at the Lodge at Garden of the Gods Club, which is conveniently located within minutes of local family-friendly attractions such as Garden of the Gods, Rock Ledge Historic Ranch, Seven Falls, and Cave of the Winds. In addition to a wide array of popular area events and festivals, you and your family will enjoy incredible mountain views and an unusually spacious guest room or suite. To learn more about the Lodge, or to make a reservation, visit us online.

Read More