A Wedding Cake CAN be an Ice Cream Cake:

"No, we don't make wedding cakes." David and I were standing in front of the counter at Graeters, mid December 2007.

"Okaaaaay." David said slowly. "Do you make ice cream cakes?"

"Yes."

"Could I potentially take that cake to a wedding?"

"I guess so."

"Then yes, you do make wedding cakes. We'd like black raspberry chip."

photocredit to Studio 3Z

It was day 20 of our 28 day wedding and honeymoon planning gauntlet, and we were wrapping up the final details. Most of the decisions, David had left up to me, but he was particularly adamant that he wanted an ice cream cake. After perusing the local options, we went with Graeter's.

Despite disagreements with the counter clerk about what exactly did and didn’t constitute a wedding cake, we placed our order for pickup on the morning of the ceremony. Initially, the Celestial said that they would not garnish outside cakes, and would simply just cut them, but the kitchen staff that evening kindly plated and garnished the slices beautifully. As of today, only this grainy, first gen iphone picture remains, but we can assure you, it was delicious.

What you don't know it that he's asking me "OK, we're married, is it time for cake yet?"

So, in short, Graeter's has a special place in our lives. When we were offered the chance to try their newest flavor, white raspberry chip, we certainly were not going to turn it down. The taste is very similar to black raspberry chip, but it is a little lighter. We thought the blackberry is more muted and not as tart, which goes well with the milder flavor of the white chocolate.

We served ours on top of a brownie with whipped cream. This new flavor will be available to sample (for free) and to purchase at this weekend's taste of Cincinnati, and is also available in all Graeter's locations.

***Disclosure: We did not pay for our pint. We were contacted by Graeter's and asked if we would like to sample the new flavor. We accepted. What, like you wouldn’t?***

Why I love the week after Easter:

1/2 off easter candy at Graeter's! I picked up a whole menagerie of chocolate bunnies and chocolate eggs at lunch on Monday.

non-nom:The Celestial, December 30th 2007

The Celestial holds a special place in our lives because we got married there! David and I have been married for over a year now.

I've always been pretty impulsive and impatient. I've also turned into somewhat of a minimalist in my last few years. Thus, the idea of a big wedding that takes months to plan wasn't really what I had in mind.

That November, we first thought about eloping to Vegas the next month over the holidays but airfare is very expensive, not to mention our family members all had different schedules.

So, I talked to my Dad and he agreed to help us pay for a room at the Celestial, the Ascot, which seats 7 people. (We were able to squeeze in 9—both our parents, my brother, sister and stepmom.)


Yes, it's a steakhouse, but it's a very nice steakhouse with a killer view of the city.
With the help of my parents, David, and a very large wet erase wall calendar, we managed to plan the wedding in less than a month.

I had all the basics....the dress..

the shoes...

the rings..

And of course the cake—Graeter's black raspberry chip ice cream cake—David's one request.

I had flowers put together by an exceptional local florist Robin Wood consisting of lilies and delphinium.

We were also lucky enough to snag the best photographers ever—Jessica and Brett of Studio 3z.

The sun came out on December 30th last year and it wasn't actually too cold, so we went outside after our short ceremony for pictures. It was just setting when we were about ready to go inside…

We had fancy munchies while everyone was getting their pictures taken and the waitstaff set up the room we had used for the ceremony for our "reception" dinner…

And David and I snuck away to the wine cellar with Jessica for a few final photos.


























After we were done with dinner, we both were so amped up that everything went well that we went to Dave and Busters and played House of the Dead in our wedding gear.

The next day David and I flew out to Vegas for our honeymoon.

It rocked.