Brides San Francisco Fall/Winter 2011 : Page 27
F as h i o n F las h Ca k e T r e n d s sugar High Vive la San Francisco? In France, croquembouche—the caramelized collection of cream puff s stacked as high as Coit Tower—has been a special occasion tradition for more than a century. But lately, the sugary showstopper has been testing table endurances across the city, and couples are fl ocking to mastermind baker Gerhard Michler for a slice of the trend. “Often at weddings, 90 percent of the guests have never seen one before,” says Michler. “Croquembouche is a centerpiece—a conversation starter.” He’s not bluffi ng: His creations clock in at a whopping four-feet-high and are often adorned with gold leafi ng, marzipan fl owers, and chocolate-dipped fruit. “Cutting it is the best part,” says Michler, who lives for the moment when family and friends break the puff s off the sculpture, often by hand. Th e sweet treat off ers a soft exterior, a sweet creamy custard within, and a delightful crunch from the caramelized sugar. S’ il vous plaît! gerhardmichler.com — Hannah Albarazi one-stop Chic From engagement party frocks and trendy metallic heels to spark ling accessories and the perfect little white dress (think Kate Spade and Milly), brides can create dazzling, customized looks for every event from “Yes!” to “I do” at the new Nordstrom Wedding Suite . “Th e modern bride wants to relish and extend her wedding beyond just the ceremony,” says Min Park, director of the Suite. “We can help her from the time she gets engaged to her honeymoon.” Bring along the MOB, bridesmaids, fl ower girls, and the men, too — stylists can outfi t your whole wedding party. Gowns from $158 to $2,000. Appointments required. At Nordstrom San Francisco Centre, 865 Market St., 415-243-8500, nordstrom. com/ weddings — Kelsey Bejelland ClOCK w iS e frOM tOP lef t: P HOtOGr a P H BY Dre w a ltiZer ; COUrteSY nOrDS trOM ; COUrteSY Ba n Ya n tree Ca BO M a rQUÉS D e s t in a t i on Love Shack Th ere is roma nce. A nd t hen t here is romance — t he perma-grinning, eyes misting, but ter fl y colony in your stomach k ind. C elebrating t he lat ter: Ac apu lco’s Baya n Tree Cabo Ma rqués — t he stu nning A sia n-inspired destination perched on a cli ff above t he Paci fi c. Th e resor t opened la st Ma rch a nd it s roma nce rating is off t he cha r t s. Designed for u ltra-isolationist duos seek ing a lone time, Ba nya n Tree features 47 private vi l la s, each w it h a n in fi nit y pool, a n a ir y vera nda, fl oor-to-cei ling w indows, a nd lu xuriou s a menities. But you k now a resor t is seriou s about love when t hey have a ded ic ated roma nce ma nger on sta ff . Get your d irector de roma nce to a rra nge a n intimate, ocea nf ront d inner exclu sively for t wo (ha rmoniz ed w it h a trio of sa x a nd violins) or a heat-stirring private Th a i cook ing cla ss g u ided by Ba nya n Tree’s exper t cu lina r y sta ff . Or if it’s a n in-room intimate moment you’re seek ing, Ba nya n’s satin sheet s, w ine, cha mpa gne, exotic f r u it, a nd dec adent chocolate s y r up shou ld do t he trick . W het her you’re celebrating your wedd ing g low or rek ind ling a long-term one, Ba nya n Tree off ers roma nce t hat is out of t his world. (Or at lea st out of t his cou ntr y.) — SO Banyan Tree’s luxe private villas with in fi nity pools f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 11 27
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