Cakes, cakes, cakes!!

For some it's the flowers. For others it's the music, or the centerpieces, or the colors. For us it is the SWEETS that take the cake! We love to see the delicious delights at every reception that guests (and staff) eyeball all night until they finally serve it up! We wanted to share some of our favorites from the past few months to help those planning brides out when it comes to some sweet treat ideas. 

This winter wonderland cake is a masterpiece by Celebrations by Sonja. She makes her own buttercream icing that is to die for!!  

We loved bride Beth's sweetheart tree inspired cake! 

Having a unique topper has been an ongoing trend here and we thought the feathers in this one was so neat! Plus, look at that intricate black piping!

Another popular trend is to have the couple's initial on the cake. We think it is such a classic touch.  

There it is again! The "B" on each side is so perfect.  

We love cupcake tiers! One couple had a great idea and had a kids table that had cupcakes instead of cake slices for all the kiddos! Such a great (non-messy) option!  

 Another initial (we told you it was popular)! Doesn't that buttercream icing look yummy! 

Check out our recommended vendors page on our website for some great bakeries in the area! 

Amelia and Matt - A Match Made in Heaven!

We were so blessed to have Matt and Amelia get married this past weekend at the chapel. We loved getting to know their fun families and be a part of their special day. Amelia was a GORGEOUS bride and was so organized! She chose a beautiful fall theme that was carried out wonderfully in the reception decor at The Stables. Amelia and Matt had their families involved in every step of the wedding and it lent such a heartfelt feel to the whole day. Her father prayed over the couple before giving her away and her mother and aunts spent the afternoon putting the final touches on the decor at The Stables for the reception. We wish you nothing but the best Matt and Amelia!!

Here are a few of our favorite pictures we snapped throughout the day:

 This is just moments after seeing each other for the first time. They were both so excited and yet so calm! 

 The whole day was such a reflection of their personal flare...we loved Amelia's headpiece and Matt's spiffy hat! 

Absolutely breathtaking!

 Praying before the ceremony.

Amelia had such a contagious laugh. It's no wonder why Matt was so excited to spend the rest of his life with her!  

The rain did get the best of us for a little bit, but underneath the covered front doors of the bridal suite were a great place to get some pictures outside.  

Amelia's dress was a gorgeous creamy satin that had rows of pearls and beads on the train and bodice. 

It goes without saying why Matt couldn't keep his eyes off of her! 

Amelia and Matt chose to have a harpist play for their wedding and it turned out wonderfully. It was the perfect touch to the simple, yet elegant ceremony.  

The couple recited their vows, exchanged their rings, and sealed it with a kiss all to be followed by a closing prayer for their marriage. It is always so encouraging to see a couple get married who understands the covenant of marriage! We'll be praying for you too!

Then it was time to CELEBRATE!!  

 We loved the idea of a big kids' table!! It was complete with candy and favors for the kids!

  

Guests enjoyed a dinner of pork tenderloin, seasoned chicken, vegetables, and more. It's always a delicious meal when it's at The Stables!

The amazing centerpieces added the perfect touch of fall to the evening.  

Another neat detail were the favors Amelia and Matt chose. They had guests pick out a tree to plant in their honor. What a way to give back! 

Not that Matt wasn't already having a great day, but the NBA lockout ended on his wedding day!!! He was so excited! Go Heat! 

Look at those flowing leaves, how beautiful and how delicious!!

The happy couple ate their meal at the sweetheart's table right by the fireplace. How romantic! 

Congratulations again Matt and Amelia! May God continually bless your marriage! 

Fall Wedding: Jessica and Gary

What an awesome couple! Jessica and Gary tied the knot on Saturday the 19th of November and their wedding was B-E-A-UTIFUL! Here are some shots we took of them (and the reception) throughout their special day.

 We loved these bridesmaid dresses! The rich chocolate brown color looked great on each one of them. 

Jessica was absolutely stunning. doesn't she look PERFECT? 

What a great shot of Jessica and her dad (and the detail of the dress!).  

Just seconds before the chapel doors opened and Jessica walked down the isle to Gary. What an amazing moment.  

Beautiful sheer linens and crystal centerpieces added some sophistication to each table.  

Gary and Jessica displayed some family photos at a table at the reception. We also loved their photo frame guest book. 

 

Wonderful bride's and groom's cakes displayed in front of the fireplace at The Stables. 

The candle lit head table was such a romantic touch.  

Such a beautiful bride!! 

Once again we wish you two nothing but the best! We are so happy for you! 

Fall Wedding: Lisa and Adam

This last week at Integrity Hills we were thrilled to celebrate the wedding of Lisa and Adam. They are a beautiful couple who tied the knot November 3rd at 3:00 in the afternoon and had a lovely reception afterwards at The Stables. 

The newlyweds pose for a picture for their guests after they danced their first dance. Look how happy they look!  

The Stables were decorated with some beautiful arrangements from Petals in Branson.  

The head table sat ten other people next to the bride and groom and was decorated with more arrangements from Petals. 

The couple also decided to decorate with photos of their parents and grandparents on their wedding days. What a beautiful tribute to their marriages! 

The amazing cake was  done by Pastries by Carla and it looked even better in person! 

Look at those yummy rolls!! The Integrity Hills staff and Chef Jaime Akers are hard at work dishing up dinner. (Integrity Hills Catering is provided by Chef Jamie Akers and in partnership with his staff at Jamie's Creative Catering) After a brief hors d'oeuvres period, a delicious dinner was served and then followed by some dancing!  

The precious ring bearer and flower girl took a break from the dancing to let us snag a photo. Aren't they adorable? 

The sunset was INCREDIBLE on Thursday night!  

It still doesn't hold a candle to Lisa though! We loved her beaded lace dress, it seemed to suite her so well. 

And look at that dashing groom! Wow he looks so happy and excited! 

Once again we wanted to say a big congratulations to Lisa and Adam! We wish you all the best and we are so glad you chose to celebrate with us at Integrity Hills. 

Congratulations to Beth and Chris!

We were blessed once again this weekend to have an amazing wedding at the Chapel. We loved meeting the Jones and Kersten families again and sharing in the joining of Beth and Chris. It was a beautiful ceremony complete with a wagon full of ring bearers marching down the isle before the bride's entrance! The theme was a wonderfully executed "rustic autumn" with touches of gold and bronze mixed in with burnt orange fall leaf decor.

One of the adorable ring bearers carried this cross stitched pillow with the couple's anniversary and names embroidered on it. 

 An antique birdcage was designated for gift cards and letters to the bride and groom while a small chest held the wedding programs. 

 

The two mothers lit the two seperate family candles for the unity candle portion of the ceremony.

The "guest book" was an oversized frame with space to write a short message to the bride and groom.  Another little ring bearer carried this wooden box with the rings enclosed.  

 Beth looked STUNNING posing for pictures before the ceremony with the wedding party. We loved her lace trimmed veil! 

The Stables was decorated with charming fall centerpieces to coordinate with the theme. We loved that each centerpiece was different! 

Another great centerpiece look at one of the tables and the creative exit table with bubbles galore for guests to blow for the couples exit! The bubbles were held by a miniature wagon! 

The new Mr. and Mrs. Kersten enjoyed a dinner of lemon chicken, steak, various vegetables, mashed potatoes, and delicious rolls. 

 The cake was an amazing tree inspired look with the couples initials "carved" into the front! The grooms cake reflected on Chris' love of baseball.

We loved having Chris and Beth's celebration here at Integrity Hills and we wish them all the best! A beautiful couple with a beautiful love story, Congratulations Kerstens!