Photo: Courtesy of Cupcakes Gourmet

Talk about expensive taste! Philadelphia's couture cupcake shop, Cupcakes Gourmet, is now offering its popular red velvet cupcake with a sparkling addition—a $55,000 engagement ring from Warwick Jewelers. The 8-carat diamond ring is also available in select smaller variations starting from a half-carat offered at a 15-percent discount from Warwick.

To purchase the cupcake, contact any of Cupcakes Gourmet's three locations at least three days in advance of the proposal to select a ring. Sweetening the deal further still, if you're the first person to buy a sparkling red velvet cupcake, you'll also receive free cupcakes at your wedding from the shop. So you know what that means—hurry quick!

—Phillip B. Crook

Photo: Amanda Kraft Photography

In honor of National Pie Day today (who knew?!), we've compiled our favorite pie-centric dessert ideas. Skipping traditional wedding cake for an assortment of pies has been a popular trend—your guests will appreciate a variety of dessert flavors to choose from and it's also a great way to incorporate treasured family recipes into the reception.

1) In the photo above, the bride and groom served apple, pumpkin, pecan, and shoefly pies, which were displayed alongside photos of the couple.

See more creative pie ideas after the jump.

Photo: Luigi Menduni

It was love at first bite when boxes of baked goods arrived at the BRIDES office from Carlo's Bakery, the family-owned goodies shop from TLC's Cake Boss. We teamed up with the Cake Boss himself, Buddy Valastro, a few months ago for an episode of Next Great Baker, where contestants created cakes inspired by three distinct wedding styles. Whatever inspired the treats you sent our way, Carlo's, we loved them! Follow the jump to see some of our favorite wedding cakes from the Cake Boss team. —Phillip B. Crook

Photo: Courtesy of Hendrick's Gin

Hendrick's Hot Gin Punch
24 oz. Hendrick's Gin
24 oz. Madeira wine
6 lemon peel twists
1 orange slice
Pineapple chunks
3 oz. Honey
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
Cloves
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. brown sugar
Orange slices and additional cloves (for garnish)

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes. To serve, pour the hot mixture into a punchbowl or teapot and garnish with orange slices studded with cloves.

Browse more signature cocktail ideas in our gallery.

Photo: Courtesy of Veuve Cliquot

There's nothing better than a Champagne toast to ring in the New Year, but if you're looking to add a twist to a classic glass of bubbly, opt for this Veuve Cliquot–based cocktail. The refreshing combination of Champagne and hints of citrus are sure to put your guests in the mood to party. Not hosting a New Year's Eve soirée? This playful beverage would also make a lovely signature drink at your wedding reception. Cheers! —Rosie Purdy

Photo: Courtesy of Kahlúa

Peppermint hot chocolate is one of my favorite winter pick-me-ups. So, thankfully, Kahlúa's newly released, limited-edition Peppermint Mocha flavor arrived just in time to get me through the holidays. This festive liqueur adds a minty dose of cheer to a standard cup of hot cocoa—so consider serving the recipe below at an upcoming holiday party or as a signature cocktail at your winter wedding:

Kahlúa Peppermint Mocha Hot Chocolate
2 parts milk
1 part drinking chocolate
1 part Kahlúa Peppermint Mocha

Bring milk to a simmer. Whisk in drinking chocolate. Simmer for 30 seconds while stirring. Add Kahlúa Peppermint Mocha. Garnish with peppermint stick and marshmallows.

—Rosie Purdy

Photo: Courtesy of Clos du Bois

If you're looking for a festive hostess gift to bring to one of your upcoming holiday parties, check out Clos du Bois' limited–edition wine bottles. The labels for their 2010 Chardonnay and 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon were created by Banana Republic creative director Simon Kneen and feature sketches of cocktail dresses paired with glitzy gold accessories. The labels also have a QR code that, when scanned with your mobile device, lets you download a holiday–party soundtrack as well as party–hosting tips from Kneen and Clos du Bois. Best of all, the bottles are affordably priced—$16.99 for the chardonnay, $18.99 for the cabernet sauvignon—so you can stock up. And if you're hosting a winter wedding, we think the bottles would be a festive addition to the cocktail–hour menu, don't you think? The limited–edition bottles are available through the New Year. —Rosie Purdy

To see more wine and cocktail suggestions, check out our Food & Drinks gallery.

Photo: Courtesy of The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle

Oh, ombré, my love for you is still going strong. We've blogged about the stylish wedding color trend several times this year: wedding cakes, cake balls (sounds weird but trust me, they're gorgeous), and even more cakes, but this is a first—ombré cookies! I spotted this DIY ombré cookie tutorial on the baking blog The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle—the treats would make a perfectly coordinating favor if you're featuring an ombré color scheme. The project seems fairly easy if you're a semi-experienced baker; or, bring a printout of the tutorial to your local bakery to see if they can replicate the project. —Heather Lee

See more edible wedding favor ideas or visit our local listings to find a bakery near you.

Photos: This Modern Life

Beth and Sarah chose to host their wedding at Pastures of Plenty Farm, an organic flower-and-vegetable estate operated by Big Bang Catering. "We wanted to be outside, and we loved the idea of serving farm-to-table food," says Sarah. The couple planned the event with help from Kerri Butler of A Touch of Bliss, who staged a tented reception to complement the organic setting. Dinner included roasted wild salmon and pork tenderloin with grilled peaches. For dessert, everyone enjoyed cakes and pies from Teacup Fine Baked Goods & Confections. "Our most special moments always have been around a dinner table," says Sarah. "So everything was really about the food, family, and close friends."

Follow the jump to see more from Beth and Sarah's wedding, and visit our Real Weddings page to find other great style ideas.

Photo: Courtesy of Jim Beam

If the first thing that comes to mind when you think of bourbon at your wedding is a rowdy Kentuckian in overalls, I don't blame you. There's just something about the rich, dark liquor that conjures more images of "down on the farm" than "under the reception tent."

But before you dismiss the idea of bourbon–based wedding cocktails, consider giving the new Red Stag line by Jim Beam a shot (ok, pun intended). All three of Red Stag's flavors—Black Cherry, $18, is already available in stores and Honey Tea and Spiced will follow early next year—are infused with natural ingredients like sweet honey and cinnamon, which give the bourbon a smoother and less intimidating taste without compromising the liquor's natural palette. And what does that mean? Red Stag cocktails will be equally enjoyable for both your college sorority sister and your duck-hunting father-in-law from Tennessee. Check out a few of my favorite Red Stag recipes after the jump. —Rosie Purdy

Caterering by Marcey Brownstein Catering & Events; photo by Karen Mordechai

Saving money without sacrificing quality is always a challenge in the wedding-planning process. We asked four independent caterers to offer up advice on how to shave the price of one entrée from a typical wedding menu.

Did you know that substituting polenta fries for regular potato fries can cut cost? Baking a tray of polenta, sliced in strips like fries, takes less time and manpower than hiring multiple cooks to deep-fry potatoes.

Fish or beef? How about both? Serving a "duet plate" (above) that features smaller portions of both proteins costs 30 percent less than offering options because the caterer can purchase the exact number of entrées, rather than ordering extra of each option so that each guest can have the entrée of his or her choice.

Photos: Courtesy of Chaz Cruz

How amazing is this cupcake display from Jomie and Ricky's wedding at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art? The minimalist dessert display is the perfect complement to the couple's modern art venue. Miniature cupcakes from Sprinkles are displayed on gallery pedestals and tiered picture ledges—I love how the dark chocolate boldly contrasts against the museum's stark white walls. Check out our gallery for more creative wedding cupcake ideas or visit our local listings to find your cake baker. —Heather Lee

Photos (Clockwise from top left): Courtesy of Patrón, Courtesy of Grey Goose, Courtesy of Grey Goose, Courtesy of Kahlúa

—Rosie Purdy