Sometimes it is not a case of Bridezilla, it's her mother or (in this case) her father and husband-to-be. Makes you wonder why she's getting married.

It was last January -- prime wedding-booking-season since many brides get engaged over the holidays. The bride and her mother came in first. Wanted to order a wedding cake for the summer. Her colors were espresso and cream, and she did not want flowers on her cake. So I suggested chocolate decorations (besides curly willow there were not many other brown accents I could think of).

We went through photos of cakes -- some we had done, some from books, some from magazines -- discussing the options. Then her father and husband-to-be came in. The father planted himself with a book, announcing he was only here to sign the check. No problems, I had heard that before.

The bride and her mom started showing the fiance photos of cakes and decorations they had in mind. I have to say that USUALLY, the bride and her mom make most of the decisions about the wedding cake. Most men are not that involved, but that is not always the case. In this cake, HE had a (very strong) opinion about every idea they suggested.

NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I HATE THAT ONE.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING.

Made me wonder how much wedded bliss this bride was expecting after the wedding. I figured they needed some family time and disappeared behind the counter for a while. Until HE said "what do you think?" in my direction.

Reasonably fresh out of culinary school, I knew (and used) the proper names for many types of chocolate decorations.

Curls and mini curls

Mikados, sticks, cigars and cigarettes (longer, thinner and fatter curls)

Shavings (a sheet of chocolate broken into an assortment of sizes)

Shapes and cutouts (sails, waves, cresting waves, surfing waves, tiles, rounds, stars, hearts, petals, triangles, etc.)

Plaquettes

Tree bark

Vermicelli (mini sprinkles)

Ruffles

Croquants (puffed rice enrobed in chocolate)

Cups and bowls

Clay

So I said "Well, chocolate curls or chocolate cigars would be one option. "

Now we hear from the bride's father: "Absolutely no chocolate cigars, we don't want people to think we smoke."