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Shawn Rabideau

Stuck on the Damn Cake

Shawn talks cake drama, being Bethenny's therapist, and his long-lost twin!

Jul 2, 2010

 

The cake, the cake, the cake ... Bethenny was stuck on the damn cake! If it wasn’t one obsession it was another; the tides changed from the Four Seasons to the cake - a specific Red Velvet Cake with a specific frosting. It had to be THAT cake and it had to taste like her favorite cake from her favorite bakery. The problem was that the bakery she loved only did one wedding cake per weekend (they were booked), and they didn’t work with fondant, another strike. We had one week until the wedding and my check list wasn’t getting shorter, it was getting longer.

As her planner it was my job to provide exactly what she wanted. I had no issues doing that. However, the problem was that I was working close to 18-hour days trying to get all the other details organized and finalized, which left little to no time to run to the bakery on the Upper East Side of Manhattan to taste her favorite cake. It wasn’t like we were saving puppies in Rwanda!

Regardless of how I felt I knew deep down that I had to get this right, so I trekked up to UES (with my passport) because if I didn’t she would rip the "fruits and veggie off my body!" No way was I willing to sacrifice my "produce section" so she could feed Cookie's hunger for my blood!

Yes, I know NYC is filled with hundreds of bakeries and amazing cake designers. But not all of them do Red Velvet Cake and not all of them decorate a cake the way Bethenny wanted. Oh and did I mention not everyone was available? That’s what you get when you plan a wedding in four weeks.

When everyone else said no, Anne Heap, owner of the Pink Cake Box, said yes. Having worked with her before I knew she would do a great job. She was doing me a huge favor because they were already maxed out on the weekend of Bethenny and Jason’s wedding. When I arrived for the tasting Anne was prepared like a Girl Scout with drawings and samples for me to taste, one of which was Anne’s traditional Red Velvet Cake.

This might be hard to believe, but I know and love Red Velvet Cake! I knew what Bethenny was talking about when she said she wanted a specific kind of Red Velvet Cake. Not all Red Velvet Cakes are the same, just like not all apple pies are the same. So after tasting Anne’s version of Red Velvet Cake, I was almost sure that I had struck gold. But there was no way to tell if Bethenny and Jason would like the cake and I wouldn’t know until the wedding day. No pressure there...
So with the fear of Bethenny in me I was onward and upward, my next stop pulling together the floral / decor demo. Some of you may not know this, but my company not only plans weddings, we design them as well. So when it came to the flowers for the demo I made sure I personally designed the floral arrangements.

 

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You are just hilarious. It took me a minute to like you, but you really add a lot to the show. Love your blogs.

I think you are an amazing wedding planner and do an amazing job of "handling" Bethenny lol. I cannot wait to see how it all turned out!

Sweetie, if I had the cash, you could plan any party of mine...full control. You are adorable!

I think Bethenny struck gold with you! You are perfect for her and I loved your blog. You have the same wit and sense of humor that she does. I hope you stick around on the show(maybe plan some other events-Bryns' 1st birthday party?). Love ya!

Shawn, you add so much fun and interest to an already great reality show. Your masterful skills in dealing with a difficult client are fascinating to observe. (Please don't get me wrong. I love Bethenny.) You'd be an amazing instructor for people who want to learn how to work successfully in any type of high-pressure, service industry. How did you pull this wedding together in just four weeks? You are a miracle worker, to say the least! So glad that you are on the show!

You are sooo funny!!!! Loved watching you on Bethenny's show. I'm glad Bethenny did not rip your dick off!!!

You are so hilarious, I love your very expressive eyes.

They tell how you're feeling. Hilarious. Please, Shawn, post your photo up there with your blog. And keep blogging.

We definitely need a photo of you.

p.s. Glad you got to keep your fuzzy grapes and banana, too:P

lol...you get better each episode. I am amazed how you kept your cool.. but the eye rolling was priceless!

I think you deserve every nickel you make and I think you are a very lucky man to have such a fabulous career!!!

Shawn... am VERY impressed (and amused) with how you and Bethenny "interact." It's nice to see a working relationship from start to finish. With a little over a month to pull off B's wedding... ESPECIALLY HER WEDDING... from what we're seeing so far, maybe you ARE a majician.

I loved the first scene w/ you two (you LIED!!!) and she caught you!!! But you held your own (and you're cute!) but even with the UPS and DOWNS (extremes) it was really "human" and nice to just listen to B... that's how she operates... she trusts you with the little stuff... if you can handle that... game on!!!

Congrats and hope this opportunity adds to your success!!!

I thought you handled yourself really well through this journey. You should be proud of yourself.

I wish I had you as my wedding planner when I got married. I think you did a great job.

I'm wondering why you didn't bring a sample of the cake that you tried back to B. in NY so she could try? Then the whole cake issue would have been done? Am I missing something here?

Shawn, I love the fact that no matter what the challenge you dive in and do what it takes to make the bride happy. You are so understanding of B's hormones, book deadlines, wedding pressure of under a month and all the other work on B's plate. Although I'm sure you felt like you were in a war zone ~ as beauitful as the wedding turned out, as perfect as you made their day and you pulled it all off in the 4 weeks I'm sure your business will be booming! You do deserve a Purple Heart for your efforts but made a great friend with Bethenny, what could be better!

OMG Shawn! Just googled Tony Hale... it's uncanny! When I saw his pictures I thought, wait a minute... is this Shawn pretending to look like Tony? You guys could be twins for real!!! I've never seen anyone who wasn't related look so identical! You two don't just "resemble" each other or look similar, you look IDENTICAL!! Kinda crazy! I wonder if God ran out of versions of faces and we all have a "twin" somewhere in the world! LOL

This whole "twin" thing is so convenient. I still believe Bethenny killed Shawn and the whole cover-up is now a full blown conspiracy with a lookalike stand in. Lets see how Tony....I mean Shawn's next event goes.

you are a great addition to this show, thanks for looking out for our girl B!

Shawn, You are so funny. You most definitely have dealt with some demanding celebs, but I am sure that even though Bethenny has wanted things HER way, you have not had celebs that you can laugh with about the things they want THEIR way like you can B. You understood her sensitivity and wacky humor so quickly. I don't think any other event planner could have done what you did. Congrats to you.

You're the reason I watch; you basically run the show (sorry Bethenny).

Dear Shawn, You are lowering your standards by putting up with verbal abuse. Gays have had enough obstacles and you are allowing Bethenny to treat you with no respect at all. This is not funny, it is heartbreaking for all the gays that are willing to take abuse for money.When she made the comment about your "dick" your should have put her in her place. The cause just took a giant step backward in the name of ratings. She would have never made that comment to a straight male. SHe thinks because you are gay, she can abuse you...and that is awful to see.

Shawn,you are hilarious, patient and thoughtful, too! How many planners would help the bride pee in an ice bucket?!! It was so sweet when you brought the cotton candy to Bethenny to announce that you'd secured the Four Seasons for her dream wedding. You helped her through a very emotional whirlwind (pregnacy hormones, writing a book, getting married, etc. etc.) with grace and humor which most certainly endeared you to her and led her to be vunerable in sharing her feelings. Just listening sometimes calms nerves and with all she had going on (does she ever slow down?) you were there to help in an unexpected role. One thing more...I agree with "A Viewer" in wondering why you didn't take a sample of the cake for Bethenny to try? I can't wait to see the whole wedding on the next episode. Kudos to you, hope you stay around!!

I have known Shawn for several years and I can attest that he has not changed his look for purpose of the show. He looks exactly the same as when we were in high school.

On a different note, Shawn...you are hilarious and such a great addition to the show. I have been watching the "Housewives" since it started and you are by far my favorite "extra" out of all the shows. I agree with another post that you definitely need to get your own show! I would DVR you like no one's business so I could rewind all your funny anecdotes.

Bless your heart Tony, I mean Shawn. You must have the patience of 10 saints to deal with B and her demands. I bet she really kept you on your A game, because you seem so nervous about disappointing her at all times.

Shawn, you are so funny on the show, and I love your scenes with Bethenny. I hope you will continue with the series.

Shawn you are extremely funny. When you said Cookie turned into Cujo I think I laughed the rest of the night. You were very sweet for listening to Bethenny when she was venting. I can't wait to see the Wedding episode because I already know you did a fabulous job.

I love your facial expressions when B makes her witty remarks.

You are the cutest thing ever, you have a great attitude, great taste and endless patience with stressed out clients. Judging from the preview video clips on this site, you did a great job! The decor was exquisite...the lighting, the chairs, the flowers...wow.

Shawn

So glad to know that you made it through all the wedding planning with your 'giblets' still intact! You were very real, very professional and incredibly witty in your blog.

:) I'm smiling now. Thank you for putting up your photo:)

I do hope we see more of you after the wedding!

Dear Shawn, for all the abuse you had to put up with I hope your company gets a lot of quality business. I felt sorry for you having to walk behind Betthenny in the restaurant past the kitchen. Really Shawn she got the TV wedding she deserved. Looking absurb in a white gown with no family there to straighten the gown. That is what happens when you are mean to people. The only one with class was you and only you. As a Mom we all dream of our Daughter's wedding day. There was nothing special here. You did the best you could considering the client. This was about making a wedding that people would talk about, not something sacred. It was a farce to say the least.

The Cake! Can't Wait to see this darn CAKE!!!! Ha!

Shawn, I think you are great! I think you look a lot like the Scotish actor Alan Cumming (that is a compliment). A younger version anyway!!

I love you and think you need your own show!

Shawn my boy.. do not let ANYONE talk to you the way Bethany sometimes does "I'll rip your b___s off" what was that about. You should have asked her then and there to zip her gab once and for all. She is a faboulus girl with a venomous tounge.. Make her curb it in your presence.

Shawn:

I remember you from "Who's Wedding Is It Anyway?" You are hilarious. I laughed so hard when you called Cookie Cujo and you don't like the "bioch," I scared the kids. You and Bethenny's interaction is very entertaining.

As I was watching the show, all I kept thinking was, take Bethenny a cupcake from the bakery and let her taste it herself. I thought it strange that it never seemed to occur to you.

NO WAY!!!! You are much better looking than Hale!

OMG, what is so funny about you looking like Tony Hale is, my boyfriend and I (who reluctantly watches B Getting Married) watched the movie The Goods this past weekend and we both said "that's the wedding planner" as Tony was in it. Hilarious!!! He doesn't do the thing w/the eyebrow that you do! You rock, you've done a lot to ease B and yes, she's a little maniac putting a wedding together in a month while she's 7 mos preggers - BUT for anyone who's been in the wave of those hormones, they get it. You've done an amazing job and obviously, this is amazing PR for you!

The first thing I thought when I saw you on the show was "It's Buster Bluthe." So funny how alike you all look. Agree with the other comments regarding bring B a cupcake to taste. You seem to have planned a great day for Bethenny & Jason though.

God bless you for taking on this wedding venture! Hopefully, all goes well and B&J appreciate all your hard work!

Big question, why didn't the baker give you a a sample of the cake to take to Bethenny to try? I would have wanted one to save my butt if it wasn't right? Guess it didn't matter because no other bakery could do it???

Shawn, my heart goes out to you. After all you've gone through for the wedding - there will certainly be a very special place in Heaven reserved just for you!

Shawn,

You are the BEST and the reason I watched! I hope you could get your own show :)

please give this man his own show he is a hoot

Hi: That was the most beautiful wedding I have ever seen. You made a little girl's dream come true, there Mr. R. Kudos. Your interpretation of B's dream, she said it herself, was better. do you twitter? I'd follow you!

I love you Shawn you are the best! You are so entertaining, love your facial expressions. What a sweetheart, wish you were my friend.

Shawn, you are a SAINT! I can't believe the amount of time and sweat you've put into this wedding. Which bakery did Bethenny want the cake originally from? Not to discredit Pink Cake Box, but that must have been one great tasting Red Velvet Cake!

ONE WORD YOU ROCK (OK TWO!)

Long time viewer, 1st time blog commenter BUT I just had to take a moment to congratulate you! Shawn -- you and your crew did a FANTASTIC JOB, and I hope the exposure brings you more success than even you can imagine :)

And I've never tried Red Velvet cake, but it's on my Bucket List now! haha

You're too funny Shawn!! You need your own show on Bravo! Good luck to you! =)

GREAT work, beautifully done...hope U R ready 4 an influx of clients after this show. Yea I agree U could carry a show & it would B full of creative juices & lots of fun. Best of luck!!!!!