BAKE IT ‘TIL YOU CAKE IT

We talk wedding cake trends with the professionals

The wedding cake has always been a much-loved tradition, whether served as a dessert or as a take-home treat for your guests. Not only does it offer a delicious delight it also serves as a showstopping centrepiece to your reception space, which nowadays is nothing short of a work of art. We chatted to some of the county’s wedding cake makers and asked whatever could be next in the wonderful world of big-day bakes.

GIULIA O’LOREY, CAKES IN BLOOM

www.cakesinbloom.co.uk

Giulia (pronounced Julia) hails from Italy and is a professionally-trained pastry chef. After working at top hotels such as the Dorchester, she fell in love with wedding cakes in 2016 and hasn’t looked back. She set up Chichester-based Cakes in Bloom as a luxury cake business for the detailoriented couple and specialises in elegant and bold designs with plenty of movement, all brought to life with handmade sugar flowers.

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Giulia says, “As we’ve all been cooped up for so long, cake trends for 2021 and 2022 are definitely leaning towards big and bold designs. I’ve also seen a lot of dessert tables, which allow guests to enjoy a variety of sweet treats as well as the big-day bake.

“More personality has been shining through too with pops of colour, bespoke stencilling, monograms and custom flavours.”

TOP TIP

“It can be overwhelming when looking at the world of cakes available, so it’s helpful to tell your cake designer about the most important aspect for you. Maybe you’re most interested in the wow-factor or complementing your colour palette. Let the professionals help you. We can advise you on everything from which cake stand will suit your cake to where in the venue to display it.”

ANNIE BENNETT, LEADING LADY CAKES

https://leadingladycakes.co.uk

Owner of East Sussex-based Leading Lady Cakes is a trained soprano and has sung lead roles in the South East for a number of years. In fact, it’s this passion that inspired her company's name. Previously a primary teacher, Annie set up her business in 2014 and is now a full-time baker. She specialises in wedding cakes with sugar flowers and loves creating roses, lilies, peonies, poppies and a whole range of other blooms for her stunning sweet showstoppers.

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“I think that having to postpone their weddings has now made couples want to go ahead with them in style, so they’re not being subtle about their choice of bake. Multi-tiers are popular, as is the classic white cake, complete with bold floral embellishments in delicate blush tones.”

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“Do your research and find a baker whose portfolio makes your heart sing. Most professionals won’t copy other designs, so let them create something especially for you. Give them your ideas and let them craft a one-off.” Based in West Sussex Clare’s Cake Boutique was born from Clare’s love of baking with her mum as well as a request from one of her best friends to make her wedding cake 15 years ago. Now, she specialises in bespoke wedding cakes and loves nothing more than chatting to her clients and getting to know them a little, which enables her to create their dream bake for their special day. “To see the smile on someone’s face when they see one of my creations is my biggest joy,” Clare shares.

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Clare says, “This year is giving me a wide spectrum of designs from floral creations and modelling the bride and groom for their cake toppers, through to geode and metallic themes. It’s shaping up to be a fabulous year for variety.”

www.johnscofieldphotography.co.uk

TOP TIP

“Make sure the baker you choose for your wedding is a professional with insurance and registration with their local council. The last year has seen a lot of home bakers pop up, but not all of them know about the regulations and requirements needed to run a cake-making business.”

SYLIVA TIPPETT, ART OF CAKE BY SYLVIA

https://artofcakebysylvia.co.uk

Based in Hastings, Art of Cake by Sylvia has been in business for nearly a decade. Sylvia’s passion is creativity and sees herself primarily as an artist, with her canvas being cake! She has a meticulous eye for detail and her clients tell her it shows. What’s more, Sylvia has worked hard to test and tweak all of her recipes to ensure her works of art taste every bit as amazing as they look. “I love the opportunity to bring joy into a person’s life through a bespoke and personal cake. It’s such a privilege to be a part of a couple’s wedding day,” Sylvia comments.

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Sylvia says, “A romantic, boho and botanical vibe is big at the moment. Think white icing embellished with greenery, wood effects and soft florals. Metallics are also popular whether it be rose gold, copper or bronze. They can be incorporated using a lustre finish on one or more of the tiers, accents on the edges of flower petals or berries, and flecks of edible gold or silver.”

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“Be true to yourself. Think about what makes you smile and go from there. Show your cake designer your wedding mood boards complete with colour palette, flowers, attire, stationery etc. This way you’ll get a more interesting design tailored to reflect your story.”

JO STEVENS, PEEK-A-BOO CAKES

www.peek-a-boocakes.co.uk

Having founded Peek-a-boo Cakes in 2008 Jo creates all styles of cakes, cupcakes, favours and designs, but paramount for her is the flavour. “Couples often taste my cakes and decide to secure their date with me before we’ve even discussed design and cost,” she tells us. So, naturally she prides herself on that and ensures her bakes taste at least as good as they look.

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Jo says, “2021 is still in love with buttercream and florals. Cornflower blue and sage greens remain popular too, but I do have some fab cakes booked with some really creative couples that I’m looking forward to.”

TOP TIP

“Try before you buy. You need to know your big-day bake tastes fab. After all, it’s not worth a penny if no one enjoys eating it. Plus, be sure to check out your supplier for insurance, health and safety, contracts etc – it’s a must for everyone’s peace of mind.”

GEHYA BATCHELOR, CHIC WEDDING CAKES

www.facebook.com/chicweddingcakes

A disastrous experience with her own wedding bake led Gehya to night school where she learnt cake decorating, aiming to ensure others wouldn’t need to go through the same disappointment she’d encountered. It wasn’t long before she moved on to undertake further specialist training and entered British Sugarcraft Guild competitions winning gold, silver and many other awards. Keen always to work with the latest techniques, she has most recently undertaken courses in making life-like flowers, tackling perfect sharp edges and mastering the art of ganache – all popular features of modern wedding cakes.

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Gehya says, “I’m finding the rustic look is still popular, as are naked cakes. Although I still receive many enquiries for cupcake towers and three-tier bling bakes. Floral embellishment will always be popular whether they be fresh or sugar. However, certain blooms are poisonous so always check with your cake designer and florist if unsure.”

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“Please don’t leave the cake until the last minute and remember that good suppliers get booked up early. Be sure to get your name down with your preferred expert and save the date as soon as you know it.”

EMMA WICKENS, WICKYWOOWOO CAKES

www.wickywoowoocakes.co.uk

Emma strives to create not only sweet delicious cakes that are moreish, but also stylish designs that bring two people’s personalities together. She’s been designing and baking cakes since 2012 and in that time has seen many trends, colour palettes and crazy designs come and go; but at the heart of what she does is a passion to wow her customers come what may.

TREND PREDICTIONS

Emma says, “We’re seeing a rise in textured buttercream effects teamed with aromatic fresh foliage such as herbs, rosemary, lavender and citrus. Individuality is something that’s also seeing a surge.

“Ombre colour effects are a popular way of achieving a dramatic look by blending different shades and asymmetrical cakes offer a modern look, playing with offcentre or varying tier heights.”

Based in the heart of West Sussex, Carrie’s Party Cakes offers a bespoke design service for your wedding cake, to make it unmistakably perfect for your big day. Our focus is quality, and attention to detail. Your cake will be delivered on the day, fresh and delicious, to beautifully compliment your style.

WWW.CARRIESPARTYCAKES.CO.UK

07793 678187 | carrie@carriespartycakes.co.uk | @carriespartycakes

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