Cherry Blossom Cakes, Devon

Tiered or single-storey, fruit or sponge, formal or fun… with so much to choose from, deciding on a cake can be a daunting task. We ask four designers to explain the process to help you make the right choice

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Yvonne Lister from Cherry Blossom Cakes, Devon

How do you decide on a style of cake, or a theme?

It’s important to find out what’s important to the couple, any ideas they have for their cake, what their colours, theme and flowers are for their wedding. The initial consultation is my chance to make sure that I can translate their wishes into a beautiful wedding cake. The style is usually determined by the theme of the wedding – classic roses, pearls and lace or funky cows! The possibilities are endless. Venue, dress, colours, flowers, hobbies – anything can decide the style of a cake.

What is your particular area of expertise?

I do love the classic tier cake with a ‘less is more’ attitude. Not that it means less work or easier work – quite the opposite! But I think that one perfect sugar rose screams beauty! However, it all depends on the structure and a ‘busy’ cake with organised structure looks amazing. What different options are there? Anything from bespoke cupcakes, traditional tiered cakes, wonky cakes, mini individual cakes and also wedding cookies (as favours or as place cards).

What are couples choosing at the moment? Cupcakes are still a firm favourite. Traditional tiered cakes are making a comeback but with a bit more personality. As a filling, Deluxe Belgian Mud Cake is very popular. How long do cakes stay fresh? Sponge cakes, because I bake the cake two days before, can last up to 5-7 days. Fruit cakes, because they are laced with brandy, can last for years (but clients need to add a bit of brandy now and again).

What is the most unusual cake you have made?

A lovely couple asked me to make a cake that was wonky and ‘cow-licious’. Husband-to-be was a dairy farmer and the bride wanted to incorporate that. When they cut into the cake, the sponge and butter cream were all different colours! It was an absolute joy to make – a really personal and unique cake.

07921 377542 www.cherryblossom-cakes.co.uk

Donna Mears from Ritzy Roses Cake Craft, Cornwall

How do you decide on a style of cake, or a theme?

We have an initial meeting to discuss ideas, designs and flavours to suit the budget of the bride and groom, and to ensure that the wedding cake provides the focal centrepiece of the reception. The design should reflect the personalities of the bride and groom and draw together the details of the wedding. This may include hobbies and interests of the happy couple, wedding dress, flowers, colour scheme of the bridesmaids’ dresses, pearls/diamante, etc.

What is your particular area of expertise?

My talents lie with the superior skills associated with royal icing. This may be a royal icing-coated cake, with elegant embroidery work matching that of the wedding dress plus oriental string work, or perhaps a sugar paste-covered cake with a skirt of extension work and delicate lace piping.

What different options are there?

A combination of different flavoured tiers to suit all of the guests’ tastes, from the traditional dark fruit, tropical fruit, carrot, ginger, and various flavoured sponges, either royal iced, sugar paste or chocolate-covered.

What are couples choosing at the moment?

Cupcakes are still very much in demand. Most brides prefer something ‘simple and elegant’. Royal iced cakes are also starting to make a comeback. My most popular filling is traditional raspberry jam and buttercream.

How long do cakes stay fresh?

Sponge wedding cakes can only be assembled 48 hours before the wedding and any leftovers need to be consumed within four or five days if buttercream-filled. Ganache-filled cakes need to be eaten on the day. Whereas the tropical fruit cake, made one month prior to the wedding, would keep for two-three weeks afterwards. A traditional dark fruit cake needs three months to mature, and would last sometime after the wedding (traditionalists would keep the top tier of a dark fruit cake in readiness for a christening cake).

What is the most unusual cake you have made?

A two-tier cake, with the top tier decorated as a bed with an eagerly awaiting bride, and the bottom tier with a ‘passed out’ drunken groom on it. I’m still waiting for a really wacky, way-out design. I am only limited by your imagination!

01579 344993 www.ritzyroses.com

Rachel Bowering from Sweet Satisfaction, Devon

How do you decide on a style of cake, or a theme?

The consultation with the bride and groom is one of the most important aspects of creating a cake for that special day. We find out what their ideas are and how we can bring these to life in a cake that will fulfil their requirements. The style and theme of the cake will depend on many factors, including colour scheme, type of reception and the venue, and whether part of the cake is to be kept after the reception, and even the time of year.

What is your particular area of expertise?

We produce many different styles of celebration cakes, from wonky cakes to traditional fruit cakes with spectacular sugar craft flowers. We have won several awards for our cakes and are limited only by our imagination!

What different options are there?

We can produce traditional fruit and sponge cakes. The sponge cakes can be made in either chocolate or vanilla and can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes ranging from small individual ganache-covered cakes to larger tiered square or round cakes. We also produce cupcake towers. Cakes can be covered in soft fondant icing, traditional royal or chocolate ganaches. Decoration can be contemporary or sprays of sugar craft flowers.

What are couples choosing at the moment?

Chocolate cakes and polka dot finishes seem to be the hot trend of the season. At the moment, our most popular filling is our delicious chocolate ganache.

How long do cakes stay fresh?

Traditional fruit cakes will last up to a year if stored correctly. The sponge cakes will last up to a week, depending on the filling. What is the most unusual cake you have made? A full-on ski scene, including ski run, chalet and ski lift!

01404 831158 www.sweetsatisfaction.net

Tina Bishop from Tina’s Celebration Cakes, Cornwall

How do you decide on a style of cake, or a theme?

We start with an appointment to discuss individual requirements, and to advise on flowers, colours and style. The style of cake is usually decided by matching to something that inspires the couple – perhaps a monogram from their invitations, a swatch of lace from the dress or a match to the flowers.

What is your particular area of expertise?

My cakes are very spring-like, with flowers and hand-modelled figures.

What different options are there?

There are many options, including cupcakes, tiered cakes, mini wedding cakes or something really different such as a beach scene or underwater theme.

What are couples choosing at the moment?

There are many beach themed-cakes, as well as tiered cakes. The most popular filling is strawberry and vanilla cream.

How long do cakes stay fresh?

Fruit cakes last for six months; sponges for ten days. What is the most unusual cake you have made? A woodland-themed wedding cake.

01637 873361 www.tinas-celebration-cakes.info ¤