Designing Bespoke Wedding Cakes for Your Day

When it comes to planning your wedding, every detail matters - especially the cake! There is so much excitement in imagining a cake that not only tastes divine but also tells your unique love story. Designing a custom wedding cake is such a joyful experience, and I’m here to share everything you need to know to make your cake dreams come true. Whether you’re in the Cotswolds, London or anywhere in the world, creating a cake that’s truly you is easier than you think.

Exploring Custom Wedding Cake Designs That Reflect You

Choosing a custom wedding cake design is like painting a picture of your relationship. It’s about capturing your style, your personalities, and the vibe of your big day. From classic elegance to whimsical charm, the possibilities are endless.

Here are some ideas to get your creativity flowing:

• Floral Elegance: Think delicate edible flowers cascading down tiers, or fresh florals to complement your floral design. I can work with you to find safe options to be added to your cake.

• Modern Minimalism: Clean lines, subtle textures, and a monochrome palette for a chic, contemporary look.

• Rustic Charm: Naked or semi naked cakes with fresh berries and greenery, perfect for a countryside celebration.

• Vintage Whimsical Romance: Piped patterns that evoke timeless beauty and a little bit of fun!

  
  

When you work with a cake artist, you can mix and match these styles or add personal touches like your favourite colours, meaningful symbols, a model of your beloved pet or even a hint of your honeymoon destination. The best part? Your cake will be one of a kind, just like your love story.

How to Collaborate on Custom Wedding Cake Designs

The journey to your perfect cake starts with a conversation. I always encourage couples to bring inspiration photos, colour swatches, and even fabric samples from their wedding attire. This helps the cake designer understand your vision and style.

Here’s how to make the most of your cake consultation:

1. Share Your Story: Tell your designer about how you met, your favourite things to do together, and the overall theme of your wedding.

2. Discuss Flavours: Don’t forget the taste! Popular choices include classic vanilla, rich chocolate, zesty lemon, or even unique combinations like orange blossom and rhubarb.

3. Set Your Budget: Be upfront about your budget so the designer can suggest options that fit without compromising quality.

4. Ask Questions: From delivery logistics to dietary requirements, no question is too small.

   
   

Remember, the goal is to make the cake design process stress-free and fun. A good designer will guide you every step of the way, ensuring your cake is a highlight of your celebration.

How much is a 3 tier wedding cake from Cherish Cakes?

If you’re wondering about the cost of a 3 tier wedding cake from Cherish Cakes, it’s important to know that prices can vary widely depending on several factors. These include the size of each tier, the complexity of the design, the flavours chosen, and any special decorations like hand-painted details or vintage piping.

A 3 tier Cherish Wedding Cake can range from £500 to £1000 or more. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Basic 3 tier designs: Starting around £550, usually naked or semi naked with fresh flowers/fruits.

• Detailed 3 tier designs: £600 to £900, including more detailed piping, hand painting, or textured finishes.

• Detailed 4 tier+ designs: £1000+, including detailed designs and more tiers to serve over 150 guests.

  
  

Keep in mind that delivery and setup fees may be additional. It’s always best to get a detailed quote from your cake designer to understand exactly what’s included.

Steph Newton Photography.

Why Choose Bespoke Wedding Cakes for Your Special Day?

When it comes to creating a cake that’s as unique as your love, bespoke wedding cakes are the way to go. Working with a specialist who truly listens and crafts every detail by hand makes all the difference.

Here’s why bespoke cakes stand out:

• Personalisation: Every element is tailored to your preferences, from flavour to decoration.

• Quality Ingredients: Only the finest ingredients are used to ensure your cake tastes as amazing as it looks.

• Stress-Free Experience: Your designer handles the details, so you can focus on enjoying your day.

• Memorable Centrepiece: Your cake becomes a stunning focal point that guests will remember.

  
  

If you’re dreaming of a cake that’s not just a dessert but a work of art, bespoke wedding cakes are the perfect choice. They bring that extra sparkle to your celebration and make your wedding truly unforgettable.

Tips for Preserving Your Wedding Cake Memories

After all the excitement of your wedding day, you might want to keep a slice of your cake as a sweet memory. Here are some handy tips to preserve your cake:

• Freeze it quickly: Wrap the slice tightly in cling film and foil, then place it in an airtight container before freezing.

• Label it: Don’t forget to write the date on the container so you remember when to enjoy it.

• Thaw properly: Let the cake thaw in the fridge overnight for the best texture.

• Share the love: Consider sending slices to family members who couldn’t attend.

  
  

Preserving your cake is a lovely way to relive the joy of your wedding day, even months later.

Designing your custom wedding cake is such a special part of your celebration. It’s a chance to express your style, share your story, and delight your guests with something truly unique. I hope these tips inspire you to create a cake that’s as beautiful and delicious as your love. Remember, the perfect cake is just a conversation away!

Flowers on Wedding Cakes

Firstly, it is absolutely ok to have fresh/dried flowers on your cake which is great news as I love to make your cakes look beautiful with flowers and compliment your wedding style! It's just super important for everyone that the flowers are safe to be used on your cake and applied in a safe way.

The Food Standards Agency is bringing out new guidance for adding flowers to cakes soon.

It’s something that I have always taken into careful consideration when decorating cakes and had procedures in place to limit risk. But as it has been very much highlighted recently, I thought it would be helpful to give an overview of my process for adding flowers safely to cakes.

Hopefully this information will help couples with their decision on design and it may be useful for florists or other cake makers too.

Massive thanks to The Cake Makers Collective for sharing a really informative reel after they undertook extensive research on this subject. It's definitely worth a listen if you're a florist or cake maker too. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyWleXvs_iz/

(NB: For Cake Makers and Florists this is my personal interpretation of information that I have gathered which I'm happy to share but I am not responsible for any decisions that you make in your own business.)

Here’s the cake flower process that I follow:

When we have a call/meeting to discuss your cake I will ask how you would like it to be decorated. If you would like to have flowers that's great, there are two options.

-Fresh/dried flowers provided by your florist.

or

-Fresh/dried edible flowers provided by me through a reputable UK supplier. Here are some to inspire you!

www.nurturedinnorfolk.co.uk

www.incredible-edibleflowers.co.uk

www.pollyspetals.co.uk

Edible Flowers are non-toxic plants, grown in a food safe way without chemicals, picked and stored carefully, provided by a reputable UK supplier making them safe for food contact. If you would like me to use edible flowers I'd love to help. We can discuss colours and varieties and I will order and supply them on the day of your wedding.

Flowers provided by Florists are often chosen by couples to match their floral design on the day and it's a beautiful option. Flowers can sometimes be classed as toxic, sprayed with pesticides/chemicals, and pose a risk of contamination on your cake.  However, there are steps that I will take if you choose this option to make sure non toxic flowers are safely applied to your cake. It wouldn't be recommended for these non toxic flowers to be eaten but it would also not cause any serious harm if they were accidentally ingested. (obviously not recommended!)

On confirmation of your booking (using florists flowers) I will ask for the florist’s contact details.

When you have your consultation with your florist it’s important to mention that you would like cake flowers and that I will be in touch to discuss suitable varieties.

Nearer to the time of the wedding, (usually two weeks before) I will contact the florist to ask for a confirmed list of flowers that will be supplied for your cake. Ideally the source of the flowers should be supplied as well. I appreciate this may not always be feasible. Where possible flowers should also be grown without using chemicals.

I will then check the flower varieties to make sure they are not classed as toxic. If they are classed as toxic, I will let the florist know that I cannot use them on your cake.

So, it’s important that the florist does supply the non toxic flowers that they have listed.

I often bring along fresh rosemary or olive branch as an option for greenery as both are non toxic.

Happily, there are many flowers that can be used including roses, lisianthus, wax flower, dahlias, primula, orchids, and many more...

Even though the responsibility ultimately lies with me it really helps if the above process is followed through by the florist to avoid problems on the day of set up.

On the day of setting up your cake I ask that the florist leave the flowers loose in a jar of water on your cake table.

The flowers/foliage will again be checked for toxicity, any that are toxic will not be used.

Any flowers of poor quality will not be used to limit the risk of bacterial contamination.

Flowers will be washed to remove any foreign bodies/chemicals.

I will use a food safe wire and food safe tape to protect the stem from transferring any sap to the cake and each stem will be inserted into the cake using a food safe cake pick.

For the interest of cake makers I also complete a Cake Flower Hazard Analysis sheet with every cake so that the information is documented. (Templates can be found on the Cake Makers Collective Website. https://www.cakemakerscollective.com/collections/downloadable-resources)

And that’s how it works!

I know it seems a lot for putting flowers on cakes but it’s absolutely part of the service that I offer to make sure it’s an easy and straight forward process that is trouble free for you.

It gives you peace of mind that your cake has been decorated safely for you and your guests on the most wonderful day of your life.

Of course, we can get creative with other options for your cake design which means the flowers don't touch your cake or not use flowers at all, I'm always happy to discuss ideas...

I’m also always happy to answer questions from couples, venues, cake makers or florists so please do get in touch. I’m happy to chat all things wedding and cake!

Katherine x

Have a Merry Cherish Christmas...

With things being a little different for my business this year I have embraced the joy of Christmas baking. On a beautiful autumnal day in October I switched on the Christmas tunes, lit a delightful Christmas candle and two fab industry friends joined me to create a little Christmas magic.

I hope you enjoy some foodie Christmas inspiration. There are traditional Christmas fruit cakes, coated with marzipan and fondant icing or something a little different with my luxurious carrot cake or rich ginger cake. Or perhaps a box of salted caramel Christmas cupcakes to drop on a neighbour's door step or enjoy with a glass of bubbly.

Whether it inspires you to bake yourself or tempts you to order a Christmas treat, I love to talk cake!

If you would like to order you can do so through my website shop.

www.cherishcakes.co.uk/shop

Please do check availability prior to ordering.

Fruit cakes need to be ordered by Friday 13th November and all other orders by Friday 27th November.

Thank you to the wonderful Hannah Buckland for patiently creating all of these images. Hannah is a Wedding, family, newborn and food photographer based in Gloucestershire. www.hannahbucklandphotography.co.uk

Thank you also to the lovely Jenny Fleur who I have worked with on numerous fabulous weddings. Jenny creates wild, untamed wedding flowers, inspired by nature and the seasons. She also grows her own amazing flowers. Foliage, props and styling were provided by Jenny for this mini shoot. www.jennyfleur.co.uk

Also featuring large log slice cake stand from www.mhwoodland.co.uk and cake stands from www.propoptions.co.uk

Merry Cherish Christmas, bringing a little joy and comfort to you all...