Blog, Cakes
In this edition of the Wedding Traditions blog series, I want to look at one of the things I love to talk about the most.. Wedding Cakes!
I’m known for being a chatterbox, but once you get me started on wedding cakes, then there really is no stopping me! I love talking styles, flavours, toppers and I love bringing into vision the cake that a bride has in her head. You can take a look at the cake portfolio here >>>
So, let’s look at the history behind Wedding Cakes, why they’re such an important part of any wedding and how styles have changed in the years since Iced and Spliced by Cakey Wakey was born.
Cutting the Cake at Shottle Hall, Derbyshire
In Roman & Medieval times, Wedding Cakes were actually piles of buns, not the fabulous sugar confections we create today. They appeared to be a superstitious lot in those times, as the idea was to stack the buns as high as possible, with the Bride & Groom trying to share a kiss over the top of the tower without it falling over. If they were successful, the couple would have a prosperous life.
Knowing how tall some of the cakes I’ve been commissioned to make have been, I’m pleased this superstition isn’t observed these days, as the sets of ladders needed by the happy couple would spoil any photos!
Tall 5 tier wedding cake with sugar flowers between the tears
Roman guests were invited to break a wheat or barley cake over the Bride’s head, showering her in luck.. and crumbs…!
Medieval guests took things a little further.
They threw cake at the couple, for good luck and fertility apparently. They would then gather up as many crumbs of cake as they could to take into their own homes for some of the same good luck.
The first sweet Wedding Cake is known as Banbury Cake, which became popular in 1655
3 tier Semi Naked Wedding Cake with silk flowers at Shottle Hall, Derbyshire
In the 1800’s it became a custom to have silver or gold charms baked into the cake. These would have been rich fruit cakes at that time. Our modern love of flavoured Sponge cakes was a long way off. Each charm had its own meaning and whoever found that charm could look forward to being blessed with whatever the charm represented.
Wedding Bells were a sign of marriage.
A heart signified true love
A rocking chair foretold of a long life, while a high chair meant that children were part of that person’s future.
Thankfully, this tradition hasn’t moved into the 21st century.
Can you imagine the health and safety issues of putting something that could be easily swallowed into a cake these days…! Still a lovely sentiment that you could always think about incorporating into your day in some way.
5 tier Monochrome Wedding Cake, in a traditional style
The Victorians introduced the ‘White’ Wedding Cake.
Sugar was a very expensive commodity in those times, so the whiter the cake was, the wealthier the family would appear to their guests. This also applied to the number of tiers too. The bigger the cake, the richer the family seemed White cakes were also known as ‘Bride’s Cake’ as the colour was a symbol of her purity.
Early traditions saw the Bride cut the cake on her own too, in reference to the loss of her virginity. The cutting of the cake eventually became a two person job, to represent the couple’s first unified act.
I bet you didn’t know there was so much history around the cake. I love seeing how these traditions have passed through time and wonder what the story will be like in 100 years time, of the way we now have wedding cakes at weddings.
Wedding cake designs have changed so much over the past 25 years.
4 Tier Wedding Cake with Ruffle decoration sugar flower cascade at Osmaston Park, Derbyshire
Today’s trends
New, exciting trends have appeared over the years and new ideas still keep coming which is what makes wedding cakes so amazing to work with. Like the Cupcake Tower for instance, a style that peaked in 2017.
Cupcake Tower with Top Tier at Swancar Farm Country House Nottinghamshire
That was around the time that I introduced ruffles to my world. I’m very pleased to say that the ruffle style of decoration is still going strong. In fact an element of ruffle is being requested more and more in my cake designs, and are definitely my signature look. I love getting lost in many hours of ruffle creation!
Reveal Wedding Cake, with Superhero designs
Reveal cakes and colourful wedding cakes have played a part in the variety of wedding cake styles and they can be a lovely way to include your joint passions in one of the major elements of your wedding design.
Semi Naked wedding cakes have definitely overtaken their Naked forerunners. I’m pretty happy about that to be honest, as the Semi Naked style offers more protection to the sponges beneath. If you’d like to read more about the differences between Naked & Semi Naked wedding cakes, there’s another blog dedicated to them.. Click here to read more
I’m absolutely thrilled that traditional designs are being requested more and more.
These styles speak to my soul, and as you know if you’ve read my blogs and social media posts before, I LOVE making sugar flowers, which can sit perfectly on any cake style, but seem to be a match made in heaven for a more traditional look.
Our diary for 2022, 2023 and beyond is open, so if you’d like to check availability for your date, chat about your ideas for your wedding wish list and about your wedding cake too, then drop me an email, give me a call or message me through our social media feeds.
I love talking about all things wedding, so let’s get our heads together and start talking about how we can help you create your dream day
Love Jo x
Blog, Cakes
I wrote a blog a few months ago, all about the Naked Wedding Cake phenomenon that took over Wedding Cake designs around 2015, but I thought I’d update the hints and tips I mentioned before, as the Naked Wedding Cake idea has shifted sideways a little and I wanted to give you some fresh ideas. You can read the last blog here for some inspiration >> CLICK HERE
I am excited to say that couples are being drawn to the ‘Semi Naked’ style of Wedding Cake, which is a brilliant move in my opinion for several reasons, which I’ll explain later in this blog.
Semi Naked Wedding Cake with fresh flower arrangements at The Carriage Hall
What is the difference between Naked and Semi-Naked Wedding Cakes?
Let me explain the differences between a Naked and a Semi Naked Wedding Cake, in case you’re confused
A Naked Cake is just that…. Naked!
All of the layers are visible, the fillings and sponges are open to the elements, but that’s the beauty of the design for some couples, especially those who don’t like the taste of traditional icing.
Naked Wedding Cake at The Vicarage Boutique Hotel
A Semi Naked Wedding cake has a layer of buttercream coating to the outer surface.
The thickness of this buttercream layer can differ to meet each couple’s personal choice.Scraped back to a minimum or thicker, with some areas of the sponge beneath visible as part of the overall design, even this simplistic style has plenty of choices to think abou,t to ensure you get the best look for your style of wedding.
Semi Naked Wedding Cake with silk flowers & Moon Arch at Shottle Hall
The biggest consideration when choosing to go naked or semi-naked
There is one big thing to be aware of if you go fully naked (oh er!) and that is about how long your cake will be displayed because the longer it is out on display, the drier it will become because of the way the cake is made up. Let me explain.
As well as the visual differences, the addition of a layer of buttercream that creates the Semi Naked look has other benefits when it comes to displaying your Wedding Cake, and the final taste.
With a semi-naked cake, the buttercream coating acts like a barrier to the air. It helps to keep the moisture of the sponge where it’s most important… in the cake! By its own nature, a Naked Cake doesn’t have this protection from the elements because there is nothing covering the sponge, causing it to dry out if it’s displayed for too long, which doesn’t give the best impression when it’s eaten. With a semi-naked cake, a buttercream coating will crust, but that’s another taste sensation for your guests to enjoy really. This shouldn’t necessarily put your off having a naked cake, but it is something to be considered if you are planning on having your cake out on display for the day.
Semi Naked Wedding Cake with sugar flower arrangements & resin cake topper at The Carriage Hall
Let’s talk decorative style next
The decorative style for both Naked and Semi Naked Wedding Cakes is very much the same.
Fresh flowers always make a fabulous display on any cake, but they seem to suit the Naked & Semi Naked style wedding cakes to perfection. A full floral cascade or smaller, more delicate, perfectly placed arrangements look stunning and can be designed to match your colour scheme and bouquet choice.
Let’s talk flavours and the visual impact
One huge tip to share with you when designing your Semi Naked Wedding Cake is your flavour choices.
Let’s say you want a dark chocolate layer in your cake. The colour of the sponge would mean that you would have a dark layer in the visual look of the cake, which will have a huge impact on the way the cake looks.
Having the dark parts peeping out from under the buttercream layer also makes that sponge look burnt… not the sort of impression you want to give!
With this in mind, I like to steer my couples away from this choice, or look about how we can build it in as part of the intentional design.
But don’t worry if your dream wedding cake includes a chocolate tier, as we can always do a ‘cutting cake’ for you, which goes straight to the kitchen at your Venue, solely to be cut and served as part of your evening buffet, which is generally when the rest of your cake is offered to guests.
Semi Naked Wedding Cake with Moon Arch at The Nottinghamshire
Naked and Semi Naked cakes may look simple, as most people see that with them not having a traditional iced surface, or time consuming decorations, they don’t take long to put together.
In reality, it’s quite the opposite, as the making and construction of Naked and Semi Naked Wedding Cakes need to be very last minute to ensure that everything is fresh for you and your guests to enjoy on the day and afterwards too… if there’s any left of course!
Any fresh flowers used to decorate the cake also need to be in perfect condition, so are usually arranged as the cake is delivered and set in place. [Read the blog about using flowers on your cake here .
Thoughts of a cake designer
For me, semi-naked wins every time. I think the layer of buttercream makes the cake look more like a Wedding Cake. Whether it’s a thin smear, leaving lots of visible sponge beneath, or a thick, luscious layer, the pale coating gives the whole design a cohesive, elegant look.
I even have a magic trick that makes the buttercream whiter. By its nature, buttercream has a yellow tinge to it, which isn’t the best background for a lot of colours, so it’s possible to tone this outer layer down, giving a whiteness to the coating and a more pleasing finish to your Wedding Cake.
Buttercream coated Wedding Cake with sugar flower cascade
My last blog described the difference between using fresh, silk or sugar flowers on Wedding Cakes, which will hopefully help you with the decoration options available to you. http://www.icedandspliced.com/flowersonyourweddingcake/
But I’m always happy to chat through ideas and make suggestions that will result in you having the Wedding Cake you’ve always dreamed of
Drop me an email, or a message through social media, whichever is easier for you. I’m here to help in any way I can.
Jo
x
Blog, Cakes
Should I have Sugar Flowers or Fresh Flowers on my Wedding Cake?
Flowers often play such a big part of a wedding, with the beautiful textures, colour tones and fragrance they add to the day. Using the same flowers and colours throughout your entire wedding gives the whole day a cohesive, well planned elegance. And the flowers you use for your wedding help create a lasting memory, when you see them or smell them years down the line you are reminded of your wedding day. I adore flowers and often have a fresh vase of them in my home.
In the blog today I wanted to talk about using wedding flowers on your wedding cake, looking at the impact flowers have on your Wedding Cake design and the options available to you.
Split wedding cake with silk flowers at Shottle Hall
Using Fresh Flowers to dress your Wedding Cake
Using fresh flowers on your Wedding Cake allows your Florist and Cake Designer to work as a team, making sure that all flowers match perfectly.
Bouquets to buttonholes, table centre to floral arrangements or cascades for your cake, the same shades and shapes create a polished, cohesive finish and this adds to the flow of your day.
There are some things to consider when using fresh flowers on your cake.
As a lot of flowers aren’t edible, with some even being poisonous, so you have to be very careful with your floral decorations when it comes to them coming into contact with the cake itself.
There is specialist equipment that cake designers can use to make sure no sap or petals touch any part of the cake surface, without affecting the scrummy taste of the cake, so ask your cake maker how they’d resolve the problem, keeping your Wedding Cake 100% safe. We have used this with couples where they are set on the flowers they want on the cake.
Semi Naked wedding cake with fresh flower cascade at The Nottinghamshire
From my many years (I am not revealing my age here…) of experience, florists can be a little nervous of dressing wedding cakes for fear that they will dislodge a tier or have some minor (or major) disaster! So when I work with a couple who do want to use fresh flowers, I will always try to position the flowers myself, with the style that the couple are looking for in mind. This makes everyone less nervous (me included!).
I know how the cake is constructed, the correct items to use to prevent contamination, but most importantly, I’ve worked on the cake design with that couple and know exactly what they have envisaged their dream Wedding Cake to look like.
Close up of sugar roses & foliage at The Nottinghamshire
Let’s talk about sugar flowers – my love language!
Sugar Flowers are my passion. Even after 25 years of making them, I’m still learning new techniques and ways to make them look as realistic as possible. The results are just amazing!
By their nature, they’re edible, although sugar flowers can have some wires or hidden centre to create the correct dimensions and shapes, but there’s never any poisonous sap to worry about.
Sugar flowers can take hours to make and a lot of skill.
From cutting, shaping and drying the petals, to dusting them to create depth and textures of the real thing, the intricacies of a flower are time consuming, but so worth the effort. I can really get lost in my sugar flower world when I am making them. It is intense work!
4 tier wedding cake with sugar flower cascade & fresh flower cushion at Osmaston Park
If I’m making sugar flowers to match real flowers used elsewhere in your wedding, I like to liaise with your Florist, so I can get a comprehensive list of all of the flowers, foliage and colours they plan to use and make sure that the edible versions match those in your bouquet and other major parts of your Bridal flowers as much as possible. This little bit of extra effort from me, really adds extra wow to your day.
If there are any last minute hitches with getting the fresh flowers originally planned, having sugar flowers that would have matched your ideal flower means that you still get to have them at your wedding – just edible instead!
Everything in your wedding can be planned like a military operation, but every now and then the fresh flowers arrive and aren’t the shade expected.
It’s no one’s fault. Flowers are a natural thing and although a specific shade is asked for, the flowers may not develop the expected intensity or size.
There has also been the odd occasion where a particular bloom isn’t even available on the date they’re ordered for, due to problems with growers, the weather or not arriving with your Florist in tip top condition.
Cupcake tower with fresh & sugar flowers at Swancar Farm
As a Sugar Artist, I know the delicacy of the flowers I make, so I often leave their construction until a few days before the wedding, during the final stages of the Wedding Cake’s creation.
This allows me to position the flowers while their petals are still slightly pliable, avoiding breakages as the petals are thin and fragile. It also allows the arrangement to dry naturally in place, creating a realisticflow.
But the main benefit of my working in this way means that it allows me to touch base with your Florist to check that the planned flowers and shades are still on track, or if any little changes need to be made as a flower has had to be swapped to an alternative at the eleventh hour. Only if you want it to be of course.
Top Tips from a Wedding Cake designer
If fresh flowers are the direction you want to use for your wedding cake, I’d always recommend giving your Florist the image that your cake design is based around. That way they know exactly what your end goal is and how many flowers they need to quote you for and have available for your cake designer on the day, so your cake vision is waiting for you as you enter your Wedding Breakfast room.
Asking for ‘Some flowers for the cake’ won’t give you what you are looking for and your florist will be unsure as to how many you need. Flowers for a cake that will serve 30 people will be much different to a cake that serves 90.
I know from experience that having three flowers and a couple of sprigs of leaves isn’t going to create the dramatic cascade you may have in your vision.
Blush Pink ruffle wedding cake, with sugar flower cascade at Swancar Farm
Your cake designer will have their own portfolio of images to wow you with, giving you options they have worked on in the past for real flowers and sugar flowers so have that conversation with them to get what works for you. or
As a sugar artist, I will admit that I do a happy dance each time a couple ask me to create the flowers for their wedding cake in sugar.
But I’m also very happy to work with silk or fresh flowers too, as it’s your cake and your style I’m here to create for you.
Naked wedding cake with fresh flowers at Shottle Hall
Naked wedding cake with sugar flowers at Swancar Farm
So, if you have any questions you’d like to ask or want to find out more about what I do and how I can help you create your dream wedding, please feel free to ask
Get in touch and let’s have a chat >>> http://www.icedandspliced.com/contact/
Blog, Cakes
Love is sweet, so take a treat.. Or maybe a Cake Pop?
Some words of love from me to you today if you have been affected in any way by Covid-19 and if you have had to move your wedding date. It is an emotional time right now and having to change plans can be stressful but never lose sight that you will marry the love of your life when the time is right and your love for each other won’t change, even if your date has to.
Let’s lift the spirits and talk about my favourite thing – something yummy! Perhaps this will get you thinking about how you can improve the plans you already have in place, of what you can add if your budget will stretch that little bit further now you’ve more time to look at options.
Purple Cake Pops and Sweet Table at Shottle Hall
Sweet Treats with our beautiful Candy Pantry
Offering your guests a sweet treat doesn’t have to involve a cart. A simple table full of colour coordinated sugary goodness is as much of a feast for the eyes (and the tummy!).
Our ‘Candy Pantry’ table service is designed to offer more than just cola bottles and strawberry laces in jars. We can dress the area in line with your venue style, options include beautiful silver containers, champagne buckets and vintage style steps to display your perfect combination of sweet treats! What is your childhood favourite? What can you not resist? These are always good choices! We have an extensive sweet list, supplemented with dessert style extras, including, mini doughnuts and pop corn for those with a more savoury tooth!
Designed around your own colour palette, with the addition of our unique mini cupcakes and colour coordinated cake pops, the Candy Pantry is so much more than a table of sweets. It can be truly customised and designed to your requirements, making it a really flexible way to add some more yummy treats and personalisation to your day.
Crystal Cupcake stand with Mini Cupcakes as part of a Candy Pan…lham House Hotel
Cake Pops for your favours
Another way to add some yummy gorgeousness to your day is to have sweet treats as your favours. How about Cake Pops! Something for your guests to devour during speeches, or to cure those midnight hunger pangs in the cab home after a night of celebrating at your Reception?
Colour coordinated to your scheme the options can be totally designed to your requirements. Perhaps chocolate covered or sprinkles for the sugary crunch! They’re a lovely way to add some colour to your place setting and look gorgeous in photographs. Your photographer will love snapping these little details.
A few ideas – A Cake Pop favour dusted with edible Rose Gold at Colwick Hall and a Silver sprinkle Cake Pop with matching name on Blush Runner.
Pink Cake Pop with Navy ribbon at each place setting at Shottle Hall
They can also double up as place cards!
Your cake pops can even have a small tag attached to the ribbon that we use to secure them in their tiny cellophane bags (colour coordinated of course), so the pops become a Place Card as well as a favour. The Cake Pops are such a versatile addition to any table.
As a favour, as part of a full sweet table, or as a styled Dessert Table arranged around your cake, they’re sure to make your guests drool.
Wedding Cake & Dessert Table display at The Folly at The Farmhouse
Not just for the kids!
If you’re considering having a sweet display, but don’t think it will be visited much as you aren’t inviting that many children to your wedding… stop right there.
It’s not the kids who go mad for the sugar rush… it’s the adults!
When was the last time you bought some cola cubes for yourselves? Or whatever you childhood favourite was (chocolate limes for me)!
The aftermath of a Candy Pantry is a joy to behold. Finding empty buckets, or a stray marshmallow randomly cast aside is a sign that everyone enjoyed the treats to the maximum.
My job is complete and all who saw it enjoyed it too.
I also like to think of the pictures your photographer will be able to capture – Granny looking cheeky sneaking another marshmallow!
Some examples of Simple Cake Pop displays – the options are endless!
I hope the images attached have got your mind whirling with possibilities. If you’d like more information about our Candy Pantry or Cake Pop favours, then please do drop us a note here http://www.icedandspliced.com/contact/ and I can send you some more information and we can look at options in a style that would fit perfectly with your day.
If you have any questions at all right now then please do reach out. We are here for you.
With love
Blog, Cakes, Chair Covers, Venue Styling
Finding your Wedding Style…The Series…. RUSTIC
The Rustic wedding style has been one that has been around for a while and instantly brings up images of wood, string, lace & Gypsophila in little jam jars. But there is so much more you can do with the style so I thought I would give you some ideas of how you can do Rustic in a different way.
Wedding Chair Styling
How you dress your chairs for a Rustic themed Wedding effectively comes down to the style of chairs used by your venue. The style of chair should always be considered before choosing your chair coverings.
Chivari, Cross-back & Cheltenham chairs are lovely left untouched, but can benefit from a little styling, which brings another dimension to your ceremony and Wedding Breakfast and there are many different ways they can be dressed (take a look at our Instagram account or our portfolio for some ideas)
A hint of lace, pure Hessian or the new coloured Hessian are a lovely way to add a dash of colour to your setting, while keeping true to your Rustic aesthetic.
If your venue’s chairs are in need of covers, the inclusion of a Rustic style sash brings your theme right back to the forefront, just like the pictures below
The Rustic Wedding Cake
This is obviously my favourite part.. I could waffle on for pages about the options available on how to bring your Rustic vibe through to your cake.
The full Naked Cake is the first born in the Rustic cake world. Oozing with fruit of flowers…or both…this is the opittamy of the Rustic ethos. (Read the blog post here)
However, the favourite child of most Rustic lead couples appears to be the Semi Naked style, which features the simple lines of the Naked cake, but is more forgiving when it comes to being on display. The same floral or fruit based decorations can be used on a Semi Naked cake, so you have the best of both worlds.
If the idea of a Naked or Semi Naked cake makes you squirm, but the thought of an iced cake fills you with the same dread, then the Buttercream coated style could be the one for you. Not as traditional as an iced cake, but with a more ‘finished’ look, the Buttercream dressed cake is ideal, as it can still be dressed with flowers, to bring the natural nature of the Rustic theme to your cake and can be another link between your flowers, your cake and your venue. Our Moon Arch cake backdrop is the perfect accompaniment to any cake style, but it sits especially well with a Rustic themed wedding when dressed with fresh or faux foliage & flowers to match those in your wedding scheme.
Obviously any good marriage is built on a foundation of compromise, so if you want the all natural, but your partner is all about the icing…. Have both!
An iced layer, with Semi Naked upper tiers is a marriage made in heaven & keeps all parties happy
Table Decorations for your Wedding Venue
The simplest way to achieve a Rustic look for your tables is to collect, or buy, pretty glass jars, readily available from popular high street shops or online. Filling them with posies of flowers, sprays of Gypsophila or candles and putting them in groups gives a balance to the centre piece, allowing some element of DIY to the planning of your day.
Set on log slices, decorated with lace, string, or a simple paint effect, this is the ultimate in the Rustic look. Using brown kraft paper luggage labels as place cards & table stationery just adds to the detailing.
If you’re looking for something with a little more polish and a lot less wood, changing the jars to glass cylinders with floating candles, single architectural blooms and a mirror in place of the log slice, gives an elegant twist to the simplistic style.
Sparkle can also play a role in any Wedding, even one with a Rustic heart. We lovingly call this style of Rustic, with a hint of bling, “Glamourous Woodland”, as it has a theme based in nature, but with an element of all things shiny.
Crystal mixed with wooden accents, luscious florals and textural foliage brings the woodland inside, channeling your inner Will & Kate.
Table Runners & Top Table Dressings
Having table runners on guest tables and some form of dressing on the Top table, helps to break up vast expanses of white cloth on the tables, but also adds another layer of texture to the room.
Rustic runners can be purely Hessian, or finished with lace for softness, while using the same coloured Hessian as on the chairs brings a pop of colour to the tables and helps to lift the table centres too. The effect of this look can be stunning when the combination is right.
Your Top table shouldn’t be overlooked when styling your Wedding Breakfast, as it gives a cohesive look to the room and it is also a focus for your photographer – there will be many photos of you sitting at the top table so you want it to look good.
Options would be bunting, which drapes across the front of the table, centred where the Happy Couple sit. Generic bunting is available and relatively cheap, although a bespoke piece can be purchased from companies offering a printing service, which adds a special personalisation to the dressing. This is something that you can use again and again, getting out as decoration for your anniversary and special family occasions!
The same style of runners used on the guest tables can be used to decorate the front edge of the Top table, as a background for any floral pieces.
However, this style doesn’t disguise the table linen that well so it is worth considering what overall look you are after.
If lace features in your wedding aesthetic, a full lace swag to dress the Top table adds a softness to the dressing. Hessian swagging doesn’t look great if I’m honest, definitely one to avoid.
Additional Decor ideas for your wedding
I’m often asked by lots of couples if I think they’ve ‘missed’ anything in making their venue look its best.
One of the things I always mention to my couples to take any wedding to the next level, includes SIGNAGE. Wedding Signage is a lovely way to welcome guests to your day, giving them an idea of the timings so they know when they can expect to eat (no one likes a ‘hangry’ guest), where you’d like them to sit and also a way to include people who, for whatever reason, are unable to join you on your special day. Again, your signage is an item that you can keep and treasure forever as a memory of your wedding day.
For a Rustic wedding, wooden signs with foliage, crates for table plans (so many options here too) and extra candle holders or pots of flowers in areas that are used for the wedding, but aren’t necessarily key areas, are all small, but effective detailing that your guests will love. These small details all add up to bring your wedding together and also make beautiful spots for your photographer to snap. These little corners of your day are memories that can easily be forgotten but as soon as you see the picture, it brings it all back.
Top tips & hints
Some words of advice to help you avoid the pitfalls of the Rustic style wedding would be:
1.Try to keep the ‘we’re collecting jars’ to a small circle of family & friends, or you could end up with more jars than Sainsbury’s. This also relates to the new trend of using your favourite tipple as centerpieces. You may like Gin or Jack, but unless you want the recycling centre to think you’ve got a major problem, keep the shout out for saving unusual bottles low key.
2. The use of Gypsophila in weddings is HUGE! From table centres to Bridesmaids bouquets & buttonholes, it seems a relatively cheap way to bring flowers into your wedding. But… achieving the fullness of a Gypsophila bouquet or posy for filling jars is quite a skill, so my advice would be to ask a professional florist to tackle these for you. They have access to the freshest, best quality blooms too & have the knowledge to make this simple style look a million dollars.
My final word of advice would be to not get overwhelmed by all of this! Reach out to your suppliers to how they can bring to life what you have in your head and if you need someone to help you get it out of your head and into real life, why not book a consultation with us and we can help you bring together the ideas into something that will work for your wedding and your budget.
BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION or GET A QUOTE
Cakes
Finding your Wedding Style… The Series
For the past couple of months I’ve been giving you hints and tips on the various elements of planning and designing your wedding day, but I thought it would be a good idea to delve into how you would arrive at the style and theme for your day & the ways to achieve it, while giving the entire wedding a cohesive look and feel.
Encompassing everything from your colours & flowers to the cake & chair dressings, even your props, favours & venue styling, there is so much to look at, which is why I decided a series of blogs would be the best way to attack such a broad subject.
Let’s start with the basics… your Venue.
Most of the time you’re drawn to the Venue you book for your wedding because of the look & vibe. It’s important to choose somewhere that makes you both happy to be in, as some of your most treasured memories will be created in this space. Obviously, cost is a huge consideration in your choice, but let’s look at style as a stand-alone subject for the moment, as it’s always possible to produce your dream wedding style in any location.
Some venue types lend themselves easily to a particular theme & style, so let’s get down to the nitty gritty.
What styles are there?
Rustic
As soon as the words ‘Rustic’ are uttered, it’s usual to visualise log slices, jam jars of Gypsophila, naked cakes & bunting. But you don’t have to pigeon hole yourself in the lace & string department. Rustic can mean so much more.
By adding texture & hints of luxury, you can cross into what I lovingly refer to as ‘Glamourous Woodland’, where the flowers are wild & full, the accents are more refined & the whole room feels like the countryside inside.
The Rustic style is most suited to Barn style venues, as well as Tipi shaped or the normal style marquees.
Traditional
A traditional wedding style is centred around elegance, luxurious fabrics & classical touches. Elaborate floral centrepieces, ethereal drapes, iced cakes with lots of tiers just ooze the opulence a traditional wedding calls for. Suited to country house venues, with high ceilings & large windows, but transfers easily to elegant marquees, like the new ‘Clear Span’ styles that are becoming increasingly popular
Contemporary
This style covers so many ideas, but especially the trend for metal props mixed with fabric & flowers. Geometric patterns & shapes, copper or gold accents & terrarium containers fit perfectly into this genre.
If you are a fashionista, following the latest trends on Social Media & Pinterest, this style should be something to consider, as it’s bang on trend, whatever the new trend turns out to be at the time you’re planning your wedding.
Using foliage to soften hard edges gives the contemporary style plenty of scope for any type of venue.
Boho/Off Beat
Your wedding style should reflect both of your personalities & who you are as a couple, so if you don’t fit into a specific box with your lifestyle choices, let your own unique style shine through on your wedding day too.
Festival styling, floral crowns & a laid back feel to your day suits outdoor ceremonies, with wigwam style marquee receptions & relaxed catering.
Almost a Rustic theme, but with unique, more colourful touches, the Boho & OffBeat couple bring a special uniqueness to the occasion.
Films/Characters
There’s no escaping the advent of the truly ‘themed’ wedding. Lots of couples have a shared love of specific films, characters & franchises.
That love can spill into your wedding in lots of ways. From full bore Disney Princess mode, to the tiny hint of Marvel or DC (or beloved football team) a Bride will allow her partner to slip into the day, it’s your day, so celebrate what you love while celebrating your love for each other.
If your date is May 4th, then Star Wars the hell out of it. It is expected after all.
Tone the theme down by hiding references to your favourite films among the flowers, or as favours for each guest. It’s a brilliant ice breaker for people who are meeting for the first time at your wedding, as they’ll either know what the items mean, or will be taught all about the theme by the guests who do get your quirkiness
There’s nothing to stop you from blending any of the above styles, that’s the joy of it being your wedding, YOU get to pick!
Style is very personal. It’s something that you both should agree on, as it’s the first major event you host as a couple. Shared interests can easily be accommodated in your theming, even if it’s just a design element on your cake. Bringing your ‘youness’ to your wedding makes the planning even more enjoyable as it’s the little things that your guests won’t expect that makes your wedding day memorable for all who experience it.
The #icedandsplicedexperience has been developed to enable couples to speak to one key person who is able to supply several essential services needed for a wedding, but more importantly it allows the couple to unload their ideas onto the one person who can help them bring all the elements together, to perfectly reflect who they are as a couple ,weaving a thread throughout the style & theme, giving the entire day the consistency & cohesion your wedding day deserves.
The next blog will focus on one of the above styles, looking at different ways to achieve that look, hints & tips on what’s possible & how to thread the theme from your gown & suits to the cake, table dressings & every little piece that can make your day even more magical & memorable
See you in the next blog
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