I love a good story and today I thought I would share with you the story of us. Iced and Spliced and how we have grown and developed over the many years that we have been in this beautiful wedding industry. I love hearing the love stories of our couples, it is often the first question I ask at a consultation, so I thought you may want to know the love story of us.
We’ll always been known as Cakey Wakey by a lot of people, as that’s where it all began, all those years ago. I love all the .
affectionate twists to that name by industry friends. “Cake of the Wake” is one of my personal favourites *our surname is WAKEfield in case you missed it*.
But as the ‘Cakey’ part of the name only seemed to link our business to cakes, as the business transformed over time, we just knew we had to add another dimension to our name and brand.
On a super practical note, there was also another company elsewhere in the UK with the same name, so helping couples find who they were looking for, in the right area, was essential too and it is important for us to be unique and individual.
Images of wedding styling, including a wedding cake at Shottle Hall, Derbyshire
After lots of names, ideas and thoughts we had whilst having coffee (and perhaps a few gins) we eventually came up with Iced and Spliced, as that put everything we do neatly under one umbrella.
But we didn’t want to lose the Cakey Wakey element we’d built our reputation on, so Iced and Spliced by Cakey Wakey was born.
There is still some confusion over our revamped name though.
Is it Spiced? Or Spliced?
What does ‘Spliced’ even mean?
So, let me try to explain the reasoning behind it all and how it all fits as part of our love story for the brand we have built and the work we love doing.
‘Iced’ refers to the icing on the cake.. pretty on the money really, don’t you think?
Everything began 26 years ago because of one wedding cake.. Our own!
At that time, I couldn’t find anyone who was prepared (or able) to tackle the sugar flower work I wanted to have included on our wedding cake.So, as part of our wedding day, all those years ago, I set out to do exactly what we wanted and created my whopper of a cake. And also ended up creating a company, a brand, a life that I am very proud of. Iced and Spliced by Cakey Wakey!
One of the first wedding cakes by Cakey Wakey before becoming Iced & Spliced by Cakey Wakey
‘Spliced’ is the joining or intertwining of similar materials, ‘splicing’ them together to form one piece. Just like a marriage really. This also links beautifully with the work that we do – we bring together so many elements of the wedding day for our couples. From the cars, to the cakes, to the styling to all the decor and items in between.
The term also reminds me of the saying ‘tying the knot’, which is a really old, Celtic tradition of literally binding the couple together in matrimony by using knots of cloth tied around their hands. This is also known as a Handfasting ceremony, which really was where two became one.
Fun fact : They also say that rain on your wedding day is good luck, as a wet knot is harder to undo
The word Spliced is pretty old, but with it having that connection to marriage, we thought the two words went together well, and described what we do perfectly.
Chair covers & other wedding styling at Sutton Bonington Hall, Leicestershire
‘Cakey Wakey’… well, that’s just Pete and I. He’s the Wakey to my Cakey after all.
Having been part of the wedding industry for over 25 years, our style has changed and developed along with wedding trends over those years
It’s actually our 26th Wedding Anniversary this week, so we must be doing something right! Can you see why I am feeling all gooey about the love story of our business? A business and a brand that we are so proud to have built together. That we are so proud to be able to give our couples the Iced and Spliced Experience that is unique to us and really delivered with love to our couples. We have been in the industry for 25 years and we are not going anywhere!
Pete & Jo from Iced and Spliced by Cakey Wakey on their own wedding day
Our logo and branding has morphed during that time too.
I’ll admit that in the beginning, we went with what we liked for colours, trying to be different, but looking back at those now, they were pretty sketchy!
The first design to implement the new name was pretty, but still didn’t make me smile when I looked at it. I was very lucky to be introduced to a lovely lady, who is now not only my business mentor and guru, but has become a very dear friend.
With her insight into the industry and numerous chats about what we wanted to achieve, what the look and feel we wanted to portray was and how best to connect and resonate with our couples, she helped us develop the branding we present to the world today.
I love the colour palette, the fonts and the elegant look we now have. Emma always says that you should feel proud and confident when you direct potential clients to your online persona and I’m thrilled to say that I feel that way whenever we hand over a business card or brochure at a show (if we can remember those), or if I put a link to our website into a message from a beautiful bride-to-be on social media.
She’s dragged me kicking and screaming into writing blogs too. To start with, it was an uphill battle. What could I possibly write that people would find interesting or want to read about? Turns out, it’s quite a lot
I now love writing about the things I think will help you navigate their wedding planning journey, while showing my own expertise at the same time. I could talk wedding, cakes, decor and all the things for hours and hours and hours…!
We’re still moving with the times, keeping on top of current trends, colours and new ideas for themes and styling, so our business will continue to grow as we move forwards with the small steps that will allow weddings to take place again post pandemic and I am excited to see what the next new trend will be and how we can incorporate it into the styling we have become known for.
The #icedandsplicedexperience is designed to suit each couple on their own terms.
There’s no ‘cookie cutter’ weddings with us. Each wedding is as unique as your own love stories and now I have told you ours, I cannot wait to hear yours.
If you’d like more information about how we can help you to create your own dream wedding, please drop me an email, or message through any of our social media feeds. I like to make things as easy for you as possible.
Full styling for a wedding ceremony at The Nottinghamshire Golf & Country Club
With love
Jo
x
