Wedding cakes
Wedding cakes are as much a traditional part of weddings as the bride being late and the best man fluffing his speech. Ceremonies just wouldn't be the same without the slicing of the cake. But what exactly are wedding cakes, and what is their role in the big day? How do you figure out how much you should spend? Which wedding cakes are the best?
We could go on forever! There are many questions you will have when you start to think about wedding cakes. But rather than us telling you what you should and shouldn't do, we thought it would be best if you heard it from a genuine specialist...
The expert's view
When it comes to making cakes, May Clee-Cadman is certainly qualified as a cake-connoisseur - she's been baking edible creations for the stars for years.
Making cakes has been May's passion for a long time (not that we're saying she's old by the way!), and she's made over 1000 cakes in her (short) lifetime so far - we'd say that makes her pretty well qualified!
It was in 2003 that May founded her cake company Maisie Fantasie. Since then she's made cakes for all manners of important events: the Great Ormond Street 150th Birthday celebration; the NSPCC's 10th Anniversary; and most recently she created all the cakes for the new British comedy feature-film 'Confetti', due for nationwide release in cinemas on 5th May this year.
So May, you worked on 'Confetti' - how many cakes did you make for the film?
"I made three wedding cakes, one for each couple - tennis-themed, Hollywood, and Naturist (don't ask!). I had to make two extra top tiers per cake in case they needed to take the cake-shot again! The whole film was improvised and along with the actors, they had real people in the scenes. I had a days filming with the tennis couple regarding their cake design. It was a very funny day. Very surreal!"
Must be very tough mixing with the stars... But let's get back to mixing cakes! In your eyes, what is it that makes wedding cakes so special?
"Wedding cakes are so steeped in tradition that it would seem odd not to have a wedding cake at your reception. The wedding cake isn't only beautiful, but it is also an event. Along with the first dance and the honeymoon, the cutting of the cake is one of the first things newly-weds do together. It's very symbolic."
Indeed, wedding cakes are a vital part of the wedding - so do you have any particular advice for couples when they are sorting out their cake?
"Not just for wedding cakes - for every element of their wedding - they should choose what they want, and not be influenced by others tastes. If they want a pink polka dot cake, they should have it! It's also important to sample the wedding cake before you choose a supplier. Ask for a tasting or for a sample to be sent in the post. The cake should not only look great on the outside, it should also taste fantastic!"
What is the most traditional type of wedding cake then?
"Of course the fruitcake is still the most traditional of wedding cakes to choose, but not many people take that option these days. Although, having said that, it is still traditional to have the top tier of the wedding cake as a fruitcake that is kept for the first anniversary or christening. The most popular wedding cakes I make are chocolate fudge cake, a classic vanilla sponge with jam and butter cream, a zesty lemon cake, and carrot cake."
So are most people turning to the dark side and going with chocolate wedding cakes?
"It is becoming more and more popular. It's actually become popular for people to double up their wedding cake as a dessert - therefore they are choosing cakes that can be served with cream, ice cream or a fruit coulee. Most sponge cakes are very happy with this accompaniment!"
How long does it actually take to make a cake?
"For a wedding on a Saturday, I start making the cakes on the Monday and they are finished by Friday. Sugar flowers need to dry, icing needs to set. Each stage requires a little time before moving on."
Wedding cakes can often seem so expensive, but actually, worked out on a per person basis, they can be quite cheap, can't they?
"They may seem expensive, but a lot of work goes into making a wedding cake. A three-tier cake feeding approx 150 guests, costing £665 works out at approximately £4.40 per slice. People perhaps do forget that the cake does feed the entire wedding party!"
How flexible can designers be in terms of the size of the cake?
"Wedding cakes can be made in any size. If it is a small wedding, but a large cake is wanted to display, dummy polystyrene tiers can be used to give the cake more height. Or if you are having a large wedding but want a smaller cake, a backroom cutting cake can be provided that is given straight to the caterers to cut up and serve with the main wedding cake. This idea also helps if you have a tight budget as the backroom cakes are cheaper than adding another tier to the wedding cake. All sizes and shapes are flexible."
Can people go cheap and still get a decent enough cake?
"If couples are on a tight budget, this doesn't mean they can't have a beautiful cake. A simply iced cake decorated with fresh flowers is a great way of cutting the cost of the wedding cake. Using fresh flowers on the cake is also a lovely way of tying all the elements of the wedding together. Be sure to check with your florist that the flowers you are using are suitable for cake decoration."
And finally, what's your personal favourite to make?
"My favourites change regularly! My favourite at the moment is 'Audrey' - an ivory cake decorated with chocolate brown polka dots and pale pink sugar bows. Lovely!!"
You can find out more about Maisie Fantasie at www.maisiefantaisie.co.uk
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