Let Them Eat Cake

I love cake, we all do don't we?

In most forms cake gives us a sense of indulgence, for me it is a naughty Sunday afternoon at Mums whilst promising to eat dinner later! So what better way to feed that sweet tooth then to indulge on a top cake for your wedding day. I have seen some amazing creations in all the weddings we have attended, it seems there are hardly any boundaries now for cake creations and you can be as free with the flavours as you can on the design. Put some budget aside for a great cake, don't dismiss it as a expense not worth having because it might just be the only sweet treat you will eat on your wedding day, if you want my advice make it a feature, make a statement and enjoy the design - or you'll have to wait until a big birthday for another chance!

So with so many excellent cake bakers out there I decided rather than give you my own favourites, I would ask some of my favourite cake ladies to send me their favourites and to tell you why they love making them ...

This cake is from Fiona from Crazy Daisy Cakes, she tells me "I like this one because it's fun! It was a small wedding for a couple who had been together for quite a while, they already had a family and wanted to get away from the more traditional wedding cake" This cake is brilliant, what a modern twist on a wedding cake and nice to capture the couples fun side. Visit them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crazy-Daisy-Cakes/127089585777

She also sent me this one which she added "This is one of my favourites, I just love the simplicity, what more can I say!"

I thought this was stunning, so simple and clean and a classic addition to your day.

Angie from Sweet Inspiration Cakes http://www.sweetinspiration-cakes.co.uk/ sent me this gorgeous cake and said "I love my 'Falling Blossom' cake which is my most popular design - classic white cake, traditionally styled with pillars, and a Bride & Groom topper....used between the tiers for a slight modern twist, along with the ever popular 'Bow n Brooch' detailing"

Gorgeous cake and so much detail, it holds sentimental yet secret dreams for me and such a lovely choice for a classic cake.

This second cake from Angie is also a favourite of hers " This is 'Summer' which I love for the subtle pastel colours, and the vintage feel with the birdcage on top - being a wedding florist also, the current trends are still vintage, shabby chic and we are booking wedding after wedding with fresh floral birdcages for the tables, so what better way to finish with a cake to match!"

I love that Vintage is still in strong form, so much yet to explore and this cake is a lovely example of how to bring Vintage to life.

Jayne from Angel Cakes http://www.angelcakes-hampshire.co.uk/ sent this stunning cake to me, she says "My favourite is our signature mini Trinket Box design, one heck of a lot of work but such a stunning cake! We've made this is most colours including black & White, Chocolate & Cream, Pink & White, Baby Blue & Ivory and this year we have some very retro variations including Black, White & Hot Pink for an 80's themed wedding and Orange, Red & Yellow for a circus themed event! Definitely a favourite for the modern bride"

Wow what a cake, it must have taken days to make each of the boxes! I love this!

Clare from The Lilyrose Cake Company http://www.lilyrosecakes.com/ sent this one in, she says "It is my favorite because it depicts my love of Victorian detail but modern at the same time, very elegant. Of course the white roses could be changed for any colour, in fact I think deep red would look lovely too"

The classic and clean white cake, often overlooked now for colour but this shouts glamour and sophistication.

This fabulous Disney cake was sent by Lynn from Ellas Cakes - http://www.ellacakes.co.uk/ she says "An avid Disney fan, (even at my age!) when my friend told me her daughter was having a Disney themed fancy dress and could I make the cake, I was very excited! It is such a girlie cake, may not be appropriate for a wedding, though! From the mouse to the curly wheels, to the tiny pumpkins and the clock at midnight, it was such a joy to make. It has been rather popular ever since I made it, so would be very happy to do it again if asked"

The fun cakes! I love this, just look at the detail and amount of attention to details, lovely.

Our last but by no means least photo is from Lisa of CakeCucina http://www.cakecucina.co.uk/ a lovely themed cake which she explains "I had so much fun making this cake. The lion really is the star and I really didn't want to let it go. One little girl was very happy though and it was great to do something a little different"

How could this little fella fail to make you smile .... so get creative is the answer, be yourselves and enjoy creating the perfect cake unique to you.

Thank you ladies for your amazing creations, sorry if you were not featured (I ran out of space!) as there are some wonderful creations it's hard to choose from them all. You are all so talented and I will be happy to pass on any recommendation for any hopeful Bride. More details of these companies can be obtained through the links (I used the most appropriate ones for each company) or by contacting me through http://www.isabellaweddings.co.uk/

Go buy a cake for Sunday - go on do it!

No gifts please we're British!

What are you doing for your gift list? Are you thinking creatively or obscure and aiming for something unusual or maybe setting up home with the help of John Lewis or House of Fraser is on your wish list?

Either way there are now many different ways to give your guests the chance to celebrate in the form of a gift that will be remembered and treasured for many years to come.

Here are some of my personal favourite and more unique ways to set up a gift list ...

Give your garden the make-over it deserves by suggesting guests contribute to a budget held with these guys:

http://www.weddinggardencompany.co.uk/

These guys offer unique, pretty pieces that are quirky and show your creative side, better still they serve no purpose other than to bring a smile to your face daily:http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/

Why not choose a fabulous one off piece of art, have a family portrait commissioned or design a piece of sculptured artwork for your garden. This will bring joy and a lasting memory as to it's existence for a long time.

Prefer the holiday? It's not unheard of to ask guests to contribute towards your honeymoon, these agents offer this service and better still why not leave the holiday as a surprise (even to yourselves) until the last minute and book last minute - go on be brave!

If you are a guest and wanting to give an unusual and thoughtful gift why not try one of these gems we found recently:

Every bride deserves some rest time after planning a wedding, why not hire her a house cleaning team for when they return from honeymoon, these guys are green too!

http://www.greenandcleanlocal.co.uk/cleaning-vouchers.php

Hire a Wedding Planner! Here at Isabella Weddings we offer a package where we attend on the wedding day to run things on behalf of the couple, gift this to your bride and groom and you will be top of their Christmas card list!

Or ...

Offer to contribute towards the wedding in some way, make the favours or add to the flower budget maybe? Why not put some champagne, hot chocolate and cookies in their hotel room at the end of the evening, upgrade their hotel room or add a surprise to their honeymoon - organise a trip or a special dinner for example.

If you are short on gift pennies do not despair, If they have children why not offer to babysit for a set number of nights so the newlyweds can head out alone once the wedding excitement is over or offer your services within the wedding planning like designing a table plan or guest book. There are lots of ways to express your love and happiness for your soon to be married friends, be different and give a gift that will stay in their hearts (and possibly homes) forever.