Supplier Spotlight

Hi Sam! We’ve been enjoying the pictures of your mouth-watering cakes! How did your love for weddings and wedding cakes begin?

I fell in love with all things ‘wedding’ whilst planning my own! I didn’t know any of the amazing suppliers I know now, or the world of weddings and the possibilities, so I was a DIY Bride. I decided to make my own cake, however, this was pretty stressful on the day – trying to get ready and making time to set up the cake. I had also completely underestimated the amount of work that went into them in the lead up to the big day too! A few years later after leaving my full-time office job and having my babies, I began following the work of professional cake designers which is where I found my love for the art of sugar flowers. They are time consuming to make but I could lose myself for hours creating beautifully realistic blooms.

Wow that does sound stressful! But looking at your work, we’re sure it was still a spectacular cake. What cake advice would you give to couples getting married?

Firstly, don’t attempt to make your own (learn from my mistake!). Research designers’ previous work to make sure they match your style. Make sure you order samples as you’ll want to make sure your cake will taste as amazing as it looks, and have an open, honest chat regarding your budget as it will help us to offer you a realistic design within this.

Order samples – message received! To make sure we don’t end up filling up on samples of your delicious cakes, at what stage of the planning process should couples book their wedding cake?

Once you have booked your venue, if you have a specific designer in mind then I recommend securing your date with them sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. I actually think this applies to any kind of supplier, not just cakes. I only take on a limited number of cakes per month as I work alone, so it will be myself who you speak to from your initial enquiry right through to your wedding day. I want to make sure each couple is given the time and attention they deserve.

You are speaking our language. We’re very attentive to our couples too, and make sure we can help them every step of the way as soon as they enquire. We’ve seen so many creative cakes through our doors, is there anything couples should consider when designing their wedding cake?

SHOW. IT. OFF! You and your cake designer will have put in a lot of time, thought and expense into making your cake, so think about how you can make your cake display into a real focal point of the day. Bring your stylist/decorator together with your cake designer to discuss ideas. Also ask your caterers to save you a couple of slices of each tier of your cake so you don’t miss out as you will likely be very busy with your guests on the dancefloor!

Sounds like a wonderful team effort to really bring a wedding cake to life! What upcoming wedding cake trends do you predict?

Couples are being more playful with textures on their cakes, for example fabric-like fondant draping, torn fondant and formed wafer paper accents. Pearls and bows are also still going strong this year.

They sound beautiful and will work perfectly in somewhere like our Grand Pavilion. Do you have a favourite type of cake you like to make?

Anything adorned with sugar flowers!

Which are also just as beautiful, from what we’ve already seen! Finally, Sam, what’s your favourite thing about Hylands Estate?

I could walk around the Hylands House for hours admiring the ornate ceilings, huge windows that let in so much light and grand marble fireplaces. But my favourite room is the Banqueting Room, it could be because of my obsession with gold!?

There’s plenty of it in the Banqueting Room! We can see why you love it so much. Thank you so much Sam, it’s been great catching up with you.

Thank you, everyone!

Find out more about Sam and Crumbs to Creations via her website: crumbstocreations.co.uk