Archive for the ‘Decor’ Category

Rachel from Planet Cake introduces us to her chickens and has some advice on choosing your perfect wedding cake.

I trained in Design and interiors but also have a love of the sweet and delicious. After years of creating beautiful rooms I decided to turn my hand to cake making. I have an eye for detail and my creativity knows no bounds.

Having now been in business for 5 years, my cakes have graced the pages of many top bridal magazines, as well as being devoured by over half of London.

I recently took on my own brood of lovely free range chickens. They lay the lovely eggs that go into my cakes. They get way too much love and attention from me and have even started to learn how to get through my catflap! I make them special dinners of broccoli with sunflower seeds to make the yolks extra yellow.

In the picture below is ‘Mable’.

I work from my home workshop in Streatham South London where I invite all potential clients to come and vist me and the chickens. We then taste cake and talk over designs. All of my cakes are bespoke to the client and designs are evloved in the studio by looking at the style, colours and theme of the Wedding.

When deciding the style and design of your cake, I would advise choosing an element that is current throughout the wedding. A colour, theme, flower or illustration. A good cake designer should be able to take that element and create a cake exactly for you.

I would say, never be afraid to experiment or go against tradition. The cake should make a statement and not only be a visual wonder, but taste good too.

My ‘Hint of the day’ would be, always taste the cake first before you book your cakemaker. It might look nice on the outside but what a waste if it tastes rubbish! And make sure the caterers serve the cake correctly. There is nothing worse than a big pile of crumbs on a platter. Laid out in individual pieces is so much more stylish…..that way it all gets eaten!

The wierdest cake I have ever been asked to make was for a couple who got engaged in New York wanted me to do the Statue of Liberty! I made the castle like base in the end and they supplied a large plastic person to go on top. Not a typically ‘pretty’ cake but they loved it!

I was also asked to make a five tier trifle cake which I decided was structurally impossible due to the nature of custard…..and I once did a cake with ‘Sponge Bob Square Pants’ on the top.

Every cake is a work of art and I am very passionate about what I do, exercising a strong attention to detail. It’s important to me that my service is extremely personal and it is me that deals with every detail, right down to the delivery.

Planet cake made it to the finals of the British Bakery Awards this year and are very proud of this acheivement, congratulations!

Visit www.planet-cake.com to see more of Rachels cakes and get in contact with her.

Next month sees the wedding of superstar wedding photographer Jessica Claire. When you’re career revolves around weddings you know that you have to raise the bar a little when planning your own big day. After seeing the photos of Jessica’s bridal shower and the gorgeous details, we at Bridal Soup are even more excited to see the photographs from the wedding itself.

Two of Jessica’s bridesmaids Chenin and Candice pretty much crafted everything here on their own. Great job girls!

The decorate-your-own cupcake bar.

Congratulations to Jessica and all the best for the wedding…

Photography (and invitation design!) by Chenin Boutwell

Helen Carter is one of our favourite wedding planners and runs Helen Carter Weddings, a wedding planning company based in Essex that provides bespoke planning across the South East. She provides a wide range of services, ranging from full wedding planning through to wedding day management. Helen has some great insider hints and tips on what to look for in a wedding planner and gives you some great advice!

In today’s busy world, hiring a wedding planner is no longer seen as a luxury but more of a necessity. However, despite their increasing popularity there remains a great deal of mystery surrounding their work.

In essence, a wedding planner exists to take the strain out of planning a wedding. Organising such an important occasion should be fun and exciting, but it naturally also takes up a great deal of time and can be very stressful. Juggling a career, family and social life, whilst trying to prepare for the biggest day of your life is no mean feat.

This is where the benefits of a wedding planner really come to the fore. They do all of the time-consuming research for you, as well as look after your budget and take care of queries and paperwork, meaning you actually have time to enjoy your engagement!

A wedding planner is also a valuable source of advice and reassurance. Not only do they know how to word invitations or who to sit where at the top table, but they fully understand the pressure, anxiety and emotion that accompany this special event. They also have trusted relationships with venues and suppliers, meaning you can be confident your suppliers are thoroughly vetted professionals who work to the highest standards.

So what are the key things to look for if you’re thinking about hiring a wedding planner?

1. Firstly, find out who is available in your area. The UK Alliance of Wedding Planners is an excellent source of information and provides details of professional planners across the UK

2. Visit the websites of local planners and find out how they work and the services they offer

3. Make a list of those that you are interested in and contact them directly. Most planners offer a complimentary consultation, so arrange to meet them and use it as an opportunity to find out more about them and their business

4. Ask them questions about their work. How long have they been in business and how many weddings have they planned? Do they have a portfolio for you to view? Also make sure that they have public liability insurance.

5. During the consultation does the planner seem approachable and knowledgeable? Do they understand what you want and offer ideas on how it may be achieved?

6. It’s incredibly important that you get along with your planner, so do you actually like them?! They may be brilliant at their job, but if your personalities clash you could be in for a bumpy ride instead of enjoying a seamless partnership

7. Find out how they charge for their services – this is very important, as fees will vary from planner to planner. Make sure you are aware of any additional charges, such as travel expenses, that may add to the overall cost

8. Once you have made your decision, make sure you sign a contract. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before signing, and query anything you are unsure about

Be sure to stop by Helen’s website - www.helencarterweddings.co.uk

Photos - Anna Lewis (top image) and Steve Gerrard Photography

A few weeks ago I met a lovely couple looking for a wedding photographer for their wedding next year at the Hotel du Vin in Birmingham. I was initially excited about the venue (one of my local favourites) but when Tara told me that she is a florist I almost leapt out of my seat with joy. As a botanical photographer I get particularly excited about the flowers on a wedding day. And the wedding of a florist…well need I say more? 

I am delighted that Tara and Lee have booked me as their wedding photographer particularly after seeing some of Tara’s beautiful work. Tara runs The Flower Room in Birmingham and is an award winning florist who designs amazing and creative displays for weddings and corporate events. You can also order flowers online or in her shop for any occasion big or small. 

If you are looking for a stylish, contemporary florist then Tara is the one for you. 

Emily