Some sweet advice from a talented local Wedding Cake designer!
On your BIG DAY you’ll visit many timeless traditions, but the sweetest one of all….the cutting of the wedding cake! With many styles, flavors, icings, fondonts, and elaborate decorations to choose from, you can really get creative! The design of your cake is a great chance to reflect the theme of your wedding and even your personalities as a couple. To begin, you must find a professional that you trust will create the piece of art you’re after.
Let us introduce to you one of our favorites: Amy Filipoff of Amy’s Cakes and Candies. We asked Amy how she gets to know her clients’ needs and a few other fun questions. Here’s what she has to say:
How do you stand out from other cake vendors?
Variety and Flexibility- I currently offer 39 cake flavors and 28 fillings and am always adding more based on client requests giving brides an endless selection of flavor combinations and a large variety of cake shapes. I do fully custom work, or can work from a photo or other inspiration piece. My freshly made buttercream is made with butter, no shortening, which makes it rich but not greasy. I work in buttercream and fondant, can do traditional cakes, topsy turveys or carved creations.
Have you ever had to change details on the cake at the last minute?
The need has not arisen, but as a small business I have great flexibility to work with the client.
What is the most popular style of cake?
Every cake is designed specifically for each bride so I do not have a most popular design. Most brides tend to prefer more clean lined & traditional designs. Alternatives to round cakes like Hexagon & Square cakes have been very popular lately.
What are the questions you ask a client to get an idea of what kind of cake they want?
I ask them to tell me about their style, colors, and what atmosphere they want to evoke at their reception. I always encourage them to bring pictures or inspiration pieces to the consultation- thus could be pictures of cakes, dresses, flowers, decor etc. Any visual clues!
Amy’s Cakes & Candies specializes in creating pastires, candies, and customized wedding cakes. The only limit is your imagination!
Thanks, Amy!
If I have my ceremony and reception on separate days, will I still have a good turnout?
QUESTION: After months of searching I finally found the perfect place for my ceremony and reception. The problem is that they are not available on the same day. The ceremony location is available only on Friday and the reception location is available on Saturday or Sunday. What do you think about having my ceremony on one day and my reception on the other?
ANSWER: I think that you could be disappointed in the turnout at your ceremony. Given a choice, I believe more people would show up for your reception than for your ceremony. Unless you are having a destination wedding or your wedding is going to be a weekend full of planned activities. I would stay with one day. If not, I think you should try to find a location(s) that will be available on the same day.
Great question. Happy planning!
Sincerely,
Quinn & Ayesha
The best man is having anxiety about delivering his toast. What advice can you give him?
QUESTION: My fiancé has asked his younger brother to be his best man at our wedding next summer. He is very excited about being part of our wedding but has expressed some anxiety about having to give a toast at the reception. Do you have any thoughts on what I can say to help him feel more comfortable giving the toast?
ANSWER: Here are some things to consider as he prepares his toast:
Plan and practice~ think about what it is he wants to say about the two of you. Are there interesting anecdotes about you, as a couple, he can incorporate to grab the audience’s attention? Make sure he understands that the overall theme of the toast should be centered on the honored couple. Suggest that he practice in front of a mirror or with a friend who will provide candid, honest feedback on the delivery and content. Try to keep the toast to no more than five minutes. Any longer and he runs the risk of losing the people’s attention. Practice, practice, practice!
Presentation is half the battle~ when giving a toast what you say is important, but how you say it is as equally, if not more, important. Advise him to be aware of his posture; slouching is not acceptable. Stand tall and be confident, speak clearly and loudly, enunciate your words and try to make eye contact with the audience. Have him do his best to memorize the toast, but if he feels he needs prompting, he can use index cards with keywords. Please encourage him NOT to read his toast from a sheet of paper.
Better to be safe than sorry~ the use of profanity or curse words is never appropriate in a wedding toast. Keep it clean. I also suggest that he refrain from consuming alcohol prior to giving the wedding toast. Although a drink or two can sometimes calm the nerves, it can also lead to slurred speech, incoherent ramblings and irrational thinking. Remember, there will be someone, somewhere in the room, recording every moment.
Remember, the reason he is giving the speech is to celebrate your life together, just tell him to be confident, speak from the heart, and everything will turn out great!
Best of luck to you all,
Sincerely,
Quinn & Ayesha
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Will mood lighting have an effect on our wedding photography?
Becki Dickinson Photography
QUESTION: We really have our hearts set on an evening candle light ceremony and reception but are concerned about the effect the mood lighting will have on our pictures. What do you think?
ANSWER: It is your day and you should have the mood you want! Go with your heart’s desire, but do your homework when selecting a photographer. This is one category in which I do not recommend that you cut corners. An experienced professional photographer will have no difficulty shooting your wedding in low lighting. A professional will also bring additional lighting if needed. When shopping for the right photographer make sure to ask to see samples of weddings they have shot in low-lighting situations. Remember that at the end of your big day what will remain are the pictures. Choose wisely.
Good luck!
Sincerely,
Quinn & Ayesha
Are there any wedding gifts that are affordable and universal?
- Becki Dickinson Photography
QUESTION: I’ve waited until the last minute to buy a wedding gift from the couple’s registry and now the only things left are either knick-knacks or big-ticket items. Are there any gifts that are affordable and universal?
ANSWER: You’re in luck; the answer is YES! The key is to choose items that are useful. Here are three timeless wedding gifts that are sure to please any bride and groom.
A Classic Glass Vase~ Choose a simple design that will highlight the beauty of the flowers and this will ensure it will stand the test of time and will also suit anyone’s style. For the couple’s wedding anniversary, send them a bouquet of flowers; this is a wonderful way for them to remember the gift giver a year after the wedding and think of you every time they reach for the vase!
Crystal candlesticks~ Believe it or not, these make great gifts! When the newly-weds are entertaining in their new nest, the addition of candlesticks will quickly bring elegance to their dining room table. Once again, by choosing crystal, you’re ensuring the piece is timeless; crystal can be paired with gold or silver and can be incorporated into classic or modern and even holiday themes. The couple will enjoy being able to use these year after year!
Money~ If your bride has been following her rules of etiquette—and we’re sure she has—you will never see money on a registry; it’s in bad taste to ask for it! Giving money, on the other hand, is not. In reality, starting a new life together as a married couple has quite a handsome expense list. The couple may be paying for, or saving for, a bigger item, such as a car, house, or paying off student loans. Your generous gift, in any amount of your choosing, will be greatly appreciated.
Best of luck to you! Great question!
Sincerely,
Quinn & Ayesha
Brides On Tour 