Before you order your wedding cake – be sure to think it through with these top tips and trends. These Irish bakeries are experts on style and substance and will help you reflect your personality in your cake and achieve your vision …
2024 TRENDS: We asked wedding cake expert Sarah McGree, owner of The Wild Grazer about the most interesting wedding cake trends she has come across lately. Sarah is seeing a lot of minimalist designs and personalisation which reflects the personalities or shared experiences of the couple. This is so important says Sarah.
Sarah can also see that there is a huge demand for cakes with floral and botanical elements, and naked cakes that embrace that rustic and natural aesthetic. But of course, the trend that is growing massively is the cake that is not actually a cake – it is a cheese wheel wedding cake! Something that Sarah at The Wild Grazer knows all about – see more about her cheese wheel cakes below.
Here are some top things to consider when planning your wedding cake.
GUEST COUNT: It is so important to determine the number of guests you will be serving, you want to make sure there’s enough for everyone to enjoy, as Sarah says. If you are having a smaller group, opting for a small single layer cake is a very classy look, and it means you’re not dealing with a huge amount of waste.
CUSTOMISATION: If you work closely with your wedding cake makers you are sure to get exactly what you want. Especially from these bakers below. Sarah makes sure to discuss flavour preferences, cheese origins (that might be special to the couple) and any specific design elements you want, like extra decorations and flowers.
SEASONAL VARIATIONS: Sarah advises brides and grooms-to-be to keep in mind that the availability and quality of certain flowers, fruits and in Sarah’s case; cheeses can vary by season. Be open to the suggestions on the best options for the time of year you will be getting married.
DELIVERY, SET UP, STORAGE AND DISPLAY: In the excitement of the planning process, these are aspects that can easily go amiss. Sarah tells us to ensure that you discuss logistics, including delivery and set up details along with storage at the venue and the overall display on the day. If you organise this in advance, it means you don’t have to feel stressed about it on the day. Check in with your cake supplier – they may provide a full service surrounding this.
JOIN US for The Gloss Wedding Salon at The Merrion on Saturday, March 23. THE GLOSS and wedding planner extraordinaire Tara Fay will host an exclusive lunch at The Garden Room at The Merrion to celebrate with brides, sisters and friends, bridesmaids, mothers and mothers of the bride. Click here for more information and to book your table.
WEDDING CAKES IRELAND
Fern Cakery @ferncakery
Fern Cakery, owned by baker Sigita, is based in Leixlip. If you are opting for a smaller wedding cake, then Fern Cakery is your answer. They can make a piece of art out of a single layer for your nearest and dearest – which also makes the cake easier to transport! Sigita, the owner, loves modern design and is inspired by different textures which she incorporates into her cakes. She loves working with couples who break a rule or two along the way and strives to create a delicious cake that will represent their unique style and help their vision for the big day to come to life.
Fern offer cake tasting boxes which you can order and therefore make your decisions at home with your signifiant other. They are available throughout the year on set dates and are priced at €60. This cost will be taken off the final invoice for your cake if you proceed with the order. Flavours include Prosecco and wild strawberry, raspberry and rose water, almond and lemon curd, pistachio and passion fruit, chocolate and sour cherry and Guinness and caramel.
Fern cakery is also offering a tasting experience on Friday March 1 so if you’re planning your wedding soon – start the experience now. Delivery is available to surrounding areas of Leixlip. Please enquire before purchasing if you are located outside of Kildare or Dublin areas. www.ferncakery.ie
Colhoun Creations @colhouncreations
If a gorgeous buttercream, boho chic wedding cake is something you like the sound of, then Laura Colhoun of Colhoun Creations will make your dreams come true. Colhoun Creations is a bespoke cake company based in South Dublin, specialising in natural and rustic buttercream bakes with simple earthy tones and styles. Modern bohemian and perfectly imperfect is how Laura would describe her bakes. They use 100 per cent Irish seasonal and organic ingredients, which they are hugely passionate about. This means fresh fruit, edible flowers, great local and quality ingredients will go on your cake to make it delicious, completely homemade and look and taste amazing.
Their flavours include; raspberry and white chocolate, chocolate and hazelnut, lemon drizzle, carrot cake, rose and pistachio and cookies and cream. Delicious!
Cake tastings are available on selected dates throughout the year and lasts about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. www.colhouncreations.com
Camerino Bakery @camerinobakery
Camerino is a local bakery, cakery and coffee shop where everything is freshly baked using the best ingredients and ‘lovin’ from the oven’ as they say. Their wholesale bakery is based in Clondalkin where you can place an order for your bespoke wedding cake – but if you want a sneaky insight into the fresh bakes they make, head to IMMA where their café and truck are located.
Camerino wedding cakes are designed individually for the couple, whatever their vision, and are priced according to the size and design. They love to use fruit and flowers, which of course vary seasonally. Tastings are free of charge with a 70 per cent deposit which holds your booking, or the cost can be refunded if you decide to place a deposit at a later date. For some expert cake baking see; www.camerino.ie.
Cove Cake Design @covecakedesign
Cove Cake Design based in Dublin caters to the style-conscious couple. They know how important your wedding day is to you and so they want to put you and your cake first. They work with a number of style conscious clients to create wedding cakes that will wow guests, often putting a modern twist on a classic wedding cake design. The cakes are of course, not only beautiful to look at, but delightful to eat. If you are planning your wedding, you know you will be in safe hands with Cove Cake Design.
Suzanne Brady, cake designer and owner of Cove Cake Design is a former scientist and started Cove Cake Design after a break from her career when she uncovered her love of baking and cake art. Her signature cake decorating style is described as timeless, natural and elegant. She is passionate about taste, and is happiest when experimenting with flavours, using seasonal and unusual ingredients to create novel combinations – so if you want to push the boundaries or stay sleek and stylish for your big day, talk to Suzanne. www.covecakedesign.ie
The Wild Grazer @thewildgrazer
Looking for something a bit different? Big fan of a cheese board? Owner and founder of The Wild Grazer, Sarah McGree, has created a unique and delicious alternative to a traditional wedding cake, which made her an Award Winning Cake Designer of 2023. It is her famous Cheese Cake.
Choosing an alternative dessert option over a traditional wedding cake can add a unique and personal touch to your wedding, says Sarah. This is a perfect way for the couple to reflect their own personal preferences and tastes.
The cheese wedding cake is a fast growing trend and is created by layering wheels of at least four speciality cheeses. The Wild Grazer works exclusively with Irish suppliers including Gubbeen, Cooleeney and has a range of over 20 cheeses for couples to choose from. But they don’t stop there, the cheese towers come peppered with seasonal produce like figs and passion fruit. These curated, edible, Instagrammable art displays are something your guests will never forget, and the delicious savoury snack will fuel guests all night long.
The Wild Grazer will work closely with you to ensure you get the cheese wheel wedding cake of your dreams and they will also handle the operations side of things – delivery, set up, storage and display so that you won’t have to think about it on your big day.
Get booking this crowd pleaser now; www.thewildgrazer.ie.