Fun First Wedding Cake Design

by Cecille Leano Sia
(Philippines)

Just like opening Pandora's Box, the passion oozed tremendously when I discovered my talent in cake art in 2007. It was like opening the door to a whole new world of amazing ideas that challenge one's imagination! And the moment I set my foot into that door.....I just didn't want to step back anymore.

I always believed that timing is of great influence on anything that we do because during the time when I realized my passion for cakes and cake art, one of my closest friend's was getting married on that same year. When I told him that I finally decided to venture into cakes and cake decorating, he automatically said that he wanted me to do his wedding cake. I was thrilled, excited and at the same time touched by the trust given to me knowing that I didn't have the experience yet and was just starting to learn on my own. I only had my enthusiasm, determination and most of all the unwavering passion to pursue the craft.

I spent the next days, weeks and months reading books about cake decorating and surfing the internet for the needed information. Anything about art was my thing when I was growing up that's why I knew I can combine this talent with my love of food particularly cakes.

Being trusted and given the liberty to design the wedding cake brought me a great deal of honor and commitment to make it my very first special wedding cake project. Especially that this friend is almost like a brother to me.....and I treated his special day as my own.

The only details that he gave me were the color motif - burgundy, the flowers - calla lily and the reception venue - a garden wedding celebration. With these in mind, I've put up the best design that matched their theme.

In the absence of a formal cake decorating lessons and experience....I armed myself with diligence, resourcefulness, tons of patience, mountains of courage and a solid conviction that I can do this wedding cake as I imagined it in the deepest corners of my mind. And in my heart....I just knew I can. :)

This wedding cake being my very first major cake project has always been my favorite ever since my debut as a cake stylist because of the amount and kind of emotions and unwavering passion that I put into it. It was a true testimony of my potentials in baking and cake decorating. Furthermore, the appreciation that this wedding cake got from the bride and groom and the guests just sealed and affirmed my oath to pursue the craft that has marked clearly in my whole being.

The sleepless nights and aching muscles just slipped away when I saw my very first wedding cake creation nestled in splendor amidst the wedding celebration!

In the course of my research and preparation, I kept in mind that simplicity emanates elegance. And the wedding cake being a profound symbol of a sacred union of two individuals, it should complement the positive energy that the celebration exudes.

And so, I had the cake stand custom-made to suit a garden theme celebration at a nearby iron fabrication shop near my place, getting the inspiration from a cake decorating website.

The cakes were made of Cream Cheese Pound Cake which is a personal favorite, covered with white rolled fondant. I made bunches of petite calla lilies out of gum paste and accentuated it with yellow butterflies also made out of gum paste. The burgundy color motif was used as a band with line textures around the base of the cakes. Royal icing beads were piped over and around the burgundy band to complete the accents on the cakes.

A separate 9-inch cake was made for cutting and the ceremonial eating of the couple.

My very first wedding cake will always be seated in the core of my heart. The memories it brings will forever comprise the pillars of my craft as a cake stylist.