54 VARSHA KORCZYNSKI, MESMERISING ICING When planning your wedding, there are many things to consider! Your big-day bake takes centre stage and will be involved in an essential part of your reception – the cake-cutting ceremony. A wedding cake is not just baked ingredients; much hard work goes into making something specific to you. Once your venue has been booked, your search for a wedding cake maker should be as important as that of other suppliers. Don't leave it until the last minute to secure their services; it could be too late. Once you have found a supplier whose style you like, book a discovery call and secure a date in their diary with a deposit. You don't need a definitive design idea at this stage, as this can be sorted at the consultation meeting, during which you'll be guided through designing a cake that reflects you as a couple. Booking at least a year in advance is a good idea. Unlike a celebration cake, ordering and designing a wedding cake is far more involved, from the initial discovery call to producing the cake using premium ingredients to ensure the result matches your vision. Providing a clear budget helps ensure the cake designer stays on track. Most have a base price on their website, which can help guide you. Don't worry about your guests when deciding on flavours, as it's your day – you choose. Each tier can be different, so there'll be something for everyone. Concerns about food allergies are easy to solve, as most cake makers make free-from bakes, which I offer as a vegan baker. Check out: www.mesmerisingicing.com EMILY RIMER, EM’Z FLOWER BOUTIQUE The first thing I advise to all wedding couples is to communicate with their partners and wedding suppliers. Get down to the nitty-gritty details! Your wedding shows your personality, so having as many special details as possible on the day is essential. Why not include a flower that means something to you and your family while opting for blooms that show your style and preference? It’s our job to inform you about availability for florals; ask your supplier if you’re scratching your head about a particular flower you’d really like but aren’t sure it will be available. We want you to have the perfect flowers for your special day, so asking questions is great as we want you to be happy and create the vision you have in mind. Working out your budget and discussing this with your supplier is essential. I’ve seen people say 10 per cent of the overall budget should be on flowers, but every couple is different. Some may not want loads of flowers while others will, resulting in couples spending varied amounts. Understanding pricing with your florist and discussing options is important so you know realistically what you’ll get for your price point. The cost of flowers is still unpredictable, so we may be unable to give you a fixed price until closer to your wedding. Lastly, enjoy being wowed by the flowers on your wedding day! They’ll be in your wedding photos forever, and that’s pretty special. Check out: www.emzflowerboutique.com www.instagram.com/bernadine1_1 www.instagram.com/bernadine1_1 www.instagram.com/bernadine1_1 www.stevegroganphotography.com
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