Your Midlands Wedding - April/May 2025 (Issue 97)

“Look for a flexible company that understands the different requirements of your special day, and shares the same values as you. Being on the same page from the very beginning is the most important thing when planning wedding catering; everything else effortlessly falls into place!” – Charlotte Westwood at Westwoods Kitchen “Trust the experts and if you can, hire a wedding planner! Include sufficient waiting staff levels and choose a catering company that has a can-do approach, so that you can turn your dreams into reality. Ideally, arrange a tasting before you make your decision.” – Mihaly Bencsik at Food Champs Catering Company “Quirky food choices, festival feels and relaxed laid-back atmospheres are all trending this year when it comes to catering!” – Gerald Littlehales at Ridgway Caterers “Strike a balance between something universally loved and something unique. Ensure to include a classic cookie that’s kid-friendly and crowdpleasing. Then, add a unique flavour to bring something special. Another trend is gourmet sweet treats like our rich honeycomb fudge cookies and vegan-friendly options. Additionally, there’s a shift toward eco-friendly packaging, which we’re all about.” – Anna Morgan at Sweetcrumbs & Buttercream “Showcase your cake in all its glory with a stunning stand and a beautiful backdrop, make it the centre of attention and a true sight to behold.” – Lisa Kirk at The Old Manor House Bakery “We’re seeing a growing demand for minimal decoration, with wrapped fondant tiers in white and soft palettes, including nude shades. Bows and soft drapery are proving popular choices for 2025 and 2026.” – Sophie Page at Cakes by Sophie Page “Take photos of the cake right away, perhaps during the first room view before guests arrive. This way, the lighting is perfect, the background remains uncluttered, and the cake is at its freshest.” – Sophie Page at Cakes by Sophie Page “We’re loving the vintage piping cakes with bows! Honestly, they’re gorgeous, we love it when an older style resurfaces with modern twists!” – The team at Khalid Kakes “Research your cake companies and look at their reviews before arranging a tasting! It’s worth the investment, nobody wants to spend more than £400 on a cake they don’t want to eat. Remember cheapest is not always best! Work within your budget, look at what the company offers that you’re happy to spend then make a decision based on that!” – The team at Khalid Kakes “We love seeing wedding cakes evolve beyond tradition! Some of the most exciting trends right now include sleek ganache-covered cakes with sharp edges and modern textures, floral artistry where handcrafted sugar flowers or fresh blooms create an elegant, romantic look and minimalist elegance, featuring monochrome designs with subtle detailing.” – Ayo Alao at Royal Sprinkle Cakes “Consider practical factors such as the venue and season. If you’re having an outdoor wedding in warm weather, buttercream may not be the best choice as it melts easily.” – Ayo Alao at Royal Sprinkle Cakes “Vintage heart cakes with intricate piping, hand-painted details, edible pressed flowers, and modern sculptural designs are trending. We’re also seeing a resurgence of ruffles and textures, adding elegance and movement to cakes. Beige tones are also gaining popularity this year, inspired by Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year, Mocha.” – Stephenie Ameh at One Cake Street “The pressed edible flower cakes are a favourite, but I’m also loving the trend for tiered buttercream cakes, which have beautiful delicate buttercream florals applied with a palette knife and piping bag to the sides of the cake!” – Liz Berwick at Simply Scrumptious Cakes by Liz Berwick “Choose flavours you love and ensure you get a slice. If you’re choosing a cupcake tower, ensure the top cake is your favourite flavour. You can always ask your venue to box this up for you to enjoy over the following few days. If you’re heading straight on honeymoon, simply cut it into slices, wrap it up and place it in the freezer ready for your return.” – Liz Berwick at Simply Scrumptious Cakes by Liz Berwick Top tips and trends from the experts https://unsplash.com/@kaboompics 48

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