Your West Midlands Wedding- Page number 51 - June/July 2021 (Issue 74)

READY, SET, bake! Get to know local cake companies MEET LISA BETHELL FROM BAKE IT SPECIAL 07923 131 705 | www.ibakeitspecial.co.uk Q – Tell us about your background – how did you become a cake maker? I started making cakes when my children were young as a way of giving them a special creation for their birthdays. It quickly became a hobby, and I wanted to try and develop my skills, so I spent my spare time practising and making them for family. Within a few months, I was being asked for larger and more elaborate designs and took the plunge into my first wedding cake gifted for a friend. I loved the whole creative process and being involved in someone’s special day. Q – What’s your favourite wedding cake that you’ve made and why? I don’t have one favourite wedding cake as they all mean so much to me in different ways. However, sometimes when you are given free creative control, you get the extra bonus of knowing it’s all you, the vision becoming a reality. It’s hard for couples to give you full control, but on the few occasions I get to do it, these are my favourite. Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? I love meeting couples and hearing about their plans, designing their cakes and setting up on the day. Seeing the vision become a reality, tying the bake into the venue and décor is the end goal, and when it all works, it’s magical. I want to leave that room knowing the couple will love it when they see it for the first time. Q – What should couples expect when booking your services? When booking with me, I try to be led by the client in terms of design and wishes, both for the cake and wedding day as a whole. I want them to love the finished result, so I spend a lot of time perfecting recipes and making sample boxes that look and taste as good as possible. Attention to detail is key. I work closely with the couples to create the perfect design with matching colours, flowers and textures. Q – How long before the wedding should couples book? I recommend couples book their key suppliers at least 12 months in advance. Especially if you have your eye on a particular supplier, style or design. We do take bookings up to two years in advance for those who are particularly keen. Q – Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a cake maker? When searching for your cake maker, look at their previous work. Obviously, you want good hygiene, communication, insurance and work ethic, that goes without saying, but for that dream design, look at the details, the finish and reviews from previous clients. You want someone who will understand your vision and be freely available to pursue it. While it’s very much a professional relationship, you want a supplier that you can talk to and get along with, who is open about your ideas, and you ultimately trust to bring it all together. Y our cake is a great way of tying together your chosen theme or colour scheme and is a chance to showcase your creative side. To help give you heaps of inspiration, we’ve interviewed some of the best local suppliers. www.ma tjamesphotography.co.uk CAKES 51