Your Sussex Wedding - Page number 62 - August/September 2021 (Issue 92)

62 CLARE POPE, CLARE’S CAKE BOUTIQUE www.clarescakeboutique.co.uk Based in West Sussex Clare’s Cake Boutique was born from Clare’s love of baking with her mum as well as a request from one of her best friends to make her wedding cake 15 years ago. Now, she specialises in bespoke wedding cakes and loves nothing more than chatting to her clients and getting to know them a little, which enables her to create their dream bake for their special day. “To see the smile on someone’s face when they see one of my creations is my biggest joy,” Clare shares. TREND PREDICTIONS Clare says, “This year is giving me a wide spectrum of designs from floral creations and modelling the bride and groom for their cake toppers, through to geode and metallic themes. It’s shaping up to be a fabulous year for variety.” TOP TIP “Make sure the baker you choose for your wedding is a professional with insurance and registration with their local council. The last year has seen a lot of home bakers pop up, but not all of them know about the regulations and requirements needed to run a cake-making business.” www.john scofieldphotography.co.uk ANNIE BENNETT, LEADING LADY CAKES https://leadingladycakes.co.uk Owner of East Sussex-based Leading Lady Cakes is a trained soprano and has sung lead roles in the South East for a number of years. In fact, it’s this passion that inspired her company's name. Previously a primary teacher, Annie set up her business in 2014 and is now a full-time baker. She specialises in wedding cakes with sugar flowers and loves creating roses, lilies, peonies, poppies and a whole range of other blooms for her stunning sweet showstoppers. TREND PREDICTIONS “I think that having to postpone their weddings has now made couples want to go ahead with them in style, so they’re not being subtle about their choice of bake. Multi-tiers are popular, as is the classic white cake, complete with bold floral embellishments in delicate blush tones.” TOP TIP “Do your research and find a baker whose portfolio makes your heart sing. Most professionals won’t copy other designs, so let them create something especially for you. Give them your ideas and let them craft a one-off.”