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Here is a selection of Q&As from Your Surrey Wedding magazine whether it be about flowers, hair and makeup, fashion, wedding themes, health & beauty, cakes, stationery, legal advice. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yoursurrey.wedding
To view more expert advice on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
Something Sweet
| Q | What is your advice on the top trends to look out for in 2024? |
| A | Grace McIntyre says: I think 2024 will see a rise in wholesome, personalised weddings. Although tradition has so much value, there's nothing wrong with adding a few special touches and elements to show off your personalities. For example, chocolate brownies with your favourite toppings and a sign that says: "These are our fave toppings, if you don't like them, tough luck!" This creates a wholesome feel as your guests see the two of you shine through. I think personalised gifts will also be on the rise in 2024, with more and more couples trying to find unique ways to thank their nearest and dearest for all their help with the wedding. A personalised brownie gift box is perfect for this. Who doesn't love a good chocolate brownie, right? The thing I love most about working with couples is that every client is different, and with brownies being so versatile, I can work with them to create exactly what they want. There are no limitations or rules! |
Grace McIntyre, BrownieMe
Seasonal Showstopper
| Q | I'd love our cake to be an absolute showstopper. How can we inject a splash of seasonal colour into its design? |
| A | Lisa Broughton says: A splash of colour can add a lot of personality to your cake. Floral designs will always be on trend and can match many big-day styles and colour themes. Some fresh flowers are toxic so I'd advise to use sugar flowers for that wow-factor and to add dimension, texture, and colour in a completely safe way to avoid cross-contamination. Sugar florals are perfect for both classic elegant and contemporary designs and give you the option of having any colour and at any time of the year. Vibrant pops of yellow and green are perfect for a fresh spring look along with graceful tulips, romantic peonies and delicate sweet peas. For a summer wedding, think of soft pink and blue tones such as, garden roses, fluffy hydrangeas, beautiful clusters of delphiniums, and scabious. Flaming reds, oranges and brown are perfect for autumn, adding deep tone roses, beautiful dahlias and physalis alkekengi (Chinese lanterns) to get the autumn warmth. For the colder months go for white with metallic touches. Large white roses, gerbera daisies, hellebores, ranunculas, astilbe and thistles all make a wonderful base for a winter floral display. The cake itself can be neutral in colour and the sugar flowers will add a bright splash. Go for super-bold sugar flowers and complement the wedding cake table display with natural blooms for the finishing touch. |
Lisa Broughton, Wedding Cakes by Lisa Broughton
Just desserts
| Q | We'd love a dessert table at our summer wedding, but would like it to have a cohesive look, is this possible with such a variety of treats on offer? |
| A | Lisa Broughton says: Display your main wedding cake, whether it be a single tier or a five-tier creation, on a dessert table and offer your guests a selection of sweet treats that complement your wedding cake. Choose from cupcakes, mini cupcakes, macaroons, cake pops, cakesicles, decorated biscuits, baked donuts, meringue kisses, mini pots and iced mini cakes. |
Lisa Broughton, Wedding Cakes by Lisa Broughton
A stand out cake
| Q | We're currently planning our big day and we've decided against a traditional cake. Do you have any alternative suggestions? |
| A | Holly Bordon says: If you'd prefer something that looks less traditional in design, then there are several stunning trends to consider. Floating tiers, spacers and clear acrylic tiers filled with flowers or lights are just a few of the most popular options. You could opt for a textural or geometric design that would look like a piece of modern art. Remember, finding the right cake maker to understand and realise your vision is essential. If you're considering something that is not cake, there are lots of options to choose from such as a 'cake' made from cheese, brownies, doughnut stacks, macaron towers or even a dessert table. There is something to suit everyone if you think outside the box. |
Holly Bordon, Holly Dolly Cakes
Just one slice
| Q | Do you have any flavour and design suggestions for a spring-themed wedding cake? |
| A | Holly Bordon says: There are lots of options available, here are my suggestions: - Fruits are popular decorations and flavours. - Flowers in light colours with a pop of vibrance would look wonderful. - Buttercream cakes usually feature fresh or edible blooms. Fresh berries with herbs such as rosemary and mint are also popular. - Fresh or sugar flowers look great on fondant cakes. - Citrus and berry flavours are classic choices for spring and summer weddings. Most cake makers will incorporate these flavours in some way, for example, in flavoured sponges, buttercreams, preserves or curds. |
Holly Bordon, Holly Dolly Cakes
Let them eat cake!
| Q | What cake design and flavours would you suggest for a winter wedding? |
| A | Shenaz Lake-Thomas says: There are so many options available that are perfect for winter weddings. You could opt for a semi-naked design adorned with deep red flowers, pine cones, holly, ivy leaves and foliage or go for sugar versions instead, which you can keep after the big day. Think of the kind of icing you want on your wedding cake and if you want texture applied, whether it be appliqué, stencilling or edible lace. Deep reds, purples and various shades of blues, greens and whites would be a great way of incorporating the time of year. For the flavours, how about cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg and clove? Just thinking of these spices will give your guests a warm wintry feeling. Snowflakes and an iced white snow effect would also look great. |
Shenaz Lake-Thomas, Lake Thomas Cakes
