Cotswold Rustic Cakes unveil tasty new designs

Maryanne Stefanovic is the master baker behind Cotswold Rustic Cakes based in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire specialising in bespoke buttercream floral wedding cakes. When it comes to couples wanting a mouth-watering statement wedding cake with the wow factor, she tells us, "Planning a wedding cake can be quite an overwhelming task. There are so many factors to consider from cost, portioning, design and flavour choices so it's really important to find a cake designer who is willing to help you every step of the way."

She adds, "I encourage my couples to do their design research and create a mood board of the things they like, Instagram and Pinterest are great platforms for collating ideas. Find a cake designer who suits your style and you'll love the work they create. This will probably be the most important cake you will ever eat, so why not have fun with the process of creating a bespoke cake that matches your personality as a couple?"

Maryanne also suggests:
*Setting a budget
Research is the key, this way you will have an idea of the costs involved in a wedding cake. It's also a great way to find possible cake designers who you would like to consider. I would set a rough budget as you need to when planning a wedding. It's different for every couple but ultimately, you have to decide what's more important, the cake or the cocktail bar and have a play around with your budgeting accordingly.

*Picking your theme
Deciding on a theme can feel a little overwhelming at first. Think about your chosen colour palette and overall wedding theme. Is it floral, for example? What's the venue like? This always gives me a great starting point to come up with designs that suit. Using flowers that match the bridal bouquet and a palette to suit their colour theme insures that everything coordinates beautifully. Some couples decide on flavours quickly while others need a little helping hand. I offer taster boxes that I send out to my couples to enjoy at home to help them decide. I have a menu available to suit all tastes but I'm more than happy to accommodate requests. If there are guests with intolerances or allergies, I provide the option of an additional smaller cake to match.

*Incorporating the trends for 2023
Semi-naked cakes have been very popular throughout 2022 and continue to be this year. It's the most requested design but using colour is an exciting task for a cake designer! Whilst I love the traditional tones of ivory, using colour to create a statement centrepiece always makes me happy! Keep things simple with organic natural tones including ferns and foliage. Greenery rather than traditional flowers are becoming increasingly popular. Foliage placed against white buttercream looks stunning!
Finally, Think big! Many couples postponed their weddings due to the pandemic and some now want large towering tiers that have never been so popular! A great way to create height is to use various props such as geometric separators, cake stands and clear acrylic tiers that make a cake stand out!

https://cotswoldrusticcake.wixsite.com/cotswoldrusticcakes; www.facebook.com/people/Cotswold-Rustic-Cakes/100057509496944

First image courtesy of Lucie Watson, second courtesy of @thecurries.co