tips & advice
Trendy Cakes of Summer
A cake can be a big commitment and with Summer love wafting in the air--the stakes are even higher to choose the perfect wedding cake. Summer has its independent trends and tastes. Clean cut lines and naturalistic simplicity are the focuses of the season. Amy Mastronardi, owner of Hippie Chick Bakery in Kensington, weighs in on the current cake trends of Summer.
Naturalistic Nibbles: It is not fondant flowers or sugarpaste saplings that make it onto Summer cakes, but real flowers instead. Amy Mastronardi says, "We definitely tend to do more cakes with fresh, edible, organic flowers during the summer months." This is because the natural flowers are in season. There is no doubt that organic flowers add softness and fragrance that the sugar can't duplicate. Natural flower toppers to a cake add a warm and natural touch that are trendy for Summer weddings.
Simplistic Designs: No ornate designs or cakes clouded with jewels and glitter for this season. Summer is simple. In the past Amy says, natural themes with birds, trees, and leaves were popular but this year its all about uncomplicated cakes: "This year I am seeing very simple cakes, with one focal point" Amy says. She also suggests that being on the coast means nautical themes with "seashells, waves, rope" become consistent with couples.
A Season of Citrus: Although there is no consistent flavor of Summer, Amy says that it is citrus that puts its stamp on the season. Flavors all around tend to be lighter. A lot of the flavors Amy sees are on the citrus side. Lemons and berries really popularize flavors this year.
Color of Summer: Lavender and cobalt blue are the Summer wedding cake colors according to Amy. Purple, "in every shade," are popular this season. Amy says purple "from lavender to jewel tones" are really popping up this year.
Cupcakes: Fluffy, easy, and casual--cupcakes are synonymous with light and natural weddings. Amy says that cupcakes definitely "evoke a more casual feel" but they are not a money saver: "Most cake artists I know price them very similar to wedding cake per person, because they take just as much, if not more, labor." so if the couple is looking for a light and breezy wedding that is popular for the season they might have to pinch a few more pennies to bring cupcakes into the ceremony.
The Personal Touch: To make sure each wedding gets the couples own touch, the party can be very involved in the development of their cake: "This is where cake artists excel over large bakeries," Amy says. A cake artist like Amy will ask the couple to bring in everything that says something about their wedding ("invites, swatches, pictures of what they will be wearing") It's all very important when deciding on their personalized and seasonal cake.
Separate Flavors: One way to make a cake special to a couple is to experiment with Flavors. Amy is working on a cake currently where the flavor echos who the people are: "I have a wedding coming up where the bride is Indian and the groom is Mexican, so they will be having two different kinds of cake; Spice cake with Chai buttercream filling, and Chocolate cake with Mexican chocolate buttercream filling."
Hippie Chick Bakery is peanut free and widely produces cakes that tend to customers dietary restrictions. They supply special cakes like: gluten free or vegan friendly. Another benefit of this artistic company is their environmentally friendly business. They recycle, compost, and source local ingredients.
To get in touch with Amy and Hippie Chick Bakery visit their website at hippiechickbakery.com or call them at (603)347-1487.