Expert Q&A: Cake decorator Sharon Wee
Tell us the story behind Sharon Wee Creations …
I liked all things sweet and was a crafty person, so while I was looking to kill some time about six years ago, I enrolled myself into a cake decorating class and I absolutely loved it. From there I started experimenting and my love for it quickly turned into an obsession. For years I worked in a full time job and ran my cake business on the side. Then one day I realised that my passion and dreams lay with cake decorating and that was when I decided to take the plunge out of the corporate world and so Sharon Wee Creations was born. I like to think of my designs as elegant with a touch of fun. I always love to incorporate something personal or unique to the client on the cake.
What was one of the most memorable wedding cakes you've ever created?
It was a big gold-and-ivory themed cake with white cascading bling flowers and navy-blue ribbon detailing. I loved the colour combinations and how each tier had a different design to it, but the whole cake just worked. And to top it all off, the personalised toppers really brought it all to life - the bride and groom chose to incorporate their love for their football team and their favourite pose.
How would you recommend a couple go about achieving a wedding-cake design that reflects their personality and big-day style?
Firstly, the couple will need to work out what kind of overall look they'd like for their cake. Do they want it to be elegant and simple or would they prefer it to be bold and big? And then consider how this will tie in with their big day. The cake needs to match the wedding theme as well as the venue. For example, there is no point having a small, two-tiered cake in a large venue as it will get lost in the crowd. Then the fun part comes with adding their personalities into the cake! This can be done through customised figurines or even patterns, flowers and colours that are meaningful to them. For example, one of my couples had bunny toppers that were brushing a large tooth because they were both dentists and had both met while working on a patient's teeth. Another couple requested for the Canberra and London skylines to be painted onto the side of their cake because that is where they are from.
If a couple is on a smaller budget, how can they still have a cake that looks beautiful but doesn't cost the world?
The final cost of the cake is highly dependent on the number of
hours the cake decorator will spend on the cake. Try and steer away
from detailed and intricate decorations such as piping or lots of
sugar flowers. Instead, a similar look can be achieved with
stencilling, for example. If you love sugar flowers, try and
incorporate a large feature flower or small clusters of flowers in
the cake design instead of a cascade of sugar flowers down the
front of the cake.
If you are on a tight budget, you can still get a stunning cake
through the use of fresh flowers, beautiful ribbon or fabric lace
for example.
What are some interesting cake trends hitting the wedding scene at the moment?
Pearlising is big at the moment - this is where the cake is brushed with an edible pearl lustre dust so it just shimmers. Another trend making it big at the moment is textures. I'm seeing more brides who want to incorporate different textures on each tier through the use of coconut shavings, gold leaf, edible lace or buttercream for that rustic look.
Contact Sharon through sharonwee.com.au or call 0415 473 422.
Subscribe to Cosmopolitan and pay only $6 for 3 issues!
Subscribe to Cosmopolitan and pay only $6 for 3 issues, which is a saving of 74%!, then pay $18.95 every 3 issues thereafter. Plus, enjoy FREE delivery direct to your door anywhere in Australia.
Subscribe
today >>
Leave a comment
-
TIFFANY WRIGHT: Are we all becoming brides in waiting?
Are we all becoming brides in waiting?
more >>
Comments