From Sketch to Display: Cherry Blossom Cake, Part 2

Another couple, another cake, another sketch.  Cherry blossoms are a favorite décor accent, especially for couples integrating an Asian feel into their wedding.  Last week we shared Annie and Christian’s cherry blossom cake, and this week we wanted to share how another’s couples vision translated to their cake design.

Katherine and Ryan live in Las Vegas, but Ryan is a local boy so they decided to return to Honolulu for their February wedding at the Hale Koa Hotel.  Their wedding decor was inspired by this red plum blossom picture that Katherine gave us.  It also served as the main inspiration for their wedding cake.   Their reception was decorated with traditional Japanese details - shoji doors served as the backdrop for their head table and rice paper lantern centerpieces provided a modern accent.

When it came to their cake, Katherine and Ryan wanted to create a unique cake design inspired by this picture that integrated their traditional meets modern style.  For their cake design, we created a 3-tiered white fondant base cake. For a modern design approach, the cherry blossom branch climbed from the right side of their cake.  The branch was hand painted on for a softer overall look and had a textured feel for that traditional Japanese look. The handmade plum blossoms were matched to the picture provided and made in different sizes.  The 3D flowers added great dimension to the overall design.  Katherine and Ryan provided their own Double Hearts cake topper.   For their flavor, they chose Red Velvet and Cream cheese icing and Yellow Butter Cake with Fresh Strawberry cream filling.

Congratulations Katherine & Ryan! 

Photos Courtesy of Perfekt Photo

From Sketch to Display: Cherry Blossom Cake

After meeting with a client for their cake consultation, one of the first things we do is put together a sketch of their cake based on the design details we discussed.  This is based on photos provided, their invitation, cake size/shape, color swatches, and much more).  Here is one example of a cake we did from sketch to display:

Annie and Christian came to their wedding cake consultation prepared with lots of information!  They wanted a large cake, with a cherry blossom theme, butterflies, and LOTS of pink!  We discussed several floral arrangements for their cherry blossom design but Annie wanted to do something different than a common climbing branch design. 

After our consultation, we put together their sketch of "blooming" floral bouquets arranged throughout their 4-tiered cake.  Their light pink buttercream and cobalt blue bands around the tiers were all color matched to fabric swatches they provided.  For a little added detail, we included a swirl piping design along the cobalt bands in a slightly brighter shade of pink.  The cherry blossoms were colored a brighter shade of pink to "pop" off their cake. Silver metallic sugar butterflies were added around their tiers.  Annie and Christian provided their own custom figurine topper. 

The flavors they chose were our Yellow Butter Cake (all color tinted light pink!) with Lilikoi Cream filling, and Pretty Pink Strawberry Cake with Guava Cream filling... Even the inside of their cake was PINK! =)

Janel & Andrew's Cherry Blossom Wedding Cake

Photos Courtesy of Kai Photo

July continued on with our busy wedding season and each cake we made was unique as different from the last.  Last month we featured Elizabeth & Don's North Shore Estate wedding and today we take you to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for Janel & Andrew's wedding.

Janel & Andrew celebrated their Hawaii destination wedding with this modern and chic Cherry Blossom theme wedding cake.  Their 3 tiered cake was adorned with cascading and climbing soft pink sugar flower cherry blossoms.  I love the clean, simple elegance of the delicate flowers and buds.  The cake flavors they selected were our Yellow Butter Cake with Fresh Strawberry Cream filling and Coconut Cake with Coconut Cream filling.  Along with their wedding cake we provided a small cupcake tree with Devils Food Chocolate Cupcakes filled with Cookies N Cream for their dessert candy buffet.

For more shots of their special day, check out Kai Photos blog.  The Royal Hawaiian is nicknamed the Pink Palace and their pics show how the hotel got is name!

Vendors of Janel & Andrew's Wedding:

Cake: A Cake Life

Photography: Kai Photo

Venue: Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Congratulations Janel & Andrew!

April & Richard's Wedding

Photos courtesy of Mike Pham Photography

Aloha!  

On February 20, 2010 we had the pleasure of celebrating April & Richard's wedding at the Dole Cannery Ballrooms.  When we first met with April & Richard for their consultation, they already knew what kind of cake they wanted.  April had explained the color scheme of their wedding was red and brown and the ballroom would be decorated with giant Asian lanterns.  In order to tie everything together April and Richard chose a Cherry Blossom theme cupcake tower so each of their guests could enjoy a Red Velvet Cupcake with Cream Cheese Icing.  For their cake topper, April & Richard chose these super cute, and very original, Kokeshi Dolls.  The Kokeshi were the perfect crowing to their Cherry Blossom cake.  Kokeshi Dolls are traditional Japanese figurines carved from wood with an enlarged head and painted in a wide variety of dress.  Kokeshi Dolls can be purchased online at handmade marketplace Etsy.com or, if you live on Oahu, at Shirokiya.

When we followed up with April after their wedding, she said the cake was a big success at their reception.  April left this review on our WeddingWire.com vendor profile:

"Kristin was so nice and professional. We loved the cupcakes and the whole setup. She was so pleasant and flexible with the cake toppers that we provided. Our guests loved the delicious cupcakes!!! Amazing and yummy!!!" 

We had a lot of fun making April & Richard's Wedding Cake.  Congratulations and we wish them a lifetime of love and happiness!