Designing a wedding cake is no, well ... “piece of cake,” as they say. The details must be exact, the mood of the event noted, the personality and culture of the bride and groom taking full frame.
My favorite cake designs are those inspired from fabric. I remember looking through my mother’s closet as a child, in awe of the wild and crazy designs of Pucci, the elegant and clean lines of Gucci, the intricate weave of Missoni, and the feathery brocades of Valentino in an era lost. I see a direct correlation with my love of fashion and the thrill it evokes in creating cakes based upon its elements.
The details of your wedding dress can be incorporated on your cake as an exact replica or can offer just a hint of similarity. The colors of bridesmaid’s dresses, or perhaps the lace detail on your vintage veil, can also be a consideration, in addition to the movement of the fabric (bustled gowns inspire voluminous folds cascading into a delicately patterned train or gathered together by bunches of sugar flowers to match the bridal bouquet). 
With tiny sugar pearls or sugar crystals, it will be the shimmering focal point of the reception.
I also enjoy including ethnic style into my designs. Thoughts of India might call forth a sari-style wedding cake, adorned with white chocolate in bright colors and gold accents. Or the romance of Old Spain may bring to mind the mantilla, a traditional Spanish veil worn over an intricate tortoise shell comb. Therefore, the comb is presented as a topper, made entirely of sugar and filled with red sugar roses. The eye is then drawn to the cascade of gilded lace fondant draping down across the front of the cake.
For those who prefer clean lines and precision, architectural designs may be more to your liking. Remember Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s? The lines of her ensembles were precise and simple, and we still look to her as an icon of fashion perfection. For this look, consider wrapping your cake in a ribbon of white chocolate or using vertical lines to break up the horizontal nature of the cake.
All in all, inspiration can be found anywhere, from the intricate architectural details of an opera hall to the beads on a strappy sandal. But most importantly, be certain that whatever your creativity inspires, it represents you. After all, this is the one day where every moment, every detail, will be remembered as the day you united one heart into two. It’s all about you, baby!
Sarah Farmer is the founder of Sugar! in Santa Barbara, www.sugarcakes.com. She continues to provide inspiration to the wonderful world of wedding cakes while launching The Lehner Foundation. The nonprofit provides funding for Jeff’s House, a communitybased residential treatment center for returning veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Information and contributions: The Lehner Foundation, 1482 East Valley Road #312, Santa Barbara, 93108. 452-4659.
