After meeting this couple for the first time, all I could think about was how to make this cake sparkle with a ray of sunshine as beautiful and bright as the bride. With so much charisma, a heart-melting smile and a love for everything gold and glittery, I was super excited to start work on designing this cake.
The setting would be in the open air courtyard at the magnificent Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, centre stage, for all to see. Surrounded by sequin adorned tables with towering floral centrepieces, crystal and gold accents, this cake HAD to be a stunner. And it was.
I wanted to incorporate as much personal detail on this cake as I could, so I began by asking the planner and the bride to send me inspirational photos. I received photos of her gorgeous dress with intricate beaded detail, an antique tiara that she would wear, her bridesmaids dresses, flowers, fabrics, textures, colors, did I say flowers???, and more. This wedding was going to be incredible, and I was honoured for my cake to be such a monumental part of it!
I proposed a design that included hand embroidered floral fondant swags, sugar sequins, geometric layers of gum paste ruffles edged in edible sparkle, a custom royal icing lace pattern and hand piped monogram, and an abundance of flowers. I also managed to source an antique crystal beaded ribbon in one Lisbon's oldest and most famous haberdashery shops, to bring over to Sarasota and incorporate into the design as a surprise for the bride.
Set in the timelessly elegant pale pink courtyard at the Ringling Museum of Art, this cake was a focal point for the wedding. The painstakingly constructed fresh floral arches that framed the aisle for the couple to walk down were also the frame for the guests to proceed through to admire the cake as they made their way to the dinner tables and dancing area. In the background, the tallest of palm trees set against a gorgeous blue Florida sky, with the sea in the background.
Photo: Limelight Photography | www.stepintothelimelight.com
I say, some girls are just born with glitter in their veins!
Wedding planner: NK Weddings
Venue: Ringling Museum
Wedding cake: Julie Deffense Artistry
Florist: Botanica Florist
Furniture rentals: So Staged
Lighting: Affairs in the Air
Photos: Julie & Jacques Deffense (with exception to last photo, credit above to Limelite)
Caterer: Michael's on East
All images (unless specifically stated) and design concept copyright of Julie Deffense Artistry, LLC 2018 and may not be copied/reposted/published without prior consent from Julie Deffense.