An Essex Wedding - May/June 2022 (Issue 104)

www.nigelraymentboutique.co.uk MINI ME Who says you have to have a wedding cake at all? Instead, why not share miniature varieties of the treats you love with your guests instead? Think heaps of waffles, melt-in-the-mouth macarons, cake pops and even a huge pile of profiteroles – it’s your day, so you can choux what you like! “Lots of couples choose croquembouche for their big day, which are French celebration cakes made of a pyramid of choux buns filled with crème pâtissière held together with caramel,” says Saffron Walden cake-maker Jérôme Viard of Croquembouche. “Usually mounted on a nougatine base and adorned with more nougatine shapes, it’s a great alternative to a more traditional cake as it gives a real ‘wow’ factor to your big day. Our croquembouches are customised to any customer wishes, from using locally-grown organic flowers to decorate, or any other decorations such as sugar work, or, of course, Belgian chocolate sauce. Just be sure to note the ephemerality of this type of cake; unlike most sponge or fruit cakes, a croquembouche is very susceptible to moisture and heat, and should only be displayed for a maximum of four hours – and in a dry room.” – www.croquembouche.co.uk www.croquembouche.co.uk www.instagram.com/yummybaker12/ https://pinkface.co.uk www.croquembouche.co.uk HISTORY IN THE BAKING We asked Rebecca Peterkin from Blackmore’s RT Cakes on how the trend for serving cake at your big day came about in the first place… “Wedding cakes are believed to have originated from ancient Rome, when the ceremony was concluded by the breaking of a wheat or barley cake over the bride’s head. The couple would then eat some crumbs as their first unified act together as a symbol of luck and fertility. However, the earliest reference to ‘cake’ at a wedding is during the 16th century, following the development of royal icing and sugar paste. “The idea of tiered cakes may have started in medieval England, where sweeter treats such as scones, iced buns and cookies were stacked as high as possible, and it was believed the bride and groom would have greater luck and fortune if they could kiss over the top of this tower of treats without it collapsing! During the 16th century, the bride’s friends would traditionally bring a sweet bun to the wedding, the number of which reflected her popularity, therefore also contributing to the trend of wanting taller wedding cakes. “As refined sugar became more available in England, it was of course a popular choice of ingredient for wedding cakes. The whiteness represented the bride’s virginity and purity, with larger, whiter cakes also symbolising a show of wealth. During the time when it was expected a couple would start a family within the first year of marriage, it was also considered good luck and prosperity for them to save the top tier of their wedding cake for the christening of their first born.” – https://rtcakes.co.uk www.instagram.com/customcakes_bylea/ www.instagram.com/yummybaker12/ https://pinkface.co.uk https://rtcakes.co.uk | https://courtneydeephotography.co.uk 61 WEDDING CAKES

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