Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
photo credit: TimWill Photography
“We’re seeing soft textures with botanical decorations. Of course, the traditional old-fashioned cakes are also very popular right now.” —Alejandro González,
Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal | www.weddingcakesbyjimsmeal.com
photo credit: Michelle Behr
“Brides are viewing cakes as art and cake decorators as artisans rather than executors, so intricate designs have skyrocketed. Look for color executed in a traditional gilded style, like a Fabergé egg. With the resurgence of wallpaper in home decor, I try in my creations to implement patterns that give off a ‘more is more’ aesthetic.”
Miri Nadler, Miri Nadler Cake Design | www.mirinadler.com
photo credits: (left) Eric Kelley Photography & (right) Jackson and Nina
“We’re seeing a variety of trends. Wafer paper flowers have been one of our favorites. Classic monograms and shades of blue are still going strong. Vintage-inspired details, like intricate piping and the use of silver cake stands, are making a comeback. And we’ve seen table-length cakes as long as six feet!”
Hayden Ferri Campbell, Ashley Bakery | www.ashleybakery.com
photo credits: (left) Samantha Couick & (right) Samantha Jean Becker
“Slab cakes—essentially elevated, stacked sheet cakes—are gaining traction. I’m also seeing a lot of interest in wafer paper elements, palette knife work, and piped designs. I recently sketched birds from a couple’s invitation onto wafer paper to create a custom design.”
Sharon Aydlette, The Tenacious Tart | www.thetenacioustart.com
