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Shell Plant's avatar

What a beautiful wedding cake Lynn. And that you made it yourself too, absolutely beautiful.

My mother in law made our wedding cake. She transported it from Gloucestershire to Essex bless her. It was three tiers of fruit cake, chocolate cake and carrot cake. Covered in marzipan, icing and a cascade of shimmering Autumn leaves. I didn't truly appreciate what she had done for me until I learnt to make wedding cakes myself.

Lynn Hill's avatar

The cake sounds wonderful, and the best ingredient is the love from your mother in law. I have made fruit cakes since, but never a wedding cake.

I once heard a story of how someone gathered a few small flowers from the reception garden to add a little colour to a wedding cake. After a while, someone commented on the delicate filigree work in the buttercream coating, only to realise what was creating it!!

Shell Plant's avatar

Haha, that's a great story!

Betty Williams's avatar

I am so impressed you made your own wedding cake, Lynn! Wowie! And it’s gorgeous to boot! My wedding cake was made by a bakery nearly 60 miles away. I can’t believe they delivered it and set it up for me early on a Saturday morning. It was a beautiful (and delicious) chocolate cake with Baileys Irish cream filling, American buttercream frosting, and decorated with large white chocolate curls. It was kind of trendy that year (1994) but when I look at photos of it today I am still so happy I ordered it.

Lynn Hill's avatar

Your cake sounds wonderful and for them to travel 60 miles to deliver it. These days there is such a variety of cakes for weddings. I’d choose a chocolate cake any day. But fruit cakes and royal icing were more traditional back in the 70’s when I got married.

Annada D. Rathi's avatar

What a gorgeous cake, Lynn! Super impressive

Lynn Hill's avatar

Thank you. I wish we’d taken more pictures. But there were no phone cameras in those days.

Julie McCoy's avatar

Beautiful cake! I made the mistake of ordering a wedding cake from a recommended local baker since the restaurant only did “ basic” desserts. To this day, it was the driest most uninspiring chocolate cake I’ve ever had. Basic dessert- ice cream, cookies, even fruit would have been better. And we will celebrate 40 years in September.

Lynn Hill's avatar

That’s sad to hear about the cake. Congratulation on 40 years together. When I looked around for a wedding cake, they were far too expensive. Which is why I made my own. My mother always made her own fruit cakes and she helped me with the recipe.

Jeanie Jo | Food and the Story's avatar

Lynn, thank you so much for sharing my article! I loved reading about the wedding cake you made by hand—that’s such a special memory. Chad and I had a planned elopement in Kauai, and our wedding dinner was just the two of us at the Hula Girl restaurant. 🫶🏻 Steak, pineapple rice, and a dreamy coconut cake for dessert.

Lynn Hill's avatar

I like the sound of your menu. Especially the dreamy coconut cake.

Jeanie Jo | Food and the Story's avatar

I really need to recreate this menu 🫶🏻

Lynn Hill's avatar

Perhaps a new trend. Wedding planning menu - food memories to last a lifetime.

I used to have a secret tea room in my own home, and I can still remember most, if not all, of the menus I created for my guests. That's what food does to us. The finger sandwiches, small savoury tarts, fresh scones, and cakes, of course. Followed by endless cups of tea and wonderful conversations.

Jeanie Jo | Food and the Story's avatar

I love that! I think you’re onto something. Food has a way of becoming part of the memory, not just the meal. And now I wish I could have visited your secret tea room—that sounds absolutely magical.