Den Bake Shop

Is it weird if I say mine?! It's such a privilege to be surrounded by a room full of loved ones wishing you well - I'll never forget that feeling (or the resulting face-ache from grinning for so long) and I love being a part of that experience for other people.

Taste-obsessed, personal, natural, informal, sustainable.

Taste-obsessed, personal, eclectic, inclusive, informal.

I really don't mess around when it comes to high quality ingredients and I pride myself on my focus on taste. A wedding cake should be gorgeous to look at, it's got to taste fabulous too. I use organic, free range and unrefined products wherever possible, and I make everything I can from scratch, including all compotes, curds, nut butters and syrups. And I wouldn't give it to my kids, it's not going in your bakes. Apart from rum. If you like rum as much as I do, you can definitely have that, no problem.

I don't mess around when it comes to high quality ingredients and I'm seriously focused on taste. I mean, cake should be gorgeous to look at, but is there even any point if doesn't taste fabulous?

Den products use organic, free range and unrefined ingredients wherever possible, and I make as much as I can myself, including compotes, curds, nut pastes, fondant details and syrups. And if I wouldn't give it to my kids, it's not going in your bakes. Apart from booze. You can definitely have that, no problem.

All wedmin and no actual conversation ain't fun. Try to restrict your planning chat to agreed times - schedule it if that's your thing! - but just remember to talk about something OTHER than your wedding from time to time, as it can be all too easy to let it encroach too much on the rest of your life. And if you're getting bogged down in the minutiae, always bear in mind that a guest with a full belly and a drink in hand is the most forgiving kind...just make sure the food is in safe hands and I guarantee your wedding party will have a wonderful time celebrating with you!

Agree on your priority spends for budget! And consider restricting your wedmin planning chat to agreed times, as it can be all too easy to let it encroach too much on the rest of your life. If you find yourself getting too bogged down in the minutiae, always bear in mind that a guest with a full belly is the most forgiving kind...if nothing else, make sure the food is in safe hands, and I guarantee your wedding party will have a wonderful time celebrating with you. Oh, please plan to serve your wedding cake as dessert - what better way is there to make sure that cake budget is well spent, than by making sure your guests actually get to eat it?

Unusual personalised touches, I think. Personalised beermats designed by a very talented illustrator friend of the bride's were one. A bespoke bench for the couple that could be tagged and graffitied by their guests was another lovely idea.

Personalised beermats for each guest, designed by a very talented friend of the bride. Such a gorgeous little keepsake and really thoughtfully done.

When you get in touch, I'll come back to you to get a few more details. I'll arrange a free initial chat so we get a good idea of each other's vibe and if we're a good match. I'll ask you to order a postal cake box, available several times a year via my website, then I'll work up two designs and quotes, with at least one based within the budget you've indicated. I always suggest couples factor their cake into their overall catering - it's better value if your guests actually eat your cake, not just watch you cut it!

Once we've agreed flavours & design, you pay your 50% deposit, put me in touch with your planner/venue coordinator, and I work out all the logistics directly with your contact there.

You'll hear from me again when it's close to time to pay your balance (up to 14 days before THE day), then I'll deliver your cakes myself when it's time. I'll check in after your nuptials for your professional pics and your feedback, of course - I really value hearing how it all went.

When you get in touch, I'll come back to you within 48 hours with a bunch of follow up questions, based on the info you've given me. I'll give you a free quote as soon as I have enough details for a realistic number, and can work out something spectacular to suit the vast majority of budgets.

It's best when couples contact me at least 6 weeks' notice before the big day - it ensures we have maximum flexibility for ideas that are personal to you. Then comes the fun bit - I ply you with cake options via a postal sample pack (there's a small consultation fee that comes off your final balance). We'll discuss design options over email or by phone, too, and I love it when couples share their Pinterest board for inspiration. I'm inspired by lots of other brilliant cake artists but I won't copy their work, so non-cake related prompts are my favourite.

Once we've agreed both flavours and design, you pay your 50% deposit and we're full steam ahead. You put me in touch with your venue, and I work out all the logistics directly with your contact there - you've got other fish to fry. You'll hear from me again when it's close to time to pay your balance (up to 14 days before THE day), then I'll drop you a line to let you know when I'm making your cake (I like my cake extra fresh!) And I'll check in after your nuptials for your feedback, of course - I really value hearing how it all went.

Don't make me pick! I'm massive fan of carrot cakes though - I make four different types - and both the Den Bake Shop classic version and Drunken Carrot (infused with Jamaican rum) are firm client favourites. Drunken Carrot was also awarded two stars in the 2023 Great Taste Awards, which I'm really proud of.

Probably Carrot. I love it so much, I make four kinds - my take on the classic, then the spicier Carrot + Ginger, Carrot Chilli packing a gentle heat, and Drunken Carrot comes on in time for Christmas, dosed with Appleton Rum.

But then Original Nutter is a personal favourite, too - fluffy hazelnut layers filled with dark chocolate ganache, hazelnut buttercream and crushed caramelised roasted hazelnuts...I think you'll just have to taste them all!

Same way I got into marriage: someone wonderful asked, and I said "yes!" My first wedding cake was a referral from a dear friend, and while I wasn't sure I was ready for such a huge occasion, it turned out to be a roaring success. The groom told me afterward that people were having fourth and fifth slices, and I've had the honour of creating several birthday cakes for their children and extended family over the years.