Hosted at Sandy Cove Hotel in Ilfracombe, Jack and Andy’s wedding day was nothing short of breathtaking. With its sweeping views across the coastline and a setting connected to the ocean, the couple wanted their wedding cake to reflect the beauty and drama of the sea. A sophisticated couple with truly refined taste, Jack and Andy were keen to avoid following trend or tradition when it came to their coastal wedding cake, instead opting for something so unique that it told their love story in a way no one else’s wedding cake ever could.
THE DESIGN INSPIRATION
As a luxury wedding cake designer, this was music to my ears. My passion lies in creating edible art that expertly captures the essence of a couple’s journey. Jack and Andy gave me complete creative freedom – where many coastal wedding cakes may lean into traditional blues and whites, I saw this as an opportunity to embrace the earthy tones of the shore and the raw, untamed movement of crashing waves. The result? A modern, distinctive coastal wedding cake that became a statement centrepiece for their celebration.
MOVEMENT, TEXTURE, FEELING
From the moment I began working with Jack and Andy, I knew their wedding cake design had to embody movement, texture and feeling – three elements that define the sea (through my eyes). Rather than drawing inspiration from the colour palette of the sea, I focused on its energy and how I could encompass this. Through various detailed sketches, I designed rice paper sails that showcased the ebb and flow of the water, delicate yet strong, and impossible to ignore. Each rice paper sail echoed the movement and froth of the waves meeting the shoreline – perfectly balancing grace with power.
I also experimented with varying tier heights and shapes, mirroring the imperfect rugged cliffs and organic landscapes of Ilfracombe. Meanwhile, I incorporated shades of warm beige, soft ivory and sandy tones to bring the earthy colour palette of the shore to life. Surrounding the wedding cake, was dried grass and pebbles to add further texture to the design, while offering a nod to the beauty of nature.
THE FLAVOUR CHOICES
When it came to choosing their wedding cake flavours, Jack and Andy opted for total indulgence in the form of Lemon, Elderflower & Blackcurrant, Orange Blossom, Almond & Thyme and Miso Caramel – the perfect trio!
No two wedding cakes that I create are ever the same – in the same way that no two couples or their love stories are alike. Designing Jack and Andy’s coastal wedding cake was about crafting something unforgettable, while weaving in their personalities, vision and the significance of their day into every detail. It is the bespoke elements that make it quite so beautiful. Jack and Andy’s wedding cake was more than simply a dessert, it was a sculpture that showcased their love story, brought to life through movement, texture and artistry.
If you’re dreaming of a wedding cake that aligns with your personalities, dreams and visions, look no further than Cake Design by Holly Miller. Through bespoke, high-end wedding cakes, you’ll also experience memories and masterpieces in the most delicious form. Let’s work together to bring your vision to life in the most exquisite way imaginable!
“From start to finish Holly has been amazing, she is such a lovely person to deal with and the cake was mind-blowing. It looked and tasted incredible, and guests thought it was a statue it looked that good. Holly is incredible at what she does and we were very lucky to have her as part of our special day.”
Photographer @clarekinchinphotography
Venue @hotelsandycove
Sugarpaste @couturesugarpaste
Colour @colour.mill
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