What Online Dating Can Teach You About Finding Your Dream Wedding Cake

A Darling Affair 12/07/2018 0 Comments

When Megan Norris of Hansel and Gretel cakes contacted us with the offer of a guest blog post, we knew it was going to be good, but we didn’t realise it would be THIS good! So today we have for you our newest, favourite cake blog post of all time. Prepare yourself for some profound wisdom bombs and LOL’s.

What Online Dating Can Teach You About Ordering Your Wedding Cake

Congratulations on your engagement, you have found that special someone who has swept your feet off the dating scene. But you might want to reach back into that bag of first date coping mechanisms while you embark on the beautiful journey that is finding your cake maker.

For the last six years I’ve had the pleasure of making Wedding Cakes for the most fantastic couples but, I can’t ignore the parallels between finding the perfect cake maker and online dating.

PARALLEL NUMBER ONE: It was the puppy in the photo that got you.

Let me set the scene, you are up late scrolling through your options online, you see a cake you love and hop on their website to find out more. Only to find out that no other cakes on their site really appeal to you. This is what I like to call the puppy dog effect. You see a guy online and think, “I like dachshunds, he has a dachshund, maybe this could work?” Yes, the puppy was cute, but does he have any other qualities you will enjoy? You need to like the whole package, much like finding a cake maker.

Each cake maker has a distinct style and this will come through in every cake they make. If you don’t think you’ll enjoy mountain climbing at 5am or watching cricket matches that last longer than 48 hours, you won’t be happy. Mountain climbing isn’t a bad thing, I hear it’s a good thing, but it’s just not what you enjoy. You can’t change a partner’s habits, and you can’t change a cake makers’ style. Make sure you like the whole package, not just the puppy.

PARALLEL NUMBER TWO: You just don’t gel. But honestly, there was too much gel in his hair.

Yes, well done. You have found a cake maker with a body of work you adore! You text your friends, send them photos and are over the moon with excitement. Just like how my friend sends me photos of her next date and I comment on how he looks like he has, “kind eyes”. (LOL!). It’s time. You are at the restaurant. He has just arrived and things start off well. But as the night progresses you realise the only gel that’s happening, is in his hair.

It’s important that you form a relationship with your cake maker. This is the person who will be making the most important cake you will ever order. You need to feel confident that they will provide you with exactly what you want and you can rely on them to deliver when it’s needed. It’s ok if you just don’t feel it when you meet a prospective cake maker. You thank them for their time and move on with your search, for both love and cake.

PARALLEL NUMBER THREE: It’s time to delete the app, you’ve found the one.

He prefers sports that are restricted to a single evening and thinks hiking selfies are a waste of a good sleep in. Best yet, his hair is too perfect to ever require gel. Just like finding your dream boat, you have also found your cake maker. You have found the cake maker that you are happy with, you love their business style and you can’t wait for your guests to eat what you’ve lovingly picked out. It’s time to pay a deposit and check the cake off the list! Trust that feeling in your gut, it’s how you found your partner after all!

Finding your cake maker should be a big deal and your cake maker understands that you are making an important decision by picking them. Have all your concerns been met? If it’s important to you, have you tried the cake before you order it? I will let that fantastic dating comparison slide by… Do their cakes look stable, strong and level when they are stacked? Have they worked with your other vendors before? If any of these are concerns for you, voice them! Your cake maker will be happy to answer them for you.

Enjoy this time, and have fun with the planning of your wedding! When else in your life are you encouraged to try eight different types of cake in one sitting?

Hansel and Gretel Designer Wedding Cakes

A Darling Affair 14/05/2018 0 Comments

For years we have had the pleasure of working alongside Hansel and Gretel Cakes. The plus side is often we have been allowed to taste their cakes! It’s one thing to create a beautiful looking cake, but it is another if its insides are as delicious as it looks!

Making beautiful and tasty cakes for Brisbane and its surrounds, Hansel and Gretel Cakes are a creative delight! Owner and cake creator Megan Norris offers free tastings and meets with you so that she can design a cake personal to you. That way, you can be sure you are going to be in love with your cake.

We went through their drool worthy wedding cake gallery to show you some of our favourite designs.

To see all the ADA vendor cakes at our fair, subscribe to our newsletter to hear first when tickets are available!

So Delish

A Darling Affair 06/12/2017 0 Comments

On the hunt for some delish grub for your guests? From cakes and desserts, to sit down feasts, our catering vendors have all your food bases covered.

WildChild Catering

Wild Child Catering specialises in creating 100% bespoke cakes and drool-worthy dessert tables. Creator Kendra is a master at putting together the most amazing, Instagrammable dessert spreads and is a genius at eclectic, vintage and boho-chic themes. Kendra works closely with her clients to customise one-of-a-kind menus based on couples wants and needs. You want a pie table? She can do that! A skyscraper of Parisian macaroons? You got it! Have your heart set on a donut tower? No problem!!!

Icecream Curls

We were so lucky to have Icecream Curls with us at the fair! It was an absolute scorcher and they had us cooling down with delicious, super fun ice-cream curls. This fab biz create delicious frozen treats that have people craving more up and down the Sunshine Coast! The first of it’s kind in Queensland, Icecream Curls is made from scratch by husband and wife team Sam and Dannii. All of their fresh ingredients come from local suppliers and they’re strong believers in keeping things local and supporting others chasing their dreams. Community over competition!

The Little Bluebird Fine Cakes and Sweets

The Little Bluebird Fine Cakes and Sweets create gorgeous individually designed wedding cakes and coordinating sweets for lovely couples who are looking for something special on their big day. With a timeless and distinctive style that makes them unique, The Little Bluebird offer crisp, elegant and designs that are executed with perfection and taste out of this world.

Parma Street Food

Hat’s off to Parma Street Food (formerly known as Maribelle’s Street Food) for not only being a favourite with our guests, they were also one of the friendliest vendors at the Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair! The only food truck of its kind on the Sunshine Coast, Maribelle’s offer different menu choices for any occasion, ranging from Italian antipasto platters, cheese and fruit platters, canapes and even a buffet and restaurant style option for the couple looking for a sit-down feast. They really have all the bases covered for a delicious and original wedding menu that will keep your guests talking about your day for years to come.

Head Over Wheels

Thank goodness for Head Over Wheels! These guys kept everyone cool with their refreshing drinks on such a hot day, plus they looked great and tasted soooo good! New to the Sunshine Coast, since May of 2017 they have already helped celebrate multiple weddings, birthday parties and community and corporate events from Byron Bay to Noosa. Not a bad start! Their gorgeous mobile caravan bar is an absolute wow factor, guaranteed to make your celebration even more memorable. Operating as a BYO alcohol and beverage service, the Head Over Wheel’s friendly and talented bar staff ensure that your guests are happy and hydrated at all times. Plus, their amazing decor and relaxing ambiance create incredible photo ops!

Photo Credit: Daisy Chain Weddings

Hello May Exclusive

A Darling Affair 25/10/2017 0 Comments

It’s no secret how much we love our amazing sponsor Hello May, so when they asked us to create some exclusive images just for them it was a no-brainer.

We are so lucky to be surrounded by so many incredible talents, making it easy to put together the ultimate crew to help bring to life a dreamy photo shoot fit for the pages of the Hello May Blog.

Daisy Chain Weddings, Heavenly Blooms, The Beauty Case, Ivie White Bridal, Him & Her Events, Hodge Podge Hire, Wil Valor, WildChild Cakes, The Supper Club and September Creative worked their magic and we have to say that it turned out even better than we had imagined! This amazing team of vendors and suppliers make working in the wedding industry a joy and we love having so many great Sunshine Coast movers and shakers to recommend to our couples.

Not long now until the Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair, have you got your tickets yet?! Head over to Hello May for more gorgeous wedding inspo to get you through until this weekend. See you at the fair!

Top Reasons To Get Married On The Sunshine Coast!

A Darling Affair 04/10/2017 0 Comments

So, you’re starting to plan your wedding and tossing around the pro’s and con’s of getting married on the Sunshine Coast. Everyone knows that this beautiful part of the country is known for it’s stunning beaches, but there’s more to this part of the coast than meets the eye! From the breathtaking natural backgrounds of the Sunshine Coast Hinterlands, to amazing venues and top class local businesses, there are so many reasons to choose the Sunshine Coast as your dream wedding destination.

Looking for the ultimate spot for your ceremony? The Sunshine Coast has some truly fantastic venues…

The Chapel Woombye has been a favourite A Darling Affair Wedding Fair venue for years. This one of a kind, 100 year old church has been lovingly restored to make it a picture perfect backdrop. The largest of it’s kind on the Sunshine Coast, this beautiful chapel is perfect for couple’s who are dreaming of a quaint, love-filled ceremony.

The Rocks is an iconic landmark on the Maroochy River with sweeping water views and plenty of rustic charm. Stunning and relaxed, this amazing venue feature mouthwatering locally grown produce and wines on their menu list and are masters at creating a stress free day for couples by taking care of every little detail.

Nestled among the picturesque Sunshine Coast hinterland, Spicers Retreats Clovelly Estate has been renovated into a breathtaking luxury lodge. Boasting extensive gardens and top class accommodations, their experienced in-house wedding coordinator will guide you through every step of planning and make organising your wedding a breeze.

But what about the wedding cake and sweet treats that you want to WOW your guest with? Well….

The Little Bluebird Fine Cakes and Sweets are bringing a splash of elegance with their gorgeous range of delicious wedding cakes and baked goodies. A new addition to the Sunshine Coast, their distinct style is already creating buzz among brides and are quickly filling up their calendar for the new year!

Wild Child Kendra from Wildchild Catering creates incredible, bespoke wedding cakes and drool worthy dessert tables. She works alongside her clients to customise one-of-a-kind menus and no request is too crazy for this London trained baker!

SweetP Cakes and Cookies is a Noosa based cake and cookie artist that create Instagramable desserts and delectable treats. Perfect for wedding favours, your guests will be blown away by their scrumptious range of delights.

On the hunt for an out of this world wedding photographer? There are so many creative vendors on the coast, here are just a couple of our fav’s...

The uber talented Adriana Watson Photography is every couples dream! A Sunshine Coast native, she knows all the best spots and her skills reign supreme! Adriana creates an intimate connection with everyone that she works with to make sure that her photos are natural and in-the-moment.

Globetrotting Lani Carter Photographer is a wedding photographer with amazing style. She is all about capturing every romantic moment from your big day and her journalistic approach helps her to create images that you’re sure to fall in love with.

Dreaming of a beach side celebration or a bit of DIY flair? There are beautiful style options for every type of wedding…

The awesome team at Harper Arrow offer an exceptional range of styling packages that can be individually tailored to make sure that your celebration goes off without a hitch. Whether you’re looking for someone to do the heavy work or just need a bit of help with a little DIY style, they have you covered for your big day.

Boho Sisters are a unique event and styling biz based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast who create gorgeous modern Moroccan inspired set ups for any special occasion. Dreamers and travelers themselves, they design bespoke packages to give you the intimate and oh-so romantic day that you’ve been dreaming of.

Cloud Nine Weddings is a multi award winning business and a must for anyone planning an event on the coast. They take care of everything from the planning right through to styling your day to perfection.

It may not be the big city, but the Sunshine Coast has such a wide range of options for weddings. Our celebrants are all unique and we can help you find your perfect one, whatever your preference…

If you’re looking for a marriage celebrant with sass, then Hayley Belle is your girl! This rad young mum is a ball of energy and up for anything! With a background in radio, she’s now working in her dream job and uniting lovebirds across Queensland.

They don’t call her The Sunny Celebrant for nothing! Natalie Skye is full of life and injects her unique sparkle into every ceremony that she performs. A Sunshine Coast favourite, Natalie has brought together couples all over the globe.

The lovely Paula Koda has been helping couple and families celebrate milestones since 2010. A whole-hearted celebrant, Paula has a warmth and energy that radiates to all she meets.

Dazzling scenery and talented creatives make the Sunshine Coast an amazing wedding day option that ticks ALL the boxes with everything you need to create the once-in-a life-time, unforgettable day that you’ve been dreaming of.

Come and meet all of these amazing vendors (and more!) at the Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair on 28th October. And for more behind the scenes info and drop dead gorgeous wedding inspiration follow A Darling Affair on our Instagram or Facebook page!

The Little Bluebird Fine Cakes and Sweets

A Darling Affair 21/09/2017 0 Comments

Have you ever seen a more perfect cake?!

The Little Bluebird Fine Cakes and Sweets create individually designed wedding cakes and coordinating sweets for lovely couples who are looking for something special on their big day.

The making of baker extraordinaire Melanie, The Little Bluebird sprang from the memories that she has working in the kitchen with her Mum. Baking for others became a special treat and seeing how a beautiful cake could make someone feel loved was all that she needed to give her the push to turn her dream into real life.

With a gorgeous, distinctive style that makes them unique, The Little Bluebird offer crisp, elegant and timeless designs that are executed with perfection and taste out of this world.

A fantastic new addition to the Sunshine Coast, spending most 2017 perfecting every last detail, while also designing and constructing her studio for most of the year, Melanie is excited to start taking orders for 2018. Plus, The Little Bluebird has joined the lineup for the Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair and we can’t wait to see what she whips up for us!

Can’t wait until the fair in October to see more? Find The Little Bluebird Fine Cakes and Sweets on their website or Facebook page.

Wild Child Catering

A Darling Affair 07/09/2017 0 Comments

If you’re looking for some seriously hashtag worthy cakes, you’ve come to the right place!

The lovely Kendra Groves of Wild Child Catering has always loved creating things. Training as a baker back home in London, she fine-tuned her skills and perfected her methods to learn how to make mouthwatering treats. After immigrating to Noosa, she started missing the baking life that she loved so much and decided to create her own cake business with a twist.

Operating for 3 years now, Wild Child Catering specialise in creating 100% bespoke cakes and drool worthy dessert tables. Kendra is a master at putting together the most amazing, Instagrammable dessert spreads and is a genius at eclectic, vintage and boho chic table themes.

Kendra works closely with her clients to customise one-of-a-kind menus based on couples wants and needs. You want a pie table? She can do that! A skyscraper of Parisian macaroons? You got ! Have your heart set on a donut tower? No problem!!!

Kendra believes that everyone deserves the most magical wedding day ever, and that includes having the most magical wedding cake. She says ‘NO’ to bland and uninspiring and a big fat ‘YES’ to delicious and memorable!

We can’t wait to see what Kendra dreams up for the Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair! To see more of her incredible creations until then, you can find Wild Child Catering on Facebook or Instagram.

CAKE IT AWAY!

A Darling Affair 24/02/2016 0 Comments

Creamy, crumbly, sweet or spongey, whatever your preference these talented cake makers are wizards in the kitchen!

This lovely bunch are just few of our fantastic vendors showing off their amazing creations at the last Brisbane Wedding Festival. Decadent discs of risen wonder, their cakes are almost too good to eat.

HANSEL AND GRETEL CAKES

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Hansel and Gretel Cakes started with the love of all things sweet and founder Megan, may be the sweetest of them all.

Using quality products and having a flair for detail, Megan brings stylish cakes and desserts to the Brides and Grooms of Brisbane. With a belief that your wedding cake should be a reflection of you and your big day, Hansel and Gretel Cakes offer modern and unique designs to suit any style.

PETAL & PEACH BESPOKE CAKERY

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As a one-person operation, Rebecca is the Chief mixer, stirrer, baker and creative at Petal & Peach Bespoke Cakery. Her commitment to each creation through every step of the process and her natural inclination to be a perfectionist mean every single cake that leaves the Petal and Peach kitchen is absolutely filled to the brim with love. The service that Rebecca provides is completely personalised and every cake is made with all the style and sophistication of your vision.

Rebecca oversee’s every process from discussing and understanding your cake brief, building flavour combinations (that will absolutely blow your mind), baking, constructing, decorating, delivering and styling your masterpiece.

VELVETEIR

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Are you dreaming of a sweet-filled party or reception? Velvetier make the most divine custom cakes, petite desserts and treats of all descriptions. Whatever your occasion, their delicious delights will make it even more special.

Velvetier lovingly handcraft dazzling cupcakes, macarons, cake pops, biscuits, brownies and celebration cakes for any event and can ensure that the treats of your choice can be customised to the theme of your big day.

Event images thanks to Rob and Lizzie

VELVETIER

A Darling Affair 22/01/2016 0 Comments

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They believe that it takes premium ingredients to make delicious cakes, so Velvetier only use the best ingredients and bake fresh every day.

Making quality delights available to everyone is their passion. They aim to make their products affordable and work alongside their clients to help them design something for their day that is not only gorgeous and delicious, but also budget friendly.

Come and meet the darling team from Velvetier at the next Brisbane Wedding Festival, held on January 30th, 2016.

Until then, find them on their website or Facebook page to check out more of their amazing goodies.

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HANSEL AND GRETEL CAKES

A Darling Affair 04/11/2015 0 Comments

Hansel and Gretel Cakes started with the love of all things sweet and founder Megan, may be the sweetest of them all.

Developing a passion for baking in her mum’s kitchen, Megan dreamed of creating beautiful cakes and desserts. After finishing University and a stint in a corporate career, her vision of baking full-time was still on her mind. From that dream, Hansel and Gretel Cakes was born.

Since entering the wedding industry three years ago, Megan prides herself on making cakes that couples will absolutely adore. Client happiness is the driving force behind her passion and love for wedding cakes. She believes that every couple deserves the cake that they have always dreamed of.

We are so excited to have her on board for our Brisbane Wedding Festival on January 30th, 2016 hosted by the Brisbane Racing Club. Until then you can visit Hansel and Gretel Cakes on their website or find them on Facebook.