Chicago Wedding & Party Resource 2019-20

8 | FALL & WINTER 2019 CHICAGO WEDDING & PARTY RESOURCE CHICAGOWEDDINGRESOURCE.COM BANQUETS, RECEPTIONS, SHOWERS & PARTIES Seasonal Sweets Find inspiration for your wedding cake from seasonal ingr dients and decorations By Carley Lintz, CTWFeatures Seasonality is a major trend sweeping the wedding industry in recent years. That means giving your guests the freshest, local ingredients in every bite – even the wedding cake. “We really believe, especially in New England where the seasons are so present, that incorporating seasonality adds a beautiful cohesion to any celebration, and is going to give your guests the best food experience,” says Jocelyn Pierce, owner of Mayflour Confections in Rockfort, Mass. From the ingredients to the décor, Mother Nature has plenty of inspiration to draw from. So, no matter what time of year you’re getting hitched, you can ensure your cake is in season. Spring Why just smell the flowers when you can taste them? If you’re saying ‘I do’ when spring is in bloom, Pierce suggests incorporating floral and herbal elements into your cake. “In spring, when people are craving something lighter and brighter, I love using dried herbs like rosemary and lavender, or local wildflower honey and maple syrup,” she says. “It can also be a great time to use nuts or seeds, like a pistachio filling, or lemon poppy seed cake.” For the exterior of the cake, light pastels and pops of green are a classic springtime color combination and real flowers are, of course, a clear topper choice. For a trendier look, consider utilizing icing techniques that mimic brushstrokes or watercolor paints to capture the subtle romance of spring. Summer This season, couples can take cake designs to the next level to match the rising temperatures. There are plenty of places to draw ideas from– tropical fauna, undersea coral or even Mediterranean tiles – that all feature bright and bold colors that fit the summertime feel. Flavors, too, should be vivid and bold; and nothing says summer like a juicy piece of fruit. “Lots of couples I work with will choose bright fruit flavors for summer. Lots of lemon curd, raspberry compote, pineapple curd or passion fruit buttercream,” says Dalana Fleming, owner and designer at The Cake & The Giraffe in Vancouver. Fall Autumn is now the most popular time of year to get married, and it’s easy to see why! Changing leaves, crisp weather and rich tastes all provide great wedding day inspiration – especially for the cake. Match the rustic romance of fall with a semi-naked tiered cake, which allows the interior ingredients to peep through the frosting. Or, embrace the moody season by incorporating deep, luxurious colors into your cake decorations. “A trend on the rise that I love is the use of dark colors. Lots of fall weddings are incorporating more black or dark navy and I’m here for it!” says Fleming. For the inside of the cake, fall is all about rich and spicy flavors. “We incorporate apples, carrots, pumpkin and pears, and start pairing them with warmer spices like cardamom and cinnamon,” says Pierce. Winter With the chill of Jack Frost in the air, winter is all about comfort. Flavor-wise, that means decadent chocolate, caramel, hazelnut and cream cheese. “It’s also a wonderful time to incorporate citrus [in the form of] curd or marmalade fillings or a bright citrus buttercream,” says Pierce. For the outside of the cake, you can’t go wrong with a little sparkle to complement the spirit of the holiday season. Metallics, like copper and gold, are another way to add a bit of winter opulence. Pierce, though, likes to take a subtler approach to the season. “Winter holiday decor and greens can be so heavy and dark,” she says. “I love taking a softer approach and using lots of dried flowers and herbs on winter cakes for a soft look that feels both elegant and natural.” © CTW Features