Simply Scrumtious! Love Lily Cakes

We are delighted to introduce you to the fabulous Love Lily Cakes.... here is a unique interview with the lovely Gemma who runs it with some drooltastic images of just some of her amazing cake designs...

What is company name?

Love Lily Cakes

What is your line of business?

Wedding Cakes, Favours and Candy Buffets

How and why the company begin?

Growing up I spent most weekends with my Nana Lily and loved our baking days. We would spend all day baking pies, cakes and other tasty treats for the rest of the family.  Love Lily Cakes was established in 2009 after I decided to turn a lifelong passion of baking and cake decorating into a career with the encouragement of friends and family.

I work in HR and when the recession hit I decided to bake more in my spare time as an outlet and something enjoyable to do to take my mind off the day to day stresses at work having to make staff redundant and cut peoples hours and wages.  In 2009 I started off attending craft fairs where I sold cupcakes, my first few fairs were brilliant as I was the only cupcake stall but by August cupcakes companies were becoming more popular and I found myself attending a fair where there was also anther cupcake company and by the end of the day we were both left with stock which we couldn’t sell.

From then on I decided I wanted to take my business in a different direction so I moved into the market for made to order cakes.  I attended my first wedding fair in September 2009 and I’ve never looked back, I’m so pleased I made the move into the wedding cake market!  The design and decoration are my favourite part of my work which I didn’t really get that chance to do making just cupcakes.

Why do brides come to you?

I think brides come to me because I can offer something a bit different, not dis similar to Simply Bows and Chair Covers.  Brides can have whatever they want.  They can choose from my portfolio or I can design a completely bespoke design for their wedding.  I specialise in vintage designs but also bold modern designs and my newest 2012 wedding cake collection features a lot of hand painted detail on cakes which other suppliers in the north east don’t offer.

I also offer 14 delicious cake choices for their fillings.  They can go traditional and have fruit, lemon or vanilla or if they would like to offer their guests something a  little different they can chose from Love Lily Cakes signature range which offers delicious tastes such as white chocolate and passion fruit, cherry and almond, coconut and lime, pistachio and praline to name a few.

What is your favourite design and why (if applicable)?

My new hand painted collection if definitely my favourite especially the bird and floral which was inspired by a table runner provided by Charlotte at Simply bows.

What is the most popular item you supply?

My most popular cake is a white chocolate one blocked with fresh roses which was made to imitate the brides dress and her bouquet.  It tied in perfectly with her wedding and since then so many brides have loved it and wanted to achieve the same idea.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Everywhere!  Sometimes brides come and speak to me with the theme for their wedding and we base their design on that, stationary and the brides dress are also popular choices to base the wedding cake design around.  I love vintage so do lots of detailed hand piped work with pearls and lace.  I also love my bright colours and take lots of inspiration from nature such as birds and flowers as well as home textiles and wallpaper designs.

What is in store for you in 2012

Big things hopefully!  I’m getting a new van this month because I’ve totally outgrown my car with my workload ahead.  I’m also in very exciting talks at the moment which must remain confidential (for now) to partner up with a very well established business.

Who would be your dream client, and what sort of design would you envisage for them?

Oh this is a tough one.  I don’t think it would be a celebrity.  It would be a bride who comes to me with so many ideas and inspirations who is looking for something completely different and we design her cake together.  One of my brides this year has had a brilliant idea for her cake.  She loves Battenberg cake so we’ve worked together and I’ve produced some new flavours specifically for her.  From the outside her cake will look as a wedding cake but when she cuts into it and the guests are serves the checkerboard design inside will be a complete surprise.

What would be your top tips for brides when searching for a supplier in your industry? 

Recommendations!  Definitely recommendations.  There are a lot of suppliers out there and it can be very difficult to choose.  Find a good supplier, who you feel happy with and comfortable to talk to and then ask their advice.  After all they attend all the wedding fairs and often cross paths with other suppliers at venues as well as gain feedback from past and present clients.

 Where are you based and where can you supply?

I’m based in Sunderland and open by appointment.  With regards to weddings I tend to cover the whole north east but I have ventured as far as Grasmere in the Lake District in the past for a bride.

 How can I get in touch to discuss my requirements or place an order?

Please feel free to contact me via email or phone initially to book an appointments and then we can meet for a consultation and cake tasting.  I also liaise with many clients on an email and telephone only basis if they live abroad or further afield and don’t have the time to come for an appointment prior to their wedding day.

Why do you like to work with Simply Bows and Chair Covers?

Because I’m always excited to see their products at wedding fairs and weddings when I go and set up the cakes.  Simply bows and Chair Covers offer such a massive range of designs, textures and finished that other chair cover companies simply can’t compete with.  If I was to get married I would definitely use Simply Bows and Chair Covers and I recommend them to all my clients who are looking for something a bit more different than a simple voile tie.