Emily’s Mixing Bowl has been on board with The Pilgrims Rest since we launched as a wedding venue.  Emily has been a great support to us supplying wedding cakes for photo shoots and fairs and now for our lovely new couples.

Emily’s love for baking is clear and coupled with her amazing talent for sugar craft flowers it is a winning formula.  We interviewed her last week to find out how her business began and how her love for baking came about…

After doing an art foundation at college I went to Central Saint Martins in London and gained a degree in graphic design.  Whilst studying for my degree I worked in a restaurant making desserts which I loved.  On returning home to Sussex I decided to work full time as a pastry chef.  It seemed like a crazy thing to do at the time but the perfect foundation to becoming  a wedding cake designer.

How did you get into wedding cakes?  I started making wedding cakes for close friends and family, this then turned into friends of friends, friend’s sisters, and work colleagues. The word spread and with such a demand it almost got out of hand.  I found myself often baking into the wee hours which is when decided it was time to start up a cake business full time. I have always had a passion for creativity, design and baking so it felt like a natural progression and the perfect combination of my two loves.

What do you think will be the wedding cake trends will be for 2018?  Wedding cake trends in 2018 is a move away from the rustic cakes we have seen a lot of over the past couple of years with more elegant botanical influences coming in. Rose gold is already a huge trend which personally I love.   I think we will see that change into 2019 with more jewelled tones.  We have seen a lot of marble cakes over the last year which I think will be replaced by a more whimsical boho vibe.  Iced cakes will take over more from the naked style, which are delicious as there is only a thin layer of icing with chocolate ganache underneath...gone are the days of birthday cake icing that guests pick off when they think nobody is looking!

Is there a wedding you have done recently that really stood out for you and why?  Every wedding I do is exciting and unique to the couple I'm working with.  It is an absolute delight walking into the room to set the cake up the morning before the wedding and see all the hard work having paid off with the beautiful decorations and flowers.  There's something very still and magical about it and I always feel very privileged to be there before the crowds of guests, complete with their tears and laughter arrive.

What are your top tips for Brides planning choosing their wedding cake and planning their day?  Firstly, choose the right suppliers - just because one supplier comes in a bit cheaper doesn't mean they are the right one.  Ask your venue - they have seen the supplier’s work first hand. You need to like their style and feel comfortable around them so that you don’t need to stress about the day itself. 
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Secondly, try not to be too rigid with what you want; you will always get a better result from your cake designer, florist or photographer if you let them use their creativity (within reason). It is fine to show people Pinterest boards for inspiration but if you like someone's work you will always get the best out of them if you give them a reasonable amount of freedom.  After all, it is their job to get to know you and your wedding.  Let them create something personal and unique to suit you!
 
Please visit Emily’s Mixing Bowl for more information- www.emilysmixingbowl.co.uk
 
To find out how you can have your wedding at The Pilgrims Rest, please contact us on 075528873448 or email venue@pilgrimsrestbattle.co.uk. 
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 ​Brides Magazine have launched their ultimate guide to wedding trends for 2018.  One of these trends is cutting the guest list.
 
“Weddings are getting smaller. With couples opting to leave off relatives they haven’t seen for years, choosing more intimate gatherings with the people that matter most. This also cuts the wedding budget considerably, meaning extra cash saved to afford everything you really want.”
 
So take a good look at your guest list.  Ask yourself if second cousin Sally, Great Aunt Agnes, that colleague from work you didn’t want to offend - will make your wedding day a better one.  Maybe they will but more often than not having those you really love and who really love you is all you need.  What is better is that you actually get time to spend time with them on the day.
 
The Pilgrims Rest is an intimate wedding venue with no hidden extras, no corkage charge offering flexibility and choice.  If you are looking for somewhere more personal where you can be surrounded by your nearest and dearest then call today and come and see the venue for yourself. 
 
To find out how you can have your wedding at The Pilgrims Rest, please contact us on 07552873448 or venue@pilgrimsrestbattle.co.uk.

The image below was taken at one of our weddings back in the summer and  beautifully captures the importance of inviting guests who are important to you.  Photograph taken by the very talented Photographer, Georgina Piper.

​Photography by  Georgina Piper - www.georginapiperphotography.com